Bicknell’s Hill, Vermont, USA

The journey from England to New England led to eight generations settled in “Bicknell’s Hill” region of Tunbridge, Vermont as seen in the map below. This map is currently in the one room schoolhouse on “Antique Hill” located on the Tunbridge fairground property, which is home to the annual Tunbridge World’s Fair.

Tracking this journey to “Bicknell’s Hill” is documented in the Gazetteer Of Orange County, Vt. 1762-1888 as noted in this township website

“Zachary BICKNELL, with his wife Agnes, came from England to this country in 1635. Of their descendants, Peter BICKNELL, of the fifth generation from Zachary, was born in 1744. He married Hannah KENT, born in 1740, and they came from Rehoboth, Mass., to Vermont, in 1803, and settled near the Joseph SMITH farm, on East Hill, in Tunbridge. Of their children, Hezekiah married Hannah CARPENTER, by whom he had two sons and one daughter. Elra, the eldest child, remained in this town, and of him it is said that he never tasted tea. In youth he resolved to use what money others of his acquaintances foolishly expended for spirits and tobacco in buying books. He accumulated the largest and best private library in the town, leaving at his death (April 17, 1887,) 160 choice volumes, besides having given many to, his children and grandchildren.”

So, it is believed that Peter is the first generation in Tunbridge but came with Hezekiah’s family.  Peter likely bought the land to be “Bicknell’s Hill”.  He was ~61 and Hezekiah was ~21.  When the house was built according to the historical society, Hezekiah was 59 and Elra was 30. Below is a picture of the land with the established farm.

The farm continued for many generations and is now home to the 6^th generation David and Beth Bicknell and John and Roberta Bicknell who reside on “Bicknell’s Hill”.  Jonathan (son of John), Laura, and their daughter Polly and son Owen live a couple of miles away.