RUTLAND COUNTY, VT HISTORY AND LOOKUPS

County History Books

History of Rutland County, Vermont by H. P. Smith And W. S. Rann, Syracuse, (1886) – 1074 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2024.06.07.1745.CD.AR

Rutland County, Vermont: A Genealogical Overview

Rutland County, in west-central Vermont, is one of the state’s largest and most historically significant counties. Its fertile farmland, marble quarries, and central location made it a hub of settlement and industry. For genealogists, Rutland County offers extensive records of colonial grants, Revolutionary War activity, and 19th-century industrial expansion.

I. County Formation and Evolution

  • 1781: County Formed: Rutland County was created on February 22, 1781.
  • Parent Entity: Formed from parts of Bennington and Cumberland Counties.
  • Subsequent Formations: Addison County (1785) and Windsor County adjustments came partly from Rutland lands.
  • Name Origin: Named after Rutland, Massachusetts, birthplace of many early settlers.
  • County Seat History: The shire town is Rutland, long the county’s center of trade and industry.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Indigenous Presence: The Western Abenaki inhabited the Otter Creek valley and surrounding areas.
  • Colonial Era: The region was contested by New York and New Hampshire land grants, leading to disputes prior to Vermont’s independence.
  • Revolutionary Period: Rutland played an active role, serving briefly as the capital of Vermont during the war years.
  • 19th Century Development: The county became a leader in marble quarrying, shipping stone across the nation. Farming, particularly dairying, remained vital.
  • Transportation: The arrival of railroads in the mid-19th century transformed Rutland into a commercial hub, linking farms and quarries to wider markets.
  • Immigration: Large numbers of Irish, Italian, and French Canadian workers came to the county for quarrying and mill jobs.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

  • County Courthouse: Located in Rutland, with deeds, probate records, and court files spanning centuries.
  • Vital Records:
    • Town clerks preserve early vital records, supplemented by statewide registration after 1857. Many town records date back to the late 18th century.
  • Essential Records and Archives:
    • Vermont State Archives: Holds land charters, militia rolls, and statewide census schedules.
    • Rutland Historical Society: Maintains manuscripts, genealogical files, and extensive family records.
    • Church Records: Catholic, Episcopal, and Congregational records reflect both Yankee settlers and later immigrant communities.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Rutland Free Library: Holds local newspapers, family histories, and manuscripts.
    • Marble Museum (Proctor): Preserves history of quarrying families and immigrant workers.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Addison County (northwest)
    • Washington County (northeast)
    • Windsor County (east)
    • Bennington County (south)
    • Washington and Rensselaer Counties, New York (west)

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