"The Historical Souvenir of Randolph Vermont 1895", by Nikerson & Cox is a valuable resource in genealogical research. This book is available in the town clerk's office and Kimball Public Library. 

      Randolph begins as a town in 1781, when Vermont was an independent republic; granted to Aaron Storrs & Company petitioning from Dresden, (now know as Hanover) New Hampshire. Randolph which included Bethel at the time was called Middlesex. 

      The tract is described as being northwest of Tunbridge and Bethel about six miles square. 

      Experience Davis five years previous established "squatter's rights" to 1500 acres near East Bethel and South Randolph. This area was South Randolph, but also known as "Davis Gore". In that Davis' "Gore" spilled over into, E Bethel, some records might be in Bethel, Windsor County. 

      The first meeting house was at Randolph Center, then known as Randolph. East Randolph was considered the "City", while "West Randolph" but a budding area. Some folks of the Center referred to it as "Slab City" because of the many saw mills. With the coming of the railroad to West Randolph, it became the main commercial area and about 1900, the US Post Office named it Randolph. 

      Another area which might raise some confusion is that of "Farwell's Village" which was in North Randolph. 

      All vital records should be in the town office in the village. However, even to this day original documents are coming out of the "woodwork" from some of the very early houses built 1790-early 1800. 

      Record keeping began on "Day One", some are very easy to search in the Town Clerk's Office. Others, elusive, viz. one unique and un-indexed book called "Liber Primus", misc. records of Randolph appears to have been entered at a much later date then the events. Individual families are bunched together, with B, M & D. 

      It is also in this book that the description of the lay out of roads and documentation of individual declaring allegiance to their church of their choice to avoid supporting the main one. 

  ~ Harriet M. Chase

      This unique museum is located above the police station. Exhibits include a complete 3-generation (early 1900s) Leonard's Drug Store and soda fountain, barber shop, three period rooms, early pipe organ, Justin Morgan's gravestone, farm tools, trade signs, band instruments, and bicycles. Some of the local memorabilia has a railroading theme. 

The Chamber offices are on 66 Central Street, as you are approaching the town from the North off Exit 4 on Interstate 89.  The Chamber can supply you with information on both current and forthcoming events in and around  Randolph.