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 18
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GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Keene is pronounced by Dr. Dwight, in his travels, one of the pleasantest inland towns he had ever visited. The principal village is situated on an extensive plain, about midway from the Ashuelot on the west, and the uplands on the east. The width and uniform level of its streets, the beautiful shade trees, behind which many splendid residences and beautiful gardens are seen, its large and well-constructed hotels, its handsome stores, and general thrifty appearance render it both pleasant and attractive. The main street extends one mile in length in a straight line, and is of uniform width, and almost a perfect level. Keene is a place of large business. Its facilities for trade, owing, in a great measure, to its location in relation to the adjacent towns, are numerous, and secure to its mercantile interests valuable advantages. What can be said of but few country villages may with truth be said of this - viz., that its business has been directly benefited and perma- nently increased by the railroad enterprise.
There are three large and commodious hotels. The Cheshire House is a noble structure, its rooms airy and convenient, and the internal arrangements are in full keeping with the inviting appearance of its external form. The Emerald House and the Eagle are pleasant hotels, and each affords a comfortable home for the traveller. The Town Hall is a large and handsome edifice of impos- ing structure. The office of the Ashuelot Mutual Fire Insurance Company is in this village.
Manufactories. - A. Davis & Co., iron foundery. Cap- ital, $6000. Business per annum, $10,000. Employ 12 hands.
J. M. Reed, manufacturer of patent jack screws and boot forms. The screw is used for raising buildings and other heavy burdens. One turn of this screw performs
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the same amount of labor that two will in others. Capital, $2000. Hands employed, 10.
Falkner & Colony, manufacturers of flannels. Capital invested, $50,000. Employ 40 hands. $100,000 worth are manufactured per annum ; also $6000 worth of lum- ber.
William S. Briggs (successor to Eliphalet Briggs, who carried on the business of cabinet making for 40 years) manufactures all kinds of cabinet work.
S. D. Osburn also manufactures cabinet work.
The Cheshire Railroad Company have a large repair shop here, where about 25 hands are employed.
There is in operation a large sash and blind manufac- tory, driven by a 25 horse power engine.
Foster & Felt, manufacturers of organs, Æolian sera- phines, Woodward & Brown's piano fortes, &c., employ from 8 to 12 hands.
H. Pond & Co., hat and cap manufacturers, employ 12 hands, have several branch stores in this and adjoining states, and are doing an extensive business.
There are two large establishments for the manufacture of clothing.
South Keene. - J. A. Fay & Co., manufacturers of planing, mortising, tenanting, sash, sticking, moulding, and various other machines ; also an iron foundery con- nected. Amount of capital, $40,000. Amount of busi- ness, $50,000. Number of hands employed, 50. Build- ing, 160 by 40 feet, wood, two stories high, with an ell, 55 by 30 feet, two stories high, separate from the same, and a forge shop and iron foundery building.
There are two banks - the Ashuelot, with a capital of $100,000 ; and the Cheshire Bank, with a capital of $100,- 000. Also one Savings Bank.
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There are four meeting houses - one Congregational, one Unitarian, one Baptist, and one Methodist. The Congregational church was organized October 18, 1738. Since that time it has had only six different ministers. The present pastor, Rev. Zedekiah S. Barstow, D. D., was ordained July 1, 1818. The Baptist church was formed in 1816, with Rev. Ferris Moore as pastor. The Uni- tarian church was organized on the 18th of March, 1824. This town is divided into 14 school districts. Numbers 1, 2, 10, and the centre districts have united under the Somersworth Act, which provides for a graduated system, by which the pupil ascends from the simplest rudiments to those higher branches usually taught in academies. For an historical account of the newspapers published in this town the reader is referred to another part of this volume, under the appropriate head. Keene was originally granted by Massachusetts. Its first settlement began about the year 1734, by Jeremiah Hall, Elisha Root, Nathaniel Rockwood, Seth Heaton, Josiah Fisher, Nathan Blake, and others. Its original name was Upper Ashuelot. It was incorporated under its present name April 11, 1753. The name was given in honor of an English nobleman, Sir Benjamin Keene. In 1736 a meeting house was erected, and two years later a minister was settled.
Like all other frontier settlements, it received its full share of Indian depredations and cruelty. In 1745 the Indians killed Josiah Fisher, a deacon of the church; and in the year following they attacked the fort, the only safe retreat of the inhabitants. They were discovered by Captain Ephraim Dorman just in time to prevent their taking it. He was attacked by two Indians, but boldly defended him- self against them, and reached the fort in safety. A furious assault followed, in which John Bullard was killed. A
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woman named McKenny, being out of the fort, was brutal- ly stabbed, from the effects of which she soon died. Na- than Blake was captured and taken to Canada. He remained in confinement two years. The Indians burned all the buildings in the settlement, including the meeting house. The inhabitants continued in the fort until April, 1747, when they abandoned the place. In 1753 they re- turned and recommenced their settlements. In June, 1755, the Indians again attacked the fort in great numbers. The onset was furious, accompanied by screams and terrific yells. By the vigilance and bravery of Captain Syms, they were repulsed. After burning several buildings, killing a large number of cattle, and committing other depredations, they departed. In July they returned and made another violent attack upon the fort, but with as little success as before.
Colonel Isaac Wyman, an influential man and a brave soldier, led the first detachment of men from this town in the war of the revolution, and was present at the battle of Bunker (Breed's) Hill. This company consisted of 30 men. The list of the foot company in Keene at this time numbered 126 men, the alarm list 45.
This town is the residence of the Hon. Samuel Dinsmoor, who was governor of New Hampshire during a term of three years ending June, 1852, and was deservedly one of the most popular men among all parties who have ever filled that high office.
Keene is connected by the Cheshire Railroad with Groton Junction and Boston, and by the Ashuelot Railroad with Springfield, Massachusetts.
Population, 3392. Number of legal voters in 1854, 767. Inventory, $1,562,228. Value of lands, $809,598. Stock in trade, $77,400. Value of mills and factories,
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GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
$26,400. Money on deposit or at interest, $186,697. Value of shares in banks and other corporations, $224,100. Number of sheep, 1520. Do. neat stock, 1512. Do. horses, 370.
KENSINGTON, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Exeter, east by Hampton Falls and Seabrook, south by South Hampton, and west by East Kingston. Area, 7045 acres. Distance from Concord, 40 miles, south-east ; from Exeter, 6, south. The surface is generally even. There is no stream worthy of note, and but one small pond, called Muddy Pond, from the turbid appearance of its waters. The soil is moderately good. There are two stores, one small tannery, and one boot and shoe establishment, where 25 hands are employed. There are two meeting houses - one belonging to the Universalist society and one to the Christian Baptist. A Congregational church was established here in 1737. This town was settled at a very early period, and was originally a part of Hampton, from which it was detached and incorporated April 1, 1737. It contained more inhabitants at the commencement of the revolution than at present.
Population, 700. Number of legal voters in 1854, 166. Inventory, $255,027. Value of lands, $134,200. Stock in trade, $2000. Number of sheep, 385. Do. neat stock, 800. Do. horses, 106.
KILKENNY, Coos county. Bounded north by Stark, cast by Milan, Berlin, and Randolph, south by ungranted lands and White Mountain territory, and west by Jefferson and Lancaster. Area, 15,906 acres. Distance from Con- cord, 120 miles, north; from Lancaster, 15, north-east. This is a poor township - rough, rocky, cold, and sterile.
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Along the southern border of the town is a narrow strip of land which is productive and easily cultivated. Pilot and Willard's Mountains include a large portion of the terri- tory of this town. These eminences are so called from the fact that a man named Willard was lost while hunting, and his dog Pilot, which he observed left each day, and, as he supposed, in pursuit of game; but, being nearly ex- hausted with hunger and fatigue, he determined to follow his dog at his next departure, and was conducted by his faithful companion in safety to his camp. This town was granted, June 4, 1774, to Jonathan Warner and others. Population, 19.
KINGSTON, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Brentwood, east by East Kingston, south by Newton and Plaistow, and west by Hampstead and Danville. Area, 12,188 acres, 800 of which are covered with water. There are several ponds in this town, the largest of which is Great Pond, which covers about 300 acres. Near the centre of the town is a large plain, on which is situated the principal village. The soil is generally a loam, resting on a bed of sand, or coarse gravel. In some parts the soil is clayey. The plain land is rich and very fertile. The rocks are mostly gneiss and mica slate, intersected by trap dikes, containing carbonate of lime. Moulding sand of a very fine quality is found here.
There are three meeting houses, -one Congregational, one Methodist, and one Baptist, -two hotels, four stores, four carriage factories, and one large tannery. The inhab- itants are mostly engaged in agriculture.
The charter of Kingston was granted, August 6, 1694, by Lieutenant Governor Usher, to James Prescott, Ebene- zer Webster, and others, from Hampton. It included East
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GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Kingston, Danville, and Sandown. Soon as the grant was obtained the proprietors erected garrisons and began to cultivate the lands. They were, however, discouraged by the dangers and difficulties of Indian hostilities. In 1707 Stephen and Joel Gilman were ambushed between Exeter and Kingston, but fortunately escaped. In 1712 Stephen Gilman and Ebenezer Stevens were wounded, and the former taken and put to death. In September, 1724, Jabez Colman and son were killed while at work in the field. Four children were taken at the same time; one escaped, the others were afterwards redeemed. Ancient French coins, Indian implements, such as jasper and quartz arrow heads, axes, gouges, and hammers of various kinds have been ploughed up in the vicinity of the ponds.
The Congregational society was organized about 1725.
Distance from Concord, 38 miles, south-east ; and 6, south, from the Railroad Depot in Exeter.
Population, 1192. Number of legal voters in 1854, 300. Inventory, $401,208. Value of lands, $252,622. Stock in trade, $7350. Number of sheep, 346. Do. neat stock, 682. Do. horses, 135.
. LANCASTER, shire town of Coos county. Bounded north by Northumberland, east by Kilkenny, south by Jefferson, Whitefield, and Dalton, and west by Guildhall, Vermont. Area, about 23,480 acres. Distance from Concord, 116 miles, north. The Connecticut River, which is very deep and about 22 rods in width at this place, washes its north- eastern border for a distance of 10 miles. Israel's River flows through the centre in a north-westerly direction. There are also several small streams, which abound with trout. There are several ponds, the largest of which is Martin Meadow Pond, named from one Martin, a hunter.
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.
There are numerous mountains in the neighborhood of Lancaster ; but it is not itself mountainous excepting in the south-east part, where the surface is hilly and unfit for cultivation. The soil along the Connecticut is alluvial ; the meadows extend back nearly three quarters of a mile, and at the mouth of Israel's River much farther. The meadows are bordered by pine lands, varying in width, which are easily cultivated, and are highly productive when properly tilled. Limestone is found here. The soil is peculiarly. adapted to the growth of wheat and the other small cereal grains, which are produced in great abundance.
The village contains three meeting houses ; the Court House, Jail, and other county buildings; one academy ; seven stores ; two hotels ; and two carriage manufactories, with a capital of $15,000 each. The amount of school fund is $600. This is a remarkably healthy as well as pleasant location. Lancaster, with several other towns in this state and Vermont, were formerly designated by the name of Coos-an Indian name, signifying crooked. It was granted, July 15, 1763, to Captain David Page and others. He, with his family, Edward Buckman, and Em- mons Stockwell, made the first settlement in the autumn of the same year. The war of the revolution impeded the progress of the settlement. Every person but Stockwell left the new town and fled for safety to the older settle- ments ; he resolutely determined to stay and abide the consequences, and by his example induced others to return. The Congregational church was organized in July, 1794. There is also a Methodist and a Unitarian society here. The Lancaster Bank has a capital of $50,000. The Coos County Democrat, a weekly newspaper, is pub- lished here. From its first settlement to the present time,
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Lancaster has been advancing with healthy progress in wealth and population.
Population, 1559. Number of legal voters in 1854, 320. Inventory, $408,521. Value of lands, $242,053. Stock in trade, $14,438. Money at interest or on deposit, $17,800. Number of sheep, 2843. Do. neat stock, 1543. Do. horses, 328.
LANDAFF, Grafton county. Bounded north by Lisbon and Franconia, east by Lincoln, south by Benton, and west by Bath. Area, 29,200 acres. Distance from Concord, 90 miles, north-west. Wild Ammonoosuc runs through the south part of the town, and the Great Ammonoosuc through the north-easterly extremity. Landaff Mountain in the east part, Cobble Hill in the centre, and Bald Hill in the west are the principal elevations. The soil in some por- tions of the town is very fertile. In Cobble Hill veins of magnetic iron ore have been discovered. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in farming. Large quantities of maple sugar are made annually. Landaff was granted, January 3, 1764, to James Avery and others; but the grantees neglecting to fulfil the conditions of the charter, it was declared to be forfeited. It was then granted to Dart- mouth College. After the revolution the original grantees set up their claim, on the ground that the adjudication of the forfeiture was irregular. Several cases were tried by the court, and the claims of the grantees were sustained.
A Baptist church was formed here in 1788. There is also a Methodist and a Freewill Baptist society.
Population, 948. Number of polls, 207. Inventory, $247,096. Value of lands, $138,454. Stock in trade, $1600. Money on deposit, &c., $21,750. Number of sheep, 1900. Do. neat stock, 1086. Do. horses, 220.
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LANGDON, Sullivan county. Bounded north by Charles- town, east by Acworth, south by Alstead and Walpole, and west by Walpole and Charlestown. Area, 9891 acres. Distance from Concord, 50 miles, west ; from Newport, 18, south-west. The soil is generally productive, and is usually under excellent cultivation. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in farming. There is considerable fruit of a delicious quality raised here. Langdon has for several years been famous for its large, handsome cattle. Indeed, nearly every thing from the agricultural department of this town bears strong marks of the patient labor and the rich rewards of the farmer. A large branch of Cold River passes in a southerly direction through the entire extent of the town. This town was incorporated January 11, 1787, and named in honor of Governor Langdon. The first settlers were Seth Walker, Nathaniel Rice, and Jonathan Willard, in 1773.
A Congregational church was formed in 1792. There is also a Universalist society, consisting of but few persons.
Population, 575. Number of polls, 131. Inventory, $327,665. Value of lands, $188,529. Stock in trade, $5519. Money on deposit, $51,321. Number of sheep, 2001. Do. neat stock, 697. Do. horses, 149.
LEBANON, Grafton county: Bounded north by Hanover, east by Enfield, south by Plainfield, and west by Hartford, Vermont. Area, 23,000 acres. Distance from Concord, 65 miles, north-west, by the Northern Railroad ; from Dartmouth College, 4, south ; from Haverhill, 28, by the Passumpsic Railroad. Besides the Connecticut, which laves its western border, it is watered by the Mascomy River, which runs in a westerly direction through its centre, and affords several valuable mill seats and water
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privileges. Its source is Mascomy, or Enfield, Pond, by which a constant supply of water is secured. Its tributa- ries are Stony and Great Brooks. Over this river, from East Lebanon to White River Junction, a distance of nine miles, the Northern Railroad Company have erected four- teen bridges. The soil is generally alluvial. The inter- vals on the Connecticut are about half a mile in width. There is also considerable good interval along the Masco- my. On the uplands the soil is strong, deep, and fertile, and, with proper care, produces abundantly. Excellent fruit, in considerable quantities, is raised here. In the east part of the town is a small village, called East Lebanon, containing a depot, a hotel, a store, and a large sawmill, besides dwelling houses, shops, &c. The village at West Lebanon, near White River Junction, is indebted largely for its present flourishing condition from the fact that it is situated at the terminus of the Northern Railroad. Since that road was opened, its progress in wealth and population has been rapid. There are several large and handsome dwelling houses, several large buildings owned by the Northern Railroad Company, several stores, a new and elegant meeting house, a public house, a sawmill, grist-, mill, &c. On an elevated and beautiful location, a few rods from the main street, a large brick building is in pro- cess of erection, and is designed for a female academy. It is named after a Mr. Tilden, a wealthy citizen of New York city, formerly of this town, who contributed $5000 towards its erection. Its entire cost is estimated at $12,000.
The principal village is situated on a plain near the cen- tre, at the head of the falls of Mascomy River. The depot is conveniently located a few rods westerly from the Com- mon. The Common is a square, level area, containing 10
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or 12 acres. Several of the houses surrounding it are elegant and costly structures. All are handsome, and mostly two stories in height. The streets are spacious, and shaded with maple and elm. The whole presents a picture of neatness, beauty, and thrift seldom' surpassed. There are three houses of religious worship, - one Con- gregational, one Methodist, and one Universalist, - one academy, two hotels, and about twenty stores ; also tai- lors', tin ware, and blacksmiths' shops.
The manufacturing interest is quite extensive. Some of the principal establishments are worthy of particular notice.
Iron Foundery - Simons, Durant, & Co. Capital stock, , about $20,000. Manufacture stoves, ploughs, mill and machinery castings, trimming machines, &c. Number of hands employed, 20.
Phillips, Messer, & Colby -Scythe Factory ; A. S. Mes- ser agent. Capital stock, $5000. Amount manufactured per annum, 1600 dozen. Number of men employed, 12.
M. & J. H. Buck & Co., manufacturers of wood-work- ing machinery, mill irons, portable and stationary steam engines, and planing and mortising machines. Capital stock, about $40,000. Amount manufactured per annum, $50,000. Number of hands employed, 50. The mem- bers of this firm are active, enterprising, and intelligent. Their work is widely celebrated. They have received orders from the British government for some kinds of ma- chinery manufactured by them.
Sturtevant & Cole, manufacturers of doors, sashes, and blinds. Capital stock, about $15,000. Number of hands employed, 18.
The manufacture of chairs and cabinet work is carried on to a considerable extent.
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GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
There is also a large gristmill, constructed on the prin- ciples of modern improvement.
The people are enterprising and industrious. Society is refined and agreeable.
The capital of the Bank of Lebanon is $100,000.
The Granite State Whig, a weekly newspaper, is pub- lished here.
The farmers are generally independent, owing much of their prosperity to the early introduction of sheep on quite an extensive scale, and to careful selections of the best grades. This is a remarkably healthy township. Galena bog iron ore, arsenical pyrites, brown epidote, and hæmatite iron are found in various localities.
The facilities for trade and mercantile enterprise are sur- passed by but few country towns. Notwithstanding its extent and variety of business, Lebanon has long been noted for its very slight encouragement to gentlemen of the legal profession. It was granted, July 4, 1761, to 62 proprietors. The first settlers were William Downer, Wil- liam Dana, Levi Hyde, Charles Hill, Silas Waterman, and Nathaniel Porter. It was the first town settled on Con- necticut River north of Charlestown. The first settlers were a brave, hardy people, tenacious of their rights, many of them possessed of strong minds, and well educated. The Congregational society was established in 1771, the Universalist society in 1813, and the Methodist society about 1836. The second Congregational society was or- ganized in 1850. Thomas Waterman was the first male child born in Lebanon.
Population in 1854, 2336. Number of legal voters, 500. Do. school districts, 15. Inventory, $846,608. Value of mills and factories, $23,000. Stock in trade, $25,350. Money on deposit, at interest, &c., in 1852,
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$42,300. Value of lands, $470,788. Number of sheep, 13,115. Do. neat stock, 1223. Do. horses and mules, 304.
LEE, Strafford county. Bounded north by Barrington and Madbury, east by Durham, south by Newmarket and Epping, and west by Nottingham and Barrington. Area, 11,625 acres, 300 of which are covered with water. Dis- tance from Concord, 31 miles, south-east ; from Dover, 12, south-west. In the north part is Wheelwright's Pond, covering 165 acres, and forming the source of Oyster River. This pond is memorable on account of a battle fought on its shores, in 1690, between a party of Indians and two companies of rangers under Captains Floyd and Wiswall. Lamprey, Little, North, and Oyster Rivers are the princi- pal streams. The soil is generally hard, and requires con- siderable cultivation to render it productive. In some parts, however, it is very fertile. Agriculture is almost the only employment. This town was originally a part of Durham, and was incorporated January 16, 1766.
Population, 863. Number of polls, 216. Inventory, $309,928. Value of lands, $199,660. Stock in trade, $1506. Value of mills, &c., $4242. Number of sheep, 1130. Do. neat stock, 959. Do. horses, 174.
LEMPSTER, Sullivan county. Bounded north by Unity, east by Goshen and Washington, south by Marlow, and west by Acworth. . Area, 21,410 acres. Distance from Concord, 40 miles, west ; from Newport, 12, south. The surface is mostly uneven, and in the eastern part moun- tainous. The soil is moist and cold, and better adapted to grass than grain. It is well watered, but by small streams. Near the western boundary is a pond, 320 rods long and 80 in width. Sand Pond, lying in this town and Marlow,
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is 420 rods long and 70 wide. Dodge's Pond, near the centre, covers about 50 acres. The surface is hilly, and in some parts rocky. It is an excellent growing town. There are two meeting houses, one hotel, three stores, and a large shoe manufactory, in connection with which is an extensive tannery, where common hair-tanned leather and patent hair-tanned leather are made. The amount of cap- ital invested is $25,000. Number of hands employed, 70. Alvah Smith & Sons, proprietors.
Lempster was granted by charter, October 5, 1761, to Richard Sparrow and 61 others. In November of the same year a Congregational church was organized. There is also a Methodist society here.
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