John Holbrook

John Holbrook (July 10, 1761—April 6, 1838) was a publisher and entrepreneur. An early settler of Brattleboro, Vermont, Holbrook was notable for initiating a publishing industry there.

Biography Holbrook was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts on July 10, 1761. At the start of the American Revolution, Holbrook's father moved to Dorchester, Massachusetts. His family were British loyalists. British Army officers in the Dorchester area were impressed with Holbrook's desire for learning, and instructed him in surveying, map making, and engineering.

As a young man, Holbrook moved to Newfane, Vermont; a letter of introduction to Judge Luke Knowlton led to Holbrook's employment as a surveyor, and he laid out towns after they were granted by Vermont's government and then subdivided the individually owned lots. Holbrook's businesses began to publish editions of the Bible, and ultimately issued 42. and was buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro.

Family

In 1786, Holbrook married Sarah (or Sara) Knowlton, the daughter of Luke Knowlton. They lived in Newfane and Wardsboro before moving to Brattleboro in 1794.

Patty (1788-1870), the wife of William Fessenden Franklin (1792-1810) Sibbel (1794-1835), the wife of Joseph Fessenden Sarah (1796-1849), the wife of George W. Hall, and then Isaac Coale Sophia (1798-1841) Lucinda (1800-1843), the wife of Rudolphus Bennett Jr. Eliza (1804-1858) Rev. John Calvin (1808-1900) Frederick (1813-1909), who served as Governor of Vermont during the American Civil War