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 21
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boarders. It is estimated that there are three thousand tourists who stop here from one week to three months through the warm season, and in the height of sum- mer travel, for four weeks, there are over one thousand stopping in the village.
The capital invested in the rail- road shops, is $ 125,000, employing 155 men, with an annual pay roll of $ 96,000, and with an annual production of $250,000. There are also various other manufactories in the village. There are three churches, one large school house, twelve stores, of various kinds, bank, three lawyers, three physi- cians, one dentist, and about 900 inhabitants.
Employments. The inhabitants are nearly all engaged in manu- facturing, trade, and keeping sum- mer boarders. Over 2,850,000 feet of lumber is annually sawed, val- ued at $35,500; meal and flour ground, valued at $ 9,000; ma- chine shop, $ 250,000; starch mill, $2,200; tannery, $ 18,800; besides cabinet work, shoe making, black- smiths, harnesses, carriage repair- ing, tin ware, tailors, and some other mechanical shops. The total value of all goods manufactured annually is $ 344,000. (See tables.)
Resources. Agricultural produc- tions, $ 20,920; mechanical labor, $116,700; money at interest, $ 5, 750; deposits in savings banks, $ 5,000; stock in trade, $ 39,709; from summer tourists, (with the Glen House) estimate, $ 130,000. Professional business, $10,000.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. G. F. Tewksbury, pastor; Methodist- --; Catho- lic, supplied by Rev. I. H. Noi- seaux of Lancaster. There are
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
three schools; average length of schools for the year, twenty-four weeks.
Banks. Gorham Savings Bank. (Sec tables.)
First Settlement. Gorham was originally called " Shelburne Ad- dition." In 1800 there were but forty-five inhabitants in town. It was incorporated under its present name June 18, 1836.
Boundaries. North by Berlin, east by Shelburne, south by the northern base of the White Moun- tains, and west by Randolph. Area 18,146 acres. Area of im- proved land 1981 acres.
Distances. By railrord 172 miles north from Concord, and 35 east from Lancaster.
Railroads. The Grand Trunk Railroad passes through the north- eastern portion of the town. This road connects Portland with Mon- treal and the West. The Boston, Concord and Montreal forms a junction with it at Northumber- land.
GOSHEN.
SULLIVAN COUNTY. The sur- face of Goshen is uneven and brok- en, but the soil, when properly cul- tivated, produces fine crops. Some of the farms are under a high state of cultivation.
Streams and Ponds. Several small streams which unite in forming Sugar River have their source in the east part of the Sun- apee mountain. Rand's Pond, in the north-east part of the town, is the largest body of water.
Mountain. Sunapee Mountain lies in the eastern part, and is the principal elevation.
Minerals. Plumbago is found here in limited quantities. Mica,
slate, gneiss, and granite are also found.
Employments. The people are principally engaged in agriculture. There are annually sawed, 40,000 shingles; 925,000 feet of boards &c .; 6,000 sides of leather, and 12,000 lbs. of splits are annually tanned, valued at $25,000.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 60,092; mechanical labor, $ 5,000; stocks and money at inter est, $ 26,050; deposits in savings banks, $ 20,618; stock in trade, $8,700.
Churches and Schools. Chris- tain church, Rev. H. A. Stratton, pastor; Congregational church, Rev. John Bragdon, pastor; Bap- tist church, no pastor There are five schools in town. Average length of schools for the year, nineteen weeks.
First Settlements. Goshen was formed from Newport, Sunapee, Newbury, Washington, Lempster, and Unity. It was first settled by Capt. Benjamin Rand, William Lang and Daniel Grindle, whose sufferings and hardships were very great : their crops were often badly injured by early frosts, and they were frequently obliged to go to Charlestown and Walpole for grain. Incorporated in 1791.
First Churches. A Congrega- tional church was organized in 1802, and a Baptist society in 1803.
Boundaries. North by Sunapee and Newport, east by Newbury, south by Washington, and west by Lempster and Unity. Area 12,023 acres; area improved land, 8,513 acres.
Distances. Forty-two miles north-west from Concord, and six south-east from Newport.
Railroad. By stage three times
-
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GOSPORT-GRAFTON.
a week to Newport station, six miles, on the Sugar river railroad.
GOSPORT.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. An isl- and in the Atlantic Ocean, about twelve miles from Portsmouth, and belongs to a cluster of islands situ- ated mostly within the boundary of Maine, and called the Isles of Shoals. It was formerly called Appleton Island and contains about one hundred and fifty acres. The inhabitants are principally devoted to fishing, and attending to the wants of summer tourists. It is becoming one of the greatest sum- mer resorts on the Atlantic coast. One of the largest hotels in the State, was built here in 1872, be- sides there were several other large houses previously erected.
Steamboats leave and return to the wharves in Portsmouth sev- eral times daily through the warm season for the accommodation of the traveling public.
Early Settlements. Owing to the great facilities for fishing, this island was inhabited by the whites at an early date. In 1728, they paid £16, as their proportion of the province tax of £ 1,000.
Schools. There is one school with twenty-eight scholars. Aver- age length of schools, twelve weeks; number of inhabitants 94. Preaching is had occasionally, but in this respect there has been no improvement for over two hundred years. " As early as 1650, Rev. John Brock began to preach here. The following story is related of him, by Mather :- ' Mr. Brock brought the people into an agreement, that, exclusive of the Lord's day, they would spend one day every month together, in the worship of our
Lord Jesus Christ. On a certain day, which, by their agreement, belonged unto the exercises of religion, the fishermen came to Mr. Brock, and asked him, if they might put by their meeting, and go a fishing, because they had lost many days, by reason of foul weather. He, seeing that without his consent, they resolved upon doing what they had asked of him, replied, If you will go away, I say unto you, catch fish, if you can! But as for you that will tarry, and worship the Lord Jesus Christ this day, I will pray unto Him for you, that you may take fish till you are weary. Thirty men went away from the meeting, and five tarried. The thirty which went away, with all their skill, could catch but four fishes; the five who tarried went forth afterwards, and they took fire hundred. The fishermen, after this, readily attended whatever meetings Mr. Brock appointed them.'"'
Doubtless there is no such agree- ment with any minister to-day, if there was, the people would be quite as apt to break it.
GRAFTON.
GRAFTON COUNTY. The surface is uneven but in many sections the soil is good, and, when properly cultivated, produces fine crops of corn, potatoes, and grass. There are some very well cultivated farms, and some of the best prac- tical farmers in the State, reside in this town.
Rivers and Ponds. Smith's River, a tributary of the Pemigewassett, runs through this town in a south- easterly direction, also branches of the Mascomy River which falls into the Connecticut, have their
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
source in the north-western section of the town. There are five ponds, the largest of which is called Graf- ton Pond, and has an area of near- ly three hundred acres. Two are named " Mud Ponds."
Elevations and Minerals. In the north-west part of the town is a remarkable ledge, called the " Pin- nacle." On the south side, the ground rises by a gradual ascent to the summit; but on the north side, it rises nearly perpendicular over one hundred and fifty feet. At Glass Hill, about four hundred feet above its base, is found a very valuable quarry of Mica. The Mica is very clear, and color- less and, when in thick masses, has a red tinge. This quarry is exten- sively worked in the warm season, and yields nearly 100,000 lbs. of mica annually. It is now worked by J. W. Kelton & Co., Grafton Centre. From the summit of this hill, a delightful view of the sur- rounding country may be obtained. On John's Hill an eminence about one mile south-west from Glass Hill, beryls of a large size, are found.
Employments. Agriculture i the principal employment of the people. Besides the work in the mica quarry, there is but little manufacturing done. (See Tables.)
Resources. Agricultural pro- ducts, $ 79,934; mechanical labor, $4,300; stocks and bonds, $3,200; money at interest, $ 18,886; depos- its in savings banks, $ 45,220 ; stock in trade, $ 12,150; from summer tourists, $ 1,000.
Churches and Schools. Union, Rev. Warren Applebee, pastor; Christian, -. There are ten schools in town, average length for the year, twelve weeks. .
Hotels. Pleasant Valley House.
First Settlers. This town was granted to Ephraim Sherman and others, August 14, 1761. The first permanent settlement was made by Captain Joseph Hoyt, and Cap- tain Alexander Bixby in 1772. In- corporated, November 11, 1778.
First Churches. A Baptist church was formed in 1785. The Freewill Baptist church was organized in 1817.
Boundaries. North by Orange, east by Alexandria and Danbury, south by Springfield, and west by Enfield and Canaan. Area, 21, 993, acres.
Distances. Thirty-six miles north-west from Concord, and six- ty south-east from Haverhill.
Railroads. There are two sta- tions in this town, on the Northern Railroad.
GRANTHAM.
SULLIVAN COUNTY. The sur- face of this town is uneven, but the soil is productive. There are some farms along its southern and western border which are well cultivated and produce fine crops of grain, grass, &c. There are many large tracts of valuable tim- ber land, and plenty of water pow- er to prepare it ready for market.
Ponds and Streams. There are seven ponds, the largest of which is Eastman's Pond of an area of nearly 300 acres; there is another pond near the Centre which covers about 200 acres. On the summit of Croydon mountain, is a natural pond containing 70 acres. The town is well watered by numerous trout brooks, many of them afford- ing excellent water privileges.
Mountains. Croydon Mountain extends along the westerly part of
175
GREENFIELD.
Grantham from south-west to north-east. The mountain sides furnish excellent pasturage, and, at its base, grass is produced in abundance. On the east side of the mountain, is a medical spring supposed to possess heal- ing qualities. Valetudinarians frequently visit it, in the summer season.
Minerals. Large quantities are found in this town, of a substance which produces a paint similar to spruce yellow when clarified, or, being burned, produces a Spanish Brown.
Employments. The inhabitants are principally engaged in agricul- ture, and lumber business-more lumber is annually sawed in Gran- tham, than in any other town in the county, amounting to over 2,400,000, feet ; 1,600,000 clothes pins are also annually manufactured. (See Tables).
Resources. Productions of the soil, $63,100; mechanical labor, $10,500; stocks and bonds, $6,200; money at interest, $ 9,750; deposits in savings banks, $ 15,749; stock in trade, $ 5,475.
Churches and Schools. Metho- dist, Elder George A. Tyrrell, pas- tor; Union, Rev. W. H. Eastman, pastor. There are eight schools in town; average length for the year, fifteen weeks; amount of money appropriated for school pur- poses, annually, $ 748,48.
Hotel. " Grantham House."
First Settlers. Grantham was granted July 11, 1761; but the pro- prietors not fulfilling the condi- tions of the charter, it was regrant- ed to Colonel William Symms and sixty-three others in 1767, under its present name. The name was changed in 1786 to “ New Gran-
tham;" but it was restored to its original name in 1818.
First Minister. Rev. Dana Clayes, ordained in 1821.
Boundaries. North by Enfield, east by Springfield and Croydon, south by Croydon, and west by Plainfield.
Area. 24,000 acres; improved land, 9,445, acres.
Distances. Via Newport, fifty miles north of Concord, and ten north from Newport.
Railroads. Ten miles to New- port station on Sugar River Rail- road. The Sugar River Extension Railroad, if ever built, will pass through this town. A stage runs to Newport daily.
GREENFIELD.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. The surface of Greenfield is broken and uneven, but the soil is deep and fertile, and yields fine crops of wheat, corn, barley, and pota- toes. The hills afford excellent grazing, while the valleys and plains are favorable for grain, &c.
Summer Resorts. The fine scen- ery, pure air, and pure water have caused many city invalids to spend their summer vacation in Green- field. The town is noted for the longevity of its inhabitants.
Rivers and Ponds. Contoocook River forms part of the western boundary, and separates it from Hancock. It affords some very good water power. There are five ponds, the largest of which is about one mile in length, and one third of a mile in width.
Mountains. A part of Crotched Mountain, rising from the north part, and part of Lyndeborough Mountain from the south and east
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
sections of the town are the prin- cipal elevations.
Employments, The inhabitants are generally engaged in farming. 360,000 feet of lumber are annu- ally sawed. Sash and blinds and wooden measures are also made.
Resources. Agricultural prod- ucts, $57,354; mechanical labor, $ 6,500; stocks and money at inter- est, $ 18,575; deposits in savings banks, $ 54,037; stock in trade, $ 4,725,; from summer tourists, $ 3,000.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational church, Rev. S. H. Par- tridge, pastor. There are ten school districts in town, and seven schools; average length for the year, nineteen weeks.
Hotel. Dunklee House.
First Settlements. Greenfield was first settled by Captain Alex- ander Parker, Major A. Whitte- more and others in 1771. Incor- porated June 15, 1791. It received its present name from Major Whit- temore. A Congregational church was formed in 1791.
First Ministers. Rev. Timothy Clark, ordained 1800, dismissed in 1811; Rev. John Walker, ordained in 1812, dismissed in 1822.
Boundaries. North by Benning- ton and Francestown, east by Francestown and Lyndeborough, south by Lyndeborough and Tem- ple, and west by Peterborough and Hancock. Improved land, 7,611 acres.
Distances. Thirty-eight miles south-west from Concord, and about fourteen north-west from Amherst.
Railroads. The Wilton Railroad has been extended to this town, thence to Peterborough.
GREENLAND.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. Green- land is one of the most pleasant farming towns in the State. The orchards and gardens are valuable, yielding a good return to the farm- ers. The town is celebrated for its excellent fruit, it being excelled in the value of its orchard products by no town in the county. Some of the most valuable and pro- ductive farms in the State, are in this town.
Great Bay waters the northern section of the town, and the rest is watered by small streams.
Employments. The people are generally engaged in agriculture. The farmers find a ready sale for their produce in Portsmouth, four miles distant. About 280,000 feet of lumber are annually sawed, and about 18,000 pairs of sale boots and shoes made. Owing to the pleas- ant location of the town, quite a number of summer tourists spend the warm weather here.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 119,794; mechanical labor, $6,600; stocks, bonds and money at interest, $28,470; deposits in savings banks, $ 39,976; stock in trade, $ 1,875; from summer tour- ists, $ 2,000.
There is no means of knowing the amount of money securities owned by many people in this town, but it is very large in pro- portion to the population.
Churches and Schools. There are two churches; Congregational, Rev. Edward Robie, pastor; and Methodist, Elder F. Chandler, pas- tor. There is a fund of $ 5000, the income of which is applied to the support of a congregational min- ister and for missionary purposes. There are three public schools in
177
GREENVILLE.
town; average length of schools for the year, thirty-three weeks.
Hotel. Bracket "Hotel."
First Settlement. Greenland was originally part of Portsmouth, and was incorporated in 1703; one hundred years ago there were more inhabitants in the town than at the present time.
First Ministers. Rev William Allen, the first minister, was or- dained July 15, 1707; died Septem- ber 8, 1760; Rev. Samuel McClin- tock, D.D., ordained in 1756; died in 1804. He was a chaplain in the revolutionary army, and very ac- tive in the cause of his country.
Boundaries. North by Great Bay and Newington, east by Ports- mouth and Rye, south by North Hampton, and west by Stratham ; area 6,360 acres; improved land, 5,839.
Distances. Forty miles south- east from Concord, and five west from Portsmouth.
Railroads. The Eastern, and Portsmouth and Concord railroad pass through a portion of this town, affording excellent railroad facilities to the inhabitants.
GREENVILLE.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. Green- ville is a small township taken from the northern section of Ma- son, and includes within its limits " Mason village." The surface of the town is uneven, but the soil is productive and produces excellent crops, the farmers finding a home market at Mason village for all their surplus productions.
Rivers. Souhegan River passes through the northwestern part of the town and affords some fine water power, about one-half of which is improved. The town has
voted to exempt from taxation for a term of years any new manufac- tories which may be erected. With this inducement held out, there is a prospect that the whole water power will be improved within a short time.
Employments. The people are largely engaged in manufacturing, although there are many fine farms under a high cultivation. There are annually manufactured 3,524, 400 yards of cotton goods, valued at $617,100; lumber mills annu- ally sawing 700,000 feet of lum- ber; furniture manufactory annu- ally making 700 sets of furniture ; besides various small manufacto- ries. The Columbian Manufac- turing Company are building another large mill which will go into operation in a short time. The total value of goods annually manufactured is estimated at $ 655,800.
Resources. Productions of the soil $37,682; mechanical labor, $108,200; deposits in savings banks, $35,800; from summer tourists,$2,500; stock in trade, $42,800.
Village. The village of Green- ville is situated on the Souhegan river, and is one of the pleasant- est villages in the State. There are several large cotton mills, an extensive furniture manufactory, lumber mills, blacksmith, tin ware, shoe shops, and various other mechanical works. There are eight or ten stores of various kinds, two churches, a large school house with graded schools, bank, hotel, insurance, telegraph, post office, two physicians' offices, and about 100 dwelling houses.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. George F. Merriam,
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
pastor; number of members, 95; church value, $8,000; Baptist, Rev. William HI. Walker, pastor; num- ber of members, 100; church value, $7,000. There are five schools in town, two of which are graded; average length of schools for the year, twenty weeks.
Bank. Mason Village Savings Bank. (See table.) Hotels. " Columbian House," number of arrivals, 1,200.
First Settlers. See Mason. The town was incorporated under the name of Greenville in June, 1872.
Boundaries. North by Temple and Wilton, east by Mason and Brookline, south by Mason, and west by New Ipswich.
Distances. Forty-three miles southwest from Concord, and twenty west from Nashua.
Railroad. A branch of the Fitchburg railroad, formerly the Peterborough and Shirley rail- road, has its terminus at Green- ville village.
GROTON.
GRAFTON COUNTY. The sur- face of Groton is uneven, but the soil is deep and fertile, and the husbandman reaps a rich reward for his labor, in fine crops of corn, oats, buckwheat, potatoes, etc. About 15,000 pounds of maple sugar re annually made.
Rivers and Ponds. This town is well watered on its northerly border by Baker's River, affording some very good water privileges. Several small streams have their source in the southerly part, and flow into Newfound lake. Specta- cle Pond is the largest body of wa- ter. It lies about a mile northeast from Groton meeting house.
Employments. The people are
generally engaged in agriculture ; 1,035,000 feet of lumber, 90,000 clapboards and 430,000 shingles are annually produced. (See tables.)
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 70,367; money at interest, $ 8,200; stock in trade, $ 4,878; de- posits in savings bank, $ 14,020; mechanical labor $ 6,000.
Churches and Schools. Christian church twenty members, and Bap- tist church thirty members. There are ten schools in town. Average length of schools for the year, ten weeks.
Organizations. In 1776 Groton was granted to George Abbott and others, by the name of Cocker- mouth. It was incorporated De- cember 7, 1796. The first settlers were James Gould, Captain E. Melvin, James Hobart, Phinehas Bennett, and Samuel Farley, in 1770.
First Ministers. Rev. Samuel Perley, Congregational, ordained in 1779, dismissed in 1785; Rev. Thomas Page, ordained in 1790, died in 1813.
Boundaries. Bounded north by Wentworth and Rumney, east by Hebron, south by Orange, and west by Dorchester. Area, 16,531 acres.
Distances. Forty-five miles north-west from Concord, and ten west from Plymouth.
Railroads. Six miles to Rumney station on the Montreal railroad. Daily stage to Bristol, twelve miles, on the Bristol Branch railroad.
HAMPSTEAD.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. This town lies partly on the height of land between the Merrimack and Piscataqua rivers. In most sec- tions, the soil is good, and when
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HAMPTON.
properly cultivated, produces fair crops.
Rivers and Ponds. Spiggot River flows from Wash Pond, near the centre of the town. Angly Pond lies in the north-east part, and is drained by Powwow River. Island Pond contains a valuable farm of about three hundred acres. It is an irregular shaped town; its con- tour being varied by about thirty angles.
Employments. The business is nearly equally divided between farming and manufacturing. About 75,000 pairs of sale boots and shoes, are annually made, and 700,000 feet of lumber sawed, besides there are several small mechanical shops. Value of goods annually manu- factured, $ 112,300.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 38,433; mechanical labor, $ 29,200; money at interest, and stocks, $ 30,500 ; deposits in savings banks, $ 44,032; stock in trade, $ 9,900.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. E. W. Bullard, pas- tor. There are seven schools in town. Average length for the year, twenty-four weeks.
There has been a fund bequeathed to the town, for the purpose of establishing a high school under certain provisions. The late B. D. Emerson made the bequest.
First Settlements. In 1728, a Mr. Emerson made a settlement in the south part, near a brook; and at that time only a Mr. Ford and two Indians lived in the town. This territory was considered a part of Amesbury and Haverhill Massa- chusetts, until the division line was established between the two States, in 1741. It was granted under its present name, January
19, 1749, and after the name of a pleasant village, five miles north of London in England. It included in its grant, a portion of Kingston, which created a long dispute be- tween the two towns, which was finally settled by Hampstead's pay- ing one thousand pounds old tenor.
First Ministers. Rev. Henry True, ordained in 1752, died in 1782; Rev. John Kelly, installed in 1792.
Boundaries. North by Sandown and Danville, east by Kingston and Plaistow, south by Atkinson, and west by Derry. Area, 8,350 acres; area of improved land, 4,725 acres.
Distances. About thirty miles south-east from Concord, and twelve south-west from Exeter.
Railroads. The Nashua and Rochester Railroad now (1873) being built, will pass through the town.
HAMPTON.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. The surface of this town is level, and its soil rich and productive. It is noted for its extensive marshes, which have an area of eighteen hundred acres, or nearly one quar- ter of the whole surface of the town. But few towns in the State produce as much value, to each acre of improved land, as Hampton; being $21,25. The soil is well adapted to tillage and mowing, but there is not sufficient pasturage, and many of the young cattle are driven in the spring, up to the pasture hills in Belknap Coun- ty. Hampton River, is the only stream of any note. The constant wash of the tide, has made quite a channel, but above tide-flow it is nothing but a small brook. In its
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
passage to the Ocean, it receives the waters of Seabrook river.
Summer Resorts. Hampton has been celebrated for many years, for its extensive beaches and fine Ocean scenery. Nearly midway of the beach, there is a high bluff, apparently rising from the Ocean, called "Boar's Head." On the land side, is a gentle acclivity to its summit, which covers a level space of two or three acres. Upon this summit, is a large hotel called the "Boar's Head House " kept by the popular landlord, S. H. Du- mas, Esq. A little south of this house, on the side of the bluff, and near the Ocean, is the Leavitt House, managed by the proprietors of the same name of the House. This House is a new structure ; but is becoming quite popular, and re- ceives its full share of patronage. At the north-easterly base, is the Granite Hotel, which is a popular House.
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