In surface, Essex presents a pleasing picture, a landscape of practical utility rather than mere beauty -- no mountains rear their lofty crests skyward, and no dimpling lakelets deck the emerald vales. Still, there is diversity enough to attract the beauty loving eye, and once attracted, the beholder cannot but remark the rare richness of the territory. The northern and eastern portions are broken and hilly, containing some elevations of considerable prominence, and all clothed with a rich verdure that affords sustenance to many herds of cattle. The southern, central, and western parts are more level, sinking in some places to a swamp, where large quantities of cranberries grow spontaneously. On the borders of the Winooski and Brown's Rivers the soil is a rich alluvial deposit, while in the southern and southwestern it is sandy, and in the northern and northwestern more of a clayey formation, cropping out occasionally in valuable clay beds suitable for manufacture into brick. Rich deposits of muck are also found in certain localities. Taken in general, the soil is rich and productive, with scarcely an acre that cannot be cultivated, and the greater portion of the township is admirably adapted to grazing purposes, and hence the farmer's attention is principally devoted to this branch of husbandry, causing large quantities of butter and cheese to be exported each season, forming the principal article of commerce. Unusually good facilities are afforded, too, for transportation of commodities, in the several railroads which intersect here. The Winooski River forms the southern boundary of the town, affording two good mill privileges, while the eastern and central portions are watered by Brown's River and its several tributaries. Alder brook flows through the central part, and several other smaller streams are found in other localities.

      The rocks that enter into the geological structure of the town are of the Eolian limestone, clay slate, and talcose conglomerate formation, with their various phases and transformations. The marble bed underlies the southwestern comer, next to which is the clay slate, a deposit about two miles in width, extending the whole length of the town from north to south, the remaining portion of the territory being talcose conglomerate.

      In 1880, Essex had a population of 2,111, was divided into twelve school districts, and contained ten common schools, employing one male and fourteen female teachers, at an aggregate salary of $1,441. There were 486 pupils attending common school, while the entire cost of the schools for the year, ending October 31st, was $1,9959.15.

      ESSEX JUNCTION, a post village located in the southwestern part of the town, at the junction of the various railroads which traverse the county, contains two churches (Baptist, and union of the M. E. and Cong.), a paper mill, butter tub factory, saw and grist mill, marble shop, a nursery, eight stores, four blacksmith shops, one wheelwright shop, one paint shop, two livery stables, two hotels, a graded school, village hall, extensive brick manufactory, etc.

      ESSEX CENTRE (Essex p. o.), a post village located in the central part of the town, contains four churches (M. E., Baptist, Cong., and Universalist), Essex Classical Institute, a district school, two stores, one hotel, a blacksmith shop, one wagon shop, a dressmaker shop and millinery store, and about 150 inhabitants

      J. K. DRURY & Son's brick yard, located on road 41, is probably one of the most extensive brick manufactories in the State. The works were established in 1868, by J. B. DRURY, and seem to have everything furnished at hand by nature. Indian brook passes through the center of the yard, and upon one side of it are beds of excellent clay, while on the other side the sand for its manufacture into brick is found in abundance. Four mills are used in grinding the clay, fifty men employed, and the annual product is 4,000,000 bricks. Mr. DRURY has constructed a branch track from the C. V. R. R., uniting near the Junction depot, so that his goods may be loaded upon the cars right at the yard.

      J. W. TRUAX, located at Essex junction, is engaged in the manufacture of his Green Mountain water wheel, patented in 1860. He does an extensive business, and employs a number of men.

      HUNTER & SHILANDS paper mill, located at Essex junction, is operated by water power, and has, in addition, four engines for grinding stock. All of their machinery is of the most modern style, enabling them to do first class work. They employ twenty hands, and manufacture one and one half tons of paper per day.

      W. B. JOHNSON's grist mill, also located at Essex Junction, is operated by water power, has four runs of stones, and employs four men. It grinds annually 2,500 bushels of wheat, 30,000 bushels of corn, 5,000 bushels of oats, and 5,000 bushels of buckwheat, besides 30,000 bushels of custom grinding.

      The Marble Works at Essex junction were established by SNYDER & BROWNELL, in 1864. Mr. M. L. SNYDER bought out Mr. BROWNELL, in 186,7, since which time he has operated the business alone. He subsequently added the manufacture of granite, and now does a general business in both lines, employing five men.

      The Central House, a fine hotel located at Essex junction, was opened by the present proprietor, Edward O. JOSLYN, May 1, 1882, a gentleman of large experience as a hotel keeper. This location offers superior inducements to summer boarders, on account of the many pleasant drives, being only ten miles from Mount Mansfield, and the excellent opportunities for gunning, trout fishing, etc.

      The Junction House, another hotel of equal merit, is located at the village, with Truman HUNT, proprietor.

      Of the sixty four grantees of the township of Essex, none, it is believed, ever located within its limits. And notwithstanding the charter was granted as early as 1763, no settlements were made, and the tract remained studded with stately forest monarchs, with none to disturb their quietude, until 1783, when, in the spring of that year, Samuel SMITH, William SMITH, Jonathan WINCHELL, Dubartis WILLARD, and David HALL, came on from Massachusetts, and commenced a settlement. Thus the history of the town may properly be said to date from that spring, a quiet, even, uneventful history though it is. Steadily and quietly the town has increased in power and importance, and quietly, one by one, its waving grain fields and smiling meadows have come into existence, as the forest receded before the onslaught of the sturdy woodman. Again we say, the history of Essex is an uneventful one. No MILTON or POPE first opened their eyes on the pleasant hills and dales, and no PORTER or NELSON have closed their eyes here to a sleep beneath its clay. Indeed, the Essex man cannot boast of even a DOUGLASS or a Horace GREELEY as a native of their town; but they can claim two thousand honest, loyal hearts that call it home, and though not blazoned forth on the banner of fame, they point to numerous silent, well kept graves, where rest the bodies of as many heroes, whose noble souls went up in the smoke of battle, a sacrifice to preserve their country's unity. Pioneers came in slowly after a settlement was once commenced, so that at the taking of the first census, in 1791, it had 354 inhabitants. In 1786, it was considered that the population was sufficiently large to warrant its organization by the election of proper town officers, so a meeting was called on the 22d of March of that year, at which Elkanah BILLINGS was chosen clerk; Abram STEVENS, constable; Dubartis WILLARD, Justin DAY, and Joel WOODWORTH, selectmen. The first justices were. Joel WOODWORTH and Timothy BLISS, chosen in 1787. The first representative was Dubartis WILLARD, in 1786. Frances HALL was the first person born, August 23, 1783, and Eli SMITH, who lived to a very advanced age, the first male born November 19, 1784.

      Upon the banks of the Winooski, just within the limits of the town, Samuel SMITH and his associates located, putting up the first log house, felling the first tree, and planting the first grain. At a later period, upon the borders of Brown's River, Joel WOODWORTH settled, and kept what is supposed to have been the first "tavern" in town. Farther down the stream, Timothy BLISS Abel CASTLE, James PELTON, Dea. Samuel BRADLEY, Dea. INGRAHAM, Jonathan BIXBY, Nathan and Jabez WOODWORTH, James KEELER, and James GATES were among the first settlers in the eastern part of the town, occupying the fertile intervales that border that stream. On the west side of the stream, on the road now leading to the center of the town, Stephen BUTLER and Caleb OLDS settled. Dea. Daniel MORGAN settled a little north of Dea. WATKINS, on the opposite side of the road, Capt. Morgan NOBLE on the CASE farm, Col. Stephen NOBLE on the HERRICK farm, and Ezra WOODWORTH and Mr. BRYANT still farther north. Col. NOBLE kept a store in the same house at a very early day. In the northern and western portions of the town; Samuel GRIFFIN, Averill GRIN, Ezra SLATER, Jonathan CHIPMAN, Brascom PERRIGO, David, George, and Zuriel TYLER, Benton BUCK, Ezra BAKER, and Henry SLATER, were among the first settlers. South from Page's Corners Capt. Simeon TUBBS, the BASSETTs, David KELLOGG, Asahel NASH, Dea. Samuel BUELL, and Esquire KNICKERBOCKER were the early settlers. At what was afterwards known as Butler's Corners, from the fact of men of that name doing business there, Justin DAY and Calvin BEARD first settled At this place the sign post and "stocks" were erected, in 1800, by town legislation. In those days the sign post was quite an important public officer, for upon him was posted all the notices of warrants, sales, meetings, etc., making him quite a gossipy public character. The first settlement at Page's Corners, so called from Samuel PAGE, whose industry and enterprise built it up and made it a place of considerable business, was made by James BLIN, followed by John and Stephen REED. John kept a tavern here at an early date, and after him Curtis HOLGATE. Here, too, the first store in town was kept, by Bazzel STEWART, in 1795, and here also the first post office was established. Ralph RICE was appointed postmaster, but on his refusing to accept the position Samuel Farrar was appointed in his stead. In a few years, however, the office was abandoned, and none kept in the town for a period of nearly twenty years. In 1825 or '26, the office was reestablished at Butler's Corners, and Roswell BUTLER appointed postmaster. In 1838 or '39, the office was removed to the center of the town, and Irad C. DAY appointed postmaster. Ralph RICE, who received the first appointment of postmaster, was one of the early merchants in the town, and largely engaged in the manufacture of potash, which he marketed in Montreal. This was a comparatively lucrative trade when settlers were clearing off their land and ashes were plenty.

      Almost the entire business of the town was for a long time transacted at this Corner. Town meetings were held here and at the meeting house alternately from 1805 to 1813, when they were permanently located at the Center. The first building erected at the Center stood on the southeast corner of the common, and was built by Samuel PELTON. Mr. PELTON also erected a mill a few rods west of the present mill. Alder Brook was then a small, shallow stream emptying into Brown's River. Mr. PELTON diverted it from its natural course, carrying the water in a plank flume to his saw mill. But in the great freshet of 1830, the little brook became a mighty current, cut for itself a new channel, deep and broad, and forced its way along over all obstacles until it joined the Winooski, miles away from its original mouth. The second house erected at the Center was the one occupied by Joel Woodworth as a tavern at an early day, and stood on the northern side of the common. This house was a remarkable one for those days, being made of pine logs, nicely hewn, and set up endwise. In April, 1796, the first school district was formed, and embraced all the northeastern part of the town, or that portion north of the original mouth of Alder Brook. The school house stood near where James GATES then lived, and was the second school house in the town. The first was located on Brown's River, near Jericho, and was taught in 1788, by an Englishman named James FINCH. In 1794, a committee was appointed by the town to take measures to clear the ground sequestered for the purpose of burying the dead. The eastern portion of it was first cleared and was most used. The first bodies interred here were those of Isaac NOBLE and a daughter of Capt. Morgan NOBLE. Here rest the bodies of most of the early settlers, side by side with their children. The cemetery at the junction was not commenced until a later day. The ground for the same was donated by ____ LARY, and afterwards quit claimed to the town by Abram STEVENS. The first person buried here was an elderly man by the name of STORY. The first marriage recorded as taking place in town was that of Asa TOWN and Mabel ANDREWS. They were married by Nathan CASTLE, June 11, 1795. The first deaths, those of Remember and Ruth TUBBS, March 2 1, 1788.

      Samuel BLISS, from New Hampshire, located upon the farm now owned by Keeler WARNER.

      Samuel GRIFFIN, from Killingworth, Conn., settled on the farm now owned by Cassius STEVENS, in 1795. He married Sylvia, daughter of Samuel BRADLEY, and reared a family of nine children, only three of whom are now living in town. Harrison, the only son, resides on road 39.

      Asa DAVIS, from New Durham, Mass., settled a part of the farm now owned by E. D. WHITCOMB. David BOOTH settled the farm now owned by Barney WEED. Dea. Samuel BUELL settled upon the farm now owned by Harvey J. BUELL, in 1787. The fourth generation now occupies the farm. Moses BATES settled the farm now owned by C. E. BATES. Robert REYNOLDS made the first settlement on the farm now owned by his grandson, T. F. WILCOX. Gideon CURTIS settled the farm now owned by L. WOODWORTH, on road 14. John HANLEY located on the farm now owned by his son, Thomos B. HANLEY, on road 7.

      Joshua BATES came from Connecticut and made the first settlement on the farm now owned by L. M. & C. W. BATES.

      Job BATES, a brother of Joshua, settled a little north of where Joshua first located, and built the first house, of logs, on that place. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, married Sarah MARTIN, from Connecticut, and had a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters.

      Samuel BRADLEY, from Sunderland, Vt., located in the eastern part of the town in 1793.

      Abram STEVENS, one of the earliest settlers of the town, was born at Killingworth, Conn., and at the age of sixteen years entered the American army under Col. Seth WARNER. After the war was over he returned to Connecticut, then came to Vermont, locating at Burlington, where, being a carpenter and joiner, he was engaged in building many of the old houses now standing, among which may be mentioned a portion of the American House, the BUELL house on Pearl street, the old SAWYER Tavern now used by STRONG & Co. as a hardware store, and many others. After a few years' residence there he sold out what property he had and removed to Essex, locating at what is now the junction, upon the land at present owned by W. J. BEACH, and P. TEACHOUT. His son, Byron, still lives at the junction, aged sixty-three years.

      William BLOOD, from Connecticut, made the first settlement upon the farm now owned by Laura LAVENE, and resided thereon until 1805, when he removed to the one now owned by his grandson, W. F. BLOOD, and upon which W. F.'s father, Luther, resided sixty eight years.

      Nathan BLOOD, an early settler, came from New Hampshire and located upon the farm now owned by Henry NICHOLS. Amos, his son, lived in the town until his decease, in 1871, and is now represented by his son, N. H. BLOOD, residing on road 8.

      Samuel SMITH was the first settler on the farm now owned by E. F. WHITCOMB, in 1788. His son, Eli, was the first male child born in the town. He also erected, on this place, the first barn built in the township. Two men, it is said, went from Mallett's Bay, by boat, to St. Johns, Can., for rum to use at the raising.

      Moses PARSONS settled in Royalton at an early day was captured by Indians and taken prisoner to Canada, where he remained a captive two years. He was then released, and returning to Vermont, located in this town, being the first settler on the farm now owned by John SLATER, and died here in 1814. His son, James, is still a resident on road 531, at the advanced age of eighty one years.

      Edward BROWNELL, from Canaan, Corm., located in Williston previous to the year 1800, where he remained until his death. Ellis S. BROWNELL, the originator of the famous "Brownell Beauty" potato, now lives in this town.

      Ebenezer BOWMAN, born in Lexington, Mass., July 17, 1767, emigrated to Clarendon, Rutland County, about 31790, and from there to Westford in 1804, where he died, September 20, 1832. William, his son, occupied the homestead thirty two years, then sold out and made his home with his children, and died while living with E. H. BOWMAN, at Essex Junction, in May, 1877.

      Thomas WHITCOMB, with his son, Thomas Jr., from Swanzey, N. H., located in Richmond in 1804, where he remained until 1835, then removed to Essex and located where his son, E. F. WHITCOMB, now lives, and died there in 1871, aged eighty nine years.

      Samuel ATHERTON, born at Walpole, Mass., came to Essex in early life, where he reared a family of nine children, none of whom are now living. One of his sons, Asa, had a family of sixteen children, five of whom are now living in the town.

     Joseph WEED, from Plainfield, N. H., emigrated to Richmond in 1811, and after one year's residence there removed to Essex, locating upon the farm now owned by his son, E. B. WEED, with whom he still resides, aged seventy-seven years. Mr. WEED served in the war of 1812.

      Dr. Benjamin F. WARNER, from St Albans, came to Essex in 1827, and located upon a part of the farm now owned by C. H. NICHOLS. He was a practicing physician here for many years, several of which he was also a local preacher. His practice extended from the Canada line to Addison County. He was a cousin to Col. Seth WARNER, and also served in the war of 1812.

      William A. VARNEY, born in Westford, Vt., in 1810, came to Essex thirty-six years ago, and located upon the farm now owned by his son, Clark R VARNEY.

      Charles G. WILLIAMS, from Royalton, came to Essex twenty one years ago. He is a descendant of Silas WILLIAMS, an old settler of Royalton, who located there just after it was sacked by Indians.

      Michael BEECHER emigrated from Germany in 1846, and located in Burlington. His son, George, now lives in this town, on road 14.

      Ezra SLATER, from Farmingham, Mass, came to Essex during the early settlement of the town. He purchased the farm, now owned by A. F. CHAPIN, upon which he resided until his death. He was a member of the legislature several years, a justice of the peace as far back as 1802, and served the town as selectman most of his life here. He united with the Congregational church, at Essex Center, in 1838, and died in 1843, aged seventy seven years. Ezra SLATER, Jr., was born here in 1798, and, in 1821, commenced his residence on the farm now owned by A. C. SLATER, where he continued to reside until his death, in 1881, aged eighty four years.

      Joseph SINCLAIR, from Massachusetts, came to this town in 1788, and located upon the farm now owned by Joshua WHITCOMB. He married Polly THOMPSON, and was one of the earliest settlers in the town, as were also his brothers, Samuel, Jeremiah, and James. Samuel located where Erastus WHITCOMB now resides, and Jeremiah settled near him. James was a deaf mute, never married, but spent most of his life here.

      John HALBERT, from Hinsdale, Mass., came to Essex in 1803, and located in the eastern part of the town. He had a family of twelve children, five of whom are now living here. His son, Horace, is now eighty five years of age. He has resided upon the farm he now occupies since his marriage. It then belonged to his father in law, Dea. Samuel BRADLEY.

      David GREELY, an uncle to Horace, lived in this town until his death, and is buried at Essex Junction.

      David SMITH, from Barre, Mass., came to this town with his sister, Sarah, in 1822, and has resided here since, being now seventy seven years of age.

      Eliphalet HUNT, from Coventry, Mass., came to Essex in 1844 or '45, and has since resided here. He married Rosetta L. GRIFFIN, a daughter of Samuel GRIFFIN, and has had a family of four children, all of whom are now living.

      Amasa MANSFIELD, from Massachusetts, was an early settler in Milton, and about fifty eight years ago removed to this town, locating where his son, Carlow, now resides. He served as a captain during the war of 1812.

      The Congregational Church, located at Essex Center, was organized October 3, 1797, by Rev. Jedediah BUSHNELL, with the following members: Daniel MORGAN, Timothy BLISS, Joshua BASSET, Morgan NOBLE, David KELLOGG, Samuel BUELL, Stephen BUTLER, Zerviah BLISS, Eleanor KELLOGG, and Rachel BUELL. Rev. Asoph MORGAN was the first settled minister. The first house of worship was built of wood about the year 1800, and gave place to the present brick structure in 1840. It has a seating capacity for about 250 persons, and cost $4,000.00. The society now has 100 members, with Rev. John COWAN, pastor.

      The First Baptist Church, located at Essex Center, was organized in 1801, by the Baptist church of Westford, with six members. Rev. David HULBURD was the first pastor. The church building, a wood structure, was erected in 1822, repaired in 1839 and 1869. It will accommodate 250 persons, and is valued at $3,500.00. The society now has 114 members, under the pastoral care of Rev. I. W. COOMBS, and sustains a Sabbath school with an average attendance of seventy five.

      The First Universalist Church, located at Essex Center, was organized by its first pastor, Rev. Joseph SARGENT, in 1857. The church building was erected in 1859, of wood, will seat 300 persons, and cost $1,200.00. The pastor of the society is Rev. George S. SARGENT.

      The First Congregational Church of Essex junction was organized June 29, 1869, by a council consisting of thirty pastors and laymen from the Congregational churches of the following places: Burlington, Essex, Charlotte, Colchester, Hinesburgh, Jericho, Milton, Richford, South Hero, Underhill, Westford, Williston, Winooski, St. Albans, and Georgia, and contained twenty-two members. The church edifice, a wood structure capable of seating 300 persons, is used in union by this society and the M. E. church, each holding services on alternate Sabbaths. It was built in 1866, at a cost of $8,000.00, and is now valued, including grounds, at about $7,000.00. The society now numbers seventy seven members, with Rev. John COWAN, acting pastor. The society also has a Sabbath school in union with the M. E. church, having 200 scholars and an average attendance of about one hundred.

      The Second Baptist Church, located at Essex Center, was organized by Rev. J. A. LEAVETT, as a mission church, in 1873, and reorganized as an independent society in 1879. The church building was erected in 1875, at a cost of $3,200.00, and is now valued, including grounds, at $4,000.00. At its first organization the society had twelve members. It now has thirty six, with Rev. J. W. Coombs, pastor.

Transcribed by Karima Allison ~ 2004