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 15
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purposes. In the north part of the town plumbago occurs in small quantities.
This town was first settled, in 1760, by John Carson, a Scotchman. It derived its name from Frances, the wife of Governor Wentworth. It was not granted to proprietors, as most of the early townships were. It includes what was once called New Boston Addition and a part of Society Land, and was incorporated, on petition of the inhabitants, June 8, 1772. The titles were derived from the Masonian proprietors. A Congregational church was formed here, January 27, 1773, under the Rev. Samuel Cotton. Mr. James Woodbury was an active soldier in the French war of 1757. He was engaged by the side of General Wolfe when he was mortally wounded at the memorable siege of Quebec. He also belonged to the company of rangers under the immortal Stark.
Population, 1114. Number of houses, 241. Do. families, 261. Do. farms, 128. Value of lands, $314,- 620. 3 Stock in trade, $5050. Inventory, $531,982. Number of sheep, 1953. Do. neat stock, 1193. Do. horses and mules, 240. Do. polls, 244.
FRANCONIA, Grafton county. Bounded north by Beth- lehem, east by ungranted lands, south by Lincoln and Landaff, and west by Lisbon. Area, 32,948 acres. Dis- tance from Concord, 74 miles, north; from Haverhill, 28, north-east. A large portion of the town is mountainous. Its streams are branches of the Lower Ammonoosuc, and rise in the mountainous tracts on the east. Along these streams there is considerable interval- meadow land very fertile and productive. Near the "Notch " are two bodies of water; the lower one, commonly called Ferrin's Pond, is
. ...
" FURN-VALI OFFICE
THE OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN.
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half a mile long and quarter of a mile wide. It is the source of one of the principal branches of the Pemigewas- set River, and is known as the "Middle Branch." Echo Lake, about one mile in length and three quarters of a mile in width, lies at the foot of Mount Lafayette, almost entirely protected from violent winds by the lofty hills which surround it on all sides. The report of a gun fired upon its shores may be heard distinctly several times, in perfect imitation of successive discharges of musketry. The waters of this lake are discharged through the south branch into the Lower Ammonoosuc.
The NOTCH, a narrow pass between Mount Lafayette and Profile Mountain, or Mount Jackson, is thought by many not inferior to the celebrated pass on the eastern flank of the White Mountain range. Those who visit the White Mountain Notch and scenery will not consider their visit complete until they have seen Franconia Notch. The grand and beautiful are so perfectly blended in its wild and rugged features that the visitor can hardly tell with which view he is most profoundly impressed.
The OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN has been declared to be the greatest natural curiosity in the state. On a bold and nearly perpendicular part of the rock which terminates one of the projecting cliffs of Mount Jackson, at the height of 1000 feet, in bold relief against the western sky, and surveying in calm majesty the wild and varied region stretching towards the south, is seen this wonderful profile of the human face, delineated with striking exactness and in gigantic proportions, wearing from age to age the same undisturbed expression of sovereign dignity and hoary wisdom. The profile is produced by a peculiar combina- tion of the surfaces and angles of five huge granite blocks. As the traveller reaches the point of observation from the
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highway, he is directed to look in a northwardly direction, . when he discovers in the distance the stern visage of the Old Man of the Mountain.
The BASIN is a deep excavation in granite, formed by the continual action of the falling waters of the Pemige- wasset, together with the whirling and grinding action of pebbles and masses of granite swept into the cavity by the force of the stream. The diameter of the Basin is about thirty feet, and its depth appears to be in such proportion as to form a huge bowl, always filled to the brim with clear, cold water.
The FLUME is about three fourths of a mile from the main road, on the right hand as you go towards Franconia Notch. A narrow pathway through woods leads to the spot. There are in the passage, numerous small streams, over which have been felled trees, which is the only bridge to be met with in this wild, romantic walk. "The Flume is a deep chasm, having mural precipices of granite on each side ; while a mountain torrent rushes through its midst, falling over precipitous crags and loose masses of rock. During the spring freshets and in early summer it is not practicable to walk in the bed of the Flume; but late in the season but little water flows, and the bottom of the river affords a good footpath. One of the most re- markable objects in the Flume is an immense rounded block of granite, which hangs a few feet overhead, supported merely by small surfaces of contact against its sides." To the traveller passing in the bed of the stream and under- neath this massive block, the appearance is, that it must instantly fall upon him. The trunk of a fallen tree lies across the top of the river, and furnishes a natural bridge for adventurous persons, though extremely dangerous, es- pecially for persons unaccustomed to such feats.
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Franconia owes much of its prosperity to the existence and working of a rich vein of granular magnetic iron ore, the locality of which is within the present limits of the town of Lisbon. The ore is blasted out and conveyed to the furnace in Franconia. In December, 1805, a company was incorporated under the name of the New Hampshire Iron Manufactory. The buildings necessary for the prose- cution of the enterprise were erected on the south branch of the Lower Ammonoosuc, and consist of a large blast fur- nace, a cupola furnace, a forge, trip hammer shop, black- smith shop, and pattern shop. From 20 to 30 men are constantly employed. 250 tons of pig iron and from 200 to 300 tons of bar iron are produced annually. The ore is said to be the richest yet discovered. It yields from 56 to 90 per cent. A respectable business is also carried on in the manufacture of starch from potatoes, about 60 tons of which are made annually. There is a bedstead fac- tory, in which eight men are employed, doing a business of about $8000 per annum.
There are in Franconia three hotels of large dimensions, and handsomely finished and furnished, in which special regard is paid to the ease and enjoyment of the numerous travellers who visit Franconia for pleasure, scientific pur- poses, or business.
This town was originally called Morristown, and was granted, February 14, 1764, to Isaac Searle and others. The first settlement was made in 1774 by Captain Ar- temas Knight, Samuel Barnett, Zebedee Applebee, and others.
There is a Congregational church consisting of 14 mem- bers, and a Freewill Baptist church of 138 members.
Population, 584. Number of polls in 1854, 139. Do. legal voters in do., 132. Inventory, $174,549. Value of
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lands, $95,226. Stock in trade, $15,945. Number of sheep, 567. Do. neat stock, 592. Do. horses and mules, 114.
FREEDOM, Carroll county. Bounded north by Eaton, east by Parsonfield, Maine, south by Effingham, and west by Ossipee. Distance from Concord, 60 miles, north-east ; from Ossipee, 10, north. This is an uneven township, but contains some excellent land for grazing and tillage. Os- sipee Lake lies partly in this town. The only stream of importance is Ossipee River, which affords several excel- lent mill seats. The inhabitants are generally devoted to agriculture ; and the numerous highly-cultivated farms give evidence that labor is not unaccompanied by skill. There are two carriage factories, doing business on rather a moderate scale; one door, sash, and blind factory ; one planing and mortising factory ; two blacksmith shops ; one bedstead shop; and four shoe shops. There is a re- ligious society of the Baptist faith ; one hotel, one high school, and ten common schools. This town was incor- porated June 16, 1831, and was formerly called North Effingham.
Population, 910. Number of legal voters in 1854, 240. Inventory, $225,930. Value of lands, $131,202. Do. stock in trade, $3350. Do. sheep, $1916. Do. neat stock, $17,295. Do. horses and mules, $8087. Do. polls, $53,860.
FRANKLIN, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Hill and Sanbornton, east by Sanbornton and Northfield, south by Boscawen and Salisbury, and west by Salisbury and Andover. Distance from Concord, 19 miles, north. This pleasant and thriving town was taken from the towns of
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Salisbury, Andover, Sanbornton, and Northfield, and was incorporated December 24, 1828. It is small in extent, comprising probably an area of not more than 9000 acres. The soil is generally a sandy loam, in some parts very rich ; in others, especially the more elevated pine plains, it is somewhat sterile. Much attention has been paid to ag- riculture here, and some of the farms will compare with the best in the state. The celebrated Webster Farm, through a portion of which the Northern Railroad passes, is under high cultivation, and very productive. At this place is a way station called the Webster Place. There is in this town an extensive peat bog, including about thirty acres, which is two feet deep, with a hard clay be- neath it.
The principal village is situated near the confluence of the Pemigewasset and Winnipiseogee Rivers, which, by their union, form the Merrimack. Its principal street is about one mile in length, running parallel with the Pemi- gewasset and Merrimack Rivers, at a distance of from 30 to 80 rods from their channels. The water power in this town is abundant and valuable. On the Win- nipiseogee are several mills and factories. The Frank- lin Mills have recently commenced operations. Feeting, woollen undershirts, and drawers are extensively manufac- tured here. The factory building is a large and massive
stone structure, four stories in height. Connected with this are some twelve or fifteen tenements for the operatives. The method of manufacturing such goods by machinery is comparatively a new enterprise, but promises well for those engaged in it. There is also a large paper manufactory, in which from 25 to 30 hands are employed. H. Aiken's machine shop, where are manufactured " Aiken's patent brad awls" and tools of various kinds, is in this town.
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There is also an iron foundery and a forge shop, where a large business is carried on.
In the principal village are two meeting houses, two hotels, seven stores, and one academy.
The Northern Railroad passes directly in the rear of the principal street ; and the track being elevated considerably above a level with the tops of the houses, the traveller sees almost beneath his feet a beautiful village, teeming with life and activity ; while still farther eastward he beholds the noble river whose power gives motion to the greatest number of spindles and looms of any stream in the world.
The two religious societies here are the Congregational and the Christian Baptist.
The cemetery, situated on a plain elevated considerably above the village, and some 100 rods easterly from it, is indeed a lovely spot. All is quiet around ; and yet within its enclosure the visitor, with a single glance, may behold the distant and gradually rising hills towards the west, and the puffing locomotive, with its almost endless train ; while a short distance below is the union of the Pemigewasset with the Winnipiseogee, and before him the busy village ; the whole scenery, with its variety and beauty, presenting a striking contrast to the stillness of the sacred grounds, and forcibly reminding him that there is but a step between the abodes of the living and the city of the dead.
Population, 1251. Number of polls, 282. Inventory, $463,635. Value of lands, $291,560. Stock in trade, $16,200. Money on deposit, &c., $37,980. Number of sheep, 1497. Do. neat stock, 909. Do. horses, 170.
GILFORD, shire town of Belknap county. Bounded north by Winnipiseogee Lake, east by Alton, south by Gilmanton, and west by Long Bay and Meredith. Area,
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23,000 acres. 25 miles north-east from Concord. The soil is generally productive and under a high state of culti- vation. There are two ponds - Little and Chattleborough. Gunstock and Mile's Rivers, rising in Suncook Mountains, and flowing in a northerly direction into the lake, are the principal streams. Two islands in the lake, belonging to Gilford, are connected with it by bridges, one of which is 30 rods in length. Four bridges across the Winnipiseogee connect this town with Meredith. Gilford village and Meredith village are connected by a bridge across Winni- piseogee River, and both are called Meredith Bridge ; (for a description of which, see MEREDITH.) The Suncook Moun- tains extend in a towering pile through the easterly part of the town, from Gilmanton nearly to the lake.
This is a thriving town, and the village connected with the Meredith side is one of the most flourishing and pleas- ant villages in New Hampshire. This town, which was incorporated June 16, 1812, was formerly a part of Gil- manton. It was settled in 1778 by James Ames and S. S. Gilman. The Freewill Baptist society, formed in 1798 under Elder Richard Martin, was the first religious society established in Gilford. Elder Uriah Morrison was ordained over a Baptist society in 1808. Elder William Blaisdell was ordained over the Christian Baptist society in 1809. There are at present one Calvinist Baptist and three Free- will Baptist societies in this town.
Population, 2425. Number of polls, 594. Inventory, $604,333. Value of lands, $357,148. Stock in trade, $9460. Value of mills and machinery, $7200. Money at interest, $29,407. Number of sheep, 2209. Do. neat stock, 1716. Do. horses and mules, 257.
GILMANTON, Belknap county. Bounded north by Gil-
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ford and Alton, east by Alton and Barnstead, south by Canterbury and Northfield, and west by Sanbornton and Great Bay. Area, 63,500 acres. 25 miles north-east from Concord, and 8 south-west from Gilford. This town is watered by the Winnipiseogee, Suncook, and Soucook Rivers. The source of the Suncook is a pond on the top of one of the Suncook Mountains, 900 feet above its base. The water of this pond falls into another at the foot of the mountain, about one mile in length and half a mile in width ; flowing through this, it falls into another, covering about 500 acres, from which it winds through the town, receiving several streams in its course. Gilmanton is very hilly and rocky. The north part bounds upon Suncook Mountains, from which a chain of hills extends in a south- erly direction. The soil is hard, but fruitful, and has been brought to a very high state of cultivation. No part of the state presents a more pleasing and picturesque appear- ance to the eye of the agriculturist. Quartz crystals of considerable size are found near Shell Camp Pond. For- merly bog iron ore of a good quality was taken in large quantities from the bottom of Lougee Pond by means of long tongs. Porcupine Hill is a remarkably abrupt preci- pice of granite, gneiss, and mica slate rock, which form, by their overhanging strata and deep ravines, a pleasant and favorite resort of the students of Gilmanton Academy - an old and highly respectable institution of learning. Below this steep precipice is a deep and shady dell, thickly clad with dark, evergreen foliage of forest trees ; while the rocks are wreathed in rich profusion by curious and beautiful lichens, or mosses. Wild plants are abundant and various.
Gilmanton Academy was incorporated October 13, 1762. This town was granted, May 20, 1727, to 24 persons named Gilman, and 152 others. The settlement was delayed and
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interrupted by the frequent depredations of the Indians. In December, 1761, Benjamin and John Mudgett, with their families, settled here. Dorothy Weed, the first child, was born here October 13, 1762. A Baptist church was organized here November 16, 1773. Elder Walter Powers was ordained June 14, 1786; dismissed in 1806. The Congregational church was formed November 30, 1774, and Rev. Isaac Smith ordained. There are also Methodist and Freewill Baptist societies in this town. Hon. William Badger, formerly governor of this state, was a native and citizen of Gilmanton.
Population, 3282. Number of polls, 704.' Inventory, $983,253. Stock in trade, $13,256. Value of lands, $556,600. Number of sheep, 3507. Do. neat stock, 3920. Do. horses and mules, 546.
GILSUM, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Alstead, east by Stoddard and Keene, south by Keene, and west by Surrey. Area, 9456 acres. 46 miles south-west from Concord, and 9 north from Keene. The surface is gener- ally uneven and stony. The soil is fertile ; and in many parts good arable land, free from stone, is to be found. Ashuelot River runs through this town, and affords several excellent water privileges. There is a small body of water in the north-east part of the town called Cranberry Pond. Near the house of Mr. Samuel Bingham there is a huge block of loose granite resting upon the crushed edges of a strata of mica slate. This immense bowlder has received the name of Vessel Rock, and appears to have been stranded upon the mica slate ledge, whither it was driven and depos- ited by the powerful drift current which passed over the country in ancient times. A large piece of this rock was split off from the mass by some external force in the winter
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of 1817. The principal block measures 26 feet long by 24 in width and 26 in height.
There are in this town two stores, one hotel, and two woollen factories. In one, owned and occupied by Eben- ezer Jones, about 15,000 yards of choice broadcloth are manufactured annually. The number of hands employed is 20. Capital invested, $15,000. Ebenezer Jones pro- prietor. In the other are manufactured about 40,000 yards of flannel per annum. Number of hands employed, 12. Capital invested, $9000. There is also a factory for ' making bobbins, a chair factory, and a large tannery. Gil- sum was first granted, December 8, 1752, to Joseph Osgood, Jacob Farmer, and others, and was called Boyle. It was regranted, July 13, 1763, to Messrs. Gilbert and Sumner, and others. From the union of the first syllables of these two names is derived the name Gilsum. First set- tlement in 1764, by Josiah Kilburn. The Congregational church was established in 1772; incorporated in 1816. There are now two meeting houses -one owned by the Congregational, the other by the Methodist, society.
Population, 666. Number of legal voters in 1854, 157. Inventory, $187,030. Value of lands, $76,531. Num- ber of sheep, 1413. Do. neat stock, 531. Do. horses and mules, 94.
GOFFSTOWN, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Dunbarton and Hooksett, east by Hooksett and Manchester, south by Bedford, and west by New Boston and Weare. Area, 29,170 acres. 16 miles south from Concord, 12 north from Amherst, and 6 north-west from Manchester. Merrimack River forms part of the eastern boundary. Piscataqua River runs through its centre. There are two considerable elevations in this town, which bear the
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Indian name of Uncannunuc. Excepting these elevations, Goffstown is less broken and hilly than the adjoining towns. On the rivers are large tracts of valuable interval. Back from the rivers are extensive plains, not so rich in soil, but easily and carefully cultivated. From the plains the land rises in large, but gradual, swells, rocky in some parts, but excellent for grazing. A Congregational society was formed here in 1771; a Baptist church was organized in 1820. This town was in early times a favorite resort of the In- dians, who found ample support in the abundance of fish in its limits. It was granted by the Masonian proprietors, in 1748, to Rev. Thomas Parker and others, of Dracut, Massachusetts. At present the Baptists are the only so- ciety who have a settled pastor. There are nine sawmills and four gristmills, two hotels and eight stores, one factory for the manufacture of batting, one shoe manufactory, in which are employed 100 hands, two sash and blind facto- ries, two wheelwright shops, and six blacksmith shops.
Population, 2270. Number of houses, 416. Do. fami- lies, 441. Do. farms, 272. Inventory, $658,509. Value of lands, $457,175. Stock in trade, $16,212. Number of sheep, 700. Do. neat stock, 1644. Do. horses and mules, 283. Do. polls, 424.
GORHAM, Coos county. Bounded north by Berlin, east by Shelburne, south by the northerly base of the White Mountains, and west by Randolph. Area, 18,140 acres. Distance from Concord, 96 miles, north ; from Lancaster, 20, east. It was formerly called Shelburne Addition. It is a rough, cold, and unproductive township. Several streams, swarming with trout, descend from the mountains into the Androscoggin River in this town.
Population, 224. Number of polls, 51. Inventory,
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$65,230. Value of lands, $40,744. Number of sheep, 115. Do. neat stock, 100. Do. horses, 48.
GOSHEN, Sullivan county. Bounded north by Sunapee, east by Newbury, south by Washington, and west by Unity and Newport. Area, 12,023 acres. Distance from Con- cord, 42 miles, north-west ; from Newport, 10, south-east. From Sunapee Mountain, lying in the east part of this town, spring numerous small streams, which unite in form- ing Sugar River. Rand's Pond is in the north-east part of the town. The soil is particularly adapted to the growth of grass. Large quantities of maple sugar are manufac- tured here annually. A plumbago vein of considerable extent and richness is wrought here. The varieties of rock are mica, slate, gneiss, and granite. A Congregational church was formed here in 1802, and a Baptist society in 1803. There is also a society called Christians. There are two stores and five common schools in this town. Go- shen was formed of territory taken from Newport, Suna- pee, Newbury, Washington, Lempster, and Unity. It was incorporated December 27, 1791. The first settlement was made in that part then called Wendall, now Sunapee, by Captain Benjamin Rand, William Lang, and Daniel Grindle, whose sufferings and hardships were very great. Their crops were often greatly injured, and sometimes en- tirely cut off, by early frosts. In such cases they were obliged to go to Walpole or Charlestown for grain. Dur- ing a winter of great scarcity Captain Rand went to Wal- pole after grain ; and being detained by a violent snow storm, his family were obliged to live six days without provisions, during which time Mrs. Rand sustained one of her chil- dren, five years of age, by milk from her breast, her infant child having died a short time before.
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Population, 659. Number of legal voters in 1854, 166. Inventory, $181,372. Value of lands, $92,476. Num- ber of sheep, 2744. Do. neat stock, 824. Do. horses, 143.
GOSPORT, Rockingham county. One of the Isles of Shoals, formerly called Appleton, and afterwards Star Isl- and. It contains about 150 acres. Gosport was early in- vested with town privileges. In 1728 the inhabitants paid £16 as their proportion of the province tax of £1000. Subsequently a meeting house and a fort were built on its west point. Since those times its business has been con- siderably diminished. Within a few years, however, it has revived somewhat. The inhabitants are principally engaged in fishing. In this pursuit 50 men are engaged. The amount of capital invested in the cod fishery is $2000, mackerel fishery $2500, herring fishery $500.
There is a school, which is kept most of the time during the year. There is a religious society of the Christian sect. There is also a large and convenient hotel on this island, constructed for the accommodation and comfort of pleasure seekers, visitors, and travellers generally. The Isles of Shoals are places of fashionable resort in the warm seasons, and are very healthy summer residences.
Population, 103. Number of legal voters in 1854, 35.
GRAFTON, Grafton county. Bounded north by Orange, east by Alexandria and Danbury, south by Springfield, and west by Enfield and Canaan. Area, 21,993 acres. Dis- tance from Concord, 36 miles, north-west ; from Haverhill, 60 miles, south-east. Smith's River, a tributary of the Merrimack, runs through this town in a south-easterly di- rection. There are five ponds ; the largest, covering from 200 to 300 acres, is called Grafton Pond. Isinglass Hill, in the north-west part of the town, contains a vein of
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mica, which is wrought during the summer season, and yields nearly 50,000 pounds of mica suitable for commerce. The view from this hill is picturesque. An abrupt preci- pice, too steep for ascent, on its north-east side, descends into a dark copse of woods ; while to the south is an exten- sive and variegated picture of mountains and undulating hills, covered with green forest, and interspersed with a few cleared and fertile valleys. Beryls of large size are ob- tained from John's Hill, an eminence about one mile south- west from Glass Hill. There are two meeting houses - one belonging to the Freewill Baptist society, and the other to the Union Religious Society.
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