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 22
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The views obtained from the top of Boar's Head, are the finest on the New-England Atlantic Coast. Before you is the broad Atlantic, the Isles of Sholes, the sea coast from Cape Ann to Portsmouth, and the white sails of the hundred vessels bound to some foreign land, or just returning from some long voyage to their home port, make the scene grand and interesting. The beaches, on either side of the bluff are broad, and afford excellent opportunity for invalids and par- ties of pleasure to bathe. There are several hotels near the beach, the largest of which is the Ocean House. It is about two miles from Hampton railway station, on the Eastern railroad, where coaches are in waiting, on the arrival of each train, to convey travelers to
the various hotels. The number of tourists who come here and stay from one week to three months, is- estimated at twelve hundred, be- sides the thousands who stop for a day or two.
Employments. As can be seen, the people are largely engaged in keeping summer boarders, and farming is made a lucrative busi- ness by having a home market for all their surplus productions, at the hotels and boarding houses. The business of manufacturing sale shoes is carried on to a limited extent; also lumber business, and various other small mechanical shops. The total value of manu- factured goods annually produced, is $ 56,560.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 95,447; mechanical labor, $ 16,600; money at interest, $7, 100; deposits in savings banks, $19,329; stock in trade, $21,967; from summer tourists, estimate, $80,000.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, no pastor; Freewill Bap- tist, no pastor; Methodist, Rev. Elihu Scott, pastor. There is a fund of $ 12,000, the interest of which is to be devoted to the sup- port of a Congregational minister. There are seven schools in town, two of which are graded. Aver- age length for the year, thirty-one weeks.
Literary Institution. Hampton Academy.
Hotels. Union House, Boar's Head House, Ocean House, Hamp- ton Beach House, Couch House, Eagle House, Granite House, and Dow House.
First Setttements. Hampton was the fourth town settled in New Hampshire, and was incorporated
181
HAMPTON FALLS.
May 22, 1639; and included within its limits the present towns of North Hampton, Hampton Falls, Seabrook, Kensington and South Hampton, having an area of about 45,500 acres. The Indian name of the town was "Winnicummet," and at the time of its settlement it was considered within the juris- diction of Massachusetts. The first settlers were emigrants of Norfolk, England. The first house was erected in 1636. Like all the early settlements, it suffered from Indian depredations. August 11, 1703, a party of Indians killed five per- sons, among whom was a widow Muzzey, celebrated as a preacher among the Quakers
First Ministers. Rev. Stephen Batchelder ordained in 1638; re- moved in 1641. Rev. Timothy Dal- ton, ordained in 1639; died in 1661. Rev. John Wheelwright, ordained in 1647; dismissed in 1658. Rev. Seaborn Cotton, set- tled in 1666; died in 1686. Rev. John Cotton, settled in 1696; died in 1710. Rev. Nathaniel Gookin, settled in 1710; died in 1734. Rev. Ward Cotton, settled in 1734; dis- missed in 1765. Rev. Ebenezer Thayer, settled in 1766; died in 1792. Rev. Jesse Appleton, D.D., settled in 1797; dismissed in 1807, and died in 1819.
Boundaries. North by North Hampton, east by the Atlantic Ocean, south-west by Hampton Falls, and west by Exeter. Area, 8,130 acres ; area of improved land, 3,908 acres.
Distances. Fifty miles south- east from Concord, ten south-west from Portsmouth, and seven miles east from Exeter.
Railroad. The Eastern Railroad passes nearly through the centre of
the town, in a northerly and south- erly direction.
HAMPTON FALLS.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. Hamp- ton Falls is very pleasantly situated on the Atlantic. The land back from the marshes is elevated, and affords some delightful views of the ocean. The soil is very fertile, and large crops of corn, oats, pota- toes and hay are produced. Some of the best farmers to be found in the state reside in this town.
Employments. The inhabitants are generally engaged in agricul- ture. 1,578,000 feet of boards, &c., are annually sawed, and 90,000 pairs of shoes manufactured. Cot- ten batting is also manufactured. (See tables.)
Resources. Productions of the soil, $82,794; mechanical labor, $19,500; stocks and money at inter- est, * $9,420; deposits in savings banks, $16,297; stock in trade, $2,470.
Churches and Schools. Baptist Church, Rev. H. H. Beamans, pas- tor; Christian Church, Rev. J. H. Graves, pastor; Unitarian Church, There are three schools in town; average length for the year, thirty-two weeks. There was an academy here for many years.
First Ministers. Rev. Theophilus Cotton settled in 1712; died in 1726. Rev. Joseph Whipple, or- dained in 1727; died in 1757. Rev. Josiah Bagley, settled in 1757; died in 1762. Rev. Paine Wingate, set- tled in 1763; removed in 1771. Rev. Samuel Langdon, D. D., set- tled in 1781; died in 1797. Rev. Jacob Abbott, settled in 1798.
* Massachusetts savings banks receive large deposits from this town.
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
First Settlements. Hampton Falls was originally a part of Hampton, and for many years much associated with it in the vari- ous employments of its people. It was incorporated in 1712.
Boundaries. North - east by Hampton, south-east by Atlantic Ocean, south by Seabrook, and west by Kensington. Area, 7,400 acres. Improved land, 5,786 acres.
Distances. Fifty miles south-east from Concord, eleven south-west from Portsmouth, and six south- east from Exeter.
Railroads. Eastern Railroad. When completed, the Newbury- port and Amesbury Railroad will pass through this town.
HANCOCK.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. The surface of this town is uneven, fre- quently broken by hills, and in the west part by mountains of consid- erable elevation. These elevations afford excellent pasturing, besides some very good tillage land. On the Contoocook river, which forms its eastern boundary, are some fine meadows which produce large crops of hay. There are many farms under a high state of culti- vation.
Ponds. There are several ponds, " the most important of which is Norway Pond, near the center of the town, and Half Moon Pond, named from its peculiar shape. Long pond lying partly in this town and partly in Nelson is one of the sources of Contoocook River. The stream from this pond flows through Nelson, Harrisville, and into the Contoocook at Peter- borough; thence its mingled wa- ters pass back on the eastern line of Hancook, after a passage of
over twenty miles from the pond.
The village is very pleasantly situated on a plain. Here are sev- eral mechanical shops, church, school house, town house, acad- emy, several stores, hotel and fifty or sixty dwelling houses. It is a very desirable village to live in, and is the resort of many summer tourists.
Employments. The inhabitants are principally engaged in agricul- ture, and, as one has truly said, "It is emphatically one of the good old farming towns, where any one would be proud to point out the home of his ancestors." There are several small manufactories, annually producing; leather, $ 10, 000; flour and meal, $ 9,200; lum- ber, $5,000; besides wheelwrights, blacksmiths, harness makers, car- penters, painters, &c. Total value of all mechanical productions, $ 29,500.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $84,300; mechanical labor, $ 10,300; stocks and money at in- terest, $28,325; deposits in savings banks, $85,196; stock in trade, $4,650.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. Askel Bigelow, pas- tor. There are nine schools; av- erage length for the year, nineteen weeks. Hancock Academy, A. N. Hardy, principal (in 1870.)
Hotel. Jefferson House.
First Settlement. The first settle- ment was commenced here by John Grimes, in May, 1764. The town was incorporated under the name of Hancock, November 5, 1779. It was named in honor of Governor John Hancock, of Boston, who was one of the original proprietors. But very few towns have retained their staid, antique customs, and
183
HANOVER.
former opinions of their friends and neighbors, without regard to political views, like the people of Hancock. They had one postmas- ter for nearly fifty years ; and many of their town officers have had sim- ilar length of terms. In 1871-2, Mr.Joel Gates, over eighty years of age, was sent from this town as its representative in the Legislature of this State. But few men had more influence in that body, in discusion, than Mr. Gates.
First Minister. Rev. Reed Page, ordained in 1791, died in 1816.
Boundaries. North by Antrim, east by Bennington and Greenfield, south by Peterborough and west by Nelson and Harrisville. Area, 19,372 acres; area of improved land, 10,409 acres.
Distances. Thirty-five miles south-west from Concord, and twenty-two north-west from Am- herst.
Railroad.
Six miles by daily
stage to
Greenfield
railroad
station.
HANOVER.
GRAFTON COUNTY. The surface of this town is delightfully diver- sified with hills and valleys, and the larger portion is suitable for cultivation. There is a small pro- portion of waste land, probably less than in any other town in Grafton County. Over one half of the surface of the town is under improvement. Some of the farms are under a high state of cultiva- tion, producing excellent crops of wheat, corn, oats, potatoes and hay. But one town in the county produces as many bushels of corn. Much attention has been given to the raising of sheep, and the large flocks to be seen on the pasture
hill sides in the summer, indicate that the farmers find it a lucrative business. The annual clip of wool is about 50,000 pounds. As a gen- eral thing the farmers are wealthy, prosperous and happy ; with ample means ahead to gently ease them down the declivity of life.
Rivers and Streams. Connecti- cut River is the only considerable stream in town. Mink, Slate, and Goose Pond Brooks are the other principal streams, neither of which have sufficient water for mill priv- ileges. In the Connecticut, there are several small islands within the limits of the town, the largest of which is Parker's Island con- taining twenty acres. A hand- some bridge over the Connecticut connects Hanover with Norwich Vermont.
Mountain. About five miles east from the Connecticut, is Moose Mountain, a considerable elevation extending across the town from north to south. There are many other elevations which offer some very fine views.
Village. At the south-west cor- ner of the town about a half mile from Connecticut River and 180 feet above the level of its waters, is located the beautiful village of Hanover, on a level plat of ground. The Common or Park is a square, level area of about six acres, shaded by rows of thrifty elms, and surrounded by streets of con- siderable width. On the north side is a church, chapel, and sev- eral beautiful residences; on the west is a street containing other fine residences adorned with spa- cious gardens, the Dartmouth banking building &c. On the south is Dartmouth Hotel, several business blocks, the gymnasium
184
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
and many dwelling houses; and on the east are the College grounds, including the College buildings which with the observatory are five in number. A few rods north of the Park, on College street, is the medical building, a brick structure some seventy feet in length, and three stories in height. South of the observatory and a few rods east of the old college buildings is located "Culver Hall" the "New-Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts." Culver Hall is pronounced, by competent judges, one of the finest educational structures in New-England. Nearly the whole basement of this building is to be reserved for an extensive collec- tion of agricultural implements and models of machinery. More than one thousand of such imple- ments and models are already in the building for the purpose of il- lustration and instruction. This is a State institution in connection with Dartmouth College, and or- ganized expressly for the promo- tion and "aggrandizement" of the agricultural interests and mechan- ical arts of New-Hampshire; in- dustries the most important, and, if placed before the people in their true light, the most honorable callings a man can devote him- self to.
On the road leading to Lebanon, as you ascend to the crest of a hill, you obtain a delightful and attrac- tive view of the village and the surrounding country. At your feet nestles the village, quietly reposing among the stately elms and maples, while a little far- ther to the west and south can be traced the meandering course of the Connecticut clothed on either
side by verdant meadows and well cultivated fields, dotted with pleasant and substantial farm mansions; and still farther in the distance can be seen gradually ris- ing the " Green Hills" of Vermont, whose towering summits seem to meet the clear blue ethereal sky, the whole presenting a picture of nature and art combined, not soon forgotten by the thousands who have visited this spot. With the pleasant village, the delightful scenery which surrounds it, with the friendly acquaintances formed, the ties broken by separating after a collegiate life of four years, to launch forth on life's broad ocean, the associations formed in Han- over are more lasting, and their memory more sacred in the breasts of thousands than those of any other town in the State.
Hanover is one of the most desir- able locations, for the prosecution of studies, in New England. The pleasant resorts, the beautiful and romantic scenery, away from the bustle and confusion of city life, all contribute to render it in every essential, a desirable seat of litera- ture and science. For a full des- cription of this popular Institution, see another part of this volume.
Employments. The inhabitants are generally engaged in agricul- ture, but 20,000 clapboards ; 55,000 shingles and 200,000 feet of boards are annually sawed, and about 6,000 bushels of grain are ground. The total value of manufactured articles, of all kinds, is $53,200. The many associated attractions connected with the college for the past fifty years, together with the fine scenery afforded from the sur- rounding hills, make Hanover a popular resort for tourists, who
CULVER HALL. COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND MECHANIC ARTS, HANOVER.
185
HANOVER.
are a source of considerable income to the inhabitants.
Resources. Agricultural prod- ucts, $153,112; mechanical labor, $10,200; money at interest, $ 32, 560; stocks &c., $43,140; deposits in savings banks, $120,459; stock in trade, $37,500; from tourists, $25,000; from College boarders estimated, $ 50,000; professional business, $ 60,000.
Churches and Schools. Baptist, Rev. F. Merriam, pastor; Chris- tian, Rev. J. W. Tilton, pastor; Ist. Congregational, -,pastor; 2d Congregational, Rev. S. P. Leeds, pastor; Episcopal, Rev. J. Haughton, rector. There are eighteen school districts, and twen- ty schools in town. Two of the schools are graded. The average length of schools for the year is twenty weeks. The total amount of money annually appropriated for school purpose, is $ 2,654,97.
Libraries. Second Social Libra- ry Association, 700 volumes; Col- lege Library, 20.000 volumes; So- cial Friends Library, 9,300 vol- umes; United Fraternity, 9,000 volumes; Society of Inquiry's Li- brary, 300 volumes; Philotechnics Society Library, 1,200 volumes ; Medical School Library, 1,100 vol- umes; Northern Academy Libra- ry, 2,300 volumes; Thayer School Library,1,800 volumes; Agricultu- ral College Library, 1,000 vol- umes; Total number of volumes in all the libraries in this town, 46, 700.
Banks. Dartmouth National Bank, and Dartmouth Savings Bank. (See tables.)
Hotels. " Dartmouth Hotel." There are two livery stables, with 18 horses.
First Settlers. Hanover Plains
was formerly called Dresden, and was granted by charter to eleven persons by the name of Freeman, and fifty-two others, principally from Connecticut, July 4, 1761. The first settlement was made in May, 1765, by Colonel Edmund Freeman from Mansfield Connec- ticut. Benjamin Rice, Benjamin Davis, Gideon Smith, and Asa Parker, settled here in 1766. Dart- mouth College was established in 1770, by Dr. Wheelock. Among the worthy men who finished their earthly career in this town, may be mentioned the following: Rev. Eleazer Wheelock, who died April 24, 1779, aged sixty-nine years. Hon. John Wheelock, LL. D., President of the College thirty-five years, who died April 4, 1817, aged sixty-three years. Hon, Beraleel Woodward, who died August, 1804. Rev. John Smith, D. D. who died April 1809. Hon. John Hubbard, who died in September 1810. Rev. Francis Brown, D. D., who died July 27, 1820, aged thirty-six years. These gentlemen were all connect- ed with the College.
First Ministers. Rev. Eden Bur- roughs, D.D., installed in 1772, dis- missed in 1810; Rev. Samuel Col- lins, installed in 1788, dismissed in 1795; Rev. Abel Bridgman, set- tled in 1791, died in 1800. Col- lege Church, Rev. E. Wheelock, D. D. settled in 1771, died in 1779. Rev. Sylvanus Ripley, settled in 1779, died in 1787; Rev. John Smith, D. D., settled in 1786, died in 1809.
Boundaries. North by Lyme, east by Canaan, south by Lebanon, and west by Norwich, Vermont; area, 27,745; improved land 21,798 acres.
Distances. By railroad, seven-
186
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
ty-three miles north-west from Concord; thirty south from Hav- erhill and five north of Lebanon.
Railroad. One half mile from the College to Norwich station, on the Passumpsic and Connecticut Rivers Railroad.
HARRISVILLE.
CHESHIRE COUNTY. Harris- ville was formed from the northern part of Dublin, and the southern portion of Nelson, and incorporat- ed, as a town. July 2, 1870. The village of Harrisville received its name many years ago, from Bethu- el Harris, an active and enterpris- ing man, who, in 1820, commenced business here without any capi- tal save his energy and persever- ance. Mr. Milan Harris has a large interest here in the woolen mills, and received the honor of being the first representative to the Legislature of New-Hampshire after the town organization. The surface of the town is rough and uneven, being situated on the height of land between the Con- necticut and Merrimack rivers, but the soil is good and yields fine crops. The water power at Har- risville is staple and as good as can be found in the State. The mills are situated on a small stream called North Branch or Nubaunsit River, and discharging its waters into the Contoocook at Peterbor- ough, nine miles distant from Harrisville, and in its course has a fall of over 600 feet. This stream is fed by large ponds lying in the towns of Hancock, Nelson, and Harrisville, which have been dam- med at their outlets, and now flow several thousand acres, including the original ponds. From Spots- wood Pond ten feet can be drawn
into Long Pond which is over four miles in length. Fourteen feet can be drawn from Long Pond in- to Harris Pond which is at the head of the river, and "at Harris- ville. When the gates are closed at night scarcely a drop of water escapes. The four mills at Harris- ville, as yet, have never been able to test the full capacity of this val- uable reservoir, by several feet Nearly all the manufactories at Peterborough are situated on this small river.
Employments. Harrisville is de- cidedly a manufacturing town. M, Harris Woolen Co., have two mills; capital invested, $ 160,000; employ 60 males, and 65 females, who annually receive for their la- bor, $48,000; and annually pro- duce 200,000 yards of tricot cloth, of all colors, and Moscow beav- ers valued at $ 330,000. Cheshire mills have $ 100,000 invested; employ 40 males, and 40 females ; annual pay roll $ 30,000, and pro- duce 800,000 yards colored flannel, valued at $ 360,000. There are al- so lumber mills, and clothes-pins, and wooden ware are manufac- tured, to some extent.
Resources. Production of the soil, $ 35,000; mechanical labor, $ 84, 000; stock in trade, $ 43,161 ; stocks and money at interest, $22, 460; deposits in savings banks, $57,308.
The village of Harrisville, is situated on elevated ground, about 1,300 feet above the ocean, and is probably the most elevated ground in New-England for manufactories as extensive as these. There is one store, one church edifice, one graded school-house, post office, telegraph office, seventy-five dwelling houses, and about 450 inhabitants.
187
HAVERHILL.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. Amos Holbrook, pastor. At West Harrisville, Bap- tist, Rev. G. S. Smith, pastor. There are six schools in town, two of which are graded. Average length for the year, twenty weeks; value of school-houses $ 5,100.
(For first settlers and ministers, see Nelson and Dublin.)
Boundaries. North by Nelson and Hancock, east by Hancock and Peterborough, south by Dublin, and west by Marlborough and Roxbury.
Distances. Thirteen miles east from Keene, and forty-five south- west from Concord.
Railroads. The Manchester and Keene Railroad, when built, will pass through this town.
HAVERHILL.
GRAFTON COUNTY. Haverhill is one of the most valuable farming towns in the State, and the annual value of its agricultural products is not exceeded by any New-Hamp- shire town on the Connecticut river. The soil is adapted to every species of cultivation, common to the climate. There is considerable interval land, composed of a deep rich loam, yielding large crops of grass, &c.
Streams. Connecticut River waters its western border, while Poole Brook runs nearly through the town from north-east to south- west, and falls into the Connec- ticut, near the "Great Ox Bow," in Newbury, Vermont. Oliverian Brook, having its rise in Benton, runs through the southern section of the town. There is consider- able water power on these two streams, which is generally im- proved.
Minerals. There is a soap- stone quarry which has been partially opened, and pronounced, by many, as being the best quar- ry now known. It is about three miles from the Mon- treal Railroad. There is a good lime-stone quarry, also granite of good quality. This granite is suit- able for mill-stones, and good for building purposes. Large quanti- ties of scythe stones are also quarried or manufactured. On the west side of Benton, bordering this town, is a bed of iron ore. Fine specimens of crystals are also found.
Villages, &c. Haverhill is one of the shire towns of the County. The County buildings are located at " Haverhill Corner," which is the principal village in town. This village is located in the south-west angle of the town, on a plain about one hundred and fifty feet above the level of the Connecticut. From the tops of the buildings, a fine view of the adjacent country, for many miles, north and south, and six or seven miles east and west may be obtained. There is a beautiful common in this village, laid out in an oblong square, ornamented with trees, and enclosed by a handsome fence. Around this common stand the. principal buildings, several of which are large and well construct- ed. There are two churches and a court-house, jail, county build- ings for county offices, an acad- emy, hotel, printing office, several stores, and shops of various kinds. This is considered one of the most delightful and pleasant villages on the Connecticut. In the northern section of the town, is another village situated on a street nearly a mile in length, straight and level,
188
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
and called North Haverhill. In the north-west corner of the town, at the junction of the Boston, Con- cord and Montreal, Passumpsic, and White Mountain Railroads, is the young, but growing village of Woodsville, which bids fair to rival the older villages in point of business. It is connected with the thriving village of Wells River, in Newbury, Vermont, by a substantial bridge across the Con- necticut. One of the most roman- tic views on the Connecticut, is obtained at this point, and it is worthy of a visit from any lover of beautiful, and romantic scenery.
Summer Resorts. The elevated position, and the delightful views on the Connecticut, have caused many summer tourists to spend their vacation in this town, and the time is not far distant when it will become one of the most pop- ular resorts for tourists in the State.
Employments. The people are largely engaged in agriculture. Over 4,000 bushels of wheat, 16,000 bushels of corn, 34,000 bushels of oats and barley, 70,000 bushels of potatoes, 36,000 lbs. of wool, 11,000 lbs. maple sugar, and 7,000 tons of hay are annually produced. Nearly 1,000, tons more hay is an- nually cut in Haverhill, than in any other town in the State.
There is considerable manufac- turing of various kinds carried on. There are nine saw mills, annually producing nearly 5,000,000 feet of lumber, five starch mills, annually producing 160 tons of starch, three scythe stone manufactories, annu- ally producing 36,000 gross of scythe stones, one paper mill, one pulp mill, three grist mills, &c. Also 36,000 boxes and 10,000 dozens of
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