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 7
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of solitude he suffered many privations and hardships, ow- ing to the want of neighbors. This town was incorporated March 22, 1777. Population, 1143. Number of polls, 278. Amount of inventory, $384,209. Number of sheep, 980. Do. neat stock, 1415. Do. horses and mules, 268. Value of improved and unimproved lands, $229,534.
ATKINSON, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Hampstead, east by Plaistow, south by Haverhill, Massa- chusetts, west by Salem. 30 miles south-west from Ports- mouth, and 36 south-east from Concord. Area, 6839 acres. The surface is uneven, but the soil is superior. The apple has for many years been carefully cultivated, and fruit of the most delicious quality is produced. This town comprises a portion of the lands conveyed November 15, 1642, to the inhabitants of Pentuckett, (New Haver- hill,) by the Indians. The deed was signed by two sa- chems, Possaquo and Saggahew, with the consent of their chief, Passaconnaway. When the dividing line between this state and Massachusetts was settled, the tract compris- ing Plaistow fell within the limits of this state, and Atkin- son, on account of difficulties respecting the location of a meeting house, was set off from Plaistow, and incorporated September 3, 1767, under its present name, in honor of Theodore Atkinson, a large land owner, and for many years secretary of state.
The first settlement was made about 1728 by Benjamin Richards, of Rochester, in this state, and Jonathan and Ed- Ihund Page and John Dow, from Haverhill, Massachusetts. The academy is one of the oldest and most respectable insti- tutions in the state, having been incorporated in 1791. The buildings belonging to this institution are situated about two miles from the Boston and Maine Railroad. The
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grounds of the location are very elevated and pleasant, the village healthy and quiet. In a large meadow in this town is an island, containing six or eight acres, which has been said to exhibit phenomena of a remarkable nature. When the meadow is overflowed by means of a dam, the island has been known to rise in the same degree as the water rises, which has been as high as six feet. The fact of such a floating island was noticed by Dr. Belknap, and has since been certified to by reliable persons.
Population, 600. Number of polls, 151. Amount of inventory, $210,151. Number of sheep, 44. Do. neat stock, 499. Do. horses and mules, 70. Value of im- proved and unimproved lands, $144,106.
AUBURN, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Can- dia, east by Chester, south by Londonderry, and west by Manchester. It is about 5 miles distant from the latter town, 23 from Concord, and 42 from Boston. It was originally a part of Chester, and was incorporated in 1845. Massabesic Pond is the largest body of water in the coun- ty, comprising an area of about 1500 acres. It consists of two nearly equal divisions, each about 3 miles in length and from 200 to 400 rods in breadth, each part being unit- ed by a strait some 250 rods in length, and in some places very narrow. The soil in general is strong and productive, especially the large swells of land. There is in this town, on the westerly side of "Devil's Den" Mountain, a large cave, extending into the hill in a northerly direction, near- ly to the centre. The entrance is about five feet in height and two and a half in width. It is divided into numerous apartments, several of which are 14 feet square. It varies in height from 2 to 15 feet. This has been explored on several occasions ; and those who have been more minute
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in their examinations report that, after having gone as far as possible, there is still another opening, too small to ad- mit the body of a man, which communicates with a large apartment, from which openings are discovered leading in various directions. The rocks which compose the walls of this cave seem to consist mainly of gneiss, and in some places possess a slight taste of alum. In the summer sea- son, the Massabesic Lake, or Pond, furnishes a pleasing and attractive resort for the pleasure seeker as well as the quiet student of Nature. The scenery around is varied and de- lightful. The lake is interspersed with numerous islands, some of which are covered with a thick, heavy growth of pine timber, affording no slight inducement to the hunter ; while the waters abound with pickerel, perch, and. trout. Lumbering is carried on to a considerable extent in this town. There are 10 sawmills, which in the aggregate fur- nish annually about 1,600,000 feet of lumber. The shoe- making business is also quite extensive, 45 being engaged constantly in this department of industry. There is also an edge-tool manufactory, with a capital of $10,000, giv- ing employment to 10 men; also a steam mill, which em- ploys 6 hands.
Population, 810. Number of voters .in 1854, 210. Amount of inventory in 1852, $237,009. Number of sheep, 310. Do. neat stock, 588. Do. horses and mules, 107. Value of improved and unimproved lands, $157,460.
BARNSTEAD, Belknap county. Bounded north by Alton, east by Strafford, south by Pittsfield, and west by Gilman- ton. 20 miles north-east from Concord. Area, 26,000 acres. The land lies principally in large swells, furnishing excellent grazing; while the soil is easily cultivated, and yields a rich reward to the industrious husbandman. There
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are several ponds in town, the largest of which are the Suncook, the Brindle, and Half Moon Ponds. These wa- ters abound with fish. Plumbago, bog iron ore, and yel- low ochre are found in various localities throughout the
town. Specimens of basaltic trap rock are also discovered near the way from this town to Pittsfield. This town was granted, May 20, 1727, to Rev. Joseph Adams and oth- ers. Settlements commenced in 1767. A Congregational church was organized, August 5, 1804, with Rev. Enos George as pastor. Elder David Knowlton was settled over the Freewill Baptist society in 1804. The " Social Library " was incorporated in 1807, and still continues to flourish.
Population, 1848. Number of polls, 525. Amount of inventory, $590,979. Number of sheep, 1360. Do. horses and mules, 330. Value of improved and unim- proved lands, $397,032.
BARRINGTON, Strafford county. Bounded north by Rochester, east by Madbury and Lee, south by Notting- ham, and west by Strafford. Distance from Concord, 30 miles east. Surface broken and rocky ; soil generally a gravelly loam. There are, however, several elevations, termed oak ridges, which contain a rich, sandy loam and hazel mould, and are easily tilled, as well as productive. There are within the limits of this town 13 ponds, each of considerable magnitude, from which flow streams affording many very good water privileges. In Isinglass River is a perpendicular fall of 30 feet, which furnishes a constant supply of water for an extensive manufactory. The rock in this town is principally granite, in which quartz predom- inates. In some of the rocks beautiful and perfect speci- mens of quartz crystals, and in others tourmaline, are 9 *
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found. Bog iron ore may be obtained in considerable quantities.
There is, about two miles from the centre of the town, a cavern of some note. The entrance, upon the side of a hill, is large enough to admit a person in a stooping pos- ture. You pass along about 5 or 6 feet in a horizontal di- rection ; after which you descend about the same distance, at an angle of 45 degrees, through space barely large enough to admit a common-sized man. Having forced yourself through this narrow passage, you find yourself in a capacious hall, 60 feet in length, from 12 to 15 in height, and from 4 to 10 in width. Leading from this are several other fissures, of too small compass to admit of exploration.
There are in this town three meeting houses - one Con- gregational, one Freewill Baptist, and one Methodist. First settled minister, Rev. Joseph Prince, in 1755. The town was incorporated May 10, 1722. Settlement com- menced 10 years after. It originally included the town of Strafford in its limits, comprising an area of 54,380 acres. In 1820 about 29,120 acres, somewhat more than half the town, was taken to form the town of Strafford.
Population, 1754. Number of voters in 1854, 475. Amount of inventory, $517,075. Number of sheep, 1041. Do. neat stock, 1633. Do. horses and mules, 254. Value of improved and unimproved lands, $318,142.
BARTLETT, Carroll county. Bounded north by Jackson, east by Chatham, south and west by ungranted lands. Latitude 44° 4' north. Distance from Lancaster, 45 miles, south-east, and from Concord, 75, north-east. It lies at the foot of the White Mountains, and contains about 13,000 acres. The surface is uneven, and in some places rocky. The soil is various; on the Saco River, which winds
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through the middle of the town, it is very good. This town was incorporated June 16, 1790, and received its name in honor of Governor Bartlett. It contains numerous small streams, in which trout are abundant. Baldface Mountain, a rugged eminence in the north-east part of the town, is said to contain inexhaustible quantities of iron ore of the best quality, from which steel of a fine quality, suit- able for cutlery, might be manufactured. The surrounding country is densely covered with hard wood, suitable every way for the manufacture of charcoal, insuring an abundant supply for smelting the ore.
Population, 761. Number of polls, 163. Amount of inventory, $150,613. Value of lands, improved and un- improved, $91,138. Number of sheep, 661. Do. neat stock, 712. Do. horses, 82.
BATH, Grafton county. Bounded north by Lyman, east by Landaff, south by Haverhill, and west by Ryegate, Ver- mont. Distance from Dartmouth College, 42 miles, north- east ; from Concord, 82, north-west. This town is pleas- antly situated in the valley of the Connecticut River, be- tween the Green Mountains on the west and the White Mountains on the east, and thus protected from high winds and long storms. The Ammonusuc River waters the south- erly part of the town, affording numerous and excellent water privileges. At Bath village is a bridge across the Ammonusuc, 372 feet in length. The White Mountain Railroad passes under the west end of this bridge. At the south-west corner of the town, Gardner's Mountain rises in bold ascent from the confluence of Connecticut and Am- monusuc Rivers, and extends in a northerly direction through the whole town, thus separating the inhabitants, who find communication almost impossible, excepting
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through a single pass in the mountain. On this mountain are traces of argentiferous galena in very small veins. The rocks are principally granite, argillaceous slate, and flint. In several localities large veins of copper ore have been opened within a few years, which appear to be abun- dantly worthy of being wrought. The soil on the hills is a reddish loam, resting upon a bed of marl. In the valleys the soil is alluvial. Brick clay, of excellent quality, is abundant. About one sixth part of the town consists of in- terval land. Bath is one of the best agricultural towns in the state, much and careful attention having been devoted for many years to that department of labor. There is in- vested in factories and mills of various kinds from $12,000 to $15,000.
Bath was granted, September 10, 1761, to Rev. Andrew Gardner and 61 others. The conditions of this charter not having been complied with, it was rechartered in March, 1769, to John Sawyer and others. The first settlement was made in 1765 by John Herriman, from Haverhill, Massachusetts. In the succeeding year Moses Pike and Sawyer commenced settlements. A Presbyterian church was formed in 1778, and dissolved in 1791, when a Congre- gational church was organized, embracing 19 members. Rev. David Sutherland, a native of Edinburgh, was in- stalled in 1805. The present number of members is 126. Pastor, Thomas Boutelle.
Population, 1514. Number of polls, 363. Amount of inventory, $464,531. Value of improved and unimproved lands, $255,434. Number of sheep, 4348. Do. neat stock, 1830. Do. horses and mules, 384.
BEDFORD, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Goffstown, east by Merrimack River, which separates it
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from Manchester, south by Merrimack, and west by Mount Vernon and New Boston. Distance from Concord, 21 miles, south ; from Manchester, 8. Area, 20,000 acres. In the west part of the town the land is uneven and strong ; but the soil, though hard, is warm and productive. The eastern part is a rich interval of the Merrimack. In the westerly part of the town is a gulf and precipice, which are regarded as interesting curiosities of Nature. A small riv- ulet plunges over the precipice, falling 200 feet in a dis- tance of 100 yards. Excavations in solid stone are found here large enough to contain several persons. Apparently there are three ponds in this town; though their waters are probably united beneath an extensive bog, which floats upon the surface, and rises and falls with the water. This town abounds in mineralogical specimens. Several varieties of iron ore are found here. Plumbago, pyritous copper, schorl, hornblende, epidote, talc, crystallized quartz, &c., are also found in various localities.
Bedford was granted by Massachusetts, in 1733, to the officers and soldiers and the surviving heirs of those de- ceased who had served in the Narraganset war. The num- ber of grantees was 120. It was originally named Souhe- gan East. The first settlement was made in 1737 by Rob- ert and James S. Walker. In the following year Colonel John Goffe, Matthew Patten, Esq., and Captain Samuel Pat- ten were added to the settlement. Several of the early set- tlers emigrated from the northern portion of Ireland. The first child born in this town was Silas Barron, son of Moses Barron, A. D. 1741. The town was incorporated by Gov- ernor Wentworth in 1750. In its early history Bedford was a favorite resort of the Indians. In 1745, one James McQuade and Robert Burns had been to a neighboring town to purchase corn, and on their return McQuade was
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killed by a party of Indians concealed in a thicket by the path. Burns, by running in a zigzag course, confused the enemy, and escaped - arriving in safety to his family.
On the bank of the river, near Goffe's Falls, is a plot of ground, about 10 rods in length by 4 in width, which is supposed to have been an Indian burying ground. The surface is level, and about 40 feet above the river. Human bones have been washed from the bank by the river. In 1821, Dr. Woodbury, in company with others, exhumed parts of three skeletons from this ground. They seem to have been deposited in bark, pieces of which still remained. One appeared to have been buried in a sitting posture. Their heads lay towards the south. Upon the head of one, the hair, which was in complete preserva- tion, was fastened in a bunch behind, similar to the manner observed by the female Indians of the present day. A Presbyterian church was formed here in 1757. About the same time Rev. John Houston was ordained as the pastor, who occupied this position until 1778.
Population, 1906. Number of polls, 423. Do. houses, 315. Do. families, 346. Do, farms, 226. Value of lands, $527,642. Stock in trade, $16,305. Valuation, $756,512.
BENNINGTON, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Deering, east by Francistown, south by Greenfield, and west by Hancock and Antrim. This is a small township, taken from Deering, Francistown, Greenfield, and Hancock in 1842. This village is provided with better manufac- turing facilities than almost any of the neighboring towns. The manufacture of cutlery in its varieties is carried on to considerable extent by Samuel Baldwin and Amos and Alfred Whittemore, who employ 14 hands. The land is generally uneven, and the soil moderately productive.
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The people are industrious and enterprising. Manu- facturing in its various departments constitutes the chief employment.
Population, 541. Number of polls, 117. Do. houses, 109. Do. families, 121. Do. farms, 31. Value of lands, $63,098. Stock in trade, $4800. Factories, $10,100. Valuation, $165,229. Number of sheep, 426. Do. neat stock, 375. Do. horses, 88.
BENTON, Grafton county. Bounded north by Landaff, east by Woodstock, south by Warren, and west by Haver- hill. 70 miles north-west from Concord, and 12 east from Haverhill. Area, 33,290 acres. This town is watered by the Oliverian Brook and the Wild Ammonusuc River. In the south-east part of the town is one of the most consider- able elevations in Grafton county, - Moosehillock Mount, - which ranks among the highest mountains in the state. Sugar Loaf and Owl's Head Mountains are also considerable elevations. There is a large quantity of valuable timber in this town, which, however, is being rapidly manufactured into lumber. The town presents generally a rough and mountainous aspect, and the land in many portions is not capable of cultivation. There are, notwithstanding, several well-cultivated and productive farms. On Black Mountain is a quarry of stone very much resembling Italian marble, and is excellent for building. The Boston, Concord, and Mon- treal Railroad passes through the south part of the town. Benton was granted in 1764 to Theophilus Fitch and others, under the name of Coventry. There was no settle- ment, however, until after the revolutionary war. In 1790 the number of inhabitants was 80.
Population, according to the late census, 478. Num- ber of polls, 131. Amount of inventory, $110,795.
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Value of land, $52,620. Number of sheep, 883. Do. neat stock, 485. Do. horses, 92.
BERLIN, Coos county. Bounded north by Milan, east by Success, south by Shelburne, Gorham, and Randolph, and west by Kilkenny. 140 miles north from Concord, and 20 east from Lancaster. Area, 31,154 acres. Here are several small ponds and streams. The Androscoggin, pass- ing through the east part of the town, and the Upper Ammonusuc through the west, are the largest streams. The former stream descends some 200 feet in a mile or two ; and the principal fall, worn through a solid rock, is a remarkable curiosity. There are 3 large sawmills in this town ; 2 furnishing employment for 50 or 60 hands, the third about 40. There are several others, employing from 5 to 10 men. The surface is broken and mountainous. From some of the elevations distinct and beautiful views of the White Mountains may be obtained.
This town was granted in 1771 to Sir William Mayne, baronet, Thomas, Robert, and Edward Mayne, and others, from Barbadoes. Its original name was Maynesborough. It was incorporated in 1829 under its present name.
Population, 173. Number of polls, 51. Valuation, $48,984. Value of lands, $22,890. Number of sheep, 207. Do. neat stock, 194. Do. horses, 25.
BETHLEHEM, Grafton county. Bounded north by White- field, east by Carroll and ungranted lands, south by Fran- conia and Lisbon, and west by Littleton. Area, 28,608 acres. 100 miles north from Concord. It is watered by Great Ammonusuc and Gale Rivers. The principal mountains are the Round and Peaked. The soil produces good crops of grass, grain; and potatoes. Specimens of magnetic and
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bog iron ore are found in various localities. This town was settled, in 1790, by Jonas Warren, Benjamin Brown, James Turner, Thomas Hatch, John Hatch, Nathan and Amos Wheeler, and others, and incorporated December 21, 1799. A Congregational church was organized October 15, 1802, a Baptist church in 1800, and a Freewill Baptist in 1813. At present there is no Baptist church. A Meth- odist church was formed a few years since.
Population, 950. Number of polls, 191. Amount of inventory, $199,285. Value of lands, improved and un- improved, $110,206. Number of sheep, 884. Do. neat stock, 888. Do. horses, 148.
BOSCAWEN, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Salisbury and Franklin, east by the Merrimack River, which separates it from Canterbury and Northfield, south by Concord and Hopkinton, and west by Warner. Area, 32,230 acres. 8 miles from Concord, and 68 from Boston. This town is well watered. Merrimack River touches its eastern border, and the Blackwater runs through the whole extent of the town from north to south, parallel with, and about 5 miles distant from, the Merrimack. The latter stream furnishes numerous water privileges. The soil is deep, productive, and well cultivated. There are many farms in a high state of cultivation. . Much fruit of excel- lent quality is raised here. The intervals on the Merrimack are of considerable extent. The plains bordering on the intervals have a soil somewhat lighter and less fertile.
Great Pond lies near the centre of the town. It is about 1 mile in length, and the same in width. Long Pond, in the west part of the town, is about 2 miles in length, and half a mile in width. There are 2 villages, the principal of which is in the easterly section of the town, known as Boscawen
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Plain. It is a pleasant village, containing some elegant residences. The principal street, nearly 2 miles in length, is well shaded, and in a hot summer day presents an invit- ing appearance. Here are ? meeting houses, an academy, and 2 hotels, besides several stores. The other village is in the westerly part of the town, situated in more elevated land. It possesses all the charms of a quiet rural district, where peace and comfort prevail.
Much attention is paid to the interests of education, owing in a great measure, no doubt, to the untiring and successful labors of the late Samuel Wood, who fitted between 80 and 90 young men for college, 31 of whom became ministers of the gospel. This town was granted in 1733, by Massa- chusetts, to John Coffin and 90 others, who held their first meeting in May 2 of that year.
The proprietors gave to the new township the name of Contoocook, from the Indian name of the river. In 1760, when incorporated, it received its present name in honor of Sir Edward Boscawen, an English admiral then on duty in this country. The first settlement was made early in 1734, by Nathaniel Danforth, Moses Burbank, Stephen Gerrish, Edward Emery, and a few others. Abigail, daughter of Mr. Danforth, was the first white child born in this town. To protect themselves against the inroads of the savages, these families erected a log fort, 100 feet square and 10 feet in height, near the meeting house on King Street. For more than twenty years this proved a safe and commodious garrison for all the inhabitants. In 1746 the Indians made an attack upon the settlement, killed one Thomas Cook and a colored man, and seized and carried away captive to Canada Elisha Jones, where he died.
In May, 1754, Nathaniel Melvon and family, consisting of himself, wife, and five children, were taken captive and
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hurried away to Canada, from whence they escaped after a servitude of more than three years. In August of the same year, a party of Indians came to the house of one Philip Call, where they killed his wife. They were pur- sued, and, secreting themselves in ambush, rushed out upon their pursuers, and took Enos Bishop. Timothy Cook at- tempted to escape by plunging into the river, but was shot. In 1756 Ezekiel Flanders and Edward Emery were killed while on a hunting excursion to Newfound Lake, in Nel- son. The island lying at the mouth of Contoocook River, within the limits of this town, named Dustan's Island, was the scene of the heroic deeds of Mrs. Hannah Dustan, which may appropriately be noticed here. Mrs. Dustan, her infant babe, only a week old, and her nurse were taken captive by the Indians at Haverhill, March 15, 1698. The mother, still confined in bed, was forced by the sav- ages to rise and accompany them. The infant, showing signs of uneasiness, was despatched by an Indian, who dashed its head against a tree, before the party had pro- ceeded far from the place of capture. They conveyed the mother, feeble and exhausted, and the nurse up the Mer- rimack, and halted at the island mentioned above. Here they rested for a while, intending soon to proceed on their way, a considerable distance farther up the river, to an In- dian town, where the captives were informed that they would be compelled to run the gantlet through the village. Aware of the cruelties that awaited her, Mrs. Dustan formed a determination to exterminate the whole party, should an opportunity present itself. Her companions con- sisted of her nurse, and an English boy who had been taken from Worcester. She prevailed upon them to assist her in this daring enterprise.
The wished-for time was close at hand. The Indians
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having refreshed themselves on this island, being still tired from the long and rapid march, and apprehensive of no danger, lay down, and quickly sank into a profound sleep. Mrs. Dustan, viewing the circumstance as favorable to her deliverance, seized upon it at once. By the aid of the nurse and boy, with the deadly weapons of her brutal cap- tors, she despatched ten of the number. Of the remaining two, a woman made her escape, and a boy they intentionally left. Taking the scalps of the slain, and one of their birch canoes, she returned down the river to Haverhill in safety, to the joy and astonishment of her friends.
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