Follett, Timothy, 1793-1857

Timothy Follett was born in Bennington, VT on January 5, 1793, the only son of Susanna (Fay) and Timothy Follett Sr. Moving to Burlington after the death of his father, Follett entered the University of Vermont in 1806 and graduated four years later. Deciding upon a legal career, Follett went to Danville, VT and studied under his brother-in-law William H. Griswold. After studying in Litchfield, CT, Follett returned to Vermont and in 1814 was admitted to the Chittenden County Bar and began practice. In 1819 he was appointed State's Attorney after the death of Sanford Gadcomb and was elected to the same post from 1820-1822. In 1823 he was elected Judge of the County Court and represented Burlington in the Vermont legislature from 1830-1832.

In 1823 Follett became interested in the expanding commercial activity on Lake Champlain and became a partner of the Burlington businessman Henry Mayo. By 1824 Follett abandoned his law practice and concentrated entirely upon the newly established mercantile firm of Mayo and Follett. In 1828 he served as a director of the recently founded Lake Champlain Steamboat Company. In 1832 Follett was appointed trustee to settle the affairs of the defunct Montreal wholesale firm of Horatio Gates and Company which he undertook until 1841.

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