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 29

Author: Farmer, John, 1789-1838. cn; Moore, Jacob Bailey, 1797-1853. cn
Publication date: 1823
Publisher: Concord : J. B. Moore
Number of Pages: 318


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 29


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34


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SALISBURY, a post-town, in Hills- borough county, in lat. 43º 23', is


of Pemigewasset and Merrimack rivers, 15 miles N. of Concord and 78 from Boston. It is bounded N. by Andover, E. by the rivers just mentioned, separating it from San- bornton and Northfield, S. by Bos- cawen, and W. by Warner, being 9 miles from E. to W. and 4 miles from N. to S., and containing 28,600 acres. The Pemigewasser waters the E. part, and unites with the Winnepisiogee, forming the Merrimack. Boat navigation ter- minates a short distance above the junction of these rivers. When a few obstructions are removed, and one or two locks erected on the Merrimack above Concord, com- munication by water, through the Middlesex canal, will be rendered safe and easy from Boston to the E. village in this town. Black- water river passes through the W. part of Salisbury. (See Black- water river.) There are 5 bridges across this stream in this town. The 4th N. H. turnpike passes from N. W. to S. E. and is incorpora- ted for the term of 40 years. The forest trees on the rivers are pitch, Norway, and white pine, white, black and yellow oak. The most valuable trees have been cut for building and for ship timber. The hilly lands were originally covered with a heavy growth of sugar ma- ple, white maple, beech, birch, elm, ash and red oak-the valleys were interspersed with evergreens. The soil of the upland is strong, deep and loamy ; producing Indian corn oats, peas, beans, flax, rye, &c. The hilly land affords some fine tracts for tillage, but chiefly abounds in excellent pasturage. The valleys produce grass. On Blackwater riv- er, there is some very fertile inter- val, which united with the adjacent "hilly land, composes several very


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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.


Wentworth, Oct. 25, 1763, and comprised 6 miles square. On the 5th Sept. 1764, upon the represen- tation of the grantees that the N. and W. sides thereof were "so loaded with inaccessible mountains and shelves of rocks as to be un- inhabitable"-an additional grant was made of territory on the E. and S., called Sandwich Addition. The Sandwich mountains are a lofty range extending N. E. and terminating in Chocorua Peak in Burton. Squam mountain, extend- ing from Holderness through a cor- ner of Campton into Sandwich, is of considerable height. There are other considerable mountains. The Bearcamp river, its branches rising in the mountains N. and W., pas- ses E. into Tamworth. The W. branch passes through Bearcamp pond. There is another pond not far distant from this, from which is- sues Red Hill river, passing S. into the Winnepisiogee lake. A small stream passes W. into the Pemige- wasset river. About one fourth of Squam lake lies in the S. W. cor- ner of Sandwich; and taken in connection with the surrounding mountains, affords many fine views. Here is an oil mill, several saw and grain mills, besides other machine- ry. A congregational church was established here some years since ; but no minister was ever settled. There are respectable societies of methodists, freewill baptists and friends ; and people of other de. nominations. Hon. DANIEL BEE- DE, for a number of years, repre- sentative to the general court, a justice of the quorum and a judge of the court of common pleas, re- sided in this town, and was a useful and respected character. Pop.


2368.


SAWYER's Location. See Nash and Sawyer's Location.


SCNOOGAWNOCK, the Indian name of Israel's river.


SEABROOK, a township, in Rock- ingham county, lat. 42º 53/, is situ- ated at the S. E. corner of the state, 17 miles S. S. W. of Portsmouth, and 7 N. of Newburyport, bounded N. by Hampton-Falls, E. by the Atlantic, S. by Massachusetts, W. by South-Hampton and Kensing- ton. It was formerly a part of Hampton-Falls, and was granted June 3, 1768 to Jonathan Weare, Richard Smith, John Moulton, Eben- ezer Knowlton, Winthrop Gove, Henry Robie, Elisha Brown, Benja- min Leavitt, Isaac Brown and others. Settlements commenced here in 1638, by Christopher Hussey, Jo- seph Dow, and Thomas Philbrick. The place on which the latter set- tled, has continued in the immedi- ate possession of his descendants unto the 6th generation, who still possess the same. The rivers are Black river,. Brown's river and Walton's river. Many of the rivu- lets abound with bog ore. of iron. The public buildings are a town house and 3 houses of public wor- ship, one for presbyterians, one for methodists, and one for friends. This town derives its name from the number of rivers and riv- ulets meandering through it. A society of friends was formed here in 1701. A presbyterian society was formed in 1764; and Rev, Samuel Perley ordained in 1765 ; removed in 1775. Rev. Elias Hull, settled in 1799,died February, 1822, aged 44. A methodist society was formed in 1820. There is a social library, consisting of 200 vol- umes. There has been some re- markable instances of longevity. Mrs. Comfort Collins lived to the age of 105; Phebe Dow to 101 ; and several others to 90 and upwards. The average number of deaths an-


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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.


nually, is about 14. In 1737, the, angina maligna prevailed and des- troyed many of its inhabitants. Whale-boat building is the most important manufacture, and is car- ried on to a greater extent than in any other town in N.England. The larger part of the male inhabitants are mechanics and seamen, the lat- ter of which are about 120. Perhaps no town in the state is better sitnated for carrying on the Bay and Labra- dor fisheries than this. Pop. 885.


SHARON, a small township in the W. part of Hillsborough coun- ty, is bounded N. by Peterborough, E. by Temple, S. by New-Ipswich and Rindge, and W. by Jaffrey, containing about 10,000 acres. It is 18 miles from Amherst, and 48 from Concord. The streams in Sharon are small branches of Con- toocook river, and rise near the S. E. corner of the town. They are sufficient to supply a grist mill with water only a part of the year. Boundary mountain lies on . the line between this town and Temple, and has an elevation of 200 feet above the surrounding country. The roads here are of little notoriety and travel, except the 3d N. H. turnpike, which passes through the S. W. extremity of the towr. Sharon was incorpora- *ed June 24, 1791. It has no reg- ularly organized religious society ; has no meeting-house, nor has ever had a settled minister. Pop. 400.


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SHELBURNE, township, Coos county, in lat. 44º 21', is bounded N. by Success and Maynosborough, E. by Maine, S. by unlocated lands, and W. by Durand, comprising an area of 45,140 acres. Ameriscog- gin river passes through the centre of this town, into which fall the waters of Rattle river and some smaller streams. The soil on each bank of the river is very good, pro-


ducing in abundance grain and grass ; but as we rise from the riv- er, the tracts are mountainous and unfit for cultivation. Mount Mo- riah, an elevated peak of the White Mountains, lies in the S. part of Shelburne. Moses' Rock, so called from the first man known to have ascended it (Moses Ingalls) is on the S. side of the river near the centre of the town. It is about 60 feet high and 90 long, very smooth, and rising in an angle of. nearly 50°. In 1775,David and Ben- jamin Ingalls commenced a settle- ment at Shelburne, and not long af- ter, several families were added. In August, 1781, a party of Indiaus visited this town, killed one man, made another prisoner, plundered the houses, and returned to Canada in savage triumph. This town was incorporated Dec. 13, 1820. There are three small societies. one of congregationalists, one of baptists and one of methodists : but no regular preacher. Pop. 205. SHOALS. See Isles of Shoals.


SIMs' stream rises in the moun- tains in Columbia from several ponds and springs, and falls into the Connecticut river near the N. W. extremity of the town.


SMITH'S river, in Grafton coun- ty,rises from several ponds in Graf- ton and Orange, and after pursuing a winding, but generally an E. course, of from 12 to 18 miles. through Danbury and Alexandria, falls into the Pemigewasset be- tween Bristol and New-Chester.


SOCIETY-LAND, a small town- ship in Hillsborough co., is bound- ed N. by Deering, E. by Frances- town, S. by Greenfield, and W. by Hancock and Antrim, from which it is separated by Contoocook riv- er. It contains 3.300 acres. It is 17 miles from Amherst and 33 from Concord. The land is generally


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NEW HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.


first justice of the peace and the||river are 8 bridges. first physician in town. Capt. Matthew Pettengill was a useful and respected citizen. Pop. 2000.


SALMON FALL, a river .- See Pascataqua. In this river, between Rochester and Lebanon, Me. is a fall, which, from its singularity, de- serves notice. The river is confin- ed between two rocks, about 25 feet high, the breadth at the top of the bank not more than 3 rods. It is cal- led the flume, and is about 4 rods in length, its breadth varying from 2 1-2 feet to less than 1 foot ; but here the water has a subterraneous pas- sage. In the rocks are many cavi- ties from 1 to 7 feet in diameter, mostly cylindrical, and from 1 to 4 feet in depth.


SANBORNTON, post-township, co. of Strafford, in lat. 43º 31/, is situat- ed on the peninsula formed by Great and Little bays and Winnepisiogee river on the E. and S., and the Pemigewasset on the W. These two rivers unite at the S. W. cor- ner of the town, and form the Mer- rimack. Sanbornton has New- Hampton and Meredith on the N., Gilmanton E. and S. E., North- field S., a part of Salisbury, Ando- ver, and part of New-Chester on the W .; and is 20 miles from Concord, 60 from Portsmouth, 9 from Gilford. The bays and rivers encircling this town measure nearly 30 miles, and the bay between Sanbornton and Meredith is three miles in width. There are no rivers or ponds of mag- nitude in this town, though it is al- most surrounded by water. Salmon brook pond, in the N. part, and a brook of the same name its outlet, . are the only ones worth mentioning. This brook passes through the N. W. part of the town, and affords several mill-sites. There are also excellent mill privileges on the Winepisiogee river. Over thisllen and others. It was incorporated


presents an uneven surface, but contains no considerable mountains with the exception of Salmon brook mountains in the N. part of the town. The highest hills, with one or two exceptions, admit of cultiva- tion. The soil is almost universally good, and well rewards the labor of patient industry. There is a gulf in this town extending nearly a mile through very hard rocky ground, 38 feet in depth, the walls from 80 to 100 feet asunder, and the sides so nearly corresponding as to favor an opinion that they were once united. There is also a cavern in the de- clivity of a hill, which may be en- tered in a horizontal direction to the distance of 20 feet. This town was once the residence of a power- ful tribe of Indians, or at least a place where they resorted for de- fence. On the Winnepisiogee, at the head of Little Bay, are found the remains of an ancient fortifica- tion. It consisted of six walls, one extending along the river, and a- cross a point of land into the bay, and the others in right angles, con- nected by a circular wall in the rear. Traces of these walls are yet to be seen, though most of the stones, &c. of which they were com- posed have been removed to the dam thrown across the river at this place. Within the fort have been found numbers of Indian relics, im- plements, &c., and also on an island in the bay. When the first settlers of Sanbornton arrived, these walls were breast high, and large oaks were growing within their enclo- sure. This town was granted by the Masonian proprietors in 1748, to several persons of the name of Sanborn, and others ; and was set- tled in 1765 and 1766, by John San- born, David Duston, Andrew Row-


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March 1, 1770. Rev. Joseph Wood- 1200 wide. Angle pond, in the S. man was ordained in Nov. 1771, when there were about 50 families in town. His church then consist- ed of 7 members. He was dismissed in 1806, and died in 1807. Rev. Abraham Bodwell, was ordained Nov. 13. 1806, when the church consisted of 50 members ; there are now about 150. Rev. John Crockett was settled here over the first bap- tist church in 1793, now consisting of about 230 members. Another baptist church has recently been established. In order to perpetuate preaching in the society to which they belonged, a few liberal individ- uals some time since formed them- selves into an association, to which they gave the name of the "Con- gregational Fund Association." Each member gave his security to the amount of his rateable estate for that year; and the interest is appropriated annnally to the in- crease of the funds, which now amount to about $1400. Here are two social libraries, each contain- ing between 200 and 300 vohimes. The academy, incorporated in 1820, is at present in a flourishing state. From 1790, to 1822, the deaths in this town were 977, or about 31 yearly. Mrs. Copp and Mrs. Smart are living in Sanbornton, at the age of 100 eaclı. Pop. 3329.


SANDOWN, township, Rocking- ham county, in lat. 42°57', is boun- ded N. by Chester and Poplin, E. by Hawke, S. by Hampstead, W. by Chester and Londonderry. It is 31 miles from Concord, and con- tains 8,532 acres-200 of which are water. The surface of this town is rather neven, but the soil in general is well adapted to the production of various kinds of grain and grass. Phillip's pond, lying in the S. part of the town, is the lar- gest, being about 340 rods long,


E. part of this town, is about 200 rods long, and 90 or 100 wide. There are several other smaller ponds. Squamseot river flows from Phillip's pond, and pursues a nearly level course for 1 1-2 miles, where another stream unites with it: from this junction, whenever the waters are raised by sudden freshes, the eurrent passes back with consider- able foree towards the pond. The settlement of Sandown was com- menced about the year 1736, by Moses Tucker, Israel and James Huse, and others. A congregation- al church was formed here in 1759, which consisted of 57 members. Rev. Josiah Cotton was ordained the same year, and died in 1780. He was succeeded by Rev. Samu- el Collins, who was settled that year ; but was removed in 1788. In 1795, a brother of the late Pres- ident Webber, Rev. John Webber. was settled, who was removed in 1800. Since that period the church has been vacant. A methodist church was formed in 1807, con- sisting of about 30 members-and ministers of that denomination preach here statedly, and of others occasionally. They have but one place of publie worship. The post roads from Boston to Concord, and from Exeter to Chester pass through Sandown. The town was origin- ally a part of Kingston, and was incorporated April 6, 1756. It con- tains 527 inhabitants-the number having decreased since 1790.


SANDWICH, post-town, Strafford county, in lat. 43º 50', is bounded N. by ungranted lands, E. by Bur- ton and Tamworth, S. by Moulton- borongh, W. by Holderness, Camp- ton, and Thornton. It is 70 miles from Portsmouth. and about 50 from Concord. This town was originally granted by Gov. Beanin


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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.


Wentworth, Oct. 25, 1763, and comprised 6 miles square. On the 5th Sept. 1764, upon the represen- tation of the grantees that the N. and W. sides thereof were "so loaded with inaccessible mountains and shelves of rocks as to be un- inhabitable"-an additional grant was made of territory on the E. and S., called Sandwich Addition. The Sandwich mountains are al lofty range extending N. E. and terminating in Chocorua Peak in Burton. Squam mountain, extend- ing from Holderness through a cor- ner of Campton into Sandwich, is of considerable height. There are other considerable mountains. The Bearcamp river, its branches rising in the mountains N. and W., pas- ses E. into Tamworth. The W. branch passes through Bearcamp pond. There is another pond not far distant from this, from which is- sues Red Hill river, passing S. into the Winnepisiogee lake. A small stream passes W. into the Pemige- wasset river. About one fourth of Squam lake lies in the S. W. cor- ner of Sandwich; and taken in connection with the surrounding mountains, affords many fine views. Here is an oil mill, several saw and grain mills, besides other machine- ry. A congregational church was established here some years since ; but no minister was ever settled. There are respectable societies of methodists, freewill baptists and friends ; and people of other de- nominations. Hon. DANIEL BEE- DE, for a number of years, repre- sentative to the general court, a justice of the quorum and a judge of the court of common pleas, re- sided in this town, and was a useful and respected character. Pop. 2368.


SAWYER's Location. See Nash and Sawyer's Location.


SCNOOGAWNOCK, the Indian name of Israel's river.


SEABROOK, a township, in Rock- ingham county, lat. 42° 53/, is situ- ated at the S. E. corner of the state, 17 miles S. S. W. of Portsmouth, and 7 N. of Newburyport, bounded N. by Hampton-Falls, E. by the Atlantic, S. by Massachusetts, W. by South-Hampton and Kensing- ton. It was formerly a part of Hampton-Falls, and was granted June 3, 1768 to Jonathan Weare, Richard Smith, John Moulton, Eben- ezer Knowlton, Winthrop Gove, Henry Robie, Elisha Brown, Benja- min Leavitt, Isaac Brown and others. Settlements commenced here in 1638, by Christopher Hussey, Jo- seph Dow, and Thomas Philbrick. The place on which the latter set- tled, has continued in the immedi- ate possession of his descendants unto the 6th generation, who still possess the same. The rivers are Black river,. Brown's river and Walton's river. Many of the rivu- lets abound with bog ore. of iron. The public buildings are a town house and 3 houses of public wor- ship, one for presbyterians, one for methodists, and one for friends. This town derives its name from the number of rivers and riv- ulets meandering through it. A society of friends was formed here in 1701. A presbyterian society was formed in 1764; and Rev. Samuel Perley ordained in 1765 ; removed in 1775. Rev. Elias Hull, settled in 1799,died February, 1822, aged 44. A methodist society was formed in 1820. There is a social library, consisting of 200 vol- umes. There has been some re- markable instances of longevity. Mrs. Comfort Collins lived to the age of 105; Phebe Dow to 101 ; and several others to 90 and upwards. The average number of deaths an-


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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.


nually, is about 14. In 1737, then angina maligna prevailed and des- troyed many of its inhabitants. Whale-boat building is the most important manufacture, and is car- ried on to a greater extent than in any other town in N.England. The larger part of the male inhabitants are mechanics and seamen, the lat- ter of which are about 120. Perhaps no town in the state is better situated for carrying on the Bay and Labra- dor fisheries than this. Pop. 885.


SHARON, a small township in the W. part of Hillsborough coun- ty, is bounded N. by Peterborough, E. by Temple, S. by New-Ipswich and Rindge, and W. by Jaffrey, containing about 10,000 acres. It is 18 miles from Amherst, and 48 from Concord. The streams in Sharon are small branches of Con- toocook river, and rise near the S. E. corner of the town. They are sufficient to supply a grist mill with water only a part of the year. Boundary mountain lies on the line between this town and Temple, and has an elevation of 200 feet above the surrounding country. The roads here are of little notoriety and travel, except the 3d N. H. turnpike, which passes through the S. W. extremity of the towr. Sharon was incorpora- ted June 24, 1791. It has no reg- ularly organized religious society ; has no meeting-house, nor has ever had a settled minister. Pop. 400.


SHELBURNE, township, Coos county, in lat. 44º 21', is bounded N. by Success and Maynesborough, E. by Maine, S. by unlocated lands, and W. by Durand, comprising an area of 45,140 acres. Ameriscog- gin river passes through the centre of this town, into which fall the waters of Rattle river and some smaller streams. The soil on each bank of the river is very good, pro- W 2


ducing in abundance grain and grass ; but as we rise from the riv- er, the tracts are mountainous and unfit for cultivation. Mount Mo- riah, an elevated peak of the White Mountains, lies in the S. part of Shelburne. Moses' Rock, so called from the first man known to have ascended it (Moses Ingalls) is on the S. side of the river near the centre of the town. It is about 60 feet high and 90 long, very smooth, and rising in an angle of nearly 50°. In 1775,David and Ben- jamin Ingalls commenced a settle- ment at Shelburne, and not long af- ter, several families were added .. In August, 1781, a party of Indiaus visited this town, killed one man, made another prisoner, plundered the houses, and returned to Canada in savage triumph. This town was incorporated Dec. 13, 1$20. There are three small societies. one of congregationalists, one of baptists and one of methodists ; but no regular preacher. Pop. 205. SHOALS. See Isles of Shoals.


SIMS' stream rises in the moun- tains in Columbia from several ponds and springs, and falls into the Connecticut river near the N. W. extremity of the town.


SMITH'S river, in Grafton coun: ty,rises from several ponds in Graf- ton and Orange, and after pursuing a winding, but generally an E. course, of from 12 to 18 miles. through Danbury and Alexandria, falls into the Pemigewasset be- tween Bristol and New-Chester.


SOCIETY-LAND, a small town- ship in Hillsborough co., is bound- ed N. by Deering, E. by Frances- town, S. by Greenfield, and W. by Hancock and Antrim, from which it is separated by Contoocook riv- er. It contains 3.300 acres. It is 17 miles from Amherst and 33 from Concord. The land is generally


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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.


judges of the superior court, and died Aug. 4, 1771. Hon. JOHN WENTWORTH was born in this town March 30, 1719. He. was one of the judges of the superior court, and died May 18, 1781. Hon. ICHABOD ROLLINS, was born in this town, 1721. He was a judge of probate for the county of Strafford, and died Jan. 31, 1800. The number of deaths in this town since the beginning of the present century will average 12 annually ; or 1 in 70 of its inhabitants. Dur- ing the last 20 years, 28 have died between 70 and 80, 17 between 80 and 90, and 7 between 90 and 100 years of age. Samuel Downs died April 22, 1820, aged 99. Mrs. Ly- dia Stiles is now living(1823)at the age of 101 years. She was born Feb. 27, 1722, is a member of the church, and travelled on foot two miles to public worship till she was 90 years of age. Pop. 841.


SouCOOK river has its source in three ponds in the S. part of Gil- manton, lying near each other, called Loon, Rocky and Shellcamp ponds. It passes through Loudon, receiving several branches, and forms the boundary between Con- cord and Pembroke, falling into the Merrimack below Garven's falls.


SOUHEGAN, originally Souhege- nack, the name of a river in Hills- borough county, and the former name of Amherst and Merrimack. The principal branch of this river originates from a pond in Ashburn- ham, Ms. It passes N. through Ash- by, at the N. W. angle of the coun- ty of Middlesex, into New-Ipswich, and through Mason, Milford, Am- herst, into Merrimack, where it unites with Merrimack river. In its course it receives several streams from Temple, Lyndeborough and Mont-Vernon, and just before it falls into the Merrimack, receives Babboosuck brook, a considerable Blackwater river. The former emp-


stream issuing from Babboosuck pond. See Amherst.


SOUTH-HAMPTON, township, Rockingham county, in lat. 42° 53', is bounded N. by East-Kingston and Kensington, E. by Seabrook, S. by Amesbury, Ms., W. by New- town ; and is 50 miles from Con- cord, 18 from Portsmouth, and 45 from Boston. The surface is gen- erally even, and the soil of a good quality. Powow river passes through this town, affording valua- ble mill seats. South-Hampton was incorporated by charter, May 25, 1742. Rev. William Parsons, who graduated at Harvard college in 1735, was ordained here over a congregational church in 1743 ; and dismissed Oct. 6, 1762. Rev. Na- thaniel Noyes, was settled Feb. 23, 1763 ; and dismissed Dec. 8, 1800. Since that time, there has been no stated worship. There are people of other denominations here, who have occasional preaching. Hon. PHILLIPS WHITE, who was a member of the old congress, justice of the peace throughout the state, a counsellor in 1792 and 1793, and for many years judge of probate,di- ed June 24,1811,aged 82. Pop.416.


SPIGGOT river rises in Hamp- stead, and passes through Salem, and into the Merrimack between Methuen and Dracut, Ms. nearly opposite Shawsheen river, which comes from the S. through Andover. SPAFFORD's lake. See Chesterfield.


SPRINGFIELD, a post-township, in Cheshire county, in lat. 43º 30, is bounded N. by Grafton, E. by Wilmot, S. E. by New-London, S. by Wendell and Croydon, W. by Croydon and Grantham, containing 28,330 acres, 2300 of which are water. It is 35 miles from Concord and 90 from Boston. A branch of Sugar river has its source in this town; and also a branch of the




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