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 17
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the W. line of the town, runs through its centre in an E. direc- tion, and falls into Merrimack riv- er at Piscataquog village in Bed- ford. Large quantities of lumber are annually floated down this riv- erto the Merrimack, and most of the mill privileges are derived from this valuable stream. There are two considerable elevations in the S. W. part of the town, which ob- tained from the Indians the name of Un-can-nu-nuc. Douglass, vol. i. page 453, spells it Oncanouit, but the orthography commonly adop- ted, and which conveys the present pronunciation, is Unconoonock. Excepting these elvations, Goffs- town is less broken by hills than most of the circumjacent towns. On the rivers abovementioned are church was organized, and Rev. David L. Morril, a native of Ep- ping, was ordained March 3. He was dismissed July 10, 1811, and has since been distinguished as a legislator, both in our state govern- ment and the government of the U. S. Rev. Benjamin H. Pitman, from Newport, R. I. was ordained in Oct. 1820. A baptist church was formed in 1820, of which Rev. John B. Gibson was constituted pastor. There are two meeting- houses, one built in 1765; the oth- er in 1815. The last is a handsome edifice, and is furnished with a bell. Goffstown was in former times a favorite resort of the In- dians, who found ample means of support in the abundance of fish in its limits. It was granted by the Masorian proprietors in 1748, to Rev. Thomas Parker, of Dra- cut, and others. The year of its first settlement we have not ascer- tained. It was incorporated June 16, 1761, by the name of Goffs- town, in honor, it is said, of Col. John Goffe, for many years a res- considerable tracts of valuable in- terval. Back from the rivers, com- mence extensive plains, less rich in soil than the intervals, but easy of cultivation, and producing abun- dant crops of Indian corn and rye. From these plains, the land rises on each side of Piscataquog river into large swells, in some parts rocky, but affording excellent graz- ing land and good tillage. The principal forest trees are oak, pine of several sorts, hemlock, beech and maple. A great number of masts for the Eng. navy has been furnished from this place. They are still an article of export, but their stock is nearly exhausted. In this town, there is an extensive cotton factory. There is a public school which has been in opera- tion two years. Three persons have received a collegiate educa- tion, viz. Kilburn Johnson, Charles F. Gove, L. B. and James Shirley. The two last were graduated at Dartmouth college in 1817 and 1818. The late Mr. James Aiken, of this town, bequeathed $4000, ident of Bedford, and the first-
which, on a certain contingency, is to form a permanent fund for sup- porting an academy here. In 1816, a society, called the Religious Union Society, was incorporated for the support of religious instruc- tion. To this society, Hon. Thom- as W. Thompson, deceased, devi- sed about 170 acres of land, to- wards a fund for supporting the gospel ministry in this town. A congregational church was formed in 1771. Rev. Joseph Currier, who graduated at Harvard college in 1765, was the first pastor. He was dismissed in 1774. Rev. Cor- nelius Waters, a graduate of Dart- mouth in 1774, was ordained in 1781 ; dismissed in 1795. In 1802, a presbyterian congregational -
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judge of probate in Hillsborough county. Dr. JONATHAN GOVE, a man distinguished for his urban- ity, his talents and professional skill, resided in this town. He was graduated at Harvard college in 1768, and at the time of his death, was one of the oldest prac- titioners of medicine in the coun- ty. He was many years an active member of the legislature. Pop.
2173. ~
GOSHEN, a post-township, in Cheshire county, in lat. 43º 17', is bounded N. by Newport and Wen- dell, E. by Fishersfield, S. by Washington, and W. by Lempster and Unity, containing 12,023 aeres. It is 42 miles from Concord. Croy- den turnpike passes through Go- shen. From Sunapee mountain, lying in the E. part of this town, spring many small streams, which unite in forming Sugar river. Rand's pond is in the N. E. part of the town. The soil is particularly cal- culated for the production of grass. The natural growth consists of ma- ple, birch, beech, hemlock and spruce, and some oak. From the maple, sugar is manufactured in considerable quantities. The ag- ricultural products in 1800, were 11,000 lbs. of butter, 15,000 lbs. of cheese, 22,000 lbs. of beef, 48,000 lbs. of pork, 8,100 lbs. of flax, and 200 barrels of cider. This town has a library of about 90 volumes. Goshen was formed of territory be- longing to Newport, Wendell, Fish- ersfield, Washington, Lempster and Unity. It was incorporated Dec. 27, 1791. The first settlement was made in that part taken from Wen- dell, about the year 1769, by Capt. Benjamin Rand, William Lang,and Daniel Grindle, whose sufferings and hardships were very great .- The coops of the first settlers were greatly injured, and sometimes en-
tirely destroyed by early frosts. In such cases,they procured grain from Walpole and other places. At a certain time of scarcity,Capt. Rand went to that place after grain, and being detained by a violent snow storm, his family was obliged to live without provision, for six days, during which time Mrs. Rand sus- tained one of his children 5 years old, by the milk from her breast, ha- ving a short time before buried her infant child .- In the spring of 1813 the spotted fever swept off many of the inhabitants. A congregational church was formed in February 1802, consisting of 7 members, and a baptist society was formed Oc- tober 12, 1803, consisting of 12 members, which has increased to 53. Pop. 687.
GOSPORT, one of the isles of Shoals, formerly called Appledore and afterwards Star-island, con- tains about 150 acres. Gosport was early invested with town priv- ileges ; in 1728 paid £16 as its proportion of the province tax of £1000 ; had a meeting-house, and subsequently a fort on its W. point. Its business has now greatly lessen- ed. Rev. John Tucke was settled on this island in 1732 ; died Aug. 12, 1773. A further notice of this island, is contained in that of the Isles of Shoals.
GRAFTON, a township in Grafton county, in lat. 43º 34', is bounded N. E. by Orange,S. E. by Cushing's Gore, separating it from Danbury, S. W. by Springfield, and N. W. by Enfield, containing 21,993 acres, of which 500 are water. It is 36 miles from Concord, and 13 S. E. from Dartmouth College. It is watered by branches of Smith's and Masco- my rivers. Heard's river, a small tributary to Smith's river, waters the S. E. part. There are 5 ponds. The largest, containing from 200 to
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300 acres, is called Grafton pond. Two are named Mud ponds. The surface of Grafton is very hilly, in some parts very mountainous ; and the soil is so rocky as,in many pla- ces, to be unfit for cultivation .- There are, however, some good tracts of land. The Grafton turn- pike, leading from Andover to Or- ford Bridge, passes through the E. part ; and the 4th N. H. turnpike, from Concord to Hanover, through the W. part. On the former is a small village, containing 14 dwel- ling houses, a store, school house, tavern, attorney's office and sever- al mechanic establishments. Graf- ton contains 175 dwelling houses and about 185 families. Since 1807, 136 families have emigrated to the states of New-York, Ohio, and oth- er places. From Sept. 1815, to 1822, there died 72 persons. At the last period there were living 51 persons above 60, 19 above 70, and 4 above 80. In this town, there is a remarkable ledge, called the Pin- nacle, on the S. side of which, the ground rises by a gradual ascent to the summit ; but on the N. side, it falls nearly 150 feet, within the distance of 6 or 8 feet. Clay is found in several places. Isinglass, as it is commonly called, is found in a state of great purity in Glass Hill mountain. It adheres in the form of lamina to rocks of white and yellow quartz. The usual size of these lamina is about 6 inches square, but some have been found much larger. It requires much la- bor to obtain this glass, which, when prepared, is transported to Boston, and from thence exported to England. It is found on the E. side of the mountain, which is 200 feet high. Grafton was granted Aug. 14, 1761,to Ephraim Sherman and others. The first permanent settlement was made in May 1772, 1lbs. of flax, and 450 barrels of ci-
by Capt. Joseph Hoyt, from Poplin. Capt. Alexander Pixley and wife were the second family who settled here. Capt. Jacob Barney, now 48, was the first native of the town. The baptist church in the N. part of the town, was formed in 1785 .- > Rev. Oliver Williams was ordained Sept. 27, 1786 ; died Aug. 15, 1790, aged 39. Rev. Joseph Wheat was installed in Aug. 1801; dismissed in 1815. Rev. Ephraim Crocket, ordained in May, 1816 ; removed Jan. 20, 1817. Rev. Stephen K. Wescott, ordained Oct. 6, 1819. The south church had David Fisher and Uriah Smith for preachers. A freewill baptist church was formed about the year 1817-it has about 40 members. Pop. 1094.
GRANTHAM, a township in Cheshire county, in lat. 43º 13', is bounded N.by Enfield,E. by Spring- field, S. by Croydon, W. by Plain- field, which separates it from Con- necticut river. It contains an area of 24,900 acres. It is 12 miles S. E. from Dartmouth college, and 45 N. W. from Concord. There are 7 or 8 ponds, the largest of which lies in the S. E. part of the town and is called Eastman's pond, and contains nearly 300 acres. Another, lying near the centre of the town, contains nearly 200 acres. Croydon mountain extends through the westerly part of Grantham in a direction from S. W. to N. E. The soil is productive when well cultivated, especially on the W. of the mountain. It seems to be more favorable for wheat than any other species of grain. The mountain affords good pasturage, and the lower land yields grass in abun- dance. The agricultural products in 1820 were, 21,000 lbs. of butter, 30,500 lbs. of cheese, 61,000 lbs. | of beef, 72,000 lbs. of pork, 8,600
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der. The town is well watered, by numerous brooks and rivulets which principally issue from Croy- don mountain. On the E. side of the mountain is a spring supposed to possess medicinal qualities, visited by hundreds of valetudi- narians in the summer season. In the N. W. corner of the town is a bed of paint, which after being clarified, makes a paint similar to spruce yellow, or, by being burnt, is similar to Spanish brown. On the summit of Croydon mountain, is a natural pond, containing about 50 acres. This town was first granted July 11, 1761, but the pro- prietors not fulfilling the conditions of the charter, it was forfeited. In 1767, it was re-granted to Col. William Symmes and 63 others, by the name of Grantham. It was afterwards called New-Grantham, and has, within a few years, been changed, by act of the legislature, to its former name. The inhabi- tants on the W. side of the moun- tain are connected for religious purposes with Meriden parish, in Plainfield, over which Rev. Dana Clayes was ordained July 4, 1821. On the E. side of the town is a so- ciety of methodists. Pop. 1032.
GRANT'S ISLAND, in Connecti- cut river, opposite Lime, contains 24 acres, and was granted to Ben- jamin Grant of Lime, April 5, 1767.
waters pass N. E., through Little Bay, where Oyster river unites with the current which passes into the Pascataqua. Great-Bay, be- tween Sanbornton and Meredith. is an extensive body of water, con- nected with Winnepisiogee lake, and discharging its waters inte Winnepisiogee river. Round and Long Bays are situated between the lake and Great-Bay, and there are two small bays on the river be- low.
GREAT-ISLAND. See N. Castle. GREENFIELD, Lost-township,in Hillsborough county, in lat. 42º 57', is bounded N. by Francestown and Society-Land, E. by Francestown and Lyndeborough, S. by Lyndebo- rough and Temple, W. by Peter- borough and Hancock, containing 16,904 acres. It is 14 miles from Amlierst, 38 from Concord, and 62 from Boston. Contoocook river forms part of the W. boundary, and separates this town from Han- cock. The soil has considerable variety, but is generally fertile. It contains a great variety of forest trees-nearly all the kinds found in the county. The hills afford excellent pasturage ; the valleys and plains are favorable for grain. Hops are raised in great abun- dance. A part of Crotched moun- tain rises from the N. part, and part of Lyndeborough inountain from the S. and E. sections of this town. There are some valuable meadows. In one of them, own- ed by Maj. Whittemore, have been found many Indian relics, from which, it is conjectured that it was a favorite spot of the sons of the forest. There are five ponds ; the largest about one mile in length, and one third ofits length in width. There are several small fertilizing streams. Greenfield has a pleas-
GREAT-BAY, a name appropri- ated to two bodies of water in this state. The largest is that lying E. of New-Market, formed by the united waters of Squamscot, Win- nicot and Lamprey rivers. It is 4 miles wide ; and at some seasons is picturesque as connected with the surrounding scenery. This bay has Newington on the E., Greenland and Stratham on the S., New-Market and Durham W. ; its jant village of about 30 houses-it
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has a social library, containing 200| Rev. Alfred Metcalf. George volumes. The first settlement commenced in 1771, by Capt. Alex- ander Parker, Major A. Whitte- more, Simeon Fletcher and others. It was incorporated June 15, 1791. The name of Greenfield was giv- en to it by Major Whittemore. A congregational church was formed August 13, 1791. Rev. Timothy Clarke, who graduated at Dart- mouth college in 1791, was settled Jan. 1, 1800; dismissed in 1811. Rev. John Walker, who graduated at Dartmouth college in 1808, was ordained Feb. 5, 1812 ; dismissed in 1822. Pop. 974. Brackett, Esq. of this town has given a fund in trust of $5000- 200 dollars of its annual income to be applied to the support of the congregational minister for the time being, and the remainder for missionary purposes. The num- ber of deaths for 30 years is 204 -an average of less than 7 per year. From 1712 to 1753, the baptisms in Greenland were 1092, averaging more than 26 each year, while the deaths during that peri- od were less than 10 per annum. The births for the last 10 years have trebled the number of deaths. Of 204 deceased during 10 years past, 64 lived to the age of 70 and upwards. Rev. SAMUEL M'- CLINTOCK, D. D. who died in the 48th year of his ministry, was born at Medford, Mass. May 1, 1732 ; graduated at the New-Jersey col- lege in 1751 .; ordained in 1756; and died April 27, 1804, aged 72 .- |His father was a native of Ireland. Dr. M'Clintock was a sound di- vine, eminent as a preacher, and distinguished for his attachment to the cause of his country. He serv- ed as chaplain in the army of the revolution. Pop. 634.
GREENLAND, post-town, Rock- ingham county, 43º 2', is situated 5 miles W. S. W. from Ports- mouth, 45 from Concord, 51 from Boston. It is bounded N. by the Great-Bay and Newington, E. by Portsmouth and Rye, S. by North- Hampton, W. by Stratham, and contains 6,335 acres. The soil is remarkably good, and at present in a high state of cultivation. The orchards'and gardens of this town are valuable, and yield annual prof- its to the farmers. Greenland, originally a part of Portsmouth, was incorporated as a distinct town in 1703. Settlements commenced GROTON, a township in Graf- ton county, in lat. 43º44', is boun- ded N, by Rumney, E. by Hebron, S. by Orange and W. by Dorches- ter, containing 16,531 acres. It is 10 miles from Plymouth, 45 miles from Concord and 15 miles from Hanover. The N. partis watered by a branch of Baker's river, and the southerly part has several small streams which fall into Newfound lake. There is but one pond of any consequence lying wholly in this town, and that is situated a- bout a mile N. E. of the meeting house. Groton was granted July early, and in 1705, there were 320 inhabitants. Rev. William Allen, the first minister of Greenland, was ordained July 15, 1707; died Sept. 8, 1760, aged 84. Rev. Sam- uel M'Clintock, D. D. was ordain- ed colleague with Mr. Allen, Nov. 3, 1756; died April 27, 1804, aged 72. Rev. James Armstrong Neal, ordained May 22, 1805, died July 18, 1808, aged 34. Rev. Ephraim Abbot was ordained Oct. 27, 1813; and the church consists of about 40 members. The methodist church in Greenland was formed in 1809, and is under the pastoral care of 8, 1761, to George Abbot and oth-
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ers by the name of Cockermouth. It was re-granted, about five years afterwards, to Col. John Hale and others. The first settlement was commenced in 1770, by James Gould, Capt. Ebenezer Melvin, Jonas Hobart, Phinehas Bennet and Samuel Farley. They endur- ed many hardships during the suc- ceeding winter, having failed in raising their provisions. About the year 1779, a congregational church was formed, and Rev. Sam- uel Perley, who graduated at Har- vard College in 1763, was settled. He was dismissed in 1785. Rev. Thomas Page was ordained in 1790, over a large church collected from this and other towns, and re- mained the pastor until his death, May, 3, 1813. Rev. William Rolfe was settled in 1804. This town was incorporated by the name of Groton, Dec. 7, 1796. Pop. 686.
H.
HALL'S stream, rises in the high- lands which separate this state from the British dominions, and forms the N. W. boundary between New-Hampshire and Lower Cana- da from its source to its junction with the Connecticut at Stewarts- town.
HALE's location, Coos county, is situated W. of Conway, bound- ed S. by Burton, W. and N. by un- granted lands. It consists of 1215 acres, granted Dec. 27, 1771, to Maj. Samuel Hale, of Portsmouth, and contains 20 inhabitants,
lacres, 400 of which are water. Most of the waters descend S. W. into the Merrimack through Spig- got river, which flows from Wash pond near the centre of the town. Angly pond is in the N. E. of the town, the waters of which pass in- to the Powow river. Island pond in the S. W. part of the town, con- tains a valuable farm of 300 acres, the property of Hon. N. Gilman of Exeter. Hampstead is an ill-shaped town,having about 30 angles. The soil is a hard, strong land, favorable to the growth of oak, walnut and elm, with some chesnut, maple, &c. The tract composing this town was, previous to the establishment of the state boundaries in 1741, consider- ed asa part of Haverhill and Ames- bury, and was called Timber-Lane. A part was also called Haverhill District. About 1728, a Mr. Em- erson from Haverhill made a set- tlement in the S. part near a brook, and at that time, it is reported, on- ly one Mr. Ford and two Indians lived in the place. About the same time. a Mr. Heath and a few others moved into the place. The town was granted by Gov. Benning Wentworth, Jan. 19, 1749, and na- med by him after a pleasant village five miles N. of London, Eng. He reserved the island before men- tioned for his own farm. In the early settlement of the town, a dispute arose between Kingston and Hampstead, respecting certain grants made by Amesbury before the state line was run, which was finally settled by Hampstead pay- iug £1000 old tenor, and the grant of Unity to Kingston made by the governor July 13, 1764. About 1750, the meeting-house was erect- ed, and Pev. Henry Truc ordained June 3, 1752 : he died May 22, 1782, after having lived a pious
HAMPSTEAD, post-town, Rock- ingham county in lat. 43º 53', lies partly on the height of land he- tween Merrimack and Pascataqua rivers-bounded N. by Hawke and Sandown. F. by Kingston, S.F .. by Plaistow, 3. by Atkinson, W. by Londonderry, and contains 8,350 and useful life. Rev. John Kelly, -
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was installed Dec. 5, 1792. Dan- iel Little, Esq. was the first magis- trate of Hampstead, and a useful man. Richard Hazzen, Esq. who run the state line, was a man of piety and liberal education. . Col. Jacob Bailey, afterwards one of the first settlers of Newbury, Vt. was an eminent citizen. Hon. John .Calfe was a native of this place, for 29 years a justice of the peace, 25 years on the bench of the court of common pleas, and for 25 years clerk of the House of Representatives. He was a use- ful and a good man. He died Oct. 30, 1808, aged 68. Pop. 751.
HAMPTON, post-town, Rocking- ham county, lies on the sea-coast, in lat. 42º 57', bounded N. E. by North-Hampton, S. E. by the At- lantic, S. W. by Hampton-Falls, N. W. by Hampton-Falls and part of Exeter. Distant 13 miles from Portsmouth, 7 from Exeter, and 50 from Concord. It comprises a sur- face of 8,130 acres ; 1800 of which are salt-marsh, 650 sand banks be- tween the marsh and high water mark of the sea-leaving only 5,680 acres of upland. The land is rather level, gently declining to the sea and marsh, but of good quality. It is well adapted to til- lage and mowing ; but there is not sufficient pasturing for the stock generally kept, and the young cat- tle, &c. are pastured in the neigh- boring towns. Hampton is pleas- antly situated ; many eminences in the town affording romantic views of the ocean, Isles of Shoals, and sea-coast from Cape-Ann to Portsmouth. Its beaches have long been the resort of invalids and par- ties of pleasure-and are little in- ferior to the famous Nahant beach near Boston. Boar's Head is an abrupt eminence extending into the sea, and dividing the beaches
about half-way between the river's mouth and the N. E. corner of the town. On the N. beach, are 26 fish-houses, from which the winter and summer fisheries have been carried on with much success. At one fare the boats frequently land from 20 to 30 tons of cod ; and al- though the fishermen venture to sea in whale boats and wherries to the distance of 4 or 5 leagues, in very cold and boisterous weath- er, it is said no person was ever lost. Great quantities of the win- ter fish are carried frozen into the interior, and to Vermont and Can- ada. Previous to the revolution, and for many years after until tim- ber in the vicinity became scarce, one or more brigs or ships, from 150 to 350 tons burthen, were an- nually built in the ship-yard of the Hon. Christopher Toppan, under his superintendance, and several vessels were owned here engaged in the W. I. trade. Several ves- sels of from 60 to 100 tons have been lately built. Several vessels of this description are now em- ployed from Hampton river as coasters and in the mackerel fish- ing. Two convenient wharves are situated about 1 1-4 miles from the centre of the town. Hampton now affords a good market, and its trade is evidently increasing. The Indian name of this town was Winnicu- met ; it was first settled in 1638, by emigrants from the county of Norfolk, Eng. The first house was erected in 1636, by Nicholas Easton, and was called the bound- house. The town was incorpora- ted in 1638, and then included within its limits what now consti- tutes the towns of North-Hampton, Hampton-Falls, Kensington and Seabrook. In 1638, the first con- gregational church in New-Hamp- shire was established at Exeter.
J Kidder del
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GREAT BOAR'S INTRAD & HAMPTON BRACEI.
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The second church was gathered the care of Eld. John Harriman. this year in Hampton, over which Have officiated the following cler- gymen: Rev. Stephen Bachelor, ordained 1638 ; removed 1641. Rev. Timothy Dalton, ordained 1639; died 1661. Rev.John Wheel- wright, ordained 1647 ; afterwards removed. Rev. Seaborn Cotton, 'born at sea in Aug. 1633, and grad- uated at Harvard college in 1653, was ordained 1660, and died 1686, aged 53. Rev. John Cotton, or- dained 1696, died in 1710, at the age of 57. Rev. Nathaniel Goo- kin, ordained 1710, died in 1734, aged 48. Rev. Ward Cotton, or- dained 1734, was removed in 1765. Rev. Ebenezer Thayer, ordained 1766, died in 1792, aged 58. Rev. Jesse Appleton, D. D. was ordain- edin 1797 ; was elected president of 'Bowdoin college in 1807, and died Nov. 12, 1819. Rev. Josiah Webster was ordained in 1808. Rev. Timothy Dalton, the second minister of the town, gave by deed to the church and town of Hamp- ton, for the support of the gospel ministry, several pieces of land lying in the township. Of this land the towns set off have had their proportion by an amicable adjustment of their claims. Sev- eral years since, through the influ- ence of the Hon. Christopher Top- pan, deceased, this town sold sev- eral pieces of unproductive land in- cluded in the above gift, and ves- ted the proceeds in public securi- ties then worth 3s9 to 5s. on the pound lawful. This fund has been kept by the town; and its income with parsonage rents, exclusive of the parsonage occupied by the set- tled minister, amounts to $450 per annum. The estate appropriated to this purpose is about $12,000. There is a baptist society in Hamp- ton, incorporated in 1817, under land several flourishing towns in the 0
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