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 13
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ly from Sutton, Massachusetts .. ] When they arrived, they found a camp, for many years known by the name of "Mast Camp." - It was erected for the accommoda- tion of a company employed in procuring masts for the royal na- vy. The first settlers found a Mr. Dyke and his family in this camp. Capt. Daniel Putnam, afterwards a respectable inhabitant and many years clerk of the town, had resi- ded here the year previous. Cor- nish was one of the sixteen towns which seceded from New-Hamp- shire, and joined Vermont in 1778. It was in this town, that a conven- tion of delegates from several towns on both sides the river, as- sembled Dec. 9, 1778, and agreed to make the following proposals to N. H., viz. either to agree with them on a dividing line, or to sub- mit the dispute to Congress, or to arbitrators mutually chosen. The proceedings of this town in rela- tion to the controversy with Ver- mont may be seen by referring to Collections Historical and Miscel- laneous, No. 5, for May, 1823. 1 congregational church was formed, and Rev. James Welman was set- tled over it in 1768. He was dis- missed in 1785. Rev. Joseph Row- ell was ordained in Sept. 1800. A baptist church was formed June 24, 1791, and Rev. Ariel Kendrick commenced preaching here in 1801. An episcopalian society was formed in Dec. 1793, by Rev. John C. Ogden. It was incorpo- rated Dec. 24, 1795, by the name of " Trinity Church." Rev. George Leonard has been the rector sever- al years. Pop. 1701.
CORWAY PEAK, or Chocorua, a mountain. See Burton.
COVENTRY, a township in Graf- ton county, in lat. 44º 2', is bound- ed N. by Landaff, E. by Peeling,
S. by Warren, W. by Haverhill, containing 33,290 acres. It is 70 miles from Concord and 100 miles from Portsmouth. This town is watered by branches of Oliverian brook and Wild Amonoosuck riv- ers. In the S. E. part of Coven- try is one of the most considera- ble" elevations in Grafton county. Moosehillock mountain ranks among the highest mountains in N. H. Owl-head mountain lies in the W. part of this town and on the E. boundary of Haverhill. Coventry presents a rough and mountainous aspect, and the soil in several parts is not capable of cultivation. There are however some very productive farms. This town was granted Jan. 31, 1764, to Theophilus Fitch and others, and was settled after the commence- ment of the revolutionary war. In 1790, it contained but 80 souls, and from that time to the present, the increase of population has been very slow. Pop. 315.
CROYDON, a township in Chesh- ire county, situated in lat. 43º 27', is bounded N. by Grantham and Springfield, E. by Springfield and Wendell, S. by Newport, and W. by Cornish. It contains 26,000 ac. ; and is 100 miles from Boston, 44 from Concord. The N. branch of Sugar river waters this town, and there are several streams which is- sue from small ponds and assist in forming this branch of Sugar river. Croydon mountain is of considera- ble elevation, and extends in a N. E. direction through the town from its S. W. extremity. There are 2 small ponds on this mountain. The soil of Croydon is moist and rocky, but it produces excellent grass, be- sides wheat, rye, corn, &c. The agricultural products in 1820, were 22,000 lbs. of butter, 30,000lbs. of cheese, 51,000 lbs. of beef, 75,000
1 0
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lbs. of pork, 4,400 lbs. of flax, and ceived its name from Hon. Tris- 400 barrels of cider. The Croydon tram Dalton, a grantee. It com- prises an area of 16,455 acres, and has 347 inhabitants. turnpike passes through nearly the centre of this town. There is a social library, which contains 190 vols. There has as yet been but one native of the town educated at college. Croydon was granted by charter to Samuel Chase and others May 31, 1763. It was settled in 1766 by inhabitants from Grafton and Sutton, Ms. A congregational church was formed Sept. 9, 1778. Rev. Jacob Haven was ordained June 18, 1788. Pop. 1060.
D.
DALTON, post-township, in Coos county, lat. 44º 22/, is situated on the banks of the Connecticut river, directly below Lancaster, by which and Whitefield it is bounded N. E .; S. by Bethlehem, S. W. by Littleton, N.W. by Lunenburgh, Vt. The great, or Fifteen-Mile Falls, in this river commence in Dalton, and rush tumultuously along the north-west boundary of this town, and of Littleton and DARTMOUTH COLLEGE. Se Gen. View, p. 31, and Hanover. Lyman. The town is also watered by John's river and several large DEAD river, in Coos county, ri- ses in the lands N. of the trast granted to Gilmanton and Atkin- son academies, and after receiving several branches, it falls into the Margallaway river near the S. E. corner of 2d grant to Dart. College. brooks. The western and southern parts of this town are hilly. The land in its natural state was cover- ed with a thick growth of maple, beech, birch, ash, some hemlock and spruce ; and along the borders of John's river the majestic white pine abounds. The soil on the highlands is deep and well adapted to grazing-is generally good and in some parts easy of cultivation, Blake's pond, the only one in town, lies at the S. E. corner. Moses Blake and Walter Bloss were the first settlers of Dalton, and with their families, for a long time the only inhabitants. Coffin Moore was the third settler. Dalton was incorporated Nov. 4, 1784, and re- lits waters are very clear, and on L
DANBURY, a township in the S. part of Grafton county, in lat. 43º 33', is bounded N. by Orange, N. E. by Alexandria, S. E. by New-Ches- ter, S. W. by Wilmot, and N. W. by Cushing's Gore and contains about 19,000 acres. It lies in the form of a diamond. It is 93 miles from Boston and 30 from Concord. This town is generally hilly, al- though there are some intervals. In the N. E. part is a large hill. The eastern section is watered by Smith's river. The Grafton turn- pike passes through the W. ex tremity. The first settlement was made in Nov. 1771, and the first settler is still living. The settle- ments were first made in the E. part of the town and have extended over the whole tract of territory excepting the N. E. Danbury was incorporated June 18, 1795. Pop. 467.
DEERFIELD, post town, Rock- ingham county, lat. 43º 8/, was ori- ginally a part of the township of Nottingham, from which it was dis- annexed and incorporated Jan. 8, 1766. It is bounded N. W.by Epsom N.by Northwood, E.by Nottingham, S. by Raymond and Candia, W. by Allenstown-and contains 28,- 254 acres. Pleasant pond, a beau- tiful body of water, lies partly in this town and partly in Northwood ;
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the margin, especially at the west-[ were taken. While the petition erly end, are large quantities of fine white floor sand. Shingle pond lies at the S. W. part of this town, and affords fish of various kinds. Moulton's pond is situated at the W. part of the town : this pond, although small, is noted on account of its having no visible inlet, and therefore is supposed to be suppli- ed by a subterraneous passage, as the water is always of nearly an equal depth; the outlets of this pond run in opposite directions, one N. into Suncook river in Ep- som, and the other into Lamprey river near the centre of the town. This pond is also remarkable on account of its having been often sounded without discovering any bottom. A branch of Lamprey river passes S. and S. E. through Deerfield. The surface of this town is uneven, the soil durable, and fertile, although hard to culti- vate. The growth of wood is rock- maple, white maple, beech, birch, red oak, pine, hemlock, elm, and various other kinds. The Tucka- way, between Deerfield and Not- tingham, the Saddleback between Deerfield and Northwood, and Fort mountain on the W., are the prin- cipal elevations. In the W. part of this town, on the southerly side of a ridge of rocks which extend 3-4 of a mile, is a natural forma- tion in the rock, for sixty years designated as the " Indian Camp." Its sides are irregular, and the top is covered by a canopy of granite projecting about 14 feet, affording a shelter from the sun and rain. On the E. side of this camp is a natural flight of steps, or stones re- sembling steps, by which persons may easily ascend to the top of the rock. This town was once a place of favorite resort for deer and other animals-great numbers of which
for the town was pending, a Mr. Batchelder killed a deer, and pre- senting it to Gov. Wentworth, ob- tained the act under the name of Deer-field. The town was settled in 1756 and 1758, by John Robert- son, Jacob Smith, Isaac Shepard, Benjamin Batchelder and others. During the Indian wars, the inhabi- tants lived in garrison, but no se- rious mischiefs were experienced. The names of 18 persons from this town who died in the revolution, are preserved. The congregation- al society was formed in Dec. 1772, and Rev. Timothy Upham ordain- ed ; he died Feb. 21, 1811, aged 64. Rev. Nathaniel Wells was ordained July 1, 1812; and his church consists of 82 persons. Rev. Eliphalet Smith, a follower of Whitefield, preached here before the settlement of Mr. Upham, but afterwards removed. The baptists here liave a convenient meeting-" house, but no stated preacher. A freewill baptist church was form- ed May 5, 1799, and consists of about 60 members, but they have no regular preaching. The num- ber of deaths in this town for the last 21 years has been 456, aver- age 22 annually. The greatest mortality was in 1815, when the spotted fever prevailed, and 55 per- sons died; the least, in 1806, '17 and '22-13 only occurring in each of these years. Wid. Sarah God- frey died here Feb. 7, 1821, at the age of 100 years 5 months. Hon. RICHARD JENNESS, respected as a magistrate, representative, sena- tor and judge of the common pleas, died July 4, 1819, aged 73. Jo- SEPH MILLS, an officer in Col. Cilley's regiment during the revo- lution, afterwards a magistrate and representative, died in June, 1809, aged 60. . Pop. 2133.
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DEERING, a post-township in|| Forsaith, Thomas Aiken, William Hillsborough county, in lat. 43º 4', is bounded N. by Hillsborough and Henniker,E. by Weare, S. by Fran- cestown and Society Land, and W. by Antrim, containing 20,057 acres. It is 23 miles S. 57º W. from Con- cord, 23 from Hopkinton, and 66 from Boston. It is diversified with hills and valleys ; is well watered, and its soil is favorable for the sev- eral purposes of agriculture. There are three ponds, Dudley, Pecker's, and Fulton's. Dudley pond near the N. line, is 140 rods long, and 50 wide, and receives part of its wa- ters from a pond in the south part of Henniker. Pecker's, near the centre, is 180 rods long and 65 wide. These ponds are sources of the N. branch of Piscataquog river. Fulton's pond, about half a mile S. S. W. of the outlet of Pecker's pond, is 50 rods long and 20 wide. The 2d N. H. turnpike, and the road from Boston to Amherst, Mont- pelier and Montreal, pass through the S. W. part of this town. Be- sides the enumeration in the coun- ty statistical table, there is an iron factory witlı a trip-hammer, in which hoes are manufactured .- Pot-ashes and bricks are made in a considerable quantity. The agri- cultural products for the market are principally carried to Boston and Salem. There is a social libra- ry containing 140 volumes. There is a cent society, and a number of members belonging to the N. H . bi- ble and missionary societies. Deer- ing was incorporated Jan. 17, 1774. The name was given by Gov. Jolın Wentwortlı, in honor of his wife, whose name before marriage was Frances Dering or Deering. The first permanent settlement was made in 1765, by Alexander Robin- son. Soon after, he was followed by William Mc'Kean, William
Aiken, Francis Grimes and others. The first settlers were from Am- herst, Chester, Londonderry and Newbury. Some of them are still living. A congregational church was formed by Rev.Solomon Moore and Rev.Jona. Barns,in Dec. 1789. Rev. Messrs. Gillet, C. Page, and D. Long, preached here, but neith- er were settled. A second congre- gational church was formed in 1801, over which Rev. William Sleigh was ordained Oct. 22, the same year. He was dismissed in 1807. Rev. Jabez P. Fisher, though not settled, preaches in this place .- Pop. 1415.
DEER ISLANDS, in Connecti- cut river, between Lyman and Barnet, are five in number, and were granted Jan. 16, 1769, to John Hurd of Portsmouth. The largest contains 38 acres.
DIAMOND river, has its principal source in Diamond pond in Stew- artstown. From thence it passes through Dixville, and after receiv- ing several tributaries, falls into the Dead river near its junction with the Margallaway.
DIXVILLE, a township, in Coos county, was granted in 1805 and '10 to the late Col. Timothy Dix, jr. of Boscawen ; and had in the latter Lyear 12 inhabitants. It comprises 31,023 acres, is an uneven town- ship, and bounded N. by the grants to Dartmouth College and Atkinson and Gilmanton Academies, E. by College lands and Wentworth's lo- cation, S. by Millsfield and Ervin's location, W. by Columbia, Cole- brook and Stewartstown. Numer- ous streams meander through this town from the surrounding heights. There were in 1820 but two inhab- itants.
DORCHESTER, a township in Grafton county, in lat. 43º 46', is
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situated on the highlands between| large tracts of vacant land in town. Connecticut and Merrimack rivers, Pop. 584. 12 miles from the former, and 8 from the latter. It is bounded N. by Wentworth, E. by Groton, S. by Dame's Gore, separating it from Canaan, W. by Lime, containing 23,040 acres. It is 23 miles from Haverhill, 50 from Concord, and 90 from Portsmouth. The princi- pal streams are the S. branch of Baker's river, a branch of Masco- my, and Rocky branch. The first rises in Groton, and has a N. course through this town. On the borders of this stream are some narrow tracts of interval. The branch of Mascomy flows from Smart's pond in a S. direction to Canaan, there uniting with the principal stream. There are two considerable ponds, both in the W. part, the largest of which is about 1 mile long, and one fifth of a mile wide. There are two elevations called mountains, one at the N. W. corner ; the oth- er at the S. E. extremity .. The soil in some parts is very fertile ; particularly the intervals on the branch of Baker's river. The high- lands are very uneven, and the greater part rocky. The school districts, of which there are eight, average 25 scholars to each. There are three religious societies, meth- odist, baptist, and congregational- ist. The former has a meeting- house erected in 1800. The bap- tist church and society was formed in 1819. The two first charters of this town were forfeited by the non- fulfilment of the conditions they required. The third was granted May 1, 1772, to 72 persons, and the settlement began about the same time. The first settlers were Ben- jamin Rice and Stephen Murch from Hanover, originally from Con- necticut. The settlement advan- ced slowly, and there are now
DOVER, is one of the principal towns and shire of the county of Strafford, in lat. 43º 124, situated about 10 miles N. W. from Ports- mouth, and lies upon the great road leading through the eastern part of the state of New-Hamp- shire from Boston to Portland. On the E., it is separated from Elliot in Maine by the Pascataqua ; has the town of Somersworth on the N. E. and N., Rochester on the N. W., Barrington on the W. and Madbury on the S. W., running to a point in the S. Its two principal streams are the Cocheco, and Bel- lamy Bank river, more commonly called by the inhabitants Back riv- er. They take a S. E. course through the town, and unite with other waters to form the Paseata- qua. Passing, over this town in any direction, the traveller finds no rugged mountains, nor extensive barren plains, but occasionally as- cends gentle swells of land, from the height of which, the eye meets some delightful object ; a winding stream, a well cultivated farm, or a distant village. In the S. part of the town is a neck of land about 2 miles long and half a mile broad, having Pascataqua on one side, and Back river on the other. Along this neck, till of late, lay the prin- cipal road leading from this town to Portsmouth. From the road on either hand, the land gradually de- scends to the rivers. It commands a very delightful, variegated, and extensive prospect of bays, adja- cent shores, and distant mountains. On this neck, the first settlement of the town was made in 1623, by a company in England, who styled themselves the " company of La- conia." It was their design to plant a colony, and establish a fish-
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ery around the Pascataqua ; for ued Jan. 19, 1792. "The Phoenix," which purpose they sent over with several others Edward and William Hilton, fishmongers, of London. These men commenced their oper- ations on the neck at a place by the Indians called Winichahanat, which they called Northam, and afterwards Dover. For several years, this spot embraced the prin- cipal part of the population of the town ; here was erected the first meeting-house, afterwards surroun- ded with an entrenchment, and flankarts, the remains of which are still visible; here the people of what is now called Somersworth, Durham, Lee, and Madbury, then Dover, assembled to worship, and to transact their public business. In process of time, the business and population of the town began to centre around Cocheco falls, about 4 miles N. W. from the neck. These falls are in the river whose name they bear, and give to the water that .passes over them a sudden descent of 32 1-2 feet .-- Situate at the head of navigation, about 12 miles from the ocean, hav- ing a fertile country on the north, west, and south, they are consider- ed among the most valuable in New-England. Around these falls the present village of Dover is sit- uated. It contains about 100 dwel- ling-houses, 2 meeting-houses, .a court-house, jail, academy, 1 print- ing office, a library, bank, and man- - ufactories of various kinds. The academy is pleasantly situated on the S. bank of the Cocheco, built of brick, and well adapted for the accommodation of two schools. At present it is struggling with the dif- faculties attending a want of funds. The newspapers published in Dov- er have been the " Political Repos- itory & Strafford Recorder," con- menced July 15, 1790; discontin-flat that time, it elected as officers a
from Jan. 23,1792, to Aug. 29, 1795. "The Sun," &c. commenced Sept. 5, 1795, and was succeeded by the The "Strafford Register" in - " New Hampshire Republican," by Chas. W. Cutter, commenced Jan. 8, 1823. The library here belongs to an incorporated society, and con- tains about 350 volumes. The prin- cipal manufactories in this place be- long to a company of gentlemen in- corporated in 1820, and styled the " Dover Cotton Factory Company." Their capital is $500,000. About 3 miles above Cocheco falls, on the same stream, they have a cotton factory, which carries 2,500 spin- dles, employs 86 looms, 120 persons, and produces per week 10,000 yds. sheeting and shirting. At the falls a brick building was erected in 1820 to be used as a rolling and slitting- mill, a nail factory and a machine shop. About 1000 tons of iron are here rolled and slit, and 700 tons manufactured into nails annually. A new factory has just been erect- ed, designed to contain 4,000 spin- dles, 120 or 130 looms, and calcula- ted to produce, when in operation, - 20,000 yards per week. Near this, are six sites for factories or mills, equally as good as those now occli- pied. That these factories, and otl !- ers in contemplation, will exert au important influence on the business and wealth of the town, is confi- dently expected. The friends were established here at an early period, and formerly comprised about one third of the population. The con- gregational society is the most an- cient of any in Dover. The church with which it is united in the sup- port of public worship was organiz- ed in 1638, about 15 years after the first settlement of the town. Accor- ding to the usage of many churches
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pastor, ruling elders and deacons. died March, 1769. Rev. JEREMY BELKNAP, the historian' of New- Hampshire, was ordained colleague with Mr. Cushing Feb. 1767 ; and in 1786, was dismissed, and remov- ed to Boston. Rev. Robert Gray was ordained Feb. 1787; removed May,1805. Rev.Caleb H.Sherman, ordained May, 1807, was dismissed. May, 1812; at which time Rev. Joseph W. Clary was ordained. The methodist society in this town was incorporated in 1819. This town in its early years was greatly frequented by the Indians ; and ex- perienced many sufferings in their repeated attacks upon the inhabit- ants. In 1675, Maj. Waldron by a stratagem secured about 200 In- dians at Dover, who had at times exhibited signs of hostility. Seven or eight of them, who had been guilty of some atrocities, were im- mediately hanged, and the rest sold into slavery. The Indians abroad regarded this act of Waldron as a breach of faith, and swore against him implacable revenge. In 1689, after a lapse of 13 years, they de- termined to execute their project. Previous to the fatal night (27th of June) some hints had been thrown out by the squaws, but they were either misunderstood or disregard- ed ; and the people suffered them to sleep in their garrisons as usual. In the stillness of night the doors of the garrisons were opened, and the Indians, at a concerted signal, rose from their lurking places, and rush- ed upon the defenceless inhabit- ants. Waldron, though 80 years of age, made a gallant defence, but was overwhelmed by the superior numbers of his adversaries, who literally cut him to pieces. In this affair, 23 persons were killed, and 29 made prisoners. Jan. 25, 1691, a young man in the woods near Do- No account is found of ruling eld- ers in the church here later than| 1662. At that time there were three -Nutter, Wentworth and Starbuck. Wentworth preached occasionally, and was ancestor to the several gov- ernors of the name. There being no well defined and efficient gov- ernment, civil or ecclesiastical, a- dopted by those who first settled N. Hampshire. the people of Dover were subject to a variety of trou- bles,-not the least considerable of which originated immediately from the character of their ministers. The first who appeared among them and probably the first who preach- ed the gospel in New-Hampshire, was Mr. Leverich, a worthy puri- tan. He was sent from England by the Lords Say and Brooke, with a promise of support ; but the en- couragement given proving too small, he removed to the south .- Between the period of his removal and 1642, we find as preachers here George Burdet, Hanserd Knollys and Thos. Larkham ; all of whom appear to have been destitute of a moral character. Being relieved of these men, the people were for some time destitute of preaching. In 1642, Daniel Maud, a pious min- ister, was settled, who died in 1655. He was succeeded by Rev. John Reyner, who came from England, and was minister of the church at Plymouth from 1636 till 1654. He continued at Dover until his death, April 3, 1669. His successor was Rev. John Reyner, jun., who grad- wated at Harvard College in 1663 ; was ordained in 1671. Rev. John Pike was his successor, and died in March, 1710. Rev. Nicholas Sever succeeded, but was soon dis- missed on account of an impedi- ment in his speech. Rev. Jonathan Cushing was ordained Sept. 1717 ; ver was fired upon by a party of
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Indians. A body of citizens imme- [ bounded N. by Nelson and Han- diately went in pursuit, and killed or wounded nearly the whole party. This excited a temporary terror a- mong the Indians ; but. July 26th, 1696, they attacked the people re- turning from worship, 3 were killed, several wounded and taken prison- ers. In Aug. 1704, Mark Giles was killed, and the people waylaid on their return from meeting. In 1706, William Pearl and Nathaniel Tib- bets were killed ; and in 1710, Ja- cob Garland met a similar fate. In the spring of 1711, this town was a- gain attacked by the Indians ; and in April, 1712, a Mr. Tuttle was killed. Aug. 29, 1723, the Indians again made their appearance at Do- ver, surprised the house of Joseph Ham, whom they killed, taking 3 of his children into captivity. As the particulars of the Indian attacks upon the inhabitants of this town are faithfully related by Dr. Bel- knap, whose history should be in the hands of every reader, we deem it unnecessary, even had we room, to go into detail. Garrison houses, having narrow windows, port holes, a projecting upper story and walls of solid timbers, are yet standing in Dover quite entire. Pop. about 3000. -
DREWSVILLE, a pleasant village on Connecticut river, in the town of Walpole, containing 30 dwelling houses, 250 inhabitants ; a large cotton factory in successful opera- tion, 3 stores, a school-house, a spa- cious hotel, and a post-office. Fif- teen years since, the place where this neat and pleasant village is sit- uated, contained but a single dwel- ling, surrounded by pines and oaks, and presenting to the eye of the traveller the secluded retreat of a hermit.
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