The surface consists of swells and vales, though there is nothing which deserves the name of mountain, but might perhaps, if the term is admissible, be called ranges of mountainous hills, extending principally in a north and south direction. 

      Along the west line of the township extends a belt of talcoid schist about one mile in width, while the rocks east of this are composed entirely of the Georgia slate deposit, containing some of the finest and most lucrative slate quarries in the county. To these quarries, and to the manufacture of the slate taken therefrom, Fairhaven owes its principal wealth; still, the verdant, picturesque vales, scattered plentifully over the township, present a large area of arable land that can scarcely, be surpassed for productiveness, possessing a soil of great variety, consisting of gravel, sand and marl, and along the river valleys, alluvial deposits of rare fertility, and the Whole is irrigated by numerous small streams issuing from the hill-tops, but the only ones of any  considerable note are Poultney and Castleton Rivers. The former on arriving at the west line of Poultnev, begins to form the boundary line between Vermont and New York, and running between Fairhaven and Westhaven, on the north, and Hampton and Whitehall, N.Y., on the south, falls into the head of East Bay, an arm of Lake Champlain. From Fairhaven it receives Castleton River. 

      In the year 1783 a most remarkable change took place in the course of Poultney River. A little above its junction with East Bay a ridge of land crosses in a northerly direction. The river at this place running a northwesterly course, on meeting the ridge, turned suddenly, towards the northeast, and, after keeping that course about half a mile, turned westerly, rushing down a steel ledge of rocks, and forming a number of fine mill-privileges. The river had, for some years, been observed to be making encroachments upon the ridge at the place where it turned to the northeast; and in May, 1783, during a violent freshet, the river broke through the ridge, and, meeting with no rocks, it cut a channel one hundred feet deep, lowering the bed of the river for some distance above, and carrying immense quantities of earth into East Bay. The bay, which was before navigable for vessels of 40 tons burden, was so completely filled for several miles that a canoe could with difficulty pass at low water; but the obstructions have since been mostly removed by the force of the current. On the north side of what is now known as the "Dry Falls," General Clark had commenced the erection of a saw-mill, which was of course rendered useless by the change of the stream. Numerous stories and traditions are told, claiming that the stream was diverted from its original course by human agency, and for the purpose of revenge on the above mentioned Clark, but none of them are authentic, and have, we believe, no foundation in fact. 

      Castleton River crosses the southern portion of the town and unites with Poultney River. In the north-east corner of the township is situated Glen Lake, a small, though handsome sheet of water, extending into Castleton on the east and Benson on the north. 

      Inman Pond, located about three miles north of the village of Fairhaven, from which the village receives its water supply, is somewhat peculiar in its formation. It is located on the top of a hill, 207 feet above the village, covering an area of from 80 to 85 acres, fed entirely by springs, and has been sounded to the depth of 200 feet and no bottom found; which fact, taken together with the peculiar formation of its shores, and the volcanic rock found while making excavations for the water-pipes, have led many, and with reason, to believe it to be the crater of an extinct volcano. 

      The D. & H. C. Co's R. R. passes through the southern part of the town, with a station at the village of Fairhaven, affording good facilities for transportation of the manufactures of the town. 

      Although the present town of Fairhaven comprises but two-fifths of the original grant, its business interests and wealth is far in advance of the portion separated from it in 1792. It is not only an agricultural, quarrying and manufacturing district, but its hills afford pasturage for large herds of sheep and cattle, the products of which form no mean item in the aggregate wealth of the people. 

      Formerly the inhabitants were devoted, to a considerable degree, to the manufacture of lumber; but the steady stroke of the woodman's axe has so gradually but surely thinned the forests that lumbering is now of minor importance. The timber consists of pine, hemlock, beech, maple, walnut, butternut, buttonwood etc. 

      In 1880 Fairhaven had a population of 2,212; it was divided into five school districts, and contains ten common schools, employing two male and thirteen female teachers, at an aggregate salary of $2,799,50. There were 479 Pupils attending school, and the entire cost of the schools for the year ending Oct. 30th, was $3,035.04, with Mr. Seth THOMPSON, superintendent.

      Fairhaven, a post-village and station on the D. & H. C. Co's Railroad, is the only village of the township. It is beautifully situated in the southern part of the town, on Castleton River, at which place there are falls, two affording fine mill-privileges. The village contains two banks, several churches, numerous mercantile and manufacturing interests, and about 1800 inhabitants. Taken all in all, it is one of the most thriving as well as beautiful villages of its size to be found in the State. It was first laid out and established Dec. 21St, 1820, under a general law of the State, by Isaac CUTTER, John P. COLBURN and Harvey CHURCH, selectmen of the town at that time. From this time until the fall of 1865 no action was taken by the citizens relative to a village government, farther than a formal survey; but in the fall of the above mentioned year the Legislature of the State passed a charter, or Act of incorporation, erecting a tract of one square mile into a corporate village, and at a meeting held in the hall over ADAMS store, on the 4th of Dec. following, the inhabitants adopted the charter by a vote of 71 to 52, and the village, has since, annually, at the meeting on the first Monday in December, elected its board of  officers. By-laws were adopted on the 21st of February, of the year following. 

      In the centre of the village is a fine park, containing about six acres, surrounded by a neat fence and filled with fine maple shade-trees. From this park the principal streets of the village diverge, and around it are situated some of the finest residences of the town; the marble residence of Mr. ADAMS facing it from the south, being perhaps the most conspicuous. The land included within the park was given to the town in October of 1798, by Col. Mathew LYON, “for the friendship of the town of Fairhaven." In the spring of 1855 a "Park Association" was formed, the members paying one dollar annually for the purpose of planting trees in the park grounds. But few meetings were held, officers being last chosen in April of 1860. Under the charter granted in 1865, the village corporation has full authority, and power over the park, side-walks, streets, etc. 

      One feature of the village, of which its inhabitants are justly proud, is its fine water-supply. At an adjourned village meeting, held on the 12th of Jan., 1800, the trustees were empowered to bond the village for $30,000.00, for the purpose of raising money to construct the water-works. On May 7th an additional appropriation of  $5,000.00 was made, and on the 12th of July work was commenced, thirty-five then being employed. Water is brought by means of large iron pipes, from Inman pond-located about three miles north of the village, a natural reservoir of pure, cold, spring-water, affording a head of 207 feet. The works were completed and tested on the 14th of December, giving entire satisfaction, and having cost the village $37,147.35. On the 20th of the same month, tapping of the main water-pipes was commenced. On the 11th of December, a box containing seventy dynamite cartridges, stored in the engine house of the works, near the pond, was accidentally exploded, causing a loss of several hundred dollars; fortunately there was no loss of life. Dwelling houses, situated three miles distant from the scene of the explosion, were quite severely shaken by the concussion. 

      About eleven o'clock on the night of November 8th, 1879, the village was visited by a disastrous fire, which consumed the large hotel and block owned by C. C. KNIGHT. The fire originated in a boot and shoe store kept by B. MERRIAM, and in spite of all efforts to the contrary, the building was entirely destroyed, causing a loss of about $30,000, mostly covered by insurance. Since that time the village has had no hotel. On the site of the old one Mr. KNIGHT has erected a fine block, three stories high, having a front of 100 feet. The first floor is occupied by stores, the second by offices, and the third a hall for dramatic entertainments. 

      The village has two fire companies, Fairhaven Hose Cos. No. 1 and No. 2. They use no engine, attaching the hose to the fire-hydrants, which throw a powerful stream, owing to the height of the reservoir, and affording one of the principal features of their excellent water-supply. 

      The First National Bank of Fairhaven was organized in 1864, with a j capital of  $76,000. At a meeting of the directors held on the 18th of February, Joseph SHELDON was chosen president, Merritt CLARK, cashier, and Charles CLARK, teller. The bank was opened in May, in a small building owned by Alonson ALLEN, on the south side of the park, where it was kept until February, 1870, when the new bank building, on the east side of the park being completed, the business of the bank was removed to its present place. The present building is substantially built of brick, iron and marble, two stories high, and has one of Lillie's best bank safes inside a heavy wrought iron vault, and is pronounced as secure as any bank vault in the State. 

      The Allen National Bank of Fairhaven was organized April 2, 1879, with a capital of  $50,000, the first meeting towards its organization having been held on the 18th of March proceeding. 

      The first list of directors was as follows: Ira C. ALLEN, Simeon ALLEN, Norman PECK, C. C. KNIGHT, M. L. LEE, Owen OWENS and Ellis ROBERTS. Ira C. ALLEN was chosen president, Simeon ALLEN, vice-president, and Charles R. ALLEN, cashier, they all still retaining their positions. 

      The Fairhaven Machine Shops, owned by J. ADAMS & Son, and under the superintendence of L. B. CLAGSTON, is ranked among the most extensive manufactories of the town. In 1871, Mr. CLAGSTON came to Fairhaven from Boston, to keep their marble saw-mill in repair, and to make repairs for other saw-mills in the vicinity. In 1873 he invented the Clagston patent gang-saw. The superior excellence of this saw was immediately recognized by the various marble companies of Rutland County, and orders for the same began to come in rapidly, which necessitated increased facilities for the manufacture of the same. In 1878, he invented the Clagston Pet Stone-Turning Lathe, the manufacture of which occasioned still further extension of the shops. This invention was followed by patents on slate-saws in 1879 and ‘80. Taken altogether, they form a business that keep the works in operation almost night and day, and employs fifteen men.

      Nathan R. REED’s saw-mill, located on Main street, was built about 75 years ago, Mr. REED having come into possession in 1866, and manufactures 200,000 feet of lumber per annum. 

      The Fairhaven Marble and Marbleized Slate Company was organized in 1869, though the business had been conducted during a period of ten years previous to this date by some members of the present firm. They now employ from 100 to 125 men, manufacturing as high as $140,000.00 worth of marble and marbleized mantels, shelves, tile, etc., per annum. 

      R. C. COLBURN commenced the manufacture of marbleized slate mantels in 1869, continuing until 1876, when the firm name was changed to The Stewart Marbleized Slate Mantel Company, With T. B. STEWART, president; R. C. COLBURN, treasurer. They, employ about twenty men. 

      Simeon ALLEN's slate-mill, located near the R. R. depot, was built by Mr. ALLEN in 1868. In 1875 it was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in less than 90 days. Mr. ALLEN manufactures all kinds of slate goods. 

      The slate quarrying business was begun in this town by Alonson ALLEN and Caleb B. RANNEY, in the fall of 1839, the first opening being made about 2 1/2 miles north of the village, on road 1, at a point called Scotch Hill. The present Scotch Hill Slate Quarry is owned and operated by GRIFFITH, Owen Co., who employ 30 men. Their mill, located at the quarries, saws and planes 200,000 feet of mantel stock, etc., per year. 

      The Vermont Union Slate Company was organized in 1871, operating one quarry in Castleton and one in Poultney, employing about 45 men. 

      The C. B. N. Slate Quarry, located in the north-west part of the town, on the farm of Rufus R. HAMILTON, was opened in 1881, by John J. WILLIAMS, who commenced working the Scotch Hill quarry in 1851, which he continued to work until 1857, under the firm name of "The Fairhaven Slate Company," when the firm became insolvent, and a new firm started, DAVEY, NICHOLS & Co., who subsequently sold the property to a Boston firm, and they in turn selling to the present firm, GRIFFITH, OWEN & Co. Mr. WILLIAMS is the  inventor of the patent Slate Tile Roofing for flat roofs. He expects to manufacture from the C. B. N. slate, mill and roofing stock, and more especially the tile roofing. 

      The CARVER's Falls Slate Quarry, located in the north-west part of the town, was opened in 1880, by Benjamin WILLIAMS, who quarries roofing and mill-stock. 

      Edwin R. BRISTOL's wood-turning shop, located on road 11, was built in 1842. There was an old-fashioned saw-mill on the premises, built 70 years ago, and in 1878 Mr. BRISTOL put in a circular-saw and now manufactures there about 150,000 feet of lumber per year, and does quite an extensive business in wood-turning. 

      Fairmount Trotting Park, located a little south of the village, on Prospect street, was built in 1874, and is now owned by Howard LEONARD, Julius BOSWORTH and C. C.  KNIGHT. It has a half-mile track, pronounced by good judges to be one of the best in the State. 

      Settlement was commenced the same year the charter was granted, to some extent, the following, with their families, having come into the town: John and William MEACHAM, Oliver CLEVELAND, and Joseph BALLARD. 

      Oliver CLEVELAND, the only one of the original settlers represented in the charter, located in the southern part of the township, having a farm consisting of 205 acres, lying between Poultry River and the east line of the township. He died in September 1803, and the property reverted to his sons, Josiah, Albert and James. 

      William MEACHAM owned a farm south of Cleveland, but had his residence on the opposite side of the river, in New York. 

      John MEACHAM settled north of Cleveland, coming from Williamstown, Mass., with his wife and three children. His fourth child, Esther MEACHAM born April 23, 1780, was the first child born in the township. Mr. MEACHAM was one of the members of the first board of selectmen, chosen in August, 1783. He subsequently resided in Benson, where he died in 1808 or '09, aged 58 years. 

      Joseph BALLARD settled on the farm next west of Mr. MEACHAM's, upon which he died about 1795. There was scarcely anything done towards the improvement of the town until 1783, when Col. Mathew LYON, Silas SAFFORD and others moved into town, and the former commenced erecting mills. 

      The first meeting of the proprietors to organize under the charter was held at the house of Nehemiah HOIT, at Castleton Corners, June 14, 1780, at which meeting Col. Ebenezer ALLEN was chosen moderator, and Capt. Isaac CLARK, proprietors' clerk. Between this time and 1873, several meetings were held, but the township was not organized until the 28th of August of this year, at which meeting, held at the house of Philip PRIEST, in Fairhaven, Mr. PRIEST was chosen moderator, and Eleazer DUDLEY first town clerk. The first selectmen were Philip PRIEST, John MEACHAM and Henry BARLOW. 

      Col. Matthew LYON settled where the village now stands, in the year 1783, and commenced to erect mills, having in operation at this point, previous to 1796, one furnace, two forges, one slitting mill, and one grist mill, and he did printing on paper manufactured by himself from basswood bark. LYON came from Ireland when a boy, and was sold as an indentured apprentice until twenty-one years of age, to pay for his passage, the buyer paying for him a pair of steers and giving "boot money." 

      He married a Miss HOSFORD, by whom he had four children, Anna, James, Pamelia and Laurin. She dying, he married, as a second wife, the widow Beulah GALUSHA, a daughter of Col. Thomas CHITTENDEN, afterwards the first Governor of Vermont. 

      He first resided near the north end of the bridge which crossed the river just above the grist mill, subsequently building and residing on the site of the old tavern-stand on the hill, and at a later period, on the site now occupied by the Knight block. 

      In 1796 LYON was elected to Congress, taking his seat in November, 1797, and was subsequently imprisoned in the jail at Vergennes, under the "Alien and Sedition Laws,” and was released by the friends of Thomas Jefferson paying his fine of $1,000.00, for which restitution was made to his heirs by Congress in 1833. In 1820, LYON removed to Arkansas, where he died on the 1st of August, 1822, near Little Rock. 

      The paper mill in Fairhaven was built by Col. LYON about 1790 or 1791. His son, James, had charge of it at one time, and they manufactured the paper generally used in this Vicinity, both for writing and printing purposes. 

      The first grist mill was built by Col. LYON and Ager HAWLEY in 1783, and was located on the south side of the river, below the old paper mill. The first saw mill was built by Lyon about 1783, and stood on the north side of the Lower Falls. 

      The question of dividing the township into two towns seems to have been agitated by the early settlers a great deal, the point at issue being the subject of the dividing line; but was finally settled by the Legislature on the 20th of October, 1792, though a number of the citizens in both parts of the town continued to protest against the division. The town of Westhaven took about three-fifths of the area of the original township, leaving to Fairhaven the remaining two-fifths. The two towns were jointly to elect one representative to the General Assembly, which they continued to do until the annual election in 1823, when separate elections were held. 

      Previous to this time, the annual freemen's meetings were held, sometimes at the school house near Mr. MINOT's, in Westhaven, and at other times at the school house near Mr. STANNARD's, in Fairhaven, the people of both towns meeting together and having at times a good deal of sectional feeling in regard to their affairs. 

      Ethan WHIPPLE came to Fairhaven from Rhode Island in 1786, settling about 3/4 of a mile north of the village, upon the farm now owned by John ALLARD, where he resided until the spring, of 1831, when he sold the place and removed to the village, where he died December 18, 1836, aged 79 years. 

      Tilly GILBERT, from Brookfield, Mass., came to Fairhaven in the spring of 1788, where he remained until 1791, and then removed to Benson, and subsequently to Orwell, returning to Fairhaven in 1799, where he became one of the most influential citizens of the township. In 1832 or '33 he removed to Westhaven, where he died Sept. 5, 1850, aged 79 years.  Benjamin F. GILBERT, a son of Tilly, is now a resident of Fairhaven. 

      Joseph SHELDON came from Dorset to Fairhaven in 1798, locating in the north part of the town, upon the farm now owned by his grandson, Leander H. His son Harmon was born in 1804, and continued his residence here until his death, Aug. 29, 1874. Harmon married Angeline MAYNARD, and had two sons, Leander H. and Joseph K., both of whom are now living. Capt. Joseph SHELDON, brother to Harmon, and for many years a noted breeder of merino sheep, lived where Heman STANNARD now resides, and died July 16, 1872. 

      Barnabas ELLIS came to Fairhaven from Hampton, N.Y. in the spring of 1814. He was a leading and influential citizen, and died, much lamented, May 9, 1860. Zenas C., son of Barnabas, was born July 25. 1820, and has always resided in the town, and now owns and occupies the old homestead about one-half mile south of the village. He married Sarah B. DYER, of Rutland, in 1847, and has four sons, George W., Edward D., Horace B. and Zenas H. George is an attorney in New York city, Edward is a physician practicing in Poultney. Horace B. is at Castleton, proprietor of the Bomoseen House, and Zenas lives at home with his father. 

      Stephen FISH came to Fairhaven from Uxbridge, Mass., in 1810, and located about two and one-half miles north of the village. He married Chloe NARRAMORE and had a family, of seven children, two of whom are now living, one, Mrs. Rebecca P. WHIPPLE, a resident of this town. He died in Westhaven on the 3d of December 1849. 

      Charles WOOD came to Fairhaven from Hartland, Vt., in 1815, residing here until his death, February 4, 1832. His son, Chauncey E., now occupies the old homestead. 

      Samuel WOOD came about the same year, from Hartland, and now resides with his son, Nelson S., on road 16. 

      Hiram HAMILTON, successor to Joel, one of the early settlers, came to Fairhaven in 1823, where he now resides, on road 6. 

      Hiram BRIGGS was born in Castleton, Vt., in 1806, and came to Fairhaven in 1828, locating on road 3, where he died in 1872, his widow, Susanna, still occupying the  premises. 

      Joseph ADAMS settled in Fairhaven, from Whitehall N.Y., and was for a long time one of the first merchants and manufacturers of the place. His son, Andrew N. ADAMS, was born January 6, 1830, and graduated at Cambridge Divinity School, in Harvard University, July 17, 1855, but only preached for a short time, coming to Fairhaven in the summer of 1860, where he has since been extensively engaged in marble and slate manufacture. 

      Alonson ALLEN came to Fairhaven, from Hartford. N. Y., in March, 1836, and was for many years prominent in mercantile and manufacturing, circles, taking an active interest in the development of the marble and slate business of the town. His widow, Mrs. Mary ALLEN, now resides in South Park place. Ira C. ALLEN, president of the Allen National bank, was born in Bristol Vt., in 1816, and came to Fairhaven in May, 1836, married Mary F. RICHARDSON, a niece of Joseph ADAMS, and has four children. He is a prominent man of the town. 

      The First Congregational Church was organized January 2, 1806, having at its organization only fifteen members; Rufus CUSHMAN, the first pastor, was installed on the 12th of February, 1807. The church building was erected in 1810, and is at present, including grounds, valued at $5,000, and will comfortably seat 250 persons. The present membership of the society numbers 102, with Rufus C. FLAGG, pastor. 

      The Methodist Episcopal Church, located at Fairhaven village, was organized by Rev. Albert CHAPIN, in 1825. The first church edifice was erected in 1843, which was followed by the present building, erected in 1877, at a cost of $15,000, which will comfortably seat 500 persons; the church property is now valued at $16,000. The society at present numbers 200 members, with Rev. Delmer R. LOWELL, pastor. 

      St. Mary of the Seven Dolors, (Catholic,) located on Washington street, was organized by Rev. Z. DRUON, in 1855, having at its organization 100 members. The church edifice was erected in 1873, at a cost of $40,000, and is capable of seating 1,000 persons; the whole property being now valued at $50,000. The society has 700 members, is in a flourishing condition, with Rev. P. J. O'CARROLL, pastor. 

      The Welsh Protestant Society of Fairhaven was organized in the summer of 1851, by Rev. Evan GRIFFITHS, of Utica, and Rev. Thomas R. JONES, of Rome, N. Y. Rev. Griffith JONES was the first pastor. A good brick church, on the east side of Main street, was erected by the society in 1857, costing about $3,500. The society has at present no pastor. 

      The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Society was formed by a portion of the members from the Protestant Society, who organized in 1859, and built a small edifice on the opposite side of the street. The society has no pastor at present. 

      The First Baptist Church of Fairhaven was organized by 29 Baptist brethren on December 14, 1867, their first pastor being Rev. P. Franklin JONES. The building was commenced in 1870, and completed in 1873, costing about $24,000, and will accommodate 475 persons with seating room. The society at present has 145 members, with Rev. A. C. FERGUSON, pastor. 

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 130 - 138.

Transcribed by Karima Allison 2004