USA > New Hampshire > A gazetteer of the state of New-Hampshire by John Farmer and Jacob B. Moore ; embellished with an accurate map of the state, and several other engravings by Abel Bowen > Part 12
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COLEBROOK, post-town, Coos county, lat. 44º 51', is bounded N. by Stewartstown, E. by Dixville, S. by Columbia, W. by the Con- necticut river, and contains 25,000
acres. It is watered by the Mo- hawk river and Beaver brook. The soil here is rich, and very gen- erally capable of culture. In- tervals of good quality stretch along the Connecticut, and the up- lands, gentle of ascent, are also fertile. Colebrook was originally granted to Sir George Colebrook and others, and was incorporated Dec. 1, 1790. The people are en- terprizing and happy. Pop. 469. COLD RIVER. See Acworth.
COLLEGE LANDS, in the coun- ty of Coos, consisting of two grants by the state to the trustees of Dart- mouth College. The first was made Feb. 5, 1789, and contains 40,960 acres, situated on the Con- necticut river N. of Stewartstown. The second grant was made June 18, 1807, consisting of 23,040 acres, located N. of the tract granted to George Wentworth. The lands are of considerable value, but as yet have but 33 inhabitants.
COLUMBIA, post-town, in the county of Coos, in lat. 44º 48', lies on the E. bank of Connecti- cut river, 30 miles N. of Lancaster. It has Colebrook on the N.,, Dix- ville and Ervin's Location on the E. and Stratford on the S. The surface of the town is quite une- ven, the mountains of Stratford ly- ing along the S. From these a number of streams descend north- westerly into the Connecticut, yielding an abundance of water for the soil, and furnishing many fine mill seats. There are also sev- eral small ponds in town-on the borders of one, called Lime pond, vast quantities of shells are found, from which a species of lime is made that answers for some uses. The forest trees in Columbia are what may be called hard wood, in distinction from evergreens. . Some spruce, fir and pine, however, are
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found in Columbia, but in no abun-
lis a considerable river, entering dance. The want of the latter is near the W. corner of the town, felt by the inhabitants. This place was granted Dec. 1, 1770, and na- med Cockburne in honor of Sir James Cockburne, of London, a grantee. It was incorporated Dec. 16, 1797 ; and its name altered to Columbia June 19, 1811. This town originally comprised about 32,000 acres. Wales' Location, containing 5822 acres, has since been annexed. Pop. 249.
CONCORD, post-town, in the county of Rockingham, is the seat of the state government. It is pleasantly situated on both sides the river Merrimack, along which spread' some rich intervals. Con- cord is in lat. 43º 12', N. and is bounded N. W. by Canterbury and Boscawen, N. E. by Loudon and Chichester, S. E. by Pembroke and Bow, and S. W. by Hopkinton. It comprises 40,919 acres, of which about 1800 are water. There are 5 ponds in Concord, two on the E. of the Merrimack, and three on the W. The largest is Turkey pond in the S. W. part of the town, containing about 700 acres, the waters of which form the Turkey river, a stream of some importance, passing S. into Bow. Long pond, in the W. part of the town, con- tains about 500 acres, the waters of which pass into the Merrimack be- low Sewall's island. Turtle pond lies E. of Long pond and near the line of Loudon ; it contains about 200 acres, and its waters pass into the Merrimack through the valley E. of the river. The others are Snow pond, N. W. of Turtle pond, and Horse-shoe pond near the meeting-house. The river Sou- cook forms the S. E. boundary of Concord, from Chichester to its junction with the Merrimack below Garven's falls. The Contoocook
and uniting with the Merrimack on the N. W. line, forming at its junction the island celebrated as the spot where Mrs. Duston made a desperate escape from a party of Indians in 1698 .* But the Merri- mack is the principal river in this region, and is not only the orna- ment and beautifier of the land- scape, but the source of health and profit to the inhabitants. It meanders nearly through the cen- tre of the town, enriching the tracts of interval on its borders. The intervals here are of no great width, and the remark is applica- ble, we believe, to the whole val- ley of the Merrimack, which is far inferior in extent and beauty to that of the Connecticut. Soon af- ter entering the town, the river passes over the rapids called Sew- all's falls, below which is situated Sewall's island, thus called from an early proprietor. The current of the river from this island is not rapid, and has no natural obstruc- tions, until it reaches Turkey and Garven's falls at the S. E. extremi- ty. of the town. Locks are here constructed, and the navigation of the river has been open during the boating seasons for several years. The river here is about 100 yards wide, but occasionally the spring and autumn freshes have covered the interval adjoining the principal village, presenting to the eye a body of water of a mile in width. These freshes, though often des- tructive to crops, fences, &c. are of no disadvantage to the soil, on which they deposit a rich sediment. During the greatest freshes, the river has risen nearly 20 feet above the ordinary level, but this is un-
·Sce Boscawen.
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common. There are two bridges ned with a growth of pine. Large thrown across the river in this masses of excellent granite are town : the Federal, or Upper bridge, found in Concord, and the public and Concord, or Lower bridge. At edifices there are erected of this material. Iron ore exists in small these bridges are situated the store-
houses of the Boating Company
on the river. The intercourse with
Boston, opened by way of the ca- nals on the Merrimack, has been of considerable advantage to the coun-
try. The navigation to this town was opened in 1815, and the quan- tity of goods annually brought up has averaged from 1000 to 1500 tons. The freight downward has been more extensive, consisting of the produce of the country, lumber, and other heavy or bulky articles. For the first three years the busi. ness on the river exceeded that for the three last ; but there is a pros- pect that it will hereafter be much increased. The principal village, and the seat of most of the busi- ness of the town, extends along the western bank of the Merrimack nearly two miles from S.E. to N. W. It is very pleasantly situated, and from its convenient situation has become a place of considerable trade. The state-house,* state-pris- on, town-house and meeting-house are situated in this village. There are 170 dwelling-houses, 18 stores, 7 taverns, several mechanic shops, 5 printing-offices, 5 bookstores and 2 binderies. On the E. of the river is another considerable village,very pleasantly situated ; and a village ss also forming in the W.part of the town. The soil of this town pre- sents all the varieties common to this region, and is in some parts fertile. The highlands extending back from the river are very pro- ductive, and were originally cover- ed with oak, chesnut, maple, &c. The plains are alluvial and cover-
quantities, and was formerly wrought by the inhabitants. The
cord, (originally called Penacook,) tract comprising the town of Con- was granted by Massachusetts, Jan. 17, 1725, to Benjamin Stevens, Eb- enezer Eastman and others, and in- cluded seven miles square. In the
commenced, and the tract divided following year settlements were
into lots ; a block house was also erected, to serve for a place of wor-
ship and as a garrison of defence.
In 1728, the S. boundaries of the moved his family into this place. In 1727, Capt. Ebenezer Eastman
town were extended, as an equiva- lent for lands within the limits be-
fore granted to Gov. Endicott, and claimed by heirs of Judge Sewall. The first child born, at Penacook, was Dorcas, a daughter of Edward Abbot, Feb. 15, 1728. Edward, son of the same, and the first male, was
born Dec. 27, 1730. In 1733, the plantation was incorporated by the name of Rumford. From about this period till 1762, a controversy existed between the proprietors of Rumford and Bow, the latter claiming under a grant from New- Hampshire a great portion of the town of Rumford. The question was decided on appeal to the King in Council in 1762 ; and Rumford was incorporated by New-Hamp- shire, June 7, 1765, by the name of Consord. No considerable at- tacks were made by the Indians wandering in this region, until the commencement of the war of 1744. During several years thereafter, the inhabitants were in constant danger and alarm, and lived in gar- risons. On the 7th of Aug. 1746,
"See page 41.
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the Indians killed Jonathan andy shire Statesman," by Luther Roby, Saniuel Bradley, Obadiah Peters, John Bean and John Lufkin; and took several others into captiv- ity. The party were travelling toward Hopkinton. The conflict was obstinate, and a greater number of Indians were killed .* The enemy hovered in the neighborhood du- ring the war ; killed a Mr. Ester- brooks Nov. 10, 1746, and commit- ted various depredations upon the cattle and other property of the in- habitants. Rev. Timothy Walker, the first minister, was settled Nov. 18, 1730 ; and died Sept. 2, 1782, aged 77. Rev. Israel Evans was ordained July 1, 1789 ; dismissed in 1797. Rev. Asa M' Farland, D. D. was ordained March 7, 1798 ; and his church consists of nearly 400 members. An episcopal soci- ty was formed here in 1818 ; and in the same year a baptist church, over which Rev. William Taylor was settled in 1819. There is also a society of friends. The first pa- per established in this town was the " Courier of Now-Hampshire," commenced by George Hough Jan. 6, 1790 ; discontinued Oct. 30,1805. " The Mirror," by Moses Davis, was commenced in 1792 ; discon- tinued in 1799. Elijah Russell es- tablished the " Republican Ga- zette," Feb. 5, 1801, and discontin- ued it in 1802. The "Concord Ga- zette," by Hoit & Tuttle, commen- ced July 6, 1806, and discontinued in 1819. The "New-Hampshire Pat- riot," by Isaac Hill, commenced Oct. 18, 1808. The " Concord Ob- server," since altered to " New- Hampshire Repository," was estab- lished by George Hough, Jan. 1, 1819 ; and transferred to John W. Shepard, the present publisher, April 1, 1822. The " New-Hamp-
commenced Jan. 6, 1823. A Liter- ary Journal, conducted by the au- thors of this Gazetteer, was com- menced in 1822, and is still publish- ed by J. B. Moore. This town has generally enjoyed an unusual ex- emption from disease. For the last 31 years, the deaths have been 845, averaging about 27 per annum. Of these about one 12th part have liv- ed to the age of 80 years and up- wards-several to nearly 100. Ep- idemics have scarcely ever pre- vailed here. The small pox ap- peared in 1775, but was checked by timely precaution. In 1812, 13, 16 and 17, the spotted fever made its appearance, and a number fell its victims. Among the early inhab- itants and distinguished citizens of this town, we may mention the Rev. TIMOTHY WALKER, the first minister. He was a native of Woburn, Ms., graduated at Har- vard College in 1725. During 52 years, which he spent in the minis- try here, his labors were abundant- ly successful. Hon. TIMOTHY WALKER, son of the preceding, was born in 1737; graduated at Harvard in 1756 ; was entrusted with various civil offices by his townsmen, and in 1776 was one of the committee of safety for the state. He commanded a regiment of minute men in New-Hampshire -was afterwards paymaster of the state forces, and served a cam- paign under Gen. Sullivan. He was a member of the convention which formed our constitution in 1784-was afterwards several years a legislator ; and for some time sustained the office of cliief-justice of the common pleas. He died May 5, 1822, aged 85. BENJA- MIN ROLFE, Esq. an early and distinguished settler, died March 20, 1772. Dr. EZRA CARTER, the
*See History of Concord, published by Jacob B. Moore.
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first physician, and a person uni- versally esteemed, died Sept. 17, 1767, aged 48. Dr. PHILIP CAR- RIGAIN, an eminent physician and valuable citizen, died in 1806. Deacon JOHN KIMBALL, esteem- ed for a life of unobtrusive useful- ness and piety, died Dec. 31, 1817, aged 78. Hon. THOMAS W. THOMPSON, a distinguished inhab- itant, died Oct. 1, 1821, aged 57. Numerous other individuals, belov- ed for services to the community, might be mentioned, had we room in this brief sketch. The celebrated BENJAMIN THOMPSON, (known to the world as Count Rumford,) was a native of Woburn, Ms. and settled here in early life. In 1775, he went to England, was employ- ed as clerk in the office of an Eng- lish nobleman, who eventually pro- cured for him a colonel's commis- sion. He served in the British ar- mies until 1784, when his philo- sophical inquiries having attracted attention in foreign countries, he was promoted to the rank of lieu- tenant-general of horse, in the ser- vice of the Duke of Bavaria. Here he distinguished himself in intro- ducing discipline and economy among the troops ; and during his residence in Bavaria made success- ful efforts in the public service, and particularly in ameliorating the condition of the poor. On leaving the German service, the Duke cre- ated him a count, taking his title from the name of the town where he had spent most of his youth. Count Rumford afterwards visited England, where he received the honors of knighthood, and enjoyed the favor of the public. He died in France in 1814, at the age of 60 years. More particular notices of Count Rumford and others may be found in the History of Concord, before referred to. This town has length and 120 in depth. The oth-
.
for many years been the seat of the state government. Terms of the superior court, courts of sessions and probate courts are now to be holden at this place. Concord is 62 miles from Boston, 45 from Ports- mouth, 40 from Dover, 70 from Ha- verhill,55 from Keene, and 505 from Washington City. Pop. 2838.
CONCORD, a post town in Graf- ton county, in lat. 44º 12', is boun- ded N. by Littleton and Bethlehem, E. by Franconia, S. by Landaff, and W. by Lyman, containing 29,130 acres. Its S. W. angle terminates at Bath. It is 20 miles from Ha- verhill, 28 from Lancaster, and 90 from Concord, the seat of govern- ment. It is watered by Amnonoo- suck river, running through the whole extent of the town, and by several smaller streams. Across the Amonoosuck, the town sup- ports three bridges. There are several ponds, the most noted of which is called Mink pond, lying in the S. part of the town, affording mill seats at its outlet. The soil admits of three divisions, the mead- ows or intervals on Amonoosuck river, which are generally very productive ; the plain land of a light, thin soil, requiring consider- able manure or plaister to make it productive ; and the uplands of a strong deep soil, which afford many good farms. Blueberry mountain is the principal elevation. This town for several years increased greatly in population, having from 1800 to 1810, nearly doubled its numbers. The Franconia iron fac- tory lies near the eastern border of this town. All the ore which sup- plies the furnace is dug from a quarry in the S.E. part of the town, about 4 miles from the furnace. Two veins of ore have been open- ed, one of which is 300 feet in
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er lies in horizontal strata, 50 feet|jon the western border of N. H., of which are under an arched roof of stone, affording a convenient shelter for the miners against the inclemency of the weather. Large quantities of limestone are found here-lime-kilns have been erected, in which are burnt 500 hogsheads of lime annually. Maple sugar is manufactured and clover seed is raised in considerable quantities. This town was first granted Aug. 6, 1763, to Joseph Burt and others by the name of Concord. Afterwards it was granted to Leonard Whiting and others, Nov. 20, 1768, by the name of Gunthwaite, which name it retained several years. It after- wards assumed the name of Con- cord. There is a freewill baptist society, over which Elder Joshua Quimby was ordained in Sept.1800, and a methodist society under the pastoral care of Ozias Savage.
· CONNECTICUT, lake, the source of one of the principal branches of Connecticut river, is situated N. of the 1st grant to Dartmouth Col- lege, in lat. 45° 2' ; and is 5 1-2 miles in length, and 2 1-2 in width. It is supplied by several small streams, rising in the highlands north of the lake.
and its western shore forms tlie boundary between this state and Vermont. The different directions of this river and the towns which border it in these states, may be seen by referring to the map. The breadth of the Connecticut, when it first washes Vermont is about 150 feet ; and in the course of six- ty miles, it increases to about 390 feet. In Massachusetts and Con- necticut, the breadth may be esti- mated from 450 to 1050 feet. The depth of the channel of the river below the head of boat navigation, may be generally stated to vary from 5 to 12 feet. This river is navigable for vessels drawing ten feet water, 36 miles to Middle- town ; for small sloops 50 miles to Hartford ; and by means of canals and other improvements, it has been rendered passable for boats to the Fifteen Mile falls, 250 miles further. There are many rapids in the Connecticut. Those of Bellows Falls in Walpole are the most distinguished, for a descrip- tion of which see Bellows Falls. The falls of Queechy just below the mouth of the river Waterquee- chy from the west ; the White River falls, a little below the vil- lage of Hanover ; and the Fifteen Mile Falls, the foot of which is near the head of boat navigation, are the other most considerable rapids in this state. In its course through Massachusetts, are falls at Mon- tague and at South Hadley, and in the state of Connecticut, are En- field falls. The perpendicular height of the falls which have been overcome by dams and locks be- tween Springfield in Mass., and Hanover in N. H., a distance of 130 miles, is about 200 feet. Bars of gravel and sand extend across
CONNECTICUT, river, one of the finest streams in New-England, has two principal branches, both hav- ing their origin in New-Hampshire and the mountainous tracts on the north. The head of the N. W. branch is near the extreme north- ern limit of this state. This branch originates from a chain of moun- tains which proceeds northeaster- ly to the gulf of St. Lawrence. Between its source and 45° of N. lat., it is the boundary between New-Hampshire and Lower Cana- da, and in that distance is joined by the N. E. branch. The Con- necticut extends about 170 miles this river in various places, over
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which, boats with difficulty pass in lin, Peterborough, Sharon, Nelson, low water. Upon one of those gravel bars between the towns of Deerfield and Montague, it is even fordable during that period. In this state, Connecticut river re- ceives as tributary streams, Upper Amonoosuck, Lower Amonoosuck, Israel's, John's, Mascomy, Sugar, Cold, and Ashuelot rivers. From Vermont, beginning at the north boundary, it receives Nulhegan, Pasumpsick, Wells, Wait's, Om- pomponoosuck, White, Waterquee- chy, Black, William's, Sexton's, and West rivers. There are from 20 to 30 bridges over the Connec. ticut between its source and its mouth, of which there are 16 in this state. The intervals are gen- erally spread upon one or both sides of this river, nearly on a lev- el with its banks, and extending from half a mile to five miles in breadth ; but its borders are in some places high, rocky, and pre- cipitous. With respect to its length, utility, and beauty, this is beyond all comparison, the finest river in the eastern states, and forms, indeed, a distinguished fea- ture of the country. In the spring, it overflows its banks, and through an extent of 300 miles, forms and fertilizes a vast tract of rich mead- ow. While it advances the fertil- ity, and serves to transport the produce, it is always adding beauty and grandeur to the prospect, by its majestic movement through an extensive country, variegated with pleasant and happy villages.
Stoddard, Washington, Antrim, Deering and Hillsborough. In Hillsborough it takes a N. E. and easterly direction, and proceeds through Henniker to Hopkinton, where it receives Warner -and Blackwater rivers. From Hopkin- ton, it pursues a meandering course through Concord, and discharges itself into the Merrimack between Concord and Boscawen. Near the mouth of this river is Duston's isl- and, celebrated as the spot where Mrs. Duston destroyed several In- dians in 1698.
CONWAY, post-town, Strafford county, situated on Saco river, in lat. 43º 57', bounded N. by Chat- ham and Bartlett, W. by Hale's location and Burton, S. by Eaton and E. by the State line, which separates it from Brownfield and Fryeburgh, Me .--- is six miles square,-contains 23,040 acres, and is 72 miles from Concord, 75 from Portsmouth, 118 from Boston and 52 from Portland. Swift river, a considerable and very rapid stream, Pequawkett river, and a stream ta- king its rise in Walker's pond, the two last affording mill privileges, discharge themselves into Saco riv- er in this town. Saco river here is from 10 to 12 rods wide and about 2 feet deep; its current rapid and broken by falls. This river has been known to rise 27 and even 30 feet in the course of 24 hours. At such times, it does great injury by destroying fences and cattle, which happen to be exposed to its fury. The largest collections of wa- ter in Conway are a part of Walker's pond, and Little Pequawkett pond, which lie in the south part of the town. The latter is about 360 rods in circumference. Pine, Rattle- snake, and Green hills, are consid-
CONTOOCOOK river, a stream of considerable length and impor- tance, waters most of the towns in the W. part of the county of Hills- borough. It has its origin from several ponds in Jaffrey and Rindge, and in its course north, re- ceives numerous streams from Dub-Ilerable elevations on the north-east-
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ern side of the river. There is anDaniel Foster obtained a grant of detached block of granite on the this township on condition that each grantee should pay a rent of one ear of Indian corn annually for the space of ten years if de- manded. The first proprietors' meeting was holden in Chester, Dec. 10, 1765. Thomas Merrill, who was also the first justice of the peace, was chosen town and proprietors' clerk, which office he held 20 years. Ten of the origin- al shares were re-granted in 1772. Three locations on the southern ex- tremity of the town containing 2000 acres each were annexed in 1800. Pop. 1365. southern side of Pine hill-the largest perhaps in the state. A spring near the centre of the town on the bank of Cold brook, strong- ly impregnated with sulphur, has been visited frequently by the in- firm, and in many instances found beneficial. There are also in this town large quantities of magnesia and fuller's earth. The soil may be divided into interval, plain, and upland. The interval along the river is from 50 to 220 rods wide, and was originally covered with white pine and sugar maple. The plain, when properly cultivated. produces large crops of corn and rye. The upland is rocky and re- quires much labor to subdue it properly. The natural growth was oak, beech, and maple. The "Conway and Bartlett library" was incorporated in 1802, and con- tains 175 volumes. The congre- gational church was formed Oct. 28, 1778, by Timothy Walker, Abi- el Lovejoy, Thomas Russell and Richard Eastman. Rev. Nathan- iel Porter, D. D. was settled Oct. 28, 1778, and dismissed by the church in 1815. The baptist church was formed Aug. 26, 1796. Richard R. Smith was ordained Oct. 20, 1796 ; dismissed Sept. 5, 1799. Roswell Means settled Sept. 1799; dismissed June 6, 1807. Samuel Simmons hired Dec. 7, 1807; continued till Jan. 28, 1811. Elder Ebenezer Bray moved to Conway and took the pastoral care of this church in April 1813. The present number of members is 55. There is also a society of metho- dists. James and Benjamin Os- good, John Dolloff, Ebenezer Bur- bank, and some others, formed set- tlements in Conway during the years 1764, 5 and 6. Oct. 1, 1765,
CORNISH, a post-township in the N. part of Cheshire county,lat. 43º 28', is bounded N. by Plain- field, E. by Croydon, S. by Clare- mont, and W. by Windsor, Vt. containing 23,160 acres. It is 17 miles from Charlestown, 50 from Concord and 108 from Boston. Connecticut river waters the W. part of this town, and by means of a bridge, connects Cornish with Windsor. The soil is generally fertile. The town is hilly with the exception of that part which lies on the river. Blow-me-down and Briant's brooks are the only streams of any magnitude-these afford a few good mill privileges. The ag- ricultural products in 1820, were 28,000 lbs. of butter, 65,000 lbs. of cheese, 122,000 lbs. of beef, 155,- 000 lbs. of pork, 8,300 lbs. of flax and 1056 barrels of cider. Cor- nish was granted June 21, 1763, to Rev. Samuel McClintock, of Green- land, and 69 others. The first meeting of the proprietors was holden at Greenland August 15, of the same year. The first meet- ing of the freeholders and other in- habitants was holden at Cornish, March 10, 1767. The town was settled in 1765, by emigrants chief-
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