The surface is very broken and uneven in the northern, south-eastern and south-western part, making about one-third of the territory rocky, and mountainous.  Through the center of the town, from north to south, extends a range of slate, from a mile to a mile and a half in width, covered with a good soil, furnishing a fair share of upland for tillage. Otherwise, except in the north-western part and in the mountain valleys, the soil is mostly clay. The climate is delightful, the water very pure and the scenery picturesque, although Benson is not as good a farming district as the lake towns in Addison County.

      The country is well watered by numerous lakes, streams, ponds and springs, of which Sunset Lake, a beautiful little sheet of water situated in the northern part of the town, is the largest, being nearly circular and about one mile in diameter. Glen Lake lies in the south-eastern part of the town, extending south into Fairhaven and Castleton.  Little Pond is in the northern part of the town, and several others, mostly small ones, are located in various parts of the township.

      Hubbardton River, with its tributaries, forms the principal stream. It rises in the north-western part of Hubbardton, and flows in a south-westerly course through Benson into Westhaven on the south.

      There is still considerable timber in the town, beech, maple, pine and hemlock, interspersed with oak, ash and walnut, being most abundant.

      In 1880, Benson had a population of 1,104, was divided into eleven districts and had eleven common schools, employing six male and sixteen female teachers, at an aggregate salary of $1,725.11. There were 271 pupils attending common schools, and the entire cost of the schools for the year ending October 30th, was $2,017.37, under the superintendency of Royal D. KING.

      Benson, a post village, is beautifully located in the central part of the town and contains three stores, two blacksmith shops, one hotel, two churches (Methodist, Episcopal and Congregational,) one shoe shop, one marble shop, and has a population of about 250.

      Benson Landing (p. o.) is a small hamlet located in the western part of the town, on Lake Champlain. It contains one store, one store-house, and about eight dwellings.

      Ira E. MORSE's saw mill, located on the north branch of Hubbardton River, near Sunset Lake, was built in 1875.  It manufactures about 200,00 feet of lumber and 250,000 shingles annually.

      Francis W. JOHNSON's shingle factory and cider mill, located on Hubbardton River, at Tumble Falls, near road 10, was erected in 1880, and has a fine water-power of twenty feet fall.  Mr. JOHNSON manufactures 500 to 600 barrels of cider per year. 

      N. O'DONALD's grist and saw mill, located on Hubbardton River, about two miles from Benson village, is the only grist mill in the town, manufactures in connection with flour, etc., 500,000 feet of lumber, 400,000 shingles, and 1,000 barrels of cider each year.

      The Walker Cheese Manufacturing Company was organized in 1873.  Its present list of officers is as follows: J. S. GRISWOLD, President; R. D. KING, Vice President; William BASCOMB, Secretary; L. H. KELLOGG, Treasurer.  Directors:  Philo WILCOX, J. S. GRISWOLD and B. A. CARTER. This company manufactures 100,000 lbs. of cheese, from the milk of 500 cows, each year. 

      Benson Butter and Cheese Factory, located upon the farm of O. H. and R. E. BROWN, was organized by a stock company in 1874.  Its present officers are:  J. D. HUNT, President; E. NORTON, Vice President; H. S. HOWARD, Secretary; R. P. WALKER, Treasurer.   Directors:  R. E. BROWN, A. J. GIBBS and E. S. HOWARD. This company uses the milk from 400 cows. 

      A grist-mill at Bangall, (local name for a settlement on the Hubbardton River on road 10 was built and operated by William CUTLER and Ethan ALLEN prior to the year 1810. 

      The first person who settled in the town of Benson was Walter DURFEE, who made some improvements on his farm previous to the Revolution, but was driven off his claim by the invasion of Burgoyne in 1777.  In 1782 he returned to the town and made a permanent settlement.  Mr. DURFEE resided here until the year 1835, when he removed to West Chazy, N. Y., where he died in the summer of 1843, aged over 90 years. Traces of his first cabin are still extant. 

      The same year with Mr. DURFEE, Daniel BARBER of Pittsfield, Mass., came to the town in search of a mill-site. He followed Otter Creek from Pittsford to Vergennes, but found too much water in that stream for mill purposes, so concluded to build on the Hubbardton River, about two miles from Benson, near where N. O'DONALD's mills now stand. The following year, 1783, Mr. BARBER returned to Benson with his wife, and in 1784 began the first dam on Hubbardton River, on the site aforesaid. Here he built a saw-mill and the following year a grist-mill, the first mills built in the town. During this time Jonathan MEACHAM, James NOBLE and several others, with their families, had settled in the town.  Previous to the building of these mills the settlers were obliged to carry their grain through the wilderness to Poultney to get it ground. Ruth, wife of Daniel BARBER, was the first woman settler of the town. In August, 1785, her eldest son, Roswell, was born, who resided in town all his life, dying in 1849. Roswell left two sons, D. R. BARBER, of Minneapolis, Minn., and E. L. BARBER, who still resides on the old homestead, which has never been owned out of the BARBER family since first purchased by his grandfather.  Daniel BARBER had a large family of sons and daughters, most of whom, with their families, have "followed the setting sun." Mr. DURFEE, the first settler, has now no descendants in the town. 

      The first seven years after the first settlement, immigration was so rapid that in 1792 the population was 694, while in 1800 it was 1,164, about the same as now. 

      The first child born in the town was Thomas, son of Thomas and Elizabeth HALE, born August 22. 1784. The first marriage was that of Levi BARBER and Rebecca HINMAN. He was born in Worcester, Mass., April 6, 1763, and died in Westhaven, January 13, 1856, aged 93 years. She was born in Woodbury, Ct., February 15, 1768, and died in Westhaven, March 4, 1857, aged 89 years.  Both were buried in Benson. The date of their marriage is not known. 

      The first death that occurred is not now known, though the first recorded in the town record of deaths was that of James, an infant son of Benoni and Lucy GLEASON, who was born April 5, 1789, and died on the following day. 

      The village burying-ground was surveyed and laid out October 5, 1790, but previous to that time there had been burials in the south-east part of farm of E. S. HOWARD, and also in the north-west corner of the school lot.  There never were any monuments placed to mark these burials, and no traces of the graves now remain. Captain William BARBER is supposed to have been the first adult who died in the town, his death occurring August 11, 1789.  On road 44, fronting road 41, is a small, white, stone monument, bearing the following inscription, which tells its own story:

"MEMENTO MORI. "DANIEL W. LEBARON WAS KILLED HERE  BY BEING THROWN FROM A HORSE OCTOBER 12, 1842, AGE 10 YEARS. "JAMES D. LEBARON WAS KILLED BY A FALL IN A BARN, AUGUST 16, 1840, AGE 10 YEARS "SAMUEL A. LEBARON WAS KILLED BY A CART, JUNE 28, 1856, AGE 5 YEARS. Sons of James and Louisa Lebaron."

      James NOBLE, son of Captain James, came to Benson from Pittsfield, Mass., in 1786. Mr. NOBLE had a family of four daughters and three sons, and died in Benson in 1843, aged 81 years. 

      James NOBLE, Jr., was born in Pittsfield, Mass., January 24, 1784, married Bethia NOBLE in Benson, February 8, 1808, having settled on the farm now owned by his son Loren S.   By his wife Bethia, he had one son and one daughter.  After her death he married Mary BROOKS.  Loren Stephen NOBLE was born December 9, 1821; married Mary E. BROOKS, and has two sons. He is very much respected, is a deacon of the Congregational Church, and still resides on the old NOBLE homestead. 

      Asa FARNHAM, one of the first settlers of the town, and one of its first magistrates and legislators, died June 13, 1811, in his 48th year.  His wife, Polly, died August 7, 1796, aged 35 years. 

      One of the first settlers in the eastern part of the town was Benoni GLEASON, born in Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Mass., in 1761. His father, Jacob GLEASON, moved from Westfield, Mass., to Pittsfield, during the early settlement of that township, himself and family numbering ten persons, and being one of 138 families in the town of Pittsfield at its first enumeration, November 1, 1772. 

      Jacob GLEASON entered the Revolutionary army from Pittsfield, in Lieutenant William BARBER’s Company, September 30, 1776, and marched to New York, afterwards serving in other expeditions. 

      Rollin GLEASON, born November 27, 1825, and married December 4, 1862, now resides, with his family, on the old homestead with his father and mother. 

      Dr. Seth RANSOM, a native of Woodstock, Vt., studied medicine at Castleton; removed to Sudbury, from thence to Westhaven, and from Westhaven to Benson, about the year 1810, where he practiced medicine until his death, July 8, 1857.  His widow died January 27th, 1879. Mrs. Nelson LADD is a grandchild. 

      Gen. Perry G. LADD, born January 1, 1774, died in Benson, March 23, 1838. He came to Pittsford from Coventry, Conn., at an early date, and subsequently moved to Benson, where he was engaged in the blacksmithing business many years. He was a large, powerful man, and by industry and economy amassed a large property. 

      Philo WILCOX, born in Goshen, Conn., January 22, 1783, came to Benson at an early date, where he died August 26, 1865. He was a liberal minded man, an active member of the Congregational Church and much respected. 

      Captain Asher OLMSTED, from Williamstown, Mass., came to Benson in 1789 with his father, Stephen OLMSTED, and settled upon the farm now owned by E. A. WALKER, on road 47. The house is still standing that he built over 82 years ago. Asher married for his first wife _____ FROST, and for his second wife Sallie, daughter of William BARBER, his family consisting of four sons and two daughters. He died in 1855 at the age of 80 years. His son, William D., now resides on road 22 and is over 82 years of age, and his wife 77. Their daughter, Catharina G., married Wm. C. DICKINSON, and resides on road 48. 

      Samuel HIGGINS and family came from Killingworth, Conn., to Castleton about 1781.  From there they removed to Benson in 1788, settling on road 39, corner of road 40. His family consisted of five sons and five daughters. He died June 30, 1811, in the 68th year of his age. Temperance, his wife, died February 6, 1831, aged 73. Their son William and his wife Betsy occupied the old homestead many years. Their son, William Orson, now resides on road 20, at the age of 67 years. 

      Dan HIGGINS, son of Samuel, settled in Westhaven, from whence he removed to Genesee County, N.Y., and from there returned to Vermont settling in Benson upon the farm now owned by Z. D. HUSBROOK, on road 40.  Dan had eight sons and two daughters, of which seven sons and one daughter are still living. He died February 15, 1859, in his 75th year. Three sons, James, Alphonzo and Francis, are still residents of Benson. 

      Isaac GRISWOLD, sen., came to this town from Norwich, Conn., about the year 1800, and settled upon the farm now owned by his grandson, J. S. GRISWOLD located on road 36.  Isaac died in 1817, aged 82 years; his wife Abigail, dying the same year at the age of 79 years. 

      Isaac GRISWOLD, Jr., came from Norwich some two or three years previous to his father, and took up his residence with his sister, wife of Asa FARNHAM; but as soon as his father came to the town he went to reside with him, where he remained till his father's death, when the farm came into his possession. Soon after, he built the house now occupied by his son, J. S. GRISWOLD.  Isaac, Jr., married for his first wife Naomi BARBER, by whom he had seven children, two of whom died in infancy. Naomi died May 4, 1814, aged 32 years.  For his second wife he married Huldah DICKINSON, by whom he had two sons and three daughters. Of these children six sons and two daughters are still living. Isaac jr. was justice of the peace many years, and died in 1844, aged 65 years. His second wife died in 1858, aged 80 years. 

      Daniel HOWARD, an early settler, came to Benson from Hartford, Conn., with his father and two brothers; James and Samuel, settling upon the farm now owned by J. D. HUNT, on road 26. Daniel was born August 10, 1769, and died in 1848. His son J. J. still occupies the old homestead, at the age of 73 years. 

      Amos ROOT came from Pittsfield, Mass., in 1787, makings his difficult way through the forest with an ox team, his wife riding horse-back and carrying their child, Sheldon, then about one year old. They settled upon the farm now owned by C. W. FAY, but afterwards removed to the farm now owned by Frank HALSTED on road 31, where he built the first frame house in that portion of the town, in the year 1794, and which is still standing.  Amos had three sons and two daughters. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and died in the great epidemic of 1813, his son Stephen dying at the same time. His son John lived upon the farm till 1849, when he moved about 1/2 mile west on road 31, and there died in 1846, aged 49 years. His wife, Laura, resides with her daughter, Eliza JACKSON, in Minnesota. His son Stephen now resides on road 51. 

      Sheldon ROOT married Sally GLEASON and settled upon the farm now owned by George ROOT. He died October 31, 1862, aged 76 years. His wife died October 31, 1870, aged 82 years. 

      Ezra STRONG came to Benson from Pittsfield, Mass., at an early date, and located upon the farm now owned by Edwin WALKER. His son, Wareham, came at the same time and settled in Westhaven upon the farm now owned by George ADAMS. 

      Robert BARBER came to Benson from Worcester, Mass., in March, 1790, locating upon the farm now owned by his son, M. G. BARBER, on road 2. He died March 9, 1827, his wife, Rebecca J., following him March 18, 1856, aged 92 years. 

      Abel TORREY came to Vermont from Massachusetts in 1788, settling in the town of Sudbury. In March, 1816, he removed to Benson, locating on the farm now owned by his only surviving child, Mrs. R. MANLEY, widow of A.D. MANLEY. 

      Stephen CROFOOT came to Benson from Pittsfield, Mass., in 1778, and settled upon the farm now owned by Edwin A. WALKER, on road 47. Mr. CROFOOT had three sons and two daughters, and died in March 1812. His wife followed him in 1815. William CROFOOT, his son, lived upon the farm until his death, which occurred in June, 1829. Rhoda J., wife of William, died in June, 1844. 

      Daniel CROFOOT, son of William, now resides on road 35, at the age of 77. He has been justice of the peace forty-seven years, represented the town in the State Legislature from 1864 to '66, and was also associate judge of the County Court in 1868 and '69. 

      Amos KING, from Cheshire, Mass., came to Benson in 1797, accompanied by his wife Eunice, and one son and a daughter, Dexter and Ruth, aged respectively twelve and ten years. The farm upon which he settled is still in the possession of the family, being owned by his grandson, M. F. KING. Amos lived an active, busy life, dying in the year 1822. His wife, Eunice, lived to the age of 86 years. Dexter KING, upon arriving at man's estate, married Sally FRISBIE, of Poultney, by whom he had six children, as follows: M. F., Eunice P., Noble C., Joseph D., Sarah R. and J. W.; all of whom are now living. M. F., who retains the homestead, is a very busy, active man, possessing the regard of all who know him. He was the town representative during the years 1862-'63. 

      Philo WILCOX father of Philo E. WILCOX, was born at Goshen. Conn., January 22, 1873.  He immigrated to Benson in 1788, where he resided until his death, which occurred August 26, 1865, aged 82 years and seven months. 

      John Quincey DICKINSON, son of Cornelia (COLEMAN) DICKINSON, was born in Benson, November 19, 1837, and was a paternal grandson of Capt. Joel DICKINSON. He was a graduate of Middlebury College. In 1862 he enlisted as 2d Lieut. Of Co. C, 7th Regiment, serving all through the war, resigning as Capt. of Co. F, October 10, 1865. He afterwards removed to Florida, where he became Assistant Secretary of the Senate of that State. He was assassinated on the 3d of April, 1871, the assassination being for political motives.  His body was interred in Benson, on Wednesday, April 19, 1871, in the presence of the largest funeral procession ever gathered in the town. 

      The record of the first two town meetings, although stating that the meetings "were held in Benson'' does not state in either case at what place in the town the meeting was held; and no notification or warning for any town meeting held in the town, previous to November, 1798, is recorded in the town records. At a town meeting held September 18, 1786, it was voted "to raise six pounds" and "to raise it by the pole," [poll] and "that there be six days' work per man done on the roads, with what has been done this year;" and also "voted to petition to the General Assembly a tax on all lands of one penny per acre."  At the October session of the General Assembly, in 1786, an Act was passed empowering the selectmen to levy a tax of one penny on each acre of land in the town, for the purpose of making and repairing public roads and bridges in the town. At the same session were passed resolutions providing for taking the sense of the freemen of the State on a proposed project for "emitting a small bank of paper money on loan or otherwise."  In reference to these resolutions it was voted at a town meeting held in Benson November 23, 1786, "to say nothing about paper money." 

      At a town meeting held June 13, 1786, Capt. Asahel SMITH was chosen the delegate from the town to the State Constitutional Convention, held at Manchester on the last Thursday of June, 1786, called by the Council of Censors to consider certain proposed amendments to the Constitution. 

      The town was first represented in the General Assembly in 1788 by Asahel SMITH, representative; and it has been represented in that body at every session since that year, up to the present time; though in 1812 the election of the sitting member was successfully contested, and he was unseated. 

      Among the early merchants we find the following who were doing business in the year 1795: 

      Jonas ABBOTT advertises, June 12, that he "has again refurnished his cheap store with a fresh stock of European and India goods." 

      Timothy WATSON was doing a boot and shoe business. 

      Stephen OLMSTED and Tilly GILBERT were engaged in trade as general merchants, the partnership being dissolved on April 7th of this year, and the business continued by OLMSTED. 

      At the annual town meeting held March 19, 1787, at the house of Stephen OLMSTED, it was "voted to fix the house lately occupied by Solomon CHITTENDEN and now the property of Asa FARNHAM, so it shall be convenient to meet in on the Sabbath," and also "voted to hire Mr. RALPH [minister] the space of one month, to pay in wheat after harvest, at a market price;" and it was also "voted that the committee appointed to hire Mr. RALPH are to hire him one-half of the time for two months, if he will be hired for or under four dollars per Sabbath, to be paid in grain after harvest." 

      At a town meeting held December 29, 1788, it was "voted to hire a Minister one-half the time next summer, with Fairhaven." Mr. Levi HACKLEY was employed as a preacher in 1789-'90. At a town meeting held on the 22d of March, 1790, it was "voted to have Mr. Levi HACKLEY settle with us for our Minister," and "that the town will raise thirty-five pounds in necessary articles for building, to be paid to Mr. Levi HACKLEY for a settlement, exclusive of the right of land which naturally belongs to him as soon as he becomes our Minister," and "to give Mr. HACKLEY seventy pounds salary for a year, to begin with forty pounds the first year, and to rise with the list of the town, until it amounts to seventy pounds, and there stand; "but the vote to settle Mr. HACKLEY was reconsidered at an adjourned town meeting, March 30, 1780. The Rev. Dan. KENT became the first settled minister in Benson, he having a "call to settle with us in the work of the ministry" on the 4th of June, 1792. This pastoral relation continued until the 11th of July, 1828, when he was dismissed 

      In the winter of 1795-6, the canker rash, or ulcerous sore throat, (scarlet fever,) was very prevalent and malignant in the township and vicinity. During the winter of 1812-13, there were cases of the spotted fever in town; and, in the latter part of February, 1813, these were followed be the typhoid pneumonia, or lung fever, which became a prevailing and frightful epidemic. Its principal ravages were in the months of March and April, and there were no new cases after the middle of May following. There were about sixty deaths from this disease in less than three months. Aside from these, the town has never been visited by epidemic diseases. 

      Benson Congregational Church, located at Benson village, was organized March, 1790 by Mathias CAZIER, of Castleton, and his delegate, Mr. STURTEVANT, with Joseph CLARK as Moderator of the Church and Allen GOODRICH, Clerk. Deacon Jonathan WOODWARD, grandfather of ex-Vice-Presient WHEELER, was the first deacon, and Rev. Dan Kent, son of Dea. Cephas KENT of Dorset, the first pastor and also the first settled minister in Benson.  He was born in Suffield, Conn., April 10, 1758, commenced his pastorate in Benson in 1792, and continued as pastor of this Church thirty-six years. He died in Benson, July 22, 1835. 

      During Mr. KENT's ministry the Church grew rapidly. He was a man of fervent piety and great zeal. At several periods during his pastorate there was unusual interest and the Church received large additions to its numbers. 

      The first church edifice, a one story frame building, 24 by 40 feet, was erected in 1790, built by Major Ozia JOHNSON, and stood upon the site now occupied by Willard STRONG’s residence, but was afterwards removed to the ground now occupied by the Methodist church. The second house of worship was raised in 1797, and completed in 1803. This building was followed by the present church edifice, in 1841, which is a fine, comfortable building, capable of seating 450 persons, and cost about $6,500, while the whole church property is valued at $12,000. What the membership of the society was at its organization is not known, but was probably small. It now has a membership of 150, with Rev. Geo. G. LYON, pastor. 

      The First Baptist Church of Benson was organized by Elder Abel WOOD, Samuel TOWER and John CARTER, in March, 1797. At its organization it had 14 members, with Rev. William PATTERSON as pastor. In 1826 the first building was erected, built of stone; this was followed by a second in 1841, but has since that time been used for other purposes, the society having disbanded, part uniting with Sudbury and others with Westhaven. 

      The Methodist Episcopal Church, located at Benson village, was organized about the year 1839, by Rev. P.P. HARROWER, who was the first pastor. The present church edifice, a comfortable building capable of seating about 250 persons was built in 1841 and remodeled again in 1876. The original cost of the building was about $2,000, while the present value of the property is about $7,500.  L.A. DIBBLE is pastor of the society, which has a membership of 125. 

Gazetteer and Business Directory of  Rutland  County, VT.;
1881-82, Compiled and Published by Hamilton Child;
Syracuse, N.Y.; Printed at the Journal Office
August 1881, Part Two, Pages 75-83.

Transcribed by Karima Allison 2004