A
county in the W. part of Vermont, has an area of about 750 square miles.
It is bounded on the W. by Lake Champlain, and is drained principally by
Otter creek and its tributaries, which afford most valuable water-power.
The surface is level or slightly undulating near the lake, but in the E.
part rough and mountainous, and more adapted to grazing. The soil is fertile,
particularly along the lake shore. Indian corn, wool, oats, and potatoes
are the staples. There were raised in 1850, 318,421 bushels of potatoes;
175,478 of corn; 211,385 of oats; 103,434 of wheat; 88,793 tons of hay;
876,771 pounds of butter; 817,149 of cheese; 625,594 of wool; and 205,263
of maple sugar. The county contains 1 cotton and 5 woollen factories, 7
forges, 1 paper mill, 433 saw-mills, besides various other establishments.
There are in this county quarries of white and variegated marble, which
are largely worked. Lake Champlain is navigable along its west border,
and sloops can ascend Otter creek 7 miles to Vergennes. The railroad connecting
Bellows Falls with Burlington passes through this county. Organized in
1787, and named in honor of Joseph Addison, the celebrated English writer.
Capital, Middlebury. Population, 26,549.
(1854 U.S.
Gazetteer)
Middlebury
is the chief town. This county is bounded on the north by Chittenden
County, east by Washington and Orange Counties, and a part of Windsor County,
south by Rutland County, and west by Lake Champlain.
Large
quantities of white and beautifully variegated marble, which receives a
find polish, are found in this county, and large quantities of it are quarried
and transported to various markets. This county is admirably well
watered by Otter Creek, which rises near its southern boundary, and extends
nearly through its center; by Mad and White Rivers; and by Lake Champlain,
which affords it many navigable privileges. The soil is good, particularly
in those towns below the mountains, and bordering the lake and rivers.
The scenery on the western borders of this county, lying, as it does, on
Lake Champlain, is exceedingly variegated and beautiful.
(Gazetteer
of Vermont, by John Hayward, 1849 p. 19)
Addison
County VTGenWeb
1790
Addison County Census
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