LAKE CHAMPLAIN. LAKE CHAMPLAIN. An and its average width about one mile. | thickness, and reveted with masonry The distance from Whitehall to Ticonde- throughout. The ditch is blasted out of roga is about 20 miles. The fortress of the solid rock. There are two demilunes this name is now a heap of ruins.* It and some small detached outworks. was built by the French, in 1756, on a arched passage led from the interior of point of land formed by the junction of the works to the lake, and a well about lake George creek with lake Champlain, ninety feet in depth was sunk in one of and was two miles northwest from Mount the bastions. The fort erected by the Independence, and opposite the north- French in 1731, was a smaller work, and west corner of Orwell. Ticonderoga is nearer the water. The present fort was derived from the Indian and signifies commenced by the English, in 1759, and noisy. The French called the fort Caril- according to Dr. Dwight, (Travels II, lon. It was a place of great strength, 444,) cost about two millions of pounds both by nature and art. On three sides sterling. The whole peninsula being of it was surrounded by water, and about solid rock, covered with a thin layer of half the other was occupied by a deep earth, the works cannot be assailed by swamp, while the line was completed by regular approaches, and both in conthe erection of a breastwork nine feet struction and position, the fortress is high on the only assailable ground. In among the strongest in North America. 1758, Gen. Abercrombie, with a British It has been long dismantled, and is now army, was defeated in an attempt upon quite dilapidated, but its form and dimenthis fortress with the loss of 1941 men, sions are still easily traced and measured. but it was the next year surrendered to From Crown Point to Split rock, a disGen. Amherst. It was surprised by Col. tance of about 19 miles, the width of the Allen, May 10, 1775, at the commence- lake will average about three miles and a ment of the revolution, and retained till half. The width from Thompson's Point 1777, when it was evacuated on the ap- to Split rock is only three quarters of proach of Gen. Burgoyne. Near this a mile. Split rock is a considerable cuplace is one of the richest localities of riosity. A light house is erected here. minerals in the United States, and is a At McNeil s ferry between Charlotte and most interesting spot to the man of sci- Essex, N. Y., a few miles further north, the width of the lake wants 20 rods of three miles. From this place the lake spreads as it flows north, and at Burlington from the bottom of Burlington bay to that of Douglas' bay is nine miles and three quarters wide.* Upon Juniper island at the entrance of Burlington bay from the south, a light house has been erected, and a few miles to the northwest ence. "Within the limits of four or five acres are found massive and crystalized garnet, several varieties of coccolite, augite, white and green, crystalized and massive, very beautiful adularia and common feldspar, tabular spar, hornblend, calcareous spar containing brucite, and elegant crystals of silico calcareous oxyde of titanium."-Hall. From Ticonderoga to Crown Point, a distance of 12 or 14 miles, the width of the lake continues from one to two miles. Crown Point Fortress is now in ruins and is opposite to the south part of Addison. || It was built by the French, in 1731, on a point of land between West bay and the lake, and was called Fort St. Frederick. In 1759, it was surrendered to the British troops under Gen. Amherst, and was held by the British till May 10, 1775, when it was taken by Col. Seth Warner, on the same day that Ticonderoga surrendered to Allen. It again fell into the hands of the British, in 1776, who kept possession of it till after the capture of Burgoyne in 1777. This fortress is in lat. 44° 3' and long. 73° 29' west from Greenwich. It is nearly a regular pentagon, the longest curtain being ninety, and the shortest about seventy-five yards in length. The ramparts are about twenty-five feet in † Page 9 and 14. *See part second, page 8, Page 33 and 41. | Pago 6. Pr. 1. 7 m. rd m. rd. To Pottier's Point 1 119 To Sharpshin Point 2 310 To rock Dunder 0 267 To Appletree Point 3 109 In 1821, the distance from Burlington to Douglas Between Providence Island and E. Brother 54 78 66 66 186 69 • 164 LAKE CHAMPLAIN. CHARLESTON. spot where the haughty Burgoyne surrendered his sword, October 17, 1777, where Schuyler's house was burnt, and where the brave Fraser fell. The house, where that officer died, is still standing, and the rooms, occupied by the Countess Riedsell, remain unaltered." of this bay the steamboat Phoenix was consumed by fire on the morning of the 5th of September 1819, and much property and several lives lost. † Between Juniper island and Pottier's point, a large rock rises above the water, called rock Dunder, and to the southwest of Juniper lie four small islands called the Four CHARLESTON, a post town in the east Brothers. They were named on Charle- part of Orleans county, is in lat. 44° 51' voix map the isles of the Four Winds. and long. 4° 57, and is bounded northeast The bay opposite Burlington, called by Morgan, southeast by Brighton, southDouglas' bay, was called by the French west by a part of Westmore and BrownCorlar, and the island lying a little to the ington, and northwest by Salem. It lies north, called Schuyler's island, they call- 50 miles northeast from Montpelier; was ed Isle aux Chapon. The greatest ex-granted the 6th, and chartered the 10th of panse of water is between the Four November, 1780, to the "Hon. Abraham Brothers and Grand Isle, but the greatest Whipple, his shipmates," and others, conwidth from east to west shore is further taining 23,040 acres Commodore Whipnorth across the islands, where the dis-ple was a distinguished naval officer in tance is about 14 miles. Cumberland the revolutionary war, and he called the bay, on the head of which stands Plattsburgh, N. Y., is about 22 miles from Burlington. This bay is celebrated for the signal victory of the American squadron, under Commodore McDonough, over the British fleet, on the 11th of September, 1814.t The peninsula lying north of Cumberland bay called Cumberland Head, was called by the French Cape Scoumouton. On this point is a light house. From South Hero to the 45th degree of lat. the breadth of the lake including the islands is from nine to twelve miles. Where the lake leaves the state on the west side of Alburgh, its width is less than two miles. The lake extends into Canada 24 miles to St. Johns, where the river Richelieu commences and conveys the waters to the St. Lawrence. The Richelieu is about 60 miles long, and joins the St. Lawrence near the upper end of lake St. Peters, and about 45 miles below Montreal. The navigation of the Richelieu is interrupted by the Chambly rapids, but the lake is connected with the St. Lawrence at Montreal, by a railroad 18 miles in length, leading from St. John's to Laprairie. The canal which connects lake Champlain with the Hudson, at Albany, is 64 miles in length, and traverses a most interesting country. "It passes in sight of the very spot where the tree stood, to which Putnam was bound, in 1757. Fort Edward and Fort Miller also recall to mind many circumstances of American history. The former was built by Col. Williams, in 1755, and its walls are now in some places 20 feet high. The unfortunate Miss M'Crea was murdered near this fort, and the trunk of the tree, to which she was bound, still remains with her name and the date, 1777, rudely inscribed upon it. It passes near the *See part second page 216. Ibid. Page 96. town Navy, in honor of the American navy, the prowess of which he had so bravely maintained; but the name was altered to Charleston, by act of the legislature, Nov. 6, 1825. The settlement of this township was commenced in 1803, by Andrew McGaffey, who, this year, moved his family here from Lyndon. Mrs. McGaffey died October 30, of this year, which was the first death in town. In July, Abner Allyn also moved his family here, and his was the second family in town. In 1804, Joseph Seavey moved his family here; Orin Percival, his in 1805; and from this time the settlement proceeded more rapidly. The whole number of deaths in this town, up to 1824, was 13, and only three of these adults. The town was organized, March 31, 1806, and Abner Allyn was first town clerk. He was also the first representative, chosen in 1807. The Freewill Baptists are the most numerous denomination of Christians. Elder John Swazey, a Protestant Methodist, is the only resident minister, but the town is generally supplied by itinerant preachers. Ezra Cushing is the only physician. The principal stream is Clyde river, which enters the township from Brighton, and runs northwesterly, nearly through its centre into Salem. There are some falls of consequence, on this stream, particularly the Great falls, where the descent is more than 100 feet in 40 rods, but its current is, generally, slow. The alluvial flats, along this stream, are extensive, but generally too low and wet for cultivation. In the southeast part of the township are 1000 acres of bog meadow in a body upon this river. There are several considerable ponds. Echo pond, the most important, is in the northern part, and was named by Gen. J. Whitelaw, on account of the succession of CHARLOTTE. CHARLOTТТЕ. echos, which are usually heard when any | travelers. There is a small village a little sound is produced in its vicinity. It is 14 west of the centre, called the 4 corners, miles long and a mile wide. The stream which discharges the waters of Seymour's lake, in Morgan, into Clyde river, passes through this pond. On the outlet mills are erected. The other pond, of most consequence, is called Pension pond, and lies in the course of Clyde river. These ponds abound in fish, and large quantities are annually caught. There are two small villages situated upon Clyde river about six miles apart, with a post office in each, designated as East Charleston and West Charleston. The soil of the township is a rich loam and produces good crops, and the roads and business of the town are rapidly improving. There are 8 school districts, 5 school houses, 2 stores, 2 taverns, 4 saw, 2 grist and 2 fulling mills, &c. Statistics of 1840.-Horses, 172; cattle, 587; sheep, 1,408; swine, 366; wheat, bu. 1,431; barley, 701; oats, 4,548; rye, 62; buckwheat, 1,560; Ind. corn 467; potatoes 26,279; hay, tons, 1,499; sugar, lbs. 23,965; wool, 2,861. Pop. 731. with a meeting house and parsonage, belonging to the Methodist society, built with brick in the year 1841, and well finished in modern style. Also, a female seminary, built in 1836, which is now under the superintendance of the Methodist society. There are also two stores and one tavern. At about the same distance north of the centre, there is a village of still smaller size, and also two miles east of the centre, where there is a Baptist meeting house, built with brick and well finished, in the year 1841. The Congregational meeting house stands near the centre of the town, and was erected in the year 1808. The church was organized, January 3, 1792, and on the next day the Rev. Daniel C. Gillet, was ordained over it. He was dismissed in 1799, and the church was vacant till Nov. 4, 1807, when the Rev. Truman Baldwin, was ordained over it, who was dismissed March 21, 1815. The church was then destitute till Oct. 15, 1817, when the Rev. Calvin Yale was ordained over it, who was dismissed March 5, 1833. The Rev. William Eaton was installed as pastor of the church, on the 23d of Sept. 1834, and CHARLOTTE, a post town in the southwest corner of Chittenden county, in lat. 44° 18' and long. 3° 49', and is bounded north by Shelburne, east by Hinesburgh, south by Ferrisburgh and a part of Monk-was dismissed January 12, 1837. The ton, and west by lake Champlain. It is Rev. Eldad W. Goodman, the present 10 miles south from Burlington, and 10 pastor, was installed July 12, 1837. The north from Vergennes, and was charter- most remarkable season of mortality was ed June 24, 1762. The first attempt to in the winter of 1812 and '13, when about settle this town was made by Derick 70, mostly over 16 years of age, were vicWebb. He first began in town in March, tims to the epidemic of that period. This 1776, but soon left. He came in again, township is pleasantly situated on the in March, 1777, and left in May, follow- lake shore, and is watered by the river ing; but no permanent settlement was Laplott, which runs through the northmade till 1784, when Derick Webb, and east corner, and Lewis creek, which runs Elijah Woolcut moved into the town, and through the southern corner. The westwere followed by others, so that the town ern part of the town was originally timwas soon after organized. John McNeil bered with hard wood, and the soil is was one of the early settlers, and was the excellent, producing in abundance. The first town clerk and representative to the eastern part was principally timbered Legislature. In the year 1790, he located with pine, hemlock, &c. There are no on the lake shore, and with the advantage elevations which deserve the names of of a good natural harbor,established a ferry mountains, but a range of considerable from Charlotte to Essex, in the state of hills running through the centre of the New York, which by the name of "Mc- town from north to south. From many Neil's ferry" is generally known through- parts of this ridge the scenery to the west out the state as one of the most important, is peculiarly picturesque. The lake with safe and well conducted ferries on the its islands, may be seen at a great dislake. The boat is propelled by six horses. tance. Add to this the extensive range Time in crossing about 30 minutes, mak- of lofty mountains with their broken suming four trips each day. There is crossing mits which lie beyond it, and it is believ at this ferry some weeks earlier and later ed that, particularly at some seasons of in the season, than at any other ferry on the year, the beauty and sublimity of the the lake, with the exception of that from prospect is not excelled by any part of Burlington to Port Kent. There is a good our country. The town is divided into store house and dock, with a sufficient 13 school districts. It has 4 taverns depth of water for any boat on the lake, which are all temperance houses, 5 saw and a good Inn for the accommodation of mills, 1 grist mill, and 3 stores. Statistics 62 CHELSEA. CHESTER of 1840.--Horses, 500; cattle, 3,020; | mostly of a good soil. All kinds of grain common in Vermont, are raised with tol- It contains two churches, Congregational and Methodist, a court house and jail, two taverns, five stores, two groceries, three carding machines, a clothier's establishment, a trip hammer shop, two tin workers' shops, two cabinet shops, two tanneries, a printing office, a jeweller and watchmaker's shop, with various other mechanics shops, and about ninety dwelling houses. The bank of Orange county is located here, as is also the office of the Orange County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which chartered in November, 1838, and commenced operations in Dec. 1839. The amount insured by them is now about $500,000. Near the west line of the town is a meeting house, owned by several different denominations, called the union house. The town is divided into 17 school districts, containing as many school houses. was CHELSEA, the shire town of Orange county, is situated near the centre of the county, in lat. 40° and long. 4o 30', and is bounded north by Washington and Williamstown, east by Vershire, south by Tunbridge, and west by Brookfield. It was granted to Bela Turner and his associates, Nov. 2, 1780, and chartered by the name of Turnersburgh, August 4, 1781. By the charter it contains 23,040 acres, or 36 square miles. The name was altered to Chelsea, Oct. 13, 1788. Improvements were commenced in this township in the spring of 1784, by Thomas and Samuel Moore, and Asa Bond, who, the next spring, brought in their families from Winchester, N. H. They were soon joined by others from different quarters, who settled in different parts of the town. Those who first came in brought all their furniture and provisions on their backs from Tunbridge, nine miles distant, where were their nearest neighbors. The first house in town was erected in the present burying ground by Thomas Moore, and was burned to the ground with all its contents, in September, 1785, but four or five months after his family had entered it. The first child born in town was Thomas Porter Moore, son of Thomas Moore, born Oct. 16, 1785. He is still living in the town, as are also Thomas Moore and wife. The first town meeting was held March 31, 1788,and was warned by Thomas Moredock, Esq. of Norwich. It was called to order by Thomas Porter, Esq. of Vershire, and Roger Wales was appointed moderator, Asa Bond, Joshua Lathrop, and Roger Wales were chosen selectmen, and Enos Smith town clerk The town was first represented in 1794, by Samuel Badger. A ConCHESTER, a post town on the south gregational church was early organized here, over which Rev. Lathrop Thomp- line of Windsor county, is in lat. 43° 17' son was settled in November, 1799. He and long. 4° 21', and is bounded north by was dismissed in April, 1805, and Rev. Cavendish and Baltimore, east by SpringCalvin Noble was ordained over the field, south by Grafton and a small part church in September, 1807, and continu- of Rockingham, and west by Andover, ed in its charge till his death in April, and part of Ludlow. It was first charter1834. Rev. James Buckham was settled ed by New Hampshire, February 22, 1754, in February, 1835, and dismissed in Feb. by the name of Flamstead. It was re 1841. There is also a flourishing Metho- chartered November 3, 1766, by the name dist society, organized in 1825. There of New Flamstead. The settlement was was formerly a small Baptist society in commenced in 1764, by Thomas Chandler the west part of the town, but for many and his two sons, John and Thomas years it has been without a settled minis- Chandler, Junior, Jabez Sargeant, Edward ter. The township is quite hilly, but | Johnson, Isaiah Johnson, Charles Man, and treasurer. There are in it, two grist and ten saw mills. Statistics of 1840.-Horses, 340; cattle, 1,710; sheep, 6,696: swine, 971; wheat, bu. 3,177; barley, 55; oats, 11,663; rye, 86; b'k wheat, 413; In. corn, 4,427; potatoes, 47,090; hay, tons, 4,124; sugar, lbs. 18,782; wool, 11,122. Popu lation, 1959. R. S. H. CHESTER. CHESTER. William Warner, Ichabod Ide, and Ebe- |I. M. S. London, professor in Yale Colneezer Hotton, from Woodstock, Con- lege, and lecturer in Vermont University, necticut, and Worcester and Malden, who resided in Chester many years in his Massachusetts. On the 14th of July, youth. 1766, Thomas Chandler obtained a charter from the state of New York, for himself and 36 others, in which the town took the name of Chester. About the same time, the county of Cumberland was organized, and Chester became the shire town. Col. Thomas Chandler was appointed chief justice of the county court, and his son John Chandler, clerk. Chester is situate six miles west of Connecticut river, containing 48 square miles, or 32,242 acres. It was organized in June, 1767, and Thomas Chandler, was first town clerk. The religions denominations are Congregationalists, Baptists, Restorationers, and Methodists. The Congregational church was first formed in 1773, and Rev. Samuel Whiting, was settled by this town and Rockingham, for five years; he officiated one third of the time at Chester, and the remainder at Rockingham, after which they had no settled minister for 36 years. In 1825, Rev. Uzziah C. Burnap was settled here, and continued till 1837. Rev. Silas H. Hodges was settled in July, 1837, and continued until December, 1840. This society had erected a meeting house in 1789, 40 by 50 feet, but, having become dilapidated, in 1825, it was repaired, painted, and a tower and bell added to it. Town meetings are now usually held in this house. The Baptist society was formed in 1788, and built a house 40 by 30, the same season, which they continued to occupy until 1835, in which year it was removed, and a new one of brick erected, 66 by 46, (including the projection in front.) Elder Aaron Leland was pastor of this church, from 1788 until his decease, in 1833, being 45 years. He was succeeded by Elder Jacob S. McCollom, who continued 2 years, and was succeeded by Elder Ira Person, who continued 2 years. Elder Richard M. Ely, the present minister was settled April, 1838. The Restoration society was form ed about the year 1829, and their church organized in 1832, which now consists of about 25 members. Rev. Warren Skinner, Darius Forbs, Solomon Law, A. Williams, and L. Ballou, the present minister, have supplied the desk about half the time. In 1828 the Union meeting house, owned principally by the Congregationalists and Restorationers, was built in the south village. It is 66 by 41 feet, and has a bell, weighing about 1,200 lbs. Among the distinguished persons who have resided in this town, may be mentioned, Doctor Nathan Smith, M. D., C. Col. Thomas Chandler, under whose particular influence and agency, the charter under New York was obtained, was a man of quick apprehension, hasty in his movements, and dogmatical, and was said to have been instrumental in the massacre at Westminster; and afterwards died there. Thomas Chandler, junior, was also conspicuous in the formation of our state government, one of the commissioners of confiscated estates, one of the judges of the first supreme court, and first secretary of state. Elder Aaron Leland in early life, took an active part in politics, as well as religion, and filled several offices of trust in town, county and state, was town clerk, one of the select men, and representative a number of years, judge of the county court, speaker of the house of representatives, and Lieut. Governor of the state. His portly appearance in person, overawed some, while his light and airy deportment, sometimes displeased others. Lucius Hubbard, Esq. educated at Yale College, was for a number of years the only lawyer in the town. He was a man of science, and died young. Daniel Heald, Esq. was one of the early settlers from Concord, Mass. where he resided at the commencement of the revolutionary war, was a soldier in the battle at Concord bridge, and in the service at Cambridge, the same season; also at Ticonderoga. In 1776, he built a log cabin in Chester, on the same lot on which he ever after resided until his death, in 1833, in the 95th year of his age. He had shared fully of the confidence of his townsmen ; was town clerk 20 years, from 1779 to 1799, and 13 years repre sented the town in the legislature. His eldest son, Amos Heald, lives upon the same farm on which his father settled, and has been entrusted with many important offices, both by the town and state, and now, at the age of 73, is town clerk, which office he has held for the last 16 years. This office has been filled for 61 years past by three individuals, and in that time it has been necessary, in only four instances to appoint a clerk pro tem. William's river is formed in this township by the union of three considerable branches. These branches unite, nearly in the same place, and about one and a half miles southeast of the two villages; they constitute the principal waters, heading in the towns of Andover, Ludlow and Windham. No natural pond, cave, or Indian name or antiquity, ever known or recorded in said town. The surface is |