WELLS is situated in the southwestern part of the county, and bounded on W the north by Poultney and Middletown; on the east by Tinmouth and Middletown; on the south by Pawlet, and on the west by Washington county, N.Y. The township was originally laid out six miles square, with 23,040 acres, an allowance being made for ”highways and unimprovable land by rocks, ponds, mountains and rivers." On the 28th of October, 1784, 6,118 acres were taken from the northeast corner of the town as a part of Middletown, and on the 31st of October, 1798, nearly 4,000 acres more were taken from the northeast part and annexed to Poultney, leaving only about 13,000 acres in the town. The town was chartered by Benning WENTWORTH under date of September 15, 1761, to Captain Eliakim HALL and sixty-three others; very few, if any, of these ever resided here. 

      Lake St. Catherine, already described in the history of Poultney, lies partly in this town and is a beautiful sheet of water. The principal steam is the outlet of this lake, which flows southwesterly and empties into Pawlet River. 

      The town was organized March 9, 1773, with Ogden MALLORY, moderator, and John WARD, clerk. At the second meeting, held November 1, 1773, Ogden MALLORY, Daniel CULVER, Joseph LAWRENCE, Abner HOWE and John WARE were chosen selectmen. Ogden MALLORY, Timothy MOSS and Reuben SEARLE were the first listers, elected March 11, 1777. In 1780 there were twenty-three freemen in the town as follows: Ogden MALLORY, Gideon SEARLS, Abe MERRIMAN, Reuben SEARS, Increase RUDD, Zacheus MALLORY, Silas MALLORY, Caleb SMITH, Timothy MOSS, Barnabas MOSS, John MOSS, Richard CROUCH, Samuel CULVER, Gill MALLORY, Benjamin RICHARDSON, Abner HOWE, Jonathan WEBB, Alexander GORDON, Ebenezer SUMMER, jr., Joshua CULVER, Ebenezer WELTON, Daniel CULVER, Daniel MCINTOSH.

      Of the pioneers of the town the following brief memoranda must suffice: Davis AMIDON settled early on the turnpike road in the west part and kept a tavern on the site now occupied by David J. MORRIS.

      Joseph ANDREWS, from Granville, N. Y., in 1801, settled in the west part of the town, and died in 1821. Isaac ANDREWS was one of the earliest settlers and was town clerk some years prior to 1790, Simeon ATWATER came into the town in 1800 and settled in the west part, where John PORTER now lives; he had previously lived a few years in Pawlet; he had three sons, Daniel, Jonathan and Stephen, and two daughters. Daniel ATWATER settled here and remained until his death, in 1861, in the second house east of Mr. PORTER's where Asa ATWATER now lives. Jonathan and Stephen ATWATER were also residents of the town, the former removing to Middletown in 1832. Bethuel BARDEN came to Wells in 1816 and located where John BARDEN now resides; he died in 1831.  John married Susan LAMB and they had sons, Edgar O., Adams L., Ferrin and Herbert E. John BARDEN has represented the town in the Legislature and held many town offices. Robert BEEBE was an early settler in the west part of the town, and his son, Ozias, who lived where his son John now resides, passed his life here. David BLOSSOM was an early settler where H. W. Lewis now lives; he left the town in 1804; his son David C. lived in town until 1816 and William until 1832. Peter BLOSSOM, brother of David, settled where Rodney M. LEWIS lives; he served in the Revolutionary War. His son Seth died in the town in 1859; was wealthy and represented the town several years. Amos BOWE, from Middletown, Conn., was an early settler near Pond Bridge on the place now owned by Alva MITCHELL; he was an exceptional scholar for those times, and died in 1844. Samuel BROUGHTON was an early settler and a leading citizen; he removed to Moriah, N. Y., in 1825. His brother John came early to the town, locating on the farm owned by Daniel FRANCIS; he removed away in 1828. Joseph BUTTON came to the town with his father, Matthias, in 1785, locating where Marcellus FRANCIS lives; he had a large family; was justice more than forty years and in the Legislature two years; he died in 1826. Joseph, jr., lived on the homestead until 1833, when he removed to Chautauqua county, N. Y. Ebenezer BUTTS, from Canterbury, Conn., came here about 1787 and settled on "Butts Hill" where William COOPER now lives; he was the first settler in that part and had a family of seven children. Andrew CLARK, from Cheshire, Conn., settled in 1790 on a farm now owned by Isaac MITCHELL and occupied by Myron WILLARD; his family comprised ten children; he died 1819 and had occupied the office of selectman fourteen years. His son John spent his life in the town and died much respected in 1845. Stephen CLARK, also one of the early settlers, located in the west part of the town on a farm now owned by John PORTER and occupied by Mr. LARKIN; he was justice a number of years and one of the early school teachers; he died in 1827. Roswell CLARK, also from Cheshire, came in with his wife on horseback and settled a few miles north of his brothers, where his son Hoel now lives. William CROSSMAN came into the town in 1796 and settled on a farm now owned by Henry C. BURTON; he commanded a company in the Revolution. 

      Thomas CLEMENS settled in the east part in 1783 and was the father of five children. His son Michael succeeded to the homestead and in turn transferred it to his son Wesley, who became a prominent and useful citizen; held the office of justice many years and various other town offices; he died suddenly in 1849, leaving a family of eleven children. Joel CLEMONS settled early on land now owned by Hiram FRANCIS; he had two sons, Asa and Thomas; the former took the homestead and died in 1865; his widow and two of her sons, Joel and Alexander, still reside in the town. Giles COOK came to the town about 1780 and located about a fourth of a mile east of the village; he removed west early. Abner CONE was one of the earliest settlers, locating where James H. PARKS lives. William COWDRY came to the town in 1787 and settled where D. N. LEWIS lives; he removed to Middletown in 1809. His son Oliver became mixed up with Mormonism. (See history of Middletown herein.) Josiah Cross settled in the latter part of the last century on the north part of the farm now owned by Cyrus JENNINGS and occupied by Henry REYNOLDS; he removed to Roxbury, Vt., in 1833. His brother Samuel came in at the same time.

      Daniel CULVER settled in the town in 1771 and was the first representative from this town to the General Assembly; his daughter Catherine was the first person married in the town, according to the records. Daniel's son Samuel settled where Henry MCFADDEN lives and acquired a competency by dealing largely in wild land; he held many town offices and died in 1831. Joshua CULVER, brother of Samuel, came in about the same time; Rogers CULVER succeeded to his homestead, but removed to Michigan in 1832. Ebenezer DART a Revolutionary soldier lived several years in town and has descendants here now. John S. DAVIS, another Revolutionary soldier, came from Granville in 1815 and died here in 1845. Azariah and Jedediah DERBY, brothers, came from Connecticut, the former settling where John BORDEN lives and the latter on the farm owned by CARPENTER brothers; they both removed west many, years ago. Nathan FRANCIS settled where Martin PARKS lives in 1783, coming from Wallingford, Conn.; his three brothers, Jonathan, Hezekiah and Joel, came with him. He was a member of the Legislature two years and held other offices; he died in 1846. The families of this name have been prominent in the town. Joel FRANCIS spent a long life in town and had a family of six children. John FRANCIS came from Wallingford, Conn., in 1783 and raised a large family; he died in Middletown. Timothy FULLER came from Barnstable, Mass., in 1794,now settled where Hiram FRANCIS now owns. He was a respected citizen and father of a large family. Levi FRY settled in the east part in 1783, and died about 1820. His brother David also lived here. Alby GEER was an early settler in the southwest part. His son Cyrus resided in town until his death in 1862. Rufus GLASS came from Connecticut in 1786 and settled where Wesley ROWE lives; he and his wife died of the epidemic which prevailed in 1813.His son Arunah lived on the homestead until 1855, when he removed °to Illinois. Samuel GLASS came in 1786 and located where William NICKS lives, adjoining his brother Rufus; he died in 1813. Josiah GOODSPEED, sr., came into town in 1794, married Jemima BLOSSOM and they lived together nearly sixty years; both died in 1826. Ansel GOODSPEED settled in the same year where Ann MCBREEN lives; he was an influential and respected citizen; was town clerk forty-six years, justice of the peace many years, and two years in the Legislature; he died in 1847. Gershom GIFFORD came to the town in 1786, locating on the place now occupied by Hoel CLARK; he died in 1795. Daniel GOODRICH was an early settler where Ira GOODSPEED lives; he reared a large family. His son Roswell built the grist-mill operated in later years by Orville GOODRICH; his son Halsey occupied the homestead to 1833, when he purchased the grist-mill and ran it until his death in 1857. Isaac GOODSELL purchased land in Wells before the war, which was occupied by his son Daniel from 1797 for sixteen years; he removed to Ontario county, N. Y. Winslow GOODSPEED came to the town in 1794 and located where his grandchildren now own; he died in 1842; his son, Winslow, jr., located east of the village and became a prominent citizen, holding several offices. Stephen GOODSPEED also settled in the town in 1794 and died in 1845. This family name has been numerously represented in the town and its possessors prominent in various directions. 

      Nathaniel GROVER came from Massachusetts early and located in the east part of the town where Benjamin NORTON lives; he removed to Tinmouth. His son Allen taught school for eleven winters in town, held several offices and carried on mercantile business more than thirty years. Hon. M. D. GROVER, of Port Henry, N. Y., is his son, and another son is Dr. A. C. GROVER, also of Port Henry. Matthew, James and Zalmon HALL were early settlers in the town; the two former removed away. 

      John C. HOPSON came from Wallingford, Conn., at an early day and settled where N. W. CRANDALL lives. His son Oliver was ordained as a minister and preached in Wells and Poultney, but later removed to Connecticut. His son Almon lived and died in the town; was a teacher many years and held various offices. John C. jr., removed to Whitehall, N. Y., in late years; he represented the town two years. Raymond H. lived in the village, where he carried on blacksmithing and the grocery business; he is deceased. Robert HOTCHKISS came into the town in 1796 and settled on lands now owned by Alva MITCHELL; in 1810 he removed to the north-east part of the town, where William DONAHUE lives; he died in 1829. Joshua HOWE came front Connecticut in 1783 and settled on the place afterward occupied by his grandson, Joshua, and now owned by Downer PERRY. He built the first grist-mill in town, the walls of which still stand on land owned by H. W. LEWIS. He died in 1800. His son Samuel settled on part of the home stead. Joseph, another son, also located on part of the homestead where Downer PERRY lives; David lived where Linus ATWATER now resides. The family has been numerous and respected. Aaron IVES settled in town in 1785, where Darius PARKS now lives; he died in 1801. Aaron KELLOGG settled early on the place occupied by Henry REYNOLDS, and removed thence to Stowe, Vt. Joseph LAMB, from Norwich, Conn., located about 1778 where William COOPER lives in the northeast part of the town; he died in 1809. His son Levi was a respected citizen and died in 1835. 

      Phineas LAMB came into town in 1804 and settled where William HICKS lives in the north part of the town; he was a Revolutionary soldier. His son, Captain William LAMB, was a leading citizen of the town; captain of the militia; town clerk seventeen years and held many other offices. Rev. Shubel LAMB was a son of Joseph, before mentioned, and lived in town until his death in 1850; he was a local preacher for nearly sixty years and was in the Legislature two years. This family has been one of the most numerous and respected in the town. The same may be said of the LEWIS families. Barnabas LEWIS, with his son Benjamin, came to Wells from Cheshire, Conn., about 1807, having been preceded previous to 1800 by his sons Zurial and Levi.; David, another son, came also to the town some time before the Revolution. The latter owned and occupied the farm of Oscar SPRAGUE and died in 1845; David B. succeeded to the homestead of his father and died in Poultney in 1866. Levi lived a short distance north of the village; he was a tanner and died in 1811. Artemas LEWIS, son of Levi, lived at the village and held the office of justice many years. Orlin, brother of Artemas, was postmaster several years and filled several town offices with ability; he died in 1865. William LEWIS came from Pawlet and settled on the farm now occupied by Daniel FRANCIS; he died in 1836; his son John lived on the homestead until 1864, when he removed to Poultney. Zenas LEWIS lived where James S. GOODSPEED now resides until about 1843, when he removed to Tinmouth. Walter LEWIS came to the town in 1832, and lived here until his death in 1867. Nathaniel LEWIS was an early settler and lived on the farm now owned by D. S. PARKS in the northern part of the town; his son Reuben was a physician in this town several years and went west. Benjamin Lewis, sen., came to town in 1807 and settled on the place now owned by Hiram W. LEWIS; he died in 1847 leaving a family. Benjamin, jr., with his son Rodney, has been engaged in manufacturing and mercantile business in the town. Ambrose LEWIS lived on the place now owned by George and Frank GOODSPEED; he removed west many years ago. It will be seen that this family has been one of the most numerous in the town, and many of the name have been prominent in the community. 

      Benjamin LUMBARD came with his family of seven children and located here in 1797; descendants have lived in the town since. Mallory OGDEN was the first settler in the town, coming in 1768; he built the first framed barn in Wells; its site was near the dwelling owned by William COOPER and occupied by William B. SPENCER; he died in 1811, aged ninety-one; he had four sons. His brother Zacheus came in about the same time little is known of his history. Abel and Samuel S. MERRIMAN came to the town early; the latter died in 1847; he lived south of the village where William S. NORTON owns and had a large family, Hallowel MERRILLS came early from Worthington, Mass., and settled on the farm owned and occupied by Henry and Harvey JOHNSON; his son Thaddeus passed a long life in the town. Levi MERRILLS came from New Hampshire in 1813 and removed to Middletown in 1833, Timothy MORSE, from Farmington, Conn., settled in town in 1772; he served in the French and Revolutionary Wars, and died in 1828, aged ninety. Elijah PARKS came from Canterbury, Conn., in 1787, and settled where E. R. PEMBER now lives; he was town clerk from 1790 to 1799; taught school for nearly twenty winters, and removed to Granville in 1811. His son Joseph resided on the farm now occupied by his son Martin until 1848. He held many offices; was representative three years from 1834, and selectman longer than any other person; he died in 1868. 

      Elijah PARKS, jr., lived in the north part of the town and died in 1859. His son Robert E, resided on the homestead until his death in 1868, Robert PARKS was born in this town and always lived here as a leading citizen. Simeon PARKS came from Canterbury in 1787; he died in 1817, leaving a large family; his son Harvy lived on the homestead now occupied by his son, James H. Parks; he was a prominent citizen and represented the town two years, besides holding many other offices; he died of cancer in 1867. His son James H. has also been in the Legislature and held various other offices. James Paul was one of the first settlers in the eastern part of the town, and died in 1805 aged eighty. His youngest son Stephen succeeded to the homestead and was born December 31, 1773; is said to have been thirteen years old when his father came to Wells. He died in 1843, aged seventy. Of his sons, Eliakim became a physician and practiced all his life in Middletown. His youngest son was Nelson, born in 1813; represented the town three years in the Legislature and held other offices. His son Hiland E., born December 31, 1836, was superintendent of schools four years and represented the town in the Legislature in 1862 63, He is the author of the history of Wells, from which we derive much of the information for this chapter.  Jesse PARSONS came into the town in 1787, but removed to Genesee, N, Y. in 1804. John PEMBER settled in the north part of the town at an early day; removed to Chautauqua county many years ago.  His son Frederic lived on the place now owned by C. W. BURTON; was a member of the Methodist Church nearly sixty years and much respected; he died in 1859; his family was prominent in the community. 

      Captain William POTTER was an early settler, coming from New London, Conn., to Pawlet and thence to Wells; he died in 1827, leaving a large family. His son William, Jr., spent most of ' his long life in town and reared a large family. Dr. Samuel POTTER practiced here a number of years and removed to Pawlet, where he died in 1835, Fayette POTTER, of Pawlet, is his son. Seth POTTER lived on the place now owned by C. A. PARKER; he was a son of Captain William. Abel, another son, resided in the village, but went to Rochester, N. Y., about 1826, where he died. John PRAY, sen., came here with his son of the same name in 1778, and died a few years later. John PRAY, jr., was a respected citizen and held the office of selectmen many years. He removed to Harmony, N. Y., in 1835 and died in 1844. Benjamin RIDER came from Barnstable, Mass., in 1794; he died in 1824, leaving a large family. Elida SPRAGUE settled on the place now owned by Wesley ROWE; he had a family of six children and died in 1860. Peter STEVENS came from Connecticut in 1786, and died in 1821. His son Abner lived on lands now owned by Hiram FRANCIS, and died there. Gould STILES, Jr., settled in the north part of the town on the farm now owned by William HICKS; he came from Middletown about 1805, and died in 1867. Amos TOOLY came from Poultney about 1815 and lived in the northern part of the town; he died in 1822, leaving a large family. Jason TYLER, from Connecticut, was one of the first settlers in the town and reared a numerous family; he died in 1819. 

      A.B. TYLER was a leading citizen, a justice several years and held other offices.  Ziba WARE was one of the early blacksmiths of the town and died many years ago; his son Lyman lived here until his death in 1839. David WARD was an early settler on the place owned by Darius PARKS. Abijah WILLIAMS settled in the west part of the town and removed to Poultney in 1810. Daniel WYMAN settled on the place now occupied by Alva MITCHELL; he died in 1787 and was the first person buried in the village burying-ground.

      The foregoing sketches embrace brief records of nearly all of the earlier settlers of this town; other names will appear in connection with the business and professional interests. The labors of these forefathers have been efficiently supplemented by their descendants, placing this town on a level with others of the county, as regards its material advancement and its morality and intelligence. Ogden MALLORY, the first settler, found the town an unbroken wilderness, inhabited by wild animals; today it is made up largely of well-tilled farms and comfortable homesteads. In the language of Mr. PAUL, "Since the early settlement of the town, time has wrought many and marked changes both natural and social. The first settlers here, full of courage and self reliance, brought but little with them, relying mainly on their own strong arms to furnish subsistence to sustain life. It was with great difficulty that they could obtain the necessaries of life for their families, when first they came here; for after erecting cabins to shelter their families and protect them from wild beasts; they were obliged to cut down and fall into heaps many a noble pine, as well as oak and maple, and then burn them in order to raise their wheat and corn." 

      The lives of the inhabitants of Wells have been in the main peaceful and the growth and improvement uninterrupted, if gradual. The remarkable cold summer of 1816 caused considerable loss to farmers and some suffering. It is said that a flock of sheep owned by Jason Tyler in the west part of the town; were found frozen to death in June, having been sheared but a short time before.

      A few of the settlers participated in the War of 1812 and as far as known sustained the patriotic reputation of Vermont, as others had done in the preceding great struggle. And when the country was again plunged into a terrible war, this town was not behind any other in furnishing her required number of volunteers and the necessary funds for aid in the struggle. At the close of the war there was but a very small indebtedness against the town, which paid a gross sum of $15,057 for war expenses. The following list gives the names of volunteers in Vermont organizations from this town as nearly correct as may be: 

      Volunteers for three years credited previous to the call for 300,000 volunteers of October 17, 1863. -- Herbert BARDEN, co. B, 9th regt.; Henry BEEBE, co. I, 7th regt.; Albert BROSKINS, 5th regt.; Charles D. CASTLE, co. B, 2d regt.; Lewis CONGER, co. G, cav.; Roswell S. FULLER, 5th regt.; Harvey GUILDER, Uriel K. HOWARD, 7th regt.; William H. LINCOLN, Hiram D. MONROE, co. E, 5th regt.; Albert J. REED, Thomas C. REED, Edwin T. SAUNDERS, James SPRAGUE, 7th regt.; Ozro SPRAGUE, co.. B, 2d regt.; Hiram WOOD, 9th regt.; Willard WOODS, Co. K, 2d regt.

      Credits under call of October 17, 1863, for 300,000 volunteers and subsequent calls. Volunteers for three years. -- Franklin ACOME, Nye O. BLAKE, 9th regt.; Homer BRADLEY, co. K, 10th regt.; Charles C. COWLES, cav.; Peter T. DICKEY, Thomas DOWNING, 7th regt.; William T. FRY, co. F, 9th regt.; Edward M. GEE, 11th regt.; George S. LIVINGSTON, cav. John NEWCOMB, Charles RIPLEY, 7th regt.; Andrew W. TAYLOR, cav.; John UPTON, co. D, 6th regt.; John WATTS, 7th regt.

      Volunteers re-enlisted. -- George W. FLANDERS, Thomas C. REED.

      Naval credits. -- Cyrus FOSTER, Edwin F. LEWIS.

      Volunteers for nine months.  -- George. F. BROWN, Seth GEER, Merritt LAMB, Alfred LEWIS, Wilder LEWIS, William MOODY, Lysander PALMER, Phineas C. PAUL, Warren A. PIERCE, Elisha WALES, David F. YOUNG, co. K, 14th regt.

      Furnished under draft and paid commutation. -- Adam BARDEN, Marcellus FRANCIS, George W. HATHAWAY, Edward HOPSON, Hiram W, LEWIS, Oretes J. MERRILL, H. E. PAUL, James H. POTTER, Horace SPAULDING. Procured substitute, F; Harlan P. LEWIS.

      Following are the present officers of the town: Town clerk, James MCBREEN; treasurer, O. R. HOPSON; selectmen, H. W. LEWIS, H. MCFADDEN, Wesley ROWE; constable, D. S. PARKS; superintendent of schools, Duane L. ROWE; listers, E. R. PEMBER, M. WOOD, William COOPER; auditors, D. L. ROWE, George S. GOODSPEED, E. R. PEMBER; trustee of surplus money, D. S. PARKS; town agent, James H. PARKS; fence viewers, Hiram WOOD, George CHITTENDEN and A. X. LEWIS; grand juror, M. F. WOOD; inspector of leather, George CHITTENDEN; pound keeper, H. W. LEWIS. 

      The following figures show the population of the town at the different dates given: 1791, 622; 1800, 978; 1810, 1,040; 1820, 986; 1830, 880; 1840, 740; 1850, 804; 1860, 642; 1870, 483; 1880, 665.

      In the year 1799 the inhabitants of Wells voted "To divide the town into two districts, as nature has divided it for schooling." This is believed to refer to the Pond Mountain range as the dividing line, north and south. In 1786 the town was divided into six school districts; this number has varied up to ten or eleven; at the present time there are six. From four hundred and one scholars, between four and eighteen years of age in 1803, the number has gradually decreased, until now there are less than two hundred.

      The people of this town took an early interest in religious matters. In April, 1774, the town voted to build a "meeting-house" on the east side of the channel which connects the two ponds that form Lake Austin, and in the following October a committee was appointed to hire a minister. In May, 1789, a committee appointed for the purpose selected ten acres of land, and on the tract the town voted "To build a church thirty-six feet in length by one story and a half high." The land is now owned by Alva MITCHELL and is on the rise between the pond bridge and Pond Mountain, on the north side of the highway. In the next year, 1790, the church was erected, but it was never entirely finished on the inside. The building was blown down on the 27th of March, 1847. On the same tract of land the first burial ground was laid out and there were buried many of the early settlers.

      In 1799 a committee of five men consisting of Simeon FRANCIS, Joshua CULVER, Joseph BUTTON, Samuel HOW and Jonathan PAUL, was appointed to "circulate a subscription paper to procure means to build a house for public worship the following year the second church of the town was built on the site of the present Universalist (or Liberal Christian).; Church; the Methodists, Episcopalians and Universalists, in fact, all Christians, worshipped in this church together. Meetings were held here until 1855.

      There was a Methodist class in this town, with Nathaniel LEWIS as leader, about as early as 1780. In 1789 Rev. Darius DUNHAM came here as preacher, and a revival followed his labor in which there, were some thirty conversions. After this revival a class was organized in the east part of the town with Michael CLEMONS as leader. Lorenzo DOW frequently preached in Wells in 1797-98.  The first church edifice was erected at East Wells about 1805; it was not entirely finished, and was taken down in 1810 and removed to the site of the present church at that point; this was again demolished in 1856 and the present building erected. In 1842 a neat church was erected at the village. There are only occasional services held at East Wells and Rev. F. CAMERON, of Pawlet, preaches at the village. The first Sunday-school was established at East Wells in 1823.

      Among the early settlers were several families of this denomination. About the year 1810 Rev. Stephen JEWETT came into this section and preached for a time. A Protestant Episcopal Church (St. Paul's) was organized at Wells in April, 1824.  Rev. Palmer DYER officiated as rector here and at Granville. A church was erected in 1840. The society has declined in numbers, and Rev. E. H. RANDALL, of Poultney, preaches alternate Sabbaths.

      A number of the early inhabitants were of this faith, and in 1821 the Rev. Aaron KINSMAN located here as a minister and a small church was built; this gave place to the present church in 1855 and the membership was for a time larger than that of either denomination; but it declined and at present no services in this creed are held.

      There is at the present time no practicing physician nor lawyer in this town. The medical profession has, however, been well represented in past years. Dr. Backus H. HAYNES, now of Rutland, practiced here from about 1841 to 1855. Dr. Socrates HOTCHKISS was one of the pioneers of the town and came from Cheshire, Conn., in 1795. He built the house now occupied by Joel S. WILCOX. He died in 1810 and was known as a skillful practitioner. Dr. James MOSHER practiced here a few years, but died in the early part of his career in 1816. Dr. Joseph MUNSON came from Salem, N. Y., in 1828 and practiced until age unfitted him for business; he lived on the farm occupied by Frank FENTON, who married his granddaughter, and died in 1852. Dr. Charles C. NICHOLS, from Castleton in 1856, practiced here many years.

      Wells village, the only hamlet in the town, is situated a little southwest of the center. Many of the early merchants and manufacturers have been noted. The distilling of liquor was quite an industry in the town before the building of railroads in the vicinity, and four distilleries were in existence at one time. The first was owned by Peter KING and located where the union store was afterwards carried on; it was in operation before 1800. The next one was established by Abel POTTER about 1809 and located at the foot of Pond Mountain. The next was established about 1826 by Samuel RUST, and was near the residence of Frank and George GOODSPEED. The last was owned and run by Elijah PARKS, about 1829, and was near the present residence of William HICKS. All of these have been abandoned many years.

      The manufacture of potash was also carried on quite extensively in early years, and served as a means for exchange between the settlers and tradesmen. When money was a scarce article.

      The Lake Austin Knitting Mills are located about half a mile west of the village. This site was purchased by John BLOSSOM about the year 1814 and a clothing works built. In the year 1819 he sold the works to his brother Seth, who continued the business until 1823, when he sold to Henry GRAY; he added cloth machinery, using hand looms only. Mr. GRAY continued the business until 1834 when he sold to Samuel CULVER and Benjamin LEWIS, the business being then carried on under the firm name of CULVER & LEWIS, until 1843, when James LAMB bought Culver's interest and the firm was changed to LEWIS & LAMB, who added power looms and other improved machinery which they continued to operate until the year 1848, when William GOODRICH purchased Lamb's interest, the new firm continuing about one year, when GOODRICH sold out to LEWIS, he continuing the business alone until 1866, when his son, R. M. LEWIS, became associated with him under the firm name of B. LEWIS & Son. In 1873 the firm changed their business and engaged in the manufacture of knit underwear, shirts and drawers, since which time the mills have been known by their present name. The mill was leased to J. S. WILCOX during the years 1876, '77, '78, but was under the management of R. M. LEWIS, the present owner. The mill has been twice destroyed by fire, the first time about the year 1830, and again in 1853. The main building is thirty-five by one hundred feet, two stories high, there also being connected with it a dye-house twenty-two by thirty feet, store-house twenty-five by twenty-five, picker house twenty by twenty-five, and wood-shed twenty by forty feet. The product, amounting to about $20,000 per annum, is mostly sold in New York.

      The first cheese factory was established in 1865 by James NORTON; in the year 1867 he manufactured from the milk of over three hundred cows. Since that date the dairying interest has greatly developed.

      The LEWIS cheese factory was built by Benjamin LEWIS in 1875, and is now owned by Rodney M. LEWIS; it manufactures about 85,000 pounds annually. The Alfred LEWIS cheese factory was built at East Wells in 1871, but has ceased business.

      The Goodrich grist-mill, located in the southwest part of the town, on the outlet of the lake, was erected by Roswell GOODRICH about 1808. In later years it passed to the Halsey GOODRICH estate and is now owned and operated by Irving GOODRICH; it has four run of stones.

      The Wilder LEWIS saw-mill was originally built over fifty years ago; it is on the outlet of Lake St. Catherine, and was rebuilt by Mr. LEWIS in 1851. About 200,000 feet of lumber are manufactured annually.

      GOODSPEED's saw-mill, on Mill Brook, was built by W. GOODSPEED in 1840, and now manufactures about 500,000 feet of lumber annually. A planing-mill and a bobbin factory, with steam power, have been recently added, and the mill is now owned and operated by G. & F. R. GOODSPEED.

      The mercantile business of Wells has never been large, and at the present time there are but two stores. One of these is owned by LEFFINGWELL & Son, of Middletown, and is managed by Elmer E. PAUL; it was started in 1884 and is located in one of the oldest buildings in the place. Allen GROVER had a store in this building in 1836. Messrs. HULL & MCBREEN and W. C. BARKER afterwards kept it. The other store is kept, by O. R. HOPSON, on the site of the store building which was burned in 1882. Mr. Hopson rebuilt and stocked the store.

      The only post-office of the town is at this village; it was presided over in early years by Levi LEWIS, who was followed by Orlin LEWIS. William H. HULL took the office about 1860, to about eight years ago, when  R W GOODRICH took it for about two years; he was followed by J. C. DEAN one year, and he by O, R, HOPSON, the present official.
 

History of Rutland County Vermont: with Illustrations & 
Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
Edited by H. Y. Smith & W. S. Rann
Syracuse, N. Y.
D. Mason & Co., Publishers 1886
CHAPTER XLII.
History of the Town of Wells
(Pages - 848 - 859)

Transcribed by Karima 2002

Childs' Business Directory of the Town of Wells, Rutland County, VT., 1881-82

Childs' History of the Town of Wells, Rutland County, VT., 1881-82