Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-03-12
HISTORICAL
SKETCHES
Taken from the Vermont.
Gazetteer Published in 1862
by Miss Abbie1 1Hemenway

y
In 1862, Miss Abbie Maria Hemenway
published a Gazetteer of Vermont
one of the most interesting books
long since out of print. We copy
therefrom because we know this
valuable book is not accessible to
very many people; and by loyal
Vermonters,it should be appreciated.
Brighton is situated in the western
part of Essex County, in latitude 440
45m, and longitude 50 6m. The
township is nearly square, the four
corners representing the four cardi-
nal points of the compass. 1t is
bounded N. E. by Lewis and Avery's
gore, S. E. by Ferdinand, S. w. by
Newark and Westmore, and N. W.
by Morgan and Charleston. 1t was
originally named Random, by Hon.
Joseph Brown, from it's being a
random purchase from an agent in
Providence, R. /. The charter,
signed by the Hon. Thomas Chittea-
den, Governor, and Thomas Tolman,
Secretary was granted to Col. Joseph
Nightingale and 65 others, Aug. 80,
1881. The first proprietors meeting
was held in Concord, VT, March 20,
| 1904. James Whitlaw was elected
moderator, and Nathaniel Jenk, pro-
prietors' clerk. The town was or
ganized in March, 1882. Joseph
Melendy was chosen first town clerk;
John Bishop, VIM. Washburn and
John Stevens, selectmen.
The September following Timothy
Corey was elected representative,
and the same year, Nov. 3rd, the
name of the town was changed to
that of Baighton, that name being
chosen by the inhabitants of the
town. Miss Lucy M. Kilby taught
the first school in the summer of
1929, and Miss Abigail Kilby taught
the subsequent winter, the average
number being 35.
The old town of Random was sur
veyed by Joseph Whitlaw in 1870 and
'9l. Since its organization part of
Wenlock and Caldersburg has been
annexed to it, and a part of Brighton
annexed to Ferdinand. Its area now
is about $4,000 acres. The first
white man known to have visited
the town was Mr.. Lindsey, in the
year 1884; he died a few years since
| in Clifton, G. E.. at very advanced
age, but up to the time of his death
retained his faculties, and would re-
late his excursion to this town, in
company with some st. Francis In
dians, in pursuit of game. having
had some thrilling adventures and
hair breadth escapes.
The first person who settled in
Brighton was Enos Bishop, in 1920.
John Stevens followed in 1921. John
Cargill commenced, in that part
called Caldersburg, about the same
time. John Kilby built a log cabin
and moved his family in October,
, 1927. Senaca Foster and family fol-
lowed nine weeks afterwards. John
Kilby built the first framed house in
1928. Phrelan Rosebrooks moved
= his family into town in March, 1928,
being the fifth family. Mr.. Rose
brooks built the first framed barn.
He was the first justice of the peace,
= having been appointed in 1928. When
Mr.. Bishop and MIR. Stevens came
into town, they were obliged to
travel on loot 16 miles from the
Connecticut River through a dense
wilderness, and for long time had
to bring their supplies from there in
the winter on hand sleds, the snow
; being so deep it was impossible to
; use teams. and the men could travel
in no way themselves except on
snow-shoes. The learly settlers in
|. town, not mentioned above, were
James Blake, James Corey, Mr..
Morse.
The following are the names of
the Town Clerks and Representa-
tives since the town was organized:
Town CLERKS-W,m. M e e nd y,
Olney Aldrich, Owen Brown, Anson
: Brown, Elias Aldrich, Harris Brown,
Harvey Coe, w. Cheney, E. w. Hoff-
man, A. S. Downing. w. Mason,
j. w. Davis.
REPRESENTATIVES s-Timothy Cor
; ey, VIM. Washburn, Elias Aldrich,
John Stevens, Isaac w. Aldrich, Har-
vey Coe, Anson Coe, Harris Brown,
W. R. Rosebrooks, Arba Jay, S. D.
Hobson, G. G. Waterhouse, N. P.
Bowman.
A post-office was first established
Aug. l6, 1849. Postmasters up to
the present time: Harvey Coe, J. D.
{ Gilkey, Henry Hopkins, Henry Hop.
kins, Henry e. Hoffman, +. w
) Hoffman and James w. Davis.
The allotment of the first division
of lands was made by James Whit
law, in the year 1904, each lot con
taining $50 acres. The second division
by Abner Allyn and Steven Cole, Of
i, Charleston, and Miles Coe, of New
. ark, 76 acres to each lot. The thirC
Continued on Page 81