Town of Lowell, Vermont
Last Modified: 11.18.1997 By Gary A. Warner

The text in this writing was extracted from an 1883-84 Child's County Gazetteer. Therefore the context of now refers to that time period.

Lowell lies in the Southwestern part of the Orleans county, in lat 44 degrees 47 minutes, and long. 4 degrees  21 minutes, bounded north by Westfield and Troy, east by Irasburgh and Albany, south by Eden, and west by Montgomery, having an irregular outline much in the form of a triangle. It was granted March 5,1787, and chartered by Gov. Thomas Chittenden to John Kelley, Esq., of New York, from whom it received its original name, Kelleyvale. In two charters, the first for 6,000 acres, being dated June 6, 1791, and the- second, for 31,000, June 7, 1791. November 1, 1831, the name of Kelleyvale was altered to the one it now bears. Immediately after its charter the township passed into the hands of Mr. Kelley's creditors, who sold it to a William Duer for $4,680.00, and a considerable portion of the territory still remains in the hands of non-residents.

The town is hemmed in by mountains and hills on three sides. Upon the southern border are Mts. Norris, Hadley and Belvidere. A high range of hills skirt the western border, so abrupt that five ranges of lots on this border were set to Montgomery, owing to the abrupt mountain between them and the center of Lowell and in the eastern part of the town is a mountain which affords only two places for a road, one is the old Hazen road, and the other is the Irasburgh route. Serpentine hill, in the northern part of the town, is also an abrupt elevation. The whole eastern and central portions of the town are very rough and mountainous, yielding generally but scanty returns for the husbandman's labor. The northern part of the township is a fertile, sandy plain, watered by the branches of the Missisquoi river which has its source here, forming the most available farming land in the township. The numerous springs and streams that unite to form the Missisquoi are waters of an exceptionably pure quality, and are peopled with beautiful specimens of speckled trout. Large quantities of hard and soft wood timber are standing in the forest, while excellent mill privileges are afforded, and it only needs a convenient mode of transportation to make Lowell an exceedingly busy lumbering town, and this desired consummation is likely soon to be realized in the Burlington & Northeastern railroad. 

Insert point of interest
As early as 1776, in the midst of the revolutionary struggle, the military road was commenced by Gen. Bailey, which was extended through from Peacham to Lake Champlain. In 1779, it was extended, by Col. Hazen, whence it took the name of the Hazen road, through Cabot,Walden, Hardwick, Greensboro, Craftsbury, and Albany, to Lowell. He had cut the road to the notch that still bears his name, when the news of the peace came, and he left the unused road for the benefit of sefflers that were soon to come in. 

The main rocks entering into the geological formation of the territory are of the talcose schist variety, though there are narrow veins of clay slate and steatite throughout the eastern part of the town. Among the hills and valley are found serpentine, feldspar, amianthus, pudding-stone, and asbestos. Iron has also been dug from the swamp land and worked at Troy. A mineral spring, impregnated with iron and sulfur, also exists in the northern part of the town.

In 1880, Lowell had a population of 1,057, and in 1882, the town was divided into seven school districts and contained eight common schools, giving employment to four male and nine female teachers, to whom was paid an aggregate salary of $1,142.00. There were 274 pupils attending common school, while the entire cost of the schools for the year, ending October 31 St, was $1,261.28, with Rufus King, superintendent.

Insert point of interest:
Population statistics leading up to 1880

• 1840 431 People
• 1850 637 People
• 1860 813 People
• 1870 942 People
• 1880 1,057 People

LOWELL, a post village located near the central part of the town, on the Missisquoi river, contains three churches, (Congregational, Baptist, and Roman Catholic,) a tasty public school building, two stores, a grist-mill, saw-mill, tub factory, starch factory, sash, door and blind factory, a tin shop, two blacksmith shops, two carriage shops and about forty dwellings. The village also has a literary association, established in 1864, which now has 300 books in its circulating library, and is in a flourishing condition.
 

• Parker & Kinneys saw-mill, located on the Missisquoi river, occupies the site of a mill built in 1805, by Col. E. Crafts, the first erected in the town. In 1867, Mr. Parker purchased the property of D. E. Works, and in 1880 Mr. Kinney bought a half interest. The mill has the capacity for manufacturing about 1,500,000 feet of lumber annually.

• D. E. Work's grist-mill, located at Lowell village, contains a flour mill and corn crusher and does custom work.

• E. B. Edwards saw-mill located on road 21, gives employment to three hands, and turns out about 400,000 feet of lumber per annum.

• T. W. Jones's sash, door and blind factory, located at the village, was built by Edson Kinney, in 1876, upon the site of the mill destroyed by fire during that year. In 1877, it was purchased by the present proprietor, who now does a flourishing business.

• Hardiing & Thayer's tub factory, located at the village, was originally built for a clapboard-mill, by Dwight Root, in 1867, and became the property of the present owners August 16, 1872. They employ twelve hands and turn out about 35,000 tubs per annum.

• Lewis Shufelt's shingle and clapboard-mill, located at Lowell village, employs two hands in the manufacture of these goods.

A great portion of the town is at present newly settled, and the rough log cabins of pioneers are quite numerous. The first settlement was commenced by Maj. William Caldwell, from Barre, Mass., who began improvements on his land in 1803, but did not move his family to the town until April, 1806. Maj. Caldwell is said to have been one of the richest young men in Barre, but in consequence of becoming surety for friends, lost his fortune and came to the wilderness of Vermont to commence life anew. He became a prominent man here, as he had been in Barre, and his memory is kindly cherished by many. In the spring of 1807, John Harding came to the town, drawing, with the assistance of four others, his family and goods on three hand-sleds. He was followed soon after by others, and the infant settlement was fairly begun.

On March 12, 1812, a petition signed by nine of the inhabitants was tendered to Medad Hitchcock, Esq., requesting him to warn a meeting of the inhabitants for the purpose of organizing the towns
First Town Meeting

The meeting was held March 31 st, at the house of Capt. Asahel Curtis when the following officers were elected:

• William Caldwell, moderator;
• Abel Curtis, town clerk;
• Asahel Curtis, William Caldwell, and John Harding, selectman; Ebenezer Wood, treasurer;
• Elijah Buxton, Horatio Walker, and Daniel Sanborn, listers; John Harding, constable;
• Joseph Butterfield, grand juror;
• John Harding and William Caldwell, surveyors;
• David Stewart, and Ebenezer Wood, fence viewers; Asahel Curtis, pound keeper;
• Samuel Stewart, scaler of leather;
• Benjamin Wood, sealer of weights and measures.; Jonathan Power, tithing man ;
• Samuel Steward, Jr., and James Butterfield, haywards.
• The first justice of the peace was Calvin Eaton, in 181 0.
• The first representative was Asahel Curtis, in 181 0.
• The first postmaster was Abel Curtis, in 1819, who held the position twenty years.
• The first birth and death was that of a son of John Harding.
• The first marriage on record is that of Jonathan Powers and Relief Stewart, December 3,. 1812.
• The first grist-mill was built by Asahel Curtis, in 1812, a little above Mr. Works present mill.
• Abel Curtis built the first frame house, which he tore down in 1842, to build on. the same site.
• The first church was built by the Methodists and the Congregationalists, in 1842.
• The first settled minister was Rev. Jubilee Wellman, who drew the ministerial lot, settled in 1849.
• The first school numbered twelve scholars, taught by Asahel Curtis.

Abel Curtis, from Tunbridge, Vt., came here in 181 0, and located in the central part of the town, where his son Don now resides. He taught the first school, built the first grist-mill, was the first justice of the peace, first postmaster, serving in that capacity until 1838, when the new stage route left his dwelling remote, and he resigned. Mr. Curtis was also town clerk twenty-seven consecutive years, and also a member of the constitutional convention. He died in 1879, aged ninety-four years. Don. the second of his four children, was born in 1823, and has always been a resident of the town, with the exception of four years spent in Troy, Vt. He has held the office of town clerk since 1866.

• Nathan Parker came to Lowell among the early settlers of the town. Mr. Parker was a captain in the American army during the war of 1812, and was on his way to Plattsburgh when the news of the victory reached him. All but one of his large family of eleven children are living. Harry B., his fifth child, born in 1835, is the senior partner in the firm of Parker & Kinney.

  Jonathan Stewart, from Amherst, N. H., came here among the early settlers and located on road 13, upon the farm now occupied by his son Harley, who is the only one of his six children now living. He was born in 1819, and has two sons, Albert J. and Henry P.

  John Harding, from Barre, Mass., came here about 1810. He was town representative a long term of years, assistant judge, and also held the other town offices. Three of his nine children are living. Laban S., a grandson of John, son of Hiram L., was born on road 13, where be now lives.

  Herod Farman, from Bath, N. H., came to Lowell about 1820, and bought a tract of 400 acres in the northeastern part of the town, though he soon after located where his fourth son, Freeman, now resides. Mr. Farman was prominent among his townsmen, and served in most of the town off i ces.

  John Stebbins, from the southern part of England, came to Westfield about 1822, and a few years later located in this town on road 12, upon the farm now occupied by his second son, John. He held most of the town offices and reared a family of six children, five of whom are living.

  William Knapp was born in Springfield, Vt., January 8, 1797, and came to Lowell in 1829, locating on road 31, near the Notch, where he still resides at the age of eighty-six years. He taught school here several winters, having bad considerable experience as a teacher in New Hampshire. Mr. Knapp has been a prominent man of the town, held most of the town offices, and now in his advanced age is respected and honored by all.

  Amasa Paine, son of Jacob, was born in Pomfret, Vt., March 12, 1810. When about one year old his parents removed to Hardwick, where his father died, December 12, 1854, aged seventy-two years. Amasa, in 1838, moved to this town, locating at the village, where he still resides. He kept a hotel twelve years, and has been largely engaged in dealing in real estate and live stock. He has also held most of the town offices, has been postmaster, US collector, and assistant judge. B. F. Paine, of Jay, is his only son.

  Roswell Allen was born at Lyrne, N. H., July 13, 1801, came to Lowell about 1836, locating on West hill, and died here in 1860, aged fifty-nine years. His only son, William, was engaged in the late civil war, and died thirteen days after his discharge, from disease contracted while in the service.

  H. C. Quincey was born in Jericho, Vt., in 1819. At the age of nineteen years he commenced teaching school, and with the proceeds of this labor he purchased the farm he now occupies, on road 22. In 1874, he built his present handsome, commodious residence.

  Hosea Sprague came here from Massachusetts at an early date. He reared a family of seven children, two of whom settled in the town. Laban, his youngest son, born in 1800, followed the carpenter trade, dying here in 1865, aged sixty-five years. Laban had but one daughter, who is now the wife of Carlos Farman, to whom she was married in 1866.

  Rev. jubilee Wellman came here from Proctorsville, Vt., in 1850. He was a Congregational minister and preached here until his death, in 1855, aged sixty-three years. Only one of his four children, L. Richardson, engaged in mercantile pursuits here, is living.

  Nathaniel F. Hutchinson, a native of Hartford, Vt., located in Lowell in 1852, and in the autumn of 1854, was elected town representative. During the following spring he returned to Windsor county, and did not come back to this town until 1867, purchasing the farm he now owns, on road 13. Mr. Hutchinson has held most of the town trusts, has always been an earnest supporter of the Congregational church, and a hard worker in the Sabbath schools, of which he has been superintendent eight years.

  Silas Works, son of Isaac, was born in Ridge, N. H., November 17, 1794, married Rosalinda Baldwin, of Cavendish, Vt., February 20, 1821 and in 1855, came to Lowell, where his son, Daniel E., and daughter, Mrs. N. F. Hutchinson, had located in 1852, He purchased a large farm near the village and in 1860, erected the grist-mill now operated by his son, Daniel E., and died here August 11, 1879, aged eighty-five years.

  William N. Blake, was born in Stratford, Vt., January 17, 1802, where his grandfather settled at an early age. His father, Jonathan Blake, settled in Milton, Vt., in 1806. May 8, 1855, he came to this town, and resided here until 1'882, when he removed to Georgia. He was a deacon and clerk of the Baptist church a great many years.

  Lathrop Willis, son of Roger Willis, was born in Hardwick, September 20, 1804. When he was seventeen years of age his father moved to Albany, and died there in August, 1871, aged ninetyfour years. In 1860, Lathrop came to Lowell and located where he now resides, on road 9, aged seventy-nine years. He has had a family of six children, three of whom are living, one, LaFayette, on the home farm. Don L., the oldest son, was killed at the battle of the Wilderness.

  Thomas S. Fisher was born in Keene, N. H., March 6, 1809. His father, Thomas Fisher, was born in the fort at Keene during an Indian siege, September 15, 1758. Thomas located at Mclndoes Falls, Vt., in 1836, and in January, 1862, he came to Lowell, locating on road 10. Mr. Fisher has three sons and two daughters. Two of the sons, Thomas C. and Charles W., live at home with their father, while the other, William H., resides in Irasburgh.

  During the war of 1812, a panic among the inhabitants, in general with those of the other northern towns, was caused. A fort was erected near the present site of the Congregational church, which was afterwards used as a pound. During the late war (Civil War), the town furnished sixty enlisted men, nine of whom were killed or died from the effects of wounds or disease contracted while in the service.

  Lewis J. Ingalls enlisted from Hyde Park in the 8th Vt. Vols. In 1862, he was among those who occupied Bayou Des Allemands, thirty-two miles from New Orleans, whence they received their supplies. On September 4th, with a party of seventy-five comrades, Mr. Ingalls left on a train for New Orleans. When about eight miles, from their camp they discovered that they had been ambushed by a large party of rebels, who had turned a switch so as to throw the train into a ditch. Ingalls, comprehending the danger in a moment, leaped from the engine and reversed the switch, exposing himself as a target for 400 rebel muskets. The switch-post was fairly riddled with bullets, while five of the balls were lodged in his body. He was pulled aboard the train, however, which passed the danger, and he now lives in this town, on road 8, to tell the story.

  The First Congregational church of Lowell, located at Lowell village, was organized by Rev. Nathaniel Rawson, of Hardwick, and Rev. James Parker, of Enosburgh,. with six members, January 10, 1816, Rev. Jubilee Wellman being the first settled pastor, in 1850. The church building is a wood structure, built by the Congregational and Methodist societies in 1842, and afterwards owned entirely by this church. It will seat about 225 persons, and is valued, including other property, at $2,000.00. The society now has eighty-nine members, with Rev. Rufus King, pastor.

  The First Baptist church, located at Lowell village, was organized by an ecclesiastical council appointed for that purpose. January 7, 1846, Rev. J. Walden being the first pastor. The church building, erected in 1867, is a wood structure capable of seating 250 persons and is valued, including grounds, at $5,000.00. The society now numbers about fifty members, with no regular pastor, the minister who had been with them about eighteen years having died about a year ago.

  The Roman Catholic Church of Lowell, located at Lowell village, was organized in 1853. Preaching had been conducted here, however, since 1840, from that year until 1850, by Rev J. 0. Callaghan, then by Rev. G. R. N. Caissey from 1864 to 1868, when, during this latter year, Rev. Father McAuley was appointed parish priest, remaining until 1875. Rev. Father Michaud, of Newport, supplied the pulpit until 1879, then it was supplied, until 1880, by Rev. Joseph Calidean. Rev. Peter Matthew is the present incumbent. The church building was erected in 1868. It will seat about 250 persons, and is valued at $2,500.00.

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