At the first town-meeting, in 1807, Jonathan Lewis was chosen town clerk, Benjamin Estabrook, Samuel Burt, and Joel G. Whipple, selectmen; Philemon Brown, constable. 

The first freemen's meeting was held September 6, 1808. Voted “not to send a Representative to the General Assembly.” On September 5, 1809, Theophilus Grout was chosen town representative. At this meeting the votes for governor were: For Isaac Tichenor, 18; for Jonas Galusha, 24; and scattering, 2 (showing an early “Mug- wump” ancestry). The quarrying and working of granite has lately been begun and bids fair to be successful. Excepting this, and lumbering in the winter, the town is devoted mostly to agriculture and is one of the best farming towns of its size, in northeastern Vermont, with productive fields, good fences, and modern buildings and good roads, all well kept. 

In the War of the Rebellion, Kirby, with a population of only 425, furnished forty-four soldiers, and three others from town enlisted in neighboring towns, among the number being one lieutenant-colonel, one major, and other company officers. 

Jonathan Lewis, the first town clerk, held that office seventeen years and was one of Kirby's most useful citizens. The family are all removed from town, but are prominent in their places. James Church, one of the early settlers here in 1814, succeeded Mr. Lewis as town clerk and served as such fourteen years. He also was town representative two terms, held the position of town treasurer, selectman, etc., for many years, and settled on the farm now owned by Chandler C. Walter. He married Betsey Willis, raised six children, and died in 1875, aged eighty-three years. 

Hon. Elhanan W. Church, son of James and Betsey, was for many years Kirby's most prominent citizen, always living on the old Church farm. He married Lydia Gregory. They had three children, Celia, married Reuben Pierce, deceased; Leis A. (Mrs. David S. Young), Luvia A. (Mrs. Chandler C. Walter), both now living in Kirby. Judge Church served his town as representative four terms, as treasurer seventeen years, as selectman twenty-seven years, justice many years, and many other town offices; was recruiting officer during the War of the Rebellion. He was assistant judge of Caledonia county from 1878 to 1882. He died June, 1892, aged seventy-two years. 

The Burroughs family were for several years conspicuous figures in the affairs of Kirby; Seth and Horace coming early to town and serving in various capacities their townspeople. Hon. Albert W., son of Seth, was especially useful as a public man. When but little more than a boy he was chosen county surveyor and was always authority in such matters; was town representative in 1843, was selectman fifteen years, treasurer many years, and many other town offices. He was twice elected assistant judge of Caledonia county. He had two sons, Henry and Dan, both now dead, and one daughter, Mrs. Ira P. Lewis, now living in Concord. Judge Burroughs died in 1858, aged forty-three years. 

The Newhall family requires more than a passing notice in Kirby history. Merritt Newhall came in the early years and settled on the farm now owned by Mark L. Hovey. He followed James Church as town clerk and at different times occupied that position fourteen years. He represented Kirby in the legislature in 1850 and 1851, and was selectman, treasurer, etc., for many years. He had a large family of children, —George W., living with his father until the father's death in 1876, aged eighty-two, when he removed to California. Abner Miles, M. D., the only physician who ever lived in Kirby, settled in the south part of the town for a few years. 

In the early settlement of Kirby there were many men and women who were prominent in its development, the families of whom are gone from us and we are unable to write a suitable sketch of their work. Among them are Ebenezer Damon, Josiah Joslin, Timothy Locke, Orin and Joshua Carpenter, Levi Harrington, Benjamin Nutter and others, all of whom represented Kirby in the legislature of this state. 

Kirby received its name from Thomas and Francis Atkinson (who at one time owned all of Hopkinsville) and whose native place was at Kirby, Moorside, York county, England. Among the incidents of early life in Kirby may be mentioned the following: The boards for the first barn in South Kirby were “snaked” with oxen through tile woods from St. Johnsbury Captain Willis at one time lived alone with nothing to eat but potatoes and salt for some weeks. 

Jonathan Leach took his first "grist" of wheat to Barnet, carrying it and bringing it home again on his back. 

We regret that we cannot give a more extended notice or procure a likeness of these old heroes who came to this “Northland,” and in an unbroken wilderness builded their homes, reared their families, and sustained the principles of American civilization. 

Source:  Successful Vermonters, William H. Jeffrey, E. Burke, Vermont, The Historical Publishing Company, 1904, page 121-123.

Prepared by Tom Dunn, April 2006