USA > New Hampshire > Gazetteer of the state of New-Hampshire > Part 11
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In 1801, a turnpike was cut through the woods which then covered this spot. There were at that time no houses here, nor had agriculture com- menced its progress. Since that time 12 dwelling-houses have been erected within the space of 2 miles. The land is now divided into lots and fenc- ed,and a large portion ofit is al- ready improved and well cul- tivated. There is only one re - ligious society in this town, and of this the Rev. Josiah
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Carpenter is the minister. He is a congregationalist and was ordained in 1791, and is the only minister ever settled here. Besides the meeting-house there are 5 school-houses. In various parts of the town are , still to be seen traces of Indian settlements. Marks of corn plantations, and the ruins of wigwams were easily discov- ered on the banks of Suncook river, and several Indian hatch- ets were ploughed up near the present site of the meeting- house by one of the first set- tlers, captain Samuel Lang- maid.
CLAREMONT, a township on Connecticut river in the coun- ty of Cheshire. It was incor- porated in 1764, and in 1810, it contained 2,094 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Cornish, E. by Newport, S. by Unity and Charleston, and W. by the river. There are here 2 ferries across the Connecticut extend- ing to Weathersfield in Ver- mont, called Ashley's and Sum- ner's ferries. Hubbard's isl- and, just below Ashley's ferry is 240 rods long and 40 wide. Sugar river passes through this town and supplies many valuable mill seats, on which are erected 3 grain-mills, 3 saw-mills, and 3 mills for dressing cloth, 1 carding-ma- chine, 1 paper-mill, and 1 oil-mill. The second New- Hampshire turnpike passes from Amherst through this town.
There is 1 congregational and 1 episcopalian society in this place, over the former of which Rev. S. Farley, and over the latter Rev. C. Barber are ordained. Their predecessors were the Rev. G. Wheaton, A. Hibbert, and R. Cassit. Be- sides these two societies, the methodists have here a public house of worship. S.F.
D. D.
CLEAR STREAM RIVER ris- es in the mountains on the W. side of the town of Dixville, near the northerly extremity of Mill- field. Passing thence through the centre of the town of Er- rol, it falls into Ameriscoggin river three miles S. of Umba- gog lake.
COCHECHO or DOVER RIVER has its source among a number of small ponds in the town of New-Durham. It thence takes a southerly direction through the towns of Farmington and Rochester, where it unites with its southern branch, called Is- inglass river. From this place the main stream passes through Dover, where it falls into Ne- wichawannock or Salmon fall river, thence to Hilton's point where the southern branch meets it. From this junction to the sea, which is 8 miles distant, the course of this river is rapid and never freez- es.
COLEBROOK, a township in Coos county. It was incorpo- rated in 1770, and now con-
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tains 325 inhabitants. It lies on Connecticut river 40 miles N. of Lancaster. It is bound- ed N. by Stewartstown, E. by Dixville, S. by Columbia, and W. by the river, and contains 25,056 acres. This town is watered by Mohawk river and Beaver brook. It has 1 meet- ing-house and an ordained minister. It contains a grain- mill, a saw-mill, 2 mills for dressing cloth, 1 carding-ma- chine, 1 oil-mill, a distillery, and 1 retail store.
COLD RIVER rises in Cold- pond in Acworth, whence its most northerly branch flows, and its most southerly flows from Alstead. These branches unite in Walpole, where the main stream falls into Connect- icut river.
COLLEGE LANDS, a tract of land granted to the trustees of Dartmouth college by the state legislature in 1789. It lies on Connecticut river N. of Stew- artstown and contains 40,960 acres. Two streams called Dead water and Cedar stream pass through this tract. It lies 130 miles N., 9° W. from Portsmouth. In 1807, the legislature made to the college another grant of land lying on the easterly border of the state containing 23,040 acres, equal to 6 square miles. This tract lies N. 5° W., 123 miles from Portsmouth.
Colebrook, E. by Dixville and Erving's location, S. by unap- propriated lands and Stratford, and W. by Connecticut river. It contains 32,800 acres. Sims stream and Gole brook rise in this town and empty themselves here into Connecticut river. Roaring brook falls into the same river near the lower'ex- tremity of this town. There are here several mountains of a considerable size, and a num- ber of small ponds. This town contains. 1 grist-mill, 2 saw- mills, 1 mill for dressing cloth, 1 trading store, and 1 distille- ry. This place was formerly called Cockburn.
CONCORD is in Rockingham county. It lies on both sides of Merrimack river, was in- corporated in 1765, and now contains 2,393 inhabitants. It is bounded as follows, begin- ning at the junction of the Sun- cook and Merrimack, it runs up the Suncook to Loudon, thence N. 47º W. 810 rods, and N. 211º W. 700 rods to Canterbury, thence on the same course 191 rods, thence S. 72°, W. 1370 rods across the junc- tion of the two rivers, and by Boscawen to Hopkinton, thence S. 20° W. 2279 rods to Bow, thence on the same course binding on Bow 32 rods,thence N. 70° E. 1222 rods to Merri- mack river, thence down said river to the boundary first mentioned. It contains 40,919 acres, 1710 of which are wa- ter. There are four ponds
COLUMBIA, a township in Coos county. Bounded N. by in this town, Turkey pond,
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the source of Turkey river, containing about 1000 acres, Long pond containing about420, Turtle pond containing about 240, and Horse-shoe pond con- taining about 50 acres, the wa- ters of which fall into the Mer- rimack. The Rev. Timothy Walker was ordained in this town in 1730, and died in 1782, aged 78 years. The Rev. Israel Evans was ordained here in 1789, and removed soon af- terwards. The Rev. Dr. Asa M'Farland is the present min- ister.
Concord is pleasantly situat- ed'on the banks of the Merri- mack about 8 miles above Hookset falls. The state legis- lature have for many years held all its sessions here, and from its central situation and thriving back country, Concord will probably be made the per- manent capital of the state. Proposals are already made for erecting a state house here .*
One handsome toll-bridge across the Merrimack connects this town with Pembroke, an- other crosses the river near the northerly extremity of the town, over which the N. H. turnpike passes.
The Indian name of this town was Penacook. When granted by Massachusetts it was called Rumford. The compact part of the town which lies principally on the main- street contains about 200 dwell-
ing-houses, a spacious meeting- house, 3 printing-offices, 20 stores, and several mechanics shops. The village in the N. E. part of the town contains 28 dwelling-houses, 2 stores, a distillery, and several mills. The whole town contains 5 grain-mills, 8 saw-mills, 4 mills for dressing cloth, 2 carding- machines, and a nail-factory. The N. H. state prison is in this town. It is strongly built of stone, and in November 1816, it contained 30 prison- ers. The first settlement of this town commenced in 1685. Jonathan Tyng with 19 other persons purchased of the In- dians a. tract of land on both sides of the Merrimack river, 6 miles in breadth,from Sowhe- gan river to Winnipiseogeelake, and, Mason by deed confirmed the purchase. In August of the same year the Indians gathered their corn and removed their families. By this conduct they gave considerable alarm to their English neighbours. In 1746, a party of Indians lay in ambush in this town with an intention to attack the people while at public worship, but observing them go armed to their devotions they waited till the next morning, at which time they killed 5 and took 2 prisoners.
In 1747, July 28th, the In- dians again appeared in this place and made some depreda- tion among the cattle. They were pursued by 50 of the En- glish, and they retreated with great precipitation, leaving their
* These proposals were accepted by the legislature in November 1816, and the state house is soon to be erected of handsome stone.
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packs and blankets behind them. One man only was wounded in the arm. About the same time a person was killed there who had just returned from Cape-Breton after an absence of two years.
On the 20th of March, 1772, died in this town Benjamin Rolfe. He was one of the first who adventured their lives in a land of savages with the intention of forming an En- glish settlement at Concord, then called Penacook and at a distance of nearly 40 miles from any civilized habitation.
· Benjamin Thompson (bet- ter known to the world under the title of Count Rumford) set- tled in this town in the early part of his life. The town was then called Rumford. Here he married Miss Rolfe. In 1775, he went to England, and was employed as clerk in the office of lord George Germaine, who was then one of the secre- taries of state, and who eventu- ally procured for him a colo- nels commission. Whileserv- ing in the British army he dis- covered such talents for pro- jecting military improvements, so much mental activity and enterprise, and such acute dis- cernment in practical philoso- phy, that his celebrity extend- ed through foreign countries, and attracted the attention of the reigning duke of Bavaria, who offered Col. Thompson a preferment in his service, which he accepted in 1784.
he soon signalized him'self " by introducing a new system of discipline and economy among the troops under his com- mand."
During a residence of sever- al years in Bavaria, he was conspicuous for his unwearied and successful efforts to ame- liorate the condition of the poor and particularly to annihi- late the evil of common begga- ry by providing the beggars, (a class of people with which that country swarmed) with em- ployment and the cheapest ali- ment. All this time his active and sagacious mind suggested a variety of improvements fa- vourable to manufactures, do- mestic economy, and comfort. He particularly improved the construction of chimneys and stoves, and made many inter- esting and beneficial experi- ments on heat, cookery, and food.
On his leaving the German service the duke of Bavaria created him a count, his title by his own choice, was taken from the town (Rumford) where he spent his youth.
After leaving Bavaria count Rumford passed most of his time in Great Britain, where he received the honour of knight- hood and enjoyed an uncom- mon share of public and pri- vate respect. By steadily di- recting his extraordinary tal- ents to the promotion of the daily comfort and general wel- fare of the human family he made every civilized being his
Raised by this prince to the rank of Lieut. Gen. of horse debtor, and, while he has re-
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flected signal honour upon his native land, his well merited fame has extended itself over a large portion of the globe. He died in Autencil in France in the year 1814, aged sixty.
CONCORD in Grafton county, was incorporated in 1768, and was formerly called Gunthwait. It is a flourishing town. - Its population has nearly doubled within the last 10 years, and in 1810, it amounted to 1126. The value of property here has increased with the same rapidity. It is bounded N.E. by Littleton and Bethlehem, S. E. by Franconia, S. W. by Landaff, and N.W. by Lyman, and contains 29,130 acres. There are here several ponds, viz. Minks, Straters, &c. Two branches of the Great Amo- noosuck meet in this town and pass through it. An iron fac- tory lies on the eastern border of the town, adjacent to Fran- conia. Large quantities of lime-stone are found here, and large kilns are already erected, in which are burnt 400 hogs- heads yearly. All the iron ore', which supplies two furnaces, is dug from a quarry situated in the S.E. part of the town, about 4 miles distant from the fur- maces. There are in this town 1 meeting-house, 3 corn-mills, 5 saw-mills, 1 mill for dressing cloth, and an oil-mill. There is, here a free will baptist church, over which Elder J. Quimby was ordained Septem- ber, 1800.
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CONNECTICUT RIVER has its source among the high lands, which separate the United States from Lower Canada. One of the princi- pal parent streams of this river is called Indian stream, which runs nearly in a straight line from its source to its junction with the main branch. The most northerly branch is call- ed Hall's stream, which, with Perry's stream and several others from the west, form in conjunction one grand river near the 50th degree of N. lati- tude on land granted to Dart- mouth college. It has been surveyed about 30 miles be- yond the 45th degree of N. lat- itude to the head of its north- western branch, and is settled nearly all the distance to its source. Its general course S. S.W. along the western border of New-Hampshire, (between that state and Vermont) about 170 miles, it then passes into Massachusetts.
Connecticut river in its course between New-Hamp- shire and Vermont from the 45th degree of latitude passes between Stewartstown in New- Hampshire and Canaan in Ver- mont, thence between Cole- brook and Lexington. Here the river bends considerably to the E. as if to give place to Monadnock mountain, which lies on Lexington shore in Vermont. It receives Mo- hawk river opposite to this mountain, and Jacob's brook a few miles below. Here the
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river again takes a westerly inclination and flows between Columbia and Minchead to Stratford opposite Brunswick in Vermont. At this place Nohegan river falls into the Connecticut from the upper ex- tremity of Brunswick, and Pauls stream from the lower corner of the same town. The river here bends to the east on the border of Northumber- land, where it receives the up- per Amonoosuck, at a great bend opposite the lower ex- tremity of Maidstone. From this point its course is very crooked to the upper part of Lancaster, where there is a bridge leading to Guildhall in Vermont. Five or six miles below this, Israel river emp- ties itself, passing from Lan- caster village falls, 3 miles a- bove the Catbow. At Catbow the river inclines to the west, and passes between Dalton to Lunenburgh, where the 15 miles falls commence. At this place John's river empties it- self from Dalton, and Neal's brook from Lunenburgh. Here the river makes a westerly bend, receiving Mile's river and passing between Littleton and Concord, where there is a bridge built over the falls. It has thence a southerly course between Bath and Rigate, where the Great Amonoosuck empties itself at the lower ex- tremity of Bath opposite the mouth of Wells river, which passes from Newbury, Ver- mont. Between Haverhill and Newbury, the river is crook-
ed, passing under three bridg- es, and receiving Oliverian , river from the east and a small stream from the west at the Great Ox-bow. As it thence flows between Piermont and Bradford, it receives two large mill-streams and Wait's river from the latter place, and two small mill-streams from the former. It thence passes on through Orford and Fairlee, Lyme and Thelford to Grant's island near the line of Windsor county, Vermont. A bridge over the falls just below Dart- mouth college unites the towns of Hanover and Norwich, and another bridge four or five miles below, near the mouth of Mascomy river from New- Hampshire and White river from Vermont, connects the towns of Lebanon, N. H. and Hartford, Vt. Between Plain- field and Hartland is a small island called Hart's island, where Queechy river and Lull's brook empty themselves from Vermont. From Hart's island the river keeps nearly a straight course between Cornish and Windsor, till it reaches the mouth of Sugar river at Clare- mont. Two very good mill- streams empty themselves from Windsor and several from Weathersfield opposite Clare- mont. The mouth of Sugar river is several miles below Asculrey mountain. As the river flows on between Charles- ton and Springfield, it receives Black river from the latter town and Williams river from Rockingham. It thence pass-
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es between Walpole and the lower part of Rockingham, where the great falls com- m'ence, now known by the ap- pellation of Bellows' falls. The width of the river above them is at some point 22 rods, at others not more than 16. The average depth of the channel is about 25 feet, and is gener- ally well supplied with water. It is said, however, that in September, 1792, after a severe drought, the waters of this riv- er passed within a space of twelve feet wide and two and a half feet deep. A large rock here divides the stream into two channels, each about nine- ty feet wide. When the water is low, the eastern channel is dry, being crossed by a bar of solid rock. At such times the whole stream falls into the western channel, where it is contracted to the breadth of fifteen feet, and flows with as- tonishing rapidity. There are several pitches within the dis- tance of half a mile above each other, the largest of which is that, where the rock divides the stream. Notwithstanding the violence of the current here, the salmon pass up the falls and are taken many miles above, but the shad do not pass beyond the falls. In 1784, a bridge of timber, constructed by Col. Hale was projected over these falls 365 feet in length. This bridge was sup- ported by the great central rock, and under it the highest floods pass without doing inju- ry. The river from this place
flows along the lower extremi- ty of Walpole, from which town Cold river empties it- self, and from Westminster, which lies opposite, Sexton riv- er falls in with several other small streams. It thence pass- es Westmoreland which lies opposite to Putnam and Dum- merston, thence it flows by Chesterfield situated opposite to Brattleborough, where it re- ceives Wantoostilqueck or West river, Between Hins- dale in New-Hampshire and Hinsdale in Vermont is a re- markable bend, where Ashue- lot river empties itself. The Connecticut a few miles below this point passes over the S. line of New-Hampshire into Massachusetts. Its passage through the county of Hamp- shire waters some of the most pleasant towns in the common- wealth, such as Springfield, Hadley, Northampton, &c. It thence enters the limits of Connecticut, passes over En- field falls, thence to Windsor, where it receives Windsor fer- ry river, thence to Hartford, where it meets the tide and flows in a crooked channel into Long Island sound. At the distance of 130 miles from its mouth, its width is from 80 to 100 rods. The whole length of this beau- tiful river is bordered on each of its banks with some of the most flourishing towns in the United States. Throughout its whole course, it preserves a distance of between 80 and 100 miles from the sea. The `whole distance of this mag-
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nificent stream from its mouth to its source is above 300 miles. The celebrated American poet, Barlow, thus compliments it ;
No watery gleams through happier villas shine- Nor drinks the sea a lovelier wave than thine.
CONTOOCOOK, a very consid- erable river in Hillsborough county. Its most southerly branch has its rise near the Great Monadnock mountain in. Jaffrey and Rindge, and its most northerly branch flows from Danbury, Wilmot, &c. at a dis- tance of more than fifty miles from each other. These streams after receiving tribute from almost every pond and spring in Dublin, Peterborough, Nelson, Stoddard, Washing- ton, Fishersfield, Bradford, Hillsborough, Antrim, War- ner, Sutton, New-London, Salisbury, Boscawen, and sev- eral other towns, form a junc- tion in the northerly corner of Hopkinton. The main stream passing easterly from this place 8 or 9 miles falls into the Merrimack between Concord and Boscawen. The Contoo- cook is a very rapid river and. at a distance of 10 or 12 miles from its mouth is 100 yards wide. Just before it empties itself into the Merrimack it branches itself and forms an island, which has some celebri- ty as being the spot where a Mrs. Dustin performed a very heroic exploit. This woman had been captured by the In- dians in Haverhill, Massachu- setts, and carried to this island. The Indians, 8 or 10 in num-
ber, being fatigued and appre- . hending no danger laid them- selves down to sleep. The woman seized one of their tomahawks and with it killed and scalped the whole party, took their canoe and returned down the river to Haverhill. She afterwards carried the scalps to Boston and was liber- ally rewarded.
CONWAY, a township situat- ed in the N. E. corner of Straf- ford county. It was incorpo- rated in 1715, and 1810 it contained 1080 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Chatham and Bartlett, E. by the line of the District of Maine, which sepa- rates it from Fryburgh, S. by Eaton, and W. by Burton and Hale's grant, containing 34,728 acres. It was called by the In- dians, Pigwacket. A small part of Walker's pond and Lit- tle Pigwacket pond lie in this town. The latter is about 175 rods in diameter.
Saco river passes through this town, where it receives Swift river and several other small streams. The Rev. Mr. Porter was ordained here in 1778, and still continues the minister of the place. Conway has 3 religious societies and 2 meeting-houses. It contains 4 corn-mills, 5 saw-mills, 1 mill for dressing cloth, 2 card- ing-machines, distilleries, and 3 retail stores.
Coos COUNTY is bounded S. by the counties of Grafton and Strafford, E. by the Dis-
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trict of Maine, N. by Lower Canada, and W. by Connecti- cut river. It is composed of 22 towns, 5 locations, and a large tract of unlocated land. In 1810 it contained 3,991 in- habitants, of which 628 were rateable polls. It contained at that time 262 horses, 37 four years old, 47 three years old, 49 two years old ; 503 oxen, 231 four years old, 1,383 ccws, 637 three years old cattle, and 674 two years old ; 13 mules, and 1 jack. This county com- prises 128,662 acres of land and water S. of latitude 45° and N. of that latitude it con- tains 160,353 acres.
Lancaster is the shire town of this county, and was incor- porated as early as 1763. The county prison is here, and an academy which was incorpo- rated in 1808.
Coos county has 12. meeting- houses, 20 grist ·mills, 27 saw- mills, 5 mills for dressing cloth, 3 carding machines, 11 stores, and 6 distilleries, &c. It sends 27 members to the state legislature. The superi- or court for the county of Grafton and this county is held at Haverhill and Plymouth al- ternately on the 4th Tuesday of December, and the court of common pleas is held at Lan- caster on the 4th Tuesday of May.
CORNISH, a township in Cheshire county was incorpo- rated in 1763, and its popula- tion in 1810, amounted to 1600. It is bounded N. by
Plainfield, E. by Croydon, S. by Claremont, and W. by Connecticut river, which sepa- rates it from Windsor in Ver- mont. It contains 23,160 a- cres. A bridge crosses the Connecticut from this town to Windsor. The line adjoining Croydon passes over Croydon mountain. Governor's moun- tain is situated nearly between the bridge and the road to Croydon.
In this town are a congrega- tionalist, baptist, and episcopa- lian society, and a meeting- house for each. In 1768, the Rev. J. Welman was ordained here and removed in 1785. The Rev. J. Rowel and P. Kindreck are the present min- isters. This town contains 4 grain-mills, 10 saw-mills, 2 mills for dressing cloth, 2 carding-machines,and 4 stores.
COVENTRY, a township in Grafton county, bounded N. by Landaff, E. by Peeling, S. by Warner, and W. by Haver- hill, containing 33,290 acres. It was incorporated in 1764, and its number of inhabitants in 1810, was 162. Moose-hil- lock and Owl-head mountains
are in this town. Branches and Oliverian brook, Baker's river, and Wild Amonoosuck take their rise here. Cov- entry contains 2 grist-mills and 1 saw-mill.
CROYDON, a township in the county of Cheshire, was in- corporated in 1713. Its num- ber of inhabitants is 862. It
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is bounded N. by New-Gran- tham and a corner of Spring- field, E. by Springfield and Wendall, S. by Newport, and W. by Cornish, and contains 26,000 acres.
Croydon mountain extends in a northeasterly direction through this town from its southwestern extremity. On this mountain are two small ponds. Its soil is moist and rocky, and produces excellent grass, besides wheat, rye,corn, &c. The principal articles which this town sends to mar- ket, are beef, pork, butter, cheese, &c. Croydon turnpike passes nearly through the cen- tre of this town. There are several small ponds in this town, which supply some of the minor branches of Sugar river, on which streams are e- rected 4 corn-mills, 5 saw- mills, 1 mill for dressing cloth, and a carding-machine. There is in this town a house of pub- lic worship in which a congre- gational minister officiates.
D.
DALTON, a township in Coos county, containing 235 inhabit- ants. It is bounded N.W. by Connecticut river at the great falls opposite Lunenburgh in Vermont, N. E. by Lancaster and Whitefield, S.E.by White- field, and S.W. by Littleton or the Grafton line. It contains 16,455 acres.
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