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 29
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Drewsville, a very pleasant village, is situated on Cold
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River, and contains an Episcopal church, several handsome residences, two stores, and several manufacturing establish- ments.
During the first years of its settlement, Walpole was the scene of many skirmishes with the Canadians and Indians. In the spring of 1755, an Indian, named Philip by the whites, who had acquired the English language sufficiently for conversation, came into the town of Wal- pole, and visited the house of one Mr. Kilburn, pretending that he was on a hunting excursion, and in want of pro- visions. He was kindly received, and furnished with every necessary, such as flints, flour, &c. Soon after he left, . however, it was ascertained that he had visited nearly all the settlements on Connecticut River about the same time, and with the same plausible errand. Kilburn had already learned something of Indian finesse and strategy, and at once suspected, as it afterwards proved, that Philip was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Not long after this intelligence was sent by General Shirley, through a friendly Indian, to all the forts, that four or five hundred Indians were collected in Canada, whose designs were to destroy all the white population on Connecticut River. The reception of such news threw a gloom over the weak and defenceless settle- ments. What could they do? To desert their homes, their cattle, and crops would be to give up all to the destruction of the Canadian savages. Accustomed to all the hardships and dangers of the frontier life, they boldly resolved to defend themselves and their property, or die on their own thresholds. Kilburn and his men now strength- ened their position with such fortifications as their rude implements and pressing circumstances would allow, hastily surrounding their dwellings with a palisade of stakes driven into the ground. Colonel Benjamin Bellows had
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at this time about 30 men under his command at the fort, which was about half a mile south from Kilburn's house ; but this could be no protection to him while attend- ing to his cattle, crops, &c. The enemy were now daily expected, and the little band awaited their appearance with fearful anxiety.
On the 17th of August, 1755, as Kilburn and his son John, a youth 18 years of age, were returning home from work, in company with a man named Peak and his son, they discovered the "red legs of the Indians among the alders as thick as grasshoppers." They instantly hastened home, fastened the door, and made preparations for a desper- ate resistance. Besides the four men, there were in the house Kilburn's wife and daughter Hitty, who greatly assisted and encouraged the men in their efforts to watch the move- ments of the enemy, and to provide means of defence. In a few minutes the Indians were seen crawling up the bank east of the house, and as they crossed a footpath one by one, 197 were counted. About the same number remained in ambush near the mouth of Cold River. The Indians, learning that Colonel Bellows, with his men, was at work at his mill about a mile distant, decided that it would. be best to waylay and destroy them before attacking Kilburn. Colonel Bellows and his party, about 30 in number, were returning homewards, each with a bag of meal on his back, when, on a sudden, their dogs began to growl and show signs of uneasiness. Bellows well understood the language of the dogs, and immediately took measures to thwart the plans of the Indians. He ordered his men to lay aside the meal, advance to the brow of the hill, crawl carefully up the bank, spring upon their feet, give a single whoop, and then instantly drop into the fern. This manœuvre had the desired effect ; for, as soon as the
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whoop was given, the savages arose from their ambush in a semicircle around the path Bellows was pursuing. This gave his men " a fine chance for a shot," which they at once improved. The first fire was so well directed that the Indians, panic-struck, darted into the bushes without dis- charging a gun. Bellows, seeing that their numbers were too great to risk an engagement, ordered his men to file off to the south, and make for the fort. The Indians now re- turned to Kilburn's house, where the same Philip, to whom we have before alluded, came forward, and shelter- ing himself behind a tree, called out to the inmates to sur- render. " Old John, young John," said he, " come out here, we give you good quarter." "Quarter !" vocifer- ated Kilburn, in a voice of thunder, which sent a chill of terror through every Indian's breast, and reverber- ated among the hills and valleys ; " you black rascals, be- gone, or we'll quarter you!" Philip returned to his com- panions ; and, after a short consultation, the war whoop commenced. Kilburn got the first fire before the smoke of the Indian's guns obstructed his aim, and was confident he saw an Indian fall, who, from his extraordinary size and other appearances, must have been Philip. The In- dians then rushed forward, bent on the utter destruction of the house and its inmates ; and probably not less than 400 bullets were lodged in its roof and sides at the first fire. " The roof was a perfect riddle sieve." Some of them fell to butchering the cattle, others were busily employed in destroying the hay, grain, &c., while a shower of bullets was incessantly falling upon the house. Meanwhile Kil- burn and his men were by no means idle. They had poured their powder into hats for convenience in loading their guns quickly, and every thing was in readiness for ac- tive defence. There were several guns in the house, and
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these were kept hot by incessant firing ; and as they had no ammunition to spare, each one took special care that every bullet should tell with fatal effect upon the foe. The women assisted in loading the guns ; and when their stock of lead was exhausted, they had the forethought to suspend blankets in the roof of the house to catch the bullets of the enemy ; and these were immediately run into new bul- lets, and sent back to the original owners. Several at- tempts were made to burst open the doors, but the deadly fire from within compelled the savages to desist from this undertaking. The Indians, notwithstanding their numbers, sheltered themselves most of the time behind trees and stumps, thus showing their dread of Kilburn's musketry. During the whole afternoon a continual firing was kept up. About sunset the Indians began to disappear, and as the sun sank behind the western hills, the sound of the guns and the cry of the war whoop died away in the distance.
The result of this conflict proved an effectual check to the expedition of the Indians. They immediately returned to Canada ; and it is within the bounds of reason to conclude that the heroic defence of Kilburn was the means of sav- ing the other settlements from the horrors of an Indian devastation.
Walpole was granted by the government of New Hamp- shire, February 16, 1752, to Colonel Benjamin Bellows and 61 others. It was first settled in 1749 by John Kilburn and his family. Colonel Bellows settled here in 1751. The Congregational church was organized in 1761.
Population, 2034. Number of legal voters in 1854, 435. Inventory, $986,836. Value of lands, $609,278. Stock in trade, $17,430. Value of mills and factories, $16,500. Money at interest, $129,347. Shares in corporations, $28,900. Number of sheep, 12,771. Do. neat stock, 1538. Do. horses, 370.
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WARNER, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Sut- ton, Wilmot, and Salisbury, east by Boscawen, south by Hopkinton and Henniker, and west by Bradford and Sut- ton. Area, 31,851 acres. Distance from Concord, 17 miles, by a branch of the Merrimack and Connecticut Riv- er Railroad. It is watered by Warner River, a pleasant stream, which takes its rise among the mountains in Suna- pee, affording many valuable mill privileges. There are four ponds - Tom, Bear, Bagley, and Pleasant. The latter, whose waters are deep, clear, and cold, has no visi- ble outlet or inlet, though its banks are overflowed in the driest season. The surface is broken ; the soil is excellent. The rocks in this town are gneiss and mica slate, the latter containing beds of talcose rock and limestone. The gneiss contains very finely colored pyrope garnets. The quarry of
talcose rock, or soapstone, is large and valuable. There are several peat bogs here, one of which contains 22 acres, and is 25 feet deep. Sticks marked with beavers' teeth have been dug out of this bog from various depths, show- ing that this spot must have been an immense beaver dam.
Kearsarge Mountain, a lofty elevation, is mostly situated within the limits of the gore now forming a part of War- ner. It is composed of mica slate rocks, much corroded and deeply furrowed by drift striæ. Its sides are covered with deep forests. Its summit is naked rock.
This town was granted, in 1735, by the government of Massachusetts, to Deacon Thomas Stevens and 62 oth- ers, under the name of Number One. It was next called New Amesbury. It was afterwards regranted to 62 per- sons, by the Masonian proprietors, between whom and the former grantees controversies arose which were not set- tled until 1773. It was incorporated September 3, 1774, under its present name. It was first settled in 1762, by
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David Annis and his son-in-law, Reuben Kimball. The Congregational church was organized February 6, 1772. There has also been a Freewill Baptist society here for several years. The village of Warner is pleasantly located on a plain, surrounded by hills, and is a flourishing place. The railroad passes a few rods in the rear of the principal street.
The Warner Bank has a capital of $50,000.
Population, 2038. Number of polls, 465. Inventory, $604,010. Value of lands, $334,803. Stock in trade, $14,780. Value of mills, $5500. Money at interest, $47,360. Shares in corporations, $28,638. Number of sheep, 4048. Do. neat stock, 2000. Do. horses, 256.
WARREN, Grafton county. Bounded north by Benton and Woodstock, east by Woodstock and Ellsworth, south by Wentworth, and west by Piermont. Area, 27,720 acres. Distance from Concord, 65 miles, north-west ; from Haver- hill, 14, south-east. This town is watered by Baker's Riv- er, which runs in a southerly direction nearly through its centre. In the south-east part the surface is mountainous. The other portions, though uneven, are generally easily cultivated. The soil is strong and deep, and well suited to mowing and pasturage. There are several valuable beds of copper and tin ore, besides galena and iron in considerable quantities. Tremolite, black blende, and crystallized epi- dote are found in various localities. A large portion of the town is woodland. Maple sugar in considerable quan- tities is made here. Warren was incorporated July 14, 1763. The only religious society is the Methodist.
Population, 872. Number of polls, 243. Inventory, $204,866. Value of lands, $96,928. Stock in trade, $3700. Value of mills, $2220. Money at interest,
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$10,675. Number of sheep, 1437. Do. neat stock, 985. Do. horses, 248.
WASHINGTON, Sullivan county. Bounded north by Goshen, east by Bradford and Windsor, south by Stod- dard, and west by Marlow and Lempster. Area, 30,765 acres. Distance from Concord, 35 miles, west ; from New- port, 16, south-east. This is a hilly, but not mountainous town. The soil is deep and moist, affording excellent mowing and pasturage. Clay is abundant, and peat is plenty in the swamps and low grounds. This town is re- markable for its numerous ponds, of which there are 21; most of them are well supplied with fish. It also abounds with springs and rivulets, upon some of which are valuable mill privileges. The village is pleasantly situated. Tubbs's Union Academy is a flourishing institution, and has a fund . of $1500. There are in this town four meeting houses - one Baptist, one Congregational, one Universalist, and one Christian. There are also four stores, one hotel, one card- board manufactory, two washboard factories, two bobbin do., and one woollen do.
Lovewell's Mountain, lying in the southerly part of the town, received its name from Captain Lovewell, who was accustomed to ascend it for the purpose of discovering the wigwams of the Indians, and who, on one occasion, killed seven Indians near its summit.
Washington was granted by the Masonian proprietors to Reuben Kidder, Esq., under whom it was settled in 1768. From its settlement it was called Camden until December 13, 1776, when it was incorporated under its present name. The Congregational church was organized May 18, 1780.
Population, 1054. Legal voters in 1854, 280. Com-
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mon schools, 11. Inventory, $356,746. Value of lands, $209,768. Stock in trade, $8152. Value of mills and factories, $7030. Money at interest, $31,776. Number of sheep, 1973. Do. neat stock, 1177. Do. horses, 185.
WATERVILLE, Grafton county. Bounded north by un- granted lands, east by Albany, south by Sandwich, and west by Thornton. Distance from Concord, 60 miles, north. This is a wild, rocky, and mountainous township, formerly known as Gillis and Foss Grant. The principal streams are Mad and Swift Rivers, which swarm with trout. The scenery here in many parts is grand and sub- lime. It is mostly a dense forest of pine hemlock and gigantic maple. It was incorporated June 29, 1819.
Population, 40. Number of legal voters in 1854, 12. Inventory, $22,926. Value of lands, $18,930. Number of sheep, 50. Do. neat stock, 47. Do. horses, 10.
WEARE, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Hen- niker and Hopkinton, east by Dunbarton and Goffstown, south by New Boston, and west by Francestown and Deer- ing. Area, 33,648 acres. Distance from Concord, 14 miles, south-west ; from Amherst, 17, north. This is a large, populous, and thriving town, with abundance of water power well occupied. The stream is the north-west branch of the Piscataquog. There are three ponds of considerable size. The surface is broken, but not moun- tainous. The soil of the uplands is strong and deep. The land is generally cultivated with care; and the spirit of enterprise, which imparts energy to the numerous depart- ments of business followed here, manifests itself in no slight degree among the farmers.
There are in this town seven religious societies, viz.,
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two Freewill Baptist, two Baptist, two Quakers, and one Universalist.
There are also two hotels, six stores, two tanneries, five sawmills, one gristmill, one woollen factory, where 30 hands are employed ; one cotton do., employing 30 hands ; one iron foundery ; six blacksmiths' shops ; one hay cutter manufactory, yearly business $10,000 ; one hollow augers and screw plates do. ; one bobbin factory ; and one sash, door, and blind do., besides several other small factories and shops. The whole town presents a picture of activity and industry which betokens wealth and prosperity.
Weare was granted by the Masonian proprietors to Ich- abod Robie and others September 20, 1749. It was incor- porated September 21, 1764, and received its name in honor of Hon. Meshech Weare.
Population, 2436. Number of legal voters in 1854, 660. Common schools, 24. Academy, 1. Inventory, $718,218. Value of lands, $421,231. Stock in trade, $28,084. Value of mills and factories, $14,654. Money at interest, $39,846. Number of sheep, 3680. Do. neat stock, 2225. Do. horses, 33.2.
WENTWORTH, Grafton county. Bounded north by War- ren, east by Rumney, south by Dorchester, and west by Orford. Area, 23,040 acres. Distance from Concord, 67 miles, north-west, by the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad, which passes through the town in direction north-west and south-east. It is connected with Haverhill and Plymouth by the same road. It is situated on Baker's River, on which is a fall of twenty feet, affording excellent water privileges. The village is pleasantly situated near the falls, and is a thriving and prosperous place. The sur- face is moderately uneven, in some parts quite elevated,
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which, with its strong and fertile soil, renders it an excel- lent grazing town. A portion of Carr's Mountain lies in the east part of the town, from which a fine species of granite is quarried in great abundance. In the western part of the town is a part of Mount Cuba, which contains inexhaustible quantities of the best limestone. Iron ore is found in various localities. Wentworth was granted No- . vember 1, 1766, to John Page, Esq., and others. It re- ceived its name from Governor Benning Wentworth. The first settlement commenced a few years prior to the revo- lutionary war. The religious societies are the Congrega- tional, Freewill Baptist, and Methodist.
Population, 1197. Number of polls, 262. Inventory, $280,589. Value of lands, $152,830. Stock in trade, $6740. Value of mills, $4510. Money at interest, $19,400. Number of sheep, 1434. Do. neat stock, 1236. Do. horses, 139.
WESTMORELAND, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Walpole, east by Surrey and Keene, south by Chesterfield, and west by Putney, Vermont. Area, 22,426 acres. Dis- tance from Concord, 65 miles, south-west ; from Keene, 10, west, with which it is connected by the Cheshire Rail- road. This is a very excellent farming town. It is watered by numerous small streams, which are discharged into the Connecticut. That flowing from Spafford's Lake, in Chesterfield, is the largest, and affords the principal water power. The surface is less varied by hills, valleys, and mountains than the neighboring towns. There is con- siderable fine interval, and the uplands are generally fer- tile and easily cultivated. Fluor spar, crystals of quartz, sulphuret of molybdena, deposits of nodular bog manga- nese, felspar, and milk quartz are found in various locali- ties. The rock is gneiss, granite, and mica slate.
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There are in this town three stores, one hotel, one large carriage factory, where an extensive business is carried on, thirteen common schools, and four meeting houses, viz., two Congregational, one Methodist, and one Christian.
Westmoreland was first granted by Massachusetts under the name of Number Two. It was afterwards called Great Meadow. It was incorporated by the government of New Hampshire, February 11, 1752, under its present name. The first settlement was made in 1741. The early settlers were frequently annoyed by incursions of the Indians, but no great injury, save in one or two instances, was com- mitted. In one of their plundering expeditions they killed William Phips, and in another carried Nehemiah How captive to Canada, where he died.
Population, 1677. Number of legal voters in 1854, 300. Inventory, $570,458. Value of lands, $329,806. Stock in trade, $7954. Value of mills, $1850. Money at interest, $86,154. Number of sheep, 1940. Do. neat stock, 1788. Do. horses, 301.
WHITEFIELD, Coos county. Bounded north by Lancas- ter, east by Jefferson, south by Carroll and Bethlehem, and west by Dalton. Area, 20,800 acres. Distance from Con- cord, 120 miles, north ; from Lancaster, 12, south-east. The soil is naturally good, like all the upland in the vicin- ity of Lancaster. Several farms in this town are highly cultivated, and are very productive. In the north part of the town low spruce swamps abound. There is a large quantity of excellent pine timber land here, besides exten- sive tracts of maple and beech. John's River is the prin- cipal stream. Blake's, Long, Round, and Little River Ponds are the chief collections of water. Whitefield was
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incorporated July 4, 1774. It was first settled by Major Burns.
Population, 857. Number of polls, 233. Inventory, $223,091. Value of lands, $109,966. Stock in trade, $11,075. Value of mills, $6825. Money at interest, $14,950. Number of sheep, 1264. Do. neat stock, 909. Do. horses, 176.
WILMOT, Merrimack county. Bounded north-east by Danbury and Hill, east by Andover, south by Warner and Sutton, south-west by New London, and north-west by Springfield. Area, 15,000 acres. Distance from Concord, 30 miles, north-west. The streams which form the Black- water River take their rise within the limits of this town, some of which afford good water privileges. The surface is rough and uneven. Some parts of the town are cold and rocky, while others afford some good farms. The summit of Kearsarge Mountain forms its southern boun- dary. Beryls of a large size, felspar of an excellent qual- ity, and crystals of mica are found here. The felspar found in this place has been successfully used in the manufacture of mineral teeth, which are said to be of the finest and most durable quality.
There are in this town a small woollen factory, in which eight hands are employed, and a large tannery, in which ten hands are employed. There are also three stores, thir- teen common schools, and three meeting houses, which are occupied by Congregational, Baptist, Freewill Baptist, Methodist, and Universalist societies.
Wilmot was incorporated June 18, 1807. It received its name in honor of Dr. Wilmot, who, for a time, enjoyed great celebrity as the supposed author of the famous Junius letters.
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Population, 1272. Number of legal voters in 1854, 326. Inventory, $264,191. Value of lands, $131,049. Stock in trade, $6490. Value of mills and factories, $3050. Number of sheep, 4156. Do. neat stock, 1311. Do. horses, 192.
WILTON, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Lyndeborough, east by Lyndeborough and Milford, south by Mason, and west by Temple. Area, 15,280 acres. Dis- tance from Concord, 40 miles, south-west ; from Amherst, 9, south-west. The principal stream is the Souhegan River. The surface is generally uneven and rocky, but not mountainous. The soil is strong and productive, con- taining a large proportion of agricultural substance. Good brick clay is abundant. There are several valuable quar- ries of granite, which are extensively wrought. The facil- ities of this town for manufacturing are good, and are rap- idly being occupied. There are a sash and blind factory, in which 15 hands are employed, and two furniture man- ufactories, one employing seven, the other three hands. The Wilton Manufacturing Company make woollen yarn for carpets - E. G. Woodman superintendent. Machine Shop - E. Putnam & Co. - employ 22 hands. There are also one shoe manufactory, employing 12 hands, one tannery, one knob manufactory, four sawmills, four saw and grist mills, five stores, and two hotels, besides 14 other shops where various kinds of mechanical labor are carried on. The terminus of the Nashua and Wilton Railroad is in this town.
There are three religious societies - one Congregational, one Unitarian, and one Baptist. The first settlement was made, in 1738, by three families from Danvers, Massa- chusetts. Wilton was incorporated June 25, 1762, and
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derived its name from Wilton, a manufacturing district in England. The Congregational church was organized De- cember 14, 1763 ; the Baptist, April 7, 1817.
Population, 1161. Number of polls, 325. Inventory, $511,048. Value of lands, $321,136. Stock in trade, $15,580. Value of mills and factories, $27,900. Money at interest, $28,950. Number of sheep, 500. Do. neat stock, 1146. Do. horses, 193.
WINCHESTER, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Chesterfield and Swanzey, east by Swanzey and Richmond, south by Warwick, Massachusetts, and west by Hinsdale. Area, 33,534 acres. Distance from Concord, 65 miles, south-west ; from Keene, 13, south-west. Ashuelot River is the principal stream, and affords extensive water power. It receives the waters of Muddy and Broad Brooks, besides those of smaller streams. Humphrey's Pond, in the north- east part, is 300 rods long and 80 wide ; it is the largest collection of water in the town. The surface is various. In the southerly part of the town it is level ; the other portions are more or less uneven. The soil is generally good. On either side of the Ashuelot are broad tracts of interval of rare fertility. There are two pleasant and thriving villages in this town, both of which are situated on the Ashuelot River, and are connected with Keene and the Connecticut River by the Ashuelot Railroad. There are extensive tracts of wood and timber land in this and adjacent towns, which have been rendered easy of access since the opening of the Ashuelot Railroad.
There are in this town two woollen factories, in one of which are employed 40 hands, in the other 15, two pail manufactories, employing 10 hands each, a friction match factory, eight stores, two druggists' shops, two hotels, two sawmills, and one linseed oil manufactory.
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Considerable expense has recently been made in con- structing a canal from Ashuelot River, to be applied to manufacturing purposes on a large scale.
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