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 16
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Rivers and Mountains. The south branch of Baker's River, a tributary of the Pemigewasset and Rocky Branch Rivers, pass through this town, affording some excellent water power. The intervals along Baker's River are very fertile, yielding excellent crops of hay. Church, Island, and Mc Cutchers ponds, form the head waters of the Rocky Branch. Little, Norris, and Smit's ponds are the head waters of the Mascomy. Stuart's Mountain, lies partly in this town, and from its summit a charming and extensive view of the surrounding country is obtained. The green hills of Ver-
mont and the course of the Con- necticut river, for several miles, can be distinctly seen.
Employments. Farming is the general occupation of the inhabi- tants. The lumber business is quite extensive; 2,400,000 feet of boards &c., 500,000 shingles and about 17,500 bushels charcoal are annually produced.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $71,174; mechanical labor, $ 19,800; stock in trade, $ 5,935; deposits in savings banks, $ 5,860.
Churches and Schools. Chris- tian church, C. W. Nelson, pastor ; Freewill Baptist, G. W. Jesseman, pastor. There are twelve school districts, and ten schools in town; average length, for the year, elev- en weeks.
First Settlers. Benjamin Rice and Stevens March, from Hanover, settled here about 1772. This town forfeited its first two chart- ers, by failing to fulfil conditions required. The third was granted to 72 persons, May 1, 1772.
Boundaries. North by Went- worth, east by Groton, south by Canaan, and west by Lyme. Area, 23,040 acres. Improved land, 9,531 acres.
Distances. Fifty miles north- west from Concord, and twenty- three south from Haverhill.
Railroads. Connects twice a week by mail coach at west Rum- ney, on the Boston Concord and Montreal railroad.
DOVER.
STRAFFORD COUNTY. A city and county seat of justice. It was the second place in New-Hampshire where the English set their feet for a permanent settlement. In no section of the State, can be
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found so dense a population, with such a variety of villages, fertile farms and fine country scenery, as within a radius of ten miles around Dover. Passing through the city or vicinity in any direction, the traveller finds no steep and rugged mountains, nor sterile plains, but occasionally ascends gentle swells of land from the height of which the eye meets somc delightful ob- ject-a well cultivated field, wind- ing streams, forests and pictur- esque villages are seen on every side. ; In the southern part of the city is a neck of land extending about three miles between the Piscataqua River on one side and Bellamy or Back River on the other. The road, from which the land gently descends toward the water on either side, presents an extensive and delightful view of bays, islands, and distant moun- tains.
The area of territory is small, comprising less than 3,000 acres of improved land, but the soil is excellent, producing fine crops.
Rivers. Cocheco (or Ouocheco) River has its source from several small streams in New Durham, which unite in Farmington, whence the river passes through Rochester, receiving the Isinglass, and thence through Dover where it joins the waters of the Salmon Falls River, the principal tribu- tary of the Piscataqua. About three miles from the mouth of the Cocheco, and where the tide water meets the fresh, is a heavy fall in the river of thirty-two and a half feet producing an excellent wa- ter power which is improved by the Cocheco Manufacturing Company. Bellamy Bank Riv- er takes a south-eastern course
through the city, and joins with waters which form the Piscataqua.
There is a good water power on this stream, which is generally improved. Vessels of light bur- then come up the Cocheco, as far as the Cocheco Falls.
City. Dover is the third city or town in the State in the value of its manufactured productions, the fourth in population, and the fifth in wealth. The city proper is located around the Cocheco Falls, and is the seat of extensive manu- facturing and trade. The river crosses Main Strect, and is spanncd by a wide and handsome bridge. The streets are wide, and many of them beautifully shaded, while the private residences are built on spacious grounds, affording fine lawns and gardens. The City Hall is a fine brick building, and located near the center of the city. Many of the business blocks are large and expensive buildings, and have a metropolitan appearance. There are in the city forty schools, ten churches, onc academy, six banks, five weekly newspapers, four ho- tels, between eighty and ninety stores of all kinds, twelve lawyers, thirteen physicians, five dentists, seventeen hundred dwellings, and about 9,500 inhabitants. There are a number of expensive church edifices, and the school buildings are, not excelled by those of any city in the State.
Manufactories. Dover has been noted, for many years, for its ex- tensive cotton print works, and the staple or uniform quality of the goods produced; also for its ex- tensive sale boot and shoe manu- factories.
The Cocheco - Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1812,
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the charter amended in 1821, and went into operation in 1822. The business of this company is di- vided into two departments. In one is the manufacturing of cotton print cloth, and in the other is printing calico. The first depart- ment does not produce two thirds of the number of yards of cloth that is printed. The number yards of cotton cloth wove is 16,000,000 annually, and valued at $1,240,000. The number yards of cloth printed is 31,340,000, valued at $3,447,400. In 1870 they printed 18,000,000 yards at $2,000,000-this shows the rapid increase of their business. The number of hands employed, in both departments, is 502 males and 687 females and children. F. A. & J. Sawyer, woolen mills, manu- facture flannels and other woolen goods. Value of goods produced in 1870, $340,060, They employ eighty-eight males and sixty-nine females and children There are eleven sale boot and shoe manu- factories, with a capital of $400,000, employing 655 men and boys, and 135 women, annually making 1,150, 000 pairs of boots and shoes of every description, valued at $1,580,000. The Freewill Baptist printing es- tablishment has a capital of $80,000, and employs 12 males and 12 fe- males. Value of productions- in 1870, $70,519. There are also man- ufactured sand paper and glue, $125,000; floor oil cloth, $60,000; clothing, $75,000; hats and caps, $20,000; baker's bread, $20,000; sash, blinds and doors, $40,000; carriages of all kinds, $50,000; lumber sawed, $30,000; newspa- per and job printing, $35,000 ; meal and flour ground, $45,000; illumin- ating gas, $30,000; leather tanned, $25,000; brick, $30,000; foundry
and machine shops, $60,000 ; mar- ble and soapstone, $15,000; besides photographers, tin workmen, har- ness makers, blacksmiths, carpen- ters, painters, masons, and various other professions. The total capi- tal invested in manufactories is es- timated at $2,051,000, employing 1484 males and 982 females and children, who annually receive for their labor, $1,120,000, and pro- ducing manufactured goods to the value of $7,352,900.
Resources. Agricultural produc- tions, $55,648; mechanical labor, $1,120,000; engaged in professional service, trade, transportation. &c., 855 persons, $513,000; stocks, &c., $209,375; money at interest, $ 190,360; stock in trade, $ 717, 620; deposits in savings banks, $1,203,307.
Churches and Pastors. Freewill Baptist, Rev. I. D. Stewart; C. Baptist, Rev. W. T. Chase; Chris- tian, Rev. J. G. T. Colby; Metho- dist, Rev. O. H. Jasper, Presiding Elder of Dover District-Rev. C. W. Millen, pastor ; Congregational, Rev. George Spaulding ; Episcopal, Rev. J. B. Richmond, rector; Ro- man Catholic, Rev. C. J. Drum- mond, priest; Unitarian, T. W. Brown; Universalist, Rev. J. Cre- hore.
Schools. There are forty schools in town, of which thirty are grad- ed. Average length of schools for the year, thirty-six weeks. There are 907 male and 980 female schol- ars. Sixty-five per cent. of this number regularly attend school through the year. Total amount of money annually appropriated for school purposes, $20,937.29; value of school houses and lots, $140,000. H. P. Warren is the principal of the High School. Franklin Acad-
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emy is located in this city. (See tables.)
Newspapers. Dover Enquirer, Dover Gazette, Morning Star, Lo- cal Record, Foster's Democrat. (See tables.)
The first newspapers published in Dover were the Political Reposi- tory and Strafford Record, com- menced July 15, 1790 ; discontinued January 19, 1792; Phenix, from January 25, 1792, to August 29, 1795; Dover Sun, commenced Sep- tember 15, 1795.
Banks. Strafford National Bank, Dover National Bank, Cocheco National Bank. Total capital in- vested, $320,000. County of Straf- ford for Savings, Dover Five Cent Savings Bank, and Cocheco Sav- ings Bank. Total amount of de- posits in savings banks, $2,399,258. 87. (See banks.)
Hotels. American House, New- Hampshire House, Kimball, and Franklin House. All these hotels are good houses. The American and New-Hampshire are the larg- est.
First Settlements. The first set- tlement of Dover was commenced at what is now known as Dover Neck, a point of land extending about three miles, between the Piscataqua on one side, and Bella- my Bank, or Back River, on the other; the extreme point being about four miles from the city prop- er at Cocheco Falls. An English company, styled the "Company of Laconia." sent out an expedition to establish a fishery around the mouth of the Piscataqua. A por- tion of this expedition landed at or near Portsmouth, while the rest, under command of Edward and William Hilton, fish mongers of London (as we quote from Dr.
Belknap) "sent their boats further up the river to a neck of land called by the Indians, Wennichahannat, but they named it Northam, after- wards *Dover. This settlement was commenced in 1623. For many years it included the princi- pal part of the population of the town. The first meeting house was built here, and was surround- ed with entrenchments and flank- arts, the remains of which are not entirely obliterated. Edward Hil- ton obtained a deed of the land oc- cupied by himself, and included within the grant Dover, Durham, Stratham, and part of Newing- ton and Greenland.t For a num- ber of years the town was under no provincial authority save their own municipal laws. In 1640 a written instrument was drawn up, and signed by forty-one persons, agreeing to abide by the laws of England, and those enacted by a majority of their own number. In 1641, the town voluntarily put itself under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, and remained so till 1679, when a commission was issued forming New-Hampshire into a royal province, and John Cutts, of Portsmouth, was the first president. From this date up to
*There is some contention whether this point was first named Dover and afterwards Northam, and sometimes Cocheco. It might have been so, for there was a continual wran- głe with the clergy, some of whom did not prove themselves above reproach, and some of these disputes were on such frivolous ques- tions. This was prior to 1642.
+ There is but little doubt that this is a mistake-that Hilton's purchase included no part of Durham, Stratham or Greenland; but only that part of Dover now called Dover Neck or Point, and a portion of Newington on the opposite side of Piscataqua river. The whole of his purchase did not exceed an area of 3,500 acres. See early settlements, page 3.
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DOVER.
1741 it was under various provin- cial governments, with a continual wrangle concerning jurisdiction and authority. In 1741 the final boundary between Massachusetts and New-Hampshire was estab- lished, thus giving the colonies of New-Hampshire a distinct gov- ernment, with Benning Went- worth as Governor,
Indians. This town, in its ear- ly settlement, was the scene of much Indian warfare, and many of its inhabitants were subjected to savage butchery, or long and cruel captivity. Thursday even- ing, June 27, 1689, Dover was the scene of one of the greatest Indian massacres which ever oc- curred in the State. It is stated, this bloody deed was committed more to revenge certain indigni- ties, perpetrated on the Indians by Major Waldron, who was a resident and prominent man of the town, some thirteen years prior. By stratagem, he secured some two hundred Indians, who had, at some times, exhibited some hostili- ty towards the settlers. Through a form of trial, seven, who were considered the ringleaders, were immediately hanged, and the re- mainder were sold into slavery. The Indians abroad considered this a breach of faith, and swore against him implacable revenge. On the Cocheco River, at Cocheco Falls, at the date of the massacre, were five garrison houses-three on the north side, viz. Otis's, Waldron's and Heard's ; on the south side, Peter Coffin's, and his son's. These houses were well built, and secured with stout doors, fastened with strong iron bars and bolts. To these houses the neighboring families usually
retired at night, but, by unac- countable negligence, no watch was kept. The Indians were dai- ly in . town, visiting and trading with the inhabitants, as was usual in times of peace; but still they had a vigilant eye on everything passing, and patiently watched for the convenient time to come to wreak their long-pent-up revenge. Some hints of this impending storm had frequently been thrown out by some of the squaws, but in such a way that no one could com- prehend their full meaning. Some of the more cautious people, how- ever, had fears that something wrong was intended by the sav- ages; but Waldron, from his long experience with them, scout- ed the idea. On the fatal evening, he was told, by a young man, that the town was full of Indians, and the people were much concerned. He answered that he knew the In- dians, and there was no danger.
The plan which the savages had arranged, was, that two squaws should go to each of the garrisons, in the evening, and ask leave to lodge by the fire. They were ad- mitted to all but the younger Cof- fin's garrison, who took himself for counsel, instead of Major Wal- dron. The squaws were even shown, at their request, by the credulous people, how to unfasten the doors, in case they should want to go out in the night.
Mesandouit, one of the chiefs, went to Waldron's garrison, and was kindly entertained by him, and by such acts he was lulled into a sense of security which caused him a horrid death.
When all had retired, and were quietly locked in sleep, the gates were opened, the signal given, and
.
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the savage horde rushed into the respective garrisons, and com- menced their work of death and cruelty.
Major Waldron, now advanced in life to the age of eighty years, awakened by the noise made by the Indians coming into his apart- ment, jumped out of bed, and with his sword, drove them through two or three doors; but, as he was returning for other arms, he was stunned by a blow from a hatchet, and dragged into the hall, and seated in an clbow chair, and insultingly asked "Who shall judge Indians now?" Other cruel indignities were inflicted on him, such as that they passed around him, and cut him across the belly and breast, with their knives, each saying " I cross out my account." By loss of blood he soon fell to the floor, and death ended his mis- ery. After killing his son-in-law, Abraham Lee, pillaging the house and setting it on fire, they took Lee's daughter, with several oth- ers, and left.
Otis's garrison shared the same fate. He was killed, with several · others, and his wife and child were carried away. Heard's garri- son was saved by the barking of a dog, just as the Indians were en- tering. Elder Wentworth pushed them out, and shut the gate, and held it till the people within were alarmed, and hastened to the de- fence. Coffin's house was sur- prised, but as the Indians had no enmity against him, they spared his life, and the lives of his family, and contented themselves by pil- laging the house. They then went to the house of his son, who had cautiously refused to admit the squaws, in the evening, and
demanded him to surrender, promising him quarter. He re- fused their offer, and determined to defend his house, till they brought his father before his eyes, and threatened to murder him. Filial affection broke his first reso- lution, and he surrendered. Both families were put into a deserted house, with the intention of reserv- ing them for prisoners, but the Indians were so intent on plunder- ing, they suffered them to make their escape.
In this attack twenty-three per- sons were killed, and twenty-nine were captivated. Five or six houses, with the mills, were burn- ed. This surprise was so adroitly planned, and so expeditiously car- ried into effect, that, before the in- habitants in other parts of the town were apprised, the Indians had made good their escape, with their prisoners and booty.
In 1691, a party of Indians fired upon a young man, in the woods near the settlement. The Indians were pursued by a body of the citizens, and nearly all were either killed or wounded. In 1696, three persons were killed and several wounded and taken pris- oners, as they were returning from church. In 1704, the people were waylaid as they were coming from meeting, and one Mark Giles killed. William Pearl and Na- thaniel Tibbetts were killed in 1706, and Jacob Garland shared the same fate in 1710. In the spring of 1711 and 1712, an attack was made on the town, and a Mr. Tuttle killed. In August, 1723, Mr. Joseph Ham was killed, and three of his children carried off by the Indians. It would require a large volume to fully detail al'
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DOVER.
the Indian murders and cruelties which have been inflicted upon the early settlers of Dover, conse- quently want of space debars us from the attempt.
First Ministers and Church. Rev. William R. Leveridge, Con- gregational, was the first minister who preached here, and, probably, the first ordained minister that ever preached the gospel in New- Hampshire. For want of adequate support, he remained but two years, and removed south. He was influenced to come here through Lord Say, and commenced his services Oct. 10, 1633. The next was Rev. George Burdett, who came among them in 1634. He was elected Governor and was settled to preach in 1637, but being detected in some criminal acts, he made a precipitate flight to the province of Maine. A Congrega- tional church was established in 1638, by one Capt. John Underhill, and put in charge of Rev. Han- serd Knollys, in 1639. This church was called the First Church, being the oldest but one in New-Hampshire. He was fol- lowed by Rev. Thomas Larkman, in 1640. These two last men proved themselves destitute of moral character, and were forced to leave the parish. The church being much oppressed by the bad character of the ministers, in 1642, called the pious Rev. Daniel Maud to become their pastor. This charge he faithfully perform- ed until his death, which occurred in 1655. Then followed the Rev. John Reyner, settled in 1657; died in 1669. Rev. John Reyner, his son, settled in 1671; died in 1676. Rev. John Pike, settled in 1681; died in 1710. Rev. Nicholas Se-
ver, settled in 1711; dismissed in 1715; died in 1764. Rev. Jona- than Cushing, settled in 1717; dis- missed in 1764. Rev. Jeremy Belknap, D. D., settled in 1767; removed to Boston in 1786, 'and was settled there in 1787. Dr. Belknap was the celebrated histo- rian of New-Hampshire. He died in Boston, June 20, 1798. Rev. Robert Gray, settled in 1787; dis- missed in 1805.
Town and City. Dover was in- corporated as a town, October 22, 1641. A city charter was granted in June, 1855, and adopted Sep- tember 1, 1855. The following persons have acted as mayors : 1856, Andrew Pierce; 1857, Thom- as E. Sawyer: 1858, James Ben- nett; 1860, Albert Bond; 1861, Alphonzo Bickford; 1863, Wil- liam F. Estes; 1866, Joshua G. Hall; 1868, Eli V. Brewster; 1870, William S. Stevens.
The population, at various dates, is as follows: in 1777, 1,666; 1790, 1,998; 1820, 2,871; 1850, 8,186; 1860, 8,502 .; 1870, 9,294. Ratable polls in 1872, 2291. Assessed val- uation, $5,917,089. True valua- tion, about $9,000,000.
Boundaries. North by Somers- worth and Rollinsford, east by Sal- mon Falls river, which separates it from Maine, south by Madbury, and west by Rochester. Area of improved land 2,640 acres.
Distances. Forty miles east from Concord, and sixty-six north from Boston.
Railroads. The railroad facili- ties of Dover are excellent. The Boston and Maine Railroad which connects Boston with Portland, passes through the centre; the Co- checo, a branch of the Boston and Maine, runs to Alton bay, distant
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
twenty-five miles north-west, where in the warm season, it con- neets with steamboats running to all points on the Winnipiseogee lake, also connects with the Great Falls and Conway Railroad for the White mountains. The Ports- mouth and Dover Railroad, built in the season of 1873, connects these two old towns together, making the distanee by rail, about eleven miles.
DUBLIN.
CHESHIRE COUNTY. The sur- face of this town is uneven, but the soil is strong, yielding fair crops of eorn, oats, hay, &e. The inhabitants are noted for their energetic spirit in business.
Streams and Ponds. Dublin is situated on the height of land be- tween Merrimack and Connectieut Rivers; consequently its streams are small. Center Pond, about one mile in diameter, is the principal sheet of water.
Mountains. A large portion of the grand Monadnock lies in the south-west part of the town. Breed's Mountain lies near the eenter.
Employments. Agriculture is the prineipal occupation of the people. Three thousand, eight hundred boxes of clothes pins are annually manufactured. Lumbering and some small manufactories are ear- ricd on.
Resources. From productions of the soil, $ 50,705; meehan- ical labor, $12,800; Money at inter- est, $21,532; stoeks and bonds, $8,400; deposits in savings banks, $108,206; stock in trade, $6,400.
Churches and Schools. Unitarian, G. M. Riee, pastor; Trinitarian, no pastor. There are ten schools
in town. Average length of schools for the year, twenty-four wecks. The Rev. Edward Sprague made a bequest of $8,000 for the support of publie schools. He also left the town $5,000, the interest of which is to be applied to the support of an ordained Congregational min- ister, who shall statedly preach in Dublin.
Library. Social Library, 1817 volumes.
First Settlers. Settled by Mat- thew Thurston and others in 1749. Incorporated March 29, 1871. It was originally ealled Monadnock Number Three.
First Ministers. Rev. Joseph Farrer, Congregational, ordained June 10, 1772. Rev. Elijah Willard, Baptist, ordained June 5, 1793.
Boundaries. North by Harris- ville, east by Peterborough, south by Jaffrey, and west by Marlbor- ough. A portion of Harrisville was taken from the north part of this town in July, 1870.
Distances. Ffty miles south-west from Coneord and ten south-east from Keene.
Railroads. Peterborough Depot, six miles, on Monadnock Railroad. Stage on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
DUMMER.
Coos COUNTY. The surface is roeky and uneven, but the soil is strong, and good crops of oats, barley, potatoes and hay are produeed.
Rivers. Androscoggin and Little Ammonoosue Rivers are the prin- cipal streams. In the latter are the Pontook Falls.
Employments. Agriculture is the principal vocation of the inhabi- tants. Over 400,000 feet of sawed
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DUNBARTON.
lumber, of all kinds, are annually sawed.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $36,865; mechanical labor, $1,000; stock in trade, $500.
Schools. There are six schools; average length for the year, ten weeks.
First Settlement. The town was granted to Mark H. Wentworth, March 8, 1773. Incorporated De- cember 19, 1848.
Boundaries. North by Mills- field and Erroll, east by Cam- bridge, south by Milan, and west by Stark and Odell. Area, 23,041 acres; area of improved land, 2019 acres.
Distances. One hundred and sixty miles north from Concord, and thirty north-east from Lancas- ter.
Railroads. Grand Trunk Rail- road, near the south-west corner of the town.
DUNBARTON.
MERRIMACK COUNTY. There are many hills and no mountains in this town. The situation is ele- vated, the air is pure and the water good. The soil is of the best qual- ity, and well adapted to the growth of corn, wheat and fruit. Some of the finest specimens of apples in the County are produced here. Concord furnishes an excellent market for all the surplus products of the farmers, who are generally industrious and successful hus- bandmen. The people are noted for their wealthy and prosperous condition, as their resources will plainly show.
Employments. The inhabitants are principally engaged in ag- riculture. 700,000 feet of lumber, of all kinds, are annually pro-
duced. 25,000 scythe rifles are made.
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