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 16
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Grafton was granted, August 14, 1761, to Ephraim Sherman and others. The first permanent settlement was made in 1772, by Captain Joseph Hoyt, from Poplin. A Baptist church was formed here in 1785. The Freewill Baptist church was formed in 1817.
Population, 1259. Number of legal voters in 1854, 300. Inventory, $289,490. Value of lands, $166,390. Number of sheep, 2955. Do. neat stock, 1361. Do. horses, 177.
GRANTHAM, Sullivan county. Bounded north by En- field, east by Springfield and Croydon, south by Croydon, and west by Plainfield. Area, 24,900 acres. Distance from Concord, 40 miles, north-west ; from Newport, 12, north. There are seven ponds, the largest of which is called Eastman's Pond, covering nearly 300 acres ; another, near the centre of the town, covers about 200 acres. The surface is broken and hilly in some parts. The soil is pro- ductive, and some of the farms along its southern and western borders are highly cultivated. Croydon Mountain extends in a direction from south-west to north-east through this town. Upon the summit is a pond, covering about 80
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acres. The more hilly parts are excellent for pasturage. It is well watered by numerous brooks, many of which abound with trout. In the north-west corner of the town is found in large quantities a substance which, being clarified, produces 'a paint similar to spruce yellow, or, being burned, to Spanish brown. Grantham was granted July 11, 1761 ; but the proprietors not fulfilling the con- ditions of the charter, it was forfeited. In 1767 it was regranted to Colonel William Symmes and 63 others under its present name. The name was afterwards changed by the prefix "New," which was in a few years after dropped. The inhabitants upon the west side of the mountain are closely connected with Meriden parish, in Plainfield, in matters of general intercourse and business. On the eastern side of the mountain is a Methodist meeting house.
Population, 784. Number of polls, 183. Inventory, $261,739. Value of lands, $150,053. Number of sheep, 5636. Do. neat stock, 1110. Do. horses, 186.
GREENFIELD, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Bennington and Francestown, east by Francestown and Lyndeborough, south by Lyndeborough, and west by Peterborough and Hancock. Area, 16,904 acres. Distance from Concord, 38 miles, south-west; from Amherst, 14, north-west. The surface is rough; the soil is various; the hills are generally good for grazing, and the valleys for tillage. A part of Crotched Mountain rises from the north part, and part of Lyndeborough Mountain from the south and east sections of the town. There are a few valuable meadows. In one of them have been found many Indian relics, thus indicating that this must have been a favorite resort of the sons of the forest. There are five ponds ;
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one about a mile in length, and one third of a mile in width. There are no streams of importance. The industry of the people is almost entirely agricultural. The first settlement was made, in 1771, by Captain Alexander Parker, Major A. Whittemore, and others. It was incorpo- rated June 15, 1791. Its present name was given by Major Whittemore. A Congregational church was formed in 1791.
Population, 716. Houses, 149. Families, 160. Farms, 80. Value of lands, $180,691. 4 Inventory, $248,483. Number of sheep, 863. Do. neat stock, 910. Do. horses, 166. Do. polls, 171.
GREENLAND, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Green Bay and Newington, east by Portsmouth, south by North Hampton, and west by Stratham. Area, 6335 acres. Distance from Concord, 45 miles, south-east ; from Ports- mouth, 5, west. The soil is remarkably good, and under high cultivation. The orchards and gardens are valuable, and yield large profits to the farmers. Greenland is celebrated for its excellent fruit. This was originally a part of Ports- mouth, and was incorporated in 1703. Settlements com- menced early, and in 1705 there were 320 inhabitants. Rev. William Allen, the first minister, was ordained July 15, 1707; died September 8, 1760, aged 84. Rev. Samuel McClintock, D. D., a learned divine, active in the cause of his country, and a chaplain in the revolutionary army, was a colleague of Mr. Allen, and his successor. The Methodist church was formed in 1809. There is a fund of $5000, the income of which is applied to the support of a Congregational minister and for missionary enter- prises. The Eastern Railroad passes through this town.
Population, 739. Number of polls, 175. Inventory,
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$344,379. Value of lands, $225,830. Shares in corpo- rations, $20,602. Number of sheep, 469. Do. neat stock, 580. Do. horses, 121.
GROTON, Grafton. county. Bounded north by Went- worth and Rumney, east by Hebron, south by Orange, and west by Dorchester. Area, 16,531 acres. Distance from Concord, 45 miles, north-west ; from Plymouth, 10, west. The northerly part is watered by Baker's River; and the southerly has several small streams, which flow into New- found Lake. Spectacle Pond lies about a mile, north-east, from Groton meeting house. There are ten sawmills, two gristmills, besides shingle and clapboard machines ; there is also one store, and one meeting house. The Universalist society is the largest of the religious societies. This is a somewhat cold, though healthy, township. The surface is uneven, but the soil is strong. Corn and potatoes are the principal crops. This town was granted, July 8, 1761, to George Abbott and others, under the name of Cocker- mouth; afterwards regranted to Colonel John Hale and others. The first settlement was commenced in 1770 by James Gould, Captain E. Melvin, Jonas Hobart, Phinehas Bennet, and Samuel Farley. In 1779 a Congregational society was formed, and Rev. Samuel Perley was ordained. He was succeeded, in 1790, by Rev. Thomas Page.
Population, 776. Number of legal voters in 1854, 180. Inventory, $176,936. Value of lands, $100,112. Num- ber of sheep, 1979. Do. neat stock, 1008. Do. horses, 133.
HAMPSTEAD, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Sandown and Danville, east by Kingston and Plaistow, south by Plaistow and Atkinson, and west by Derry. Area,
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8350 acres. Distance from Concord, 30 miles, south-east ; from Exeter, 12, south-west. This town lies partly on the height of land between Merrimack and Piscataqua Rivers. Most of the waters descend through Spiggot River, which flows from Wash Pond, near the centre of the town. Angly Pond lies in the north-east part of the town, and is drained by the Powwow River. Island Pond contains a valuable farm of 300 acres. Hampstead is an irregular shaped town, its contour being varied by about 30 angles. The soil is hard and stony. The tract comprising this town was considered as a part of Haverhill and Amesbury, Massachusetts, until 1741. About 1728 Mr. Emerson made a settlement in the south part, near a brook; and at that time only a Mr. Ford and two Indians lived in the place. It was granted by Governor Benning Wentworth, January 19, 1749, and named by him after a pleasant vil- lage five miles north of London, in England. In the early settlement of the town a dispute arose between Kingston and Hampstead respecting certain grants made by Ames- bury before the state line was established, which was settled by Hampstead paying £1000, old tenor.
About 1750 a meeting house was erected, and Rev. Henry True (Congregational) was ordained June 3, 1752; he was succeeded by the Rev. John Kelly in 1792. Hon. John Calfe, for twenty-five years a justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and for the same number of years clerk of the House of Representatives, was a native of this town. There are eight common schools, one hotel, three stores, two blacksmith shops, four wheelwright shops, and one establishment for the manufacture of tools of various kinds. About 120 persons are engaged in making shoes. A large gristmill is in process of construction.
Population, 789. Number of legal voters in 1854, 221
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Inventory, $302,974. Value of lands, $207,819. Num- ber of sheep, 89. Do. neat stock, 480. Do. horses, 107.
HAMPTON, Rockingham county. Bounded north by North Hampton, east by the Atlantic, south by Hampton Falls, and west by Exeter. Area, 8130 acres, 1800 of which are salt marsh, and 650 sand banks between the marsh and high-water mark of the ocean. Distance from Concord, 50 miles, south-east ; from Exeter, 7, east. The surface is generally level, gradually descending towards the sea. The soil is excellent, well adapted to tillage and mowing, but there is not pasturage sufficient for grazing to any extent. It is pleasantly situated, its numerous eminences affording delightful views of the ocean, Isles of Shoals, and the sea coast from Portsmouth to Cape Ann. Hampton Beach has long been a celebrated resort for inva- lids and seekers of pleasure. There is an excellent hotel at this place for the accommodation of visitors. Boar's Head is an abrupt eminence, of singular shape, which extends into the sea, and divides the two beaches, which other wise would be continuous. At this point, a little distance from the shore, fishing is excellent, and cod are frequently taken in great abundance. Ship building is carried on to a con- siderable extent here. The Indian name of this town was Winnicummet. It was first settled, in 1638, by emigrants from the county of Norfolk, England. The first house was erected in 1636. Hampstead was incorporated in 1638, and then included North Hampton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, and Seabrook. In the same year a Congrega- tional church was established here, which was the second in New Hampshire. The first pastor, Rev. Stephen Bachelor, was ordained 1638. A Baptist society was incorporated in 1817. During the early period of its settlement, Hamp-
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stead was the scene of Indian depredations. On the 11th of August, 1703, a party of Indians killed five persons, among whom was a widow Mussey, celebrated as a preach- er among the Quakers. There is a fund here of $12,000, the interest of which is devoted to the support of a Con- gregational minister.
Population, 1197. Number of polls, 287. Inventory, $494,613. Value of lands, $362,070. Stock in trade, $6860. Number of sheep, 384. Do. neat stock, 842. Do. horses, 143.
HAMPTON FALLS, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Hampton, east by the Atlantic, south by Seabrook, and west by Kensington and Exeter. Area, 7400 acres. Dis- tance from Concord, 45 miles, south-east ; from Exeter, 7, east. The soil is similar to that of Hampton, of which it originally formed a part. It was incorporated in 1712, and the same year the Rev. Theophilus Cotton, the first minister, was ordained. There is also a Baptist and a Unitarian society here.
Population, 640. Number of polls, 131. Inventory, $281,219. Value of lands, $187,690. Number of sheep, 392. Do. neat stock, 854. Do. horses, 79.
HANCOCK, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Antrim, east by Bennington and Greenfield, south by Pe- terborough, and west by Nelson. Area, 19,372 acres. Distance from Concord, 35 miles, south-west ; from Am- herst, 22, north-west. The soil is various ; sandy, clayey, and rocky in the north and west, with fine meadows along the Contoocook River, which forms its eastern boun- dary. The west part of the town is mountainous, and affords excellent pasturing, besides some very good tillage.
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There are two ponds of considerable size - one, near the centre of the town, is called Norway Pond ; and the other, from its shape, is called Half Moon Pond.
The meeting house is situated near the centre of the town, on a handsome plain, in a thriving and pleasant vil- lage. This meeting house was built in 1820, and the pews were sold in one day, at auction, for $7000. The town bears little of the impress of change in opinions or customs. It is emphatically one of those good old farming towns where any one would be proud to point out the home of his ancestors. The postmaster here has not been removed since his appointment forty-two years ago. The Congregational society has had but three ministers since
its formation. Rev. Reed Page settled September 21, 1791 ; Rev. Archibald Burgess in 1822 ; Rev. Asahel Bigelow in 1850. Hancock was incorporated November 5, 1779. It was named in honor of Governor Hancock, of Boston, who was one of the original proprietors. The first settlement was begun in May, 1764, by John Grimes.
Population, 1012. Number of polls, 199. Do. houses, 212. Do. families, 226. Do. farms, 35 .. Value of lands, $241,660. Inventory, $387,130. Stock in trade, $5430. Number of sheep, 1112. Do .. neat stock, 1390. Do. horses, 245.
HANOVER, Grafton county. Bounded north by Lyme, east by Canaan, south by Lebanon, and west by Norwich, Vermont. Area, 27,745 acres. Distance from Concord, 52 miles, north ; from Haverhill, 30, south. There is in this town no considerable stream or river excepting the Connecticut. Mink Brook, Slate Brook, and Goose Pond Brook are the principal streams. Neither of these is suf- ficient for mill privileges. There are several small islands
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in Connecticut River within the limits of Hanover, the largest of which is Parker's Island, containing about 20. acres. The original growth of wood is maple, beech, birch, ash, bass, hemlock, spruce, and pine. When the town was first settled the largest proportion of forest trees was hardwood. The surface of Hanover is agreeably diversified with hills and valleys, and nearly all is very easily cultivated. The proportion of waste land is prob- ably less than in any other town in Grafton county. Some of the farms are under a high state of cultivation. The soil is generally fertile: Moose Mountain is a considerable elevation, extending across the town from north to south, at a distance of about five miles from Connecticut River. The principal village is in the south-west corner of the town, on a beautiful and extensive plain, about half a mile from Connecticut River, and 180 feet above the level of its waters. Vegetable substances have been found, in different parts of this plain, 50 and 80 feet below the surface. The Common, or Park, is a square, level area of about six acres, shaded by rows of thrifty maples, and sur- rounded by streets of considerable width. On the north side is the residence of the president of the College, the residence of the late Hon. Mills Olcott, and the meeting house and chapel ; on the west is a street containing many beautiful residences and gardens; on the south is Dart- mouth Hotel, several stores, and the Tontine, a brick build- ing 4 stories high and 150 feet in length, besides several dwelling houses ; and on the east is the College Yard, a spacious ground, including the college buildings, which, .with the Observatory, are five in number. On College Street, a few rods north from the Park, is the Medical Building, a brick structure some 60 or 70 feet in length and 3 stories in height. The College and Medical Build-
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ings are spacious, convenient, and present a handsome and imposing appearance.
This is one of the most desirable locations for the prose- cution of study in New England. The uniform tempera- ture of the climate, the pleasantness of the village, the healthiness of the situation, the beautiful 'and romantic scenery, the quiet which generally prevails, the seclusion from the bustle and confusion of city life, the many pleas- ant resorts, - all contribute to render it, in every essen- tial, a seat of literature and science. Pine Grove, and the charming view from it of the majestic Connecticut, gliding its waters in placid stillness by verdant meadows and well-cultivated fields, and the gradually rising Green Hills of Vermont seen in the distance, furnish a picture not soon forgotten by those who have frequented the spot. For a more particular description of the College, see an- other part of this volume.
Hanover was granted by charter, July 4, 1761, to 11 persons of the name of Freeman, and 52 others, princi- pally from Connecticut. The first settlement was made in May, 1765, by Colonel Edmund Freeman, from Mansfield, Connecticut. In 1766 Benjamin Rice, Benjamin Davis, Gideon Smith, and Asa Parker settled here. In 1770 Dartmouth College was established by Dr. Wheelock. The Congregational church was organized in 1771. The first settled minister was Rev. Eden Boroughs, who was installed in 1772. There is a Baptist society and also an Episcopal church here.
Population, 2352. Number of polls, 451. Inventory, $698,996. Value of lands, $456,164. Stock in trade, $15,015. Money on deposit, &c., $33,125. Value of shares in corporations, $10,150. Number of sheep, 12,168. Do. neat stock, 1526. Do. horses and mules, 360.
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.
- HAVERHILL, Grafton county. Bounded north by Bath, east by Benton, south by Piermont, and west by Newbury, Vermont. Area, 34,340 acres. Distance from Concord, 70 miles, north-west. This is one of the shire towns of Grafton county. It is watered by Oliverian Brook, run- ning through its southern part and discharging into Con- necticut River, and by Hazen Brook, running through the centre of the town and falling into the Connecticut near the "Great Ox Bow" in Newbury. This is a pleasant township. The soil is various, adapted to every species of cultivation common to the climate. There is consider- able interval, covered with a deep, rich loam. The plain at Haverhill Corner, which is the principal village, is covered mostly with alluvial soil. There is a beautiful Common in this village, laid out in the form of an oblong square, ornamented with trees, and enclosed by a hand- some fence. Around the Common stand the buildings, several of which, besides the meeting house, academy, and hotel, are large and well constructed. The location is a delightful elevation, overlooking the adjacent country for many miles in extent. From the street the ground slopes gracefully towards the river until it reaches the intervals. The county buildings are of brick, and, though not ex- pensively constructed, are neat and commodious.
Haverhill is a thriving town. Its progress was con- siderably retarded by an extensive fire some. years since, which consumed several buildings, besides other property of large amount.
Granite in tabular sheets, of excellent quality and easily wrought, is found in great abundance on Catamount Hill. Veins of copper and iron pyrites, sulphurets of lead and zinc, arsenic, large crystals of garnet, and talc, or soapstone, are found here in several localities. About six miles
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north-easterly from the village, on the west side of Black Mountain, is a bed of limestone of great dimensions. It is of a pure white color, and highly crystallized. It is of inestimable value. Bog iron ore of a superior quality ex- ists here. The Passumpsic Railroad passes along the western border of the town ; and the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad passes through in a direction nearly north-west and south-east. The Haverhill Academy was incorporated February 11, 1794. This town was granted, May 18, 1764, to John Hazen and 74 others. The first settlement was made in the same year by Mr. Hazen, who built his encampment on the " Little Ox Bow," near a spot where formerly there had been an Indian fort and burying ground, from whence numerous skulls and relics of the aborigines have been taken. Several of the early settlers were from Haverhill, Massachusetts, from which place this town derived its name. Its original name was Lower Cohos. The first court was held here in 1773. The first minister was Rev. Peter Powers, the first male child born in Hollis, who was settled over Haverhill and Newbury, Vermont, in 1765; dismissed in 1784. The First Congregational church was organized in 1790. Rev. Ethan Smith was ordained January 25, 1792 ; dismissed in 1799. Rev. John Smith was ordained December 23, 1802; dismissed in 1807. The first newspaper was printed here April 21, 1808, and was called the Coos Courier. It has been published under different names. At present its title is the Democratic Republican. Hon. John Page, former governor of New Hampshire, a worthy and useful man, is a citizen of this town. The late Hon Joseph Bell, a distinguished lawyer, who by his industry and ability amassed a large property, was for many years a resident of Haverhill ; and here was the scene of his poverty, his labors, and success.
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Population, 2405. Number of polls, 569. Inventory, $699,442. Value of lands, $392,091. Stock in trade, $14,600. Number of sheep, 5631. Do. neat stock, 2069. Do. horses, 603.
HEBRON, Grafton county. Bounded north by Plymouth and Rumney, east by Plymouth, south by Orange, and west by Groton. Area, 13,350 acres, 1670 of which are cov- ered with water. Distance from Concord, 40 miles, north ; from Plymouth, 9, west. Newfound Lake lies mostly in this town. There are no streams of importance. The people are generally engaged in agricultural pursuits ; and although the surface is in some parts rough and the soil hard, yet, by skill and industry, excellent wheat and potatoes are raised in considerable quantities. A large portion of He- bron was included in the grant of Hebron under the name of Cockermouth. The remainder was taken from Plym- outh. It was incorporated June 15, 1792. There is an academy, which is open during the spring and fall. There are two religious societies - one Congregational and one Methodist.
Population, 565. Number of polls, 107. Inventory, $122,659. Value of lands, $71,695. Stock in trade, $2700. Number of sheep, 1697. Do. neat stock, 564. Do. horses, 61.
HENNIKER, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Bradford and Warner, east by Hopkinton, south by Weare and Deering, and west by Hillsborough. Area, 26,500 acres. Distance from Concord, 15 miles, west. Contoo- cook River passes easterly through the centre of the town. Its course is winding, and in many places presents scenes of beauty and interest. There are several ponds of con-
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siderable size. Long Pond, nearly two miles in length and about sixty rods in width, is situated about one mile north of the centre village. Craney Hill is the principal elevation, and includes a large tract on the south side of the town. It is mostly under high cultivation. In its soil and productions, Henniker is inferior to no town in the county. The hills yield good wheat in large quantities, and the valleys are suitable for corn and grass ; besides, its water privileges are numerous and excellent. The River Railroad connects this place with Manchester. A woollen factory, where cassimeres, doeskins, tweeds, and satinets are manufactured to the yearly amount of 120,000 yards, is in successful operation .. Name of company, Imri Woods & Sons. Agent, Imri Woods. Cost of buildings and ma- chinery, $6000. Number of hands employed, 12. There are, besides, several other mills, doing business on a mod- erate scale. The inhabitants are chiefly devoted to agri- culture. Henniker was granted, July 16, 1752, by the Masonian proprietors; under the name of Number Six, to James Wallace, Robert Wallace, and others. James Peters was the first settler, who erected a log hut here in 1761. It was incorporated November 10, 1768, and re- ceived its name in honor of John Henniker, Esq., a wealthy merchant of London, and a friend of Governor Wentworth, and who was also a member of the British Parliament at that time. The Congregational church was established here, June 7, 1769, under the charge of Rev. Jacob Rice. Hon. Robert Wallace, who filled the various offices of councillor, senator, representative, and associate justice of the Common Pleas, was one of the earliest set- tlers in this town.
Population, 1690. Number of polls, 373. Inventory, .
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$601,434. Value of lands, $409,000. Stock in trade, $6580. Number of sheep, 1724. Do. neat stock, 2037. Do. horses, 327.
HILL, Grafton county. Bounded north by Danbury, Alexandria, and Bristol, east by New Hampton and Sanborn- ton, south by Franklin and Andover, and west by Wilmot and Danbury. Area, about 20,000 acres. Distance from Concord, 24 miles, north ; from Haverhill, 44, south-east ; from Plymouth, 16, south. It is watered by Pemigewasset and Blackwater Rivers, besides several small streams. Eagle Pond is the only body of water of note. Ragged Moun- tain is a rugged elevation, but little inferior to Kearsarge in height. Looking from the summit of the surrounding hills, the surface of this town appears to be much broken and uneven ; still there are many highly-cultivated farms. The soil is generally good, in some parts very fertile. Farming is almost the only employment. Trade, manu- facturing, and the mechanic arts are carried on to a very limited extent. Hill was granted, September 14, 1753, to 87 proprietors, who held their first meeting in Chester ; and as the greater part were from that place, the new town was called New Chester until January, 1837, when it re- ceived its present name. The first settlement was made, in 1768, by Captain Cutting Favor and Carr Huse, Esq. It was incorporated November 20, 1778. The Congrega- tional society was incorporated December 11, 1816. At present there is one Calvinist Baptist society, one Christian Baptist, and one Methodist.
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