Essex, Vermont, USA (Essex Jct)
1886 - Essex

THE township of Essex was among the New Hampshire grants, and was chartered June 7, 1763. The original of this document is now extant. It begins, "George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith," etc., and bears the official signature of "Benning WENTWORTH, esq., our governor and commander-in-chief of our said province of New Hampshire," and the countersign of "T. ATKINSON, junr., secretary." By the terms of the charter the township was to contain 23,040 acres, or to be six miles square, and was to be divided into seventy-two equal shares among as many grantees named in it, none of whom probably ever set foot on the territory thus granted. The reservations made in the charter were the governor's right, two shares; one share for a glebe for the Church of England; one share for the incorporated society for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts; one share for the first settled minister of the gospel; and one for the benefit of schools. Each of these reservations contained 330 acres, save the governor's right, 500 acres. The charter also gave permission to hold two fairs annually, and a market to be kept open one or more days in each week, as should be advantageous to the people, when there should be fifty families resident in town. There is no record, oral or written, that either of these English luxuries were ever enjoyed by the people of the town. The name of the town perpetuates that of some earl or baronet of England with whom the grantees were associated or familiar...

The town of Essex has always been more specially noted for its agricultural than for its mechanical or manufacturing industries. Its smaller streams, like Alder Brook, were, early in its history, utilized in running saw-mills spring and fall, but the Onion River, at Hubbel's Falls, was its principal water power, and has always been the center of its manufacturing industries. The manufacture of carriages and sleighs was for many years a large and prosperous industry at Page’s Corners by Colonel S. PAGE, at Butler’s Corners by M. WOOL, and at the Center by Harry ALDRICH. Other minor industries were carried on, such as the "tailor," the "shoemaker," the " blacksmith," the "tanner," etc., etc., but most of them have been rendered unprofitable by modern improvements and have been discontinued for other pursuits. The face of the town is diversified. The northern and eastern portions are hilly though not mountainous. The southern, central, and western are more nearly level, sinking in some parts to a swamp, soft and wet. There are no mountains or natural ponds in town. On the south the Winooski forms the boundary line. The eastern portion of the town is watered by Brown’s River and its tributaries. It is extremely tortuous, running many miles in its circuit to make one in length. In its passage through the town it does not afford a single fall sufficient to make a mill privilege of any value, though they are found both above and below. On the borders of these rivers the soil is a rich alluvial mould. In other parts of the town there is more of the clay formation, with a rich deposit of muck in certain localities. In general the soil is rich and exceedingly productive. There is scarcely any land but what may be cultivated, or is well adapted for grazing purposes. The attention of the people is hence directed mainly to growing stock and the products of the dairy; and these are the leading industries. The advent of the railroad was thought by many to be the forerunner of destruction to all the industrial pursuits of the town and the State; but the result has proved otherwise. They have been stimulated rather than depressed. The dairy interest has improved. Prices have ruled higher. The people are brought into more immediate competition with those who have long enjoyed the monopoly of the market, and prices of dairy and farm products. So far from injuring or depressing the business interests of the town, the railroads have developed our resources, opened new avenues of trade, and brought the great centers of trade and population within speaking distance of rural districts and population. The evidences of it are seen in the increase of population and business, the improvement of the farms, the introduction of new implements of farm work, the increase of production of all farm products, and in the general thrift and public spirit which is everywhere manifest.

History of Chittenden County, Vermont With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
Edited By W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1886



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