Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2022 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Gazetteer of Vermont by John Hayward pub: Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason 114 Washington Street, Boston - 1849 source: Library of Congress Pg 33 BRIDGEWATER Windsor Co. The surface of this town is uneven and some parts rough and stony. Along the river, are tracts of valu- able intervale, and there are many good farms in other parts. The summits of the hills are, in general, covered with spruce and hemlock; the timber, on other parts, is mostle maple, beech, and birch. The rocks are mica, and talco-argillaceous slate, gneiss, limestone, quartz, &c. There is an inexhaust- ible quarry of steatite, situated nearly in the centre of the town. It has been manufactured to some extent, and makes ex- cellent jambs, hearths, &c. In the vicinity of the steatite, are large quantities of beautiful green talc. Iron ore is found in several places. Garnets in perfect dodechedral cry- stals are common, and several handsome specimens of rock cry- stal, crystals of hornblend and schorl, have been found. There is a small village on the river, near the south-east corner of the town, in which are a meeting-house, several mills, factories, stores, and mechanic's shops. In August, 1822, MR. AARON LAMB, while sinking a well about eighty rods north of Otta Quechee River, dug up a living frog, at the depth of twenty-six feet below the surface of the ground. It was in a state of torpor when taken up, but revived after being exposed a short time to the atmosphere. This town is watered by Otta Quechee River, which runs through the south part, and by several considerable branches. These streams af- ford numerous mill privileges. The Otta Quechee Mill Company in this town was incorporated in 1847. Boundaries. North by Barnard, east by Woodstock, south by Plymouth, and west by Sherburne. First Settlers. DEA. ASA JONES surveyed a lot of land in Bridgewater, in September, 1779, and the next winter, removed his family into this town from Woodstock, a distance of three miles, on hand-sleds. This was the first family in town. MR. AMOS MENDALL came in the spring following, May, 1780, and was married to a daughter of DEACON JONES. This was the first couple married, and was the second family in town. Their dau- ghter, LUCY, was the first child born. In 1783, MESSRS. ISAIAH SHAW and CEPHAS SHELDON moved their families into the north part of the town, they having commenced improvements the year before. CAPT. JAMES FLETCHER came in with his family about the same time. In 1784, settlements were commenced along the river in the south part of the town, by the MESSRS. SOUTHGATES, HAWKINS, and TOPLIFF, and from this time the settlement proceeded rapidly for a number of years. First Minister. A Congregational Church was organized here in 1793. The REV. JOHN RANSOM was ordained over it in 1795, and remained its pastor until 1802. Productions of the Soil. Wheat, 3,165 bushels; Indian corn, 5,815 bushels; potatoes, 47,215 bushels; hay, 4,541 tons; maple sugar, 34,725 pounds; wool, 21,426 pounds. Distances. Forty-five miles south from Montpelier, and seven- teen west from Windsor. ================================================================================