The following statements, without being complete, will show the use and improvement of machinery for quarrying and working marble with authorities and dates:

      The second in importance of the economic minerals of the county are the Clay States.  It was known that slate existed in this county long before it was quarried.  After the first quarry was opened it was used for hearths, head-stones for cemeteries, and school slates.  The first quarry was worked for eight years before any roofing slate was manufactured, and it was one year before the first roof was covered with Vermont slated, as before described.  Although the slate industry does not date back so far as that of marble, its development has been more rapid, and at the present time it ranks second only to marble in the mineral resources of the State. Following is a brief statement of the various quarries and firms engaged in the industry in Rutland county.

      The first quarrying of slate in Rutland county was done by Colonel Alanson ALLEN, of Fairhaven, in 1839, in a place called "Scotch Hill." In 1845 Colonel ALLEN engaged extensively in the manufacture of school slates, and in 1847 began the manufacture of roofing slates; this latter proving the most advantageous, lie abandoned the school slate industry in 1848.
 

      Next to Colonel ALLEN in this industry was F. W. WHITLOCK, of Castleton, who opened a quarry in that town in 1848; it was situated about forty rods north of the north line of Poultney, in the vicinity of a quarry afterward opened, and was called by the name of "Eagle Quarry." Daniel and S. E. HOOKER opened the first quarry in the town of Poultney in 1851, on the farm of Daniel HOOKER; this quarry later on fell into the hands of Hugh G. HUGHES. In 1851 John HUMPHREY and other Welshmen began operating in the opening of quarries. HUMPHREY opened the Eagle quarry in Hydeville and E. D. JONES opened a quarry in the same vicinity. In 1853 the Eagle Slate Company was incorporated and began the manufacture of roofing slate under the superintendence of Dr. Middleton GOLDSMITH. In 1869 this company erected a mill for the sawing and planing of slate into slabs, and in 1871 added a marble and marbleizing shop and began manufacturing mantels, billiard-table beds, table-tops, hearths, black-boards, tile, flagging, door-steps and various other articles, thus making the starting point of the slate mills and of a business which is to-day the staple trade and industry of this part of Rutland county. This company ceased operations in 1873.

      In 1853 W. L. FARNAM & Son opened a quarry, and Griffith HUGHES opened one known as the "Evergreen Quarry" in 1860, on the farms of L. C. SPAULDING and W. L. FARNAM, and the MANVILLE farm. The following named Welshmen began opening quarries in or about the year 1860: G. R. JONES, W. E. WILLIAMS, LLOYD & Co., LLOYD Co. & WILLIAMS, JONES & Co.; some of these quarries are working to this day. In 1864 Owen WILLIAMS opened the "Gibson Quarry," and in 1871 the "Schenectady Quarry" was opened; also, Cyrus E. HORTON opened the quarry called by his own name, "HORTON Quarry." In 1866 W. R. WILLIAMS opened the quarry called "Green Mountain Quarry," on the farm of Aaron LEWIS. In 1867 G. I. DAVIS opened the quarry called the "Olive Branch." In the same vicinity E. J. WILLIAMS opened a quarry in 1872 and WILLIAMS Brothers had their slate mill built about the same time. 

      In 1871 many enterprising Welshmen commenced operating in opening quarries on the farm of Asa Rogers, on the vein called the "Sea-Green." Among these may be named Messrs. Rogers, Seeley, Culver, E. C. Richardson and Griffith and Nathaniel. In 1875 Messrs. John Davis and Lewis Roberts opened a quarry on John Lemma's farm; also Messrs. Cooke and Whitlock opened each a quarry in 1872. In the same year Merritt W. Bardwell and Evan Jones opened a quarry on the Sea-Green vein on the farm of David Farrar, about one mile east of Granville, which is at present in possession of W. J. Evans. About the same time H. W. Hughes opened a quarry on the same vein, just over the brook from Bardwell & Jones's quarry. Also in that year W. Pierce, Francis & Co. opened their quarry now known by the name of "Warren Slate Company," on WILLIAMS's farm half way between Granville and West Pawlet. Following this the "J" Company opened what now goes by the name of the BROWNELL Slate and Flagging Company's quarries. In the same vicinity, on BULLOCK's farm, the BROWNELL Company opened several quarries on their own land adjoining afterward. J. GRIFFITH and W. ROBERTS opened the "Tabor Quarry" and W. JONES and Robert JONES opened the quarry now owned by H. HUGHES called the "Vermont Slate Company." The same year Griffith LLOYD and Owen EVANS opened a quarry on the Sea-Green vein at West Pawlet, now in possession of H. W. HUGHES. After this O. EVANS opened another quarry and a man named MCFADDEN another, which are at present in possession of RISING & NELSON and called the "Top-of-Hill Quarries," West Pawlet. There are other small quarries opened in this vicinity by Howell DILLINGHAM. Other quarries worthy of mention on the Sea-Green vein are those opened by John O. PARRY and W. JONES, called the "Starvation Quarry," now in possession of H. W. WILLIAMS. Messrs. JONES & ELLIS, EVANS, ROBERTS, NORTON Brothers, H. D. G. JOSLIN, KINNE, HUNT & Co. and Robert J. JONES have each opened a quarry on the WILLIAMS and HOLLISTER farms, in the vicinity between West Pawlet and Granville; also, N. WELCH and J. WARREN have each a quarry on the Sea-Green vein. In 1883 H. EVANS opened a quarry on the Sea-Green vein between Granville and Wells, which is now worked by Messrs. TEMPLE & HEFFERNAN.

      Scotch Hill Slate Quarry and Hill, situated 1 1/2 miles from Fairhaven, Griffith OWEN & Co., proprietors. This quarry was opened about 1850 and produces flagging, roofing and mill stock. Their steam mill is furnished with four planers, four circular saws, one band saw, one rubbing-bed and one jointer. The mill and quarry give employment to thirty men.

      Cookville Slate Company (formerly Western Vermont Quarry) Quarry opened by William and John R. WILLIAMS and John HUMPHREY, in 1850. Quarry stopped work last spring -- 1885. The above property is now owned by CLIFFORD & LITCHFIELD, who have a mill at Hydeville with four circular saws, one band saw, three planers, one rubbing-bed, one jointer. They manufacture Fire-frames and mantels, and make stair work a specialty.

      Eureka Slate Company (Wyman ROBERTS, proprietor). --The first quarry was opened by A. W. HYDE in 1852. Three quarries are now worked, producing principally roofing slates for exportation, the bulk of which are shipped to Australia. There is a sixty-five horse-power Westinghouse engine at the quarry which operates four hoisting works and five circular saws. The saws are used for sawing through broad slabs of slate instead of breaking, thereby effecting a great saving of stock, and enabling them to produce uniformly slates of larger size. The slate stock consists of purple, green and sea-green. It is claimed that the works are capable of turning out 850 squares of slate per day. Sixty-five men are employed.

      Lake Shore Slate Company (formerly known as "West Castleton Railroad and Slate Company"), West Castleton. -- Quarry opened about 1852; S. L. HAZZARD, proprietor. This quarry produces principally mill stock. The company also have a mill driven by an overshot wheel twenty-four feet in diameter. The mill contains seven circular saws, one band saw, one jig saw, five planers, two rubbing-beds, one jointer.

      Fairhaven Marble and Marbleized Slate Company (known early as the Capen Quarry). -- Quarries opened in 1852. Their quarry property embraces twenty acres of the 160 acres known as the CAPEN farm, on which four quarries have been opened and are now being worked, the largest being that of the above company. They are running two mills consisting of the following machinery: seven planers, nine circular saws, one band saw, two rubbing beds, one jointer, one lathe. These mills give employment to 100 men; quarry, twenty-five men.

      New Empire Slate Company. -- Opened by Owen WILLIAMS in 1864. This company work their stock into roofing slate, producing 2,000 squares per year. Color of slate, purple. Eight men are employed.

      Harvey Slate Quarry (West Castleton), GRIFFITH, OWEN & Co., proprietors, Fairhaven. -- Old quarry opened 1865; not worked. New quarry opened in 1885. Produce mill stock.

      GRIFFITH &R NATHANIEL. -- Are working four quarries two and one-half miles southeast of Poultney village. The product of their quarries is worked principally into roofing slate. They give employment to from sixty to one hundred men. The firm is composed of William GRIFFITH and William NATHANIEL.

      William E. LLOYD (successors to Lloyd, Owens & Co.) -- Are working five quarries two miles north of Poultney village. First quarry was opened in 1866. Their stock is worked into roofing slate, producing from 6,000 to 9,000 squares, and employ from forty to fifty men.

      Evergreen Slate Quarry. -- Opened in 1867; H. AINSWORTH & Cole, proprietors. The quarry is situated three and one-half miles north of Poultney village, and two and one-half miles from Fairhaven. This is the largest quarry that has been opened in the slate district. Its width or thickness across strata is 200 feet, length 600 feet ; 18 feet of this thickness is green in color and twenty feet is purple. The product of the quarry is worked into billiard and mantle stock principally. Pieces not large enough for billiard or mantle stock are worked into tile and roofing slate, the latter bringing $1.00 more per square than sea-green. They have an eighty horse-power Westinghouse engine, which operates three hoisting-machines and power for their mill of five planers, six circular saws, one band saw, two rubbing-beds, one jointer, one No, 9 Knowles pump, for keeping the quarry free of water. Their shipping point is one and a half miles from the mill, on the Rutland and Washington Railroad. Fifty men are employed about the mill and quarry. The capacity of the mill is about 25,000 feet per month without any night work. Nearly two-thirds of their stock goes into billiard-table tops; a New York firm having contracted to take all they can produce for five years.

      Billings Marble and Slate Company, L. H. BILLINGS, manager, Hydeville. The quarry property at Blissville, operated for the past twenty-one years by the "Blue Slate Company," has recently been purchased by the Billings Marble & Slate Company and James H. WISWELL, of Hydeville, and is to be worked hereafter by them under the name of the "Trojan Slate Company." They also own the Billings old quarry. This company have a mill at Hydeville with five circular saws, one band saw, three planers, one rubbing-bed, one grinder.

      Boyce Quarry (Poultney). Situated about two miles north of the village. Worked by Robert WILLIAMS. Produces roofing slate and employs ten men.

      JONES, ROBERTS & EDWARDS (Poultney), successors to JONES, ROBERTS & PARRY. -- Quarry opened in 1877. Present firm dates from 1882. Employ fourteen men. Product of quarry, mill stock and roofing slate.

      TEMPLE & HEFFERNAN (Wells). -- Quarry opened in 1882. Produce roofing slate and employ ten men.

      AULD & CONGER (Poultney). -- Quarry opened by Thomas EDWARDS in 1882. They use steam-hoisting works, and employ twenty-five men, producing roofing slate.

      HAZZARD Slate Company (Fairhaven). -- This company opened their quarry at Scotch Hill in 1882. They have a mill at Fairhaven with the following plant: Six circular saws, one band saw, five planers, one rubbing-bed, one jointer. Produce of quarry used as mill stock. They employ forty men and manufacture mantel stock, currier's slabs, urinals, grave covers, vault work and greenhouse shelves, slate steps and platforms a specialty, trimmings for brick buildings, registers, frames, roofing slate, etc., etc.

      Lake Bomoseen Slate Company (West Castleton), John DALENTA, superintendent. -- Opened their quarry in 1884, and in 1885 built a steam mill at the quarry, which runs three saws, two planers, one rubbing-bed, and one jointer. The product of the quarry is used principally as mill stock.

      JONES & PARRY (Poultney). -- Opened quarry in 1884. Product used for roofing. Employ five men.

      LLOYD & JONES. -- Are working two quarries, one was opened in 1870, and the other in 1885. The quarries are situated about two miles north of Poultney village. They produce roofing slate and employ twelve men.

      BOLGER Brothers. Have a mill at Hydesville with three circular saws, one band saw, two planers, one rubbing-bed. They also work a quarry at Poultney between Hanger's and the Blue Slate Quarry. The firm comprises William, Martin, Thomas and James BOLGER.

     Hydeville Slate Company. -- Have a mill at Hydeville with four circular saws, one band saw, four planers, one jointer, one rubbing-bed, one lathe. John R. HUGHES & Company (Fairhaven), lessees. Employ four men, producing mill stock.

      R. HANGER Slate Works (Hydeville). -- Work a quarry at Blissville, near the Blue Slate Quarry. Product of quarry is manufactured into billiard-table beds, black-boards, turned columns, and slate work of all descriptions. Employ twenty to thirty men.

      Hydeville Marbleized Slate Works. -- P. H. DOWE and James DELHANTY, proprietors.

      S. ALLEN Slate Works (Fairhaven). -- Marbleizers. Mill of eight circular saws, one band saw, three planers, one rubbing-bed, one jointer, one lathe.

      STEWART Slate Mantel Company (Fairhaven). -- Marbleizers.

      William FOX (Fairhaven). -- Slate marbleizer.

      COLEMAN, WESTCOTT & BURNS (Fairhaven). -- Marbleizers. Mill, three circular saws, one band saw, two planers, one jointer.

      A few other quarries are in process of opening, but not yet developed, which promise future profit.

      Analysis of slate in Rutland county, Vt., and Washington county, N. Y., by Professor J. Francis WILLIAMS, of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y.
 
 

      Beds of hematite (limonite) iron ore are found in many localities within this county, some of which have been worked, producing a superior quality of what was called "charcoal iron," charcoal being used for fuel in reducing the ores. In close proximity to these ore beds are large deposits of yellow ocher (limnite) which has been and is now being mined for paint material.

      An extensive bed of limonite exists in the southeast part of Tinmouth at the north end of Tinmouth Pond, which was successfully worked for about thirty years. This deposit was called the "Chipman Bed." This bed was abandoned some forty years ago, and has not been worked since.

      About two miles north of the Chipman Bed is another deposit of ore which was opened and worked seventy-five years ago. This ore was excellent and iron of superior quality was made from it. This bed is now abandoned. there is a deposit of iron ore situated about one mile east of South Wallingford village that has been worked, but is now abandoned. The iron ore was of inferior quality, owing to the large percentage of manganese present. The following is an anaylsis of iron made from this ore, by Prof. Olmstead:
 
 

      A furnace for smelting iron was built in Pittsford in the fall of 1791 by Israel KEITH, from Easton, Mass. The ore was mostly brought from Chittenden, a distance of about two miles. A good quality of iron was made and found a ready sale. On the 4th of July, 1795, Mr. KEITH sold the furnace property to Nathan GIBBS, Cornelius GIBBS, Edward KINGMAN and Luke REED; and in 1797 Nathan GIBBS purchased his associates' interests and took upon himself the sole management of it. He enlarged the works and continued the business till about the time of his death in 1824. After the death of Mr. GIBBS the furnace passed into the hands of Andrew LEACH, who sold it to Simeon GRANGER & Sons in 1826.

      The furnace was burned in 1827, but was rebuilt soon afterward and the business was conducted by "Simeon GRANGER & Sons" till the death of the father in 1834, when the two sons, Lyman and Chester, took charge of the works. In 1837 Lyman sold his interest to Edward L. GRANGER, another brother. C. & E. L. GRANGER continued the business until the death of the junior member of the firm in 1846, when George W. HODGES was admitted as a member of the firm, and the furnace business was conducted in the name of "Granger, Hodges & CO." till 1852.

      After a partial suspension of business a stock company was formed and incorporated by an act of the General Assembly as the "Pittsford Iron Company." This company did a brisk business for a short time, but soon suspended, not being able to compete with other companies elsewhere possessing superior facilities for the manufacture of iron.

      In 1865 the name of the company was changed to the "Vermont Iron Company," which was composed of entirely new members, who repaired the furnace and again put it in operation; but it was found to be an unprofitable business, and consequently was again suspended, and has remained so to the present time.

      Iron was discovered in Brandon in 1810 and soon after a forge was built and bar iron of superior quality was manufactured for several years. In 1820 John CONANT, esq., built a furnace for reducing the ore. It is to the energy and enterprise of Mr. CONANT that Brandon is indebted for an impetus then given to its business which added materially to its growth and prosperity.

      In 1850 the furnace property, ore beds, kaolin mines, etc., were purchased by the "Brandon Car Wheel Company," who for a number of years manufactured a superior quality of cold blast charcoal iron. The iron furnace has not been in operation for a number of years.

      Three miles northeast of the GRANGER furnace, not far from the west line of Chittenden, are beds of limonite. That known as the "Mitchel Bed " has been worked quite extensively and the greater portion has been of excellent quality. The MITCHEL Bed furnished much of the ore for the GRANGER furnace.

      The yellow ocher (limnite), kaolin and manganese (psilolemane) ore, were each successfully worked while the iron furnace was in operation. Many tons of the manganese were shipped to England. The ocher is still mined to a moderate extent as a paint material by the "Brandon Kaolin and Paint Co.," of which G. W. PRIME is president; C. H. FORBES, secretary. The ocher is also a mined for paint material by the "Original Brandon Paint Co." No iron beds or blast furnaces are worked at the present time within the county.

      A thick deposit of sulphate of iron, or iron pyrites, exists at Cuttingsville, which has been mined and used quite extensively in the manufacture of copperas. For nearly forty years these beds have been abandoned; the buildings in which the copperas was manufactured have been taken down and removed. With the exception of the mine but few traces of the works are to be seen.
 
 

      Clays suitable for brick are found in several localities within the county. Good bricks are manufactured in Rutland by John MCINTIRE; also by Albert DAVIS. Their yards and kilns are just south of the village. A good quality of brick is also made at Brandon.

      The bricks used in the construction of the United States court-house and post-office at Rutland were made from clay hauled from Pittsford and were pressed and burned at Rutland.

      Fire-clay is found in Brandon and at one time was used in the manufacturer of fire-brick and stone-ware. A deposit of fire-clay of excellent quality is found near the east line of Rutland, which is worked to some extent by the "Rutland Fire-clay Co.," of which R. L. PERKINGS is manager and A. W. PERKINGS, treasurer.

      The writer desires to state that he has gladly availed himself of information wherever it could be obtained, relating to the subject matter contained in the foregoing chapter. Much relating to geology has been derived from the following works, viz.: Vermont Geological Reports, 2d vol., 1861. Dana's Manual of Geology, 3d edition, 188. Prof Archibald Geike's Elements of Geology, London. Proceedings of the Middlebury Historical Society, vol. I, part, II, entitled The Marble Border of Western New England, Middlebury, Vt., 1885. A Treatise on the Slate Quarries of Rutland Comity, by Owen Ifor, 1884, as well as from many individuals who have kindly furnished me with information relating to the early development of the slate and marble industries. To all such, I tender a hearty acknowledgment.
 
 

"History of Rutland County Vermont with Illustrations & 
Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men & Pioneers"
Edited by H. Y. Smith & W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
D. Mason & Co., Publishers  1886
History of Rutland County
Chapter XIII.
(pages 191-201)

Transcribed by Karima, 2002