The Geography, History, Constitution, and Civil Government of Vermont

In the History the chief difficulty encountered grew out of the abundance of material. The purpose has been to select that only which is important, characteristic and interesting. The chief authorities followed are Zadoc Thompson's Vermont, Hiland Hall's Early History of Vermont, B. H. Hall's History of Eastern Vermont, the Governor and Council of Vermont, Benedict's Vermont in the Civil War, Miss Hemenway's Historical Gazetteer of Vermont, Chittenden's The Capture of Ticonderoga, The Centennial Anniversary of the Battle of Bennington, and the Memoir and Official Correspondence of General John Stark. Several town histories have been very helpful. Among these are D. P. Thompson's History of Montpelier, The History of the Town of Newfane, Munson's History of Manchester, Tucker's History of Hartford, and Dana's History of Woodstock. Material of value has been drawn from Belknap's History of New Hampshire, Parkman's Pioneers of France, Palmer's History of Lake Champlain, Lossing's Field Book of the War of 1812, the Histories of the United States of Bancroft, Hildreth and Schouler, and from other works.

The first settlement of Vermont has been assigned to Vernon, and to a date not later than 1690, on the authority of Hon. H. H. Wheeler, Judge of the U. S. District Court for the District of Vermont, who has rendered valuable assistance in another part of the work.

Aid has also been received from Rev. A. W. Wild, from Hon. Hiram A. Huse, State Librarian, who read a portion of the proof sheets, and from Hon. G. G. Benedict, who, in addition to other assistance, read the proof of the chapter on the Civil War, and to whose History and aid the value of that chapter is chiefly due.

To others, who have offered valuable suggestions and encouragement, much is due.

The author hopes this book may prove useful to the youth of Vermont.

Randolph, August, 1890.

Preface to Third Edition.

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In this edition of Conant's Vermont all errors found in the other editions have been corrected; several useful tables have been added, which include a list of governors and lieut.-governors, senators and representatives, areas of counties, &c., &c. A cut of the old State House in Rutland, and the Thomas Chittenden monument at Williston, is inserted in this edition for the first time. Other changes have been. made to bring the book to date and add to its value and efficiency. Thanks are extended to Hon. O. M. Barber, member of revision committee on Vermont Statutes, for valuable assistance in the revision of the Civil Government.

Randolph Center, August 1, 1896.