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 9
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This town was granted in 1727 to Richard Waldron and others. This grant also included Northfield and Loudon. It was settled soon after the grant was obtained. There was no regular church organization until 1761, although there was occasional preaching from the first settlement. In the year just mentioned Rev. Abiel Foster was ordained, and labored as pastor until 1779, after which he was called to discharge the duties of magistrate and legislator ..
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In 1783 he was chosen to Congress, and for three years filled that office under the old confederation. He was several times returned as member of Congress until 1804. Rev. Frederic Parker was ordained in 1791, and contin- ued in charge until 1802, when he deceased. Rev. William Patrick was ordained in 1803, who has, until within a very few years, discharged the arduous duties of his sacred trust, and now labors in connection with a colleague. There is also a Freewill Baptist society in the town.
Population, 1614. Number of polls, 369. Amount of inventory, $595,493. Value of lands, improved and unimproved, $396,260. Number of sheep, 2604. Do. neat stock, 1850. Do. horses and mules, 250.
In the south-east part of this town, situated on an ele- vated and beautiful site, is the neat and quiet, though busy, village of the SHAKERS - a sect of Christians first known in this country about the year 1774, when the founder, Ann Lee, came to New York from Liverpool. The organiza- tion of this society commenced, in the autumn of the year 1782, through the instrumentality of two ministers, Eben- ezer Cooley and Israel Chauncey, from New Lebanon, in New York, where a society, the first in America, had been formed about two years previous. The village is about 11 miles north-east from Concord. It is remarkably healthy ; which is owing partly, no doubt, to the regular and simple habits of the people, and partly to the location. The soci- ety own not far from 2500 acres of land, nearly all of which is under improvement, although there is still forest enough left for the supply of wood and timber for several years. The land is regarded as devoted to the Lord, as well as all their property, which they enjoy in common. They readily pay their just proportion of the public taxes, and share all the burdens of government except the performance
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of military duty, which they deem at variance with the doctrines of the gospel ; and, in return, they ask of govern- ment that protection only which is guarantied to other citi- zens. Although this society, in connection with others in the vicinity, embraced their present faith in the years 1782 and 1783, they were not gathered into a compact body or church, in order to possess a community of interest, until the year 1792 - about ten years after they first embraced the faith ; but the members of the society continued in a separate family capacity, and each member retained and managed his own property and other temporal affairs pertain- ing to himself according to his own judgment and discre- tion. In the beginning of the year 1792, under the super- intendence of Elder Job Bishop, from New Lebanon, the members of this society adopted the order of a joint union and interest in all they possessed, being governed by no other spirit or influence than that which governed the prim- itive Christians or church at the day of Pentecost. Nor has the instance been known, from the day of the forma- tion of this society to the present, wherein a member has claimed for his exclusive use or control a cent of what he or she had thus consecrated, or even to hint that aught of the things once possessed were in any sense entirely his own. However, this sacrifice or surrender is not required of any one contrary to his own faith and voluntary choice. There are at the present time some, who are held in union as members of the society, who have never consecrated their property or devoted it to the joint interest. Such usually constitute an order or family by themselves, ren- dering their time and service, together with the use of their property, for the mutual support and benefit of such family. In the year 1782 there were about 30 families who re- ceived the testimony, exclusive of other individuals, the
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whole number amounting to perhaps 140 or 150 members. Since that time there has been a slow but gradual increase, so that the society consists of nearly 300 members. They do not boast of numbers or offer crowds as a test of the soundness of their Christian faith and doctrine, or as an infallible guide to the narrow way that leads to eternal life ; neither do they regard large numbers or powerful associa- tions as any evidence in favor of the " good and the right way; " but, on the contrary, " Strait is the gate and nar- row is the way that leadeth unto life ; and few there be that find it." (Matt. vii. 14.) Neither is it their aim to accu- mulate property ; but what they acquire by honest industry, more than is sufficient for their comfortable support, they bestow to charitable purposes.
The whole number of buildings belonging to this society in Canterbury is about 100. Among these is a meeting house, where the members resort once a week, on the Sab- bath, for public religious worship. There are 15 dwelling houses, mostly of wood, painted with light yellow, and are 2 and 3 stories in height. In each family there are rooms in some of the dwellings appropriated exclusively for the trustees of the society, where all its financial business is transacted. There are also, in some of these buildings, apartments fitted for the accommodation and comfort of the aged and infirm. There are other large and convenient buildings, constructed of wood or brick, which are occupied as workshops, store houses, granaries, wood houses, barns, &c., which are spacious, convenient, and in all respects perfectly adapted to the purpose for which they were de- signed. There is also one school house, where the boys are instructed during the three winter months, and the girls the same length of time during the summer. To any one who has had the pleasure of visiting this school, the order,
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method, and careful attention to the minutest details, as well as the more comprehensive data of elementary studies, are both readily apparent and striking, and furnish an exam- ple eminently worthy of imitation. The studies pursued are those usually taught in most country schools ; but the learner is not suffered to rest with merely a superficial ac- quaintance with the subject of study, as is often the case. Correct and thorough knowledge, even though to a limited extent, is deemed of far greater benefit than a partial and indistinct glance at every branch and department of learn- ing. There are 6 mills- 1 for carding and spinning ; 1 gristmill, in which is also a sawmill for timber, shingle machines, planing machines, &c .; 3 turning mills for wood and iron ; 1 for weaving, coloring, fulling, and for the knitting of shirts and drawers. These mills are all sit- uated on one stream and at the head of six artificial ponds. The water of these is collected in reservoirs at a distance of 3 miles from the village, and is conducted from one to the other through ditches. The various articles of man- ufacture in this community consist principally of brooms, pails, tubs, sieves, flannel and knit shirts and drawers, An- gola shirts and drawers, &c.
The raising of garden seeds and medicinal herbs and roots constitutes an extensive branch of business. Corbett's compound sirup of sarsaparilla is manufactured here. The distillation of the various essential oils, such as checkerber- ry, rose, peach, &c., and the preparation of the various me- dicinal herbs and extracts for almost every market in the region, are to a large extent carried on and furnished by this society. These are sold not only through the United States, but are also transported in great quantities to the Canadas, Cuba, Australia, and other places. The use of alcoholic drinks is never indulged in or allowed except in cases of
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sickness. In their business transactions with others, they never solicit credit either for large or small sums. Their secular concerns are conducted with a degree of probity, uprightness, and perseverance which has rendered them proverbial for industry, justice, and benevolence. The pe- culiar doctrines of this sect are noticed under the head " Religion," in another part of this volume.
CARROLL, Coos county. Bounded north by Jefferson, east by the White Mountain territory, south by ungranted land, and west by Bethlehem and Whitefield. It lies at the base of the White Mountains, and presents a rugged and dreary appearance. The surface is uneven ; the soil in some places is strong and deep ; the scenery is wild and romantic. It is yet considerably covered with a dense forest of maple, as well as pine, hemlock, and spruce. There are numer- ous small streams within its limits, which swarm with trout. Its area consists of 24,640 acres. Pondicherry Mountain is situated in the northern part, between this town and Jefferson. John's and Israel's Rivers receive several tributaries from this place, and the head streams of the Ammonusuc from the neighboring mountains unite in pass- ing through this town. Carroll was originally named Bretton Woods, and was granted, in 1772, to Sir Thomas Wentworth, baronet, Rev. Samuel Langdon, and 81 others. It received its present name in 1832, when it was incorpo- rated. Distance from Concord, 113 miles, north. -
Population, 299. Number of polls, 77. Valuation, $94,194. Number of sheep, 253. Do. neat stock, 270. Do. horses, 65.
CENTRE HARBOR, Belknap county. Bounded north-east by Moultonborough, south-east by Meredith, south-west by
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New Hampton, and north-west by Holderness and Squam Lake. Area, 7550 acres. Distance from Concord, 40 miles, north ; from Boston, 116. Measley Pond and Squam Lake are partly in this town. In the latter are found considerable quantities of fine trout. This is a beau- tiful sheet of water, 6 miles in length, and studded with islands, some of which are mere dots upon the waves, while others contain an acre or more, and in summer are bright with verdure, or later in the season are smiling with the gifts of Ceres. From Red Hill the view of this lake is enchanting, and awakens in the mind of the beholder thoughts of some fairyland which mortals sometimes may catch a glimpse of, but can never approach. The soil in this town is mostly a rich loam. The town is pleasantly situated, and its location probably gave rise to its present name. It derived its name originally from that of one of the first settlers who came here in 1767.
The first settlement was made in 1765, by Ebenezer Chamberlain. A Congregational church was organized here in 1815, over which Rev. David Smith was settled in 1819. Centre Harbor is widely known as one of the most pleasant summer resorts in the country. Far from the noise and bustle of crowded city and the petty annoyances of village gossip, the man of leisure or the man of business may each find an asylum adapted to his wants. From its pure and invigorating atmosphere the city invalid may re- new the decaying springs of his own vitality, while bud- ding beauty shoots forth still more beautiful. In the vil- lage at the north-western extremity of the lake is an excel- lent hotel, kept by Mr. Coe, which for many years has been celebrated for the order, quiet, and liberal attention kept and maintained in all its arrangements. Here the traveller will find all the elegance, style, variety, and lux-
CENTRE HARBOR AND LAKE WINNIPISEOGEE.
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ury of a first-class city hotel. Sail boats, row boats, fishing tackle, horses, carriages, &c., may be obtained here for the accommodation of visitors.
Travellers from New York will secure a direct route to this place by taking the Norwich line of steamers on Long Island Sound; thence over the Norwich and Worcester Railroad to Worcester ; thence over the Worcester and Nashua Railroad to Nashua; thence over the Concord Railroad to Concord ; thence over the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad to Wier's Landing, at the outlet of Lake Winnipiseogee. From thence by steamboat, a delightful ride of 10 miles on the lake brings you to your journey's end - the Senter House. From this place the route is easy and agreeable to Franconia, leading through a section of the state remarkable for its cool and reviving breezes and its wild and beautiful scenery. In this section there is also much to attract the attention of the geologist and the lovers of science generally. In many places there are strong marks of the existence, at some former period, of a volcano in the vicinity.
Population, 544. Number of polls, 124. Valuation, $138,790. Number of sheep, 438. Do. neat stock, 616. Do. horses, 78.
CHARLESTOWN, Sullivan county. Bounded north by Claremont, east by Unity, Acworth, and Langdon, south by Langdon and Walpole, and west by Springfield, Vermont. Distance from Concord, 51 miles, west. Area, 21,400 acres. The only rivers in this town are the Little Sugar and the Connecticut, which latter flows along its western limits for a distance of 13 miles. The town is very narrow, and its eastern line is very irregular. In Connecticut Riv- er are 3 islands, which constitute a part of Charlestown,
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the largest of which (Sartwell's Island) contains about 10 acres, and is in a state of high cultivation. The other two contain about 6 acres each, and are composed of a rich, loamy soil. Little Sugar River passes through the north part of the town. The soil is various. West of the road leading to Walpole there are 1500 acres of interval, of a deep, rich, and loamy soil, favorable to the production of most of the varieties of grass and grain ; in the east and north-east portions of the town the soil of the uplands is strong and productive. A ridge of land in the westerly part of the town extends nearly through its entire length, the surface of which is hard, uneven, and stony, and is considered of but little value.
Charlestown village is one of the most pleasant and de- lightful in the state. It is situated on a plain, about half a mile from Connecticut River, and nearly parallel with it. The main street is about a mile in length, is quite broad, and the highway is adorned on each side with rows of ma- jestic elms. The houses are mostly of two stories, neat and substantial, - many of them built in the style and on the liberal scale so common among country gentlemen fifty or seventy-five years ago, - with spacious grounds. Others are elegant modern cottages. The Sullivan Railroad passes through this village and through the village at North Charlestown, at both of which places is a depot. There is a deposit of bog iron ore about 22 miles south-east of the village, covering an area of 5000 yards. In the midst of this deposit a chalybeate spring rises, strongly impregnated with iron. Yellow ochre, in great abundance and of a qual- ity suitable for paint, is obtained here. On the summit of the hill, above the deposit of bog iron ore, is a bed of conglomerated quartz pebble.
Charlestown was granted, December 31, 1735, by Mas-
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sachusetts, under the name of Number Four, to 63 persons. The first meeting of the proprietors was holden at Hatfield, April 5, 1737. The first settlers were several families by the names of Parker, Farnsworth, and Sartwell, from Groton, Massachusetts. They were soon followed by a family named Hastings, from Lunenburg, and another named Stevens, from Rutland. In 1743 a fort was built in this place, under the direction of Colonel Stoddard, of Northampton. Mills were first erected in 1744. It was in this year that the Cape Breton war began. Charlestown, being more than 30 miles from any settlement, was, during this period, the scene of much suffering and privation. In the spring of 1746 a party of Indians suddenly appeared, and took John Spaf- ford, Isaac Parker, and Stephen Farnsworth, as they were driving their teams. Their cattle were soon after found dead, with their tongues cut out. The men were carried to Canada, and after some time returned to Boston under a flag of truce. In May following the Indians again made their appearance at Number Four. About evening some women went out to milk their cows, attended by Major Jo- siah Willard and several soldiers as a guard, when eight Indians, who were concealed in a barn, fired on them, and killed Seth Putnam. While they were scalping him, Wil- lard and two of his men fired on them and mortally wound- ed two of them, when the Indians retreated, carrying their dying companions with them. A few days after, as Cap- tain Paine, with about 20 of his men, were going out to view the place where Putnam was killed, they fell into an am- bush. The enemy rose up from the bushes, fired, and then endeavored to cut off the retreat of Paine and his compa- ny. The noise being heard at the fort, Captain Phinehas Stevens, with a party of men, rushed out to their relief. A warm skirmish followed, in which five men were killed
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on both sides, and one of Paine's party was taken. The Indians were at length compelled to retire, and in their haste left behind several of their guns and blankets. About a month after, another engagement happened at the same place. As Captain Stevens and Captain Brown were going into the meadow to look for their horses, their dogs discovered an ambush, which put the men on their guard, and gave them the advantage of the first fire. After a short but close encounter, the Indians were driven into a neighboring swamp, drawing away some of their dead. In this action only one white man was lost. Several blankets, hatchets, spears, guns, and other things were left by the Indians, which were sold for £40, old tenor, which was reckoned " a great booty for such beggarly enemies." During the early part of the summer of this year, the In- dians destroyed the mills in Charlestown by fire. In Au- gust a man named Phillips was killed ; and as the people were carrying him into the fort they were fired upon, but happily none were injured. Having burned a few build- ings, and killed and maimed some cattle, the Indians took their leave. In November the settlement was deserted, excepting that six men were left in charge of the fort, who kept it until winter set in, when they also left. In the latter end of March, 1747, Captain Phinehas Stevens, who commanded a company of rangers consisting of 30 men, came to Number Four, and finding the fort deserted, but in good condition, determined to keep possession of it He had been there but a few days when he was attacked by a party of 400 French and Indians, under command of M. Debeliné. The dogs, by their continued barking, ex- cited the suspicion that the enemy were lurking about, which induced the inmates of the fort to keep the gates closed. A single man ventured out to make a discovery,
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and was immediately fired upon ; but he succeeded in re- turning to the fort with only a slight wound. The enemy, finding that they were discovered, now arose from their con- cealment and poured in their volleys upon the fort from all sides. The wind being high, they set fire to the fences and log houses, and in a few moments the fort was sur- rounded by flames. Captain Stevens was on the alert, and ready at every point with means to avert impending dan- ger. He kept every vessel within the fort full of water, and caused trenches to be dug under the walls, so that a man might crawl through and extinguish any fire which might catch on the outside walls. The Indians, bent on the destruction of the fort and all within it, kept up a continued stream of flaming arrows against the fort, but fortunately without effect. The fire of the fences did not reach the fort, so that all attempts at destruction by confla- gration were providentially of no avail.
This attack, accompanied with hideous shouts and yells, was kept up incessantly for two days. Infuriated at the obstinacy of the besieged, the savages next prepared a wheel carriage, loaded with dry fagots and bushes, which they pushed behind them towards the fort. Feeling cer- tain of success, before they carried this plan into effect, they demanded a cessation of arms till sunrise ; which was granted. In the morning, Debeliné advanced towards the fort with 50 men, bearing a flag of truce, which he stuck in the ground. He demanded a parley, which was agreed to. A French officer, with a soldier and an Indian, then came forward and proposed that the garrison should bind up a quantity of provisions in their blankets, and, having laid down their arms, allow themselves to be conducted as prisoners of war to Montreal. Another proposal was, that the two commanders should meet, and that an answer
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should then be given. Stevens met the French com- mander, who, without waiting for an answer, began to enforce his first proposal with the threat that, if not im- mediately acceded to, he would storm the fort, and put every man within it to the sword if they should refuse his terms or kill one of his men. Stevens, seeing that to treat upon honorable terms was out of the question, reso- lutely replied, that he would listen to no terms until the last extremity - that he was intrusted with the defence of the fort, and was determined to maintain it till he should be con- vinced that Monsieur Debeliné, with his forces, could ac- complish what he had threatened. He added, that it was poor encouragement to surrender if they were all to be slaughtered for killing one man, when it was certain they had already killed many. The Frenchman, with insolence, replied, "Go, see if your men dare fight any longer, and give me a quick answer." Stevens went into the fort, and asked his men whether they would fight, or surrender. It was at once and unanimously resolved to fight. This was immediately communicated to the enemy, who thereupon resumed their shouting and figliting, keeping it up all that day and the night following. On the morning of the third day they demanded another cessation for two hours. Two Indians then came forward and proposed to Stevens that, if he would sell them provisions, they would withdraw. He answered, that to sell an enemy provisions for money was contrary to the law of nations ; but he would pay them five bushels of corn for every captive for whom they would give a hostage, until the captive could be brought from Canada. After this reply the enemy fired a few more guns, and then disappeared. In this brave defence against great odds and a starving, savage foe, no lives were lost within the fort, and only two men were wounded. An ex-
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press was immediately despatched to Boston, and the news was there received with demonstrations of joy. Commo- dore Sir Charles Knowles was so highly pleased with the conduct of Captain Stevens that he presented him with an elegant and valuable sword. From this circumstance the township, when it was incorporated, July 2, 1753, received the name of Charlestown.
This charter was granted by Governor Benning Went- worth to Joseph Wells, Phinehas Stevens, and others, who were purchasers under the old grantees. In 1754 the French war began, and the inhabitants were once more obliged to resort to the fort for safety. From infancy the settlers had been trained to scenes of hardship and danger unknown to their descendants. When they attended pub- lic worship, or cultivated their lands, they proceeded forth from the fort armed for battle, and worshipped or toiled under protection of a sentinel. In their depredatory ex- cursions, the Indians preferred prisoners to scalps, and generally killed but few excepting those who were likely to escape or appeared too formidable to be encountered with success. On the 29th of August, 1754, the Indians, early in the morning, attacked the house of James Johnson, who, with his wife, her sister, and three children, and two men, Peter Labaree and Ebenezer Farnsworth, were taken prisoners. On the second day of the journey, about 15 miles from Charlestown, in the wilderness, Mrs. Johnson was delivered of a child, who, from the peculiar circum- stances attending its birth, was named Captive. The In- dians halted one day on account of the woman, and on the next day took up their march, carrying her in a litter which they made for that purpose. During the march, being distressed for want of provisions, they killed the only horse they had, and the infant was nourished by suck-
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ing pieces of its flesh. When they had arrived at Mon- treal, Johnson obtained a parole to return and solicit funds for the redemption of his family and himself. He applied to the Assembly of New Hampshire, and at length secured £150 sterling ; but the season was then so far advanced that he did not return to Canada until spring opened. He was then charged with having broken his parole ; a great part of his money was taken from him by violence ; and he was shut up with his family in a prison, where they took the small pox ; but fortunately they all survived. After 18 months, Mrs. Johnson, with her sister and two daughters, was sent in a cartel ship to England, and thence returned to Boston.
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