BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KNOWLTON FARM

The Knowlton predecessors were Stratton pioneers and established their farm about 10 or 15 years after the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, in or about 1795. The 50 acres offered for sale encompass much of the best land on that farm. Adjacent to the ruins of the main farmhouse, you will find the original "farmer's well", still in good condition and quite functional.

Knowlton Farm was strategically located along "County Road" (also known as "South Road"), 3/4 of mile of which runs through an area not for sale. But, the main farmhouse must have been on or near the footprint of that road, which connected Bennington and Windham Counties (i.e., Bennington to the then metropolis of Newfane) from about 1792 until the road was abandoned in or about 1832.

Judging from the size of the ruins, this was a fairly large home. And, judging from the cairns and stone walls on the total property, the Knowltons must have cleared and maintained some 40+ acres in pasture, now mostly overgrown to forest. The field now cleared represents about 6 acres of the original hayfield, boarding on about half of the 1,800 feet of good stone wall.

From a historical perspective, the original land developers (the Proprietors) carved the wilderness up into 1/4 square mile (160 acre) lots. The 50 acres offered for sale are located in Lot 2 Range 2.

The eastern half of Lot 2 Range 2 contains the farm and was sold to Ebenezer Wellman in 1817. By that time, South Road (or County Road) had been constructed. Part of the path of South Road lay to the north of today's Knowlton Farm Road and abutted the farm. The Wellman family owned the farm and constructed the large farmhouse, both of which were sold to Melvin Knowlton in 1851.

There is a small house at the end of Knowlton Farm Road. This second residence was also part of the Knowlton farmstead. In 1851, Melvin's parents took up residence in the small house, which is about a 5 minute walk to the ruins of the main farmhouse. This small house is rumored to have been part of the "Underground Railroad" during the Civil War.

The fate of the Knowlton Farmhouse is summarized by Kent Young, in his book,  "The History of Stratton, Vermont", as follows:

"Meanwhile, Melvin Knowlton remained in the larger farmhouse until 1880. After that time, Evander Willis acquired the property. The Willis family may have resided there until 1887. At that time, this farm was sold to Franklin Lackey, who remained in Stratton into the first decade of the 1900s. By 1910, this dwelling apparently was unoccupied. It fell into ruin and has since succumbed to the elements."