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 23
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Population, 1937. Number of polls, 409. Inventory, $784,112. Value of lands, $345,806. Do. mills and
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factories, $221,000. Stock in trade, $52,950. Money at interest, $45,330. Number of sheep, 344. Do. neat stock, 599. Do. horses, 121.
NEWPORT, shire town of Sullivan county. Bounded north by Croyden, east by Sunapee and Goshen, south by Unity, and west by Claremont. Area, 25,267 acres. Dis- tance from Concord, 39 miles, by the Merrimack and Con- necticut River Railroad. The central position of this town, and its valuable water privileges, together with the fact that it is the county seat, render it a place of considerable business and importance. Its surface is diversified with hills and valleys. The soil may be classified by three di- visions - viz., the alluvial, or the borders of the different branches of Sugar River, forming rich and fertile meadows, from one fourth to half a mile in width, on either side of the streams ; the dry and gravelly, or the low lands in other parts of the town ; and the moist and cold in the more elevated parts. In general the soil is productive. Many farms in this town are under high cultivation. Sugar River flows through the town, its three branches uniting near the village, whence it passes through Clare- mont to the Connecticut. The village is one of the pleas- antest in the state. Its principal street is broad, and some- what more than a mile in length. It is nearly surrounded by hills, which are themselves overtopped by lofty eleva- tions and mountains in the distance, rendering the scenery in winter wild and sublime, in summer romantic and charming.
The houses are well built - some are elegant residences, adorned with beautiful yards and gardens. The Court House is a large brick edifice, standing on a gentle rise a few rods from the principal street. The county build-
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ings are conveniently located, and are substantially built. There are four meeting houses, all of which are situated on the principal street - the Baptist at the northern ex- tremity, and the Congregational, a massive brick structure, at the southern extremity. The Methodist chapel, a new and handsome edifice, and the Universalist meeting house are situated in the more central part. There are two pub- lic houses, large and convenient, where the best accommo- dations are always provided. These houses are a frequent resort of travellers in the summer season, attracted hither by the healthiness of the place and the opportunities for hunting and fishing afforded by the surrounding country. There are also eight stores, some twenty shops of various descriptions, three woollen factories, where quite an exten- sive business is done, two very extensive tanneries, and one machine shop, where various articles of merchandise are manufactured. At Northville, a busy place a few miles from the principal village, are a scythe factory and numerous other departments of mechanical labor. The in- habitants are industrious and persevering ; and as idleness is a stranger among them, so is poverty.
Newport was incorporated October 6, 1761. The first effort towards a settlement was made, in the fall of 1763, by Jesse Wilcox, Ebenezer Merrit, Jesse Kelsey, and Samuel Hurd.
The Congregational church was formed in 1779. The Baptist church was organized the same year.
The Argus and Spectator is published here ; for history of which, see another part of this volume.
The Sugar River Bank was incorporated January 7, 1853. Capital stock, $50,000.
Population, 2020. Number of polls, 479. Inven- tory, $682,156. Value of lands, $383,904. Do. mills 28 *
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and factories, $13,700. Stock in trade, $21,950. Money at interest, $33,050. Number of sheep, 2753. Do. neat stock, 2180. Do. horses, 399.
NEWTON, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Kingston, east by South Hampton, south by Amesbury, Massachusetts, and west by Plaistow. Area, 5250 acres. Nearly one third of Country Pond lies in this town. The soil is fertile - suitable for the growth of grain and grass. Joseph Bartlett first settled in this town in 1720, and was followed in a few months by several others. Twelve years previous to his settlement here he had been taken by the Indians in Haverhill and conveyed to Canada, where he remained four years. A Baptist church was formed here in 1755, which is the oldest religious society of that de- nomination in the state. A Congregational church was organized about 1759. There are four stores, several shoe shops, employing nearly one third of its inhabitants, and one hotel. The Boston and Maine Railroad passes through the town in a north-easterly direction, adding much to the prosperity of the town.
Population, 685. Number of legal voters in 1854, 210. Common schools, 6. Inventory, $231,743. Value of lands, $115,230. Stock in trade, $1600. Money at in- terest, $11,850. Number of sheep, 119. Do. neat stock, 387. Do. horses, 58. Value of shares in banks, $1250.
NORTHFIELD, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Sanbornton and Gilmanton, east by Gilmanton, south by Canterbury, and west by Franklin. Area, about 19,000 acres. Distance from Concord, 17 miles, north, by the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad. The surface is uneven, and in some parts hilly. The soil is generally
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good ; that of the richest quality lies in the two ridges extending through the town, on which are several excellent farms. Chestnut and Sondogardy Ponds are the largest collections of water. It is watered by the Winnipiseogee River and several small streams. The New Hampshire Conference Seminary, a large and flourishing literary insti- tution under the patronage of the Methodist denomination, is pleasantly located on a gentle eminence some 20 or 30 rods from Winnipiseogee River, and about 50 rods from the depot at Sanbornton Bridge. It has a valuable philo- sophical and chemical apparatus, and its collection of minerals is quite extensive. The first settlement in this town was made, in 1760, by Benjamin Blanchard and others. A Methodist church was formed here in 1806. It now numbers about 500 communicants. There are two factories here - one woollen and one cotton. Northfield was incorporated June 19, 1780.
Population, 1332. Number of polls, 285. Inventory, $428,096. Value of lands, $293,067. Stock in trade, $1250. Do. mills and factories, $8000. Money at in- terest, &c., $15,114. Number of sheep, 1750. Do. neat stock, 1168. Do. horses, 197.
NORTH HAMPTON, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Greenland, east by Rye and the ocean, south by Hamp- ton, and west by Stratham. Area, 8465 acres. Distance from Concord, 47 miles, south-east ; from Portsmouth, 9, south by the Eastern Railroad. Little River rises in the low grounds in the north part of the town, and, by a wind- ing course, reaches the sea between Great and Little Boar's Head. This township formerly constituted the parish known as North Hill, in Hampton. On Little River are three sawmills and one gristmill. There are two meeting
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houses, two stores, and one hotel in the principal village. The settlements here' date back to a very early period in the history of this state. The first Congregational meet- ing house was erected in 1738. The early settlers were much exposed to the ravages of Indians. Garrisons were erected, to which they resorted in times of danger. In the year 1677 several persons were killed within the limits of this town. North Hampton was incorporated Novem- ber 26, 1742.
Population, 822. Number of legal voters in 1854, 210. Inventory, $315,438. Value of lands, $242,320. Do. mills, $1160. Stock in trade, $1050. Money at interest, $4751. Number of sheep, 341. Do. neat stock, 723. Do. horses, 126.
NORTHUMBERLAND, Coos county. Bounded north by Stratford, east by Stark, south by Lancaster, and west by Maidstone, Vermont. Distance from Concord, 130 miles, north ; from Lancaster, 7, north-east. The soil along the Connecticut is very productive, free from sand and gravel, and easily tilled. The original growth of wood was butternut. A considerable portion of the upland is excellent for tillage. Cape Horn, a rugged eminence, which rises abruptly from its base, is situated near the centre of the town. Its northern base is separated from the Connecticut by a narrow plain, and the Upper Ammo noosuc washes its eastern side. Here the meadows are extensive, and are annually flowed by the spring freshets, presenting the appearance of a large lake. The scenery is wild and beautiful. The inhabitants are chiefly devoted to agriculture, and are somewhat noted for raising excellent stock, although they do not excel in the extent of their herds. The first settlers were Thomas Burnside and Daniel
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Spaulding, who, with their families, moved here in June, 1767. Near the river, on the plain situated north of Cape Horn Mountain, are the remains of a fort, erected during the revolutionary war, and placed under the command of Captain Jeremiah Eames, a man well known for his useful- ness and social disposition. This town was incorporated November 16, 1779.
Population, 429. Number of polls, 128. Inventory, $146,369. Value of lands, $59,434. Stock in trade, $10,325. Value of mills and factories, $3500. Number of sheep, 698. Do. neat stock, 628. Do. horses, 142.
NORTHWOOD, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Strafford, east by Nottingham, south by Nottingham and Deerfield, and west by Epsom and Pittsfield. Area, 17,075 acres. There are six ponds in this town-Suncook Pond, 750 rods long, and 100 wide; Jenners' Pond, 300 rods long, and 150 wide; Long Pond, 300 rods long, and 50 wide ; Harvey's Pond, 200 rods long, and from 40 to 80 wide ; and Pleasant and Little Bow Ponds. A part of Great Bow Pond also lies in this town. The north branch of Lamprey River has its source near Saddleback Moun- tain, a high ridge between this town and Deerfield. On the east side of this ridge crystals and crystalline spar of various colors and sizes are found. Plumbago occurs in small quantities, but of superior quality. The position of Northwood is elevated, commanding an extensive and delightful view of the ocean and the intervening country. The soil is generally moist, and suitable for grazing ; in mild seasons excellent crops of corn and wheat are raised. A large number of the inhabitants are engaged in the man- ufacture of shoes. There are three meeting houses, seven stores, and one hotel. The Baptist church was organized
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in 1779, the Congregational church in 1781. The Free- will Baptist society was incorporated in 1832. Northwood originally constituted a part of Nottingham. It was settled, March 25, 1763, by Moses Godfrey, John and Increase Bachelder, and Solomon Bickford. It was incorporated February 6, 1773.
Population, 1308. Number of legal voters in 1854, 320. Inventory, $392,063. Value of lands, $250,765. Stock in trade, $8300. Money at interest, &c., $27,050. Number of sheep, 634. Do. neat stock, 1079. Do. horses, 212.
NOTTINGHAM, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Northwood and Barrington, east by Lee, south by Epping and Raymond, and west by Deerfield and Northwood. Area, 25,800 acres. Distance from Concord, 25 miles, east ; from Portsmouth, 20, west. There are several ponds, most of which are small. Little River and several small streams have their sources in this town, and North River passes through it. The centre of the town (Nottingham Square) is pleasantly situated on an eminence, about 450 feet above the sea level. The northern and north-western parts are quite rocky and uneven, but in general the soil is well adapted to pasturage, and is in a good state of cultivation. The Patuccoway Mountains, lying on the line between Nottingham and Deerfield, consist of three distinct eleva- tions, rising abruptly from the vicinity of Round Pond, and are designated as the Upper, Middle, and Lower Mountains. On the latter is a dike of greenstone trap, which crosses its summit, and divides it into two nearly equal parts. This dike is columnar, and on the face of a bare ledge, inclined about forty-five degrees ; it assumes the form of steps, fifteen or sixteen in number, and about
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nine inches in height, and are familiarly called the "Stairs." Near the centre of the town is a large ledge of white granular quartz, which affords an inexhaustible supply of this valuable material. The mountainous parts of the town were formerly the haunts of beasts of prey. Nottingham was incorporated May 10, 1722, and settled, in 1727, by Captain Joseph Cilley and others. A Congregational church was formed in 1742. During the last Indian war, in 1752, a Mr. Beard, Mrs. Folsom, and Mrs. Simpson were killed by the Indians. General Joseph Cilley and Hon. Thomas Bartlett were distinguished for their services in the revolu- tionary war. General Henry Butler was also an officer in the continental army.
Population, 1268. Number of polls, 254. Inventory, $368,548. Value of lands, $248,310. Stock in trade, $2505. Value of mills, $10,151. Money at interest, $19,105. Number of sheep, 897. Do. neat stock, 1153. Do. horses, 168.
ORANGE, Grafton county. Bounded north by Dorches- ter, Groton, and Hebron, east by Hebron and Alexandria, south by Grafton, and west by Canaan. Area, about 16,000 acres. Distance from Concord, 40 miles, north- west, by the Northern Railroad, which passes through its south-western corner ; from Haverhill, 50, south-east. This is a cold, rugged township, affording some excellent pasturage and good lumber. Many mineral substances are found here, such as lead and iron ore. In the south-east part of the town is a small pond, from which is taken a species of paint resembling spruce yellow. Chalk, inter- mixed with magnesia, has been found in the vicinity of this pond. Yellow ochre, of a quality superior to that imported, is found in great abundance in various localities.
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Clay, of an excellent quality, exists in different parts of the town. On the summit of the elevated land which divides the waters flowing into the Connecticut from those which flow into the Merrimack, a series of deep pit holes occur in the solid rock, one of which, from its great depth and perfect regularity, is called the " Well." It is near the track of the Northern Railroad. One side has been broken away, so that a concave section of a somi-cylinder is seen. Measuring from the top on this side to the bottom, the perpendicular depth is eleven feet. The stones found in it were rounded and polished, indicating a violent action of water here at some period in the existence of this planet. This summit is about 1000 feet above the waters of the Connecticut and Merrimack. The rock is hard, and on its surface occur the scratches usually referred to the ancient drift epoch.
Orange was granted, under the name of Cardigan, February 6, 1769, to Isaac Fellows and others. It was first settled, in 1773, by Silas Harris, Benjamin Shaw, Da- vid Eames, Colonel Elisha Bayne, and Captain Joseph Ken- ney. Cardigan Mountain lies in the east part of the town.
Population, 451. Number of polls, 102. Inventory, $98,285. Value of lands, $53,354. Do. mills, $3150. Stock in trade, $2550. Number of sheep, 1049. Do. neat stock, 364. Do. horses, 56.
ORFORD, Grafton county. Bounded north by Piermont, east by Wentworth, south by Lyme, and west by Fairlee, Vermont. Area, 27,000 acres. Distance from Concord, 62 miles ; from Haverhill, 12. This is a valuable farming town. The soil is generally fertile. The large interval farms on the Connecticut are well tilled, and, with the beautiful village, afford a charming and delightful prospect.
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On the west side of Cuba Mountain there are several beds of valuable limestone, some of which have been wrought for 25 years. The limestone is granular, but does not crumble in burning. Specimens of quartz, containing acicular crystals of oxide of titanium, exist in the region of this mountain. Near Sunday Mountain is a bed of tal- cose slate, which answers well for soapstone, and is wrought to a considerable extent., Copper pyrites, black sulphuret of copper, green carbonate of copper, magnetic iron ore, sulphuret of molybdena, and galena are found in various localities. Kyanite, in large bladed crystals of a pale-blue color, is also abundant.
The situation of the village is both pleasant and re- markable. It stands on a beautiful plain, bordered by in- tervals on the west. Here the river seems to recede towards the Vermont shore, leaving a rich expansion of fer- tile meadow on the New Hampshire side. On both sides of the river the hills approach each other near the centre of the expansion, so as to leave only a narrow strip of land be- tween them ; and such is the similarity in form of the lands at either end of the narrow strip, or neck, that the whole to- gether has very much the appearance of the figure 8. The greatest width of each division is one': nd a half miles, and the length of each about two and a half miles. On the west side of the river there is barely space for the rail- road between the waters and the terminus of the bluff, which rises almost perpendicularly to a considerable height.
The village contains three meeting houses, - of which the Congregational is a new, costly, and splendid edifice, - one academy, - which is a large and handsome building of brick, - six stores, and one hotel, which is in every sense a home for the traveller. Thedwelling houses, sur-
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rounded by spacious yards and charming gardens, pre- sent the appearance of elegance, comfort, and wealth. The pursuits of agriculture are crowned with abundant success.
Orfordville, a pleasant and flourishing village, is situated about two miles above the principal village. It contains, besides several dwelling houses, an extensive tannery, a chair factory, sash, blind, and door factory, starch fac- tory, planing shop, clapboard, shingle, lath, and carding mills, and one valuable gristmill. There are also ten saw- mills in various parts of the town. Orford Mill River passing nearly through the centre of the town, furnishes most of the water power.
The religious societies are two Congregational and one Universalist.
Orford was granted, September 25, 1761, to Jonathan Moulton and others. It was settled, in June, 1765, by General Israel Morey, John Mann, Esq., a Mr. Caswell, and one Cross. The Congregational church was formed August 27, 1770.
Population, 1406. Number of legal voters in 1854, 347. Do. common schools, 16. Inventory, $631,574. Value of lands, $389,088. Do. mills and factories, $13,600. Stock inMirade, $18,190. Money at interest, $77,296. Number of sheep, 6094. Do. neat stock, 1591. Do. horses, 289.
OSSIPEE, shire town of Carroll county. Bounded north by Tamworth, north-east by Freedom and Effingham, south-east by Wakefield, and west by Wolfborough, Tuf- tonborough, Moultonborough, and Sandwich. Distance from Concord, 60 miles, north-east. This is an uneven, and, in some parts, roky and mountainous township, af- fording excellent pasturage. The soil is strong and deep.
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Wheat and potatoes of excellent quality are raised here. Ossipee Lake, a beautiful sheet of water, lies mostly in this town. Its form is elliptical, and covers about 7000 acres. Ossipee River is its outlet. Pine and Bear Camp Rivers flow through the western and north-western parts. There are also several ponds, of which Bear Pond, in the south- east part, has no visible outlet. Ossipee Mountain, situated about four miles north-easterly from Winnipiseogee Lake, is composed of several distinct peaks, the most lofty of which is 2361 feet above the sea level, and is well wooded to its summit. The rock is gneiss, covered with numerous fragments of trap, of a dull bluish color. Near the foot of the mountain is a beautiful little cascade, which attracts numerous visitors. Near the western shore of Ossipee Lake is a circular mound, about 50 feet in diameter and 10 feet in height, from which have been taken several entire skeletons, hatchets, tomahawks, &c.
Ossipee was incorporated February 22, 1785.
Population, 2122. Number of polls, 420. Inventory, $390,938. Value of lands, $211,389. Stock in trade, $7570. Value of mills, $4955. Money at interest, $9800. Number of sheep, 969. Do. neat stock, 1872. Do. horses, 285.
PELHAM, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Windham, east by Salem, and by Lawrence, Massachusetts, south by Dracut, Massachusetts, and west by Hudson. Distance from Concord, 37 miles south. Beaver River is the principal stream, on which, and its tributaries, is much valuable interval. The uplands are good for grazing and the cultivation of fruit. The proximity of this town to Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill, particularly to Lowell, which is only six miles distant, affords a ready and conven-
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ient market for produce of all kinds. All the varieties of fruit common to this latitude are raised here in great abun- dance. Granite of a superior quality is found in inex- haustible quantities here. It is taken to Nashua, Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill, for building purposes.
There are two meeting houses, one academy, two wool- len factories, where 30 hands are employed, two stores, one hotel, one wheelwright and carriage shop, three blacksmith shops, and one manufactory of pruning shears.
The first settlements in this town were made in 1722, by John Butler, William Richardson, and others. It was formerly included in Wheelwright's purchase and Mason's patent. The town was incorporated July 5, 1746. At the time of the revolutionary war, Pelham contained 700 inhabitants, and 87 of the citizens were enrolled on the lists of the army. A Congregational church was formed November 13, 1751.
Population, 1071. Number of legal voters in 1854, 244. Inventory, $501,279. Value of lands, $331,950. Do. mills and factories, $10,700. Stock in trade, $4792. Money at interest, $39,475. Number of sheep, 218. Do. neat stock, 1008. Do. horses, 152.
PEMBROKE, Merrimack county. Bounded north-east and east by Chichester and Epsom, south-east and south by Allenstown and Hooksett, south-west by Bow, and north- west by Concord. Area, 10,240 acres. Distance from Concord, six miles. This town is well watered. The Suncook, on the south-eastern boundary, affords several valuable water privileges. The main street extends in a straight course, nearly parallel with the Merrimack, about three miles, and, with its fertile fields and neat residences, presents a very handsome appearance. On this street are
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situated two academies, two meeting houses, one hotel, and two stores.
The soil is various, and generally productive. On the rivers are small but valuable tracts of interval ; and from these the land rises in extensive and beautiful swells, which yield abundantly when properly cultivated. It is connect- ed with Portsmouth and Concord by the railroad named after these towns.
The Chelmsford Glass Company manufacture glass here.
Suncook Village, an active and thriving place, is the seat of considerable business. Quite recently its growth has been much retarded by a destructive fire.
The Pembroke Mills, situated on the Suncook River, contain 10,985 spindles and 300 looms. 240,000 yards of sheetings and printing goods are manufactured annually, and 552,000 pounds of cotton consumed in the same time. Number of hands employed, 250.
The Indian name for this territory was Suncook. It was granted under this name in May, 1727, by Massachu- setts, to the brave Captain John Lovewell and his faithful comrades, in consideration of their services against the In- dians. The whole number was 60, 46 of whom accom- panied Lovewell in his last march to Pequawkett.
The settlements increased slowly in consequence of the frequent alarms from the Indians, who committed many depredations upon the property of the inhabitants. James Carr, killed May 1, 1748, was the only person in this town who lost his life by the Indians. It was incorporated by its present name November 1, 1759. This town was deep- ly concerned in the tedious dispute maintained by the pro- prietors of Bow against the grantees of lands in this vicin- ity. A Congregational church was organized here March 1, 1737.
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Population, 1732. Number of polls, 335. Inventory, $583,470. Value of lands, $317,946. Do. mills and factories, $62,750. Stock in trade, $13,250. Money at interest, $71,240. Number of sheep, 506. Do. neat stock, 977. Do. horses, 184.
PETERBOROUGH, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Hancock and Greenfield, east by Greenfield and Temple, south by Sharon, and west by Jaffrey and Dublin. Area, 23,780 acres. Distance from Concord, 40 miles, south- west ; from Amherst, 20, west. This town lies in a north- east direction from the Grand Monadnock, and is bounded on the east by a chain of hills called Pack's Monadnock. Contoocook River runs in a northerly direction through the centre of the town, affording several valuable water privi- leges. The North Branch River, originating from several ponds, affords a constant supply of water. On this stream are some of the best waterfalls in the state. Above these falls are extensive and valuable meadows ; the soil through- out the town is highly productive. The surface is beauti- fully diversified with hills, vales, meadows, broad swells, brooks, rivulets, and rapidly-flowing rivers. The air and waters are pure, and the inhabitants are remarkably healthy. Notwithstanding the high rank of Peterborough as a farming town, it owes its importance and prosperity chiefly to its manufacturing facilities. It has long been a manufacturing town, a cotton mill having been put in oper- ation as early as 1808.
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