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 8
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The precise time when the church was formed in this place has never been ascertained. Rev. Phinehas Stevens was ordained October 8, 1740, and died January 19, 1755 ; Rev. Robie Morrill was ordained December 29, 1761, and dismissed December 9, 1766; Rev. Nathaniel Merrill was ordained October 19, 1768, and dismissed April 1, 1774 ; Rev. Samuel Wood, D. D., was ordained October 17, 1781, and continued in charge of the church for more than fifty years. Many of the inhabitants of Boscawen took an ac- tive part in the war of the revolution.
There is in operation at the present time 1 cotton mill, furnishing employment for about 60 hands ; 1 woollen fac- tory, which produces annually about 100,000 yards of cloth. An extensive business is carried on in the manu- facture of saws of various descriptions, which have thus far proved to be of superior quality. About 450 persons are engaged in the manufacture of shoes. This town has a fund, for the support of common schools, of $1733.
Population, 2063. Number of polls in 1854, 558. Amount of inventory, $737,147. Value of lands, improved and unimproved, $449,500. Number of sheep, 6095: Do. neat stock, 1585. Do. horses, 300. Value of shares
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in banks and other corporations, $13,900. Value of facto- ries and their machinery, $26,000. Value of mills and carding machines, $10,000.
Bow, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Concord, east by Merrimack River, which separates it from Pembroke, south by Dunbarton, and west by Hopkinton. This town is situated on the Concord and Nashua Railroad. 8 miles south-east from Concord. Area, about 16,000 acres. The surface is uneven ; the soil hard, but productive. Turee Pond is the only body of water of any considerable size. Turkey River discharges into the Merrimack at Turkey Falls, in the north-easterly part of the town. Bow Canal is situated on the Merrimack, 3 miles below Concord. It was originally constructed at a cost of $13,860. The first church organized in this town was of the Baptist denomination, in 1795. Two years after, Rev. Benjamin Sargent was ordained as its pastor. This township was granted, May 20, 1727, to Jonathan Wiggin and others, and was originally laid out 9 miles square, including a large portion of the territory which now belongs to Concord and Pembroke.
Population, 1055. Number of polls, 218. Valuation, $335,116. Value of lands, $223,274. Number of sheep, 422. Do. neat stock, 946. Do. horses, 133.
BRADFORD, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Newbury and Sutton, east by Warner, south by Henniker and Hillsborough, and west by Washington. 28 miles west from Concord. Area, 19,000 acres, nearly 500 of which are covered with water. It is watered by several small streams which issue from ponds, the largest of which is Todd's Pond, lying partly in Bradford and partly
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in Newbury. In this pond are several floating islands, which are truly objects of curiosity. Bradford Pond, about 550 rods in length by 150 in width, lies in the east part of the town. It communicates with Warner River by an outlet at its northern extremity. This pond is studded with numerous small islands, which, with the rugged de- scent of the eastern bank, the clear waters below, the dwell- ings and variegated fields on the western shore, present, in the summer season, a wild and charming scenery. Many parts of the town are rough and hilly. A large portion, however, consists of a valley, about 3 miles in width.
The terminus of the Merrimack and Connecticut River Railroad is in the village of this town. Near the Sunapee Mountains is an extensive plain, more than 1 mile in length, and about half a mile in width. The soil is various. In some places it is a rich loam ; in others, light and sterile.
In the easterly part are valuable stone quarries. This town was first settled, in 1771, by Deacon William Presbury and his family, consisting of his wife and ten children. It was incorporated September 27, 1787, and included a part of Washington. The Congregational church was organized in 1803. In March, 1805, Rev. Lemuel Bliss was ordained and settled as its first minister.
Population, 1341. Number of polls, 307. Amount of inventory, $404,376. Value of lands, improved and un- improved, $166,433. Value of mills, &c., $5466. Stock in trade, $8000. Number of sheep, 3096. Do. neat stock, 1529. Do. horses, 302.
BRENTWOOD, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Epping, east by Exeter, south by East Kingston and King- ston, and west by Poplin. Area, 10,465 acres. 32 miles "south-east from Concord, and 4 east from Exeter. The
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soil is well adapted to the growth of grass; and, by careful cultivation, good crops of most of the cereal grains may be produced. Exeter River runs through the entire length of the town on the southerly side. There are 2 other small streams within the town ; one called Little River, and the other Deer Hill River - so named from a hill in its vi- cinity which was a favorite resort of deer. At Pickpocket Falls, on Exeter River, are several saw and grist mills and 1 large paper manufactory. In a few localities, consider- able quantities of iron ore have been discovered. Vitriol, combined in masses of sulphur, has also been found. This town was incorporated June 26, 1742. A Congrega- tional church was established here in 1752, and Rev. Nathaniel Tuck was ordained about the same time ; de- ceased in 1789. Rev. Ebenezer Flint was his successor, who continued in charge until 1811, when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. Chester Cotton. A Baptist society was formed here in 1775.
Population, 923. Number of polls in 1854, 218. Valuation, $310,576. Value of lands, $149,042. Num- ber of sheep, 672. Do. neat stock, 983. Do. horses, 130.
BRIDGEWATER, Grafton county. Bounded north by Plymouth and Hebron, east by Pemigewasset River, which separates it from Holderness and New Hampton, south by Bristol, and west by Newfound Lake, which divides it from Alexandria. 30 miles north from Concord. The soil is well adapted to grazing, and in this respect is excelled by few, if any, towns in the vicinity. The first settlement was made in 1766, by Thomas Crawford, Esq., when the tract included all of Hill, Bridgewater, and Bristol. A Congregational church was organized here in 1817. Previ- ous to this time, the inhabitants who were members of that
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body attended public worship in Hebron. There are also societies of Baptists, Freewill Baptists, and Methodists. The inhabitants are mainly devoted to agriculture, and are. an industrious and sober community. This town was incorporated February 12, 1788.
Population, 670. Number of polls, 145. Amount of inventory, $144,378. Value of lands, improved and unimproved, $79,529. Number of sheep, 1580. Value of neat stock, $13,890. Do. horses, $3956.
BRISTOL, Grafton county. Bounded north by Bridge- water, east by Pemigewasset River, which separates it from New Hampton, south by Hill, and west by Alexandria. It is 90 miles from Boston, 30 north from Concord, and 16 south from Plymouth. Area, 9000 acres, exclusive of ponds. The surface is hilly and uneven, but the soil is in general very good. Newfound Lake, 7 miles long and 3 wide, lies partly in this town, and partly in Bridge- water. Its waters are drained by a river of the same name, about 2 miles in length and 100 feet in width, into Pemigewasset River. The village is situated near the confluence of these two rivers. Smith's River, which forms the southern boundary between this town and Hill, also unites with the Pemigewassit near this place. There are some excellent water privileges on these streams, near the village, upon several of which manufacturing estab- lishments of various kinds, and generally with a moderate capital, have been erected.
The village is situated on a plain somewhat irregular. The neighboring hills are broken, and in some instances of steep and rugged ascent, presenting to the view a charming and romantic landscape. The village itself presents an appearance not only pleasing and attractive, but also
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thriving and prosperous. Here is the terminus of the Franklin and Bristol Railroad, which connects with the Northern at Franklin. Graphite (plumbago) has been discovered here in considerable quantities and of superior quality. Bristol was taken from Bridgewater and New Chester, (now Hill,) and incorporated June 24, 1819. The first settlement within its present limits was made in 1770, by Colonel Peter Sleeper, Benjamin Emmons, and others. A Methodist society was incorporated and a church organ- ized in June, 1818. There are at present Congregational, Methodist, and Freewill Baptist societies and churches in this town. About 90 persons are employed in the various manufactories.
Population, 1103. Number of polls, 300. Amount of inventory, $277,057. Value of improved and unim- proved lands, $157,180. Value of mills and carding machines, $6900. Value of factories, $1300. Number of sheep, 869. Do. neat stock, 719. Do. horses, 134.
BROOKFIELD, Carroll county. Bounded north by Wolf- borough and Wakefield, east by Wakefield, south by Mid- dleton, and west by Durham and Wolfborough. Area, 13,000 acres. 45 miles north-east from Concord. This tract was originally a part of Middleton, from which it was taken and incorporated in 1794. The soil is deep and strong. Cook's Pond, about 1 mile long and three fourths of a mile in width, forms the source of the next branch of Salmon Fall River, and is the only body of water of note in the town, excepting a small pond, covering about 15 acres, which is situated directly on the top of Moose Mountain. The water is clear and cool, and the quantity is always about the same. The first settler was Nicholas Austin. The pre- cise date of his settlement is not known, though it was some
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time before the town was incorporated. Richard Hanson, a few years after the settlement of Austin, erected the first framed house in the town.
Population, 552. Number of polls, 118. Amount of inventory, $131,184. Number of sheep, 344. Do. neat stock, 691. Do. horses, 105.
BROOKLINE, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Milford, east by Hollis, south by Townsend and Pepperell, in Massachusetts, and west by Mason. Area, 12,664 acres, 240 of which are covered with water. 43 miles north west from Boston, 35 south from Concord, and 7 south from Amherst. The Nisitissit is the only river in this town. This stream rises in the north-east part of Mason, and runs in a southerly direction to Potanipo, or Tanapus, Pond. This pond is situated near the meeting house, and is about 1 mile in length and one third of a mile in width. This town possesses but few natural resources for its advance- ment in wealth and population. Agriculture is the chief employment. The soil in some parts is good; but it is often hard, sterile, and unproductive, unless cultivated with great care.
This town formerly belonged to Massachusetts, and was included in the Dunstable grant. It was incorporated March, 1769, under the name of Raby. By a legislative . act, in 1798, it received its present name. A Congrega- tional church was organized here in 1797. Rev. Lemuel Wadsworth was the first minister.
Population, 718. Number of polls, 186. Amount of inventory, $268,333. Number of sheep, 78. Do. neat stock, 457. Do. horses, 113.
CAMBRIDGE, Coos county. Bounded north by Errol and
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Umbagog Lake, east by the State of Maine, south by Suc- cess and Milan, and west by Dummer. Latitude 44° 57. Area, 23,160 acres. 143 miles north-east from Concord, and 35 north-east from Lancaster. This township, granted, in 1793, to Nathaniel Rogers and others, is still but thinly inhabited. The surface is uneven ; but a large portion might be easily cultivated. The soil is good. Several streams rise in this town and fall into the An- droscoggin. The land is mostly covered with a dense, heavy growth of wood, a large part of which is maple ; though pine, spruce, and hemlock grow in considerable quantities.
Population, 33. Number of polls, 10.
CAMPTON, Grafton county. Bounded north by Thorn- ton, east by Sandwich, south by Holderness and Plymouth, and west by Rumney. Area, 27,892 acres. 50 miles north from Concord, and 14 from Plymouth. The sur- face is broken and uneven, abounding with ledges, and high, rocky hills. Mount Prospect, situated in the souther- ly part of the town, is a considerable elevation. From its summit a delightful view of Winnipiseogee Lake is ob- tained, as well as a large portion of the southern part of the state. There are very few positions from whence so good a view of the lake can be had. The distance from its summit to Plymouth depot is only 4 miles. There is in the easterly part of the town a range of mountains designated by a variety of names, the most common of which is Morgan Mountain. Pemigewasset River runs in a southerly direction nearly through the middle of the town, and receives the waters of Mad, Beebe, and West Branch Rivers on the east, and Bogbrook on the west. The soil in the valleys is generally good. There is also
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considerable good interval. The high lands, where they are not too rocky, are excellent for grazing. The forest trees are generally deciduous ; though there are some hem- lock, spruce, and pine. Livermore's Falls, in Pemigewasset River, near the south part of the town, present appearances of a striking character. The formation of the rocks in the bed of the river, at this point, bears conclusive evidence of volcanic eruption. Several specimens of a substance bear- ing close resemblance to lava have been found in this re- gion. In the easterly part of the town plumbago is found in large quantities and of good quality. Iron ore is found in a few localities, but of rather an inferior quality. On the top of the mountain range referred to, very fine speci- mens of crystallized quartz are found. From 20 to 30 tons of maple sugar are manufactured in this town annually. Campton and Rumney were included in the same grant to Captain Jabez Spencer, of East Haddam, Connecticut, in October, 1761; but in consequence of his death before any settlement was made, his heirs, with others, obtained a new charter in 1767. The first settlement was made, in 1765, by two families of the names of Fox and Taylor. This town derives its name from the fact that the first proprietors, when they went to survey the two townships of Campton and Rumney, built a camp within its limits This town furnished 10 soldiers for the army in the revo- lutionary war, 5 of whom died in the service. A Congre- gational church was organized here in 1774. Rev. Selden Church was ordained and settled as pastor in October, 1774 ; dismissed in 1792. Rev. John Webber was in- stalled in February, 1812; dismissed March 12, 1815. Rev. Amos Brown was ordained and settled January 1, 1817 ; dismissed in 1822. At present there are 3 meeting houses in the town, belonging respectively to the Con-
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gregational, Baptist, and Freewill Baptist denominations. There is 1 woollen factory, giving employment to about 25 persons. There are also 2 shoe establishments, fur- nishing labor for 30 or 40 persons. The amount of capital invested in the various manufacturing departments in town is estimated at $45,000.
Population, 1439. Number of polls in 1854, 350. Amount of inventory, $335,096. Value of lands, im- proved and unimproved, $183,334. Number of sheep, 2484. Do. neat stock, 1525. Do. horses, 280.
CANAAN, Grafton county. Bounded north by Dorches- ter, east by Orange, south by Enfield, and west by Hanover. Distance from Concord 40 miles, north-west ; from Haver- hill 25, south-west. The principal stream is the Mascomy River, which, rising in the north-west part of Dorchester, by a meandering course of 8 or 10 miles, discharges its waters into Mascomy Pond, in Enfield. Heart Pond, so named from its peculiar form, lies in the centre of the town, and upon such an elevation of land that at a distance it has the appearance of a sheet of water on a hill. It is about 500 rods in length and 200 in width, and is nearly surrounded by a bank, or mound, of earth from 4 to 5 feet in height. From the regularity of its formation and its uniform height, it has every appearance of a work of art ; but, from a series of observations, it is found to be produced by the drifting of ice in the spring. On the west side is the village known as Canaan Street -a very pleasant place. The Northern Railroad passes through the south-easterly portion of the town. In the vicinity of the depot, quite a thriving village has been built up within a few years. There are two or three stores here, which do quite an extensive business. The land throughout the town pre-
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sents a surface more even and regular than that of several of the adjacent towns. The soil is generally deep and fertile, producing excellent potatoes and grass, as well as the cereal grains. Goose, Clark, Mud, and Bear Ponds, lying in different parts of the town, are favorite resorts of the fishermen, while numerous brooks are well stored with trout.
Canaan was granted in 1761 to 62 persons, all except 10 of whom were from a town of the same name in Connecti- cut. The first permanent settlement was made in the winter of 1766, by John Scofield, who conveyed thither all the property he possessed on a hand sled, a distance of 14 miles, on the snow crust. Others of the first settlers were George and Joshua Harris, Thomas Miner, Samuel Jones, and Samuel Meacham.
The first church organized in town was of the Baptist denomination, and was formed in 1780. In 1783 Rev. Thomas Baldwin, D. D., was ordained and settled over it. He continued in the pastoral charge of this church until 1790, when he removed to Boston. Many difficulties were encountered in the establishment of this church, and in some instances violent opposition was manifested. Dr. Baldwin had frequent occasion to visit Concord, and often performed the journey on foot through the wilderness. It was during one of these solitary walks that he composed the familiar and beautiful stanzas commencing with, -
"From whence doth this union arise?"
A Congregational society was incorporated here in 1820, and Rey. Charles Calkins ordained as pastor. There is also a respectable Methodist society in this town. Jonathan Dustan, a native of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and a grand- son of the heroine Mrs. Hannah Dustan, was for some
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time a resident, and died here July 4, 1812, aged 93. There is an academy pleasantly located in Canaan Street, which from its healthy location, and the general quiet and order of the village, together with a competent board of teachers, affords good inducements to the real student.
Population, 1682. Amount of inventory, $453,498. Number of polls, 389. Value of mills and carding machines, $8150. Value of stock in trade, $11,960. Amount of money at interest or on deposit, $21,450. Value of lands, improved and unimproved, $276,753. Number of sheep, 4810. Do. neat stock, 1456. Do. horses, 256.
CANDIA, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Deer- field, east by Nottingham, south by Auburn and Chester, and west by Hooksett. Area, 15,360 acres. Distance from Concord 15 miles, south-east ; from Exeter 20, west. It is situated on the height of land between Merrimack River and the ocean. The soil is naturally of hard culti- vation, but the energy and industry of the inhabitants have rendered it highly productive. From its elevated position, it commands an extensive view of the beautiful scenery of the country for many miles around, including within the range of vision the White Hills, the Wachuset, several other mountains, the lighthouses on Plum Island, and the ocean. It is a very healthy town, owing in a great meas- ure, probably, to its elevation. Farming is the principal employment. There are many excellent farms, from which much produce, including considerable fruit of excellent quality, is raised, for which a ready market is found in Manchester. This town raises annually the sum of $1000 for the support of common schools. As a result of this liberal provision in behalf of the elements of
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common school education, Candia sends out a large num- ber of well-educated young men and ladies as teachers, who usually rank high in this truly useful and laudable calling. There is a large shoe manufactory in this town, where 150 persons are constantly employed.
The first settler within the limits of the town was Wil- liam Turner, who came here in 1748. In 1755 John Sargent and others commenced settlement here. It was incorporated in 1763. It received its present name from Governor Benning Wentworth, who was once a prisoner on the Island of Candia, in the Mediterranean Sea, the ancient Crete. The people of this town were active in the war of independence. The names of 69 soldiers are found on the town records.
A Congregational church was first established here in 1771, and Rev. David Jewett settled as its pastor ; removed in 1780 ; succeeded in 1782 by Rev. Joseph Prince, who was succeeded in 1790 by Rev. Jesse Remington, who died in 1815. There is also a society of Freewill Bap- tists.
Population, 1482. Number of polls in 1854, 450. Amount of inventory, $409,394. Amount of money at interest or on deposit, $39,333. Value of lands, improved and unimproved, $242,830. Number of sheep, 342. Do. neat stock, 1246. Do. horses, 195.
CANTERBURY, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Northfield and Gilmanton, east by Gilmanton and Loudon, south by Loudon and Concord, and west by Merrimack River, which separates it from Boscawen. A high ridge of land, extending along the line between this town and Northfield, affords a fine prospect of the surrounding country. Canterbury is 8 miles distant from Concord,
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and contains an area of 26,345 acres. The surface is uneven, the more hilly portions being excellent for pas- turage. The soil is generally good. There are no streams of importance in the town; but several ponds supply small streams, which are used to some extent for manufacturing purposes. For a long time during the early period of the settlement, the inhabitants were sufferers from the encroach- ments of the Indians. The husbandman cleared and culti- vated his grounds under protection of a guard; and often, while pursuing his daily toil, he was reminded of his danger by the sudden report of firearms in the hands of the secret, lurking foe. In 1738 two men, named Blan- chard and Shepherd, having proceeded a short distance from the garrison kept in town, were surprised by a party of seven Indians, who suddenly rose from behind a log within a few feet of them. All the Indians at once fired, but without effect. Blanchard and his companion returned the fire upon the savages, but to no purpose. Shepherd then made his escape; but Blanchard was taken. The Indians wounded and mutilated him so badly that he survived but a few days. During the French and Indian war, frequent attacks were made upon the inhabitants of this town. On one occasion they broke into the house of Thomas Clough, and, finding no one within, plundered it of its contents. Finding a negro servant of Clough, with a boy named Jackson, at work in a field not far distant, the Indians took them to Canada, where they remained until the close of the war in 1749. In the spring of 1752 two Indians, named Sabatis and Christi, came into the settlement, where they were kindly entertained by the people for several weeks. At length they left suddenly, forcing away with them two negroes, one of whom soon succeeded in making his escape, and returned. The other was taken to Crown
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Point and sold to a military officer. The following year Sabatis returned with another Indian, named Plausawa, when, on being reproved for his former misdemeanor, he and his comrade behaved in an insolent and threatening manner. Doubtless this misconduct was caused in a great measure by the use of strong drink, with which, by some thoughtless persons, they had been freely treated. While in this condition, such was their conduct that strong and bitter feelings were excited against them. Soon, however, they took their leave, when a certain person followed them, and, taking advantage of their now almost helpless con- dition, killed them. By the assistance of another person the Indians were immediately buried, but so slightly that their bodies were dug up by wild beasts, and their bones were soon after discovered scattered about on the" ground. These two men, shortly after the discovery, were arrested, and taken to Portsmouth for trial. A bill being found against them by the grand jury, they were confined in irons for trial; but in the night previous to the time appointed, a mob from the country, armed with axes and bars, forced open the prison and carried them off in triumph. So imbittered were the feelings of the people against the Indians, by reason of their wanton and brutal depredations, that it was difficult, and almost impossible, to award them justice, even in cases of undisputed right.
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