History of Vergennes, (Addison County) Vermont United States of America

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Local History Notes:

VERGENNES, a city of Addison county, Vermont, on the Otter creek, 7 miles from its entrance into Lake Champlain, and on the Rutland and Burlington railroad, 22 miles S. from Burlington. The creek is here about 500 feet wide, and navigable for the largest vessels on the lake. Two islands opposite the city divide the stream into three channels, which have three distinct sets of falls, affording an hydraulic power equal to the best in the state. During the war and non-intercourse with Great Britain, extensive iron manufactories were put in operation at these falls, and among other things produced was 177 tons of cannon-shot. In 1816 most of the iron-works were suspended, and have since only in part been resumed. Vergennes enjoys admirable advantages for ship-building. The flotilla, commanded by Commodore McDonough, at the battle in which the British fleet on Lake Champlain were captured, September 11, 1814, was fitted out at this place. The city is beautifully situated, and contains 3 or 4 churches, a bank, a newspaper office, and 18 or 20 stores. A United States arsenal, the only military establishment in the state belonging to the general government, was erected here in 1828. The principal edifice (of stone) is 80 feet by 36, and 3 stories high, and with the others is enclosed by about 28 acres of grounds. Arms and other munitions of war to the value of about $85,000, belonging to the United States, and of upwards of $30,000 to the State of Vermont, are constantly stored in the buildings. Settled in 1766, by Donald McIntosh, who was a native of Scotland, and had been in the battle of Culloden. Incorporated as a city October 23, 1783. Population, 1378.

Biographies:

Henry Ethan Hitchcock, educator, was born at Vergennes, Addison county, Vt., May 3, 1822; son of Alured and Sarah W. (Stevens) Hitchcock; grandson of Eli jab and Sarah (Tounsley) Hitchcock, and a descendant of Luke Hitchcock, Hartford, Conn., 1636. His father was a native of Brimfield, Mass., and his mother of Claremont, N.H. After the death of his father he took up his residence with his brother-in-law, N.H. Losey, professor at Potsdam academy, and later at Oneida institute, Oneida, N.Y., where he was a student until 1836. He accompanied Professor Losey and a colony to found the town of Galesburg, Ill., and Knox college, where he was graduated in the first class in 1846, and taught in the college, 1845-50. When a woman's department was organized in connection with Knox college in 1850 he became professor of mathematics in that department, serving, 1850-72. He was professor of mathematics in the University of Nebraska, 1872-95, and acting chancellor, 1882-84. He removed to Claremont, Cal., in 1897.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor