After stopping a day or two, they extended their explorations
east and south, and went as far east as Middlebury Falls. "While
on this expedition, they were delayed by a violent storm and swollen
streams for several days, until their provisions were exhausted, and
they were tvro days without food. When they returned to the lake,
Strong concluded to settle on the farm on Avhich he resided until
his death, and which is still in the possession of his grandson. Judge
Strong. With the aid of the settlers, Strong erected a log house
around an old French chimney, near the lake. Vall.-\nce, in a
similar manner, converted the remains of another French hut into
a tenement, which he afterwards occupied, for some years, with his
family. In the fall they all returned to Connecticut. In February
following. Strong came onwitlf his fomily, and was the first Eng-
lish settler, it is said, in W^estern Vermont, north of ]Manche£ter,
and his fourth son, John Strong, Jun., in June 1705, Avasthe first
English child born north of that place. Everkst and Kellogg,
who were married during the winter, came on with their wives in
tlie spring, and Yallante also returned with his family the same
HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY. 4T
season. From John W. Strong, mentioned above, we have obtained
many of the above details. His father's family resided in the house
■with his grandfather, and he learned the facts from his grand-
poi-ents, and especially from his grand-mother, who lived to a great
aire, and often amused him in his childhood with the stories of their
early history.
The result of Amherst's expedition was, that on the opening of
the campaign of