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 27
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bu A Bowen
Drawn and Engraved
VIEW OF PORTSMOUTH FROM THE NAVY YARD.
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feet, supported by 70 framed sec-jenterprizing citizens. There be- tions of piers. Under the long bridge, for 900 feet, the water varies from 45 to 53 feet in depth at low water. The length of the sections supporting the bridge in this place varies from 61 to 72 feet. The draw is 1336 feet from the island, and the water is 21 feet deep at ebb tide. This bridge greatly in- creases and facilitates the travel from Portland and its vicinity to this town and Boston. The public have long felt the need of it; but. owing to the depth of the river and rapidity of the tide, it was thought impracticable. There have been difficulties overcome in erecting this bridge never before attempted in New-England. It was complet- ed in less than six months from its commencement, at the expense of about $32,000 only. The town is also connected with New-Castle by a bridge built in 1821. There are in this town 63 streets, 41 lanes 13 roads, and 3 squares. The streets, though not laid out with much reg- ularity, are pleasant. Portsmouth aqueduct company was incorporat- ed in 1797 ; and commenced its op- erations in 1799. Water of excel- lent quality is brouglit from a foun- tain about 3 miles distant, and conducted into all the principal streets. Portsmouth pier, 340 feet in length, and about 60 feet wide, was incorporated in 1795. Ports- mouth Athenæum was incorporat- ed in 1817; and has a library of about 1600 volumes ; and cabinets of mineralogy and natural history, &c. The institution is rapidly in- creasing in value. The people of this town were at an early period friendly to literature ; and for seven years commencing 1669, paid £50 per annum to Harv. college. Ports- mouth is the centre of a consider- able trade directed by wealthy and
long to this port, 146 vessels, of which 36 are ships, 30 brigs, 8 sloops, 25 schooners, 53 fishing ves- sels. There are 58 wharves. The commerce of Portsmouth is already noticed in p. 30 of this work. The Pascataqua, as it passes this town, is from 1-2 to 3-4 of a mile wide ; and although the current is so swift as to prevent the river from freezing, yet it forms one of the most secure and commodious harbors in the United States, into which ships of any size or burthen may enter with perfect safety. It is protected by nature from the ravages of the N. E. storms, and can very easily be rendered inaccessible to enemies. The harbor is protected by four batteries-Fort Constitution, on Great Island (New-Castle ;) Fort M'Clary opposite, about a mile dis- tant, in Kittery ; Fort Sullivan, on Trefethen island ; and Fort Wash- ington, on Peirce's island. The two latter were manned in the late war, but are now in a state of decay. About one mile below the town, the navigation is rendered some- what difficult by the rapidity of the current ; the main body of the river being forced through a channel only about 45 rods wide. There are in the Harbor a number of islands, the most considerable of which is Great island. The others are Continental island, on which is the Navy-Yard. one of the safest and most conven- ient on the coast ; Badger's island,
· The main entrance to the harbor is on the N. between New-Castle and Kittery ; the other entrance, on the S. of New-Castle, is called Little-Harbor, where the water is shoal, and the bottom sandy. ' At this place, in the spring of 1623, the first settlers of this state, made their landing, and in the same year commenced settlements here and at Dover.
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on which the North America, (they first line of battle ship launched in the western hemisphere) was built during the revolutionary war. Ports- mouth marine society was incor- porated in 1808 ; and has a fund of $2500. The New-Hampshire Ga- zette, Portsmouth Journal and the Christian Herald, are published here. [A particular notice of the different papers, &c. published in this town will be given in the Ap- pendix.] Few towns in New-Eng- land have suffered so much from fires as Portsmouth. In 1781, the house, stable and a large store of Hon. Woodbury Langdon were destroyed, and a large portion of the town must have been laid in ashes, but for a sudden change of wind. Dec. 26, 1802, 102 buildings were burnt. Dec. 24, 1806, 14 build- ings, including St. John's church, were destroyed. But the most ca- lamitous fire broke out Dec.22,1813, when 397 buildings were burnt, of which more than 100 were dwell- ing houses. The ravages extend- ed over about 15 acres. In Sept. 1798, a 'malignant fever prevailed here, and 55 persons died. About 50 also died in this season of dysen- tery. This town has generally been healthy-its air is pleasant and salubrious. In Portsmouth, there exist different religious de- nominations, which we shall en- deavor to arrange according to the time of their appearance. (1.) The first religious society in this town was a small one of Episcopalians, who built a church prior to 1638, and employed Rev. Richard Gibson to preach in it. He remained here till 1642. From this period to 1680, and afterwards to 1732, there exist no authentic records of this church. In 1732, a new church, called Queen's Chapel, now St. John's Church, was erected, and Rev.
Arthur Browne became the first incumbent in 1736. He died in June, 1773, aged 73. Rev. John Cosens Ogden succeeded in 1786 ; removed in 1793; died in 1800. Rev. Joseph Willard succeeded in 1795; resigned in 1806. Rev. Charles Burroughs succeeded Feb. 1, 1810. Number of communicants, 90. - (2.) Of Congregationalists, there are three societies. The 1st congregational church was under the care of Rev. Joshua Moodey, who graduated at Harvard college in 1653; was ordained 1671; died July 4, 1697, aged 65. Rev. Na- thaniel Rogers, who graduated at Harvard college in 1687, was or- dained May 3, 1699; died Oct. 3, 1723, aged 54. Rev. Jabez Fitch, who graduated at Harvard college in 1694, was settled in 1725 ; died Nov. 22, 1746, aged 73. Rev. Sam- uel Langdon, D. D. afterwards Pres- ident of Harvard college, graduated 1740, was ordained Feb. 4, 1747 ; dismissed Oct. 9, 1774. Rev. Jo- seph Buckminster, D. D. who grad- uated at Yale college in 1770, was ordained Jan. 27, 1779; died June 10, 1812, aged 61. Rev. Israel W. Putnam, who graduated at Dart- mouth college in 1809, was ordain- ed March 15, 1815. Number of communicants, 140. The 2d con- gregational church (in the S. parish) was formed about 1715. Rev. John Emerson, who graduated at Har- vard college in 1689, was ordained March 28, 1715; died June 21, 1732, aged 62. Rev. William Shurtleff, who graduated at Harvard college in 1707, was installed Feb. 21, 1733; died May 9, 1747. Rev. Job Strong, who graduated at Yale college in 1747, was ordained June 28, 1749 ; died Sept. 30, 1751, aged 27. Rev. Samuel Haven, D. D. who graduat- ed at Harvard college in 1749, was ordained May 6, 1752 ; died March
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3, 1806, aged 79. Rev. Timothy Alden, now President of Alleghany college in Penn. who graduated at Harvard college in 1794, was or- dained colleague with Dr. Haven, Nov. 20, 1799; dismissed Aug. 11, 1805. Rev. Nathan Parker, who graduated at Harvard college in 1803, was ordained Sept. 14, 1803. Number of communicants, 110. The 3d congregational, or indepen- dent church has had the following pastors ; viz. Rev. Samuel Drowu,, ordained Nov. 2, 1761 ; died Jan. 17, 1770, aged 49. Rev. Joseph Walton, ordained Sept. 22, 1789; died in 1822, aged 80. (3.) The Sandemanians are a small society formed about the year 1764, to which, for many years, Daniel Humphreys, Esq. has statedly min- istered. (4.) There is a Univer- salist society, the doctrines of which were first preached in Portsmouth, in Nov. 1773, by Rev. John Murray of Boston. The society was in- corporated in Aug. 1793; the church was constituted in July, 1805, consisting of 12 members. The ministers have been, Rev. George Richards, ordained in July, 1799; dismissed in April, 1809 - Rev. Hosea Ballou,installed in 1809; removed in 1815-and Rev. Sebas- tian Strecter, who succeeded Mr. Ballou in Aug. 1815. Communi- cants, 44. (5.) The Methodists, who have a church, organized April 27, 1809, have had regular preach- ing since 1808. Communicants, 100. (6.) The Baptists formed a society in 1802; and a church was constituted in March, 1803. Elder Elias Smith officiated here several years.
Among the citizens of Portsmouth distinguished for their talents or public services, we may mention GEORGE VAUGHAN, grandson of Maj. Willianı Vaughan, the intrepid opposer of the arbitrary Cranfield, who was born
April 13, 1676, and in 1715 was appoint- ed lieutenant governor. This office he sustained but a short time, and died in Dec. 1725. His son, WILLIAM VAUGHAN, the original projector of the expedition against Louisbourg, was born at Portsmouth, Sept. 12, 1703 ; ex- hibited much bravery in the siege of that fortress, and died in London in Dec. 1746. JOHN WENTWORTH, the first governor of that name in N. H. was grandson of Wisham Wentworth, who was an elder of the church at Dover in 1662 In cariy life, he commanded a ship, and acquired a fortune by mer- cantile pursuits. Without superior tal- ents, his industry and activity in busi- ness, together with an obliging deport- ment, recommended him to the esteem of the people ; and in 1717, he was ap- pointed lieutenant governor, and after Shute's departure, commander in chief. Hle died Dee. 12, 1730, aged 59. Hc had sixteen children. BENNING WENTWORTH, his son, graduated at Harvard college in 1715 ; was & men- ber of the assembly and council ; went to London on some mercantile business, where he solicited and obtained the commission of governor. He continu- ed in office about 20 years. He was superse ded in 1767, by his nephew, John Wentworth, and died Oct.14, 1770, aged 75. JOHN WENTWORTH, the second, was bred a merchant, possessed annable qualities, and by his enterprize and zual for public improvements, soon became a favorite of the people. Fn- voring the cause of the mother country, on the breaking out of the revolution, he was obliged to retire, and ciubarked for Nova-Scotia, where he was govern- or several years. He was honored with the degree of LL. D. from the universi- ties of Oxford aud Aberdeen, and from Dartmouth college. He was made a baronet before he left N. H. He died at Halifax, April 8, 1820, aged 84. DANIEL RINDGE, Esq. an 'eminent merchant, and member of the provin- cial council, died Jan. 12, 1799, aged 63. Hon. PEIRCE LONG, died in April, 1789 : during the revolution, he coul- manded a regiment-was a member of the old congress, aud frequently in the legislature of the state. Col. GEORGE GAINS, a patriotic revolutionary sol- dier, dled April 25, 1809, aged 73. Dr. JOSHUA BRACKETT, a distinguish- ed physician and founder of the Medical Society, died July 17, 1802, aged 69. Hou. SAMUEL HALLE, a native of
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Newbury,Ms.graduated at Harvard col- lege in 1740; in 1745 commanded a com- pany of provincials at the siege of Louis- bourg ; and afterwards for more than 30 years taught a public school in Ports- mouth. "His fame in the regions of the Pascataqua was equal to that of his cotemporary Lovell,in the metropolis of New-England." He was subsequently a judge of the common pleas, and died July 10, 1807, aged 89. Rev. SAMUEL HAVEN, D. D. was born at Framing- ham, Ms. Aug. 4, 1727; graduated at Harvard college in 1749; settled at Portsmouth in 1752; received the de- gree of D. D. from the University of Edinburgh in 1772 ; and died March 3, ¥806, aged 79. He was an eminently useful man ; seven of his sermons have been printed. Dr. AMMI R. CUT- TER, was born at North-Yarmouth, Me. in March, 1735 ; graduated at Har- vard college in 1752; studied the sci- ence of medicine, and was surgeon of a regiment at the capture of Cape Bre- ton ; was appointed to the charge of the northern medical department in 1777 ; and was a member of the convention which formed the constitution. For 60 years he was an eminent practitioner, and during life a firm supporter of his country. He died Dec. 8, 1820, aged 86. Hon. JOHN PICKERING. LL.D. was a native of Newington ; graduated at Harvard college in 1761 ; and having devoted some time to theological studies, was offered the rectorship of an episco- pal church in England. He declined, and applied himself to the study of the law-in which he became eminent. He was a member of the convention which formed the constitution ; frequently a member of the legislature ; president of the senate in 1789; and governor ex- officio of the state, on the election of Gov. Langdon to the Senate of the U. $. He was appointed chief-justice of the superior court in 1790, and contin- ued in office five years. He was after- wards district judge of the U. S .; and died April 11, 1805, aged 67. Hon. JOHN LANGDON, LL, D, was born at Portsmouth in 1740, His father, who was a respectable farmer, resided about three miles from the compact part of Portsmouth, In the early part of the revolution we find this distinguished patriot boldly asserting our riglits and actively engaged in their defence. Since the attainment of our liberties, he acted equally as conspicuous a part, in vigilantly watching and pro-
tecting them. In 1775, he was a dele- gate from this state to the congress which met at Philadelphia. In 1785, he was chosen president of the state. He was elected to the same office in 1788, and after the adoption of the pres- ent constitution, was governor six years. He ever discharged the duties of the offices to which he was elected faithful .. ly and acceptably. He possessed a good heart, a sound mind, and was re- markably pleasing in his manners. The object of his life was more to do good than to dazzle. Unlike many elevated to office, he remembered that the peo- ple clothed him with authority, and his only study was to serve the people hon- estly and faithfully. He died Sept. 18, 1819, aged 79. Hon. WOODBURY LANGDON, only brother of Gov. L. was a member of the old congress, judge of the superior court several years, and through life a firm patriot and useful citizen. He died in Jan. 1805. Hon. RICHARD EVANS was born at Ports- jinouth, May 13, 1777 ; commenced busi- ness as a merchant ; afterwards studied law ; was elected member of the legis- lature; and in 1809 was appointed judge of the superior court. He died July 18, 1816, aged 39. JONATHAN M. SEW- ALL Esq. counsellor at law, and a re- speetable poet, was born at Salem, Ms. in 1748 ; and died at Portsmouth March 29, 1808. Rev. JOSEPH BUCKMIN- STER, D. D. a native of Rutland, Ms. was graduated at Yale college in 1770 ; was tutor at that institution four years ; settled at Portsmouth in 1779 ; received the degree of D. D. from N. J. college in 1803 ; and died at Reedsborough, Vt. June 10, 1812, aged 61. Dr. B. was a distinguished scholar and eminent di- vine. Many other worthy men might be named, had we not already extend- ed this article to a great length. Ports- mouth contains an area of 9,702 acres ; and is 45 miles from Concord, 55 from Boston-inail-route 64 ; and 58 fromn Portland. Pop. in 1820-7,327.
Powow river, has its principal source in Great and Country ponds in Kingston, and passes over the S. W. part of East-Kingston into South-Hampton ; thence into Ames- bury, where it turns E. into South Hampton again, and returns into Amesbury, falling into the Merri- mack between Salisbury and Ames- bury. There are several falls in
₩₩ 49 49 0
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this river : those in Amesbury be-||prey river, from Deerfield and Can- ing the most remarkable, the wa- ter falling 100 feet in the distance of 50 rods, and presenting, with the variety of machinery and dams, houses and scenery on the falls,one of the most interesting views in the country.
PUBLIC LANDS. The ungrant- ed lands belonging to the state of New-Hampshire, are situated with- in the counties of Grafton and Coos. They consist of a large tract N. of lat. 45° containing about 160,000 acres ; a tract of about 28,000 acres, E. of Stratford ; and large tracts of mountainous territory S. and S. W. of the White Mountains, extending up their summits. Pop. 17.
Q.
QUAMPHEGAN, name of the falls on the Pascataqua, between Somersworth and Berwick.
QUONEHTIQUOT, the ancient spelling of Connecticut, a Mohea ·· kanneew word, and literally signi- fying long river.
QUOCHECHO. See Cocheco.
R.
RAGGED MOUNTAINS, so called from their rough appearance, lie be- tween Andover and New-Chester, extending in a chain about 10 miles from the Pemigewasset to the vi- cinity of Kearsarge. It is a bleak and precipitous range, and is near- ly 2000 feet high, in its N. points.
RAYMOND, post-township, Rock- ingham county, in lat. 43º 2', 55 miles from Boston, 25 from Ports- mouth, 25 from Concord, 13 from Exeter, is bounded N. by Deer- field and Nottingham, E. by Ep- ping and Poplin, S. by Chester, W. and N. W. by Chester and Candia, and contains an area of 16,317 acres. Two branches of the Lam-
dia, unite in Raymond; and the waters of two ponds also fall into this river as it passes through town. The Patuckaway, from Notting- ham, crosses the N. E. corner into Epping. The soil is various : that of the meadows bordering on the river is productive, and considera- ble attention has been recently paid to its cultivation. The high lands are covered with a growtli of oak and forest pines. The public high- ways through this town are good, and constantly improving. In the N. part of the town, about 100 rods from the principal road leading to Deerfield, near the summit of a hill about 100 feet high, is a natural excavation in a ledge, called the Oven, from the appearance of its mouth. It is a regular arch about 5 feet high and of the same width, extending into the hill about 15 feet, and terminating in a number of fis- sures. Many rattlesnakes were formerly found here. Raymond was originally that part of Chester called Charming.fare. In 1762, it was made a distinct parish, and incorporated May 9, 1765, by its present name. The names of 24 of the inhabitants of Raymond are found enrolled among the soldiers of the revolution, beside numbers of the militia engaged for short pe- riods. Four were killed or died in service. Over the congregation- al church, Rev. Jonathan Stickney was ordained 22d Oct. 1800. He was succeeded by Rev. Stephen Bailey in 1817, who continued to preach until 1822. The church is now vacant. Hon. JOHN DUD- LEY, a distinguished patriot of the revolution, member of the comniit- tee of safety, speaker of the House, and judge of the superior court, died here May 21, 1805, aged 80. (For a memoir of his life, see Hist.
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Coll. for 1822, p. 155.) The deaths |in 1777. The second baptist church in this town from April, 1766, to was formed in 1776, and Rev. Isaac Kenny was settled in 1792. There is a large society of friends in this town. Pop. 1400. Dec. 1821, were 514-the greatest number in one year 20, the least 2 -averaging about 9 per annum. Pop. 961.
RED HILL, a noted and beauti- ful eminence situated in Moulton- borough, commanding a varied and enchanting prospect. See Moulton- borough.
RED HILL river, originating in a pond in Sandwich, falls into the Winnepisiogee in Moultonborough.
RICHMOND, a post-township in Cheshire county, in lat. 42º 45', is bounded N. by Swanzey, E. by Fitzwilliam, S. by Royalston and Warwick, Ms. W. by Winchester, containing 23,725 acres. This town is 12 miles from Keene, 70 from Concord, and 72 from Boston. It is watered by branches of Ashuelot and Miller's rivers, which fall into the Connecticut. The ponds are three in number, one of which is one of the sources of Miller's river. The soil here is favorable for yield- ing rye, wheat, Indian corn, and most of the productions found in this section of New-England. The land is generally level. There are no remarkable elevations. There is a small village of 15 or 20 dwel- ling houses ; and there are two meeting-houses, which are near the centre of the town. The Ash- uelot turnpike road passes through Richmond in an E. and W. direc- tion. Richmond was granted Feb. 28, 1752, to Joseph Blanchard and others. It was settled within 5 or 6 years afterwards, by people from Massachusetts and Rhode-Island. The first child born in town was Lemuel Scott-born in 1757. The first baptist church was formed in 1768. Rev. Maturin Ballou was ordained in 1770; died in 1804. Rev. Artemas Aldrich was settled!
RINDGE, a post-township, in Cheshire county, in lat. 42º 45', is 7 miles in length and 5 in breadth, containing 23,838 acres; bound- ed N. by Jaffrey and Sharon, E. by New-Ipswich, S. by Massachu- setts, and W. by Fitzwilliam. It is 20 miles from Keene, 56 from Concord, and 60 from Boston. The soil is very productive, lying on swells of land for the most part in- clining to the S. It was originally covered with a mixture of beech, maple, birch, hemlock, &c. There are 13 ponds, the largest of which are called Manomonack, Emerson, Perley, Long, Grassy, Bullet : the others are of less note. The 3 first discharge their waters into Miller's river in Mass., thence communicat- ing with the Connecticut ; the 3 last discharge themselves into Con- toocook river, and from thence in- to the Merrimack. These ponds abound with fish, and were much frequented by the Indians for pro- curing fur, &c .- There is a small elevation of land in Rindge, from which the waters that issue on one side descend into the. Merrimack, and those on the other side, into the Connecticut. Iron is found here ; also a species of paint near- ly equal to the best quality of spanish brown. A mineral spring has been discovered, but its virtues have not been sufficiently tested to acquire celebrity. The principal village lies on the Rindge turnpike, leading from Boston to Keene, and contains about 20 dwelling houses. The street is nearly straight, and is one fourth of a mile in length. Rindge was originally granted from Massachusetts, and called Rowley
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Canada, or Monadnock No. 1. It||bounded N. E. by the middle of received its present name from one of the proprietors, when it was in- corporated, Aug. 11, 1768. The settlement commenced in 1752, by Jonathan Stanley, George Hewitt and Abel Platts, followed by a num- ber of other families the same year. The first native of Rindge was Samuel Russell. The date of the congregational church is not cer- tainly known. Rev. Seth Deane was ordained over it in 1765, and was dismissed 1780. Rev. Setlı Payson, D. D. was ordained Dec. 4, 1782 ; died Feb. 26, 1820, aged 62. Rev. Amos Wood Burnham, was ordained Nov. 14, 1821. There are small societies of methodists and universalists. Rev. SETH PAY- SON, D. D. is deserving respectful notice. He graduated at Harvard college in 1777. He was held in high estimation not only by the people of his charge, but was uni- Versally acknowledged to be a man of quick perception and powerful talents. In 1809, he received his doctorate of divinity from Dart- mouth college; in 1813, he was elected a trustee of that institution, which office he held till his death. He was several years president of the N. H. bible society and a men- ber of the A. B. C. for foreign mis- sions. Edward Jewett, Esq. is among the oldest and most respect- ed inhabitants of this place. For many years, he sustained several town offices, and was a representa- tive in the legislature. In 1785, he was appointed a justice of the peace, and afterwards a justice throughout the state. At the age of 82, he holds an office in the church, in which he is still able to officiate. Pop. 1300.
ROCHESTER, a post-township in the county of Strafford, is in lat. 43º 17', and in the E. part of the state,
Salmon-fall river, S. E. by Dover and Somersworth, S. W. by Bar- rington and a part of Strafford, and N. W. by Farmington and Milton, which two last mentioned towns were formerly a part of Rochester. It is 10 miles from Dover, 22 from Portsmouth, 40 from Concord. Be- sides Salmon-fall river, which di- vides this town from Berwick and Lebanon, in the state of Maine, the Cocheco river runs the whole length of the town and nearly in the mid- dle, and the Isinglass river crosses the southerly corner of the town just before its junction with Coche- co river, at a place called Blind Will's Neck. Both Salmon-fall and Cocheco rivers afford several val- uable mill seats; on the latter of which, near the centre of the town, stands the principal village, called Norway Plains. It is a place of considerable trade, and the great thoroughfare roads, from the upper towns in the county, to Dover and Portsmouth, pass through this vil- lage. Here are several stores, 1 cotton factory, 1 trip hammer, 2 potteries, besides mills, &e. of every description necessary to the wants of the place ; also one meeting- house, court-house, and about 60 dwelling houses. There is another village about 2 miles S. W. from this, called Squamanagonnick, the Indian name of the falls in the Cocheco at that place. Much of the soil in Rochester is good, af- fording many valuable faims, with a proportion of pine plains which are useful for raising corn, and grain, and some of a cold and inferior quality. The surface is un- even, with several swells, the prin- cipal of which is Squamanagou- nick hill, which constitutes a con- siderable part of several valuable farms. In the W. part of the town,
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