Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-04-08
WHAT FIRST CENSUS SHOWED
5rattleboro Had Largest Family in Yer
mont In t7eo-oullford had Largest
Population in the state

reputation IN the state.
In comparing the first census of Wind
ham county i'm 1890 with the census of
1910 some interesting facts stand out
prominently. In the old days Guilford
was the banner town in point Of popu-
lation with 2422 inhabitants, while in 1900
it had only 7S2. Putney came second with
lS4S while the census OF 10 years ago
showed a population Of only 500. West
minister, with a population of 1899 stood
third I'm the list having 10 more than Brat
tleboro, but the population of West
minister has decreased only 304 since 1890.
Dummerston had 1870, while 10 years ago
the population was 1923 or less than half
Athens had $50 to $50 10 years ago. Hall
fax 1909 to 662 at the last census. MARI
boro 629 to 44S at the last census. The
other towns I'm the county have increase
in poulation since taking the first census
This is probably due to the fact that
they were not fully settled in 1890 and
also to the fact that their population is not
so directly affected by the present aban-
donment Of farms. According to the
faded records of the census bureau, Brat
tleboro had the largest family in Vermont.
The average number OF the families Of
this town was six, but Joseph Arms the
first man on the list was accredited with
family Of is persons, ana Henry Coles
family numbered 16.
The taking of the first census in Brat
Tor the person making the returns to the
federal government. The United States
marshal for the district of New Hamp-
shire had charge Of making the enumera-
tion of the inhabitants Of New Hampshire
and Vermont and was given nine months
in which to make his report to the presi-
dent in Philadelphia, then the seat OF
government. He received 5000 for the
work. His assistants in towns the size OF
Brattlehoro received 81 for every $50
names taken or a little over $40 for enum-
Grating the whole town. There were 260
heads Of families; out Of these there were
six women accorded the honor of having
their names entered on the first census
enumeration Of Brattleboro and they are
given as Widow Evans, Widow Williams.
Widow Hagar, Widow Mills, Widow Rice
and Widow Salisbury. When the first
census enumeration was made in Brattle-
boro during the summer and fall Of 1890
the city of Washington was merely a gov
ernmental project. 1t was known as the
Federal City. \ fire many years ago de-
stroyed some Of the census records but
the Vermont records were spared though
the record OF the assistant marshals who
took the census that year was destroyed.
Only five questions were asked by the en-
umerators in taking the census Of 1890.
The name Of the head Of the family
was ascertained and the number of free
white males. l6 years and upward. was
something the census taker made no guess
| about in making his return. The object
Of this inquiry was to obtain definite
knowledge Of the military and Industrial
strength Of the country. Wndham county
| led the state in this respect with 44lG
| white males over l6. When the list was
made the assistant making it posted a
| copy in the most public place in town and
received 81 for the copy in addition to the
amount allowed him for making the enum
| GRAFTON. The federal government did not
| furnish blanks for its enumeration and the
| original records form a unique collection
| Of documents. Common brown paper was
used in many Instances by the assistants
-[Brattleboro letter in Springfield sun
day Republican.