Bennington County, Vermont
Bennington and Manchester are the chief towns. This is the oldest county in Vt., on the west side of the Green Mountains. It is bounded on the north by Rutland county, on the east by Windham county, on the south by Berkshire county, Mass., and on the west by the state of New York. It is 39 miles long and 20 wide. Area, 610 square miles. Population, in 1820, 16,125; 1830, 17,468. Inhabitants to square mile, 28. The low lands are excellent and produce good crops, but the largest portion of the county is mountainous, and fit only for grazing. Many streams rise in the mountains and descend to the ocean, some by the Hudson and some by the Connecticut, affording a great hydraulic power. Lead and iron ores of good quality are found in this county, and large quarries of beautiful white marble. The number of sheep in this county in 1837 was 69,828.
