Benson, Vermont

Located in western Vermont, near south end of Lake Champlain. Settled 1783; organized ca. 1786. Population in 1830 about 1,500. Scene of many early religious revivals. Location of first branch of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Vermont, 1831. Branch consisted mostly of former members of local Freewill Baptist congregation. Branch eventually had about 100 members, many of whom migrated to Ohio and Missouri, by 1833.