Reading, Vermont, USA (Felchville) (Hammondsville)
1849 - Reading

Windsor Co. The surface of this town is uneven, and the elevations pretty abrupt. Towards the west part is an elevated tract of land, extending through the town from north to south, from which issues its principal streams, It is worthy of remark, that no water runs into this town. In the south-west part, and on the line between Reading and Plymouth, is a natural pond, about 200 rods in length and fifty in breadth. The outlet of this pond is to the south, and leads into Plymouth Pond. From the north-west part of the town the streams take a northerly direction, and fall into Quechee River at Bridgewater. From the middle and north-east parts the streams take an easterly direction, and unite with Connecticut River at Windsor ; whilst those in the south-east part take a south-easterly direction, and fall into Black River at Weathersfield. Some small streams, however, rise in the north part, and, taking a north-easterly direction, fall into Quechee River, at Woodstock, North Village. The streams in Reading, though generally small, afford a tolerable supply of water for common mills.

The soil in Reading is of a middling quality, and affords excellent pasturage.

There are three villages in the town ; Reading Centre Village, South Reading, and Felchville. These places have considerable trade and manufactures.

Boundaries. North by Woodstock, east by Windsor, south by Cavendish, and west by Plymouth.

First Settlers. The settlement of the township was commenced about the year 1772, by Andrew Spear, who removed his family here from Walpole, N. H. This was for several years the only family in town. About the year 1778, John Weld, Esq., moved his family from Pomfret, Ct.

First Minister. On the 23d of Nov. 1787, the Rev. Nahum Sergeant was ordained to the pastoral care of the Congregational Church in Reading, with a permanent salary for life. A log meeting house was erected about the same time. The church, however, were not long blest with his labors ; for in visiting his friends in Chelsea, Mass., he died of the small-pox, in 1792.

Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 2,950 bushels ; Indian corn, 3,984 bushels ; potatoes, 22,540 bushels; hay, 4,177 tons ; maple sugar, 24.215 pounds ; wool, 18,379 pounds.

Distances. Fifty-three miles south from Montpelier, and ten west from Windsor.


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

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