Sutton, Vermont, New England USA
About Sutton, Vermont
Caledonia County
Chartered: February 26, 1782 (Vermont Charter)
Area: 24,633 Acres = 38.49 Square Miles [ Size Rank: 156* ]
Coordinates (Geographic Center): N 44° 38′ W 72°02′
Altitude: 1,152 feet ASL
Population (US Census, 2010): 1,029 [ Population Rank: 158* ]
Population Density (persons per square mile): 26.7 [ Density Rank: 163* ]
Full Census Info: Town County State
*Area, Population and Density rankings refer to Sutton’s relative position among Vermont’s 255 civic entities (9 cities, 242 towns, 4 gores and grants). Complete rankings are here.
Chartered as Billymead to Dr. Jonathan Arnold of Rhode Island and associates, as were Lyndon and St. Johnsbury, and named for Arnold’s younger son, William. The Oxford English Dictionary says mead is either a beverage made of fermented honey or a meadow. It is more likely the second definition Arnold had in mind when constructing the name (as in “Billy’s Meadow”), but the records show that William leaned toward the first. He became such a drunkard and bully that in later years he completley disrupted town affairs.
By 1810, townsfolk had had enough of Billy and his name, and at town meeting they voted overwhelmingly to change the name to Sutton. They began to use the name right away, not waiting for recognition of the Vermont Legislature, which did not come until two years later. To add to the confusion, just as the Legislature was taking action to recognize the change, postal authorities opened the Billymead post office, and did not change its name to match that of the town until sometime in 1817.
After all that, perhaps it should be noted that one Jocktan Putnam, originally from Burrilville, Rhode Island, was he who proposed the town’s new name. Fortunately for researchers, his own unique name made it possible to trace him to his birthplace: Sutton, Massachusetts.
Activities
Goings-on in and near Sutton
Calendar of Events provided by the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing
Contact Info
Emergency Services (Statewide): 911
Hospital: Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (St. Johnsbury) 802-748-8141
Town Clerk: Debora Ogden PO Box 106 Sutton, VT 05867
802.467.3377
M T Th F 9-5; W 9-12:30
Schools
Caledonia North Supervisory Union 802-626-6100
Sutton School 802-467-3492
Neighboring Towns
This is a basic geographic reference, intended to show relative location of adjacent towns. Directional accuracy is limited to 16 compass points. There isn’t even the slightest suggestion that one can necessarily travel directly from one town to the next (as in “You can’t get there from here”).
Sutton
Utilities
Notes about utilities:
- One electric or phone company indicates that company serves the entire town. More than one of either indicates each serves different areas of town.
- A listed cable company MIGHT mean the entire town is covered, but not necessarily. More than one listed indicates each serves different areas of town.
- Unless your area is one served by Vermont’s only gas utility, your only option is bottled gas (any dealer).
Electric Barton Electric Department 802-525-4747
Electric Hardwick Electric Department 802-472-5201
Electric Vermont Electric Co-op 800-832-2667
Telephone Fairpoint 866-984-2001
