The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1862-05-06

About J l-2 mile south Of FacseFy
Point, q. The base of Nj. EquiAox. Is Tie
village Of Manchester. II contains about
$50 inhabitants and GO buildings, includ-
ing a Court House, jail, school house,
/ Congregational church, the Burr Semina-
y, Bank, Telegraph Office. Water Cure
Establishment, Printing Office, hotels, a
store, clothing store, Tin shop, and sew
eral mechanic shops During the past
few years this village has been much frc-
quenied as resort during the summer
months the beautiful and magnificent
scenery on every side, the pure and healthy
atmosphere, the delightful retreats and de-
files among the mountains, the crystal
brooks with their romantic glens and pic
iuresque cascades, the excellent highways
and the fine opportunities Tor trout fishing
unite TO render this most attractive re-
gion.
The mercantile business is extensive
enough 10 supply the wants OF the inhab-
ilanis and to a considerable extent those
OF the surrounding towns. The Grsi mer-
chant in town was, probably, Col. Stephen
keyes, whose store was situated at the
south part of the village. Silas Goodrich,
Martin Powell, Caldwell & Wynderse
and Nathan Hawley were engaged in
trade previous 10 1900, near which date
Joseph Burr opened a store which he con
tinued for many years. The first store at
Factory Point was erected by a Mr.. Scott,
not far from the year 1900, and afterwards
kept by Joel Pratt. Previous TO the year
1900, Timothy Mead owned nearly all of
the present site Of Factory Point. A part
Of this land had been given him by the
proprietors as a reward for erecting the
first grist mill in the town, some time
about 1880, on the west branch, where
Clark's mill is now located. Mr.. Mead
refused for several years to sell any part
.nf this land, which comprised some 500
acres. Capt. Mead's premises we're the
only buildings OF the present site of Fac
tory Point previous TO 1900.
There are at present in Manchester 6
practising doctors; the number Of the
medical faculty who have resided in town
have been quite numerous among the
earliest were William Gould, Lewis Be
bee, DR.. Washburn, Ezra Isham, and Eli
jah Littlefeld, prominent physicians for
long period.
There are AT present 6 lawyers. Hon.
Enoch Woodbridge, formerly chief justice,
Hon. Jonathan Brace, (once Judge of the
Supreme Court Of Conn, Mr., Hitchcock,
Truman Squiers, Isaac Smith and Screnus
Swift, were the earliest LAWYERS, Mr..
Swift commenced his practice here in
1897 is in his eighty-eighth year, and is
probably the oldest graduate Of Dartmouth
College now living. The entire number
of lawyers who have practised their pro-
lession in town is not far from 20.
The present population Of the town may
be stated at 1900. TIE prior enumera-
tons have been as folloVs: In 1901,
1876; 1900, 1897; 1910, 1902; 1920,
1903; 1880, 1925; 1910, 1890; 1850,
1882. In 1860 the returns set the popu-
laton at 1882. This is considerably too
small; the true population may be reck-
oned at 1900.
The first male birth on record is Sam
uel Purdy, bora Feb. 23, l77l. He was
the grandson of Daniel Purdy, one of the
earliest settlers, who has ll3 descendants
now living in this and other towns in the
county.
! RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
| The Baptist Society was formed in 1881,
Rev. Joseph Cornall, first pastor, and the
first settled minister in town. Services
were held at first in the upper story Of a
building near the present site Of g. Will
sons marble mill, on Glcbe brook. A
church was afterwards bnilt on the pres
ent limits of the Cemetery at Factory
Point; this building was occupied till
1888, when the present brick edifice was
constructed. Since the organization Of
the society there have been l6 ministers
the average number of communicates prior
to 1858 has been about 100; since 1858
about 200. The present pastor is the
Rev. i, u. Swain.
The Congregational Society was formed
in 1782,--the church in 1884. The pres.
ent church edifce was erected in 1929
The Rev. James Anderson ofIiciated as
pastor from 1929 TO 1858; the present
number Of communicates is about 100
| The present pastor, Rev. r. S. Cushman
First organization of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in Manchester, (fron
the original documents, 10 the hands o.
the Rector, Rev. c. r. Batchelder.)
Manchester, Oct. 4, 1882.
"Thcse may certify that we whose
names are underwritten, Inhabitants o.
the town Of Manchester, in the County o.
Bennington, are professors Of the Church
Of England, and do put ourselves under
Y the pastoral care Of the Rev'd Gideon
Bostwick;
| In testimony whereof we have hereuntC
subscribed our names:
Eleazer Baldwin, John w. Bostwiek,
Arthur Boslwick, Charles Bulless,
John Hitchcock, Peter French,
William Drew, jeremiah French,
Jabcz Hswley, Moses Sperry,
job Giddings, Sam'l French, Jr.,
uanru EttIaxs Eahaussas Il.