Bristol is a town in Addison County, of the "Middlebury-Vergennes" region, founded in June 1762. The town was originally named Pocock, after Admiral Sir George Pocock, but was renamed to Bristol in 1789 after Bristol, Rhode Island.

Bristol is home to the "Lord's Prayer Rock." In 1891, Joseph Greene paid a carver to engrave the Lord's Prayer on a big slab of rock that he would frequently stop at along Route 17 when travelling from West Starksboro to deliver logs to the Bristol sawmill. One story says he would always stop at the rock to say a silent prayer, knowing the worst of the trek was behind him. Another story says he was upset by the cursing and swearing of passing logging wagon drivers and he wanted to make them think twice before taking the Lord's name in vain.

Some notable people from the area include: Jeremiah Curtin, a writer & translator; and Ezra Butler Eddy, a Canadian businessman & political figure.