Addison, Vermont, USA (Chimney Point) (West Addison)
1849 - Addison

ADDISON Co. This is supposed to be the first place settled by the whites, in this State, west of the mountains. The town is pleasantly located on the east side of Lake Champlain, and nearly opposite to Crown Point, in the State of New York. At this place the lake is about three miles broad. The French, it is said, commenced a settlement here in 1731; the same year that they erected a fort at Crown Point. The English came here about 1770. Otter Creek passes into the town, but affords no important mill sites. The surface of the town is low and level. Mill and Pike Rivers, are small streams, which fall into the lake opposite to Crown Point.

Boundaries. North by Panton, east by Weybridge and Waltham, south by Bridport, and west by Lake Champlain.

First Settlers. The first settlement made by the English was in the year 1769 or 1770, by a Mr. Ward, the Hon. John Strong and Zadock Everest, Esq., with their families. This settlement was broken up and the settlers retired to the south, upon the advance of the British up the lake in the fall of 1776, and none of them returned with their families till the month of May, 1783. During their seven years' absence, every building which they had erected was destroyed by the enemy, who were masters of the lake till the close of the war. From its renewal at the close of the war, the settlement advanced with considerable rapidity, and Messrs. Strong, Everest and some others of the first settlers who had been driven off and returned, lived to see the township nearly all under improvement and themselves in possession of all the rational enjoyments of life.

First Minister. A church was organized here by the Rev. Job Swift, in 1803; who died in 1804.

Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 1,722 bushels ; Indian corn, 6,250 bushels ; potatoes, 19,750 bushels; hay, 10,800 tons ; maple sugar, 865 pounds ; wool, 82,900 pounds.

Distances. Forty miles west southwest from Montpelier, and twelve miles west north-west from Middlebury.

A gazetteer of Vermont... by John Hayward Boston - Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 1849

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