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 32
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Concord, 30 from Dover ; bound- ed N. W. by Ossipee and Effing- ham, E. by Maine,S. E. by Milton, W. by Middleton and Brookfield. Lovewell's pond, in the S. part of the town, is about 700 rods long, 275 wide. Province pond lies be- tween Wakefield and Effingham, and is 450 rods long, 400 wide. Pine river pond is the source of the river of that name flowing N. W. into Ossipee lake. The prin- cipal branch of the Pascataqua has its rise in East pond, between Wakefield and Newfield, Me. The soil of this place is generally good, but it is more favorable for mow- ing and grazing than for tillage. This town was formerly called East-town, and was incorporated Aug. 30, 1774, by its present name. A congregational church was for- med in 1785, and Rev. Asa Piper ordained. He was dismissed in 1810 ; but has since preached with- out compensation. There are also societies of methodists and freewill baptists. There are 2 cotton fac- tories, besides other mills and ma- chinery. Lovewell's pond in this town derived its name from Capt. John Lovewell, of Dunstable, who, on the 20th Feb. 1725, surprised and destroyed a party of Indians encamped on the side of the pond. (See Hist. Coll. p. 26.) Robert Macklin, distinguished for longevi- ty, died here in 1787, at the age of 115. He was born in Scotland, and lived several years in Ports- mouth in the occupation of a ba- ker. He frequently walked from Portsmouth to Boston in one day, and returned in another. This journey he performed the last time, at the age of 80. Pop. 1518.
WALES' LOCATION, in the co. of Coos, was granted May 4, 1773, to Nathaniel Wales, and comprised 5822 acres-now constituting a part of Columbia ..
WALPOLE, a post-town in the county of Cheshire, in lat. 43º 4', is bounded N. by Charlestown and Langdon, E. by Alstead and Surry, S. by Westmoreland and West- minster, Vt. containing 24,301 acres. It is 25 miles from the S. line of the state, 48 from Dart- mouth college, 60 from Concord, and 90 from Boston, with which it has easy and frequent communica- tion. The face of the town is beautifully diversified with hills and vales. The soil is similar to that of other towns on Connecticut river. The intervals afford excel- lent tillage ; the uplands are infe- rior to none in the state. The ag- ricultural products in 1820, were 40,000 lbs. of butter, 60,000 lbs. of cheese, 110,000 lbs. beef,180,000 lbs. of pork, 5,500lbs. offlax, with 1225 barrels of cider. Cold river passes through the N. part, and forms a junction with the Connecticut. There is a lofty hill, called Fall mountain, a part of the range of Mount Toby ; the highest parts of which are not less than 700 or 800 feet above the surface of the river. The village of Walpole is situated at the foot of this hill on a plain ; the margin of the intervals. The principal street runs N. and S. and is bordered on both sides with hou- ses, stores and shops. A turnpike road from Boston passes through this village, and by a bridge cros- sing the well known cataract, Bel- lows' Falls, passes over the Green mountains to Rutland, and from thence through Middlebury and Burlington, by lake Champlain, to Montreal. The transportation and travelling in this channel of com- munication between Boston and the country on the N. W. are very great. There are 2 toll bridges Jacross the Connecticut, one below the mouth of Cold river ; the other at Bellows' Falls, which affords to
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the traveller, as he passes, a view most sublime and interesting. The Cheshire turnpike and the 3d N. H. turnpike pass through this town. There is a large and commodious meeting-house, built in 1787, and furnished with a good bell and or- gan. The first minister of Wal- pole was Rev. - Leavitt, who was settled over the congrega- tional church in 1761; and was dismissed in 1763. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Thomas Fessen- den, a graduate at Harvard college in 1758, who was ordained in Jan. 1767; died May 9, 1813, aged 74. Rev. Pliny Dickinson, who gradu- ated at Dartmouth college in 1798, was ordained as colleague with Mr. Fessenden, March 6, 1805. Wal- pole was granted by the govern- ment of N. H., Feb. 16, 1752, to Col. Benjamin Bellows and 61 oth- ers. It was previously known by the name of Great Fall. Its first settlement was made in 1749, by Col. Bellows, who, for a long time was exposed, without any other defence than a small fort, with a trifling garrison, to the incursions of the Canadians and savages. In time of war he was encircled by hazard and peril. In 1755, a party of Indians, from St. Francis invad- ed Walpole ; killed two men;
and took possession of the fort. Col. Bellows was abroad. On his return with 20 men, he met 50 of the savages ; fought his way through them, and recovered the fort with- out losing a man. The descend. ants of Col. Bellows are numerous and highly respectable. Pop. 2000.
WARNER, a post-township in Hillsborough county, in lat. 43º 16', is bounded N. by Sutton and Salisbury, E. by Boscawen, S. by Hopkinton and Henniker, W. by Bradford, containing according to the survey of 1805, 27,571 acres,
besides Kearsarge gore, which was annexed to this town, in June 1818. This gore is a strip of land lying between Salisbury and Sutton, ex- tending from the former N. line of Warner to the highest part of Kearsarge mountain, and contains 4280 acres. The distance of War- ner from Hopkinton is 8 miles ; from Concord, 15 ; and from Bos- ton, 72 miles. It is watered by Warner river, a handsome stream, which rises in the Sunapee moun- tain in Fishersfield. It passes through Bradford, enters Warner at the N. W. corner, and running in an E. and S. E. direction, di- vides the town into nearly two equal parts. It passes out at the S. E. corner, and falls into Contoo- cook river in Hopkinton. Ou this river and its tributary streams in this town, are 16 saw mills, 8 grist mills, 1 paper mill, &c. Most of the perennial and deciduous trees common to this section of the country, are found here. The lands, though broken, have, in gen- eral a good soil, and produce grass, corn, rye, &c. Mink hills lie in the W. part, and furnish fine or- chards, and good pasturage. There are 4 ponds, viz. Tom, Bear, Bag- ley and Pleasant ponds. Pleasant pond, the waters of which are clear and cold; deep, and of a greenish cast, has no visible outlet or inler, and overflows its banks in the driest
seasons. There are 16 school dis-
tricts, which average 40 scholars to each. One native of the town. John Kelly, Esq., counsellor at law in Northwood, graduated at Dart- mouth college in 1804. Another is a member of the senior class at the same institution. This town was granted in 1735 by the general court of Mass. to Deac. Thomas Stevens and 62 others, inhabitants of Amesbury and Salisbury, Ms.
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It was first called Number 1, and||ber of deaths from Jan. 1817 te afterwards New-Amesbury. In
1737, 63 five acre house lots were laid out by the proprietors ; a small log hut was built on each ; and in 1739, a saw mill was erected where Gen. A. Davis' mills now stand. WARNER river. See Warner. Soon after the divisional line be- tween N. H. and Mass. was estab- lished, this town was re-granted by the Masonian proprietors to 63 per- sons belonging to Rye, between whom and the first grantees arose controversies and lawsuits, which were not finally settled till 1773. The name under the last grant was Jennis-town. It was incorporated Sept. 3, 1774, by the name of War- ner, contrary to the petition of the proprietors, who desired the name to be Amesbury. The first settle- ment was made in 1762, by David Annis and his son-in-law, Reuben Kimball, whose son Daniel was the first child born in town. Mrs. Hannah Kimball, the widow of Mr. Kimball, died at Warner, Feb. 23, 1823, aged 83,-the first English female who slept in the town. In 1774, Warner contained 50 fami- lies. On the 5th of Feb. 1772, a congregational church was organi- zed. Rev. William Kelly, a na- tive of Newbury, Ms,, was the first minister. He was born Oct. 31, 1744 ; graduated at Harvard col- lege in 1767; ordained Feb. 5, 1772; dismissed March 11, 1801; and died May 18, 1813. His suc- Gessor, Rev. John Woods, was or- dained June 22, 1814. There are baptists, freewill baptists and uni- versalists. On the 9th of Sept. 1821, this town was visited by a most violent and destructive hurricane, by which five individuals lost their lives, several were seriously injur- ed, and considerable property was destroyed. (See Cabinet of Curi- osities, Vol. 1, p. 64.) The num- lical shape, about 3-4 of a mile in
Jan. 1, 1823, was 179. The num- ber which died of consumption was 43. Pop. 2246.
WARNER'S LOCATION, was an- nexed to Chatham June 23, 1817.
WARREN, township in Grafton county, in lat. 43º 36/, is bounded N. by Coventy, E. by Peeling and Ellsworth, S. by Wentworth, W. by Piermont, containing 27,720 acres. It is 10 miles from Haverhill corner, and 63 from Concord. This town is watered by the north branch of Baker's river, which has its source on the E. side of Moosehillock mountain. It passes in a north di- rection to Wentworth, and, near the S. line of Warren, furnishes several valuable mill seats. Here are situated Clement's mills. The soil of Warren varies not material- ly from the contiguous towns. The S. E. part presents a mountainous aspect, having a large portion of Carr's mountain on its S. eastern border. There is considerable trav- el through the S. W. part of this town, over which the Coos turnpike passes. Warren was granted by charter, July 14, 1763. Of its his- tory or religion we know nothing, and could obtain nothing. Pop. 544.
WASHINGTON, a post-township in Cheshire county, in lat. 43º 10/, is bounded N. by Goshen, E. by Bradford, Hillsborough and Wind- sor, S. by Stoddard, and W. by Mar- low and Lempster, containing 30,765 acres. It is 22 miles from Keene, 20 from Charlestown, 35 from Concord and 80 from Boston. . This town is hilly, but not moun- tainous. Lovewell's mountain, so called from Capt. Lovewell's killing seven Indians near it, (See Hist. Coll. for 1822, page 25,) is of a con-
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diameter, and may be seen at a con- Miproprietors to Reuben Kidder, Esq. siderable distance. Washington abounds with springs, rivulets, and natural ponds, of the last of which, there are no less than 16, and some of theni of considerable magnitude. Island pond, so called from its be- ing full of islands, is 2 miles long, and 1 1-2 wide. Half moon pond is 1 1-2 miles in length. Ashuelot pond is 1 1-2 miles long, and 1 mile wide, and is the source of one of the principal branches of Ashuelot river. Brockway's pond, a beauti- ful sheet of water, lying on a white sand, is 1 mile long and 1-2 a mile wide. Long pond, lying in this town and Stoddard, is 5 miles in length. These ponds abound with a variety of fish. A branch of Contoocock river has its source from several small ponds in the E. part of the town. The soil is generally deep and moist. It is better for grass than tillage. The forest trees are rock and white maple, black ash, black, yellow and white birch, beech, elm, bass, red oak, pine, spruce, hemlock, fir, cedar, &c. There is a plenty of clay ; and peat abounds in the swamps and low lands. Iron ore has been found in several places. Plumbago, (graph- ite) and antimony, it is said, have been found. Washington village is pleasantly situated, and contains a large meeting-house, with a hand- some cupola ; a brick school house, 25 dwelling houses, 3 stores and 2 taverns. The 2d N. H. turnpike runs from N. W. to S. E. through this village, where it is intersected by the Croydon turnpike from the N. There are several falls on the various streams, affording fine water privileges. Besides the mills, &c. under the statistical table, there is one cotton factory ; also, an oil mill and a distillery. Washing- ton was granted by the Masonian
of New-Ipswich, under whom it was settled in 1768. It was first called Monadnock, No. 8. From its settlement, it was called Cam- den, till Dec. 13, 1776, when it was incorporated by its present name. The first settlers had 150 acres of land each for settling. The first year of their settlement, they erect- ed a grain mill and a saw niill. The grants o: Marlow and Lemp- ster interfered with the grant of Monadnock, No. 8, and caused some long and vexatious lawsuits, and much trouble ann expense to the claimants on both sides. There are 3 religious societies ; viz. (1,) the congregational, of which a church was organized May 18, 1780. Rev. George Lesslie was installed July 12, 1780 ; died Sept. 11, 1800, aged 72. Rev. John Lord, ordain- ed Nov. 9, 1803 ; dismissed June 12, 1806. Rev. Broughton White. installed Dec. 23, 1818. (2.) The baptists, who have no minister. (3.) The universalist society, over which Rev. Ebenezer Paine was formerly settled. Washington is a healthy place. No remarkable sickness has ever prevailed here. The deaths in 1819, were 13; in 1820, 14; in 1821, 8. Pop. 1000.
WEARE, a post town, and the largest township in Hillsborough county, both in extent and popula- tion, is situated in lat. 43º 4'. Its length is about 7 1-2 miles; it's breadth, which does not vary, ex- cept at the S. W. angle, is 6 1-2 miles. It is bounded N. by Hen- niker and Hopkinton, E. by Dun- barton and Goffstown, S. by New- Boston, and W. by Francestown and Deering, containing 33,648 acres. The only river in Weare, is the N. W. branch of Piscata- quog, which enters the W. boundary from Deering,and meanders through
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the N. and E. sections of the town, and passes the S. line about half a mile from the S. E. corner. This river affords the best mill seats in town. On this, and the several other streams, are 1 cotton and . woollen factory, 1 oil mill, 11 saw mills, 9 grist mills, 3 fulling mills, and 3 carding machines. - There are three ponds of note in this town. The largest lies nearly one mile S. of the town house. It is known by the name of Mount-Wil- liam pond, and contains 40 acres. Ferrin's pond, which is nearly as large, is situated in the S. E. part of the town. Duck pond, about half a mile N. of the town house, is less than either of the otliers .- Two of the largest hills in Weare are called mountains. Mount Wil- . liam lies N. E. of the pond of that name, and mount Misery is E. of Ferrin's pond. Neither of them are of very considerable mag- nitude, considered as mountains .- Rattlesnake hill, nearly in the cen- tre of the N. line of the town, abounds with shelving rocks, ab- rupt precipices, forming dens and caves. During the summer season, the reptile from which the hill takes it name is frequently found. The soil of this town exhibits different degrees of fertility. That of the uplands is favorable for agriculture ; is well supplied with springs of wa- ter, brooks and rivulets. The town, though rather broken, is not moun- tainous. It has small swamps, and some good meadows. It is now settled and cultivated to its ex- treme limits by industrious and wealthy husbandmen. There are two libraries. " The Social Libra- ry," incorporated Dec. 7, 1798, containing 90 volumes ; and the " Friends Library," established 3d mo. 30th day, 1809, and containing 68 volumes. Two natives of the
town have received a collegiate ed- ucation, viz. James Hadley, who graduated at Dartmouth college in 1809, and David Bailey, Esq., who graduated at Middlebury college, in 1814. There are 4 meeting hou- ses, two belonging to the society of friends. The baptist meeting house, erected in 1789, is in the S. part ; and the congregational meeting house, built in 1790, is in the N. E. part of the town. There is a town house near the centre. Weare was granted to Ichabod Robie, Esq. and others, Sept. 20, 1749, by the Ma- sonian proprietors. It was settled by emigrants from Massachusetts and the easterly part of N. Hamp- shire. It contained, in 1764, prob- ably between 20 and 30 families. It was incorporated September 21, 1764, and received its name in hon- or of Meshech Weare, chief jus- tice of the province of N. H. The first church formed in Weare was of the baptist denomination. It was gathered Jan. 26, 1783. Rev. Amos Wood was ordained Nov. 19, 1788, and died Feb. 3, 1798. Rev. Ezra Wilmarth succeeded, and was in- stalled April 29, 1813; dismissed Aug. 11, 1817. Rev. John B. Gib- son was installed May 6, 1818 ; dismissed 1822. "A congregational church was formed June 17, 1789. Rev. John Cayford was ordained Oct. 20, 1802; dismissed May 4, 1808. A freewill baptist church was formed of members who se- ceded from the first baptist church, Oct. 20, 1806. Eld. Hezekiah D. Buzzell removed to Weare, Nov. 27, 1812, and took charge of it, no installation being necessary, ac- cording to the faith and order of that connection. There is also a large, respectable and wealthy so- ciety of friends, some of whom settled here as early as 1770. Since that time, they have been annually
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increasing in numbers, wealth and by Orford, containing 23,010 acres. respectability. There is a small so- ciety of universalists. Samuel Philbrick, Esq. was a worthy citi- zen of this town. He was a na- tive of Seabrook, removed to Weare in 1770, and dicd Dec. 23, 1806, aged 72. The number of deaths from March 1, 1313, to Jan. 1, 1822, was 281. Pop. 2800.
WENDELL, a township in Chesh- ire county, in lat. 43º 22', is bound- ed N. by Springfield, E. by Suna- pee lake, separating it from New- London and Fishersfield, S. by Go- shen, W. by Newport and Croydon, containing 15,666 acres, 3000 of which are water. It is 35 miles from Concord and 80 from Ports- mouth. A considerable part oflake Sunapee, a noble sheet of water, lies in this town. The surface of this lake is said to contain 4,095 acres, of which 2720 acres are in Wendell. Here is the principal source of Sugar river, which flows from the lake near its centre from N. to S .; passes through the centre of the town into Newport, from thence into Claremont, where it unites with the Connecticut. There are three small ponds, containing an area of ahout 300 acres. This town was granted by the name of Saville, Nov. 7, 1768, to John Sprague and others. It was settled in 1772 by emigrants from Rhode- Island. It was incorporated April 4, 1781, when it received its name from John Wendell, one of the principal proprietors. The first minister was Rev. N. Woodward, a baptist. A congregational society was incorporated June 24, 1819. The number of deaths for 4 years was about 20. Pop. 603.
WENTWORTH, a post-township in Grafton county, in lat. 43º 50', is bounded N. by Warren, F. by Rumney, S. by Dorchester, and W.
It is 15 miles from Plymouth, and 52 from Concord. This town is watered by Baker's river, on which is a fall of 18 or 20 feet, affording an excellent privilege for all kinds of water machinery. Over this fall is a bridge, maintained at the public cxpense. Near the bridge is a flourishing village, containing about 20 houses, several stores, shops for mechanics, and mills of various kinds. The S. branch of Baker's river passes through the southerly part of this town and joins the main branch near Rumney line. There are but few ponds. Baker's, situated on Orford line, is the most considerable ; the outlet of which is called Pond brook, and affords water sufficient for several valuable mill seats. This stream unites with Baker's river just below the village. These streams contain all the vari- ous kinds of fish found in the state. Salınon, however, are not so plen- ty as formerly. In the E. part of the town, lies part of Carr's moun- tain, composed of a variety of val- uable stone, among which is found a great supply of the best granite. This kind is also found in various other parts of the town. This moun- tain was covered in its natural state with a heavy growth of forest trees. A part of the elevation called Mount Cuba lies in the W. part of Wentworth. This mountain con- tains inexhaustible quantities of the best limestone, of which a con- stant supply of good lime is made, and sold at a low price. Iron ore is found in various parts. The soil is generally good ; the lands in the vicinity of the rivers are of the first quality ; the upland is in gen- eral of a strong rich soil, but is un - leven, and in some instances, quite elevated, which renders it an ex- collent grazing town. Copperas is
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manufactured in small quantities, |[ted with hills, mountains, vales, and might be made a source of rivers and ponds, than the circum- profit. Wentworth was granted November 1, 1766, to John Page, Esq. and others. It received its name from governor Benning Wentworth. The first settlement commenced a few years before the revolutionary war by emigrants from the S. part of this state and from Massachusetts. Articles of subsis- tence, potatoes and seeds for the propagation of vegetables, were transported thither from the lower part of the state on pack horses, hand-sleighs and in knapsacks. The only remarkable instance of lon- gevity in this place is Widow Jane M'Lellan a native of Ireland, who died Oct. 14, 1821, aged 101. The dysentery prevailed here about 20 years since ; and in 1813 and 1815, the spotted fever carried off many persons of different ages. In this town are various denominations of christians all living harmoniously together. Pop. 807.
WENTWORTH'S LOCATION, sit- uated N. of Errol in the county of Coos, in lat. 44° 48', was granted June 17, 1796, to George Went- worth, and comprised 10,000 acres.
WEST RIVER MOUNTAIN .- See Chesterfield and Hinsdale.
WESTMORELAND, a post-town on Connecticut river, in Cheshire county, is in lat. 42º 58/. It is bounded N. by Walpole, E. by Sur- ry and Keene, S. by Chesterfield, and W. by Dummerston and Put- ney, Vt., containing 22,426 acres. Its distance from Concord is 65 miles ; from Boston, 100. This town is watered by several small streams which empty into the Con- necticut. The one issuing from Spafford's lake in Chesterfield is the largest, and affords some of the best water privileges in town. The surface here is much less variega-
jacent towns. There are tracts of fine intervals -and the land gener- ally has an excellent soil, and is well suited for cultivation. A bridge connects this town with Put- ney, and the 3d N. H. turnpike crosses its N. E. extremity. West- moreland was first granted by Mas- sachusetts and was called, Number 2. . It was afterwards known by the name of the Great Meadow. The present charter of the town was granted by N. H., Feb. 11, 1752. The first settlement was made in 1741, by four families. Mrs. Lydia How, who died in 1806, at the age of 91, was one of the first inhabitants, and mother of the first child born in the township. The early settlers were several times attacked by the Indians, and various mischief was done, but of no great magnitude. In one of their excursions, they killed Wil- liam Phips, the first husband of Jemima How; and in another, car- ried Nehemiah How, the father of her second husband, a captive to Canada, where he died. (See Bel- knap's Hist. N. H. Vol. II, pages 240, 241.) There is a congrega- tional church, over which , Rev. William Goddard was ordained in 1764. He graduated at Harvard college in 1761. Rev. Allen Pratt, who graduated at Harvard college in 1785, is the present minister. There are two baptist churches. The 1st was formed in 1771; the 2d in 1785. There are universal- ists and other denominations. There are 3 meeting-houses. Ma- jor Ezra Pierce, a senator in the legislature in 1802 and 1803, resi- ded in this town. Pop. 2000.
WHEELWRIGHT'S pond is in Lee ; and is the principal source of Oyster river. It is memorable for
J Kidder del.
A Bowense
VIEW OF THE WHITE MOUNTAINS FROM SHELBURNE.
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the battle which was fought near it in 1690, between a scouting party of Indians and two companies of rangers, under Capts. Floyd and Wiswall. The engagement lasted 2 hours. Wiswall, his lieutenant, sergeant, and 12 men were killed and several woundedl. Floyd cor .- tinued the fight, till his men, weari- ed and wounded, drew off and obliged him to follow. The enemy - also retreated.
WHITEFIELD, in Coos county, lat. 44° 21', is an irregular town- ship, lying S of Lancaster, W. of Jefferson, N. of Bretton-Woods and Bethlehem, E. of Dalton, compris- ing 20,800 acres. Its soil is general- ly thin and light, of easy cultivation and tolerably good; though in the N. part low spruce swamps abound. No town in the county possesses an equal share of pine timber ; this is now transported in great quanti- ties down John's river to the Con- necticut. In this town lie part of Blake's, Long, Round and Little River ponds, beside two other small ponds. The second of these is a beautiful pond of considerable size, abounding with fish. John's river passes through this town. White- field was granted July 4, 1774, to Josiah Moody and others, and soon after settled by Maj. Burns and others. It has increased in popula- tion more rapidly than any other town in the county. In 1810 there were but 51 inhabitants, and there are now upwards of 280. The new road from Lancaster to Concord passes through this town ; it short- ens the distance usually travelled about 30 miles. A turnpike from Peeling to the S. line of this town has been granted, whichi, if complet- ed and extended to Lancaster, would turn much of the trade of Coos county through Concord, the seat of government ; and being the direct route from Quebeck to Bos-
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