USA > New Hampshire > Gazetteer of the state of New-Hampshire > Part 8
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waggons, and horses, and found that they had left on the field 226 dead. Their commander Baum was taken prisoner, and soon after died of his wounds. Besides him 33 officers, and more than 700 privates were taken. Out of Stark's brigade four officers and ten privates were killed and 42 wounded.
In the account of this battle which Stark transmitted to the New-Hampshire committee he said, " our people behaved with the greatest spirit and bravery imaginable, and had every man been an Alexander or a Charles of Sweden, they could not have behaved better." Congress heard of this victory only from common report. After waiting sometime in expectation of letters, inquiry was made why Stark had not written to con- gress as well as to his own state. He answered that his cor- respondence with them had closed as they had not attend- ed to his last letters. They immediately took the hint, and ' although they had but a few days before resolved, that the in- structions under which he had acted were destructive of milita- ry subordination, yet they presented their thanks to him and to the officers and troops under his command and promoted him to the rank of brigadier-general in the continental army. The northern army was now reinforced by the militia of the neigh- bouring states. Brig. Gen. Whipple marched with most of his brigade, in addition to which, volunteers in abundance flocked to the army under general Gates. Two desperate battles were fought, one at Stillwater and the other at Saratoga, in both of which, the troops from New-Hampshire had a large share of the honour gained by the American army. In the former ac- tion two lieutenant-colonels, Adams and Colburn, and lieutenant Thomas were among the slain ; and in the latter, lieutenant-col- onel Conner and lieutenant M'Clary were killed with a great number of their men. The consequence of these repeat- ed victories was the surrender of Burgoyne's army. After this great object was attained, the New-Hampshire regiments - performed a march of forty miles and forded the Mohawk riv- er below the falls, in the space of fourteen hours. The object of this rapid movement was to arrest the progress of a British detachment under general Clinton, who threatened Albany with the same devastation which he had extended over the coun- try below, but hearing the fate of Burgoyne he returned qui- etly to New-York.
The American army then marched into Pennsylvania and passed the winter in huts at Valley Forge. In addition to those officers from New-Hampshire, who were killed at the northward, we lost also Maj. Edward Sherburn, who was slain in a daring but unsuccessful action at Germanton. After the capture of Burgoyne, all danger of a Canadian invasion ceased,
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GENERAL VIEW.
and the theatre of war was removed to the southward. The troops from New-Hampshire now formed into a distinct brig- ade, had their full share of the common dangers and suffer- ings of the army. At the battle of Monmouth, a part of them . were closely engaged under the command of colonel Cilley and lieutenant-colonel Dearborn, and they behaved in such a man- ner, as to merit the commendation of the illustrious Washing- ton. They continued with the main army all that spring, and were stationed at Reading during the ensuing winter.
In the summer of 1778, when the-French fleet appeared on our coast, with the intention to aid us in our struggles with Great Britain, an invasion of Rhode Island, then in possession of the British was projected, and general Sullivan was appoint- ed to conduct it. Detachments of militia and volunteers from Massachusetts and New-Hampshire formed a part of his troops : but a violent storm having prevented the co-operation of the French and driven them to-sea, the army, after a few skir- mishes, were under the mortifying necessity of quitting the Isl- and. The retreat was conducted by general Sullivan with great skill and prudence.
1779-An expedition into the Indian country being deter- mined on, general Sullivan was appointed to the command, and the New-Hampshire brigade made part of his forces. His rout was up the Susquehanna in the country of the Seneca's, a track imperfectly known, and into which no troops had ever pen- etrated. The order of his march was planned with great judgment and executed with much regularity and perseverance. In several engagements with the savages, the troops from New- Hampshire behaved with a characteristic intrepidity. The pro- visions of the detachment falling short before the object of the expedition was completed, the troops generously consented to subsist on such food, as could be found in the Indian coun- try. After their return, they were re-united to the main ar- my and passed a third winter in huts at Newtown in Connecti- cut. On the close of this year Sullivan resigned his command and retired.
1780-This year the New-Hampshire troops were stationed at the important post of West-Point, and afterwards marched into New-Jersey, where general Poor died. Three of its regi- ments were employed in the service of this year. The fourth winter was passed in cantonments of huts at a place called Soldier's Fortune near Hudson river. At the close of the year the New-Hampshire force was reduced to two regiments and were commanded by colonels Scammel and Reid. It was on / the 21st of September this year, that the treason and desertion
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of Arnold were discovered, which event was followed by the capture and execution of major Andre, the British spy.
-1781-This year a part of our troops remained at New- York, and the other division marched to Virginia and were present at the defeat of Cornwallis. It was at this time, that the brave and enterprising colonel Scammel lost his life.
1782-During the winter of this year the first New-Hamp- shire regiment, commanded by lieutenant-colonel Dearborn, was quartered at Saratoga, and the second, on the Mohawk river. They kept these stations until the close of the ensuing year, at which time the approaches of peace began to relax the operations of war. In the course of a few months, the negociations resulted in a treaty, and we were acknowledged " free and independent states" from that throne, which had till then pronounced us " revolted subjects."
The AMERICA, a seventy-four gun ship, built at Portsmouth, by order of congress, was launched on the 5th of November of this year. This was the first line of battle ship ever built in this country. It was presented to the king of France.
1783-On the 31st of October of this year the civil constitu- tion of New-Hampshire went into operation and continued un- til 1792. A small shock of an earthquake was felt on the 29th of November.
1784-Meshech Weare was elected president of this state.
1785-John Langdon was chosen president. During this year there was much popular clamour for redress of the paper money grievances.
1786-John Sullivan was made president. This year was rendered memorable by an insurrection in New-Hampshire, the object of which was (says Belknap) to force the legislature into a paper money system. On the 20th of September, about 200 men equipped in various modes, surrounded the general court then convened at Exeter, and held that honourable body prison- ers several hours. But the citizens of the towns immediately rose in arms and crushed the insurrection in its birth.
1787 -- President Sullivan continued in office. The tumult of insurrection was not confined to New-Hampshire. It appeared in bolder forms in several of the neighbouring states. It was as- certained, that the existing confederacy was insufficient. A del- egation therefore from the several states, comprising much learning, talents, and virtue, convened at Philadelphia for the purpose of framing a federal constitution. This convention ap- pointed general WASHINGTON as their president, and after four months uninterrupted attention to the subject,during which period all' the jarring interests of the states were thoroughly canvassed, they voted to recommend a plan of federal government to the
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GENERAL VIEW.
states. The delegates from New-Hampshire were John Lang- don and Nicholas Gilman.
1788-The new constitution was published and offered to the several states for their formal acceptance. It was adopted in New-Hampshire June the 21st of this year, by the general court at Concord.
1789-General Washington was elected president of the United States, and John Sullivan president of New-Hamp- shire.
1790-Josiah Bartlett was chosen president of this state. The revenue of the U. S. for this year was $4,777,120, and the expenditure $3,797,436.
1791-Josiah Bartlett was chosen governor under the new constitution.
1794-John Taylor Gilman was elected governor. Piscat- aqua bridge was built this year.
1795-John Taylor Gilman was again elected governor, and continued in office by annual election until 1805.
1797-John Adams was chosen president of the United States, and Thomas Jefferson vice president. The exports A of the United States now amounted to $57,000,000, and the revenue of the post-office amounted to $46,000. The mails of the United States are carried over 1,430,085 miles, in which space there are upwards of four hundred post-offices.
1798-This year congress passed an act authorizing the president to raise and equip a provisional army, and an act more effectually to protect the commerce and coasts of the United States against French depredations.
1799-Thomas Truxton commander of the U. S. Frigate Constellation captured the French Frigate Insurgent. The whole American navy consisted at this time of forty-two ves- sels carrying 950 guns.
1800-The cow-pox was introduced into America this year:
There were now belonging to Portsmouth 28 ships, 47 brigs, 10 schooners, and 2 sloops employed in foreign commerce. Of the above vessels 17 of the largest were built in the course of this year. There were also twenty coasters, and more than that number of fishing vessels.
1801-Thomas Jefferson was elected president of the United States, and Aaron Burr vice-president. The exports of the United States amounted this year to more than ninety millions of dollars.
1802-Merino. sheep were introduced into this country by Col. David Humphreys. A fire broke out in Portsmouth and destroyed about one hundred building's.
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1803 -- The Middlesex canal by which the waters of the Mer- rimack are carried to Charlestown was completed this year.
1805 -- John Langdon was chosen governor of this state. Thomas Jefferson president of the United States, and George Clinton vice-president.
1806 -- June 16th of this year was made memorable by the most remarkable solar eclipse which probably ever happened. To many parts of New-England the sun was totally obscured for several minutes. The scene was at once beautiful and sub- lime, and yet not to be contemplated without a feeling of dread. The sky was unusually serene, not a leaf was in motion. Im- mediately before the extreme darkness all nature seemed verg- ing to a state of gloomy repose." The animals felt the change and hastened to their nocturnal retreats. But as the obscura- tion gradually left the sun, the quick reanimation of every thing was proportionably delightful.
1807 -- Bonaparte, by one of his decrees, pronounced every neutral vessel denationalized and, liable to capture, which had submitted to be searched by an English cruiser or had touched at an English port. This was a prelude to the late war. Great Britain soon issued her orders, condemning to seizure all our vessels bound to any of the continental ports except those of Sweden.
1808 -- This year was the era of the general embargo.
1809-Jeremiah Smith elected governor-This year the em- bargo was removed.
1810-John Langdon elected governor. On the 22d of No- vember was issued the United States' proclamation interdicting commercial intercourse with Great Britain.
1812-William Plumer was elected governor. Congress voted to organize for the use of the government 100,000 militia, and apportioned the quota of each state. .
On the 18th of June of this year war was declared by the United States with Great Britain. On the 1st of July the double duty bill passed ; on the 8th of that month Sandwich in Upper Canada was taken by general Hull .- On the 16th gen- eral Hull surrendered the American army to the British general Brock.
On the 19th of August the British frigate Guerriere was sunk by the United States' frigate Constitution under commodore Hull.
On the 17th of October the United States' sloop of war Wasp captured the Frolic, and both of them were taken by the En- glish seventy-four, Poictiers.
On the 25th of October the British frigate Macedonian sur- rendered to the American frigate United States.
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GENERAL VIEW.
. On the 29th of December the British frigate Java was de- stroyed by the United States' ship Constitution.
1813-John Taylor Gilman was elected governor of this state.
On the 22d of January general Winchester surrendered to the British general Proctor at Frenchtown.
On the 13th of February the British sloop of war Peacock was destroyed by the American sloop Hornet.
On the 27th of April, York in Upper Canada was taken by our troops, and general Pike killed.
On the 1st of June the United States' frigate Chesapeake was taken by the Shannon, and captain Lawrence was mortally wounded.
On the 1st of August the British were defeated at Lower Sandusky by general Harrison.
On the. 5th of September the British brig Boxer was captured by the United States' brig Enterprise. Both commanders were killed and were buried at Portland with the honours of war.
On the 10th the whole British fleet on Lake Erie was cap- tured by commodore O. H. Perry.
On the 27th general Harrison's army took possession of Malden.
On the 11th of November a division of general Wilkinson's army, under generals Boyd and Covington attacked the British at Williamsburgh. General Covington was mortally wounded, and the American troops recrossed the St. Lawrence, and went into winter quarters at French Mills.
On the 22d of December of this year there was another ex- 1
tensive fire at Portsmouth.
1814-On the 22d of March 1200 men under colonel Clark marched from Vermont, took a piquet guard and returned.to Burlington.
On the 1st of September the British took possession of Cas- tine. On the 11th the whole British fleet on Lake Champlain was captured by the American commodore M'Donough. On the same day the British army under general Prevost was de- feated with great slaughter at Plattsburgh.
On the 1st of October the U. S. ship Washington of 74 guns was launched at Portsmouth. On the 24th the British ship James, prize to the American privateer Portsmouth arrived at Portsmouth. The invoice of her cargo in England was one hundred thousand pounds sterling.
At this time about 3000 drafted militia were stationed at Portsmouth for the protection of the town and harbour. The commander in chief Gov. Gilman, took his quarters there in person.
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GENERAL VIEW.
On the 27th of November, a severe shock of an earthquake was felt about 7 o'clock in the evening.
In December of this year a direct tax of $6,000,000 was im- posed by congress, of which $193,586 was apportioned to New- Hampshire.
The spotted fever at this time raged very extensively in ma- ny parts of the state. About 400 soldiers had enlisted in this state since the last February and had joined the western army.
1815-Jan. 15th. The U. S. frigate President was captured by a division of the British fleet.
On the 9th of this month a decisive victory was obtained at New-Orleans by the American troops under general Jackson. The British lost 700 men killed and 1400 wounded, and 600pris- oners. Gen. Packenham their commander was killed, and two other generals were mortally wounded. The loss on our side was only 8 killed and 9 wounded.
On the 18th of February the treaty of peace was ratified by the U. S. senate and signed by the president. It was published at Portsmouth on the morning of the 23d.
On the 27th of June a boat arrived at Concord, New-Hamp- shire, from Boston by the way of Middlesex canal in three and a half days. To the enterprise and perseverance of John L. Sulli -. van, Esq. is New-Hampshire indebted for the great and perma- nent benefits, which must arise from the unobstructed navigation of the Merrimack.
During the revolutionary war New-Hampshire furnished about 14,000 men, 4000 of whom perished either in battle, or by sickness. Of the amount of troops supplied by this state in the late war, or of the number lost, no correct estimate has yet been made.
GAZETTEER OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
PART II.
A TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF EACH COUNTY, TOWN, OR TOWNSHIP, AND LO- CATION IN THE STATE ; AND ALSO OF ITS LAKES, RIVERS, PONDS, AND MOUNTAINS, TOGETHER WITH MANY OTHER SUBJECTS OF USEFUL AND SIMILAR DETAIL-ALL ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED.
A.
ACWORTH, a post-township pel. Charleston turnpike road of Cheshire county, bounded - passes throughhere. Acworth on the N. by Unity, E. by is 73 miles N. W. by W. from Lempster, S. by Alstead and Portsmouth. Marlow, W. by Charleston and Langdon, containing 24,846 a- ADAMS, a township of Coos county, situated on the E. side of the White Mountains ; bounded N. by unlocated lands, E. by Chatham, S. by Bartlett, and W.by said mountains, con- taining 31,968 acres of land and water. In 1800, its population was 180,and in 1810, 250 souls. Two branches of Ellis' river pass through this town, coming from the N. and uniting on its S. border near Spruce moun- tain so called. Mountain-pond brook crosses the S. E. corner of Adams, taking its rise from a pool in Chatham, and falling into Saco river in the town of Bartlett. Black, Baldface, and Thorn mountains are its three elevations of note. It has 1 grain and 2 saw-mills. cres. It was incorporated in 1776, and has 1523 inhabitants. Cold-pond, extending about a mile on the line of Unity, from 60 to 100 rods in width, and Mitchell's pond, 120 rods long and 80 wide, are its only ponds of note. Cold river takes its rise and name from one of the above mentioned pools in the N.E. corner of this town. Ac- worth has two religious socie- ties ; 1 meeting-house for the congregational order, 1 grain- mill, 5 saw-mills, 2 mills for dressing cloth, 2 carding ma- chines, and 1 trading store. Rev. Thomas Archibald was settled in the ministry here in 1789. Rev. Phinehas Cook is the present minister of the gos-
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GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
ALEXANDRIA, a township of Grafton county, incorporated in 1782, and containing 409 in- habitants, is bounded on the N. W. by Orange ; N. E. by Bridgewater, S. E. by New- Chester, and on the S. W. by Danbury. Its N. corner is sit- uate in New-found pond on He- bron line. It contains about 14,000 acres of land. Smith's river flows through the S., and several smaller streams cross the N. end of this town. Pri- or to 1790, Rev. Enoch Whip- ple was settled here. At pres- ent there are two religious so- cieties without an ordained minister. It has 1 grain-mill, 4 saw-mills, and 1 mill for dressing cloth.
ALLENSTOWN, in Rocking- ham county, situated on the E. side of the river Suncook, has 346 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Epsom, E. by Deerfield, S. by Chester, and W. by Suncook river. Its W. corner is on the river Merri- mack, 52 rods opposite the township of Bow. The Sun- cook is the line of division between Allenstown and Pem- broke, the former of which ex- tends over an area of 12,225 acres of land, its growth of wood principally pine, the soil being light and weak ; there are,notwithstanding,some excellent farms here. Cata- mount hill or mountain is the highest land in this town. Al- lenstown has 2 grain-mills and 4 saw-mills. Buckstreet bridge connects this town with Pem-
broke. Allenstown, hitherto, has been destitute of a settled minister or meeting-house. A house of public worship, how- ever, has been recently erect- ed. It has 3 school-houses, and winters 536 sheep.
ALSTEAD, a township of Cheshire county, incorporated in 1763, with a population at present of 1644 souls, is bound- ed N. by Acworth and Lang- don, E. by Marlow, and S. by Walpole and Langdon, con- taining 24,756 acres, of which 300 are water. Here are 2 meeting-houses for congrega- tionalists and 1 for baptists ; 15 school-houses, 5 saw and 3 grain-mills, 1 paper and 1 oil- mill, a mill for dressing cloth and a carding machine. The. soil is strong and succulent, producing flax, wheat, &c. in exuberance. Fruit trees thrive well here. Cheshire turnpike intersects the. S. W. part, and the road from Hale's Bridge passes through the centre of the town. The largest body of water hereisWarren's pond,250 rods in length and 150 in width, Cold river traverses the N. E. angle of Alstead, where it re- ceives the waters of Warren's pond. Several branches of Ash- uelot river have their sources in this town .. Rev. Jacob Mann was ordainedThere over the congregational church in 1782 ; dismissed in 1789. Rev. Samuel Mead settled in the same parish 1791 ;- dismissed 1797 ; since which time this parish has had no ordained
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GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
minister. Rev. Levi Lankton still continues in the East par- ish where he was settled in 1792. Elder Jeremiah Hig- bee has the pastoral care of the baptist church in this town. AMHERST, formerly called Souhegan West, was originally granted by Massachusetts and is a pleasant township in Hills- borough county, incorporated in 1762. Its present popula- J.H.B. tion consists of 1554 inhabit- The average number of deaths in Alstead from 1807 to 1811, was 21 per annum. ants. Bounded by the river Merrimack on the E., S. by Hollis, W. by Milford, and on J.H. & J.H.B. the N. by Mount-Vernon and ALTON, a township in Straf- ford county, about 25 miles N.W. from Dover, was incor- porated 1796, and reckons 1279 inhabitants. This town has Winnipiseogee lake and bay for its N. boundary, E. it is bound- New-Boston, in lat. 42° 54' N. containing 22,435 acres, 350 of which are water. Babboosuck pond, of 300 acres extent, lies in the N. E. corner of this town. English pond to the N. W. is 160 rods in length ed by New-Durham, S. by and 100 in width, its waters
Barnstead, W. by Gilmanton and Gilford. Its surface 35,783 acres. Wolfeborough joins Alton on the N. E. corner 1 mile and 216 rods. Merry- meeting bay has a S. declina- tion of 1800 rods into Alton, where it receives an excellent stream, on which . Barker's and Wiggin's mills are erected. This bay is about 200 rods in width. Half-moon pond, be- tween Barnstead and Alton, is 300 rods, long, and 150 wide. It has several ponds of less note. Its soil is hard and rocky, adapted to corn and wheat. White and red oak, beach,maple, pine, and hemlock are its principal growth. The inhabitants are, for the most part, of the baptist order. El- der John Page was ordained here 1811. Here are 2 grain- mills, 6. saw-mills, and 1 mill for dressing cloth. Alton win- ters about 250 sheep.
falling into the Babboosuck. Sou- hegan river flows through Am- herst on the S. and receives the waters of Beaver brook coming from Mount-Vernon. Milford and Mount-Vernon were for- merly component parts of Am- herst, from which they were severed, the former in 1794, and the latter in 1803. The centre of the town is a level plain of about a half a mile's extent, equi distant from the four cardinal points, on which a very pleasant village is erected. Here are a meeting-house, a court-house, jail, school-house, several good mill sites, on which are 3 corn-mills, 5 saw- mills, 1 mill for dressing cloth, 4 trading stores, 3 cotton and wool manufactories, and 1 print- ing establishment. The Aure- an Academy, discontinued for lack of funds, was incorporated here in 1790, and was an useful and flourishing institution. A.
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GAZETTEER OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
public school was commenced here 1807, and, with intervals, has continued ever since. The town is divided into 9 school- districts having 8 school-hous- es. That which is central is situated near the meeting-house and is a large and commodious building. The first settlers of Amherst were from Billerica and Middletown, (Mass.) 1734. In 1752, it had 7 garrisoned houses resorted to by the in- habitants in times of difficulty and danger. The first ordained minister was Rev. D. Wilkins, who visited this place when it consisted of only 14 families. He was settled in 1741, his be- ing the third ordination in the county of Hillsborough. Mr. . W. died 1783. The present pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Barnard, was settled March 3d, 1780. The number of deaths here for 33 years subsequent to his ordi- nation was 529. The follow- ing instances of longevity have occurred within these last 20 years. Deacon Joseph Boutelle, aged 90 years,and Rebecca, ag- ed 91, died in 1795. In 1803, died widow Grace Town, aged 96; in 1805, widow Hannah Lovejoy in the 102d year of her age, leaving descendants to the number of 330. In 1806, widow Sarah Burdet, aged 94 ; in 1808, widow Hannah Bou- telle, 95 ; in 1809, widow Sa- rah Stuart, aged 92 ; in 1811, oosuck, 40 yards wide, from widow Lucy Ellsworth in the 90th year of her age. Since the year 1803, have died twen- ty-five persons, the aggregate of whose ages amount to 2041,
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