USA > New Hampshire > New Hampshire as it is. In three parts. Part I. A historical sketch of New hampshire. Part II. A gazetter of New Hampshire. Part III. A general view of New Hampshire. Together with the constitution of the State > Part 14
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Population, 1751. Number of polls, 308. Inventory, $276,227. Value of lands, $149,581. Number of sheep, 1178. Do. neat. stock, 1659. Do. horses, 189.
EFFINGHAM, Carroll county. Bounded north by Free- dom, east by Porter, Maine, south by Ossipee, and west by Ossipee. Area, about 30,000 acres. Distance from Con- cord, 60 miles, north-east ; from Ossipee, 5, north. There are several mountains of considerable elevation in this town. The Ossipee River is the only stream of note. Near this river is a pond, about 400 rods long, and 270 wide. Province Pond lies between this town and Wake- field.
Effingham was settled but a few years before the revo- lution. It was first called Leavitt's Town. It was incor- porated August 18, 1778. Rev. Gideon Burt was the first settled minister, who entered upon his duties as pastor of the Congregational Church in 1803, and was dismissed in 1805, since which time the church has been vacant.
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At present there are two Freewill Baptist societies in the town. A Baptist society was formed here in 1808. The ยท Effingham Academy was incorporated in 1819, and is a respectable institution.
Population in 1775, 85; in 1850, 1252. Number of polls, 244. Inventory, $255,161. Value of lands, $109,415. Number of sheep, 407. Do. neat stock, 1227. Do. horses, 207
ELLSWORTH, Grafton county. Bounded north by Wood- stock, east by Thornton, south by Rumney, and west by Warren. Area, 16,606 acres. 52 miles north from Con- cord, and 12 north from Plymouth. A mountainous terri- tory. The most prominent elevation is Carr's Mountain, situated in the north part, and extending to the centre of the town. A small stream issues from West Branch Pond, in the south-east part of the town, and runs into the Pemigewasset, in Campton. The soil, though in some parts sterile and rugged, produces wheat, rye, corn, oats, pota- toes, &c. This town was granted in 1769, under the name of Trecothick, to Barlow Trecothick. Large quantities of maple sugar are made here annually. There is one Free- will Baptist church and society in this town. There are also three common schools, five sawmills, and one gristmill.
Population, 320. Number of legal voters, 75. Valua- tion, $44,344. Value of lands, $18,952. Number of sheep, 455. Do. neat stock, 292. Do. horses, 39.
ENFIELD, Grafton county. Bounded north by Canaan, east by Grafton, south by Grantham, and west by Lebanon. Area, 24,060 acres. 42 miles north-west from Concord, with which it is connected by the Northern Railroad. The surface of this town is diversified with hills and valleys,
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and watered by a variety of ponds and streams well stored with fish. Mascomy Pond, which has received from travel- lers the name of Pleasant Pond, is indeed a beautiful sheet of water, about five miles in length, and on an average half a mile in width. Its eastern banks are covered with trees, which, with the ascending hill, gradually rise one above the other for some distance. Along the eastern shore the Northern Railroad extends for a considerable dis- tance. Mascomy River, which takes its rise in Dorchester, running through Canaan, discharges into this pond. This pond is supposed to have been at some former period much higher than at present, and the plain and villages south are supposed to have been the bed of it. This is evident from the ancient shore still remaining around the pond and about 30 feet above high water. Logs have been found 12 feet below the surface of the plain once flowed. Its fall appears to have been sudden, caused by an altera- tion of its outlet. On the eastern shore, about half a mile from the pond, is a pleasant and thriving village, known as North Enfield. There are several stores and mills here, and one extensive tannery.
This pleasant village has grown up within a few years. The soil is generally strong, though requiring considerable labor to make it productive. On the south-western shore of the pond is situated the Shakers' village. This society own the land on the south-west bank, nearly the entire length of the pond. The village is located about midway between the two extremities of the pond, on an alluvial plain of great fertility and under a very high state of culti- vation. About 20 acres of this are devoted to horticulture, from which large quantities of garden seeds and all the valuable varieties of botanic medicinal herbs and roots are produced. The buildings are neat and convenient, and
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some on a large and splendid scale. In the village of the Middle Family is a large and beautiful stone edifice, four stories in height, surmounted by a cupola in which is a bell weighing about 800 pounds, remarkable for its sono- rousness and sweetness of tone. An immense and costly barn for cows has recently been erected. The location and arrangement are admirable. It is built across a gentle ravine, opening from bank to bank, and is so constructed that teams laden with hay, grain, or straw may enter at either gable, precipitate the hay into the bay below, pass along, and make their egress at the other end. Such a location has enabled the owners to extend a cellar through its entire length for the reception of the manures, both solid and liquid, which are kept from filtration or otherwise escaping downwards by a plank floor laid upon a stratum of clay wrought as a bed of mortar. The descent of the ground upon the back part of the barn affords a passage to and from the cellar both convenient and easy for carrying pond mud and manure. The scaffolds above furnish space to deposit the litter, which is let down through a trap door in the rear of the cows.
The manufactures of the Shakers consist mainly of , wooden ware, such as pails, tubs, dry measures, brooms, &c. They also manufacture extensively woollen and flannel shirts and drawers, cassimeres, flannels, feeting, &c. They own about 2000 acres in the vicinity of their village, and considerable in adjoining towns. They are divided into three distinct families. The middle, or, as they term it, the first order, contains about 120 members. The second order, or family, resides about one mile south of the first, and contains about 80 members. The north family, or novitiate, is situated at the extreme north of the
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village, and contains usually about 60 members. Each of the families has one large and commodious building, which is called the office, where all the commercial affairs are transacted, and where all visitors are entertained. It is desirable that all visitors should first call at one of these offices. 'Trustees of the first order, C. M. Dyer and H. C. Baker ; of the second, Jason Kidder and William Wilson ; of the north family, A. Bronson. The society in Enfield have but little water power; but by means of artificial channels they have about 10 mills of different kinds. They usually keep about 100 cows. They take much pains in the improvement of stock. They have recently imported two small flocks of French merino sheep at an expense of $200 to $500 apiece. The religious peculiar- ities * of this society are similar to those of the society at Canterbury, which have already been noticed.
South of the Shaker Village, in the direction of Spring- field, are three flourishing villages, known as " North End," "Enfield Centre," and "Fish Market." The two latter are well supplied with water power, and con- tain several stores, mills, a woollen factory, two meeting houses, mechanics' shops, &c. In the eastern part of the town, situated at the foot of East Pond, - a beautiful sheet of water, abounding with pickerel and trout, -is Mill Village, a pleasant and thriving place, containing a handsomely-built meeting house, stores, and shops of various kinds.
This town was formerly called Relham, and was incorpo- rated and granted to Jedediah Dana and others July 4, 1761. First settlers, Nathaniel Bicknell, Jonathan Paddle- ford, and Elisha Bingham. Elias, son of the person last
* See article upon RELIGION.
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named, was the first male child born in this town. For their first minister the Congregational society had Rev. Edward Evans, who was settled in December, 1799, and dismissed in 1805. A Freewill Baptist church was established here in 1816. There is also a Methodist society.
Population, 1742. Number of polls, 376. Inventory, $506,944. Value of lands, $289,473. Number of sheep, 8439. Do. neat stock, 1371. Do. horses and mules, 236.
EPPING, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Not- tingham and Lee, east by Newmarket and Exeter, south by Brentwood and Poplin, and west by Raymond. Area, 12,760 acres. The soil in general is very good, and well adapted to the growth of the various productions of this climate. Lamprey River, at the west, receives the waters of the Patuckaway, and runs through the entire length of the town. Another river runs through the north part of the town, and is called North River. These streams af- ford a few convenient mill seats, which are occupied by three small woollen manufactories, in each of which from eight to ten persons are constantly employed. There are six stores, two hotels, and three meeting houses - one be- longing to the Congregational society, one to the Methodist, and one to the Freewill Baptist. There is also a small so- ciety of Friends, or Quakers.
The late Hon. William Plumer, governor of New Hampshire, and one of her most distinguished sons, was a resident of this town. Hon. John Chandler, formerly rep- resentative and senator in the Massachusetts legislature, member of Congress, and brigadier general in the army of the United States in the war of 1812, was a native of Ep- ping. The Congregational society was first established here in 1747, when Rev. Robert Cutler was ordained. As
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early as 1769 a Quaker society existed here. The Baptist society was formed here about 1776. A society of Metho- dists was established about 1800.
Population, 1663. Number of legal voters in 1854, 354. Valuation, $499,941. Value of lands, $302,803. Value of shares in banks and other corporations, $25,150. Number of sheep, 954. Do. neat stock, 972. Do. horses and mules, 181.
EPSOM, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Pitts- field, east by Northwood and Deerfield, south by Allens- town, and west by Pembroke and Chichester. Area, 19,200 acres. Distance from Concord, 12 miles, east. The surface of this town is generally uneven. The prin- cipal eminences are called McCoy, Fort, Nat's, and Not- tingham Mountains. The soil is generally good, and well adapted to grazing or the raising of grain. Great and Lit- tle Suncook are the only rivers of any size. There are three ponds - Chestnut, Round, and Odiorne's. The min- eralogical features of Epsom are of some importance. Brown oxide and sulphuret of iron are found in various localities. Terra sienna, a valuable material for paint, is also found here. Arsenical pyrites, argentiferous galena, and hematite associated with quartz crystals, occur in sev- eral localities.
Epsom was granted, May 18, 1727, to Theodore At- kinson and others. It received its name from Epsom in England. Rev. John Tucker was the first settled minister, and was ordained in 1761. Like other frontier towns, 'Ep- . som was exposed, during the early period of its settlement, to excursions of the Indians ; no serious injuries, however, .were sustained. In 1747, August 21, Mrs. McCoy was taken prisoner and carried to Canada, from whence she re-
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turned after the close of the war. Depredations were after- wards committed upon the cattle, the inhabitants having pre- viously fled to the garrisons in Nottingham.
Major Andrew McClary, a native of this town, a brave and meritorious officer, fell, gallantly resisting the enemies of his country, at Bunker's (or Breed's) Hill, June 17, 1775. Immediately on receipt of the news of the massacre at Lexington, he left his plough in the field and hastened to the conflict.
Population, 1365. Number of polls, 281. Inventory, $349,589. Value of lands, $169,267. Number of sheep, 1122. Do. neat stock, 1350. Do. horses, 187.
ERROLL, Coos county. Bounded north by Wentworth's Location, east by Umbagog Lake, - a portion of which is within its limits, - south by Cambridge and Dummer, and west by Millsfield. Area, about 35,000 acres, 2500 of which are covered with water. Several considerable streams unite here with the Androscoggin, which passes through the north-east part of the town. Upon this stream, in Erroll, have been expended quite recently more than $100,000 in erecting dams, &c., for the purpose of hold- ing back the water, so as to enable the company engaged in the enterprise to drive logs from the upper lakes to market through the whole season. There are numerous ponds and small streams which abound with trout. The soil in some parts is very good. A large portion of the town is still covered with a thick, heavy growth of maple, beech, birch, and pine.
Population, 138. Number of legal voters, 41. Com- mon schools, 3. Valuation, $44,752. Value of lands, $22,808. Number of sheep, 279. Do. neat stock, 178. Do. horses. 25.
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EXETER, the shire town of Rockingham county, is bounded north by Newmarket and Stratham, east by Stratham, Hampton, and Hampton Falls, south by Ken- sington and East Kingston, and west by Brentwood and Epping. The compact part of the town lies about the falls - which separate the tide from the fresh water - of a branch of the Piscataqua, called by the Indians Squamscot, and now known by the name of Exeter River. On this river are several valuable mill privileges, many of which are now occupied.
The town is pleasantly situated on the bank of the river. The soil is generally good, though including every variety, from the best to the poorest quality. The people are largely engaged in agricultural pursuits, in which great improvement has been made. Exeter owes much of her prosperity to the large number of her enterprising and in- telligent mechanics. The Exeter Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1828. Its capital stock amounts to $162,500. Dimensions of building, 175 feet long by 44 wide, and 6 stories high. It contains 7488 spindles and 175 looms. Manufacture number 25 cotton cloth, 36 inches wide. Annual consumption of cotton, 450,000 pounds. Number of yards of cloth produced per annum, 1,400,000. Do. operatives employed - males, 45 ; fe- males, 160; total, 205. During the past year the build- ing was thoroughly repaired. It is now lighted with gas, and heated by steam. John Low, Jr., agent and treas- urer.
Orin Head, carriage manufacturer, has from $30,000 to $40,000 capital invested. In this establishment over 200 carriages of all kinds are annually manufactured. A sad- dlery and harness shop is also connected with this concern. In both departments about 60 hands are employed.
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There are, besides, a papermill, and several other shops of less extent where various articles are manufactured.
Phillips Academy, a celebrated institution, was founded in 1781 by the liberal donations of John Phillips, D. D., who, at his decease in 1795, left a large portion of his estate for the benefit of this institution. It is under the control of a board of seven trustees, only three of whom can be resident in Exeter. A considerable portion of the fund is appropriated towards the support of the poorer class of students.
Exeter has, during all periods of its history, contained among its citizens eminent and useful men. Some of the most distinguished jurists, statesmen, and scholars in the country received a part of their mental training in its lit- erary institution. Hon. Samuel Tenney was well known in his day as a man of science and learning. General Na- thaniel Peabody was a member of the old Congress, a sen- ator in 1792, and speaker of the House in 1793. Hon. Nicholas Gilman was a member of the old Congress, a senator in 1804, president of the Senate, and a senator in Congress from 1805 to his death in 1814. General Nathaniel Folsom was a member of the old Congress, and a brave and valuable officer of the revolution. Hon. Jere- miah Smith, a native of Peterborough, was one of the first representatives under the federal government, was ap- pointed judge of the Supreme Court of New Hampshire, and in 1802 was chief justice, and continued such until 1809, when he was elected governor. Hon. John Taylor Gilman was an active supporter of the revolution, and for fourteen years, between 1794 and 1816, was governor of the state.
The settlement of Exeter commenced in 1638 under John Wheelwright and others, who formed themselves into
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a body politic, chose their magistrates, and bound them- selves by vote to sacred obedience. Their laws were made in popular assemblies, thus manifesting the true idea of a pure democracy. This organization lasted three years.
In 1629 Wheelwright had purchased of the Indians the country between the Merrimack and Piscataqua, extending back about fifty miles. By reason of his Antinomian opinions he had been banished from the colony of Massa- chusetts, and sought refuge here. In 1642 Exeter was annexed to the county of Essex, Massachusetts ; and Wheel- wright, who was still under sentence of excommunication, was compelled and made to flee from the society of re- ligious bigotry. The early inhabitants suffered consider- ably from the depredations of the Indians. In 1675 one person was killed and another made prisoner, and other outrages were committed. In 1695 two men were killed. In 1697 the town was undoubtedly saved, as it were, by accident, from utter destruction. By an unintentional alarm, caused by the firing of a gun for the purpose of frightening a few women and children who had gone into the fields after strawberries contrary to the advice of their friends, the people were brought together under arms. A large party of Indians had laid in ambush for several days, secretly making preparations for a vigorous attack, and had fixed upon the following day to begin the assault. Hearing the report of the gun, and seeing the people as- sembled together, they supposed they had been discovered, and made precipitate retreat, killing one person, wounding another, and carrying away a child. The Indians gave the people no further trouble until 1707, when another per- son was killed. In the spring of 1709 William Moody, Samuel Stevens, and two sons of Jeremy Gilman were captured at Pickpocket Mill, in Exeter. In 1710 the
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Indians killed Colonel Winthrop Milton, a meritorious citi- zen, with two others, and took two prisoners. Soon after this they killed one John Magoon, and captured John Wedgewood and four children. In April, 1712, a Mr. Cunningham was killed, and depredations committed upon the property of the inhabitants.
The first church in Exeter was probably the first formed in this state. It was founded in 1638 by Rev. John Wheel- wright, a brother-in-law of the celebrated Anne Hutchin- son, and a contemporary of Oliver Cromwell at the uni- versity. This church, after Wheelwright's banishment, was broken up, and a new one formed some time after, but at what precise period does not appear. Rev. Samuel Dudley was ordained in 1650. The Second Congrega- tional Church was formed in 1748, and Rev. Daniel Rogers, a descendant of the martyr John Rogers, was ordained. There are at present two Congregational societies, one Methodist, one Freewill Baptist, one Calvinist Baptist, and one Unitarian. The town is divided into six school dis- tricts. In some of the districts are substantial and elegant school houses. Much has been done here towards the ad- vancement of the common school interest in this town.
The Granite State Bank has a capital of $125,000. President, Moses Sanborn ; cashier, S. H. Stevens.
Population, 3329. Number of legal voters in 1854, 794. Amount of inventory, $1,265,391. Value of lands, $195,110. Do. factories and machinery, $48,000. Do. mills and carding machines, $20,400. Do. stock in trade, $90,356. Amount of money on hand, &c., $177,610. Number of sheep, 390. Do. neat stock, 777. Do. horses and mules, 228.
FARMINGTON, Strafford county. Bounded north by New
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Durham and Milton, east by Milton and the State of Maine, south by Rochester and Strafford, and west by Strafford and New Durham. Area, 21,000 acres. Distance from Con- cord, 25 miles, north-east ; from Dover, 18, north-west. This township is somewhat broken, and the soil in many places is rugged, but very productive when carefully tilled. There is but little interval on the Cocheco River, which winds through the north-east part of the town. The Blue Hill, or Frost Mountain, extending nearly through the town in a north and south direction, is the highest eleva- tion of land in the county. From the summit of this mountain may be seen in a clear day Mount Washington, Monadnock, and hundreds of smaller hills in the distance ; while the ships in Portsmouth Harbor can be traced in their various motions, swayed hither and thither by a slight breeze. The Cocheco River is the only stream of note. A rock, weighing some 60 or 70 tons, formerly so nicely poised as to be moved easily by the hand, has within a few years been moved from its position by some persons, no doubt, wearing out for want of exercise.
The school fund in. this town is $3000. There are seven stores, and one hotel. The manufacture of shoes is carried on quite extensively. About 560,000 pairs of shoes are manufactured annually. The amount of capital invested is $475,000 ; 650 hands are employed. There is a bank in this town, with a capital of $50,000. Farming- ton was originally a part of Rochester, but was incorporated as a distinct town December 1, 1798. A Congregational church was formed here, about 1818, under the care of the Rev. James Walker. There is also a Freewill Baptist society here. This town is divided into 16 school districts.
Population, 1699. Number of legal voters in 1854, 483. Inventory. 651,335. Stock in trade, $21,530.
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Value of shares in bank, &c., $44,574. Do. of lands, $380,920. Number of sheep, 903. Do. neat stock, 1512. Do. horses and mules, 260.
FITZWILLIAM, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Troy and Jaffrey, east by Rindge, south by Royalston and Winchendon, Massachusetts, and west by Richmond. Area, 22,700 acres. Distance from Concord, 60 miles, south-west ; from Keene, 13, south-east. It originally contained 26,900 acres ; but by an act of the legislature, June 23, 1815, 4200 acres were taken from it, and now form a part of Troy. Camp and Priest Brooks are the
principal streams. There are several small ponds. The surface is hilly; the soil is hard, but very good for graz- ing. There is a considerable quantity of meadow land, which is very productive. Near the centre of the town is a considerable eminence, remarkable for the delightful prospect it affords. Gap Mountain lies partly in this town and partly in Troy. On its summit is found an excellent kind of whetstone. There is also a quarry of granite of superior quality, which is extensively wrought. The manu- facture of wooden ware of various kinds is a large item in the industrial pursuits of the inhabitants. There are eleven different establishments in which this kind of labor is per- formed. There are also one carriage shop, one tannery, and a factory where enamelled leather is made. In these various departments 250 persons are employed. There are four stores, one hotel, twelve common schools, one Unitarian church, one Congregational, and one Baptist.
This town was originally called Monadnock Number Four, and was granted, January 15, 1752, to Roland Cotton and 41 others ; but, the grantees having suffered forfeiture, it was regranted to Samson Stoddard and 22 others. The
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first settlement was made, in 1760, by James Read, John Fassitt, Benjamin Bigelow, and other's. It was incorporated May 19, 1773, when it was named in honor of the Earl of Fitzwilliam.
The Congregational church was formed March 27, 1771, when the Rev. Benjamin Brigham was ordained. In 1816 an elegant church was erected at an expense of $7000. On the night of January 17, 1817, it was struck by light- ning, and entirely consumed. The Cheshire Railroad passes through this town.
Population, 1482. Number of legal voters in 1854, 300. Inventory, $468,637. Value of lands, $283,675. Stock in trade, $19,530. Number of sheep, 297. Do. neat stock, 1093. Do. horses and mules, 232.
FRANCESTOWN, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Deering, east by Weare and New Boston, south by Lyndeborough and Greenfield, and west by Greenfield and Bennington. Area, 18,760 acres. Distance from Concord, 27 miles, south-west ; from Amherst, 12, north- west. The two south branches of the Piscataquog rise in this town; the largest branch from Pleasant Pond, the other from Haunted Pond. These two ponds are consider- able collections of note ; the former being about 350 rods square, and the latter 300 in length by 225 in width. The land is uneven, and in many parts stony, but the soil is strong and productive. There are some small patches of interval which are very fertile. In the western part of the town the rock is mostly coarse granite; in the eastern it is sulphuric, easily crumbling. There is in the easterly part of this town a valuable quarry of soapstone, which has been extensively wrought for sizing rollers and other
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