Fair Haven, Rutland County, Vermont Genealogy

Brief History
Unlike so many other Vermont towns in the central and southern part of the state, New Hampshire Gov. Benning Wentworth did not charter this town. Instead, the Republic of Vermont issued the charter, making it the oldest Vermont chartered town in Rutland County. That historic date was Oct. 27, 1779.

The origin of the name Fair Haven remains a mystery. Since some of the original grantees hailed from Massachusetts, where a Fair Haven exists, that is one possible theory. Another makes more sense — that the beauty of the region was synonymous with the word "fair," and therefore Fair Haven. Up until 1861, the town was written as one word, just as it occurred in the charter. For some unknown reason after 1861, it switched to the two-word format used today.

At its formation, Fair Haven included the presented community of West Haven within its boundaries. The Legislature split Fair Haven in 1792, but regarding membership in the Vermont House, it would "be but one town with respect to representation." This policy lasted until 1823.

Like so many other Rutland County communities, Fair Haven can trace much of its wealth to stone — specifically slate. Part of Vermont's slate belt runs through the town and it has been successfully quarried since 1839. Alonson Allen and Caleb Ranney excavated the first slate on Scotch Hill north of town.

By the late 19th century, 21 slate companies operated in Fair Haven. Six firms still run today.

Between 1903 and 1924, a trolley connected Fair Haven and Rutland. It proved so successful that in 1910, the trolley company extended the line to Poultney.

Though slate proved a major industry, the United Shirt and Collar Co. served as a mainstay in the town for almost 50 years. Started in 1900, the firm, located along the Castleton River, produced Lion Brand Shirts and employed as many as 600 workers.

Downtown Fair Haven remains an architectural jewel. A number of fires have destroyed a portion of the business district, but it still retains much of its character of the 19th and 20th centuries.undefined

Town Histories
Historical Photos

Vital Records
FamilySearch Historical Records Collection has Vermont birth, death, and marriage records online.

Probate Records
The probate district for Fair Haven is Fair Haven.

Fair Haven Probate Court 3 North Park Place Fair Haven, VT 05743 (802) 265-3380

City Directories
FamilySearch Library Catalog

Maps
1854 Rutland County, Fair Haven map

Cemeteries
The following is a list of cemeteries in present-day Fair Haven. For location of cemeteries, see Cemteries of Vermont, Rutland County, website at this link.


 * Cedar Grove Cemetery - inscriptions at Find A Grave site.
 * Saint Marys Cemetery - inscriptions at Find A Grave site.
 * West Street Cemetery (aka Old Fair Haven Cemetery) - inscriptions at Find A Grave site.

Churches
1. First Congregational Church   2 N Park Pl    Fair Haven, Vermont 05743    (802) 265-8864

2. First Baptist Church   32 West St    Fair Haven, Vermont 05743    (802) 265-8879

3. United Church of Benson   2793 Stage Rd    Fair Haven, Vermont 05743     (802) 537-2455

4. Our Lady-Seven Dolors Church   10 Washington St    Fair Haven, Vermont 05743    (802) 265-3135

Town Records
Town Clerk Vital and Town Records, 1732-2005, can be found on FamilySerach (browse only images) at this link.

The Family History Library has microfilm of original records in the Fair Haven Town Hall.

Town of Fair Haven 3 North Park Place Fair Haven, Vermont (802) 265-3010 Fair Haven Town website

Newspapers
Rutland Herald online at this link.

Libraries and Historical Societies
Fair Haven Public Library 107 North Main St. Fair Haven, VT 05743 (802) 4265-8011

Fair Haven Historical Society Website