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 6
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
required to recognize for their appearance at the next su- perior court, when their bonds were discharged. The firm and prudent course of the government had its desired effect, and thenceforth no active opposition was made.
The articles of confederation adopted by Congress in 1778 were found inadequate to meet the wants of the United States. In 1787 a convention of delegates met at Philadelphia for the purpose of forming a new constitution, in which all the states were represented except Rhode Isl- and. After long and careful deliberation, the results of their labors were imbodied in the instrument, which, with some slight amendments, forms the present basis of our national government.
When the new constitution was presented to this state for adoption, various objections were raised. A conven- tion was called at Exeter to consider it, in February, 1788. After a debate of ten days, they adjourned for four months. In the mean time the proposed constitution had been freely discussed among the people, and had continued to gain their approbation. At the second meeting of the conven- tion, it was ratified at the close of a session of three days. New Hampshire was the ninth state which accepted it ; and thus the number necessary to put it in operation was completed.
Having brought our "Historical Sketch" down to the time of the adoption of the federal constitution, we leave the subject. From that time New Hampshire has steadily progressed in wealth, population, and all that adds to the comfort of civilized life. That she may ever prosper, must be the fervent wish of every true son of the Granite State.
NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.
PART II.
A GAZETTEER
OF THE
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE ;
CONTAINING
A PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS, CITIES, VILLAGES, MOUNTAINS, RIVERS, LAKES,
REMARKABLE CURIOSITIES, MINERAL LOCALITIES;
TOGETHER WITH SEVERAL -
VALUABLE STATISTICAL TABLES.
ALSO
THE BOUNDARY AND AREA OF THE STATE, AND A GENERAL VIEW OF THE COUNTIES, BOTH HISTORICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL
BY
GEORGE TICKNOR.
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PREFACE TO THE GAZETTEER.
THE design of this portion of the present work is to give as minute, accurate, and reliable a descrip- tion of all the cities and towns in the State of New Hampshire as the marked and constant changes incident to rapid increase of population in some places, and the ever-varying tide of business in its almost innumerable departments, every where, will admit. The geographical position of each town, its geological features, as well as whatever is interest- ing in its mineralogy, have been as carefully and fully described as the means at our command would enable us to do. From several towns we have had no reply to inquiries which we have made at differ- ent times. It would not be surprising, therefore, if in such cases we may not have succeeded in giving as full an account as actual facts might warrant. To undertake to enumerate every store, tavern, grist mill, saw mill, and shop would be useless and unim- portant. We have not specified the various officers, physicians, attorneys, and clergymen in the several towns, because information of all these facts, annu- ally corrected, is given in Lyon's very valuable
1
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84
PREFACE.
Register, to which we have frequently resorted for aid in our labors. For the description of the towns in Hillsborough county we are greatly indebted to Mr. J. R. Dodge for the free use of his " Hillsbor- ough County Records." We have also referred to Jackson's Geological Report of New Hampshire, Farmer and Moore's Gazetteer of New Hampshire for 1822, Historical Collections, and the Reports of the treasury and other state departments.
A general view of the several counties, including the history and topography of each, with statistical tables, containing a variety of important and useful matter, is also given in a subsequent part of this work.
We take this opportunity to express our sincere acknowledgments to our correspondents generally, many of whom have furnished us with the matter sought for at no slight sacrifice of time and expense. In a work of this kind, a claim to the merit of originality would be simply absurd. Diligence and care in arranging in proper order what has already been before the public eye in some form, together with the material furnished us from va- rious sources, are perhaps more than should be awarded to us.
GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
BOUNDARY, AREA, POPULATION, AND GENERAL STATISTICS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
[The population and general statistics of the state are given according to the census of 1850. The population of the several towns will be regarded as given according to the same census unless the particular year is mentioned. The statistical account of each town is given for the year 1852- which is the latest inventory made by state authority - unless a different period is stated.]
BOUNDARY, AREA, &c.
NEW HAMPSHIRE is bounded north by Canada East, east by Maine, south-east by the Atlantic Ocean and Massachu- setts, south by Massachusetts, west and north-west by Ver- mont. It is situated between 42° 40' and 45° 16' north latitude, and 70° 35' and 72° 27' longitude west from Greenwich, or 5° 30' and 6° 15' longitude east from Wash- ington.
Its extreme length is 168 miles; greatest width, 90 miles ; which is from the easternmost point in the town of Rye, due west, to Connecticut River. North of latitude 43º it gradually decreases in width, and at its northern extrem- ity is only 19 miles wide. This state includes an area of 9280 square miles, or 5,939,200 acres, about 100,000 acres of which are covered with water.
The State of New Hampshire is divided into 10 coun-
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8
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.
ties and 232 towns, including Hart's and Wentworth's Lo cations, besides several grants and the public lands. Of the towns, 3 were incorporated in the reign of Charles I., 1 during the reign of Charles II., 2 under William III., 2 under Queen Anne, 15 under George I., 37 under George II., 86 under George III., and 86 under the state govern- ment. The average ratio of increase of population, from 1790 to 1850 inclusive, is about 15 per cent., as will be seen from the following table : -
1730,
10,200
1800,
183,858
1740,
15,000
1810,
214,460
1755,
30,000
1820,
244,161
1767,
52,000
1830
269,633
1775,
82,000
1840, 284,574
1790,
141,855
1850, . 317,964
TABULAR VIEW.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS.
Acres of land improved in year 1850,. 2,251,388
Value of farming implements and machinery, $2,314,125
Value of live stock, $8,871,901
No. bushels wheat raised,
185,658
Indian corn,
1,573,670
" pounds of wool, 1,108,476
"
butter,
6,977,056
.6
.6
cheese,
.3,196,563
maple sugar,
1,292,429
=
tons of hay,.
598,854
ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE.
COTTON GOODS.
Capital invested in year 1854, . $11,950,500
No. establishments in operation, .56
Bales of cotton used annually,. .93,026
No. hands employed - males, 3,511 ; females, 10,711, 14,222
Average wages per month - males, $26,00; females, $13,47, $39,47
Value of products, $9,830,619 Yards sheeting, &c.,. 115,106,247
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GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
WOOLLEN GOODS.
Capital invested, $2,437,700
No. establishments in operation, .. .. 61
Pounds of wool used, .3,604,103
Value of raw material, $1,267,329
No. hands employed - males, 926 ; females, 1,201, .. 2,127
Average wages per month - males, $22,87; females, 14,53, $37,40
Value of products, .. $2,127,745
Yards of cloth manufactured, .9,712,840
Pounds yarn,
165,200
PIG IRON.
No. establishments in operation, .1 Capital invested, $2,000
Tons ore used, 500
Value of raw material, fuel, &c., $4,900
No. hands employed,. 10
Average wages per month, $18,00
Tons pig iron made,
.200
Value of products,
$6,000
CASTINGS.
No. establishments in operation, .26 Capital invested,. $232,700
Tons pig iron, 5,673; do. old metal, 500, .6,173
Tons mineral coal, 1,680 ; do. coke and charcoal, 20,500, .22,180 Value of raw material, fuel, &c.,. $177,060
No. hands employed, .374
Average wages per month, $33,05
Tons castings made, 5,764
Value of products,.
$391,910
BANKS.
No., .. ..
.35 Amount of capital invested, $3,416,000
ENTIRE STATE VALUATION, $113,627,285
DESCRIPTION OF TOWNS, CITIES, VILLAGES, &c
ACWORTH, Sullivan county, 13 miles south from New- port, and 44 west from Concord. Cold River, which takes its rise from Cold Pond, in the north-east part of the town, is the only stream of any note. It affords several good mill seats, which are used mainly in the manufacture of such articles as are needed for home consumption. The soil is strong, and in general well cultivated. This town is somewhat celebrated on account of the large crystals of beryl which have been found within its limits. Specimens of these are to be found in almost every mineral cabinet throughout the world. Dr. Jackson informs us that one of these beryls, 8 inches in diameter, was shown him in the imperial cabinet of Vienna, and was highly valued.
The town was granted, September 19, 1766, to Colonel Samuel Stoddard and 64 others. In 1768 it was settled by William Keyes, Samuel Hooper, and John Rogers, who removed thither with their families. During the first years of the settlement its progress was but feeble, and it was not until 1771 that there were inhabitants enough to fill the usual offices of a town.
A Congregational church was organized March 12, 1773. First settled minister, Rev. Thomas Archibald, who was settled November 11, 1789, and dismissed June 14, 1794. Rev. John Kimball succeeded, and was settled June, 1797 ; dismissed May, 1813.
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GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Population in 1850, 1251. Number of polls in 1852, 278. Amount of inventory, $411,041. Number of sheep, 6317. Do. neat stock, 1542. Do. horses and mules, 314.
ALBANY, Carroll county. Bounded east by Conway, south by Tamworth, west by Waterville, north by ungrant- ed lands. Distance from Concord, 75 miles. Its principal stream is Swift River, which passes through the town in a westerly direction, and empties into the Saco in Conway. There are numerous small streams, which evidently were inhabited in great numbers by otter and beavers. It in- cludes many lofty hills and mountains, the highest of which is called Chocurua, from an Indian of that name, who was killed on its summit by a party of white hunters who had chased him hither. Before he was killed he pronounced the curse, well known in song, upon his pursuers, their posterity, habitations, and possessions.
The prosperity of the town has been considerably retard- ed by a remarkable disease, which almost entirely prevents the raising of neat stock. Its peculiarities are a loss of ap- petite, costiveness, contraction of the abdomen, followed in a few days by powerful evacuations, by which the animals are rapidly reduced and soon die. Superstition and tradi- tion point to the curse of Chocorua as the cause ; but the better supposition is, doubtless, that it is owing to certain properties contained in the water, or perhaps the soil. Science will, we trust, ere long, point out the cause of the evil which so much injures and afflicts man and beast.
This town was granted in 1766 to Clement March and others, under the name of Burton. Population, 455. Num- ber of polls, 95. Amount of inventory, $68,927. Num- ber of sheep, 178. . Do. neat stock, 383. Do. horses and mules, 42.
8 *
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.
ALEXANDRIA, Grafton county. Bounded north by He- bron, east by Bristol, south by Hill, and west by Danbury. 30 miles north from Concord. A small portion of New- found Lake is within the limits of this town. Smith's and Fowler's Rivers are the principal streams. This town con- tains about 2000 acres of valuable interval land, which bears every appearance of having been once covered by Newfound Lake. Beneath the soil, which is from 1 to 20 feet in depth, is a layer, or stratum, of white sand and coarse gravel, embedded in which are found stumps, and even whole trees, in a state of almost perfect preserva- tion. Also at this depth are discovered traces of beaver dams. In the more elevated portions of the town the land is generally moist, and possesses a strength and fertility of soil well adapted to the growth of wheat, potatoes, and the grasses. In the westerly part of the town is Cardigan Mountain, which forms the boundary between Alexandria and Orange. Its base and sides are compact, rugged, and covered with a heavy growth of timber of various kinds. Its summit is divided into two peaks, consisting of granite, and destitute of vegetation. Its elevation is 5000 feet above the level of the sea. Another curious geological fact is the appearance at the outlet of Newfound Lake. About 20 feet above the present bed of the stream are distinct marks of the bed of a former stream, which can be traced to Pemigewassett River. This town was granted, March 13, 1767, to Joseph Butterfield, Jr., and others. It was incorporated November 23, 1782. It was first settled in December, 1769, by Jonathan Corliss, John M. Corliss, and William Corliss. In 1821 its territorial limits were .diminished by the annexation of a large tract to New Ches- ter, now Hill. A Congregational church was formed in the year 1788. Rev. Enoch Whipple was the first settled minister. He was dismissed in 1794.
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GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Population, 1273. Number of polls, 267. Amount of inventory, $280,055. Number of sheep, 1691. Do. neat stock, 1278. Do. horses and mules, 166.
ALLENSTOWN, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Epsom, east by Deerfield and Candia, south by Hooksett, west by Pembroke. Distant from Concord 11 miles. The land is generally of an ordinary quality, though there are some excellent farms. It was formerly well timbered with oak and pine, considerable quantities of which yet remain. The town is well watered by numerous small streams. Great Bear Brook furnishes the principal water power. From Catamount Hill, the highest land in town, are ob- tained large quantities of fine granite. At the east end of the hill is a precipice of 70 feet, nearly perpendicular. At the foot of the precipice is a cavern of considerable depth. This town, although granted at an early period in the set- tlement of New Hampshire, was not incorporated until 1831. The first settlers were John Wolcott, Andrew Smith, Daniel Evans, Robert Buntin, and others. In 1748 Mr. Buntin and son, in company with James Carr, while at work on the west bank of the Merrimack River, nearly opposite the mouth of the Suncook, were surprised by a party of Indians.
Carr, attempting to escape, was immediately shot down. Buntin and his son made no resistance. They were taken through the wilderness to Canada, and sold to a French merchant at Montreal. Here they remained about eleven months, when, a favorable opportunity presenting itself, they made their escape, and reached home in safety. The son, when the revolutionary war broke out, enlisted in the army, and died in defence of his country at White Plains. in October, 1776.
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.
Population, 526. Number of polls, 114. Amount of inventory, $146,531. Number of sheep, 226. Do. neat stock, 325. Do. horses and mules, 63.
ALSTEAD, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Acworth, east by Marlow, south by Gilsum, and west by Walpole. It is 12 miles south-east from Charlestown, and 56 west from Concord. It is well watered by several small streams, Cold River passes through the north-west part, and some of the branches of the Ashuelot take their rise here. War- ren's Pond, a beautiful sheet of water, abounds with pick- erel, perch, and several other kinds of fish. The soil is strong and fertile. There are 5 meeting houses and 1 academy in this town. A paper-mill establishment, with a capital of $7000, does a flourishing business.
There are several small manufacturing establishments of various kinds ; all of which are in prosperous operation, and give an air of business and enterprise to this pleasant vil- lage. Alstead was formerly called Newton, and was grant- ed, August 6, 1763, to Samuel Chase and others. In 1771 there were 25 families, besides 10 bachelors who cultivated their lands and prepared their own meals. The first Con- gregational church was organized in 1777. Rev. Jacob Mann, the first pastor, was settled in February, 1782; dis- missed in 1789. Rev. Samuel Meade was settled in 1791; dismissed in 1797.
General Amos Shepard, for many years a member of the General Court of New Hampshire, and president of the Senate seven years, was a resident of this town, and was one of its most prominent citizens from 1777 to the time of his decease in 1812. Upright and just in all his dealings, he secured the respect and confidence of all who knew him. Industrious, persevering, and economical, he
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GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
acquired a handsome fortune, which enabled him to pass his last days in ease and quiet.
Population, 1425. Number of polls, 336. Amount of inventory, $529,420. Number of sheep, 5731. Do. neat stock, 1384. Do. horses and mules, 348.
ALTON, Belknap county. Bounded north by Winnipi- seogee Lake, east by New Durham, south by Barnstead, west by Gilmanton. 22 miles north-east from Concord, and 25 north-west from Dover. The surface of the land is rough and uneven ; the soil is hard and rocky, but produc- tive. The timber growth is principally oak, beech, maple, and pine. There are still a few lots of the latter, but the enterprise of the lumber dealer is fast lessening the quan- tity of salable pine. The principal elevation is Mount Major. There is a large swell of land called Prospect Hill, affording excellent grazing nearly to its summit, from which, in a clear day, the ocean may be seen. There are several small ponds within the limits of the town. Merry Meeting Bay, a part of Lake Winnipiseogee, extends south- erly about 2000 rods into the town, where it receives the waters of Merry Meeting River. There are at present 7 stores, 3 hotels, 5 shoe manufactories, from which about 300,000 pairs of shoes, boots, &c., are sent annually to mar- ket. It also contains 2 grist mills, 7 saw mills, 2 of which are propelled by steam power. Cars run from this place to Dover, Boston, &c., 3 times a day, and connect with steamboat on Winnipiseogee Lake. This town was former- ly called New Durham Gore. It was settled in 1770 by Jacob Chamberlain and others. It was incorporated Janu- ary 15, 1796, and named Alton, by one of its principal pro- prietors, from a town of the same name in England. A Freewill Baptist church was formed here in 1805.
T
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.
Population, 1795. Number of polls, 564. Amount of inventory, $618,583. Number of sheep, 1407. Do. neat stock, 1947. Do. horses and mules, 309.
AMHERST, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by New Boston, east by Merrimack, south by Hollis, west by Mount Vernon. 28 miles from Concord, 47 from Boston. Area, 22,432 acres. It is the shire town of Hillsborough county, and is situated on the Souhegan River, a tributary of the Merrimack. There are also several small streams and ponds in various parts of the town. The soil is, in some portions of the town, of an excellent quality. There are some fine hill farms. The county buildings and several of the dwelling houses of the village are situated on a plain extending about one half mile north and south, and the same distance east and west.
There is a chalybeate mineral spring about one and a half miles east of the meeting house, which is resorted to occa- sionally by invalids. Bog iron ore is found in considerable quantities in this town. There is also a bed of limestone of a valuable quality. Amherst is underlaid by granite, so far as can be observed around the margin of the valley in which the village is situated. This valley seems to be formed of a deposit of silicious sand derived from an an- cient drift from the north, the valley itself presenting the appearance of having been once a great basin. A printing press was established here, in 1795, by Nathaniel Coverly. The first weekly newspaper, called the Amherst Journal and New Hampshire Advertiser, was published from Janu- ary, 1795, to January of the following year. The Village Messenger was commenced January 6, 1796, and discontin- . ued December 5, 1801. The Farmer's Cabinet was first published November 10, 1802, and has continued to the
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GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
present time. The publication of the Hillsborough Tele- graph commenced in January, 1820, and continued about a year and a half.
This town was granted by Massachusetts, in 1733, to the persons then living, and the heirs of those not living, who had served in the Narraganset war of 1675. It was first named Narraganset Number Three, afterwards Souhegan West. Several of the proprietors were natives of Salem, Massachusetts. The first settlement was in the year 1734, by Samuel Walton and Samuel. Lampson. In 1741 the settlement consisted of 14 families. It was incorporated January 18, 1760, under the name of Amherst, as compli- mentary to Lord Jeffrey Amherst, an English general in America during the French war. A Congregational church was organized here September 22, 1741, and on the follow- ing day Rev. Daniel Wilkins was ordained and settled as pastor. Rev. Nathan Lord, D. D., president of Dartmouth College, was ordained as a colleague with Rev. Mr. Bar- nard, May 22, 1816.
Among the citizens of Amherst worthy of notice may be mentioned Hon. Moses Nichols, who held the rank of colonel under General Stark in the battle of Bennington. He was one of the councillors under the new constitution. Hon. Samuel Dana, a graduate of Harvard and a classmate of the renowned statesman and patriot John Adams, was judge of probate several years in the county of Hillsbor- ough, was state senator, and an eminent lawyer. Hon. William Gordon was state senator in 1794, representative to Congress in 1796, and attorney general in 1801. Hon. Robert Means, a native of Stewartstown, in Ireland, came to America in 1764. By his industry and close applica- tion he soon acquired a large fortune. He was three years a representative to the General Court, was state senator the
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.
same number of years, and in 1786 was councillor for Hillsborough county. Hon. Charles H. Atherton was a son of Hon. Joshua Atherton, graduated at Harvard Col- lege in 1794, was eminent and successful as a lawyer, held the office of register of probate for the county of Hillsbor- ough 39 years, was a representative to Congress in 1815 and 1816. He was a man of more than ordinary talent, was upright and honest, and was highly esteemed by his countrymen. Through the confidence reposed in him by the public, as well as by reason of his untiring industry and application, he accumulated a large property. Hon. Jede- diah K. Smith filled the offices of councillor and state sen- ator.
Population, 1613. Number of polls, 318. Amount of inventory, $549,728. Number of sheep, 398. Do. neat stock, 1271. Do. horses and mules, 278.
ANDOVER, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Hill, east by Franklin, south by Salisbury, west by Wilmot. Distance from Concord, 21 miles, north-west. Area, 29,883 acres. The Blackwater is the principal stream in this town. There are several ponds, the largest of which are Loon and Chance Ponds. The water comprising these ponds is remarkably pure, and the scenery about both, es- pecially Chance Pond, is picturesque and charming. A beautiful view may be had of this pond in passing over the Northern Railroad some two miles above Franklin village. Perch and pickerel are taken in great abundance here. The surface of the town is uneven, and in some parts rocky and sterile. The soil in many localities is strong, and, with careful cultivation, is productive. Ragged Mountain, in the north part of the town, is an eminence well described by its name. There is a flourishing academy in this town,
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GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
which, from its healthy and quiet location, affords excellent advantages for the student.
Andover was granted in 1746 to Edmund Brown and others. It was first called New Breton, in honor of the captors of Cape Breton in 1745. In 1779 it was incorpo- rated under its present name. The first inhabitant was Jo- seph Fellows, who moved into the place in 1761. In 178? a Congregational church was organized, under the Rev. Jo- siah Badcock as pastor. Dr. Jacob B. Moore, a poet of some eminence, was a resident of this town. The famous juggler and necromancer, Potter, was a citizen of Andover. The place where he resided may be seen at the "Potter Place," a station on the Northern Railroad.
Population, 1220. Number of polls, 300. Amount of inventory, $378,272. Number of sheep, 222. Do. neat stock, 325. Do. horses and mules, 63. Value of im- proved and unimproved lands, $125,466.
ANTRIM, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Hillsborough, east by Deering, south by Hancock, and west by Stoddard. 30 miles south-west from Concord. Area, 21,743 acres. Contoocook River passes through the easterly part of the town, in the vicinity of which are valu- able tracts of alluvial land. The town is generally hilly, though the soil is productive and well cultivated. Upon North Branch River, a stream formed by the confluence of several smaller streams from ponds in Stoddard, are some excellent mill seats, and along its course are small tracts of interval. The western portion of the town affords a fine range for grazing. The town derives its name from a town of the same name in Ireland. It was first settled by Dea- con James Aiken, in 1768. Four years passed away before another person moved into the place. During these years 9
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