USA > New Hampshire > Gazetteer of the state of New-Hampshire > Part 1
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Garland Frank T Pitts field NH.
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PORTSMOUTH NEW HAMPSHIRE
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Garland, 7! Pittsfield NH
A
GAZETTEER
OF THE
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE,
IN THREE PARTS :
CONTAINING,
1. A comprehensive Geographical and Statistical view of the whole State, con- veniently disposed under separate heads. - 2. A description of each county, town, or location in the State ; also of its lakes, rivers, ponds, and mountains, with many other subjects of topographical detail, al- phabetically arranged.
. 3. Topographical and Statistical tables alphabetically arranged ; shewing the course and distance on a direct line from Portsmouth, Concord, Boston, and Port- land. Also, the number of miles by the roads as commonly travelled .- Numberof cattle, horses, &c.
COMPILED FROM THE BEST AUTHORITIES, BY ELIPHALET MERRILL AND THE LATE PHINEHAS MERRILL, EsQ.
EXETER :
PRINTED BY C. NORRIS & CO. FOR THE AUTHORS, ......... 1817.
New-Hampshire District, ss.
BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this thirteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, and in the fortieth year of the Independence of the United States of America, ELIPHALET MERRILL, of the said District, hath deposited in this Office, the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit:
" A Gazetter of the State of New-Hampshire, in three parts : containing,
" 1. A comprehensive Geographical and Statistical view of the whole State, conveniently dis- posed under separate heads.
" 2. A description of each county, town, or location in the State ; also of its lakes, rivers, ponds, and mountains, with many other subjects of topographical detail, alphabetically arranged.
" 3. Topographical and Statistical tables alphabetically arranged ; shewing the course and dis- tance on a direct line from Portsmouth, Concord, Boston, and Portland. Also, the number of miles by the roads as commonly travelled .- Number of cattle, horses, &c. Compiled from the best au- thorities by Eliphalet Merrill and the late Phinehas Merrill, Esq."
In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, " An Act for the encour- agement of learning by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books to the authors and pro- prietors thereof during the times therein mentioned ; and also to an Act, entitled, " An Act, sup- plementary to an Act, entitled, An Act, for the encouragement of learning, by securing the Cop- ies of Maps, Charts, and Books to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times there- in mentioned ; and extending the benefits thereof to the Arts of Designing, Engraving and Etch- ing historical and other prints."
GEORGE W. PRESCOTT, Clerk of District Court U. S., N. H. District. A true copy. Attest, GEORGE W. PRESCOTT, Clerk.
PREFACE.
-
WHEN any town is mentioned such questions as the following perpetually recur to those who are unacquainted with it. Where is it situated ? What towns lie contiguous to it ? What is its dis- tance from some capital or emporium, &c. ? Morses Gazetteer mentions the most of our towns, but the description rarely includes any thing more than the county in which it is situated, or at most its distance from some neighbouring town. The map of New- Hampshire will completely answer many of these questions, but these maps are not numerous and are very unfit for transportation. Indeed, a large proportion of our citizens feel themselves unable to obtain either of these means of information, but would gladly pay the price of a condensed Gazetteer. Such an one is now of- fered them in the smallest space, it is thought, that can comprise the necessary matter.
The method adopted in this instance to collect authentic mate- rials was to address letters to men of the best information in every township in the state. In these letters were enumerated the na- ture of the information desired. The attention which these let- ters generally received deserves our warmest thanks.
The sources from whence we derived our historical informa- tion of the first settlement of the state, Indian wars, &c. have been very numerous and are the most authentic which now exist; such as Winthrop, Morton, Mather, Prince, Hutchinson, Morse, and Parish ; but particularly Belknap. Nor must we while noticing authors and the liberal aid and patronage of individuals, omit to acknowledge that of the state.
Since the decease of my beloved brother, who was associated as co-partner in this work, there has been an unavoidable delay of its publication, but by the assistance of several literary gentlemen, it is now respectfully submitted to a candid public.
ELIPHALET MERRILL.
Northwood, June, 1817.
A GENERAL VIEW,
GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL
OF THE
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE,
ARRANGED UNDER THE FOLLOWING HEADS.
SITUATION AND EXTENT. BOUNDARIES AND DIVISIONS. AIR, CLIMATE, AND SEASONS. FACE OF THE COUNTRY, MOUNTAINS. RIVERS, AND OTHER WATERS. CANALS AND TURNPIKES. MONUMENTS, AND OTHER RELICS OF INDIANS. FOREST TREES AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS. SOIL AND AGRICULTURE. DOMESTIC AND WILD ANI- MALS. BIRDS AND FISHES. CAVERNS, FOSSILS, AND MINERALS. GOVERNMENT, CONSTITUTION, AND LAWS. MILITARY, STRENGTH. FORTIFICATIONS. RELIGION. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. LITERARY, AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS. COLLEGES, BANKS, INSURANCE COMPANIES. PROGRESSIVE POPULATION. MANUFACTORIES. COM- MERCE, SOCIETIES, AND STATE PRISON.
SITUATION, BOUNDARIES, DIVISIONS, &c.
T HE state of New-Hampshire lies between 42° 41' and 45º 11' of north latitude and between 70° 40' and 72° 28' of longitude west from the royal observatory of Greenwich. Its length from the northern to southern extremity is one hundred and sixty eight miles. Its greatest breadth measured from the entrance of Piscataqua harbour, to the mouth of west River, which falls into Connecticut river, opposite the town of Chesterfield is nine- ty miles.
It is bounded on the south by the state of Massachusetts, from which it is divided by a line, beginning on the sea shore, at a point three miles northward of. the mouth of the river Merrimack ; pursuing a course corresponding to the curvature of that river, at the same distance and ending at a point 3 miles north from Pautuck Falls in the town of Dracut. From this point, the line extends on in a western direction, until it crosses. Connecticut river and ends on its western bank, the distance be- ing fifty miles.
' The line called the due west line, was measured and marked 1741, by Richard Hazen. He was ordered by Gov. Belcher to allow ten degrees for the westerly variation of the needle. This doctrine of the variation was even less imperfectly known at that time than it now is. It is supposed that the variation at that time, and in that place, was not more than eight degrees.
Y
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GENERAL VIEW.
In 1773 each end of the line was accurately examined, by celestial observations, made by Thomas Wright, one of Capt. Holland's company of surveyors ; when the western extremity was found to decline from the eastern, two minutes and fifty- seven seconds of latitude. This was computed to make a dif- ference of 59,870 acres of land, which would have been gained by New Hampshire, if the line had been run with correctness.
From the point where this line strikes Connecticut river, up to the forty-fifth degree of latitude, the western bank of that river is the western boundary of New-Hampshire, and eastern boundary of Vermont.
On its eastern side, New-Hampshire is bounded by the At- lantic ocean, from the first mentioned point, 3 miles northward of the mouth of Merrimack river, along the shore to the middle of the main entrance of Piscataqua harbour ; which distance is computed to be about 18 miles. Thence the boundary line runs up the middle of the river, to its most northerly head, which is a pond situated partly in the town of Wakefield and partly in Shapley, in the county of York. The distance of this pond from the mouth of the harbour is 35 miles N., 20° W. From the head of this pond, according to the royal determination, in 1740, the dividing line was run N. 2º W. until 120 miles were finished from Piscataqua harbour, or until it met with other territories belonging to his majesty. The reason of men- tioning this specific distance, in the decree, was, that 120 miles was the extent of the province of Maine. At that time no oth- er government subject to the British crown lay in that direc- tion. In 1763, the new province of Quebec was erected ; and its southern boundary was a line passing along the high lands, which divide the rivers, that empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence, from those which fall into the sea. By the trea- ty of peace, between America and Britain, in 1783, all the lands southward of that line, reckoning it from the eastward to the northwest head of Connecticut river, and thence parallel to the middle of said river, to the forty-fifth degree of north latitude, were ceded to the United States.
The state is bounded on the north by the British province of Quebec. The northern extremity of this line, is a birch tree, marked N. E. New-Hampshire, 1789. This line extends along the high lands, seventeen miles and 207 rods, to the head of the northwestern branch of Connecticut river; at which ex- tremity is a Fir tree, inscribed N.H. N.W. 1789. Thence the boundary descends to the forty-fifth degree of latitude, by the middle of the northwestern branch of the river. It contains 9,491 square miles or 6,074,240 acres, of which at least 100,000 acres are covered with water.
7
GENERAL VIEW.
The state is divided into six counties, viz. Rockingham, Strafford, Hillsborough, Cheshire, Grafton, and Coos, which see under their respective names.
Air, Climate, & Seasons .- The air of New-Hampshire is gen- erally pure and salubrious;northwest, west and southwest winds are the most prevalent, east winds prevail along the sea coast, in the spring, which are extremely piercing and disagreeable, but not unwholesome. The weather is less variable than in the middle and especially the southern states, and more so than in Canada.
The extremes of cold and heat, according to Fahrenheit's Thermometer, is from 20° below to 100 above O. The medium is from 48° to 50°. The winter commonly commences in its severity about the middle of December. Cattle are shelter- ed from about the 20th November to the 1st of May. There has been frosts in every month in the year, though not in the same season ; and not in a very injurious degree.
Instances of sudden changes in the weather are noticed in the earliest accounts of the country. In 1658, when the apple trees were in blossom,there came on such a sudden and severe cold, that in a fishing boat belonging to Hampton, one man died before it could reach the shore, another was so chilled that he died in a few days, and a third lost his feet. This instance is remark- able. The common time for the apple trees to blossom, is . about the third week in May, but they blossom earlier or later according to the degrees of heat. On the 11th day of May, 1769, and again on May 8, 1804, when the trees were in blos- som an unusual flight of snow covered them, and continued two days, so as to produce sleighing.
In a very warm autumn the earliest apple trees have produc- ed blossoms ; and roses have bloomed in the month of October ; but these appearances are rare.
In the spring, the trees which have been cut down the pre- ceding year, are burned in the new plantations. If the season be dry, the flames have spread in the woods, and a large extent of forest has been on fire at once.
From these numerous fires, arise immense clouds of smoke, mingled with burnt leaves of the trees, which are carried to a great distance by the wind. These clouds meeting with other vapours in the atmosphere, sometimes produce very singular ap- pearances. The darkness of 19th May, 1780, was probably caused by such a combination of vapours. Fires had spread very extensively in the woods, and westerly winds had driven the smoke over the country. It was so thick for several pre- ceding days near the horizon, that the sun disappeared an hour before its sitting, and in the low grounds it was almost suffocat- ing. The morning of the 19th of May was cloudy, with some
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8
GENERAL VIEW.
rain ; and a black cloud appeared in the southwest, from which was heard thunder. The rain water and the surface of riv- ers, was covered with a sooty scum. The remains of a snow drift, which had been clean the preceding day became black, several small birds flew into the houses, and others were found dead abroad from suffocation. About two hours before noon the clouds assumed a brassy appearance ; after which their col- our became a dusky grey ; and at an hour after noon, it was nec- essary to light candles.
At the greatest obscurity the smoke of a chimney was ob- served to rise perpendicular, and then decline to the west. A thick fog which came in from the sea, moved along the hill tops in the same direction.
The extent of this darkness was more than two hundred miles from north to south. To the westward, it extended beyond Albany, and it was observed by a vessel at sea, fifteen leagues eastward of Cape Anne.
The darkness varied its appearance in some places through the afternoon ; but in the maritime towns of New-Hampshire, there was no variation of it ; and the evening presented a com- plete specimen of as total darkness as can be conceived. Be- fore midnight the vapours disappeared, and the next morn- ing there was no appearance of them.
The Aurora-borealis was first noticed in New-Hampshire, December 11th, 1719. The aged people say it is not so com- mon now as formerly. It sometimes appears in the form of a luminous arch extending from east to west, but more common- ly rises from a dark convexity in the north, and flashes upwards towards the zenith. In a calm night, and in the intervals be- tween gentle flaws of wind, an attentive ear, in a retired situa- tion, may perceive it to be accompanied with a sound. This luminous appearance has been observed in all seasons of the year ; in extreme heat and cold and all intermediate degrees. The colour of the streams is sometimes variegated with white, blue, yellow, and red, the lustre of which reflected from the snow, is an appearance highly beautiful and interesting.
Face of the Country, Sea-Coast, & Mountains .- The whole ex- tent of the sea coast, from its southern boundary, to the mouth of Piscataqua harbour, is about 18 miles. The shore is gener- ally a sandy beach, within which are salt marshes, intersected by creeks. There are several coves convenient for fishing ves- sels ; but the only harbour for ships is the entrance of the Pis- cataqua, where the shore is rocky. Some ledges and points of rocks are situated to the southward of the harbour of Rye ; but there is no remarkable head land on the coast. Two bluffs on-
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9
GENERAL VIEW.
ly appear elevated above the level of the sea, which are called great and little Boars heads ; these are in the town of Hampton. For twenty or thirty miles from the sea, the country is either le- vel, or variegated by little hills and vallies. Then commence the first range of mountains continued through the towns of Milton, Farmington, Barrington, Nottingham, and Northwood. The several summits are distinguished by different names, as Ten- eriff, Saddle-back, Tuckaway, &c. Beyond these are several de- tached mountains of considerable elevation, Moose mountain in Brookfield, Mont Major in Alton, Gunstock, Gilmanton mountains, &c. Farther back the mountains rise higher, and among the third range, Chocorcea, Ossipee, and Kearsarge claim the pre-eminence. Beyond these is the lofty ridge which is commonly called the height of land. In this ridge is the grand Monadnock,(see Jaffrey,) Sunapee, and Moosehillock (see Fish- ersfield and Coventry.) This ridge is continued northwesterly, dividing the waters of the river Connecticut, from those of Saco and Amariscoggin. Here the mountains rise much higher, and the most elevated summits in this range, are the White moun- tains, which see.
Rivers, & other waters .- Nature has formed such rela- tions between mountains and rivers, that in describing the one, we are unavoidably led to speak of the other.
New-Hampshire is so situated, that five of the largest rivers in New-England, either take their rise within its limits, or re- ceive much of their waters from its mountains. These are the . Connecticut, Amariscoggin, Saco, Merrimack, and Piscataqua. For a more particular description of these rivers and other wa- ters, see their respective names.
Canals & , Turnpikes .- The Pemigewasset Canal Company, incorporated June 20, 1804, for the purpose of cutting a canal by Webster's falls in said river, near the house of Ebenezer Eastman. Contoocook Canal Company, incorporated Deceni- ber 13, 1804, for the purpose of cutting a canal by the falls in . Concord, and also where said river empties into the Merrimack. The Piscataquog Canal Company,for cutting a canal from Gale's mills, in the town of Weare, to Parker's landing in Bedford, incorporated June 18, 1806. The White River Falls Company, incorporated June 12, 1807, for the purpose of cutting canals and locking the falls on Connecticut river, and making it navi- gable for lumber and boats, from the head of White river falls, between Lebanon and Hartford, at the upper bar, to the foot of the falls at the lower bar. The great Ossipee Canal Company, 2
10
GENERAL VIEW.
incorporated June 19, 1807, for cutting, slipping, and canalling Ossipee river and falls, from Ossipee pond to the province line. Bow Canal Company, incorporated June 11, 1808 ; for the pur- pose of cutting and opening a canal in Merrimack river, and Turkey river falls, in the town of Bow.
The Union Locks and Canal. This company is empowered to clear the Merrimack river from Reed's ferry to Amoskeag falls, and to constitute and maintain such locks and dams as shall be necessary for rendering the same navigable for boats.
The Merrimack Boating Company, incorporated June, 1812. Winnipiseogee River Canal Company, incorporated June, 1812. Hillsborough and Strafford Company, incorporated December 16, 1812. For various others, see rivers, &c.
Turnpikes .- The New-Hampshire turnpike road extends from Piscataqua bridge in Durham, to Merrimack river, in Con- cord. Its course is westerly through Durham, Lee, a corner of Barrington, Nottingham, Northwood, Epsom, Chichester, and thence to Concord .- Was incorporated June, 1796. The second turnpike road in N. H. extends from the lottery bridge in Clare- mont, to the plain in Amherst. Incorporated December 26, 1799. Its course is southerly, from Claremont, through Unity, Lempster, Washington, north corner of Windsor, southwest corner of Hillsborough, northeast corner of Antrim, part of Deering, Francestown, southwest corner of New-Boston, through Mount-Vernon to Amherst, a distance of nearly fifty miles.
The third turnpike road extends from Bellows' falls in Wal- pole, on Connecticut river, through a part of Westmoreland and Surry, thence through Keene, Marlborough, Jaffrey, New- Ipswich, and a corner of Mason, to the south line of the state, near Ashby in Massachusetts, a distance of 45 miles. Incor- porated December 27, 1799.
The fourth turnpike road in N. H. extends from the east bank of Connecticut river in the town of Lebanon, nearly op- posite the mouth of White river. Its course is southeast through Lebanon, Enfield, a corner of Grafton, Springfield, Wil- mot, Andover, and New-Salisbury, to Merrimack river in Bos- cawen, about 40 miles. Incorporated December, 1800. Branch Road and Bridge Company, incorporated June 16, 1802, This road extends from the south line of the town of Fitzwilliam to the village in Keene ; about 14 miles. Its course is northwest, and through Marlborough. The 5th N.H. turnpike road not yet commenced. The 6th N. H. Turnpike and Bridge Company was incorporated June 16, 1802. The bridge is over Connecticut river, between the towns of Hinsdale and Brattleborough.
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GENERAL VIEW.
The road extends from said bridge through Hinsdale and Win- chester to the line of Massachusetts at Warwick. Dover turn- pike road extending from Dover landing, near the bridge, through Somersworth to Salmon-fall river. The company was incorporated December 21, 1803.
The Coos turnpike road leading from Haverhill to Warren ; about 12 miles southeast course-was incorporated December 29, 1803.
Orford turnpike road was incorporated December 27, 1803, and leads from Orford bridge, to Aiken's bridge in Wentworth.
The 10th turnpike road in N. H. extends from the upper line in Bartlett, through the notch in the White hills about 20 miles ; and was incorporated December 28, 1803.
The Charleston turnpike, incorporated December 27, 1803, and extends from the easterly bank of Connecticut river, through the central part of Charleston and Ackworth to the second N.H. turnpike in Lempster ; about 12 miles.
The Mahew turnpike, incorporated December 29, 1803, and extends from a Mr. Burleigh's in New-Chester, to the east side of New-found pond, thence through Plymouth and Rumney to the Coos turnpike ; a distance of about 46 miles.
Chester turnpike, incorporated June 12, 1804 ; extending aboutfourteen miles a southeast course from Pembroke, through Allenstown and Candia to Chester street.
The Londonderry turnpike, incorporated June, 1804, ex- tends from Butter's corner in Concord, to the state line near Andover bridge, Massachusetts. Its course from Concord is about southeast, through Bow to Isle-Hookset bridge, thence through Chester, Londonderry, the easterly corner of Windham and Salem to the state line, a distance of about 35 miles.
Grafton turnpike road extending from near Orford bridge over Connecticut river through Lime, the northeast corner of Hanover, Canaan, the westerly part of Orange, Grafton, Dan- bury, New-Chester ; and unites with the 4th N. H. turnpike in New-Andover in its northwest corner. Its course is south- erly, and distance about 35 miles, and was incorporated June 21, 1804.
The Jefferson turnpike, incorporated December 11th, 1804, extending from the extremity of the 10th N. H. turnpike, through Bretton woods, Jefferson, and Lancaster to the meeting house, in a northerly direction about 18 miles. The Croydon turnpike, incorporated June 21, 1804 ; and extends from or near the branch turnpike, where it intersects the 4th turnpike in Leba- non, thence through or between Plainfield and Enfield, New- Grantham, Croydon, New-Port, and Lempster, until it strikes the 2d turnpike in Washington. Length about 35 miles.
12
GENERAL VIEW.
Cheshire turnpike, incorporated December 13, 1804, and ex- tends from Connecticut river to Charleston meeting-house, in a southerly course through Langdon, a part of Walpole, Al- stead, and Surry to the third N. H. turnpike in Keene. Dis- tance 20 miles.
Ashuelot turnpike, incorporated June 18, 1807, and leads from the turnpike in Winchester through Richmond to Fitzwilliam village in an easterly course about fifteen miles.
Ringe turnpike, incorporated June 12, 1807, and extends from the state line in the southwest corner of New-Ipswich to the Branch turnpike leading from Keene to Boston.
The Cornish turnpike, incorporated December 9, 1808, ex- tends from Cornish bridge and intersects the Croydon turnpike at Newport, distant 11 miles.
The Fitzwilliam Village turnpike, incorporated December 9, 1809, and extends from Fitzwilliam to the state line. The above named turnpike roads are generally completed. A large number more are incorporated, and some of them will soon be passable.
Within the last twenty years, the roads in this state have been much improved, so that communication between the distant parts of it is much facilitated. Much however remains to be done, especially in the northern part of the state. Several canals are in contemplation and will undoubtedly be completed in a few years. One for uniting the wa- ters of the Connecticut with the Merrimack through Sun- apee lake-(see Sunapee lake.) A company is incorporated for cutting a canal from Winnipiseogee lake to Cocheco river at Dover ; this rout has been surveyed and marked. Another for opening a communication from Winnipiseogee lake to Merri- mack river. From the best information I can obtain, we have now open for travel 300 miles of turnpike road, and 300 more will soon be opened.
Monuments, & Relics of Indians .- In describing any country, it is natural to make some inquiry concerning the vestiges of its ancient inhabitants. It is well known, that the original na- tives of this part of the country were not ambitious of perpetu- ating their memory by durable monuments. Their invention was chiefly employed, either in providing for their subsistence, by hunting, fishing, and planting, or guarding against and surpris- ing their enemies. Their houses and canoes were constructed of perishable materials. Their mode of travelling was to take all possible advantage of water carriage, and to shorten distanc- es, by transporting their birch canoes, which were convenient for the purpose, across the necks of land. Their manner of
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