USA > New Hampshire > The statistics and gazetteer of New-Hampshire. Containing descriptions of all the counties, towns and villages statistical tables with a list of state officers, etc. > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
stocks and bonds, $224,000; money at interest, $180,180; deposits in savings banks, $1,170,580 ; stock in trade, $774,693.
Public Works. Water has been introduced into the city precinct, and pipes have been laid through nearly all the streets, with hy- drants placed at proper distances, to guard against fire. The water is taken from Pennacook Lake, lying about three miles north-west from the Capitol, and over one hundred feet above its foundation. The water of this pond has long been noted for its purity, and has the capacity to supply a city many times larger in population than Concord. These works have been put in very substantially, and great attention has been given to have durable pipes, and of such material as not to impregnate the water with any mineral substance in the least. The whole expense is not far from $300,000. No city in the country stands better guard- ed against large, devastating fires, than Concord does to-day, with ar abundance of water, and one of the most efficient fire departments to use it.
Sewerage. The city precinct has been surveyed, and an exten- sive plan of sewerage been draughted, which, when the plans are fully carried out, will give the city excellent drainage. Much of
tion, This includes clergymen, lawyers, phy- sicians, merchants, landlords, bankers, rail- road officials, clerks, book keepers, National, State, County, City officials, &c., &c., Doubt- less the cities and large towns have a larger per cent. than the average through the State. In this view of the foregoing facts, Concord, with scarcely any large cotton or woolen manufactories, and the capital of the State, must have at least 11 per cent. of its popula- tion, or 1540 persons, employed in the above vocations.
113
CONCORD.
the work has already been done in the most substantial masonry and the whole plan will be consummat- ed within a few years. The whole expense is estimated at about $100,000.
There are four bridges in the city over the Merrimack, and three over the Contoocook river. All of these are large and expen- sive bridges. The Federal Bridge, which leads to East Concord, is of wrought iron, and was erected in the spring of 1873, at an expense, including stone work, of over $26,000.
Schools. There are fifty schools in the city, of which thirty-two are graded. But few towns or cities have made more rapid pro- gress in public schools, for the past twenty years, than Concord. In 1854, the total amount of mon- ey appropriated for school pur- poses was $5,536, being $2.40} to each scholar. In 1872, the amount expended was $24,047.45, averaging $9.21 to each scholar. The high school is under the in- struction of J. D. Bartley, as prin- cipal. In this department, such branches of study are taught, that, at the expiration of four years, a scholar is prepared to enter any college. The grades of schools in the city precinct, are primary, in- termediate, first and second gram- mar, and high school. The aver- age length of schools for the year is thirty-one weeks; in the city precinct, forty weeks. There are five large, brick school-houses in the city precinct, from four to six commodious school rooms each, and built at an expense of from $15, 000 to $60,000 each; besides there are several smaller houses in dif- ferent sections of the city. At
East Concord there is a fine brick house, with two departments. There are also good school-houses, and graded schools at West Con- cord and Fisherville. Nearly all of these large brick houses have been built within the past twenty years, at an expense, including grounds, of not less than $150,000.
One of the most important lite- rary institutions in the country is located about two miles west of the State House, called St. Paul's School. It is under Epis- copal control, and its students represent all parts of the Union. The buildings are very fine, exten- sive and expensive, and the grounds around them are beauti- fully laid out. (See literary Insti- tutions.)
Church Edifices. Concord, for the past nineteen years, has suffered severely in its houses of public worship being destroyed by fire. The first house destroyed was the Unitarian, November 2d, 1854; then followed the South Congrega- tional, June 8, 1859; Congrega- tional at West Concord, September 21, 1869; Old North Congregational Church, November 18, 1870, and the North Congregational, June 29, 1873. The Unitarian, South and West Concord, have been re- placed by more substantial and expensive edifices, and the North will be rebuilt in the season of 1874. Where the old North stood, there is now, 1873, being built a large brick school house.
The following are the churches, and pastors of various denomina- tions. North Congregational, Rev. F. D. Ayers : South Congregation- al, Rev. S. L. Blake ; 1st Calvinistic Baptist, Rev. D. W. Faunce; Free- will Baptist, Rev. Silas Curtis;
114
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
1
Pleasant street Baptist, Rev. II. G. Safford; Methodist, Rev. E. A. Drew; Episcopal, Rev. J. II. Eames, D. D. ; Unitarian, Rev. J. F. Lovering; Universalist, Rev. E. L. Conger, pastor; Catholic, Rev. J. E. Barry ; Second Advent, Elder J. G. Hook. At East Concord, Congregational. At West Con- cord, Congregational, Rev. H. B. Putnam. At Fisherville, C. Bap- tist, no pastor; Catholic, Rev. J. E. Barry ; Methodist, Rev. S. P. Heath, pastor.
There are also clergymen of the following persuasions, residing in Concord, viz., C. Baptist Rev. Moses Gerald; Congregational, Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, D. D., Rev. H. A. Kendall, Rev. S. Utley, Episcopal, Rt. Rev. W. W. Niles, Bishop of the Diocese, Rev. H. A. Coit, D. D., Rev. J. H. Coit, Rev. Hall Harrison, Rev. John Hargate, and Rev. R. A. Benton ; Methodist, Rev. Elisha Adams. The value of church property within the city precinct is not less than $ 225,000.
Villages. East Concord is loca- ted across the Merrimack, about two miles from the State House. Here is a plaster mill, saw mill, brick yard, belting and leather hose manufactory, store, post office, "large, brick, graded school house, church edifice, and about sixty dwellings. West Concord is about two miles north-west from the Capitol. There is a woolen mill, kit factory, two stores, church, school house, and about sixty dwellings.
(For Fisherville, see Boscawen.)
Millville lies about two miles west from the State House. St. Paul's School is located here, and is now the absorbing inter-
est of the village. There is a mill, and a number of fine dwelling houses.
About one mile directly east of the State House, across the Mer- rimack, by the free bridge road, and what is called the plain, has been commenced a pretty village. Within the past year, there have been erected fifteen or twenty dwelling houses, and a fine school house. It bids fair to be quite an auxiliary to the growth and wealth of the city precinct.
Banks. There are seven banks in the city, viz. First National, National State Capitol, National Savings, New Hampshire Savings, Merrimack County Savings, Loan and Trust Savings in city precinct ; and Pennacook Savings Bank, at Fisherville. Total capital in Na- tional banks, $350,000; Total amount deposited in the five sav- ings banks, $3,381,081.21. (See tables.)
Natural and acquired Resources. As can be seen, the granite ledges of Concord are a mine of wealth, but at present the only resource is the pay which the quarrymen get for labor and the farmers realize from the sale of the land where the ledges are located. This is valua- ble, but it would be better to have the profit on the stone stop here in- stead of going to Boston. The sup- ply may be considered inexhausti- ble, and will last for many gener- ations yet to come.
It is stated by competent judges that the water power in Concord is valuable, and is excelled by but few towns in the State in unim- proved privileges. Sewall's Falls, in the Merrimack, are about three miles from the State House. The width of the river at this point is
115
CONCORD.
only two hundred and thirty feet. The expense of a .dam here has been estimated, by competent en- gineers, to be about forty thousand dollars; and by taking the water from the west end of the dam, through a canal, for a distance of about three miles, to the city prop- er, would produce a fall of over twenty-one feet, and a constant flow of water in the driest time, of twelve hundred feet per second. This power is equal to running twenty cotton mills of five thou- sand spindles each, and requiring one hundred and twenty operatives to each mill, or three thousand in all. The whole expense to pre- pare this power ready to place mills on is estimated by Gov. James A. Weston at two hundred and sixty- five thousand dollars, and if all the power was utilized, it would make an additional population of nearly ten thousand inhabitants.
It may be well to state that there are good facilities for erecting mills on the east or west side of the riv- er, at the foot of the falls, without the expense of a canal two or three miles. Land for a mile square around the falls can be purchased at the rate per acre of farm land in that vicinity.
We quote the words of the effi- cient civil engineer, Hon. James A. Weston, who made the survey of this valuable power, in 1871: " Nature seldom offers to the hand of man a more favorable location, or greater facilities for the creation of a large and successful manufac- turing business."
At the south- east extremity of the city are Garven's Falls, in the Merrimack. The power here is con- sidered valuable, but we have no means of knowing its full capacity.
The acquired resources are in its great railroad center; and the completion of the Concord and Rochester Railroad, and extension of the Contoocook Valley Road, from Hillsborough to Peterbor- ough, together with the comple- tion of the Hoosic Tunnel, will still largely increase its railroad facilities. It being the capital of the State induces many men to come here to reside, and conse- quently adds to its wealth and pop- ulation, which are gradually in- creasing. From 1871 to 1872, its ratable polls increased 361. With all the advantages above men- tioned there is no reason why Con- cord should not annually increase in wealth and population for many years to come, and hold her rank with her sister cities in the State.
First Settlements. The first peti- tion for a grant of land comprising the territory of Concord, was made by parties living in Salem, Massa- chusetts, in 1663, but, not comply- ing with the provisions of the grant, they forfeited their right. Fifty- one years after the first grant they again petitioned to have the origi- nal grant of 1663 confirmed to them. They contended that the first gran- tees built a trading house on the tract, forty years before, and it is supposed it was built on the east side of the Merrimack.
In 1721 the inhabitants of Essex County, many of them living in Haverhill and vicinity, petitioned the government of Massachusetts for a grant of land called Penna- cook, and conveying nearly the same territory of the Salem grant sixty-two years before.
Benjamin Stevens, Ebenezer Eastman, John Osgood, Daniel Kimball, Austin Mitchell, and one
116
NEW- HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
hundred and fourteen others were the petitioners. Not fully succeed- ing in their first effort, in 1725, a new petition, signed by the five persons above named, who acted as a committee for the rest of the former petitioner's, was presented, asking the government to review the request of their former peti- tion. This second attempt proved successful, with certain provisions to be fulfilled on the part of the grantees.
The territory was to be divided into one hundred and three lots, and one hundred persons were to be admitted and each pay five pounds and build a good dwelling house, and break up and fence six acres of land within the space of three years, after the land was sur- veyed. The first fifty settlements to be made on the east side of the river, and the houses to be built on the home lot not more than twenty rods apart, in a regular defensible position. Also that a good, con- venient house for the worship of God, be completely finished with- in the same space of time; that the first minister should have one full share with the rest, the lot to be laid out adjoining the meeting- house lot. One lot for the support of schools forever, and one other, a ministerial lot of equal value with the rest. The survey of these lots was deferred till May 10, 1726. Samuel Ayer is supposed to be the first man who ploughed a field in Concord. Ebenezer Eastman and family were the first who settled in town, and came here in 1727. The first white female child born in town, was Dorcas, daughter of E. Abbott, who died in 1797. The first male child was born of the same parents in 1730, and died in
1801. The first grist mill was built on a small brook running through East Concord. In 1732, a grist mill and saw mill were built on Turkey river, at what is now called Mill- ville. The burying ground was laid out in 1730. Prior to 1730, the meetings of the grantees were holden in Bradford, Mass. The first town meeting was holden at the meeting house, November 10, 1730. Henry Rolfe was chosen moderator and Benjamin Rolfe, clerk.
In 1733, "Penney Cook" was in- corporated by the government of Massachusetts under the name of Rumford.
The Pennacook tribe of Indians settled in the vicinity of Concord. They were the most powerful and warlike tribe in the valley of the Merrimack, and all other tribes in this vicinity were subservient to them. Passaconnaway was their first chief known to the white set- tlers in New-Hampshire, and al- ways kept good faith with the English. Tradition gives it that he was the chief Sagamore of all the tribes in this section of New- England, as early as 1629. This tribe were opposed to the Christian religion and refused to pray to God for assistance; but the settlers never received any harm from them as a tribe, probably not as much as was administered to the Indians by the white men. The only Indian foe they feared were the Mohawk tribe, living in New- York, on the Mohawk river. There was a deadly feud between these two tribes for many years before the white men trod the soil of New-England. The site of an Indian fort, on the east side of the Merrimack, is pointed out where
117
CONCORD.
these two tribes met in deadly con- flict and victory decided in favor of the Pennacooks. But there was no reporter to record the heroic deeds of valor displayed on either side, and tradition tells the tale.
The first Indian depredation committed upon the settlers of Con- cord, was in 1742, when the wife of Jonathan Eastman was taken captive. These hostile attacks were instigated by the French, who then held control of Canada, and these Indians came from that vicinity. In 1746, there were seven garrisons in "Rumford" for the protection of the inhabitants. But with all these precautions, Mon- day, August 11, 1746, they ambush- ed and killed Lieut. Jonathan Brad- ley, Samuel Bradley, John Lufkin, John Bean and Obadiah Peters ; and Alexander Roberts and Wil- liam Stickney were taken prisoners. This sad tragedy occurred about one and one half miles west from the State House, on the Hopkinton road, as they were going to a fort about half a mile beyond where they were massacred. Four of the Indians were killed and two were wounded. There is no doubt but they intended to have made an at- tack on Concord, as there were over one hundred in the party who committed these murders. Through some source, the Indians learned that the town had been re- inforced by soldiers sent from Exeter under Captain Ladd, only the day before, and thus the assault was evaded. After this ambush of the Bradleys and others, they made a precipitate retreat, for fear of an attack by the soldiers and in- habitants from the forts.
In 1837, a granite monument was erected near the scene of this trag-
edy, by the late Richard Bradley (a relation of some of the victims) of this city. After it was erected with formal ceremonies, Mr. Brad- ley presented the deed of convey- ance of the monument and grounds, to the New-Hampshire Historical Society, which was received by the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Bou- ton, and being duly recorded was deposited in the society archives. The monument stands on a little eminence in a pasture, by the street leading to Millville and Hopkin- ton, and is placed on a mass of cobble stone, uncovered by earth and sod, or even fenced. A more lonely and desolate spot is not to be found in Concord, especially when one's mind reverts back to this dark and bloody deed, and, as your eye glances through bush and brake, a nervous feeling comes over you, that perhaps the unerring rifle of the red man is still point- ing at the heart to draw the life blood of his unwary victim. (For the honor of Concord, some meas- ure should be taken to have this sacred spot made more respect- able.)* With the exception of the State House, no public place is more frequently visited by stran- gers, being but one half mile from St. Paul's school, which is repre sented by nearly every state in the union.
Besides the foregoing deed no serious trouble ever occurred from the Indians, aside from killing a few cattle, &c., For many years there was a long controversy be- tween the proprietors of Bow and Concord, relative to certain rights of territory. In 1727, Bow received
* At a meeting of the members of the His torical Society (1873) it was voted to have these grounds appropriately arranged.
118
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
a grant of land, nine miles square, from certain authority in New- Hampshire, which covered nearly the whole territory which was granted to the proprietors of Pen- nacook. This of course led to conflicting authority between the respective grantees. This trouble was finally settled by the govern- ment of New-Hampshire's incol- porating the parish of Concord with town rights, in 1765, and in- cluding a large portion of the land previously claimed by Bow. Per- haps but few people are aware how the act for the incorporation of Concord was couched. It com- menced as follows :
" An Act for setting off a part of the town of Bow, together with some land adjoining thereto, with the inhabitants thereon, and make them a Parish, investing them with such privileges and immuni- ties as towns in this parish have and do enjoy." To this parish, in the town of Bow, was given the name of Concord, which means harmony and agreement with one- another.
The people of Concord bore their full share in furnishing men and money in the struggles of the revolution, and the blood of her sons helped to seal the covenant which made us a free and inde- pendent nation, as it did also to defend it from being broken in twain, in 1861.
Distinguished Men. Hon. Tim- othy Walker, son of the Rev. Tim- othy Walker, born in 1737, gradu- ated at Harvard in 1756, filled va- rious town offices, and served in a campaign under Gen. Sullivan; member of the convention which framed the Constitution in 1784; afterwards, for several years, a
member of the legislature, and for a long time, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas. He died in 1822.
Benjamin Thompson, afterwards known as Count Rumford, was a resident of Concord for many years, and married a daughter of Rev. Timothy Walker. He held various important military offices under the British crown, and on leaving the service, he was hon- ored with the title of Count. He afterwards received the honor of knighthood. He died in France in 1814.
Franklin Pierce, born in Hills- borough, but long a resident of this city, was U. S. Senator, and President of the United States, be- sides filling many minor responsi- ble offices. He died here, in 1869.
Isaac Hill came to Concord in 1809; was a printer by trade; was soon an editor of a political paper, and wielded a powerful influence in the State, for many years. He filled the offices of State Senator, U. S. Senator, and Governor of the State. He died in 1850.
There are many other prominent men, who have lived in Concord; but space will not permit us to mention them. It is enough to say, however, that she has furnish- ed her full share of public men, who have filled honorable posi- tions, both in the State and nation.
First Ministers. Rev. Timothy Walker was the first minister, and came here in 1726, and was settled in 1730. He died in 1782. Mr. Walker was a man of more than ordinary intellectual powers, and they were always used to promote the best interests of the town, for, unlike to-day, he did not act as the pastor of a church, but of the
119
CONWAY.
while town. Under his ministry, for fifty-two years, the whole people were united, under one congregation, and he died lament- ed by all who knew him. At the time of the trouble with Bow, the town sent Mr. Walker to England no less than three times, relative to this troublesome question, as their agent.
Rev. Israel Evans, ordained in 1789; dismissed in 1797. 3
Rev. Asa McFarland, D. D., settled in 1798, died in 1827. Dr. McFar- land was greatly beloved by his people, and died deeply la- mented.
City Charter. Concord was in- corporated, July 6, 1849. The charter was adopted, on the fifth trial, in March, 1853. The vote then stood, 828 in favor, and 559 against a charter. The mayors have been, under the new charter, 1853, Joseph Low; 1855, Rufus Clement; 1856, John Abbott; 1859, Moses T. Willard; 1861, Moses Humphrey; 1863, Benjamin F. Gale; 1865, Moses Humphrey ; 1866, John Abbott; 1868, Lyman D. Stevens; 1870, Abraham G. Jones; 1872, John Kimball.
The population has been, at the various decades, as follows : 1775, 1,052; 1790, 1,747; 1820, 2,838; 1840, 4,903; 1850, 8,584; 1860, 10,889; 1870, 12,241. The popula- tion at the present time (January, 1874,) is estimated at 14,000. The assessed value of personal and real estate, in March, 1873, was over $9,000,000. Its true value, no doubt, is over $12,000,000.
Boundaries. North by Canter- bury and Boscawen, east by Lou- don and Pembroke, south by Bow and Hopkinton, and west by Hop- kinton and Boscawen. Area, 40,
919 acres; area of improved land, 20,090 acres.
Latidude, 42 deg. 15 min. north ; longitude, about 71 deg. 30 sec. west from Greenwich.
Distances. Seventy-three miles north-west from Boston, and five hundred and seventy-four miles north-east by east from Washing- ton, D. C.
CONWAY.
CARROLL COUNTY. The surface of this town is uneven, except on the rivers. where there is some fine interval land, which produces fine crops of corn, rye, &c., To cultivate the upland requires pa- tient labor to get a fair return of crops. It ranks as the first town in the county, in its production of corn, and the fourth in its total value of agricultural productions.
Rivers and Ponds. Swift, Pee- quawket, and Saco, are the princi- pal rivers. The Saco is about twelve rods wide, and two feet deep. It has been known to rise over twenty-five feet in twenty- four hours. Swift and Peequaw- ket rivers discharge themselves into the Saco. There are some valuable water privileges in this town. Walker's Pond and Pe- quawket Pond are the principal collections of water.
Elevations. Pine, Rattlesnake, and Greene hills are the principal elevations. On the south side of Pine Hill is a detached block of granite, or bowlder, which doubt- less owes its present position to some violent action of nature.
Medical Spring. On the bank of Cold brook, is a spring strong- ly impregnated with sulphur. In some cases, it has proved benefi- cial to invalids.
120
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
Scenery. Some of the finest views of the White Mountains are obtained from North Conway. Many tourists spend the summer month in this beautiful mountain scenery town. At North Conway quite a village has grown up; the dwelling houses being principally owned by men in some of the large cities, who remove their families here to remain through the warm season of the year, There are also eight or ten large hotels and boarding houses, for the accom- modation of visitors who do not wish to live in private houses. Every inducement is offered to make this mountain retreat a de- sirable location for men who have families and do not desire their children to be deprived of school privileges too much. At North Conway are good schools, a fine academy, two or three churches, and all such privileges as are desired in cities, can be obtained here, thus making it a desirable opportunity to enjoy a fine moun- tain scenery through the summer, which many are improving. The number of tourists who stop per- manently through the summer months, is estimated at over 2,000 besides thousands who come and go as they pass through the moun- tain region. There are several manufactories at North Conway, and eight or ten stores of various kinds. At Conway village there are several manufactories, of va- rious kinds, three or four stores, bank, three or four hotels, church and school house. It is a very desirable and pleasant village to live in, and many tourists stop here through the summer.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.