On September 19, 1831, Dover quickly and unanimously rejected an offer from Somerset.

A special meeting had been called to consider Somerset’s offer of annexing their eastern section so that it would become part of Dover. Most of Somerset’s population lived in this region, and the residents used Dover amenities.

Most were reasonably prosperous farmers, and they traded goods at Dover stores and even built their church in Dover.

Eastern Dover was wary that a population boost would shift the balance of power in any vote to western Dover.

20 years later, this two mile strip of Somerset finally became part of Dover.

Historic map image courtesy Vermont Historical Society, from “History of Dover, Vermont” by Nell M. Kull

Town Hall and West Dover images are Vermont Book Of Days photos