History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 57

Author: Hazlett, Charles A
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold
Number of Pages: 1390


USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens > Part 57


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Spotted Fever of 1812 .- The town has always enjoyed remarkable immu- nity from epidemics. But two of any account are known in its history. In


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1753 a fever of great malignity, much resembling the yellow fever of later years, carried off several of the inhabitants, among whom were a few of the leading citizens. The ravages of the spotted fever of 1812 caused great excitement, and many families suffered severely. In the West Parish three children in the family of Alexander Anderson died, and three or four in the family of David Anderson. Robert Taylor, who lived in the East Parish, lost four children, and William Thompson, two. Bleeding was thought to be a means of cure, but the sickness was so general that the doctors were unable to respond to all the cases. In this emergency Christopher Thom, Abraham Morrison, and Joseph Gregg went through the town using the lancet. Physi- cians from abroad were employed.


War of 1812-15 .- Soon after the declaration of war President Madison requested Governor Plumer, of New Hampshire, to order into service of the United States such a part of the state militia as he should deem necessary for the defense of Portsmouth. A company was drafted from the Third Brigade, to which Londonderry belonged, to serve six months, and Capt. John Leonard, of this town, was put in command. The following-named men went to Portsmouth: Capt. John Leonard, Moses C. Pillsbury, John Palmer, Moses Messer, John Plumer, David Wilson, John Saunders, and James Whittemore. Under Governor Gilman's order of September 9, 1814, Capt. James Thom, of Londonderry, was in command of a company for a short time, but there were no privates from town in this company. Under the same order Londonderry furnished twenty-two men for the service, who were enlisted September 23, 1814, for sixty days. In the same company there were ten men from Windham. The names of all the men above enumerated are on record, but the town furnished others that the muster- rolls are silent in respect to. The political sentiment of the town being largely in opposition to the war, the voluntary enlistments were few. Most of the men were drafted.


Tomatoes were first raised in town in 1822, by Madame Morrison, widow of Rev. William Morrison, she having brought the seed from her early home at Octoraro, Pa.


Emigrations from Town .- No sketch of Londonderry can be perfect with- out mention of towns colonized therefrom. Very early several of the pro- prietors relinquished their "home lots" and settled in other parts of the town on second divisions, or amendment land. Among these were John Woodburn, of the Ayers Range, and John Senter, of the English Range, who removed to the lower part of the High Range in the West Parish. John Goffe, four years town clerk, took up residence in' 1734 at "Goffe's Falls." Prior to 1736 a vaguely-defined strip of land, called Harrytown, extending several miles along the eastern bank of the Merrimac, opposite Amoskeag Falls, had been partly settled by the Scotch-Irish and English. Much conten- tion arising among them relative to the fishing interest, the former thought best to strengthen their party by a reinforcement from the Scotch-Irish fighting blood of Londonderry. John McNeil, in 1735, and Archibald Stork, in 1736, and several others responded to the call. How well the imperiled settlers, struggling to maintain their claim, judged of the character of the men they summoned to their aid let Chippewa, Bunker Hill, and Bennington in a suc- ceeding generation tell.


Cherry Valley, Otsego County, N. Y., settled in 1740, received an im-


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portant addition to its population from that part of Londonderry now Wind- ham. Col. Samuel Campbell, Samuel Clyde, and several others were among the early settlers. Bedford, N. H., incorporated May 19, 1750, was largely represented by settlers from Londonderry. Among them were the Riddles, the Moors, the Aikens, the Walkers, the Orrs, and many others. Many of the leading families of Peterboro', N. H., incorporated January 17, 1760, were from Londonderry-the Morrisons, Smiths, Steels, Greggs, etc. In 1760 a company of Archibalds, Taylors, Fishers, and others settled in Truro, Nova Scotia. Large numbers of the early citizens of New Boston, N. H., were of Londonderry-the Crombies, Cochrans, Clarks, Pattersons, McColloms, McAllisters, etc. Nearly all the proprietors of Henniker, N. H., were from Londonderry. Those who removed thither were most prominent in the new settlement-the Wallaces, Campbells, and Pattersons. The first permanent settler in Antrim, N. H., was Deacon James Aiken, of Londonderry. He was succeeded by Duncans, Greggs, and others. The towns of Acworth, Merri- mac, and Goffstown, N. H., claim a Londonderry origin for many of their people, also the towns of Londonderry and Windham, Vt. Belfast, Me., is indebted to this town for its most prominent settlers.


Londonderry Literature .- Several of the early colonists were said to be gifted with poetical talent, and among them were Rev. Matt. Clark and Robert Boyer, Esq. The former was an eccentric minister, and the latter was a man of talent, had great influence in town, and was often in public employment, but the specimens of their writing that have come down to us do not warrant us in giving them a very high place among the poets. Doctor Thornton is said to have left a manuscript work on some religious subject. Rev. David McGregor, Reverend Dr. Morrison, and Rev. Daniel D. Dana, among the older ministers, and Rev. E. L. Parker and Rev. L. S. Parker, of later years, all published sermons. The century sermon of Rev. E. L. Parker in 1819 is the basis of the history of the town he had got nearly ready for the press at the time of his death in 1850. The history, a work of 358 pages, was published by his son, Edward P. Parker, Esq., in 1851, and is regarded as a very valuable work, and one of the best town histories. Copies of the work are very rare, and, like all Londonderry literature, com- mand high prices. In 1870 a compilation of the "Exercises on the 150th anniversary of the town's settlement" was published.


Rev. Luther B. Pert, pastor of the Presbyterian Society in Londonderry, published in 1876 a valuable centennial sermon, historical of the society, church, and town.


Londonderry claims many eminent men who were either natives of the town or residents for a time. Of these may be mentioned John Bell, ancestor of three governors of New Hampshire and three United States senators; Gen. George Reid, the trusted friend of Washington; Gen. John Stark, the hero of Bennington; Matthew Thornton, the jurist and statesman; Samuel Livermore and John Prentice, the accomplished lawyers; Rev. Dr. Joseph McKeen, first president of Bowdoin College; and many others, of whom there is no space in this sketch even to name. Very large numbers of the most prominent living men in the land "claim kindred here, and have their claims allowed."


Mammoth Road .- This road was built in the summer of 1831, and opened to travel in the autumn of that year. It became at once a popular


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line between Concord, N. H., and Boston. Three lines of daily stages were put on the road, which carried vast numbers of passengers. In the winter season large quantities of country produce were carried over the road, seek- ing a market at Lowell and Boston. This continued till the opening of the Concord and Nashua Railroad, in 1838. The Mammoth Road, so named in derision by its enemies, has always been a great convenience to the people of the town. In 1832 President Jackson and cabinet passed over it on their way from Boston to Concord, N. H., and dined at the hotel of Mr. White, in the north part of the town.


Cemeteries .- The oldest cemetery in town is situated upon the hill known as "Grave-yard Hill," about one mile from the Derry line, nearly opposite the site of the First Church. An acre of land was bought of Robert Wallace. The first interment was "ye learned William Wallace," who died March 27, 1733. He was born at Bush Mills, Ireland, in 1707, graduated at a college in Edinburgh, Scotland, and studied for the ministry. Although it is now a lonely place, unused for purposes of burial, it contains the remains of many of the honored dead of the olden time. Among them John Bell, the emigrant ancestor of the eminent family that has through three or four generations taken a distinguished part in the councils of the state and nation. He died July 8, 1743, aged sixty-four. A massive marble slab marks the resting- place of Maj. John Pinkerton, the founder of Pinkerton Academy. Many members of the Duncan family lie here, and there are stones "In Memoriam" of David and Margaret (Clark) Woodburn, maternal grandparents of Horace Greeley. The second cemetery in town received its first recorded burial in February, 1793-David Patterson, son of Deacon Thomas Patterson, who died the 12th day of that month. Near the center stands a stately and appropriate granite monument inscribed to the memory of Hon. John Bell and wife. He was born in Londonderry, August 15, 1730, and died there Novem- ber 30, 1825, having long served faithfully the town and state in many important positions. An addition to this yard was made on the south in 1852.


The cemetery in the northwest part was originally a private yard, but now belongs to the town.


Glenwood Cemetery .- About fifty citizens of the town, in 1869, purchased three acres of land of Robert Mack, fenced it, and laid it out into lots. The first buried here was Mrs. John Haynes.


West Parish, or Londonderry Presbyterian Meeting-House .- February 25, 1740, the New Hampshire Legislature incorporated a second parish in Londonderry. It took the name of the West Parish, and embraced all the present town of Londonderry and a considerable part of Derry. The first meeting-house of the parish was erected near the old graveyard certainly as early as 1735, and may have been as early as March 14, 1733, as that was the date of the call to Rev. David McGregor, the first pastor. It was never fully finished, and probably only occasional services were held in it. The second house was built one mile and a half east of the former, in the Aiken's Range, now Derry, about 1737, as we find the parish voted, September 7, 1736, "that they sett up their meeting-house upon that part of James Aiken's home lot known as his sheep pasture." This house was "low in the post, with a low floor requiring descending steps to reach it." It stood on land now owned by the heirs of Thomas Bradford. The location so far to the east, in connection with some dislike of Rev. William Davidson, pastor of the


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"old church," occasioned disaffection, which resulted in an unhappy quarrel, which lasted till the close of Rev. David McGregor's ministry, in 1777. Forty families of the West Parish attended meeting at the East Church, now Derry, and the same number from the latter society attended meeting at the West Parish.


The next and third church edifice of the West Parish was begun in 1769. It was located near Henry Campbell's tobacco yard, a short distance. from the residence of A. P. Hardy. The next year the house was finished out- wardly, but the interior was not finished till 1780. Pews were inade in 1787, and sold in the aggregate for £1025 5s. This house stood without much alteration till 1845, when it was taken down and removed to the center of the town, on the Mammoth Road, and fitted up for a town hall.


Some time during the winter of 1836-37 the leading men in the West Parish met at the house of Robert Mack, and took steps for the erection of a new church. Committees were chosen, subscriptions were obtained, and during the summer and fall of 1837 the church was built. The land for a site, originally laid out to David Morrison, was the gift of Robert Mack. The cost was about four thousand dollars. In 1860 a little over two thousand dollars were expended in frescoing the house and making repairs. The bell of this church was purchased in 1856.


Ministers of the West Parish in Londonderry .- Rev. David McGregor was born in Ireland in 1710, came with his father to Londonderry in 1719, and became the first pastor over the West Parish. He early entered the ministry, receiving a call from the West Parish, March 14, 1733. He alter- nated Sunday services between the Hill Church and that in the Aiken's Range. His abilities and eloquence drew many people from neighboring towns in regular attendance upon his ministrations. He died May 30, 1777, having faithfully served the society forty-four years. He was a non-resident of the parish, living in a house of his own erection on land laid out to his father, known as the Humphrey Choate Place, one mile from East Derry Village. The "forty family quarrel" between the parishes came to an end shortly after his death, the New Hampshire Legislature aiding this result in 1778 by repealing the law allowing that singular interchange of families.


William Morrison, D. D., succeeded Mr. McGregor. He was ordained February 12, 1783. . He was born in 1748, in the town of Auchlinnes, parish of Cornerey, Perthshire, Scotland, and died March 9, 1818.


Rev. Daniel Dana, D. D., having resigned the presidency of Dartmouth College, was installed over the society January 15, 1822. He was dismissed in April, 1826, "much to the regret of the people," as appears by a record on the West Parish books.


Rev. Amasa A. Hayes, a native of Granby, Conn., a graduate of Yale and Andover, was installed June 25, 1828, and died, greatly lamented, October 23, 1830.


Rev. John R. Adams followed Mr. Hayes by ordination October 5, 1831. He was dismissed in October, 1838. He was afterward settled in Brighton, Mass., and Gorham, Me .; was chaplain in the Fifth Regiment Maine Volun- teers, and also of the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York Regiment.


Among the successors to Mr. Adams have been: Rev. Timothy G. Brainard, November 5, 1840, to April 26, 1855; Rev. William House. 1857 to 1873; Rev. Luther B. Pert, February 23, 1875, to September I,


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1879; Rev. Ire C. Tyson, June 9, 1891, to May 5, 1883; Rev. Samuel F. French, October 23, 1894, to October 1, 1906; Rev. J. Francis Laughton, May 1, 1908, to February, 1910; Rev. Bertram Christopher, April 1, 1910, to April, 1914.


Mr. D. G. Annis writes that, "The early records of the doings of sessions are now all lost, and those extant date back only to 1823. When the church was organized, of how many members composed and when or by whom the first minister was set over it, are points which have not been ascertained."


Baptist Church and Ministers .- This church was organized in 1779. Services on the Sabbath were occasionally held at the houses of the members fifty years, or till 1829, when the society erected their meeting-house. In November, 1828, a subscription paper was circulated for the object of build- ing a house. Two sites had been in contemplation; "one near Caleb Gooden's corner," and the other "on a gore of land north of John Butterfield's house." January 3, 1829, a meeting was held, the latter place selected, and the church built that year. Caleb Gooden, Stephen Moor, William Plumer, John Butter- field. and James Watts were large contributors. The following-named clergymen, among many others, have preached for the society: Rev. Ezra Wilmorth, Rev. John Upton, Rev. Stephen Pillsbury, fourteen years; Rev. J. W. Poland, two years; and Rev. Thomas W. Herbert. Rev. Joshua L. Whittemore was pastor from 1857 to 1867. Other pastors have been Rev. Charles F. Gould, Rev. W. H. Horne, Rev. William Gussman, and the present pastor Mr. Sturtevant.


During Mr. Gussman's ministry, extensive improvements have been made including tower and bell.


The late William Plumer, of Londonderry, left his homestead in the north part of the town to the society.


Methodist Meeting-House and Ministers .- The Methodist Episcopal Society worshiped in the town hall for two years before the erection of their church. This was built in 1855-56, and dedicated March 5, 1856. Rev. Henry Nutter was their first minister. Below are consecutively all the names of the other preachers and the dates of their pastorate: 1856-57, Rev. A. Folsom; 1857-59, Rev. J. Hayes; 1859-60, Rev. A. C. Dutton; 1860-62, G. WV. T. Rogers; 1862-65. O. H. Call; 1865-66, I. Taggart ; 1866-68, J. Hayes; 1868-69, E. Scott; 1869-71, A. A. Cleveland; 1871-73, J. A. Steele; 1873-74, F. D. Chandler, L. L. Eastman; 1874-75, S. Beedle; 1875-78, J. F. Spald- ing ; 1878-79. A. R. Lunt; 1879-80, E. P. F. Dearborn; 1880-81, H. H. French, 1881-82, J. M. Bean; 1882-83: 1884-86, J. H. Knott; 1887, H. B. Copp; 1888-92, Jrad Taggart; 1893-96, Noble Fisk; 1897-1900, G. A. Mc- Lucas; 1901-03, J. P. Frye; 1904-05, W. J. Wilkins; 1905-06, C. A. Reed : 1907-08, G. H. Heizer: 1909, N. L. Porter; 1910-1I, J. Kirkwood Kraig; 1912-14, C. E. Eaton.


Rebellion, 1861-65 .- The attack upon Fort Sumter, April 13, 1861. united the people of Londonderry, without distinction of party, in favor of vigorous measures by the general government to maintain the integrity of the Union. The enthusiasm of the town developed itself in the formation of two companies for purposes of military drill. Frequent meetings were held and enlistments encouraged, so that when the time came for action the town was ready to do its duty. Seven of its citizens enlisted in the first regiment sent from New Hampshire. May 11, 1861, the town voted to provide for


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the families of volunteers, and all through the war generous bounties were paid, the last, January 2, 1865, of $600. Drafted men received each $300.


First Regiment, Three Months' Men .- Wesley B. Knight, corporal; Edwards O. Dodge; W. H. Martin; Haskell P. Coffin; Charles H. Morrison ; David W. Coffin; Joseph C. Abbott.


Second Regiment .- Charles Vickerey, lieutenant, wounded and captured July 2, 1863, died July 8, 1863; Samuel N. Payne; Peter Flynn; James C. Furbush.


Fourth Regiment .- William S. Barker, captain, commenced February 17, 1865, discharged May 20, 1865; William S. Pillsbury, first lieutenant, com- menced September 20, 1861, resigned October 20, 1861 ; Joseph C. Abbott, died of disease at Folly Island, S. C., June 13, 1863; John W. Barker, killed in action near Petersburg, Va., July 28, 1864; James Dooley; Thomas Diss- more, died at Morris Island, S. C., August 1I, 1863; Charles R. Frost; George Lawson; William C. Flanders; Stephen A. Nichols; Warren G. Pike, wounded October 22, 1862, died July 22, 1863; Lorenzo Wight, died of disease at St. Augustine, Fla., August 19, 1862.


Fifth Regiment .- John D. K. Marshall, wounded June 3, 1864; William Kerner; John Curtin, wounded September 30, 1864; E. G. Holmes; Thomas O'Neil; Andrew C. Smith; Patrick Murphy ; L. Schuttsmayer ; John Wilson ; Silas F. Dean, promoted to chaplain February 1, 1864.


Sixth Regiment .- John O'Donal, James Mitchell, John Wilson.


Seventh Regiment .- Charles H. Brickett; William C. Bancroft; L. P. Gardner; Thomas F. Dodge; Henry C. Dickey; Irving T. Dickey, wounded February 20, 1864, died April 11, 1864; Timothy A. Smith; A. P. Colby ; William M. Boyce; Edward Clark; G. M. Clark; Moses F. Colby; Charles O. Dessmore.


Eighth Regiment .- Eugene L. Curtis; Elbridge Curtis; Charles E. Fol- lonsbee, died of wounds at Port Hudson, July 4, 1863; Charles E. Conant, wounded June 14, 1863; George W. Blood.


Ninth Regiment .- A. F. Hamblett; Andrew C. Smith, captured at Poplar Grove, Va., September 30, 1864.


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Tenth Regiment .- John Haynes, assistant surgeon, resigned June 30,


1863; Samuel Woodbury; George W. Vickerey; Alonzo R. Wells, wagoner.


Eleventh Regiment .- Charles D. Annis, wounded May 6, 1864, died May 18, 1864; George W. Vickerey; Armanda S. Vickerey, wounded May 12, 1864, died at Washington, D. C., June 10, 1864; William H. Vickerey.


Twelfth Regiment .- Peter Flynn; Benjamin Wilson; D. B. Harrington, died at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864; Calvin Johnson; Amos H. MacGregor; Isaac Colley, killed at Drury's Bluffs, May 16, 1864; Daniel Goodwin, killed in action June 25, 1864; Samuel Clark, captured May 16, 1864; O. B. Goodwin; John C. Estey, wounded May 16, 1864; John F. Davis; Clinton Farley; David Goodwin; Edward P. Moore, sergeant, wounded July 27, 1864, died August 16, 1864; Benjamin F. Pettingill; Horace P. Estey ; Albert Atwood, killed in action June 30, 1864; Charles E. Estey, wounded May 16. 1864, taken prisoner and died at Andersonville, Ga., August 10, 1864 (Grave No. 5337) ; Moses M. Myrick, killed at Deep Run, August 16, 1864; Wesley B. Knight, sergeant, captured and died at Florence, S. C., October 20. 1864: William Lamson, wounded May 16, 1864: William H. Martin ; Charles H. Morrison, captured, died in prison at Salisbury, N. C., December 22, 1864; George H. Robinson; David C. Stevens; Benjamin Shipley, died


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of disease on steamer "Ben. Deford," June 7, 1865; Joseph A. Wyckoff, killed at Pocotaligo, S. C., October 22, 1862. Mr. Wyckoff was the first soldier from Londonderry killed in war.


Thirteenth Regiment .- Dearborn W. MacGregor, A. H. Randall, John H. Little.


Fifteenth Regiment .- Lieut. Washington Perkins; M. N. Holmes; Charles MacGregor; W. F. Holmes; W. J. Pond, died of disease at Baton Rouge, June 20, 1863 : John H. Sanborn, wounded May 27, 1863, and died at Port Hudson, June 2, 1863; John Orall; Charles R. Clark; Martin L. Moore; A. P. Alexander ; Horace D. Gregg; Washington I. Coburn; James G. Mor- rison ; Hiram Webster.


Eighteenth Regiment .- Thomas F. Dodge; Washington Perkins, first lieutenant ; David W. Coffin; John H. Estey, died of disease at Washington, D. C .; Frank O. Greeley, died at Concord, N. H., May 6, 1865; William P. Nevins; G. F. Plumer; Walter L. Robbins; George W. Wilson; Samuel L. Woodbury, died of disease at Londonderry, February 27, 1865; Francis Lupean ; O. S. Sorer ; Daniel Griffin ; James Dooley ; M. N. Holmes ; Lyman J. Slate ; John C. Scully ; Horace E. Woods; Hugh Mulheran, William P. Wallace.


First Regiment N. H. Vol. Cavalry .- George F. Anderson and Samuel Whittier.


First Regiment Heavy Artillery .- William S. Pillsbury, lieutenant, date of commission, September 5, 1864; Haskell P. Coffin, lieutenant ; Carlos W. Noyes ; James H. Eaton; Isaac W. Hall; John H. Nutter; Arley P. Tenney ; Washington I. Coburn; A. J. Benson, sergeant; Charles R. Frost; William Clark; John Merrill; Augustus Alexander; J. M. Bancroft; John E. Ban- croft ; John L. Blood; G. W. Clark; John R. Campbell; David Flanders; George F. Greely : Duston Hamblett, died January 10, 1865; David W. Coffin ; Henry A. Hovey; Thomas M. Holmes; W. P. Lund; Benjamin Martin; James A. Nichols ; A. H. Nichols; N. B. Perno; L. Pickering; B. Sullivan ; John C. Towns; D. G. Wheeler; William Young; G. W. Annis; James S. Wheeler ; Edwin Follonsbee.


First Regiment of Sharpshooters .- Henry Moulton, National Guards, N. H. Militia, in the U. S. service sixty days, on garrison duty at Fort Constitution ; Elijah G. Chase; Charles Goodwin.


Unattached Co. N. H. Vols. at Portsmouth Harbor .- B. L. Center.


Men from Londonderry in the 14th Mass. Regt .- Alexander McGregor, A. J. McKenny, Charles McKenny, Elijah Watts, Henry Colby.


The latter was killed in the service. Enrollment of Londonderry, April 30, 1865, 139; total of quota under all calls from July 1, 1863, 107; credits by enlistment and draft, 108; surplus, I.


Leach Library .- David Rollins Leach, who died in Manchester, April I, 1878, left by his last will $3,000 to found and perpetuate a public library in Londonderry. The town at the annual meeting in March, 1879, voted to accept the bequests, authorized the selectmen to build an addition to the town hall, in which should be fitted a room for library purposes, and a room was in readiness January 1, 1880. At the present time 2,618 circulating books on the shelves and about five hundred books of other classes.


The physicians are: Wm. R. Richardson and P. W. F. Corning.


The following are the societies: Horace Greeley Council, U. O. A. M., Londonderry Grange, Woman's Relief Corps, Mayflower Grange.


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CHAPTER XXXIX


NEW CASTLE


Geographical-Topographical-First Settlement-Great Island-The Fort of 1660-The Separation-The Meeting-House-Lithobolia-Prominent Men-Fort William and Mary-Military Record-Walbach Tower- Public Library.


The Town of New Castle is an island lying off the coast of Portsmouth, and was formerly called Great Island. The surface of this town is rocky.


The history of New Castle is of some interest, as the first settlement in New Hampshire was made in 1623 near its borders by a Scotchman named David Thompson.


The original designation was Great Island, but in 1693 it was separated from Portsmouth and incorporated under its present name. At the time of its incorporation a large portion of land on the west was included within its limits, but in consequence of the incorporation of Rye in 1719 its area was reduced to 458 acres. The soil, though thickly interspersed with rocks, has ever been made to produce abundantly, and owing to the plentiful supply of seaweed the farmers need never fail for want of the proper means of enriching their lands.




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