USA > New Hampshire > Gazetteer of the state of New-Hampshire > Part 19
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PEELING, in Grafton county, was incorporated in 1763, and in 1810, contained 203 inhabi- tants ; bounded N. E. by Lin- coln, S. E. by Thornton, S.W. by Thornton and Ellsworth, and W. by Warren, Coventry, and Landaff, comprising33,359 acres. There are here sever- al ponds, the largest of which is Elbow pond about 60 rods in diameter. The middle. branch of Pemigewasset river passes through this town.
Black mountain in its northwest part. Among these mountains a branch of the Wild Amonoo- suck, a branch of Baker's river, and Moosehillock brook have their sources. Although the surface here is mountainous the roads are good, and a turn- pike is projected from Bath to this town. There are but 2 mills in this town.
PELHAM, in Rockingham county, was incorporated in 1746, and in 1810, it contain- ed 998 inhabitants ; bounded N. by Windham and Salem, S. E. and S. by Dracut, (Mass.) and W. by Nottingham West. Its area is 16,333 acres, of which 280 are water. There are here two ponds, Island pond of about 178 acres, and ' Gumpas pond of about 100. Beaver river flows through the town and receives the waters of these ponds. The surface of the town is generally even, although there are. several swells of valuable land.
Rev. James Hobbe was or- dained here in 1765, and was succeeded by Rev. James Moody. Rev. John Church, the present minister, was set- tled in 1798. There is here 1 meeting-house, 3 grain-mills, 3 saw-mills, 1 clothing-mill, a carding-machine, and 3 trading stores. During the ten years ending in 1808, the number of deaths in this town was121, of which 32 were of consumption.
In Peeling there are three large mountains ; Cushman's mountain in its north part, Blue PEMBROKE, in the south mountain in its centre, and part of Rockingham county, 23
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was incorporated in 1759, and now contains 1153 inhabitants ; bounded N. E. by Chichester, E. by Epsom, S. E. by Suncook river which separates. it from Allenstown, S. W. by Merri- mack river dividing it from Bow, and N. W. by Suncook river dividing it from Con- cord. It contains 14,060 acres.
Two bridges are erected o- 'ver the Suncook, one connect- ing this town with Concord, and the other leading to Al- lenstown ; over the latter of which the Chester turnpike passes.
Near the junction of the Suncook and Merrimack are several valuable mill seats, on which are erected a cotton fac- tory, 2 paper-mills, an oil-mill, a nail factory, carding-ma- chine, &c. Beside these,there are in the town 4 corn-mills, 5 saw-mills, and a clothing- mill. Pembroke street is nearly three miles long, on which are about 50 dwelling-houses, 5 stores, and 2 meeting-houses. . The soil of this town is gen- erally good, and its local situa- tion is remarkably pleasant. It was called Suncook by the In- dians, and was granted by Massachusetts under the name of Lovewell's town. Rev. Aaron Whitman was settled here in 1736. He has been succeeded by the Rev. Messrs. Emery, Colby, Mitchell, and Burnham, the latter of whom is the present minister.
mack, flows from the ridge called the height of land. Its several sources are on the Moosehillock mountain, the southwest part of the White mountains, and in the town of Franconia. On its western side it receives Baker's river, a stream from New-Found pond, Smith's river, and many smaller streams.
Its average course is south about 50 miles,passing through Lincoln, Peeling, Thornton, Campton, and by Holderness, Plymouth, Bridgewater, New- Chester, and Andover. It empties into the Winnipiseo- gee at the lower part of San- bornton. After this junction the main stream becomes the Merrimack.
PETERBOROUGH, a township in the southwest part of Hilis- borough county, lying about 25 miles west from the Con- necticut and the same distance east from the Merrimack, was incorporated in 1760, and in 1810 contained 1537 inhabi- tants ; bounded N. by Han- cock and Greenfield, E. by Greenfield and Temple, S. by Sharon, and W. by Jaffrey and Dublin, comprising an area of 23,780 acres.
The surface of this town is mountainous, and its soil is enriched by numerous brooks and small streams, favourable to meadow and pasturage ground, and supplying many valuable mill seats. . A prin- cipal branch of Contoocook.
PEMIGEWASSET RIVER, the western branch of the Merri- river passes near the centre of
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this town, and also Goose riv- Paulsburgh. Near theN.E. ex- er flowing from Dublin and falling into the Contoocook at Smith's mills. Near this junc- tion is the principal village, which is much indebted for its origin and growth to the indi- vidual exertions of the Hon. S. Smith.
Here are about 25 dwelling- houses, 2 stores, 3 cotton fac- tories, a paper-mill, an oil-mill, grain-mill, fulling-mill, saw- mill, carding-machine, mechan-" ic shops, &c. On the Con- toocook in other parts of the town are 2 other cotton facto- ries, a woollen factory, 2 grain- mills, and 2 saw-mills.
Peterborough is one of the most considerable manufactur- ing towns in the state. No one has so many factories. The principal roads leading throughthe town are from Am- herst to Keene, and from Han- cock to New-Ipswich. There is here 1 meeting-house, in · which Rev. J. Morrison was ordained in 1759. He was succeeded by Rev. D. Annan in 1779. Rev. E. Dunbar, the present minister, was settled in 1799.
PIERCY, in'Coos county, was incorporated in 1794, and in 1810, contained 211 inhabit- ants ; bounded N. by Stratford and ungranted lands, E. and S. by Kilkenny, and W. by Nor- thumberland,comprising50,630 acres. Piercy's pond is on the E. side of the town, the waters of which fall into the Upper Amonoosuck in the town of
tremity of Piercy the north and south branches of the Amon- oosuck form a junction. This river receives Nash's stream in the northerly part of the town, as it flows from Strat- ford. Mill and Pilot moun- tains are in this place." There are here only two mills. The course on a straight line from the centre of this town to the mouth of the Upper Amonoo- suck is about 6 miles.
PHILLIP'S RIVER flows part- ly from Columbia and Dix- · ville mountains and partly from a large pond in the state's land No. 1. thence enlarging itself as it passes through the towns of Millsfield and Dum- mer, and taking a westerly course, it passes through Kil- kenny and enters Piercy, where it unites with the Upper Am- onoosuck.
PIERCE'S ISLAND is in Pis- cataqua harbour, between this and Seavey's island the main channel passes. On each of them batteries and entrench- ments were prepared in 1775, and again in 1814. The cur- rent is here narrow, rapid and deep, and the shore bold and . rocky. (See Piscataqua har- bour.)
PIERMONT, in Grafton coun- ty, was incorporated in 1764, and in 1810, contained 877 in- habitants ; bounded N. E. by Haverhill, E. by Warren, S. W. by Orford, and W. by the
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west side of Connecticut river, which divides it from Brad- ford in Vermont, comprising about 25,800 acres. Eastman's ponds lie in this town near Warren; they unite and fall into Connecticut river in Pier- mont. Black mountain lies on the south side of this place and Stallion mountain on its north- ern side. The Coos turnpike passes through the N. E. part of the town. There is here 1 meeting-house and 2 religious societies, 2 grain-mills, 3 saw- mills, 1 fulling-mill, and 1 dis- tillery. The inhabitants are generally farmers, and manu- facture their own clothing.
PINE RIVER flows from a pond of that name in Wake- field. After a N. W. course through Ossipee and part of Effingham, it falls into Great Ossipee lake.
PISCATAQUA RIVER is the only large river, the whole course of which is within the state. Its source is a pond near the S. W. corner of the town of Wakefield, and is on the line of the District of Maine. Its general course thence to the sea is S. S. E. a- bout 40 miles. It divides this state from York county, (Maine) and is called Salmon falls river from its source to Berwick lower falls, where it takes the name of Newicha- wannock, which it bears until it meets the river Cochecho flow- ing from Dover. The conflu- ent stream thence passes to
Hilton's point 7 miles from the sea.
The western branch is form- ed from the Swamscot river flowing from Exeter, the Win- nicot river flowing from Strat- ham through Greenland, and Lamprey river, which divides Newmarket from Durham. These empty into a bay 4 miles wide, called the Great bay. These waters in their further progress are contracted into a smaller bay, where they receive Oyster river from Durham and Black river from Dover. They form a junction with the other branch at Hilton's point. The tide rises in all these bays and branches as far up as the falls in each. It forms a rapid current, especially in the season of freshets, when the ebb con- tinues about two hours longer than the flood ; some of the fer- ries would be impassable were it not for the numerous eddies, formed by the indentures of the shore. At the lower falls in each river are landing plac- es, where lumber and other country produce is discharged, so that each branch affords a convenient trading place not more than 15 or 20 miles from Portsmouth, with which a con- stant communication is kept up. This river therefore from the situation of its branches is extremely favourable to navi- gation and commerce.
PISCATAQUA HARBOUR is one of the finest on the conti- nent, having sufficient depth of water for vessels of any bur-
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den. The adjacent lands pro- tect it from storms so effectu- ally that ships may ride here safely in any season of the year. The current here is so narrow and rapid that the harbour nev- er freezes. It is so well forti- fied by nature that very little labour is requisite to make it impregnable. The islands in this harbour are numerous ; the largest' of them is Great- Island or New-Castle, now in- · corporated into a township (which see.) On this island stands a light-house and the principal fort, called Fort Con- stitution. Near the site of this fort, one was erected as early as 1660, under the command of Richard Cutts, Esq. In 1795, this was completely pre- - pared, mounted with 16 cannon and manned with a company of men now under the command of Capt. Walbach. In the sum- mer of 1814, Fort Constitution was put in a complete state of defence, and another was erect- ed at feffrey's point on the easterly part of the island, an- other on Kittery point called Fort M'Clary and another on Pierce's island called Fort Washington, and several other fortifications were thrown up on the main islands.
PISCATAQUOG RIVER. Its most. southerly branch rises in Francestown and its most northerly in Henniker and Deering. These after passing through Weare and New-Bos- ton form a junction on the W. side of Goffstown, through
which town the stream passes to the N.E. extremity of Brad- ford where it falls into the Merrimack river, after a south- erly course of about 20 miles.
PISCASICK RIVER rises in Brentwood and passes through Newmarket into Durham, where it falls into Lamprey riv- er about one mile from the northern boundary of New- market. On this stream are numerous mill seats.
PIGWACKET, the ' Indian name of Conway, Fryburgh, and the towns adjacent.
PITTSFIELD, in Rockingham county, was incorporated in 1782, and contained in 1810 a population of 1050 ; bounded N. E. by Barnstead, S. E. by Barrington and Northwood, S. W. by Epsom and Chichester, and N.W. by Loudon and Sun- cook river. It comprises 14, 921 acres, 94 of which are wa- ter.
In the S.E. part of this town is Catamount mountain, on the summit of which is Berry's pond, and on its E. side is Wild- goose pond, about 100 rods in diameter. On the W. side of this pond the magnetic needle is materially affected. The soil of this town is very fertile. There are here 3 grain-mills, 5 saw-mills, 2 fulling-mills, 2 carding-machines, and several trading stores.
The first minister in Pitts- field was the Rev. R.Page. El- ders Sargeant and Knowlton of
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the baptist order are now set- tled here. There is also in this town a small society of Friends. The number of deaths here from 1781 to 1814, was 379. The spotted fever pre- vailed in this town in 1813 and 14, of which 75 persons died in those two years. The annual average number of deaths is about 9.
PLAINFIELD, a township in Cheshire county, incorporated in 1761, and containing in 1810, a population of 1468 ; bounded N. by Lebanon, S.E. by New- Grantham, S. by Cornish, and W. by Connecticut river, which divides it from Hartland in Vermont. At the lower part of this town in Connecticut river is Hart's island about 150 rods long and 35 wide. Wa- terquechy falls are adjacent to this town, a bridge was erected here in 1807. Plainfield is watered by a small stream flowing from Croydon moun- tains, on which are erected sev- eral mills. This town contains a handsome village of 10 or 12 dwelling-houses, several stores, and 2 meeting-houses. Through this place passes the Croydon turnpike. The pres- ent ministers here are Rev. J. Dickerson of the congregation- al and Elder Cram of the bap- tist order.
PLAISTOW, a small township in Rockingham county, incor- porated in 1764, and now con- taining462 inhabitants ; bound-
ed N. W. by Hampstead, N.E. by Kingston and Newtown, S.E. and S. W. by Haverhill, (Mass.,) and W. by Atkinson, comprising about 5,843 acres. A small stream from Hamp- stead and another from New- town meet in Plaistow and run- ning southerly pass into Ha- verhill between Plaistow meet- ing-house and the S. corner of Atkinson. There are 3 grain- mills, 2 saw-mills, and 1 full- ing-mill. Here are 2 religious societies and 1 meeting-house. Rev. James Cushing was set- tled here in 1730, and was succeeded in 1765, by Rev. G. Merrill. Elder John Herri- man is the present minister and was ordained in 1812.
PLYMOUTH, a township in Grafton county, is situated at the junction of Baker's and Pemigewasset river. This town was incorporated in 1763,and in 1775, it contained 382 inhabi- tants, and in 1810, it contained 937 ; bounded N. by Campton, E.by Pemigewasset river,S. by Bridgewater, and W. by He- bron, comprising 16,256 acres.
The Mayhew turnpike pass- es through the westerly part of this town. In the north- east part is a pleasant village, containing about 22 dwelling- houses, a meeting-house,court- house, 4 stores, and a distillery. In this town are also 4 mills, &c.
Rev. Nathan Ward was set- tled here in 1765. The pre- sent minister is the Rev. D. Fairbanks.
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POPLIN, atownship in Rock- ingham county, was incorpo- rated in 1764,and in 1810,con- tained 482 inhabitants ; bound- ed N. by Epping, E. by Brent- wood, S. by Hawke and San- down, and W. by Chester and Raymond, comprising 9,702 acres. In the northwest part of the town is a small pond, and its southerly part is wa- tered by Exeter fresh river. There is here a meeting-house, several mills, and a carding- machine. The inhabitants are principally of the methodist denomination.
PORTSMOUTH, the metropo- lis of New-Hampshire and its only sea-port, lies on the south- west side of Piscataqua river. It was incorporated in 1633, and in 1810, it contained 6,934 inhabitants ; bounded N. W. by Newington, N. E. by the river, S. E. and S. by Rye,and W. by Greenland and New- ington. Its area is 10,350 a- cres.
The northeastern boundary of Portsmouth is by the Dis- trict of Maine, following the main channel of Piscataqua river. This line will include on Portsmouth side the follow- ingislands, viz. Goat's, Pierce's, Leach's, Hospital, Shapley's,and Salter's.
The compact part of this town contains about 225 acres, almost entirely surrounded by water, the distance being only 90 rods from the south mill- pond to the north pond. Into these ponds the tide flows, and
at their outlets are flood gates and mills. Portsmouth con- tains 927 dwelling-houses and 18 public buildings, viz. 3 con- gregational meeting-houses, 1 episcopal church, 1 meeting- house for baptists, 1 for meth- odists, and 1 for universalists, an academy, 5 school-houses, a court-house, gaol, alms-house, and 2 markets. A female asylum was incorporated here in 1808, and there are also 4 incorporated banks and sever- al insurance offices. An athe- næum was recently established and promises to be a respecta- ble and useful institution.
The houses erected in this town during the last ten years are generally of brick and of elegant architecture. In 1800, there were in this town 86 dwelling-houses of one story, 524 of two stories, and 21 of three stories, since which pe- riod the latter class have in- creased nearly one third in number and many have been erected of four stories. Ports- mouth pier or wharf was built in 1795, by an incorporated company, 340 feet in length and of an average width of 60 feet. On this wharf was erect- ed a handsome range of build- ings 300 feet long, three stories high,and divided into fourteen stores. This range was destroy- ed by the great fire in 1813. A new market house was built in 1800, 80 feet long, 30 wide, and two stories high, the up- per story of which is occupied as a town hall : a new fish mar- ket is also erected. Both of
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these markets are excellently supplied, especially the latter.
The harbour of Portsmouth is in latitude 43º 5' N. and in 70°4'W. long. from Greenwich : it is known to mariners by the following marks. Agamenti- cus, a remarkable mountain in the county of York, lies four leagues due N. Pidgeon hill on Cape Ann bears due S. 10 leagues, and the highest of the Isles of Shoals bears S. E. by S. distant 3 leagues from the entrance of the harbour. In the middle of the harbour's mouth is Great-Island,on which stands the town of Newcastle, and on the northeast point of this island is the light-house. The following are directions for entering the harbour : " Vessels coming from the east should keep in 12 fathoms wa- ter, till the light-house bearsN. half a point E. or W. distant 3 miles to avoid a ledge of rocks which lie off the mouth of the harbour, then bear away for the light-house, keeping the western shore on board, and coming no nearer that shore than 9 fathoms, giving the light a proper birth and standing o- ver to the northern shore of the river where they may an- chor in 9 fathoms abreast of Sparhawk's point. Ships com- ing from the southward should observe the same directions respecting the light and keep in 9 fathoms on the western shore."
Between the north side of Great Island and the Kittery shore is the main channel, a-
bout a mile wide and 9 or 10 fathoms deep. The anchorage is good, the shore is lined with rocks, and the harbour is land- locked on all sides and perfect- ly safe. The tide rises from 10 to 14 feet. The other en- trance on the south side of Great-Island is called Little Harbour ; the water here is shoal and the bottom sandy. Between the upper end of Great-Island and the town is a broad deep still water, called the pool, where the largest ships may ride very safely. This was the usual station for the mast ships, of which seven. have been loading here at once. In this place the Astrea ship of war of 20 guns was burnt in 1744, (see Belknap.)
Portsmouth has convenient wharves and good anchorage. The water is deep enough for the largest vessels, and the harbour has so many natural advantages and is so capable of defence, that it might be made a very safe and commo- dious naval depot.
Ships of war have been bailt here at early and recent periods. The Falkland of 54 guns in 1690, Bedford Galley of 32 guns in 1696, as also the Raleigh of 32, and Ranger of 18. In 1782, the America of 74 guns was built here and was presented by Congress to the king of France. In 1814, the Washington of 74 guns was launched.
In 1765, there were here 199 clearances and 115 entries from foreign ports, In 1790,
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and in 1791, the number of entries were 223, of which 34 were ships, 87 were brigs, 84 were schooners, and 18 were sloops. The number Was af- terwards much increased. In the year' 1810, there belonged to this port 28 ships, 47 brigs, 10 schooners, 2 sloops, and 1 barge, all of them employed in foreign trade. There were also 20 fishing vessels and ma- ny coasters.
This town is intersected by 32 streets, 40 lanes, 12 alleys, 4 roads, and 4 public squares. The principal streets are pav- ed.
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The Portsmouth Aqueduct Company was incorporated in 1797, and in 1800, the town was supplied with excellent water for domestic uses,from a spring in Newington about 3 miles distant from Portsmouth pier. It is carried into almost every street in the town, and on the north side of the pier is a water-house and pump where ships can be supplied at 10 cents per hogshead.
The greatest number of , eminent preachers and the most deaths in this town in any one of the last 15 years was 150, and the smallest number 100.
The first meeting-house in Portsmouth was erected in 1640, and a Mr. Gibson was employed to preach in it. In 1664, another was erected. In 1671, Rev. J. Moody, the first ordained minister was settled here. Mr. Moody was indict- ed by Gov. Cranfield for re- fusing to administer the sacra- ment to him after the manner
of the church of England. He was imprisoned and was afterwards conditionally dis- charged. Rev. Nathaniel Rogers was ordained here in 1699; who was descended from John Rogers the celebrated martyr in the reign of queen Mary. He died in 1723, and was succeeded by Rev. Jabez Fitch who died in 1746.
Rev. Samuel Langdon was ordained here 1747, and was made president of Harvard college in 1774.
Rev. Joseph Buckmins .. ter, D.D. was ordained in this town in 1779, and died in 1812, aged 61. Rev. John Emerson was installed in the old parish in 1715. In 1732, the Rev. Mr. Shurtleff was or- dained in the south meeting- house newly erected, and his successor Rev. Job Strong was ordained in 1749. Rev. Sam- uel Haven, D. D. was settled here in 1752, and died in 1806, aged 79. Dr. Haven and Dr. Buckminster were among the most distinguished divines and learned men of their country. Rev. T. Alden, jun. was or- dained colleague with Dr. Ha- ven in 1799, and his success- or is Rev. Nathan Parker the present minister.
Queen's chapel, now St. Fohn's church, was consecrat- ed in 1734, and in 1792,an epis- copalian society was incorpo- rated here. Rev. A. Brown was settled over it in 1736, Rev. J. C. Ogden in 1786, Rev. J. Willard and C. Bur-
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roughs have succeeded, the latter of whom is the present pastor. In 1761, a meeting- house was built in this town by an " independent congregation- al" society, over whom Rev.L. Drown was settled, and was succeeded by Rev. J. Walton its present minister.
Mr. Robert Sandiman came over to this country about the - year 1764, and formed a socie- · ty in this town, who after- wards built themselves a meet- ing-house. Mr. Sandiman died in Danbury in 1771. David Humphreys, Esq. has for ma- ny years officiated as teacher of this little flock.
The society of universalists in Portsmouth was collected by the Rev. John Murray, who first preached his doctrines here in 1776. In 1784, Rev. Noah Parker was settled over this society. Rev. J. Richards, his successor, was ordained in 1799, and was succeeded by the Rev. Hosea Ballou. Rev. Sebastian Streeter is the pres- ent minister.
In 1802, a baptist society In 1692, the small-pox rag- ed with great violence in Ports- mouth and Greenland, and few its treatment, the mortality and sufferings were very great. was formed in this town by Elder Elias Smith. The church was gathered in 1803, and now people being acquainted with consists of 175 members. The methodists also have a small society in this town.
The situation and climate of Portsmouth are salubrious. The annual average number of deaths for 25 years past has been about 120, except the year 1798, when the town was visited by the yellow fever and dysentery. This epidemic
destroyed 107 persons between the 20th of July and the 6th of October of that year. Ot these 55 died of the fever and 52 of the dysentery.
-In the year 1623, David Thompson, a scotchman, with several others from London landed at the mouth of Piscat- aqua river on its S. side, at a place which they called Little- harbour. Here they erected salt-works and a house, which they afterwards called Mason- hall.
In 1631, Humphrey Chad- bourne erected a house at Strawberry-bank. Several can- non also were placed during this year at the N. E. point of Great- Island.
In 1632, the sea-coast in this vicinity was alarmed by the piracies and depredation of Dixy Bull. (See General View, page 51.)
In 1640, a grant of 50 acres of glebe land was made to Thomas Walford and Henry Sherburne and their successors forever.
In 1694, an attack was made upon the houses at Portsmouth plains by an Indian scouting party ; 14 persons were kill- ed on the spot, several others were wounded, and a number taken prisoners. The houses also were plundered and burnte (See Breakfast hill.)
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