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 20
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Schools. - There are nine school districts in the city, in each of which is only one house, except in number two, which includes the most thickly-settled portion. In this district are four spacious brick edifices, containing fourteen
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schools, and six smaller buildings, containing ten schools. The board of instruction is divided into four departments - the High School, in which are a principal whose salary is $1000 per annum, and two assistants ; the South Gram- mar School, having a principal whose salary is $600 per annum, and two assistants ; the North Grammar School, with teachers, a principal whose salary is $600 per an- num, and two assistants ; and the Intermediate School, having teachers, a principal whose salary is $500 per annum, and two assistants. There are, besides, two un- classed schools, seven middle, and twelve primary. A free school is open four evenings in the week, and is at- tended by about 200 members. Instruction is given in reading, spelling, writing, geography, grammar, and arith- metic.
Although, in glancing at the educational resources of the city of Manchester, we find no richly-endowed acad- emies or time-honored seats of literature, yet we discover a system which, for vigor and efficiency in reaching the masses and scattering the light and treasures of knowledge in those dark and obscure places, - scores of which may be found in any city, which a more general, and perhaps, at first, more attractive, plan of instruction would entirely overlook, -is not only deserving of universal approval, but also reflects great credit upon those who were able to conceive and carry it to practical results.
Manchester Atheneum. - Incorporated in 1844. The library contains 3100 volumes. An extensive reading room is connected with it. Rooms in Patten's Building.
The Fire Department consists of a chief, nine assistant engineers, six engine companies, two hose do., and one hook and ladder do.
Newspapers. - Manchester American and Messenger ;
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GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
J. Abbott editor. Manchester Democrat ; John H. Good- ale editor. Granite Farmer and Visitor. Manchester Daily Mirror ; John B. Clarke editor. Dollar Weekly Mirror ; by the same. Union Democrat ; Campbell & Gilman editors.
Railroads. - Nine railroads centre in Manchester - the Concord, Northern, Montreal, Vermont Central, (in- cluding Vermont, Canada, and Ogdensburg,) Passumpsic, Merrimack and Connecticut River, Manchester and Law- rence, Contoocook Valley, and New Hampshire Central. The New Hampshire Central and Concord and Claremont are merged into one, under the name of the Merrimack and Connecticut River Railroad.
Banks. - Amoskeag Bank ; capital, $150,000 ; incor- porated in 1848. City Bank, incorporated in 1853 ; capital, $100,000. Manchester Bank, incorporated in 1845 ; cap- ital, $145,000. Amoskeag Savings Bank ; amount of de- posits January 1, 1854, $153,626. Manchester Savings Bank, incorporated in 1846 ; amount of deposits, $100,000.
Public Houses. - Manchester House, Elm Street, cor- ner of Merrimack, by William Shepherd. Franklin Hotel, by J. Goodrich, Manchester Street. City Hotel, by Frank- lin Tenney, Elm, corner of Lowell Street. Elm Street House, by D. T. Norris, Elm, corner of Concord Street. Piscataquog Hotel, Piscataquog, by J. B. Leavitt, south end of Main Street. Quimby's Hotel, by Benjamin B. Quimby, head of Granite Street. Amoskeag Hotel, by N. & J. B. Quimby, in the village of Amoskeag.
By a recent act of the legislature, the villages of Amos- keag and Piscataquog have been annexed to Manchester.
Squares. - Concord, between Amherst and Concord Streets, is laid out with gravelled walks, ornamented with trees, and contains a circular reservoir, walled in with stone.
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Area, 45 acres. Hanover contains 4 acres of land, and has a large open reservoir. Merrimack, between Merrimack and Central Streets, contains a large open reservoir, and includes an area of 57 acres. Tremont, between Bridge and High Streets, is laid out with gravelled walks, and has a covered reservoir. Area, 21 acres. The Park is a very pleasant plot of ground, situated between Park and Cedar Streets, and contains 3} acres.
The Company's Reservoir is situated about one mile, in a north-easterly direction, from the City Hall. It is a rec- tangular cistern, 484 by 234 feet at the top ; depth of water, 18 feet ; capacity, 11,000,000 gallons. The height above the river is 150 feet. The object is to supply the mills and boarding houses with water.
. In addition to the ponds and reservoirs mentioned above, there are, besides, fourteen other cisterns and reservoirs located in various parts of the city.
Manufacturing Companies. - Amoskeag Manufacturing Company ; capital, $3,000,000 ; incorporated in July, 1831; commenced operations in 1837. The business of this company is divided into three departments - viz., 1st, land and water power ; 2d, manufacturing cotton goods ; 3d, machine shop - each department having a separate agency. Land and water power - E. A. Straw agent ; J. Knowlton clerk. Manufacturing department, Amoskeag New Mills- David Gillis agent ; Charles Richardson clerk. Four mills are in operation. Mill number 1 contains 8960 spindles and 234 looms ; number 2, 8832 spindles and 250 looms ; number 3, 20,478 spindles and 545 looms ; number 4, 24,576 spindles and 636 looms ; total, 62,846 spindles and 1665 looms. A fifth mill is in process of erection, and will be completed, with its machinery, the coming winter. This mill will contain 20,000 spindles and 480
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looms for the manufacture of fine goods. This company has a mill for the manufacture of batting. They have also a mill in Hooksett, containing 8000 spindles. The goods manufactured consist of seven descriptions of tickings, a great variety of striped denims, drillings, sheetings, and cotton flannels. Number of yards produced annually, 19,000,000. Do. pounds of cotton consumed annually, 8,000,000 ; do. indigo, 35,000 ; do. potash, 80,000 ; do. copperas, 44,000 ; do. madder, 65,000 ; do. tons potato starch, 150; do. cords wood, 9000 ; do. gallons sperm oil, 10,000. Amount annually paid out at the mills, $600,000. Number of hands employed - males, 600 ; females, 1900 ; total, 2500. To this company was award- ed the prize medal at the World's Fair, in London, for the best sheetings, drillings, tickings, and cotton flannels there exhibited.
There is connected with this department a savings in- stitution, where those employed by the company may de- posit their surplus earnings, and receive five per cent. interest per annum. The amount thus deposited January 1, 1854, was $153,626.86, payable at seven days' notice.
Amoskeag Machine Shop - Oliver W. Bailey agent ; Edward Kendall clerk. Machinery for cotton and woollen mills, locomotives, &c., are manufactured here. There are three shops, and one foundery. 500 men are constantly employed. There are consumed annually 2000 tons pig iron, 800 tons bar iron and steel, 100 tons copper, 40 tons brass castings, 250 tons boiler iron, 600 tons Lehigh coal, 600 tons Cumberland coal, 4000 bushels charcoal, 4000 gallons oil, and 700 cords wood. They manufacture from three to four locomotives per month, and pay annually $200,000. The average sum paid as wages, per month, is
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$12,000, which is distributed among the workmen at the rate of from $40 to $75 per month.
Manchester Print Works - incorporated in 1839 ; cap- ital, $1,800,000. There are two departments. The man- ufacturing department consists of two mills. Waterman Smith agent ; J. S. Shannon clerk. In both mills are 56,000 spindles and 1450 looms. Number of hands em- ployed - males, 400 ; females, 1200; total, 1600. Num- ber of yards produced per annum, 14,000,000. The goods manufactured consist of mousseline de laines, cashmeres, Persian cloth's, barege de laines, and cotton printing cloths. Number of pounds of wool consumed annually, 1,300,000 ; do. cotton, 1,800,000 ; do. cords wood, 2000; do. tons coal, 1000 ; do. gallons sperm oil, 5000; do. gallons olive oil, 2000 ; do. pounds oil soap, 80,000 ; do. tons starch, 60. Amount annually paid out, $450,000. Printing de- partment - Charles H. Dalton superintendent ; A. N. Baker clerk. These works were destroyed by fire Septem- ber 22, 1853. Loss, $250,000. Rebuilding was com- menced immediately. Printing started in the new works June 12, 1854, being 8 months and 21 days from the date of the fire. Number of printing machines, 12. Do. hands employed - males, 350; females, 30; total, 380. Do. yards printed per day, 45,000, consisting of mousseline de laines, cashmeres, Persian cloths, barege de laines, and madder cotton prints. Value of drugs consumed annually, $400,000. Number of tons of coal consumed annually, 3000. Pay roll and incidental expenses per annum, $180,000.
Stark Mills - Phineas Adams agent ; William B. Web- ster clerk. Incorporated in 1838 ; commenced operations in 1839. Capital, $1,250,000. There are two mills. Num-
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ber 1 mill contains 21,400 spindles, and 460 looms for sheetings, and 126 for seamless bags. Number 2 mill contains 19,564 spindles, and 550 looms for sheetings and drillings. The goods manufactured consist of sheetings, drillings, and seamless bags. Number of males employed, 200 ; do. females, 950. Amount of money paid at mills per month, $30,000. Consume annually 1,000,000 cubic feet of gas, 5880 gallons oil, 75 tons starch, 1000 tons coal, and 6,000,000 pounds cotton. Manufacture annu- ally 1,320,000 bags, 8,000,000 yards sheetings, and 500,- 000 yards drillings.
Blodgett Edge Tool Company - incorporated in 1853 ; capital stock, $100,000; J. G. Cilley agent. Manufac- ture all kinds of edge tools. Employ 125 hands. Dimen- sions of building, 160 feet long, 50 wide, and three stories high.
Manchester Iron Company. Capital stock, $20,000 ; president, J. N. B. Fish ; treasurer, J. T. P. Hunt ; clerk, David Hill. Commenced operations in October, 1853. The main building is 75 feet long by 50 wide, with an engine house, pattern shop, &c., adjoining, 40 feet long by 60 broad. The engine is of 40 horse power. Located near the gas works and the Manchester and Lawrence Rail- road. Manufacture all sorts of castings for mills and other purposes.
Blodgett Paper Company. Capital, $300,000; manu- facture 15,000 rolls paper hangings per day, 16 tons paper per week ; employ 175 hands. Dimensions of building - 200 feet long by 50 wide, five stories high, with an ell 65 by 55 : second building - 200 feet long by 30 wide ; all brick. An additional building, 100 feet long by 30 wide, and three stories high, is in process of erection.
B. F. Martin's Paper Mill. Dimensions of building,
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50 feet long by 90 in height ; 3 stories high ; built of brick. Manufacture 300 tons paper annually. Value, $82,500. Number of hands employed, 20.
Manchester Gas Light Company. Capital, $90,000. President, Robert Read ; superintendent, J. T. P. Hunt ; clerk, H. Foster. Incorporated in 1851; commenced oper- ations in September, 1852. These works are situated in the southerly part of the city, near the Manchester and Lawrence Railroad. The main buildings are of brick, with slated roofs. The retort house is 105 feet in length, 30 feet in width, and 18 feet in height. It contains 12 benches, each having 3 retorts, with a corresponding num- ber of coolers and washers. The purifying house is 65 feet in length by 25 feet in width ; it contains purifiers, meters, offices, &c. The gasometer is 87} feet in diameter, 25 feet in height, and is of sufficient capacity for the sto- rage of 150,000 cubic feet of gas. The tank is 90 feet in diameter, 25 feet deep, and is substantially built of brick and cement, with counter forts. Over the gasometer has been erected a building 97 feet square and 27 feet in height. The coal shed is so located that the coal is dumped from the cars directly through the roof. Ten miles of pipe, varying from 14 to .2 inches in diameter, have been laid, extending to different parts of the city. By means of the works now in operation, the company are able to furnish 150,000 cubic feet of gas in every 24 hours, though the pipes are of sufficient capacity and strength to distribute double that quantity. 1100 tons of Pictou, Cannel, and Hillsborough coal have been consumed during the past year, producing in that time 8,837,000 cubic feet of gas, about one half of which is consumed by the various manufacturing establishments and mills. These use 4705 burners, besides 40 street lamps ; different indi-
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viduals, 2717 burners ; and the city authorities furnish 25 street lamps. Coke - which is coal deprived of its volatile principle - is sold at about five dollars per chal- dron. About 1500 bushels of the hydrate of lime are sold from these works per annum, at eight cents per bushel, which is made from oyster shells, and, by its connection with ammonia in the process of purification, becomes far superior to common lime for land dressing, and is eagerly sought after by agriculturists. The gas is sold at the rate of $3.50 per 1000 cubic feet.
The gasworks were constructed under the direction of Mr. J. T. P. Hunt, then and now superintendent ; and, in beauty of architecture, substantial finish, and skilful ar- rangement of machinery for the ends proposed, are consid- ered as superior to any similar works in New England.
There are also about 350 stores, groceries, and shops of various kinds within the limits of the city.
The rapidity of the growth of the city of Manchester - which is as healthy as it is rapid -is unparalleled, at least in New England. Figures and statistics which to- day are a true representation of its condition, are not so to-morrow ; and it is, indeed, of but little consequence to record them, excepting that they may serve as milestones, to guide the stranger from the obscure hamlet and the times of small things to the flourishing city and the period of magnificent prosperity.
MARLBOROUGH, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Roxbury, east by Dublin and Jaffrey, south by Troy, and west by Swanzey and Keene. Area, about 13,000 acres. Distance from Concord, 55 miles, south-west ; from Keene, 6, south. There are several ponds, which are the sources of some of the branches of the Ashuelot. The surface is
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broken ; the soil rocky, but excellent for grazing. Various branches of manufacturing are carried on to some extent here. There are four pail factories, in which 35 hands are employed ; one box and measure factory, eight hands ; one machine shop, 16 hands ; one box and tray factory, five hands ; one chair factory, four hands ; one earthen ware shop, four hands ; one faucet manufactory, four hands ; and one yarn factory, five hands. There are also two stores, three meeting houses, and one hotel ..
Marlborough was granted, April 29, 1751, to Timothy Dwight and 61 others. By reason of the breaking out of the French and Indian war the conditions of the charter were not seasonably fulfilled ; the first charter was forfeited, and a second granted September 21, 1754. First settlers, Wil- liam Barker, Abel Woodward, Benjamin Tucker, Daniel Goodenough, and one McAlister.
A Congregational church was formed in 1778. At present there is also a Baptist and a Universalist society.
Population, 887. Number of legal voters in 1854, 225. Inventory, $321,156. Value of lands, $179,374. Stock in trade, $4441. Value of mills, factories, &c., $12,225. Money on hand, &c., $40,830. Number of sheep, 608. Do. neat stock, 804. Do. horses, 152.
MARLOW, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Acworth and Lempster, east by Washington and Stoddard, south by Gilsum, and west by Alstead. Area, 15,937 acres. Dis- tance from Concord, 45 miles, south-west ; from Keene, 15, north. Ashuelot River passes through nearly the whole length of the town, in a south-westerly direction. The soil is moist, but productive. On the Ashuelot and other streams are large tracts of valuable interval. The surface is gener- ally uneven. This town was granted, October 7, 1761, to
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William Noyes and 69 others. First settlers, Joseph Tubbs, N. Royce, N. Miller, Nathan Huntley, Solomon Mack, Solomon Gee, Eben Lewis, Samuel and John Gustin, and others. The first town meeting was held in March, 1776. The first inhabitants were Baptists ; they formed a church, and settled Rev. Caleb Blood, in January, 1778. There is at present only a Methodist society.
Population, 708. Number of polls, 196. Inventory, $290,308. Value of lands, $151,497. Do. mills, fac- tories, &c., $4675. Stock in trade, $9123. Money on hand, at interest, &c., $45,466. Number of sheep, 1839. Do. neat stock, 847. Do. horses, 179.
MASON, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Tem- ple and Wilton, east by Milford and Brookline, south by Ashby, Massachusetts, and west by New Ipswich. Area, 18,860 acres. Distance from Concord, 43 miles, south ; from Amherst, 15, south-west. This is a hilly and healthy township. There are no swamps or stagnant pools, and only one small pond. The soil is good. In the south and east parts of the town chestnut and pine abound. Souhe- gan River is the principal stream, and affords many fine mill sites. It is divided into nine school districts, and supports ten schools. Education receives considerable attention. There are four religious societies-viz., two Congregational, one Christian, and one Baptist. The prin- cipal village is situated in the north-west part of the town, on the Souhegan. Here are some of the best water privi- leges in this section of the state. The water at this place falls 80 feet in a distance of 80 rods, and is easily made available for manufacturing purposes. There is already a large cotton factory in operation, and another is to be erected within a few months. A large portion of the water
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power is yet unappropriated. Natural facilities, together with the disposition now evinced to develop them, render it highly probable that this will soon be a place of consid- erable business. The village is the present terminus of the Peterborough and Shirley Railroad. The railroad bridge just below the village is one of the most splendid and substantial structures of the kind in New England. The scenery about the village is beautifully picturesque.
The Columbian Manufacturing Company, Mason Vil- lage - Robert B. Williams president ; Stephen Smith agent. Capital stock, $200,000. Number of shares, 200; par value, $1000. Do. spindles, 6200. Do. looms, 175. Do. hands employed - males, 106 ; females, 130; total, 236. Amount of stock consumed annually, 750,000 pounds. Number of yards produced per annum, 1,950,000. Kind of goods, colored cottons. Number yarn, 14.
Asher Peabody, manufacturer of shoes, employs 25 hands.
Amos Scripture, agent, manufacturer of japanned tin- ware. First established in 1833. Number of hands em- ployed, 12.
There are two gristmills, five sawmills, two hotels, five stores, two blacksmith, and two cabinet shops.
This town was granted August 26, 1768. It was for- merly known by the name of Number One. The first effort to settle here was made in 1751; and in the following year Enoch Lawrence made a permanent settlement. The Congregational church was formed in 1772; the Baptist society was organized in 1786.
Population, 1626. Number of legal voters in 1854, 335. Do. houses, 313. Do. families, 346. Do. farms, 168. Inventory, $483,256. Value of lands, $262,606. Stock in trade, $17,700, Number of sheep, 254. Do. neat stock, 1069. Do. horses, 173.
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MEREDITH, Belknap county. Bounded north by Cen- tre Harbor, east by Winnipiseogee Lake, south by a river of the same name and Sanbornton, and west by Sanbornton Bay and New Hampton. Distance from Con- cord, 29 miles, north, by the Boston, Concord, and Mon- treal Railroad. It was incorporated December 30, 1768, and was first called New Salem.
This is a very large township, covering an area of near- ly 13 square miles. Several pleasant and thriving villages are scattered over its limits. At Meredith Village there are four meeting houses, five stores, one hotel, and several shoe shops. On a small stream which flows through this place from Measley Pond into Winnipiscogee Lake are a large tan- nery, a gristmill, sawmill, and a manufactory where the wood- work of pianos is prepared, in which about 50 hands are employed. At Meredith Centre are a meeting house belong- ing to a Freewill Baptist society, one saw and gristmill, and three stores ; and about a mile distant is a Baptist meeting house. Lake Village, pleasantly situated at the foot of Long Bay, which at the Wiers forms the outlet of Winnipiseogee Lake, is a thriving manufacturing district, containing about 1500 inhabitants. Here is a large cotton warp manufactory ; Robert Thompson agent. Number of spindles, 2200. Do. pounds manufactured per annum, 78,000. Do. pounds consumed annually, 100,000. Do. hands employed, 30.
Knitting and Hosiery Manufactory - Lyman B. Pulce- fer president. Number of spindles, 500. Do. pounds of goods manufactured annually, 25,000. Do. pounds of raw material consumed per annum, 40,000. Do. hands employed, 12.
Iron Foundery and Machine Shop - Cale, Davis, & Co. Capital stock, $40,000. Manufacture ploughs, stoves,
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machinery, and castings. Number of men employed, 60.
Levi Stevens, coppersmith and brass founder.
There are also three meeting houses, eight stores, one hotel, four shoe factories, two carriage shops, and one bed- stead manufactory.
Yarn Manufactory - Moses Sargent president ; J. M. Sargent clerk. Capital stock, $7000. Goods manufac- tured, knitting and hosiery yarn. Has 1000 spindles. Number of pounds of goods manufactured annually, 50,000. Value of stock consumed annually, $80,000. Hands em- ployed, 25. There are also connected with this establish- ment three sets of woollen cards.
Meredith Bridge is the principal village. It is connect- ed by a bridge over the Winnipiseogee River with Gilford Village, and both are called Meredith Bridge. This is a flourishing manufacturing village, and the seat of much business. On the Meredith side are a large, well-constructed, and handsome hotel ; a meeting house, belonging to the Con- gregational society ; a large car factory, in which are em- ployed about 75 men ; a pail and bedstead factory ; a cotton mill, in which 70 operatives are employed, the property of which is estimated at $30,000 ; a woollen factory, in which 30 hands are employed ; capital, $10,000. There are also ten stores, two jewellers' shops, and two furniture warehouses. The county of Belknap has recently pur- chased a large farm on the Meredith side, and has erected upon it spacious and convenient buildings, at a cost of about $5000, for the support and employment of county paupers. A county jail, to be built of granite throughout, is also in process of erection on the same grounds.
The Belknap. Gazette and the New Hampshire Demo crat, weekly newspapers, are published here.
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On the Guilford side are a large cotton mill, where tick- ings are manufactured ; capital, $40,000; number of hands employed, 60; a peg factory, in which 30 hands are employed ; a sculptor's shop, a court house, two meeting houses, two stores, two hotels, one saw, and one gristmill. As a farming town, Meredith is surpassed by but few towns in the state. The soil is generally deep, fertile, and easily cultivated. Within a few years past, considerable attention has been paid to agriculture. In many places the scenery is beautiful and romantic. As the traveller passes along the road leading through the north-westerly part of the town, he beholds spread out before him a lovely picture of Nature. On the east and south-east, the placid waters of the largest lake in New Hampshire, with its countless islands, arrest the eye, stretching in a south-easterly direc- tion beyond the reach of vision. On the north-east, Ossipee rises majestically from its rugged base ; while towards the north is seen Red Hill -an eminence well known to travellers. In the vicinity of the lake Indian relics are often found. Meredith Bridge is one of the pleasantest villages in the state. Many of the houses are. large, and handsome in structure. The cemetery is one of those charming spots that always attract the eye and elicit the admiration of the stranger. It is beautifully located be- side the Winnipiseogee River, and is laid out with taste and care.
The population of Meredith, at present, is about 3800. Number of legal voters, 929. Inventory in 1852, $899,851. Value of lands, $532,972. Do. factories, mills, &c., $21,600. Money on hand, at interest, &c., $32,972. Value of shares in banks and other corpora- tions, $29,600. Number of sheep, 2100. Do. neat stock, 2133. Do. horses, 376.
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