Bradford, Vermont
Encyclopedia
Bradford is a town in Orange County, Vermont
, United States
. The population was 2,619 at the 2000 census.
The first settler was John Hosmer in 1765. Originally called Waits Town or Waits River Town after Joseph Wait, it was changed to Mooretown when 3,000 acres (1200 hectares) were granted on May 3, 1770 by New York patent to Sir Henry Moore, 1st Baronet
, who in turn conveyed them to 30 settlers. The remainder of the land was appropriated by squatters. In 1788, the name was changed by the Vermont General Assembly
to Bradford.
Although the chief occupation of the town was farming, mills developed at falls on the Waits River
. On October 10, 1848, the Connecticut & Passumpsic Rivers Railroad formally opened to Bradford. By 1859, when the town's population was 1,723, industries included a foundry and machine shop, two gristmills, three sawmills, a paper mill and whetstone factory. Bradford also manufactured farm implements, wooden ware and tinware.
, the town has a total area of 29.9 square miles (77.4 km2), of which 29.8 square miles (77.2 km2) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.2 km2) (0.20%) is water. The Waits River
flows through Bradford to its confluence with the Connecticut River
, which forms the eastern boundary of the town.
The town is crossed by
Interstate 91
,
U.S. Route 5
,
Vermont Route 25
, and
Vermont Route 25B. It is bordered by the towns of Newbury
to the north, West Fairlee
and Fairlee
to the south, and Corinth
to the west. Piermont, New Hampshire
lies across the Connecticut River to the east.
of 2000, there were 2,619 people, 1,028 households, and 692 families residing in the town. The population density
was 87.8 people per square mile (33.9/km2). There were 1,217 housing units at an average density of 40.8 per square mile (15.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.71% White, 0.46% Black or African American
, 0.46% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61% of the population.
There were 1,028 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 51.8% were married couples
living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $37,270, and the median income for a family was $42,128. Males had a median income of $30,865 versus $28,857 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,452. About 7.9% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over
Connecticut River Academy
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,619 at the 2000 census.
History
The first settler was John Hosmer in 1765. Originally called Waits Town or Waits River Town after Joseph Wait, it was changed to Mooretown when 3,000 acres (1200 hectares) were granted on May 3, 1770 by New York patent to Sir Henry Moore, 1st Baronet
Sir Henry Moore, 1st Baronet
Sir Henry Moore, 1st Baronet was a British colonial leader who served as royal Governor of Province of New York from 1765 to 1769.-Early life:...
, who in turn conveyed them to 30 settlers. The remainder of the land was appropriated by squatters. In 1788, the name was changed by the Vermont General Assembly
Vermont General Assembly
The Vermont General Assembly is the legislative body of the U.S. state of Vermont. The Legislature is formally known as the "General Assembly," but the style of "Legislature" is commonly used, including by the body itself...
to Bradford.
Although the chief occupation of the town was farming, mills developed at falls on the Waits River
Waits River
The Waits River is a river in eastern Vermont in the United States. It is a tributary of the Connecticut River, which flows to Long Island Sound...
. On October 10, 1848, the Connecticut & Passumpsic Rivers Railroad formally opened to Bradford. By 1859, when the town's population was 1,723, industries included a foundry and machine shop, two gristmills, three sawmills, a paper mill and whetstone factory. Bradford also manufactured farm implements, wooden ware and tinware.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 29.9 square miles (77.4 km2), of which 29.8 square miles (77.2 km2) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.2 km2) (0.20%) is water. The Waits River
Waits River
The Waits River is a river in eastern Vermont in the United States. It is a tributary of the Connecticut River, which flows to Long Island Sound...
flows through Bradford to its confluence with the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, which forms the eastern boundary of the town.
The town is crossed by
Interstate 91Interstate 91
Interstate 91 is an Interstate Highway in the New England region of the United States. It provides the primary north–south thoroughfare in the western part of New England...
,
U.S. Route 5U.S. Route 5
U.S. Route 5 is a north–south United States highway running through the New England states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Significant cities along the route include New Haven, Connecticut; Hartford, Connecticut; and Springfield, Massachusetts. From Hartford northward to St...
,
Vermont Route 25Vermont Route 25
Vermont Route 25 is a state highway in Orange County, Vermont, United States. It begins at the New Hampshire state line in Bradford, continuing across the Connecticut River as New Hampshire Route 25, and ends in Orange at U.S. Route 302....
, and
Vermont Route 25B. It is bordered by the towns of NewburyNewbury (town), Vermont
Newbury is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,955 at the 2000 census. Newbury includes the villages of Newbury, Center Newbury, West Newbury, South Newbury, Boltonville, Peach Four Corners, and Wells River.-History:...
to the north, West Fairlee
West Fairlee, Vermont
West Fairlee is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 726 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 22.8 square miles , of which 22.6 square miles is land and 0.2 square mile is water...
and Fairlee
Fairlee, Vermont
-Notable people:* Milton Friedman, economist, former resident of Ely* Richard W. Mallary, congressman* Samuel Morey, inventor* George W. Morrison, congressman* Nathaniel Niles, politician* Stephen Thomas, politician and brigadier generalHelen Gahagan Douglas...
to the south, and Corinth
Corinth, Vermont
Corinth is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,461 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 48.5 square miles , of which 48.5 square miles is land and 0.04 square mile is water...
to the west. Piermont, New Hampshire
Piermont, New Hampshire
Piermont is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 790 at the 2010 census. It is home to several summer camps.-History:...
lies across the Connecticut River to the east.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,619 people, 1,028 households, and 692 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 87.8 people per square mile (33.9/km2). There were 1,217 housing units at an average density of 40.8 per square mile (15.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.71% White, 0.46% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.46% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61% of the population.
There were 1,028 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 51.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $37,270, and the median income for a family was $42,128. Males had a median income of $30,865 versus $28,857 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $18,452. About 7.9% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over
Education
With a total student population of approximately 850, Bradford is home to:- Bradford Elementary
- Oxbow High School
- River Bend Career & Technical Center
Sites of interest
Connecticut River Academy
Notable people
- Private Miles DeForrest Andross, killed defending the Alamo.
- John Putnam ChapinJohn Putnam ChapinJohn Putnam Chapin served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Whig Party....
, mayor of Chicago. - Charles Edgar ClarkCharles Edgar ClarkRear Admiral Charles Edgar Clark was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War and the Spanish–American War.-Biography:...
, captain of the USS OregonUSS Oregon (BB-3)USS Oregon was a pre-Dreadnought of the United States Navy. Her construction was authorized on 30 June 1890, and the contract to build her was awarded to Union Iron Works of San Francisco, California on 19 November 1890. Her keel was laid exactly one year later...
. - Ned O'GormanNed O'Gorman- Biographical notes :Born Edward Charles O'Gorman to Annette de Bouthillier-Chavigny and Samuel Franklin Engs O'Gorman in New York City, Ned O'Gorman spent most of his early life in Southport, Connecticut, and Bradford, Vermont. In 1950, he graduated from St. Michael's College in Vermont and later...
, poet and educator. - Albert SleeperAlbert SleeperAlbert Edson Sleeper was an American politician and served as the 29th Governor of Michigan from 1917 to 1921.-Early life in Vermont and Michigan:...
, 29th governor of Michigan. - James WilsonJames Wilson (globe maker)James Wilson was the first maker of globes in the USA.Born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, Wilson farmed with his father and trained as a blacksmith, though had little other formal education. He moved to Bradford, Vermont in 1796 and became interested in cartography and taught himself map making...
, first American globe maker. - Jay WrightJay Wright (poet)Jay Wright is an African-American poet, playwright, and essayist. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he currently lives in Bradford, Vermont. Although his work is not as widely known as other American poets of his generation, it has received considerable critical acclaim...
, poet.
Further reading
- A. J. Coolidge & J. B. Mansfield, A History and Description of New England, Boston, Massachusetts 1859
- Silas McKeen, A History of Bradford, Vermont; J. D. Clark & Son, Montpelier, Vermont 1875
External links
- Bradford Public Library
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/sets/72157624852460842/with/4946489487/