"The soil of this town is very fertile; it produces crops of grain and an abundance of fruit and cider . . . This is a fine place for fishing and fowling . . . The settlement of the township was commenced about the year 1783 by Alexander Gordon, William Hazen and Lamberton Allen, emigrants from New Hampshire, and the southern parts of this state.  For some years after the settlement commenced, many circumstances tended to prevent its progress." 
 

Gazetteer of Vermont, Hayward, 1849

      Grand-Isle is situated in lat. 44° 43’ and long. 3° 42' E. from Washington, and is surrounded by Lake Champlain on all sides except on the south, where it is bounded by South Hero. It is about 6 miles in length and varies from a quarter of a mile to 4 miles in width. It contains 10,234 acres, -- including Savage Island of 200 acres and the Two Sisters of 10 acres, -- of which 7,034 acres is improved land. It lies about 75 miles from Montpelier, 18 from Burlington, 8 from St. Albans, and 5 miles from Plattsburgh, N. Y.

      The surface of the land is generally level, though there are some considerable hills, but none of them are worthy of particular description. The island -- on the northern part of which this town is located, -- has become much noted for its excellent scenery; and the views which may be obtained at various points and particularly from its elevated portions, are rarely surpassed in magnificence. The towering summits of the Green Mountains and of the Adirondacs, which are visible for a great distance on either side; the lake with its many islands of varied extent and design, and our own fair island with its interblended forest and fertile field -- together present a scene alike picturesque and beautiful. Within a period of 10 years, the island has become somewhat popular as a summer resort for people seeking retirement and relaxation from the excitements and toils of city life it and as its advantages for a rural retreat become more widely known and appreciated, it will doubtless attract its full share of summer visitors. This object, however, will be materially advanced, if the inhabitants will wisely endeavor to improve the natural advantages which the island eminently posesses, in the improvement and ornamentation of their homesteads, farms, and thoroughfares; and otherwise contributing whatever else may best promote the general attractiveness of the place.

      The soil of the town is principally composed of clay, loam, and marl. There is no very peculiar geological formation, though there are occasional deposits of marine shells and detached fossil remains in certain portions of the town. There are but few springs of water worthy of note, and no mineral spring has yet been discovered; but there are two wells, one of which is located on the farm of D. G. SAMPSON, and the other on the adjoining premises of James MCGOWAN, -- the waters of which contain mineral properties. There are, in some parts of the town, small deposits of marble, limestone, rock crystal, sulphuret of iron, and brick clay. The original forests of the town contained oak, maple, pine, spruce, tamarac, cedar, hemlock, beech, birch. ash, basswood, walnut, and butternut timber. Oak and pine were very abundant at the period when the settlement of the island was commenced, but these species have now become nearly extinct. The greater part of the best oak and pine was cut into logs and rafted to Quebec by the early settlers, to be used in the building of ships. The only varieties of timber, now existing in any considerable quantity, are the maple, beech, birch, ash and basswood.

      The soil of the town is very productive, and, in good seasons, yields large crops of wheat and corn, buckwheat, oats, peas, barley and potatoes. Rye and beans are raised, but not to any great amount. The character of the soil in connection with its peculiar geographical situation and climatic features, renders the island specially adapted to the cultivation of nearly all varieties of fruit usually produced in a temperate climate. The early inhabitants devoted considerable attention to the planting of fruit trees, and many of their orchards still survive, though now fast going to decay. Great progress has been made within the past 20 years in the planting of the apple and pear; and considerable attention is now bestowed upon the culture of the grape, strawberry, and other small fruits. In 1867, the yield of the best sorts of the apple in this town was computed at 1,200 barrels, which were mostly gathered from orchards not yet arrived at maturity.

      According to the census of 1860, the farm productions of Grand-Isle were estimated as follows, viz.: wheat, 7,523 bushels; corn, 5,375 bushels; oats, 21,500 bushels; buckwheat, 3,210 bushels; peas and beans, 1,553 bushels; potatoes, 11,885 bushels; rye, 490 bushels; barley, 531 bushels; hay, 1,150 tons. There was also produced 27,100 lbs. of butter; 3,850 lbs, of cheese; 5,785 lbs. of maple sugar; and 12,818 lbs. of wool. Horses, meat cattle, sheep and swine, are raised to a considerable extent; but the dairy business is limited to a few families. As the island is not so well adapted for grazing purposes as the well watered hills and valleys on the main, the raising of sheep has not been a source of real profit, as the soil has thereby become deteriorated, and some portions of it have been rendered barren and unproductive. In 1860, there were in this town 17 pairs of oxen; 626 neat cattle; 2,777 sheep; 279 horses, and 225 swine.

THE CHARTER

      Grand- Isle was chartered, together with North and South Hero, to Ethan ALLEN, Samuel HERRICK, Joseph BOWKER, Ira ALLEN, Jonas FAY and 359 others,* Oct. 27, 1779, by Thomas Chittenden, Governor of Vermont, -- under the name of the "Two Heros," with 25,002 acres. Isle-La-Motte, or "Vineyard" -- as it was then called -- was designed to have been included in this charter, but by reason of some misunderstanding in the matter, it was granted separately. The appellation of the "Two Heros" was bestowed in honor of Gen. Ethan and Col. Ira ALLEN. The original name of this island was Grand-Isle, meaning in the French "Great Island," which was thus given to distinguish it from the smaller and less important islands which lie adjacent to it. The charter was granted exclusively to persons who had served in the Revolution. The provisions of the charter contain no very extraordinary stipulations, but merely embrace a few simple conditions. One right was reserved to the first settled minister; one to the support of the ministry; and one for the support of schools. The remainder of the grant was divided into lots of 64 acres each, and each grantee drew one lot. This town was divided into 153 lots, leaving, however, a considerable surplusage, which the town afterwards sold and deeded to various parties.

SETTLEMENT OF GRAND-ISLE

      There is considerable ground for controversy regarding the time when the first settlement was commenced in this town; and unless we are fully prepared to accept one of the general statements relating thereto which are herein presented, the question will remain in. doubt, until some positive testimony may be discovered which will effectually set the matter at rest. Mr. THOMPSON, in his Gazetteer says, that “the settlement of Grand-Isle was commenced by Lamberton ALLEN, Alexander GORDON, and William HAZEN, about the year 1783." He also states that the settlement of South Hero was commenced by Col. Ebenezer ALLEN, about the year 1784. Hon, Peter S. PALMER, in his history of Lake Champlain, asserts that the settlement of this town was begun August 25, 1783. In my efforts to obtain some satisfactory solution of this matter, I have gathered the following facts and statements which seem to contradict the accounts given by the above named authorities:

      In regard to the correctness of the foregoing statements, it seems a little unsafe to pronounce a positive opinion. It will be seen from the extracts we have given from Mr. HYDE's journal, that Col. Ebenezer ALLEN was a resident of South Hero as early as 1783.

      The following extracts from Mr. HYDE's journal may be of interest, as illustrating the condition of the settlement at that period, and as tending to confirm the statement of the settlement's having been begun in 1783:

      From the commencement of the settlement to 1785, the following named persons came, the most of whom had families who accompanied them, viz: Cyril REED, William HYDE, Jonathan GRIFFITH, Uzziel CLARK, Wm. CAMPBELL, Jacob VANTYNE, Abraham VANTYNE, John MINCKLER, William HAZEN, Barnabas MINCKLER, John SAWYER, Reuben CLAPP, John GIBSON, and Ephraim SAWYER, jr. These persons all settled within the limits of this town. However, the settlement made very little progress for some years, or not until about 1787. The forests, which were dense, and mainly composed of the hard varieties of timber, yielded slow submission to the attacks of the settlers, and were to some extent infested by wild animals; while bilious and intermittent fevers prevailed in a dangerous degree, and proved fatal to many of the early inhabitants. The first settlements were all made upon the borders of the lake; and very little progress was made, for some years, in settling the interior portions of the town. The principal means of commnnication which the inhabitants had with each other, was furnished by canoes, or "dug outs," and by ice in winter; though a road was cut, within a year or two after the settlement was commenced, from Lamberton ALLEN's house, in this town, to Col. Ebenezer ALLEN's house, in South Hero, which was wide enough to admit of the passage of a pair of oxen.

      For the first 3 or 4 years, the settlers suffered much from lack of provisions, and obtained their principal, subsistence by hunting and fishing. Those who were fortunate enough to have wheat, were obliged to transport it to Whitehall or to Granville, N. Y., at which places were located the only grist-mills, at that period, accessible to the people in this section. Some years since, one of our old residents related to me the circumstance, of her having made several journeys to the grist-mill at Whitehall, on horseback, taking with her, on each trip, 2 or 3 bushels of wheat to be ground into flour. In the winter of 1784, '85, provisions were so scarce, that the settlers were in imminent danger of starvation. The family of Lamberton ALLEN were for a time reduced to two meals per day; at one meal of which they were allowed a small ration of bread, and at the second meal a meagre allowance of bread and milk. Another family subsisted for several weeks, in succession, upon one small wheaten-cake per day to each person. Other families were reduced to like extremity; and general destitution prevailed throughout the whole settlement.

      At this period, the inhabitants, having little money, or its equivalent, wherewith to purchase the necessaries of life, and having no materials or facilities for the manufacture of home-made cloths, also suffered much from want of proper clothing. In the autumn of 1785, the settlers, who bad passed through a hard summer's labor in "logging" and clearing the land, found themselves destitute of shoes, and some necessary articles of clothing. In view of this situation, the settlers gathered what funds they were able, and dispatched one of their number on horseback to Bennington, to purchase a supply of shoes and other much-needed articles of clothing, to protect them from the rigors of the approaching winter; but the agent did not, for some cause, return from his mission until about the middle of December, by which time many of the inhabitants had had their feet severely frozen.

      The foregoing facts afford a fair picture of the condition of the settlement at that period. But this state of things was not destined to endure. The settlers possessed the virtues of industry, patience, and mutual confidence, which are indispensably requisite in an infant settlement, and which enabled them, finally, to triumph over all the discouragements of their situation. Notwithstanding the unfavorable condition of the settlement at that time, we find that it was reinforced by the addition of several families, who came at intervals from 1784 to 1787, and among whom were the following, viz. Wm. LAWRENCE, Robert BARNES, Abishai ALLEN, Willard GORDON, Samuel DAVENPORT, Benjamin BELL, Abel BRISTOL, Samuel STARKS, and John FOLSORN.

      From 1787 to 1789, came the following persons, viz. Warren CORBIN, Wesson MACOMBER, Daniel HOAG, John THOMAS, Andrew HAZEN, Daniel DAVIS, Isaac ATKINS, Daniel SAMSON, Wm. SAMSON, Reuben CLAPP and Joseph SAMSON.

      In 1790-91 came Jedediah HYDE, Jr., Jonathan HYDE, Jeremiah ARMSTRONG, James TOBIAS, Jesse FAIRCHILD, Elijah HYDE, Eleazer SLOSSON, David SLOSSON, Conrad ROSSMAN, Francis DELONG, and William ROSSMAN.

      In 1792-3, came Joseph ADAMS, Ebenezer HATCH, Andrew LADD, Stephen PEARL, Simeon CLARK, James GILBERT, John D. FISK, Peter MINCKLER, Daniel WILCOX, and Timothy NIGHTINGALE.

      From 1794 to '96, came Abel PETERS, Enoch ALLEN, Samuel ALLEN, Sr., Samuel ALLEN, Jr., Asa CALLENDER, James BROWN, Levi VAUGHAN, Wm. HODGKIN, and David MERRIHEW.

      From 1796 to 1800, very few families were added to the town, and these were mostly of the floating type of people, whose stay here was but temporary.

      I have found great difficulty in my efforts to procure correct information concerning the history and personal characteristics of many of the early settlers; and there are a few of whom I have been unable to obtain any particulars, whatever. None of them are now known to be living; while many of the direct descendants of several of them have long since left the place and gone to parts unknown. Few families have kept any record of the births, marriages and deaths of their members; and still fewer persons have taken the trouble to preserve any reminiscences of their ancestors. Of Alexander GORDON, the first settler in this town, I am only able to learn that he was a native of New Hampshire; and that be was one of the leading men in our settlement. He committed suicide by shooting himself in 1802. Some brief and imperfect sketches of our early inhabitants will be found elsewhere in this chapter.

      But few of the original proprietors, or grantees, came here to possess and occupy their rights; but the greater part of them sold their land to other parties. The rights of many of the proprietors were sequestered by the town, for non-payment of. taxes, which had accrued upon them; and were generally sold for very small sums. Many of the rights were bid off to parties for prices ranging from 50 cents to $2 per acre. It is affirmed by one of our old residents that a lot of 64 acres, located in this town, which is now worth $3,000, was once sold for 3 sheep. A tradition is preserved of one Timothy LOVELL, who had purchased 10 lots of land in this town, of the original proprietors; and who employed an agent to bring the deeds and have them recorded; and, also, instructed him to dispose of the land at whatever advantage he could above the original cost. It is stated that the agent obeyed his instructions only so far as in getting the deeds upon record, as he sold 2 lots of the land, now worth $7,000, to a traveling showman, for a live leopard, which, however, died the following year; and the remaining 8 lots he disposed of for $400. Some of the early settlers came here without the capital wherewith to purchase land; and for a year or two after their arrival, labored in the employ of others more fortunately circumstanced, receiving wages of $5 to $7 per month, and taking land in payment of their services.

      The first white person supposed to have been born in this town, was Esther, daughter of Lamberton ALLEN, Dec. 13, 1782. The first child of Quaker parentage born in this town, was Ruth, daughter of Daniel HOAG, in 1787. The first white person known to have died here, was Jesse TRIPP, about 1786. The place where he was buried is located at the junction of two roads; and the exact spot is indicated by two large maple trees, which are popularly represented as marking the head and foot of his grave. The first marriage appearing upon our earliest records, is that of Willard GORDON to Clarisa ARMSTRONG, who were United Oct. 8, 1794, by Alexander GORDON, justice of the peace. We have an account of the marriage of Jonathan HYDE and Hannah BRONSON, dating previous to the one above given, but it was not officially recorded. The first marriage recorded as occurring in this town after its separation from South Hero, is that of Timothy NIGHTINGALE to Sally LOVE, Jan. 3, 1799, Rev. Asa LYON officiating. Several marriages doubtless occurred in this town anterior to any which we have given, but we have no record of any of an earlier date. From the first settlement down to about 1840, the marriage ceremony was almost universally performed by justices of the peace; and clergymen very rarely received an invitation to enter this field of service.

     We have no very certain evidence that this town was ever occupied by the Indians as a permanent habitation. Some traces of them have been discovered in several places on the borders of the Lake, in the exhumation of a few arrow-heads and stone pestles. It is quite probable that they often halted at various points on the Island, while on their migratory tours to and from New York State, or Canada. Indiana were frequently seen by the early settlers; and we have an account, that quite a numerous body of them wintered on Stave Island, near South Hero, in 1783.

      Of wild animals, there were probably no very great variety. The principal kinds were the bear, wolf, lynx, and catamount. There is a beaver-meadow in this town, containing 100 acres or more. In early times there were many streams of water in this town of considerable size, in which there were large quantities of fish -- principally suckers. Many of these streams are now dried up the greater part of the year, and when filled with water, contain no other fish than minnows.

ORGANIZATION OF TWO HEROES

      The first town-meeting of the then three consolidated towns, was holden at the dwelling-house of Alexander GORDON, at "Ladd's Ferry," March 28, 1786, Nathan HUTCHINS was chosen town clerk; Ebenezer ALLEN, Jacob SMITH and Alexander GORDON, selectmen; and Nathan HUTCHINS, constable.

      Aside from the election of the usual town officers, little business of importance was transacted at this meeting. It was, however, voted to raise a certain sum of money, for the purpose of procuring a minister of the gospel, -- said sum to be partly paid in wheat and corn. This vote was rescinded at the next town-meeting, in 1787, and a new resolve of precisely the same character was passed, which shared the fate of its predecessor at the nest annual meeting; and thus, as appears from the records, the people continued to amuse themselves for several years in voting to employ a minister, but they seem not to have succeeded in securing stated preaching until after the lapse of about 10 years.

      In September, 1788, it was voted to divide the "Two Heroes," and the legislature, on Oct. 27 of that year, passed an act assenting to the measure. In September, 1792, it was voted to divide South Hero into two towns; and a petition was drawn for presentation to the legislature, praying for a confirmation of this vote. A committee were sent to the legislature, to urge the proper consideration of the matter, but for some reason the subject was indefinitely postponed. From 1792 to 1799, the proceedings of the town and freemen's meetings are without special interest, and will doubtless be more fully given in the South-Hero chapter of this work.

ORGANIZATION OF GRAND-ISLE

      After a long series of efforts bad been made to divide the island into two towns, the object was finally accomplished in 1798. The legislature on Nov. 7, of that year, passed an act for the division of South Hero into two towns, to be called South Hero and Middle Hero. The name of the latter was changed to that of Grand-Isle, Nov. 5, 1810. The first townmeeting was warned by Reuben CLAPP, justice of the peace, and was held at the dwelling-house of Isaac ATKINS, March 1, 1799. Reuben CLAPP was chosen moderator; James BROWN, town clerk and treasurer; John THOMAS, first constable; Abel BRISTOL, Thomas COOPER; Sr., and Reuben CLAPP, selectmen; and Thomas COOPER, Sr., James TOBIAS, and Wm. HAZEN, listers. James TOBIAS, Reuben CLAPP, and Jedediah HYDE, Jr., were appointed commissioners to settle the claims of South Hero; and various sums were subsequently voted in liquidation of its demands. It was also voted at this meeting, to raise a tax of one per cent on the grand list of the town; said tax payable in wheat at 5s. 6d. per bushel and corn at 3s. per bushel, for support of the poor, and other incidental town expenses. It was also voted to build a pound; and the contract for its construction was awarded to Timothy NIGHTINGALE and Joseph MERRIHEW for $27.50.

      The earliest records of the town contain but little of general interest. While there are few matters which seem to require an extended notice, I have gathered a few of the more important proceedings, which may serve to illustrate, in some degree, the policy pursued by our old citizens in the conduct of their civil affairs.

      In 1804, four families were warned by the selectmen to depart the town, on account of their immoral reputation. Other warnings were given to a large number of families, from year to year, until 1817, but these were issued in pursuance of a law now obsolete, -- the execution of which was left mainly to the discretion of the town authorities; and its essential purpose was to prevent such families or their descendants from thereafter becoming chargeable to the town for support, should any of them be reduced to the unfortunate condition of pauperism. These warnings were served by the sheriff, constable, or other authorized person, in the same manner as writs and other processes; but wherever the officer neglected to serve the same by leaving a true and attested copy thereof at the residence of such families, or failed to make his return on the original process to that effect, the proceedings were invalid. Many towns have been made to suffer from the effects of the omission thus inadvertently made by their officers in the execution of the aforementioned law.

      From 1804 to 1815, we find justices' returns of fines levied against various persons for breaches of the peace, profane swearing, &c.

      These fines range in amount from 25 cents to $1.00 for each offence; and in the aggregate must have contributed not a little towards paying the town expenses. Were these laws as strictly enforced at the present time, the town treasury would constantly hold a surplus of funds.

      At the March meeting, 1806, it was voted to pay a bounty on crows -- three cents for each old one killed, and one cent for young one, -- the selectmen and justices to keep an account of the number killed, and submit their report of the same to the next annual town meeting. In 1803, the town voted to have innoculation for the small pox performed, excepting in the months from May to October.

      In 1801, the town purchased a lot of 2 acres from Isaac ATKINS for a burial-ground. In 1812, the town obtained by purchased of Peter MINCKLER, one-half acre of ground located at "Kent's Corners," for burial purposes. The Society of Friends opened a burial-ground at an early day; and in 1808 the town voted to fence the same at the public expense.

      Grand-Isle and South Hero formed a part of Chittenden County until 1802, while the remaining three towns of Alburgh, Isle-La. Motte, and North Hero, formed a part of the County of Franklin. In 1801, the subject of forming a new county, to be called the "County of Grand-Isle," was agitated; and our annual town-meeting held in that year, appointed Jedediah HYDE, Jr., Dr. Simeon CLARK, and Rev. Asa LYON, a committee to memorialize the legislature in favor of the project, and also, to confer with the committees from other towns in relation to the same. This object was finally accomplished, Nov. 9, 1802, when the new county was incorporated, but it was not until October, 1805, that the county was "organized for the transaction of all legal public business as a county." 

      Prior to 1810, Grand-Isle was not entitled to representation in the legislature. In 1809, James TOBIAS, Jedediah HYDE, Jr. and Ephraim BEARDSLEY were appointed a committee by the town to transmit a petition to the general assembly, praying for an equal representation of the town in the legislature. This committee proceeded to Montpelier, and aided by the efforts of Hon. C. P. VAN NESS, and other prominent members, succeeded in effecting their object. The following is the substance of the act granting the privilege of equal representation to Grand-Isle, passed Oct. 26, 1809.
 

      In 1810, the first freemen's meeting was held, and Rev. Asa LYON was chosen representative. The number of votes cast at this election was 31.

      There are many other matters of interest connected with the civil affairs and history of the town, which will be found presented at length in the subsequent pages, of this chapter.

      The first and only saw-mill erected in Grand-Isle, was built by Enoch ALLEN, in 1822. Mr. ALLEN also had a grist-mill in connection, which was built the year before; but the latter ceased operations in 1831. The only stream of water in town, large enough to give a supply for running a mill during a portion of the year, is called the Mill-Brook, which runs through the east part of the town, in a north-easterly direction. The saw-mill bas been twice re-built, and has been successively occupied by Enoch ALLEN, R. B. GRIFFITH and Alvarado LADD. The present owner and occupant is William HOAG.

      A small forge was constructed near the above mill, about the year 1827, by Isaac GOODWIN, from which were cast ploughs and domestic utensils, It was discontinued in 1838.

      The first tanner and currier was Lamberton ALLEN, who was one of the first settlers. Tanneries were afterwards conducted by John THOMAS and Simeon S. WRIGHT. In 1810, this branch of manufactures returned to the census marshal 352 hides, and 250 skins. There is now no establishment of the kind in town.

      The first blacksmith was Samuel DAVENPORT. This business has since been carried on by the following persons, viz. Samuel BELDING, Reuban CLARK, Isaac GOODWIN, Luther TABOR, R. B. MITCHELL, Noah TABOR, Helmer B. KENT, Jacob KENT (for over forty years), Rama DUBA, Benjamin DUBA, Dustin Z. KENT, and by several others.

      The first carpenter and joiner was Fox FOWLER, who flourished about the year 1796. The following persons have since pursued that vocation, viz. Amos HOLLISTER, David CORBIN, Daniel MINCKLER, Alverado LADD, Jabez LADD, James GRISWOLD, R. B. GRIFFITH, Carpenter GRISWOLD, Elisha HOLLISTER, A. L. HOLLISTER, Wesson MACOMBER, 2d, R. S. KENNEY, Wm. HOAG and Wm. S. GRIFFITH.

      The first shoemaker was Lamberton ALLEN. who came here in 1780; but he did not pursue this trade until several years after his arrival. The following named persons have since carried on the custom boot and shoe business, viz. Jehiah BEARDSLEY (1786), Daniel GIBSON, John CURRIER, Samuel TURNER, Zerah HAYNES, Wm. W. ORTON, S. S. WRIGHT. Harvey ROSE, R. P. CONRAY, Nathan WITHERELL, Zerah THOMAS, Nathaniel WITHERELL, and many others.

MANUFACTURES.

      The manufacture of textile fabrics in this town has been exclusively domestic or home-made. In 1810, as appears from the census report of that year, there were 28 looms; 69 wheels for spinning linen, and 134 wheels for cotton and woolen. The number of yards of cloth made was as follows, viz: Woolen, 3,439 yards; Linen, 1,733 yards; Cotton and mixed goods, 1,534 yards, Total, 6,106 yards, valued at $6,926. At the present time, we have no manufactures of any description worthy of notice.

MERCHANTS

      The first person who established a store in this town was John FERGUSON, at GORDON's (now LADD's) ferry, in 1792. He sold dry goods, groceries, liquors and lumber. Ho afterwards took a partner of the name of LESLIE; but in 1810 he sold his store and removed to Montreal. A Scotchman of the name of DODDS, also kept a store, at an early day, in the south-eastern part of the town; but after doing business in that locality for a few years, he returned to Scotland. There have since been two others established, both of which are still occupied for that purpose. One of them has been occupied successively by the following firms, viz. G. V. EDWARDS, A. & W. BROWN, GRISWOLD & BROWN, Abel BROWN, J. W. BROWN, BROWN & CLARK, M. G. BROWN & Co., and at present by Abel BROWN. The other by D. E. GRISWOLD, GRISWOLD & ADAMS, GRISWOLD & MACOMBER, BROWN & GRISWOLD, and at present by D. E. GRISWOLD;

      Aside from the above list, the following natives of this town have been, or still are, engaged in mercantile pursuits elsewhere, viz. Willard GORDON, Alexander MCCOLLUM, Albert HYDE, Benjamin GORDAN, Asa L. HATCH, Henry R. HATCH, Stephen R. PEARL, A. S. PEARL, Solon REYNOLDS, Socrates REYNOLDS and Thomas GORDON.

CLERGYMEN

      I am able to learn of but three natives of this town, who have studied for the ministry, and who are now pursuing their calling, viz. Robert GOODWIN, of the "Christian" sect, now in Kansas; Daniel ROSE, of the Troy Methodist Conference; and William C. ROBINSON, of the Vermont Methodist Conference.

PHYSICIANS

      The following named physicians have practiced their profession in this town, viz. Jacob ROEBECK, Simeon CLARK, George ROWS, Melvin BARNES, H. W. JACKSON and Benton HAYNES. The two last-named are our present practitioners Other physicians, who are natives, or who came here with their parents, are Henry H. REYNOLDS, Ezekiel MINCKLER, William ADAMS, Wm. R. HUTCHINSON, Albert G. BUTLER, Jesse REYNOLDS, E. B. GRISWOLD, Melvin J. HYDE, A. B. HANNA and Albert REYNOLDS.

ATTORNEYS

      This town has never been a "land of promise" for resident lawyer's; and has harbored but two of that profession for any considerable period of time, viz. Wm. W. WHITE and Henry C. ADAMS. The people, however, have indulged in an unusual amount of litigation -- more perhaps in former years than at the present time -- and have paid their full share toward the support of the legal profession. There have occurred a few notable law-suits, of which the case known as the "School-House suit" is worthy of particular mention. It was commenced in 1850, by Samuel ADAMS, with school-district No. 4, and involved the title of a piece of land upon which the school-house stood; though thr alleged cause of action was trespass. This contest was protracted for several years, costing each party several thousands of dollars; and. was finally settled by Mr. ADAMS leaving the disputed territory to the district for a small consideration. The following list of natives, or sometime residents of the town, have studied law, and pursued their profession, viz. Ezra DEAN, Henry ADAMS, H. R. BEARDSLEY, Henry C. ADAMS (admitted to the bar in 1854, and now in practice at St. Albans), Josiah H. ADAMS (admitted to the bar in 1861, and now located at St. Albans), and James A. BROWN (admitted to the bar in 1866, and now in practice at Milton.)

      As far ascertained, but five natives or residents of this town have graduated from the literary department of colleges, viz. Dartmouth College, Henry ADAMS. University of Vermont, H. R. BEARDSLEY, Asa L. HATCH and James A. BROWN, 1863. Norwich University, Myron R. HURLBUT, 1867.

COMMON SCHOOLS

      Prior to the division of the two Heros, this town was formed into two school-districts; but after the separation in 1799, the town was organized into 5 districts, which is the present number; though their original boundaries have from time to time been materially changed. The first school, of which we have any authentic account, was taught by Jonathan HYDE, in 1793, in a barn located on the farm of Elijah HYDE, situated on the N. E. shore of the town. A school was taught in the same neighborhood, in the winter of 1794-5, by Andrew STORY, of Fairfax. From that period schools were kept up with great regularity, in all of the districts, until within a few years past, the scarcity of children has necessitated the discontinuance of the winter's school in one or two of the districts. The first return of children appears on record in 1812, from which we find that there were then 269 children between the ages of 4 and 18. In 1867, there were returned 147 children between those ages -- excluding those belonging to temporary foreign residents.

      The first school-house was constructed about the year 1797. Nearly all of the original school buildings have either been rebuilt or demolished. From the school returns for 1867, we learn that schools have been taught, on an average, 29 weeks in each district. Whole number of scholars, 107; total amount paid for teacher's wages, board and fuel, $667.75. The first select of high-school was taught in the town-house, in 1842. by Thomas B. NICHOLS. He was succeed. ed by Myron BUCK, Henry S. BURT, P. H. COONEY, and some others.

TOWN LIBRARY

      A town library was established in 1810, under an act of the Legislature, by Asa LYON, Jesse CLAPP, Jedediah HYDE, Jr., James BROWN, Daniel SAMPSON, and 25 others, who furnished contributions of money and books. The library contained 252 volumes. About 1840, the library was dispersed by mutual consent, and the books fell into various hands. No attempt has since been made to establish a town-library.

      The first "singing" school was taught here by Daniel WELLMAN, in the winter of 1806. Since that period, the following named teachers of vocal music have, at various times, had classes here in singing, viz. Messrs. WASHBURN, RICE, PERRY, CHITTENDEN, LEACH, Joseph PERRY, SPENCER, James MCGOWAN, William MCGOWAN, Milo LANDON, R. KNIGHT, N. C. CURRIER and H. I. RICE. Of this list, James MCGOWAN, now a resident of the town, has been a teacher of vocal music for 29 years, of which 24 were in succession.

TEMPERANCE

      The subject of temperance was first agitated in this town, in 1841. A small society was formed, and frequent meetings hold; which were, however, discontinued the following year. Intemperance prevailed to an extent paralleled by that of but few other towns in the State, causing the ruin of many men morally, physically and financially. The question of “License," or "No License," was first tested at the annual town-meeting, 1847; and resulted in 17 votes for the former, to 47 votes for the latter -- which result furnishes gratifying evidence, that "moral suasion" had been employed to good effect. At the March meeting, 1848, the question was again presented, and resulted, for license, 25 -- no license. 46. At the March meeting, 1849. the vote stood: license. 25 -- no license, 63. This question was last voted upon at the March meeting, 1850, and resulted : license, 20 -- no license, 52.

      In 1853, when the prohibitory liquor law was submitted to the popular vote, our town meeting voted as follows: for the law. 46 -- against, 42. A temperance society, of 82 members, was organized in January, 1858, with George W. HYDE, as president; Wyman C. HOAG, vice-president, and D. Webster DIXON, secretary. Several meetings were held, but very little was actually accomplished; and the society was dissolved the next winter, on account of the lack of public interest in its proceedings -- there being but seven persons present at its last meeting.

ROADS

      The first highway was surveyed in 1790, through the island from north to south, which is now known as the main road. Very little progress was made in constructing this road until about 1798. During the succeeding 15 years other highways were constructed, and the inhabitants began to indulge in the luxury of riding in "ox carts" and "double"-wagons. The later were, however, rather uncommon; and the first one in use in this town is said to have been introduced by Grindal REYNOLDS, in 1805. -- Since the organization of the town, about 40 miles of road has been opened to the public. Within the past 20 years, three new roads have been opened, and two closed to public travel. It would appear, however, that the people have not always kept their roads in good condition; as I find, on referring to the records, that the county court at their September term, 1811, imposed a fine upon this town of $150, for neglecting to keep the highways in good and safe repair.

NAVGATION

      John FOLSOM, one of the early settlers, built, in 1790, the first sailing vessel which many of the people residing in this place had seen navigating the waters of Champlain. It was a small schooner, commanded by its builder, who received the title of "Admiral" from the inhabitants, as a reward for his enterprise. Captain Daniel WILCOX, who had had considerable experience as a boat-builder at New London, Conn., and in other places, came here about 1794 and built one or two vessels. Previous to this date, he constructed several sailing vessels for Benjamin BOARDMAN, a prominent commercial gentleman of Burlington, Captain James TOBIAS, of this town, rebuilt 4 sloops and 1 schooner, which were for many years the pride of the inhabitants. The following named residents of the town have commanded lake-craft, viz. Hiram L. HURLBUT, John B. TOBIAS and Joseph M. TOBIAS.

      In 1828 Mr. Solon TOBIAS built a wharf at the place now called Griswold'.s Landing, when the steamboat Macdonough,* which that year commenced running on the route from St. Albans Bay to Plattsburgh, made semi-daily landings. A small wharf had previously been constructed at the "Bell Place," now Gordon's landing. where the steamboat also touched regularly. This place has since been accommodated by the following named steamboats, viz. Winooski, Saranac, Boston, Nonpareil, John Gilpin, Boquet and Montreal. During the period from 1862 to 1868, no steamboats have touched at our landings, excepting on special occasions. In July, 1858, the steamboat "River Queen"** was placed on the route by the "St. Albans, Grand Isle. and Plattsburgh Ferry Company." A wharf was. constructed at Ladd’s Ferry a few years ago; and also one at Seth HOAG's place, lying midway between GRISWOLD's and GORDON's landings -- but neither of them is much used.

FERRIES

      Prior to 1800 the means of communication with the main land, excepting in the winter season, was principally by canoes, or dugouts, and by crossing the sand-bar from South Hero to Milton; which place was fordable the greater part of the summer and fall seasons. In 1800 Benjamin BELL established a ferry from Grand-Isle to Cumberland Head, N. Y. -- one of the boats being a schooner of moderate capacity, and the other a smaller boat. --The town authorities fixed the rates of ferriage at this place as follows: man and horse, 83 cents; single man, 38 cents; horse, 46 cents; neat cattle, from one year old and upwards, 38 cents; hogs and calves, 8 cents each. This ferry was afterwards kept by other persons; but was probably discontinued when the steam-boats began to make landings at the island, in 1828.

      The ferry schooner above referred to -- and which was christened the "Lion" -- met with a singular disaster in 1813. While making one of its regular trips to Cumberland Head, three British row-gallies, which had for some time been lying under the cover of Point-au-Roche, came down against the wind, and, after firing several shots at the schooner, which, however, did little damage, succeeded in effecting her capture. Messrs. Solon TOBIAS and HOTCHKISS, with the ferryman, were on board at the time; but were suffered by the enemy to make their escape. The British run the schooner as far down the lake as Chazy Landing, where they set the vessel on fire, and abandoned it. The schooner was afterwards re-built, and again placed upon the ferry.

      In 1864 a ferry was established from Gordon's Landing to Plattsburgh, by R. TIFFANY. The same year a canal boat was placed on the ferry as an opposition boat, but was withdrawn in 1866; at which time a large scow-boat was built at a cost of over $1,000, and was run on this ferry by Warren CORBIN, John B. TOBIAS, and others, until July, 1868.

      The ferry from Grand-Isle to North Hero was established by Alexander GORDON, many years prior to 1800. The town authorities fixed the rates of ferriage at this crossing as follows: single man, 6 cents; horses and cattle, 9 cents each; swine and sheep, 3 cents each. John KNIGHT and Alexander GORDON, residing respecively on each side of the crossing, kept the ferry with scows and small boats. After the death of GORDON, in 1802, the ferry was conducted by KNIGHT and BERR; and subsequently by KNIGHT and LADD. At the present time it is kept by E. D. HYDE.

TAVERNS

      The first house of public entertainment kept in town was opened by Alexander GORDON, at the Ferry, in 1790. Another tavern was opened a year or two afterwards, by Timothy NIGHTINGALE, in another part of the town, Public houses were subsequently kept by Ebenezer HATCH and Jedediah HYDE; but when established, or how long continued, I have not been able to learn. Daniel SAMPSON opened a public house in 1800, which became somewhat celebrated for the amount of patronage it received, as well as for the large number of balls* and other entertainments held within its walls. He continued to keep this tavern until his death in 1824; when his son, Reuben SAMPSON, succeeded to the business, and continued to keep the house until 1847, when it was finally closed to the traveling public. A hotel was kept for some years at Gordon's Landing, by George H. PORTER, which was closed to the public in 1851; since which time there has been no regular public house in town.

      The following is a copy of an Invitation to one of these balls, issued in 1812, which I give merely as a curiosity:

POST-OFFICE

      The first post-office in this place was established in 1810. Previous to this date the mail-matter, which was small in quantity, was brought to the inhabitants by "Postman" GORDON, who made weekly trips on horseback, and distributed the mail to the houses where it respectively belonged. During the war of 1812, -14, the mail was carried by Joseph DIXON. -- Ephraim BEARDSLEY was the first postmaster, and held the office until 1813, when he was succeeded by A. H. W. HYDE, who held the office to 1834. Daniel JACKSON held the office from 1834 to 1841 -- John WILLIAMSON from 1841 to 1845; and again from 1849 to '50, one year; and A. H. W. JACKSON, from 1845 to '49, and from 1850 to the present time.

      The receipts of the office for the year 1813 were $14.71, of which only about $2.50 was from newspapers. For the fiscal year ending July 1, 1868, the receipts were $216.60.. In 1830 there were 41 weekly and 7 monthly publications delivered to the people of this town. In 1868 the whole number of newspapers and periodicals delivered from our post-office is 219, divided as follows, viz. 97 political (of which 84 are Republican and 13 Democratic), 30 religious, 27 agricultural, and 65 miscellaneous.

TOWN-HOUSE

      Town and freemen's meetings were usually held in dwelling-houses until 1817. In 1813 efforts were made to raise funds by private subscription, fur the purpose of erecting a town-house; but in the course of a few months the project was abandoned. In 1826 another effort was made in the same direction, and failed from the same cause as the other, which appears to have been from lack of the necessary funds. From 1817 to '35 town-meetings were held in the school-house of district No. 4. In the mean time the stewards of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this place had obtained the lease of a small quantity of land from Dr. Melvin BARNES, for the purpose of erecting a meeting-house thereon. This lease, which was dated April 19, 1832, contained in substance the following provisions, viz:

      On the 9th of February, 1857, Dr. Melvin BARNES, lessee of the land, submitted a proposition to the stewards of the society, the substance of which was, that the interests of the town and church should, as far as possible, be dissevered, by securing the town in the entire control of the lower room or basement, and securing the church in the entire control of the upper room; which proposition the stewards resolved to accept -- providing the town would become a party to the adjustment, or compromise and concur in its provisions. This proposition was acted upon in a special town-meeting, holden Oct. 18, 1857, and it was voted to accept it providing the same rights to the upper room in said building should be reserved to other denominations, as were given them by the lease on record. This proviso was not accepted by the Methodist society; and thus this matter, which had, created serious divisions in the church, and disturbed the tranquility of the town, still remains in a chaotic state. The question was again agitated at the annual March-meeting, -- 1858; but the meeting adjourned before reaching a vote.

      In February, 1860, the selectmen warned the annual town-meeting at the basement-room of the town-house. The meeting, after assembling and organizing in the basement-room, passed resolutions censuring and denouncing the action of the selectmen, as an unwarrantable assumption of power; and, after some warm discussion, voted to adjourn to the usual place of holding town-meetings, (the upper room) by a vote of 49 yeas to 45 nays. Thenceforth the controversy was suffered to drop; and though the Methodist society made no further effort to, persuade or coerce the town into an acceptance of the basement-room, the town, nevertheless, hold their meetings in that identical room now. How this wonderful transformation in the sentiment of the town was effected cannot be clearly explained; but the only grounds upon which it can be accounted for is, the gradual abolition of party spirit in our midst, and the disinclination of the people to continue a conflict which was productive of no beneficial resuite, whatever, to the community.

MINISTER LOT

      The Minister-lot located in this town, and which was reserved in our charter to the first settled minister of the gospel, was, soon after the division of the Island, leased by the two towns for a term of 5 years; and thereafter was occasionally leased for terms of from 1 to 5 years, until 1847. In Nov., 1847, the east half of this lot, which was possessed and controlled by South Hero, was decreed by the court of chancery to Rev. O. G. WHEELER, of South Hero, pastor of the Congregational society in that town and Grand-Isle. As we have had no settled or resident clergyman in this place, excepting the Rev. Asa LYON, who refused to accept any pecuniary or other reward for his ministerial services, the west half of the minister-lot still remains in possession of the town. This was, however, also claimed by Mr. WHEELER, in 1845, on the ground that be was the regular pastor of the Congregational society in this town, though a non-resident. A special town-meeting was held Dec. 17, 1845, and a committee were appointed to investigate Mr. WHEELER's right to the half-lot -- said committee consisting of Dr. Melvin BARNES, Jabez LADD and William BROWN, who reported adversely to Mr. WHEELER's claim, in March, 1846, and their report was accepted by the town.

GRAND LIST

      In 1799, the polls numbered 103, and the grand list was $868.17 -- calculating the amount at one per cent. of the actual valuation of real and personal estate, as is now done under the present law relating to that subject. The grand lists of the town from 1800 to 1865, -- giving the same at intervals of 5 years -- were, as follows, viz. 1800, $915.84; 1805, $1054.67; 1810, $1304.88; 1815, $1321.70; 1820, $1221.90; 1825, $1036.22; 1830, $1365.25; 1835,$1472.55; 1840, $1486.75; 1845, $2038.46; 1850, $2243.96; 1855, $2217,62; 1860, $2565.69; 1865, $2505.25. In 1868, there were returned 122 polls and 31 dogs; and the Grand List was $2518.68. The number of families residing in Grand-Isle in 1799, were 77; in 1868, the number of families was 128. Present number of dwelliings, 107.

ELECTIONS

      Our elections have generally passed off quietly, though enlivened by an occasional warm contest. The most notable contests in the election of representatives to the Legislature have occurred in 1839, 1845, 1849, '50 and 1854. Since 1810, Grand-Isle has sent twenty five different persons to the General Assembly, who, in respect to their occupations, were divided, as follows, viz; Farmers, 18; Merchants, 2; Physician, 1; Clergyman, 1; Attorney, 1; Surveyor, 1; and Mechanic, 1. Our town-meetings have frequently furnished some very exciting, and often, amusing proceedings; particularly in the years 1845 '46, and during the period from 1855 to 1860. Political opinion has been less unsteady and fluctuating in this place than in many other localities; but the town has nevertheless, been afflicted with its full share of the turmoils of party and personal strife.