Next in size to Essex, though
last in the date of its existence as a village, is
Whallonsburgh. R. A. Ferguson, who came to the place
in 1870 with his father, John Ferguson, describes it
as being then an unbroken forest. His father, a
carpenter, struck the first blow to clear the land
and build the first dwellings and factories of the
new settlement. He came from Washington county, N.
Y., in the service of Reuben Whallon, who had come
from the same vicinity about two years before.
Mr.
Ferguson built a saw-mill, just in the rear of the
present site of William F. Blinn's store, and a
clothing factory near where the sash factory now is. The place grew very gradually; lumbering constituted
the principal business of the inhabitants. A. Hale
soon built a grist-mill on the hill in the western
part of the village, and was soon followed by
William Smith and James S. Whallon, who erected a
grist-mill which now forms the west end of the sash
factory. Smith & Whallon, not being contented with
their milling profits, built a plaster factory
adjoining the grist-mill. This business throve
mightily, teams frequently coming from Vermont for
loads of plaster. In 1840 ,a fine forge existed here,
built by the proprietor, James S. Whallon. The
clothing works and one grist-mill were still
running. William Smith, probably the first
postmaster, had received his appointment prior to
1825. James S. Whallon followed Smith, Lewis Cady
followed Whallon, and in about 1860 Eli W. Rogers
followed Cady. Mr. Rogers has officiated
uninterruptedly from that time to the present. The
industries now active in the village may be briefly
noticed as follows: In 1881 Edgar Chamberlain and
Eugene, his brother, succeeded William H. Richardson
in the manufacture of blinds and sashes. The
business originated in 1869, Samuel Root, William H.
Richardson and V. C. Spencer being the first
proprietors. In 1872 Messrs. Root and Spencer
withdrew. James S. Whallon built the mill which was
formerly used as a carding-mill. The Chamberlain
Brothers lease the premises of Samuel Root. They
keep about fifteen hands busy and can turn out about
seventy doors in a day, and have made as many as
1,500 pairs of blinds in a month.
The grist-mill now running, in Whallonsburgh was
built about 1830 by James S. Whallon, soon after the
former mill of Smith & Whallon had been damaged
beyond repair by a freshet. Jonathan Mather, the
present owner, has held the title for a great many
years. John R. Mather superintends the running of
the mill.
F. J. Avery has been a general merchant here since
1870. He established the business himself. William
F. Blinn started a store here in April, 1885. John
R. Mather is proprietor of a cabinet shop, and G. J.
& J. G. Waiker run an extensive hay barn.
The village boasts a Union Church, which was
organized not far from 1830. The present edifice was
erected before 1840, James S. Whallon contributing
most generously towards its construction. The
Presbyterian and Methodist clergymen at Essex
preached here. Rev. Joel Fisk first officiated, and
Rev. Joseph T. Willet preached here for about
thirteen years. They organized a Sabbath-school
almost at the beginning.
