USA > New Hampshire > Gazetteer of the state of New-Hampshire > Part 16
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INDIAN STREAM rises in the high lands which divide this state from Lower Canada, and is undoubtedly the most north- ern branch of Connecticut riv- er. From its source to Stew- artstown, a distance of 30 miles, its course is direct.
ISINGLASS RIVER has its source in Bow pond on the county line between North- wood and Barrington, receives the waters of several ponds in Barrington and falls into Co- checho river at the south part of Rochester.
ISRAEL'S RIVER receives a southerly branch which flows from the northern side of the White hills and the township of Durand, and a northerly branch from Kilkenny and Northumberland. These bran- ches. unite at Lancaster in a main stream which falls into Connecticut river, on the wes- terly side of Lancaster village. This is a beautiful stream, and bordered with highly cultivat- ed lands.
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JAFFREY,a township in Ches- hire county, incorporated im
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1773, and containing in 1810, a population of 1336 ; bounded N. by Dublin, E. by Cheshire county line, which separates it from Sharon and Peterbor- ough, S. by Rindge and Fitz- william, and W. by a part of Fitzwilliam and Marlborough, comprizing an area of 25,600 acres, of which 987 are water. The north boundary of the town crosses the Grand Mo- nadnock mountain, which is more than 2000 feet in height. Long pond in the north part of the town is 400 rods long and 140 wide. Gilmore pond is 300 long and 180 wide. - The 3d N. H. turnpike passes through this town, and near it is a min- eral , spring about one mile S.E. of the Grand Monadnock. A company has been incorporat- ed for the management of its waters. Red ochre has been found near the spring, and in its vicinity have been discover- ed black lead, copperas, alum, sulphur, and an ore yielding from the action of a common forge, a copper coloured metal. On the N. W. side of the moun- tain a cave has been discover- ed, difficult of access, although it has an area. 80 feet square. Here is found also that rare and valuable tree, the moun- tain ash. A company was in- corporated in this town in 1813, for the manufactory of cotton and woollen goods, their fac- tory is situated on the turn- pike. It is the uppermost fac- tory on Contoocook river,and is intended to employ 1000 cot-
ton spindles. There are several mills in its vicinity.
Another company has been incorporated in this town for manufacturing the various kinds of crockery and earthen ware. Belonging to this com- pany is an extensive mine of white clay in the town of Monk- ton (Vt.) whence it is trans- ported to Jaffrey. This clay has been analyzed and com-, pared by skilful chemists with that from which the European white ware is made and no difference in quality has been discovered. The practicabili- ty of the above plan has been fully ascertained by the pro- gress already made in the man- ufacture. Rev. Laban Ains- worth ,was ordained here in 1782, and is still in office. There are here a baptist and a congregational society, for each . of which there is a meeting- house.
JEFFERSON, a township in Coos county formerly called Dartmouth, lying on the banks of Israel's river, which passes from its southern to its wes- tern extremity. It was incor- porated in 1765, and now con- tains about 200 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Barker's location and a part of Lan- caster, E. by Kilkenny, S.“ by ungranted lands and Bretton Woods, and W, by Bretton Woods and White- field, comprising 26,076 a- cres, 300 of which are wa- ter
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Pondcherry pond in this town is 200 rods in diameter, and forms the source of one of the branches of John's river. Pondcherry bay is about 200 rods long and 100 wide. In the N. E. part of the town lies Plinny mountain and in the S. W. part is Pondcherry moun- tain. The Jefferson turnpike passes through this place to Lancaster. There are here 2 grain-mills and 1 saw-mill.
JOHN'S RIVER has the source of its most southerly branches in Bretton Woods, Whitefield, and Dalton, of its middle branch in Pondcherry pond, and of its northern, in Martin's meadow in Lancas- ter. These branches unite in the upper part of Dalton in a main stream, which falls into the Connecticut river at the upper bar. of the 15 miles falls. The mouth is here 30 yards wide.
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KEARSARGE MOUNTAIN, in Coos county, lies on the divid- ing line between Bartlett and Chatham. This is the third range of mountains in the state. Its height has not been ascer- tained.
A gentleman, who resides in the neighbourhood of this range observes, that in Octo- ber, 1812, he went in company with two of his neighbours to view the mountain, which lies on the north of Conway, and
while ascending was astonish- ed at the singular appear- ance of the stones, which form the body of the mountain as well as of those which lie on its surface. They all appear to have been once in a fluid state, or to have composed the bot- tom of some sea. The large masses, as well as the de- tached pieces, were full of small pebbles of all sizes,forms, and colours, confusedly thrown together and cemented. The small stones retain their per- fect shape in the solid mass of which they form a part. The whole appearance in short, in- dicated, that these pebbles were once in a separate state and were consolidated by some unknown cause.
KEARSARGE MOUNTAIN, in Hillsborough county, lies part- ly in Kearsarge Gore and part- ly in Sutton. Its easterly ex- tremity extends to New-Salis- bury and Andover. This is one of the second range in the state.
KEARSARGE GORE, in Hills- borough county, lies on the southerly side of Kearsarge mountain. It contains 152 in- habitants, and is bounded N. by Wilmot, E. by Salisbury, S. by Warner, and W. by Sutton, comprizing an area of 428 acres.
In the year 1807, that part of Kearsarge Gore together with a part of New-London was incorporated into a town by the name of Wilmot.
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KEENE, one of the princi- pal townships in the county of Cheshire, was incorporat- ed in 1752, and in 1810, con- tained 1646 inhabitants; bound- ed N. by Gilsum, Surry, and Westmoreland, E. by Surry and Roxbury, S. by Swansey, and W. by Chesterfield and Westmoreland, and contains 23,843 acres.
Ashuelot river passes thro' this town and receives here the eastern branch of Beaver brook. The 3d N. H. turn- pike has its course through here, and meets the branch and Chester turnpikes and several other principal roads. Keene contains a very handsome vil- lage of about 60 dwelling-hous- es, a meeting-house, bank, court-house, gaol, and several stores, &c. About a mile from the village, a canal is cut from Ashuelot river, on which is a woollen factory,an oil-mill, and several other mills.
The Rev. Jacob Bacon was settled here in 1738, and has been succeeded by the Rev. Messrs. Carpenter, Sumner, and Hall, the latter of whom died in 1814.
This town was formerly called Upper Ashuelot. In 1746, the Indians commenced their depredations here, and in the course of the next year they formed a plan to surprize the fort in this place. In the evening they concealed them- selves in a swamp, where they intended to lie till the people should go out to their work the next morning, when they
were to rush in and surprize the fort. Ephraim Dounan who happened to go out very early discovered the ambush and gave the alarm. He brave- ly defended himself against 2 Indians, from one of whom he took a gun and a blanket, which he carried to the fort. The Indians succeeded in burn- ing several houses and barns, and from the bones found a- mong the ashes, it was ascer- tained that several of the ene- my were destroyed in the flames. John Bullard and Na- than Blake were taken captive and carried to Canada where Blake remained 2 years. He died in Keene 1811, at the age of 99. ' He was one of the first settlers of this place, to which he removed in 1736, from Wrentham, (Mass.) He married a second wife at the age of 94. Two of his broth- ers lived to the age of 90, and a sister to 100.
KENSINGTON, a township in Rockingham county, incorpo- rated in 1737, and now con- taining 781 inhabitants; bound- ed N. by Exeter, E. by Hamp- ton Falls, S. by Southampton, and W. by East-Kingston. Kensington was formerly a part of Hampton. Rev. Joseph Fogg was settled in this town at the time of its incorporation and died in 1800. There are here two religious societies and two meeting-houses.
KILKENNY, a township in Coos county, of an irregular
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form and mountainous surface, incorporated in 1774, and now containing only 28 inhabitants ; bounded N. E. by Durand, Mainsborough, Paulsburg, and Dummer, N. and S. by un- granted lands, and W. by Bar- ker's location, Jefferson, Lan- caster, and Piercy, and con- tains 15,906 acres. A branch of Nashes stream crosses the northerly extremity of this town and Israel's river its southern.
KINGSTON, a township in Rockingham county, incorpo- rated 1694, and now contain- ing a population of 746; bound- ed N. by Brentwood, E. by East-Kingston, S. by Newton and Plaistow, and W. by Hampstead and Hawke, con- taining 12,188 acres, of which 800 are water. Great pond, containing about 500 acres, and about 300 acres of County pond are in this town. In these ponds Powow river has its source.
Rev. Ward Clark was set- tled here in 1725, and died in 1737. Rev. Messrs. Secomb, Tappan, and Thayer have been his successors. A post road leading from Boston to Ports- mouth passes through this town. · There is here an ex- tensive plain on which stands a commodious meeting-house.
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LAMPREY RIVER has its source in the town of North- wood, on the W.side of Saddle
back mountain. Takinga south- erly course,it passes into Deer- field and receives the waters of Martin's pond, and in Can- dia a stream called Second riv- er falls into it. Thence it pass- es inte Raymond, where it re- ceives a western branch. Thence taking a southerly di- rection, it unites with the wa- ters of Jones' pond in Deer- field, and thence as it flows on through Epping, it receives Petuckaway river, and after a bend to the N. E. it receives North river. After a course thence through Lee to Dur- ham, it unites with Piscasick river from Newmarket. It meets the tide water about two miles above the Great bay.
LANCASTER, a township in Coos county, on the eastern bank of Connecticut river, in- corporated in 1763, and con- taining in 1810, a population of 717 inhabitants. It is bound- ed N. E. by Northumberland and Kilkenny, S. E. by Bar- ker's location and a part of Whitefield, S. W. by Dalton, and W. by Connecticut river, containing 23,480 acres. It lies about 50 miles above Han- over. In this town is Martin's meadow pond, about 260 rods long and 150 wide, and also Martin's meadow hill on the north side of the pond. The village is about one mile dis- tant from the river, and con- tains a meeting-house, court- house. gaol, &c. Through this village passes Israel's river which falls into the Connecti-
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cut at the Great Ox-bow. In- dian brook waters the other extremity of the town. Lan- caster is united by a bridge with Guildhall (Vt.) There are here several grain-mills and saw-mills, an oil-mill, a clothing-mill, and a carding- machine, a nail-factory, and 2 distilleries. The Rev. J.Wil- lard is the minister here.
LANDAFF, in Grafton coun- ty was incorporated in 1794, and now contains 650 inhabit- ants. It is bounded N. E. by Concord (Vt.) and a part of Franconia, E. by Lincoln and a part of Peeling, S. W. by Coventry, and W. by Bath, comprising 29,200 acres.
Through this town passes the Wild Amonoosuck river, on the north bank of which it is contemplated to extend the Bath turnpike. Over the west extremity of Landaff the Great Amonoosuck passes. Landaff mountain, Cobble moun- tain, and Bald head mountain are in this town. - Landaff was granted to Dartmouth college in 1769. There is here a meth- · odist meeting-house, 2 corn- mills, and 2 saw-mills, 2 distil- leries, and 4-shops. The first ordained minister of the town was Elder Royse. The centre of Landaff' is about 9 miles E. from Connecticut river.
LANGDON, a township in Cheshire county, 5 miles east from Connecticut river, incor- porated in 1787, and now con-
taining 632 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Charleston, E. by Acworth and Alstead, S. By Acworth and Walpole, and W. by Charleston, com- prising 9,891 acres. The Ches- hire turnpike leading : from Walpole to Charleston passes through this town. Cold river flows through Langdon and here receives its northern branch, which passes thro' U- nity, Acworth, and Charleston.
LEBANON, a township lying in the S. W. part of Cheshire county, incorporated in 1761, and now containing 1808 in- habitants ; bounded N.by Han- over, S. E. by Enfield, S. by the line of Cheshire county, which separates it from Plain- field, and W. by Connecticut river which separates it from Hartford (Vt.) its area is 22,998 acres. The Croydon turnpike and the 4th N. H. turnpike pass through this town to Lyman's bridge. At this place White river empties itself into the Connecticut. Here also the White river turnpike meets the two roads above mentioned.
Mascomy river flows through Lebanon from a pond of the same name on the borders of Enfield. There are here 2 re- ligious societies and 1 meeting- house for the congregational- ists, over whom Rev. J.Porter was ordained in 1772. Leba- non contains 8 grist-mills, 9 saw-mills, 3 clothing-mills, 1 distillery, and 4 shops.
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LEE, a township in the south part of the county of Strafford, incorporated in 1766, and now containing a population of1329 inhabitants ; bounded N. by Madbury, E. by Durham, S. by Newmarket and Epping, and W. by Nottingham and Barrington, comprising an a- rea of 11,467 acres, 165 of which are water.
In the north part of the town lies Wheelwright pond, containing about 165 acres, and forming the principal source of Oyster river. From the N. W. extremity of New- market, Lamprey river enters - Lee, and after a serpentine course of about seven iniles it passes into Durham. Anoth- er part of the town is watered by Little river and North riv- er. Through the north part of Lee the N. H. turnpike passes from Portsmouth to Concord.
There is here a Friend's meeting-house and another for the baptists ; several grist and saw-mills, 1 clothing-mill, a carding-machine, and several shops. Lee was formerly a part of Durham and Dover. The first settled minister here was Elder S. Hutchins, who has been succeeded by Elder Elias Smith, and the present pastor Elder J. Osborn.
LEMPSTER, a township in Cheshire county, incorporated in 1761, and containing in1810, a population of 845 inhabi- tants. It is bounded N. by Unity, E. by Goshen and 20
Washington, S. by Marlow, and W. by Acworth, compris- ing an area of 21,410 acres. Near the border of Washing- ton is a pond about 320 rods long and 80 wide, and another lying partly in Marlow 420 long and 70 wide, besides sev- eral others of a smaller size. Lempster is also watered by Sugar river and two branches of Cold river. The easterly part of the town is mountain- ous, over which part passes the 2d N. H. turnpike from Amherst to Claremont. In this town also the Charleston turnpike branches off. There are here 7 school-houses, and 1 congregational meeting- house. Rev. E. Fisher was the first and only minister ev- er settled in this town. He was ordained in 1787, and is still in office.
In 1812, eighteen persons died in this town, and twelve of them of the spotted fever. In 1813, five others died of that disease. This fever first appeared in Lempster on the 20th of March, 1812, and con- tinued spreading its malignant contagion till the 3d of April. In 1813, it again appeared a- bout the middle of April, and in June it assumed the form of the mild typhus. In 1803, twenty-four children died here in two months of the scarlati- na anginosa. J.S. T.A.
LINCOLN, a mountainous township in Grafton county, incorporated in 1764, and now .
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containing 100 inhabitants ; here in 1765, and removed in bounded N. by Franconia, E. by ungranted lands, S. by Peeling, and W. by Landaff, comprising an area of 32,456 acres.
In this town is situated the Hay-Stack mountain, which is said to be the highest land in the state excepting the White mountains. There are also several other lofty eminences in this town.
Through the centre of Lin- coln passes Pemigewasset riv- er in a northerly direction. The waters descending from the mountains here flow partly into the Merrimack and partly into the Connecticut. In the north part of this town there are two large gulfs, made by an extraordinary discharge of water from the clouds in 1774.
LITCHFIELD, a small town- ship in Hillsborough county, lying on the east side of Mer- rimack river opposite to the town of Merrimack. It was incorporated in 1749, and con- taimed in 1810,382 inhabitants. It is bounded E. by London- derry and Nottingham West, S. by Nottingham West, and W. by the Merrimack. In this town are Cromwell's falls and ferry, Thornton's and Reed's ferries, and Moor's falls. At Thornton's ferry the Mer- rimack is 50 rods wide, and in other points about 28. There are in this town several mills and one meeting-house. Rev. Samuel Cotton was ordained
1781. His successors have been Rev. Messrs. Rand and Kennedy, and another gentle- man lately ordained.
LITTLETON, a township in the northern extremity of Graf- ton county, incorporated in 1784, and now containing 876 inhabitants. It is bounded N. E. by Dalton, S. E.by Beth- lehem, S. W. by Concord and Lyman, and W. by Connecti- cut river, which separates it from Waterford and Concord in Vermont. Its area is 24, 217 acres.
Littleton extends on the banks of the Connecticut about 14 miles. It is connected with Concord, (Vt.) by a handsome bridge. The southern part of the town is watered by the Amonoosuck river. There are here several mountains, viz. Bluberry, Black,and Iron moun- tains. There are in this town several mills, a meeting-house, and about a dozen dwelling- houses.
LITTLE HARBOUR. (See
Newcastle.)
LONDONDERRY, a large and respectable town in Rocking- ham county, was incorporated in 1722, and contained in1810, a population of 2766 inhabi- tants. It is bounded N. by Chester and Manchester, E. by Hampstead, Sandown, and Atkinson, S. by Salem, Wind- ham, and Nottingham West, and W. by Litchfield, com-
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prising an area of 44,100 acres. an ardent thirst for civil and Derry pond in this town is religious liberty.
. the principal source of Beaver ~ river. Several other small ponds in the west part of the town empty themselves into this river. A turnpike passes here leading to Chester. There are in Londonderry 2 presbyte- rian meeting-houses, an acade- my, 5 grist-mills, s saw-mills, 2 clothing-mills, 2 carding-ma- chines, and 6 trading stores. The first minister here was the Rev. James M'Gregore, who was ordained in 1719, when the town was called Nutfield. He died in 1729. Rev. M. Clark was his successor, who died soon after his settlement. Rev. Alexander Thompson was ordained in 1734, and died in 1791, at the age of 81. His successors have been the Rev. Messrs. Brown 'and Parker, the latter of whom is the pre- sent pastor. Over the second parish the Rev. D. M'Gregore was ordained in 1737, and died in 1777. He was succeeded by Rev. William Morrison in 1783, who still continues in office.
Londonderry was settled in 1718, by a company from Ire- land, of whom the following is a brief history. A compa- ny of Scotch presbyterians had been settled in the province of Ulster, in the reign of James I. They had borne a large part of the sufferings which were the common lot of pro- testants at that unhappy period, and were thereby inspired with
A young man of the name of Holmes, son of a clergy -- man, had travelled to Ameri- ca, and carried home such a favourable report of the coun- try, as induced his father with three other presbyterian min- isters, viz. James M'Gregore, William Cornwell, and Will- iam Boyd, and a large part of their congregations to emigrate into this country. Having con- verted their property into mo- ney, they embarked in five ships on the 14th of October, 1718, of whom about one hun- dred families arrived in Bos- ton. Sixteen of these families soon determined to settle on a tract of land of which they heard good reports, which was then called Nutfield, and now Londonderry. Early in the spring the men left their fami- lies in Haverhill, (Mass,) and erected some huts near a brook, which falls into Beaver river. On the evening after their ar- rival (April 11th, 1718,) at this spot, a sermon was preached by Mr. M'Gregore under a large oak tree, which to this day is regarded by the poster- ity with real veneration. On the first administration of the sacrament here, there were two minister's and sixty-five com- municants. The majority of these first settlers had resided in or near Londonderry in Ire- land, where they had endured the sufferings of a memorable siege. John Barr, William
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Caldwell, and Abraham Blair, with several others, who had suffered in that siege and em- barked for America, were, by a special order of king William, exempted from taxes in every part of the British dominions.
The first settlers in this town lived to the average of 80, many to 90, and others to 100.
The spotted fever prevailed here in 1814, and carried off 52 persons.
LOUDON,a township in Rock- ingham county, incorporated in 1673, and now containing a population of 148 inhabitants. It is bounded N. E. by Gil- manton, S. E. by Pittsfield and Chichester, S. W. by Concord, and N. W. by Canterbury, comprising 28,257 acres.
Suacook river, flowing from Gilmanton, passes through the Western part of this town: Into this river are emptied the waters of Crooked pond, Rol- lins' pond, and several others which lie in this town.
In Loudon there are 2 meet- ing-houses, 5 grist-mills, 2 carding-machines,3 distilleries, and 4 trading shops. Rev. J. Tucker was ordained here in 1789. This town was formerly a part of Canterbury.
LOVEWELL'S POND is at the head of the westerly branch of Salmon falls river, in the town of Wakefield,
LYMAN, a township in Graf- ton county, about 13 miles a-
bove Haverhill, incorporated in 1761, and containing 948 inhabitants ; bounded N. E. by Littleton, S. E. by Concord, S. W. by Bath, and N. W. by Connecticut river, which di- vides it from Barnet in Ver- mont.
The soil and productions of Lyman are similar to those of other towns in the northern part of the state. . The pine and hemlock indicate the most valuable qualities in the soil. Over Indoes falls in this town a bridge has been erected. Two miles above this spot is Ste- phen's ferry. Burnham's riv- er has its source in this town, and falls into the Amonoosuck at Concord. Lyman mountain, which is in fact a continuation of Gardner's mountain, ex- tends from Landaff through this town in a north and south direction. On its summit is a pond 100 rods long and 80 wide, which forms the princi- pal source of Burnham's river. Copper and emery mixed with iron ore have been found in this town. In the year 1812, the spotted fever prevailed in Lyman : it attacked 70 persons, of whom only one died. It is a remarkable fact, that of the three first families who settled in this town there were twenty sons, of whom seventeen are now living here. One of the twenty died by casualty and the other two live elsewhere.
There are in Lyman 3 grist- mills, 3 saw-mills, 2 clothing- mills, 1 carding-machine,2 dis- tilleries, and an oil-mill.
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LYME, a township in Graf- ton county, incorporated in 1761, and now containing 1670 inhabitants ; bounded N. by Orford, E. by Dorchester, S. by Hanover, and W. by Con- necticut river, comprizing an area of 28,500 acres. There are several ponds in Lyme, which form the sources of Port's, Grant's, and Fairfield brooks. Grafton turnpike pass- es through this town to Orford bridge. There is here a small village containing a presbyte- rian meeting-house, 10 dwell- ing-houses, 3 stores, &c. There are also in other parts of the town a baptist meeting-house, sever- al grist and saw-mills, and a carding- machine. Rev. W.Con- nant was settled here in 1773, and was succeeded by the pres- ent minister, Rev. N. Lambert.
LYNDEBOROUGH, a township of an irregular shape, in Hills- borough county ; bounded N. by Francestown, E. by New- Boston and Mount-Vernon, S. by Milford and Wilton, and W. by Greenfield and Temple. It contains 20,767 acres, and 1074 inhabitants, was in- corporated in 1764. Among the mountains in the N. part of the town Sowhegan river has its source. Through oth- er parts of the town flow Pis- cataquog and Rocky rivers. Warner's brook takes its rise near a mountain 1450 feet in height. On the S. side of this mountain stands the meeting- house of the town. There are also in the town 2 grain-mills, in Hillsborough county, s
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