Berlin – Vermont Genealogy

History of the Methodist Church in Berlin Vermont

The Vermont Historical Gazetteer vol 1 title page

By Mrs. C. F. Dewey Methodism was first introduced into Berlin about the year 1830. At this time Berlin was included in the Brookfield circuit, then in the N. H. Conference. Elisha Scott being in 1831, preacher in charge of Brookfield, Northfield and Berlin. The early history of the church previous to 1843, is not as full as may be desired, owing to the first records being lost or destroyed. The first account we find is in 1843; J. C. Dow being then Presiding Elder of Montpelier District and John Perrin preacher, and so far as is shown by records, … Read more

History of Berlin Vermont

Berlin in Washington County, Vermont, lat. 40° 13,’ long. 4° 25,’ near the center of the State, bounded North by Middlesex, Montpelier and part of East Montpelier, East by Barre and part of Williamstown, South by Northfield and part of Williamstown, and West by Moretown, was chartered June 8, 1763, wherein it was declared “and is hereby incorporated into a township by the name of Berlin.” — 70 equal shares. [1]Book of Charters, page 473-474 The first settlement was commenced in the summer of 1785, by Ebenezer Sanborn from Corinth, on what was afterwards known as the “Bradford farm,” about … Read more

Berlin Pond and Benjamin’s Falls

Berlin Pond, or Mirror Lake, Berlin, Vermont

Upon the highlands of the town of Berlin, at a distance of four or five miles from the capital of the State, and at an elevation of little less than 400 feet above the same, lies a beautiful body of water — Berlin Pond; about 2 miles in length, narrowing into a width of 50 feet at two-thirds of the distance from the head, giving the wider parts the designation of the upper and lower pond. The water is clear and soft, and when unmoved, reflects the entire margin of hill-sides, farm and forest, while the sky and clouds above … Read more

The Great Wolf Hunt on Irish Hill in Early Time

The way the settlers met and overcame the wild animals is well described in the following story by the late Hon. D. P. Thompson, and printed in the Montpelier Argus and Patriot in 1867, of “The Great Wolf Hunt on Irish Hill in Early Time.” One Saturday night, about dark, in the month of February, 1803, a smart resolute boy, who was then eleven years old, who is still alive and one of the most honored citizens of Montpelier, Hon. Daniel Baldwin, and who had been boarding out to attend the district school on the lower part of Dog river, … Read more

Biography of Hon. Daniel Pierce Thompson

By D. F. Wheaton, of Barre Daniel Pierce Thompson, son of Daniel and Rebeckah Thompson, was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, Oct. 1, 1795, and emigrated with his father to Berlin in 1800; and here he passed his boyhood days, on his father’s farm, following the routine of a farmer boy’s life. But his desire was for books, the fishing-rod and his gun, and he left the farm in early manhood, without means, but determined to possess an education, and by his own efforts succeeded. He pursued his studies in Randolph and Danville, this State, and entered Middlebury College in 1816; … Read more

Berlin Vermont in the Early Wars

Berlin Roll of Honor for 1814 Names of men that went to Plattsburgh. Jacob Flanders, Zelotus Scott, Samuel Hubbard, Stephen Wright, Mr. Tiliston, Ensign, Jeremiah Culver, Jeremiah Goodhue, Josiah Benjamin, Ebenezer Bailey, Samuel Currier, Abraham Townsend, Cyrus Johnson, Captain, Roger Buckley, Ord. Sergt., James Perley, Capt. Taylor, Eliada Brown, James Smith, Richard Smith, Alanson Wright, John Stewart, 1st Lieut., E. M. Dole, Samuel Perley, Moses H. Sawyer, Asa Dodge. Berlin Volunteers in the Civil War Samuel P. Atwood, Charles Bailey, Joel O. Bailey, William R. Bean, Peter Bressette, Chester Brown, Eliphalet E. Bryant, Charles N. Cilley, James M. D. Cilley, … Read more

Biography of Rev. Austin Hazen

By Rev. William S. Hazen, of Northfield Austin Hazen, son of Asa Hazen, was born in Hartford, June, 1786, about 2 miles from Hanover, New Hampshire. His mother’s name before marriage was Susanna Tracy. The Hazen family, which was large, was noted for its piety and general intelligence, and as being among the first settlers of the town. Mr. Hazen was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1807, and spent the next year in Binghampton, Pennsylvania [sic New York ?], teaching; in 1808, went to Washington, Connecticut, commenced the study of theology with Dr. E. Peters — date of his license … Read more

Biography of Rev James Hobart

By James Hobart, Jr., of Worcester James Hobart was born in Plymouth, New Hampshire, Aug. 2, 1766, and came with his father to Berlin when about 21; was converted about 2 years after, and commenced preparing for college. He graduated at Dartmouth as A. B. in 1794; studied with Rev. Asa Burton, of Thetford; in the spring of 1795, was approbated to preach, and commenced in Chelsea, Vermont, as a candidate. The next year he was in Plymouth, New Hampshire, and in 1797 and ’98 at Nottingham, N.H., where he had a call to settle. During this time he preached … Read more

History of the Congregational Church in Berlin Vermont

From Notes by James Hobart, Jr. The 1st Congregational church in Berlin, Vermont, was organized Oct. 13, 1798, consisting of Aaron Goff, Simpson Stewart and William Flagg, men about 50 years of age. Probably this was the 2d organization of any denomination in the County; the Congregational church in Waitsfield was organized 2 years before. At this time there were in town 85 families, and for 8 years previous, several missionaries had preached on the Sabbath and lectured, and some money had been raised by subscription and paid for preaching. Before the organization of the church a few professors of … Read more

The Deweys of Berlin Vermont

Simeon, William, Israel and Henry, brothers (all of them having the prefix of uncle, by the early settlers and their descendants generally, the two first however, being sometimes called Capt. Sim and Capt. Bill, and the third Lieutenant Dewey in consequence of honors in the Vermont militia) were among the early settlers of Berlin Vermont. They were descendants from Thomas Dewey who was an early settler from Massachusetts Colony and “came to Windsor, Connecticut, from Massachusetts in 1639 with Mr. Huit.” Simeon Dewey was born in Colchester, Connecticut, Aug. 20, 1770, married Prudence Yemans, Feb. 27, 1794, (born in Tolland, … Read more