The surface is pleasantly diversified by hills and vales, the highest elevations being Spruce Knob in the eastern, and Mount St. Catherine in the southern part, while the whole is rendered fertile and picturesque by numerous small streams, containing some excellent mill-sites. Poultney River, the largest stream, and only considerable one in the town, enters from Middletown, flows westerly to the western boundary line, whence it flows north on the said line for a short distance, and then turns westerly again and forms the line between Fairhaven and the State of New York. Lake St. Catherine, or Lake Austin, extends from Wells, on the south, to nearly the centre of Poultney, and is the only sheet of water in the township, with the exception of a small pond in the north-western part, which is not deemed of sufficient importance to receive other than a purely local name.

      The soil is warm and productive, especially along Poultney River, where are found alluvial flats of rare fertility, though in some places quite considerably mixed with gravel. The geological formation is mainly slate of the Georgia slate deposit, containing many excellent quarries that are worked to a considerable extent, forming an important item in the wealth of the township.

      The timber is principally deciduous, consisting of elm, oak, pine and hemlock, and, on the higher lands, beech and maple predominating. But a remnant, however, is left of the grand old forest that densely covered the territory at the time of its first settlement.

      The Rutland & Washington Railroad enters the township from New York near the center of the west line, traversing the township in a northeasterly direction, entering Castleton at about the center of its south line, thus forming a speedy and convenient mode of transportation for the products of the township.

      In 1880 Poultney had a population of 2,717, was divided into sixteen school districts, and contained eighteen common schools, employing three male and twenty-five female teachers, at an aggregate salary of $2,658.30. There were 541 pupils attending common schools, and the entire cost of the schools for the year ending October 30th, was $2,9655.93, with Mr. Calvin GRANGER, superintendent.

      POULTNEY, a post village and station on the Rutland & Washington Railway, is a very handsome little town, pleasantly located, near the western border of the township, on Poultney River, and contains four churches, two banks, two hotels, several manufactories, and is the seat of the Troy Conference Academy and of St. John's Parish School.

      Troy Conference was organized in the year 1833. At its first session it was decided to build a Conference Academy. Poultney was selected as the seat of the institution. The buildings were completed and opened for students in September 1837. The school, however, was opened a year earlier, in a house that stood on the Academy grounds, with Rev. Sabin S. STOCKING as principal. From the first the number of students was large and the school took a high stand. The institution has been very fortunate in its Principals. They have been, without exception, men eminent in the Church. STOCKING was succeeded by Rev. Daniel CURRY, D. D. The third principal was Rev. Jarnes COWEL. The fourth, Jesse T. PECK, D. D., since Bishop, who served from 1840 to 1848. His successor was Rev. J. NEWMAN, D. D., who held the position till 1857, when he was called to a professorship in Union College. The next principals were Rev. Oran FLAVILLA and Jason O. WALKER. Some of the subordinate teachers during this time were James STRONG, S. T. D., Rev. E. WENTWORTH, D. D., Professor W. P. CODINGTON, now of Syracuse University; Rev. R. H. HOWARD and Rev. George G. SAXE. In 1855 the Academy passed out of the hands of the Conference. A considerable portion of the cost of the buildings had never been paid, and although the debt had been somewhat reduced, enough remained to prove a great embarrassment to the trustees. To rid themselves of this burden they gave a perpetual lease of the property to Rev. Joshua POOR. From 1855 to 1873 the school was conducted as a private enterprise. In 1863 Mr. POOR sold his interest to Rev. J. NEWMAN, D. D., who changed the school to one for ladies only, under the name of Ripley Female College. Convinced that the interests of education within its bounds demanded a school that should be conducted on broader principles than the private institutions they were compelled to patronize, the Conference in 1874 bought back the property, and the institution was rechartered under the old name, Troy Conference' Academy. Rev. M. E. CADY, A. M., was principal till 1877, when he was succeeded by the present incumbent, Rev. C. H. DUNTON, A. M. It has been the design of the trustees to make it a first-class college preparatory school, and the high rank taken in college by the young men prepared here, testifies to the success that is being achieved. Four other graduate courses are maintained. The management of the school was never more vigorous and successful than at present, the graduating class numbering fifteen.

      St. John’s Parish School, located on Church street, was established by Rev. E. H. RANDALL in 1870, who invited all classes of children. Since that time it has been in successful operation, and is still conducted buy Mr. RANDALL with an efficient corps of assistants, who have always maintained for the school an excellent reputation, both for instruction and discipline.

      The Bank of Poultney was chartered Oct. 29, 1 820, with a capital of $100,000 and Merritt CLARK, who still retains the position, was chosen cashier, The bank was reestablished under an act of Nov. 13, 1856, with a capital of $100,000.

      The First National Bank of Poultney was organized June 23, 1881, with a capital of $50,000. J. B. BEAMAN, president; Leonidas GRAY, vice-president; and M. D. COLE, cashier.

      RUGGLES’ foundry and machine shop, located on Furnace street, was built by J. & H. STANLEY, about the year 1828, and is now owned and operated by Henry RUGGLES, who rebuilt the property about the year 1850, and is now engaged there in the manufactory of slate and marble working machinery, and doing all kinds of custom work; the shops having manufactured up to the year 1860 about 5,000 stoves, though that branch of the business has since been discontinued. Mr. RUGGLES employs about twenty five men.

      CHAPIN's dairy apparatus manufactory, factory, located in this village, is engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of dairy fixtures, and employs about six men.

      CLARK's carriage manufactory, located on Grove street, was established in 1842, by Andrew CLARK, who still carries on the business and employs four men.

      HOLLIDAY's wagon and carriage sloops, located on York street, were established in 1875; by D. H. HOLLIDAY, who is still engaged at this place in the manufacture of all kinds of wagons, carriages and sleighs.

      The Poultney Slate Works, located at this village, were established by a stock company in January of 1881. They are engaged in the manufacture of slate-goods, making a specialty of tile-roofing for flat roofs. They operate three quarries in the northern part of the township, and employ thirty men.

      RIPLEY & STANLEY's lumber, sash and door manufactory, located on Church street, was established in December of 1870. They now employ from fifteen to twenty men, and manufacture 400,000 feet of lumber per annum. Their sashes and doors are consumed to a great extent in the county.

      The Poultney Nurseries were started by their present owner, Mr. Elijah ROSS, in a small way in 1872. He has since added to his stock from time to time until he now has one of the finest nurseries in this part of the State. They cover an area of a number of acres, containing from forty to fifty thousand grafted and budded trees.

      BEAMAN's Hotel, pleasantly located on Main street, corner of Beaman, was built in 1828 by Joel BEAMAN, though it has since been remodeled by its present proprietor, Mr. C. C. BEAMAN.

      The Poultney House, very pleasantly located at this village, with accommodations for seventy-five guests, was built and used as a store nearly forty years ago, afterwards changed to a commercial college, and since 1868 has been used as an hotel.

      The Poultney Cemetery is very beautifully situated in the east part of the village, on a gentle rise of ground, affording a fine view of the village. It covers an area of about eight acres, and is kept in fine condition. The Cemetery Association was incorporated in 1863; Merritt CLARK was chosen the first president, Edward CLARK, treasurer, and Rev. E. H. RANDALL, superintendent.

      The Poultney Industrial Society is the result of an earnest desire for a town fair that should embrace the good and exclude the bad features which usually attend fairs. It has been a decided success since its organization, in the fall of 1877, and steadily grown in usefulness. In the autumn it holds a fair, and in the winter, meetings, at which questions of interest are discussed in such a manner as to engage the attention of all classes. The purpose to maintain its high standing has been rigidly adhered to, and the result has shown that a fair without a horse-trot is not only possible, but really most successful.

      EAST POULTNEY, a post village, located near the centre of the township, on Poultney River, contains three churches, two stores, one hotel, two blacksmith shops, one cheese factory, a tannery, saw mill, grist mill, etc., and a number of neat, substantial dwellings. The east village, though now the smallest of the two, was formerly the business centre of the town, and continued so until the building of the railroad, completed in 1852, and the springing up of the slate business in the west part of the town, when the west village outstripped it and is now much the larger place: Among the old houses of this village is that of Joseph MEARS, built about the year 1780, and for a time used as a church by the Thompsonites, a division of the Congregational Church. The houses occupied by Stephen SCOTT and Mr. C. ROSS, were built by john and Josiah GRANT about the year 1800. The old Eagle Tavern, now occupied by Alexander MURDOCK, was built previous to the year 1800.

      SHAW's grist and cider mill, located about half a mile east of East Poultney, operates two runs of stones, and manufactures about 450 barrels of cider per year.

      The Green Mountain Grist Mill, owned by E. J. WILLIAMS, was built by him in 1872. It operates four runs of stones, and does custom work to a great extent.

      Benjamin LEWIS & Co's slate quarries are situated in the northwestern part of the town. The slate is of a purple and variegated color. They manufacture about six squares per day and employ six men.

      The Globe Slate Co's quarries, opened in 1869, are situated in the northwest part of the town, on the land owned by L. C. SPAULDING. They employ about ten men.

      LLOYD, OWENS & Co's quarry is situated in the northwest part of the town, on road 24. They manufacture unfading green, purple, sea-green and variegated slate, employ thirty men and manufacture from six to seven thousand squares per year.

      J. EVANS & Co's quarry is situated in the northern part of the town, on road 24, where they manufacture about 1,000 squares of unfading green slate per year.

      LEWIS' cider-mill, located on Lewis Brook, manufactures about 1,000 barrels of cider per year.

      Evergreen Slate Quarry, owned by Hiram AINSWORTH, of Castleton, is located in the northwest part of the town, on road r, and employs about 50 men, manufacturing 12,000 squares per year.

      The Eureka Slate Co's quarry, situated about three miles north of Poultney, was opened by John HUMPHREY in 1852, and is now owned by an English company, and managed by H. G. HUGHES. It employs 55 men and yields 15,000 squares of slate per year.

      The Great Wcstern Slate Co's quarry is situated about three miles north of Poultney. They employ twelve men.

      H. F. SMITH's saw-mill., located on Lewis Brook, was built in 1870, and replaced one burned a month earlier. The mill cuts 100,000 feet of lumber per year.

      The Royal Purple Slate Quarry, situated about two and one-half miles north of Poultney, is owned by JONES & AINSWORTH, and employs six men.

      The CULVER slate quarries, situated two and one half miles south of Poultney, were opened by D. CULVER in 1872, and manufacture about 4,000 squares of sea-green slate per year.

      Gardner PARKER & Son, manufacturers and dealers in all kinds of roofing slate, operate two quarries in Hampton, N.Y., and one in Poultney, employing about fifty men.

      Anthony FLAGG has been in the business of carriage and ornamental painting, at Poultney for fourteen years, and employs two men.

      The Centennial Grist Mill, near East Poultney, on Poultney River, was built by James BULLOCK in 1876. It has two runs of stones.

      MEAR's saw-mill, located on Poultney River, at East Poultney, was burned and rebuilt in 1870. It cuts about 100,000 feet of lumber per annum.

      DEWEY & Co's carriage manufactory, located at East Poultney, was established by MORSE Bros. in 1858. The present firm employs six men and manufactures all kinds of wagons, carriages and sleighs.

      GIBBS cheese factory, located in East Poultney, was built by a stock company in 1866. In 1871 the factory was purchased by Ira GIBBS, the present proprietor, who manufactures cheese from the milk of 400 cows.

      The East Poultney Tannery was destroyed by fire in 1840, and subsequently rebuilt, and again in 1872 it burned and was rebuilt. It does a business of about $300.00 per month.

      The WILLIAMS Slate Mill, located one and one fourth miles south of Poultney, on the Rutland & Washington R. R., was erected in 1872 by W. R. & J. R. WILLIAMS, who manufacture there all kinds of slate goods, employing about thirty men.

      GRIFFITH & NATHANIEL's slate quarries and manufactory are situated some two and one-half miles southeast of Poultney, and manufacture about 15,000 squares of slate per year, employing fifty men.

      H. R. CLARK's carriage anal sleigh manufactory, located in Poultney, does all kinds of blacksmithing and manufactures quarrying tools in connection with the carriage business.

      The Poultney Marble Works located at Poultney, were established in 1858 by J. J. ROWE & Son. Harvey ROWE, the present proprietor, employs two men and does about $3,000.00 worth of business per annum.

      The MOSELEY & Stoddard Manufacturing Company was organized January 25, 1881, to continue the business previously conducted for 14 years by F. W. MOSELEY and by MOSELEY & STODDARD, consisting mainly in the manufacture of dairying apparatus. The business of the firm was largely increased by the manufacture of MOSELEY's Cabinet Creamery, invented by F. W. MOSELEY in the spring of 1879, and still further increased by the manufacture of the STODDARD Churn, the invention of M. O. STODDARD. The present company are employing about thirty-five men; and steadily increasing their business. During the year 188o the old company manufactured and sold eight hundred of MOSELEY's cabinet creameries, and about the same number of STODDARD's churns. From the present indications, double the number will be sold during the year of 1881.

      The Lake View House, located on Lake St. Catherine, about three miles from Poultney, was built in 1876, and has accommodations for about twenty guests. The building is handsomely located in a pine grove on the shore of the lake, affording a fine view of this popular summer resort. In connection with the hotel are three pleasant cottages. The property is owned and under the management of Mr. P. J. GRIFFITH.

      Oak Dale House, located on the east shore of the lake, in a fine oak grove, was built by R. O. DYER and F. J. BUCKINGHAM in 1878. It is much resorted to by picnic and pleasure parties, and has a boat-house well supplied with boats for their accommodation. During the boarding season the steam-boat stops at the house.

      The town-farm is situated in the northeast part of the town, on road 31, and contains 275 acres, with a building 30 by 40 feet, with an addition. During the winter of 1881 the farm had from fifteen to seventeen inmates, under the management of James T. BALLARD.

      Although the town of Poultney way chartered in 1761, there was no white person dwelling within its limits until 1771, a period of nearly ten years after it was granted. On the 15th of April of this year, Ebenezer ALLEN and Thomas ASHLEY came into the town; the former bringing his family with him, and both settling on the banks of Poultney River, near where the old turnpike crosses it at Poultney village. Where ALLEN came from is not known, but probably from Connecticut, as he was in company with ASHLEY, who came from that State. Each erected a shanty, and ASHLEY cleared a small patch of land and planted it with corn, which occupied his time for about a month; then returned for his family, consisting of seven. During this year ALLEN had a son born, the first white child born in the town. ALLEN remained here only a few years, when he sold his improvements and removed to Grand Isle. ASHLEY remained on his farm until his death, in 1810.

      Later in the season of 1771, ALLEN and ASHLEY were followed by the families of Elijah and John OWEN, Isaac ASHLEY and Nehemiah HOWE. From this time immigration was quite rapid, so that in 1777 there were over thirty families in the town, among which are found the names of HYDE, MARSHALL, WARD, etc., all of which became familiar in the subsequent history of the town. The infant colony became scattered, however, on the invasion of Burgoyne in the summer of 1777, being all driven off by his army and the Indians; most of the men joining the American forces, where several of them became noted.

      The first town meeting on record was held March 8, 1775, with Zebulon RICHARDS, moderator. Heber ALLEN was chosen town clerk, and Nehemiah HOWE, Zebulon RICHARDS and Cotton FLETCHER, selectmen; Isaac ASHLEY, constable, and John ASHLEY, tithing man. This was the first regular town meeting, though meetings had been held as early as April, 1772, one year after the first settlement, at which Samuel HOWE was chosen moderator. Much that would throw light upon the obscurity that now envelops the proceedings of the early settlers, was burned with the town clerk's office in East Poultney, January 9, 1862.

      The first grist-mill was built by Nehemiah HOWE, some time before 1777, at the falls where the east village now stands. Previous to this the settlers were obliged to carry their grain to Manchester to get it ground, a distance of thirty miles, until a mill was erected in Pawlet. The first burial ground was started in 1773, by the interment of Joel GRANNIS, who was frozen to death while lost in the forest, and the first death that occurred in the town. This burial ground is the present cemetery located on Main street, a little east of the east village.

      Hon. William WARD, of New Marlboro, Mass., married Lucy CHURCH, December 11th, 1763, and removed from New Marlboro to Poultney in November, 1775, locating in the north part of the town, upon the farm now occupied by one of his descendants, Mrs. Sophia WARD, the old homestead having never since left the possession of the WARD family. William had a family of twelve children who left numerous descendants, the nearest residing in this State being C. C. WARD, now a resident of this town, on road 8. Mr. WARD was the first Representative of the town, holding the office eighteen consecutive years, and in all served more terms than any other man that ever resided in the town; was judge of probate twenty-two years, and justice of the peace over forty years. He died August 3d, 1819, at the age of 76 years. His wife died January 6th, 1846, aged 98 years.

      Ichabod MARSHALL was born in New Marlboro, Mass., in August, 1741; married Lydia STEARNS in November, 1760, and in December, 1772 removed with his family to Poultney, locating where the east village stands, upon the farm now occupied in part by his grandson, Harvey MARSHALL, and which has never been owned out of the MARSHALL family. Ichabod died in November, 1792. His widow died in October, 1836:

      Josiah LEWIS emigrated from Connecticut in 1771 or '72, and located upon the farm, on road 5, now owned by Mark LEWIS, the old homestead having always been kept in the LEWIS family. Josiah was a Revolutionary soldier; was in the battle a£ Hubbardton, and at the taking of Ticonderoga. He died previous to the year 1800.

      Ebenezer HYDE, with his three brothers, .emigrated from Connecticut soon after the first settlement, and located near the present village of Poultney, where he died about the year 1815. His grandson, Martin HYDE, resides in the village; on Main street, at the age of 76 years.

      William PRESTON, from Connecticut, came to Poultney in 1781; locating in the north part of the town, on road 21:, upon the farm now owned by Martha PRESTON, and it has since been in the possession of the PRESTON family. William died April 15, 1815, at the age of 99 years, 11 months and 10 days.

      John BLISS emigrated to Castleton in 1783, locating on a charter lot in the southwest part of the town, where he resided until his death, in 1825. His son George, one of twelve children, was born there in 1818, and commenced the study of medicine at the Castleton Medical College, in 1:841; graduating in 1844, and for the last thirty years has been a practicing physician of Poultney.

      Lindsey JOSLIN emigrated to Poultney from Massachusetts in 1785, and with his brother, Samuel, erected a forge about half a mile east of the east village; he continuing his residence in the town until his death, which occurred August 12th, 1826, in the 77th year of his age. His son, Joseph, one of six children, still resides in the town, at the age of 82 years, and has long been one of the prominent men, has held several town offices, having been Representative three terms, and been a deacon of the Baptist Church for the last fifty years.

      Jonathan MORGAN, from Simsburg, Conn., immigrated to Poultney in 1795, locating in the east part of the town, on road 47, upon the farm now occupied by his sons, Isaac H. and J., where he died on March 22d, 1859, at the age of 74 years.

      Seth RUGGLES came to Poultney from Massachusetts in 1804, locating in the central part of the town, upon the farm now occupied by Jasper A. BENEDICT, where he resided until his death. Frederick RUGGLES, son of Seth, is still a resident of the town, at the age of 76 years.

      Warren CLARK came to Poultney from Bethlehem, Mass., in the year 1805, and resided in several localities in the town during his life, dying on the 31st of December, 1863. His son, Joseph W., one of eleven children, still resides in the town, on road 23.

      Stephen HOWE, with his son Chester, came to Poultney from Connecticut in 1812, and located in the western part of the town, where he resided until his death, at an advanced age. Chester remained in the town but a few years; his daughter, Phoebe BABCOCK, is still a resident, at the age of 92 years, making her home with the family of Noah C. FENTON.

      Royal PEASE came to Poultney from New York in 1816, and located upon Pond Hill, where he resided until his death, in 1837. His son, Albert PEASE, is still a resident of the town.

      F. W. WHITLOCK was the second person to engage in the in the slate business in Poultney, and, it is said, opened the second quarry in the county, in 1847. In 1848 he sent to Wales for 25 practical slate workers; he operated a quarry for many years, employing from 30 to 50 men.

      Dan POND, first son of Philip, born March 4, 1726, at Bradford, Conn., removed from Stockbridge, Mass., to Poultney, in 1782, locating with a portion of his family on "Pond Hill." He had fifteen children -- 13 sons and two daughters. All but one (Philip) lived to have families. Dan died May 27, 1783, aged 56 years, and is buried in the East Poultney Cemetery. Asahel, Jr., fifth son of Major Asahel, and grandson to Dan, was born May 20,1807, married Calista HARTWELL and removed to Castleton, where he still resides on the shore of Lake Bomoseen.

      The Congregational Church at East Poultney was organized by their first pastor, Rev: Thomas HIBBARD, in 1780, the first church society and the first settled minister in the town. The first church building was erected in 1783, and used by the society until 1803, when the present edifice was erected; it is a pleasantly located, neat structure, with a seating capacity of 400, and valued at $4,000.00. The society now numbers about 66 members, with the Rev. Calvin GRANGER, pastor.

      The First Baptist Church, located at Poultney village, was organized in 1782, by the society's first pastor, Rev. Clark KENDRICK, with twelve members. The first building was erected in 1802, followed by the present edifice; which will seat 300 persons, in 1868. The church property is now valued at about $5,000.00, the society having in its treasury a fund of $1,000.00 and a membership of 148.

      The Poultney Methodist Episcopal Church, located on Main street, was organized by Rev. Seymour LANDON, who was also the first pastor, in 1822. A house of worship was erected the same year, which did service until 1841, when the present building was erected, costing about $12,000.00, and will comfortably seat 600 persons. The society now numbers 150 members, with Rev. W. H. ROWSOM, M. A., pastor.

      The East Poultney Baptist Church was organized in 1805 by the society's first pastor, Rev. Clark KENDRICK, and a building erected the same year which will seat 500 persons, and is now valued, including grounds, at $3,000,00. There are now about seventy members, under the pastorate of Rev. Thomas TELLIER.

      St. John's Episcopal Church was organized in 1809, with Rev. Mr. PARDEE as pastor. In 1832 a church building, with seating room for 200 persons, was erected at East Poultney, and in 1868 an edifice that will seat 175 persons was built in Poultney village, both being under the pastoral care of the same rector. The society now numbers 115 members, its property is valued at $10,000.00 and for the last twelve years has been presided over by Rev. E. H. RANDALL.

      St. Raphael Catholic Church, located at Poultney village, was organized by the society's first pastor, Rev. C. LYNCH, in 1864, and then numbered eighty members. During that year the present edifice was erected at a cost of $3,000.00, and will comfortably seat zoo persons. The society now numbers 200, under the pastoral care of Rev. P. J. O'CARROLL, its property being valued at $3,500.00.

      The Welsh Presbyterian Church, (Calvinistic Methodist,) located in school district No. 4, was organized in 1871 by the Rev. Joseph ROBERTS, he being the society's first pastor. The church building, which will seat 100 persons, was erected the following year, costing $1,500.00, but now is only valued at, including grounds, $1,200.00. The present membership of the society is forty, with Rev. Hugh DAVIDS pastor.

Gazetteer and Business Directory of  Rutland  County, VT.;
1881-82, Compiled and Published by Hamilton Child;
Syracuse, N.Y.; Printed at the Journal Office
August 1881, Part Two, Pages 183 - 193.

Transcribed by Karima Allison 2004