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 23
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shovel handles are annually made, valued at $ 18,640; besides various other manufactories. (See tables.) There is considerable mercantile trade in this townl.
Resources. Annual productions of the soil, $ 272,581; mechanical labor, $ 41,000; money at interest, $ 73,922; deposits in savings banks, $ 57,308; stock in trade, $38,118; professional business, $ 25,000; from summer tourists, $ 8,000. The future prospects of Haverhill are very encouraging and offer better inducements to the farmer and mechanic than can be found in any western state this side of the Rocky Mountains. Let them be contented, and prosperity will surely attend them in this fertile and delightful town.
Churches and Schools. There is one Congregational, Rev. E. H. Greeley, pastor; three Methodist, Josiah Hooper, pastor at Corner; and one Freewill Baptist,
There are nineteen schools in town; average length of schools for the year, twenty-one weeks. The average amount of money an- nually expended for each school is $ 145.
Academy. The Haverhill Acad- emy is one of the oldest literary institutions in the State. It was incorporated February 11, 1794. Rev. Josiah Hooper is the present Principal.
Library. N. B. Felton, Esq., has a library of nearly six hundred volumes.
Hotels. "Smith's Hotel" at Haverhill, and "Mount Gardner House" at Woodsville.
First Settlers. This town was granted to Captain John Hazen and seventy-four others, May, 18, 1763. Captain Hazen came here in
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the spring of 1762, and built his encampment on the "Little Ox Bow," near where there was for- merly an Indian fort and burying ground. Several of the early set- tlers came from Haverhill, Mass- achusetts, from which place this town derived its name. Its orig- inal name was "Lower Cohos."
The first court was held here in 1773. The first newspaper was printed here April 21, 1808, and was called the "Coos Courier." Since that time it has been pub- lished under different names. At the present time, there is no paper published in town. Years ago, the courts in Haverhill called togeth- er as much legal talent as could be found in any section of the State, Haverhill furnishing her full share. At the present time, the Grafton Bar is fully up to the standard with her sister counties in point of position and talent. Hon. James Woodward and Hon. Ezek- iel Ladd, Judges of the old county courts; Hon. Moses Dow, a distin- guished citizen; Hon. Charles Johnston, an officer in the revolu- tion and Judge of Probate; Hon. John Page former Governor of New-Hampshire; Hon. Joseph Bell a distinguished lawyer, and many other prominent men, were residents of this town.
It is a remarkable fact that the sound of cannon at Bunker Hill, was distinctly heard in Haverhill, the scene of action being more than one hundred miles distant. This statement is established by the testimony of many respectable wit- nesses who were alive on that memorable day.
First Ministers. The Rev. Ethan Smith, Congregational, or- dained, January 25, 1792, dismiss-
ed in 1799; Rev. John Smith, or- dained December 21, 1802, dis- missed in 1807.
Boundaries and Area. North by Bath, east by Benton, south by Piermont and west by Newbury, Vermont. Area 34,340 acres; im- proved land, 24,300 acres.
Distances. Thirty-one miles north-west from Plymouth, and eighty-one north-west from Con- cord.
Railroads. The Passumpsic Railroad passes along the western border of the town, in Vermont, and the Boston, Concord and Mon- treal passes through in a direc- tion nearly north-west, and south- east. At Woodsville in the north- west corner of the town, the two roads form a junction with the White Mountain Railroad which connects with the Grand Trunk Railroad, in Northumberland, and extends from Portland to Montreal.
HEBRON.
GRAFTON COUNTY. The sur- face of Hebron is broken and un- even, and although generally the soil is hard, yet, when carefully cultivated, it yields excellent crops of corn, wheat, potatoes &c.
Rivers and Lakes. Newfound Lake lies mostly in this town. There are several small streams affording considerable water power.
Employments. Agriculture is the chief occupation of the people. 500,000 feet of lumber, and 100,000 shingles are annually sawed.
Resources. Agricultural prod- ucts, $ 57,049; mechanical labor, $ 6,140; money at interest, $ 1,900; stock in trade, $ 1,800; deposits in savings banks, $ 17,090; from sum- mer tourists, $ 3,000.
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
Churches and Schools. A Union church, supported by persons of the Congregational, Baptist and Methodist persuasion, Lorenzo Draper, pastor. There are five schools; average length for the year, thirteen weeks. There is frequently a High school, which is open during the spring and fall.
First Organization. A large portion of Hebron was included in the Cockermouth Grant, the remainder was taken from Ply- mouth.
Hotels. Central House.
Boundaries. North by Rumney and Plymouth, east by Plymouth, south by Alexandria and Orange, and west by Groton. Area, 13,305 acres.
Distances. Forty miles north from Concord, and nine west from Plymouth.
Railroads. Eight miles by daily stage to Bristol station, on the Bristol Branch Railroad.
HENNIKER.
MERRIMACK COUNTY. Henni- ker is pleasantly situated in the valley of the Contoocook. The surface of the town is broken, but the soil is deep, and produces ex- cellent crops of wheat, corn, hay, &c. As an agricultural town Hen- niker is not inferior to any town in Merrimack county, either in soil or cultivation. Many of the farms are under a high state of cultivation, and yield abundant crops. The farmers have reaped a rich reward for their labor, and have carefully laid by a portion of their surplus earnings, if the re- cords of the various savings banks in the State are not deceptive. But few if any farming towns in the State, show more wealth, thrift
and prosperity than Henniker. With its railroad facilities, central location, aud with one of the best water privileges on the river, it can be made one of the largest manufacturing towns in the State, and that too on its own surplus re- sources. At the present time the people appcar to be alive to manu- facturing interests. Capital in- vested for manufacturing purpos- es, over a certain amount, and for a certain length of time, is exempt- ed from taxation. With this in- ducement, the Henniker Manufac- turing Company has been formed and is now erecting a large building sixty feet long, thirty feet wide and three stories high, for the man- ufacture of boots and shoes. The future prospects of Henniker, with the present facts before us, appear very flattering.
Rivers and Ponds. Contoocook River passes through this town in an easterly direction, and affords in its course abundant water pow- er. There are several ponds of considerable size. Situated about one mile from the village is Long Pond, nearly two miles long, and sixty rods wide. The town is al- so® watered by several small streams in different sections,
Elevations. Crany Hill is the principal elevation, and is of con- siderable altitude, and embraces a large portion of the territory on the south of the town. It is most- ly under good cultivation.
Village. Near the centre of the town on the Contoocook is the pleasant village of Henniker. It is the centre of considerable trade and manufacturing of various kinds. There are four stores, two church edifices, academy, town house, one large hotel, and about
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one hundred dwelling houses. The streets are wide and in many places beautifully shaded with the maple and elm. The dwellings are neat and enclosed in spacious yards, while the fences and houses are painted in pearly white, the whole presenting an air of neat- ness so much admired by every lover of a New-England village home.
Employments. The inhabitants are generally engaged in agricul- ture, but manufacturing and trade are important and extensive branches of business in town. There are two large paper-mills, annually manufacturing 800 tons of manilla, news and book paper; two saw-mills, two grist-mills, one kit manufactory, annually making 50,000 fish kits, one dry measure and box-mill, making $ 5,400 worth annually, one cabinet maker, ma- chine shop, several blacksmith and shoe shops, &c., professional busi- ness, $ 18,000. The total value of goods annually manufactured, is $ 308,300.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 149,877; mechanical labor, $ 38,400; stocks, bonds and money at interest, $ 35,140; deposits in savings banks, $ 177,376; stock in trade, $ 10,500; from summer tour- ists $ 3,000. The central and de- lightful location of Henniker, with its varied landscape scenery, has made it a popular resort for tour- ists who are yearly increasing, as the summer months come around.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. S. S. Morrill, pas- tor; number of members 150; church value, $ 5,000; Methodist, Rev. W. W. Smith, pastor; num- ber of members, 100; church val- ue, $ 3,000; Friends, 25 members;
church value, $ 1,000. There are twelve public schools, in town, av- erage length for the year, twenty- three weeks; amount of money annually appropriated for school purposes, $ 1,508,70. There is an academy in the village where one or two terms are annually kept.
Library. Henniker Library, 800 volumes.
First Settlement. Twelve gen- tlemen of Portsmouth, the most prominent of whom were John and Mark Wentworth, and Theo- dore Atkinson, bought all the right and title of lands of the heirs of Mason, and caused it to be survey- ed and laid out into townships. This town was called "Number Six" in the range of townships, and was known by that name before it was granted to the parties. The Rev. James Scales built the first building in 1760. John Peters built the next house in 1761. The first two-story house was built in 1767 by Amos Campbell ; the second two-story house was built in 1768, and was destroyed by fire in 1873. Captain E. Ham was among the early settlers. It received its pres- ent name from Gov. Wentworth, in honor of his friend, John Hen- niker, Esq., a wealthy merchant of London, and a member of the British Parliament. Incorporated November 10, 1768.
Boundaries. North by Bradford and Warner, east by Hopkinton, south by Weare and Deering, and west by Hillsborough. Area, 26, 500 acres; improved land, 18,612 acres.
Distances. Seventy miles north- west from Boston, fifteen west from Concord, and thirty-four north-east from Keene. Contoo- cook Valley Railroad passes
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
through this town in an easterly and westerly direction. There are two stations " Henniker " and " West Henniker." At the latter station is a pretty village, contain- ing a large paper-mill, store, post- office, school house, and fifteen or twenty neat dwelling houses.
HILL.
MERRIMACK COUNTY. The sur- face of Hill is uneven, but the soil is good and in some localities very fertile. There are many fine farms under a high state of cultivation, producing excellent crops.
Rivers and Ponds. This town is watered by Pemigewasset and Smith's Rivers, besides there are several small streams. Eagle Pond is the most noted sheet of water.
Mountain. Ragged Mountain is of considerable elevation and but little inferior to Kearsarge. From its summit a good view of the surrounding country may be obtained.
Employments. The inhabitants are generally engaged in farming. There is some trade and manufac- turing. About 3,000 pairs of sale boots and shoes are annually made. Woodward's patent Latch Needles for hosiery, are manufactured to the value of $ 8,000 annually. (See tables.)
Resources. £ Agricultural prod- ucts, $ 53,539; mechanical labor, $ 6,500; stocks, bonds and money at interest, $7,670; deposits in savings banks, $ 54,720; stock in trade, $9,276; from summer tour- ists, $ 800.
Churches and Schools. There are two Christian Churches-Revs. Calvin Osgood and H. A. Stratton are their pastors. There are ten
schools in town; average length for the year, fifteen weeks.
First Settlers. September 14, 1753, this town was granted to eighty-seven proprietors, (the greater part of whom resided in Chester), and was called “ New Chester," which name it retained until January 1837, when it re- ceived its present name, in honor of Hon. Isaac Hill, who was Gov- ernor of the State at that time. The first settlers were Captain Cutting Favor, and Carr Huse, Esq., in 1768. Incorporated No- vember 20, 1778.
First Church. Congregational church, December 11, 1816.
Boundaries. North by Danbury, Alexandria and Bristol, east by New-Hampton and Sanbornton, south by Franklin and Andover, and west by Wilmot and Danbury. Area, 20,000 acres.
Distance. Twenty-four miles north from Concord.
Railroad. Bristol Branch of the Northern Railroad. .
HILLSBOROUGH.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. Hills- borough is considered as one of the best and most enterprising farming towns in the county. The surface is uneven, but the soil is strong and very productive. There are some fine farms under a high state of cultivation, produc- ing good crops of corn, grass, &c.
Rivers and Ponds. Contoocook River passes through the south- east corner of the town, and affords some excellent water power. Hillsborough River has its source from ponds in Washington, passes through the town, and forms a junction with the Contoocook on the south line of the town. The
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HILLSBOROUGH.
largest body of water is Lyon's Pond, about one mile in length, and two thirds of a mile in width.
Minerals. Plumbago of a good quality is found. It occurs in nar- row veins, which have been wrought to some extent.
Villages. There are four pleas- ant villages, the most important of which is called Hillsborough Bridge. At this village is the terminus of the Contoocook Valley Railroad, which has caused a large increase of business in almost every branch of industry com- mon to a thriving New-England village. Here are two churches, two school-houses, a bank, ten or fifteen stores of various kinds, one hotel, two hose, drawers and shirt manufactories, a bedstead and shovel handle manufactory, be- sides many other mechanical shops too numerous to mention. For a busy, lively village, " Hillsborough Bridge" is not excelled by any vil- lage of its size in New-Hampshire. No man in this village is consider- ed a peer with his neighbor unless he labors.
At the Centre Village there are two churches, several stores, of- fices, and several manufactories.
Employments. Agriculture is the principal employment of the inhabitants, but there is consider- able manufacturing carried on. Over S 60,000 worth of leather is annually tanned; $ 60,000 worth of Gent's. hose, shirts and drawers are made; over 5,000 bedsteads, 25 tons of castings, 5,000 barrels of flour, and 50,000 bushels of meal are annually produced; besides lumber, shovel handles, and vari- ous other manufactures. The whole manufactured products an- nually amount to over $ 350,000.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 133,496; mechanical labor, $ 38,100; stocks and bonds, $13, 760; money at interest, $ 28,235; deposits in savings banks, $ 91,659; stock in trade, $64,200; from sum- mer tourists, $ 6,000; professional business, $ 30,000.
Churches and Schools. At Hills- borough Bridge: Congregational, Rev. John Bragdon, pastor; Meth- odist, Elder L. W. Prescott, pas- tor. At Hillsborough Centre : Methodist, Elder S. S. Dudley, pastor; Congregational, Rev. John Adams, pastor. There are eight- een school districts and seventeen schools in town; average length of schools for the year, eighteen weeks.
Hotels. "Valley House" at the Bridge, and "St. Charles" at the Lower Village.
Banks, First National Bank. A Savings Bank has been char- tered.
Newspaper. Hillsborough Bridge Messenger, Sargent & Whitte- more, Editors and Proprietors.
First Settlers. Hillsborough was known, originally, as " Num- ber Seven." The first settlement was made in 1741, by James Mc- Calley, Samuel Gibson, Robert McClure, James Lyon, and others. The wife of James McCalley was the only woman in town during the first year of the settlement. By reason of the Indian war, the settlement was abandoned in 1744, and was not resumed until near 1755. In the mean time Col. John Hill of Boston, received a grant of the town from the Masonian pro- prietors, and from Col. Hill it de- rived its present name. The first children born were John McCal- ley and Mary Gibson, who inter-
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
married and received as a gift a ! tract of land from the principal proprietors. The citizens of Hills- borough struggled hard to secure the independence of our country. General Benjamin Pierce, a veter- an of the Revolution, and after- wards Governor of New-Hamp- shire, was a resident of this town. He was father of the late General Franklin Pierce, who was Presi- dent of the United States, from March 4, 1853, to March 4, 1857. The town was incorporated Nov. 14, 1772.
First Church and Minister. The first Congregational church was formed Oct. 12, 1769. The same year, Rev. Joseph Barnes was or- daincd; dismissed in 1803. A Baptist Society was organized May 21, 1813.
Boundaries. North by Bradford, east by Henniker, south by Deer- ing and Antrim, and west by Windsor and Washington. Area, 27,320 acres; improved land, 15, 945, acres.
Distances. Thirty miles south- west from Concord, and twenty- three north-west from Amherst.
Railroads. Terminus Contoo- cook Valley Railroad. It is in- tended to have this road extended to Peterborough, where it will `onnect with the Monadnock Rail- oad.
HINSDALE.
CHESHIRE COUNTY. This town lies in the extreme south-west corner of the State. The surface is varied, containing mountains, hills, valleys, and plains or inter- vals. The soil is of the best qual- ity, and produces excellent crops of corn, oats, and tobacco. In 1870, no other town in the State
raised one third as much tobacco, amounting to 96,850 pounds.
Rivers. The Connecticut ex- tends along its western border for .nine and one-half miles. The Ashuelot passes through the south- ern portion and joins the Connec- ticut a short distance below the great bend, called Cooper's Point. The water privileges on this river through the town are numerous and valuable. It is also watered with many smaller streams and springs. There are several islands in the Connecticut belonging to the town. The intervals are ex- tensive and fertile.
Mountains and Hills. In the north part is West River Moun- tain, which extends from the Con- necticut across the entire width of the town. The highest peak is called Mine mountain, and is about nine hundred feet above low water mark. Iron ore, beds of silicate of manganese, and other minerals are found in several lo- calities about the mountains. South of the Ashuelot is Stebbins' Hill, a tract of excellent land, and under a high state of cultivation. The intervals here are broad and of a superior quality. On a point of a hill, not far from the Connec- ticut, are the remains of an Indian fortification constructed before the first settlers came here.
Village. The village is located on the Ashuelot. The valley here is narrow, the land rising abruptly on both sides of the river, affording but little chance for the village to expand. The water runs rapidly, and affords good mill sites. The main street runs parallel with the river, and some portions of it is handsomely shaded with the ma- ple. Considerable manufacturing
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HINSDALE.
is done here-there are two wool- en mills, two paper mills, mowing machine manufactory, tool fac- tory, bolt and machine shop, foundery, water wheels, besides printing and several other me- chanical shops. There are three churches, two school houses, eight or ten stores, one hotel, and about one hundred dwelling houses. The Ashuelot Railroad gives it good railroad facilities.
Employments. The inhabitants are about equally divided between manufacturing, trade, and profes- sional business, on one side, and agriculture on the other. The manufactures are important. In 1870, Haile & Co. employed 38 males and 42 females; annual pay roll, $ 34,000, and annu- ally producing 450,000 yards of cashmerett, valued at $ 230,000. Boydon & Amadon employed 23 males and 20 females; annual pay roll, $ 15,800; annually producing 230,000 yards of cashmerett, val- ued at $ 110,000. John N. Beers, tannery, annually producing leath- er to the value of $ 72,000. Wil- der & Hopkins, chisels and spoke shaves, $ 18,500. Newhall & Steb- bins mowing machines, valued at $ 52,000. Paper mills, $ 60,000; box manufactory, $ 10,000; foun- dery, $ 14,000; machine shop, $ 75, 000; 1,500,000 feet of lumber sawed, $ 34,000; grain ground, $8,200; also bolts, shooks, boots and shoes, water wheels, besides blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, painters, wheelwrights, harness makers, and various other trades and professions. The total capi- tal invested in the various manu- factures, is $371,900, employing 206 males, and 65 females and children, who annually receive for
their labor $ 125,600, and manufac- ture goods to the value of $ 690, 400, being the third town in the county in the amount annually paid for mechanical labor, and the fourth in the value of its manufac- tured productions.
Resources. Agricultural pro- ductions, $ 118,408; mechanical labor, $ 125,600, stocks, $ 16,300; money at interest, $ 31,160 ; depos- its in savings banks, $ 26,958; pro- fessional services, $ 15,000; stock in trade, $58,820; professional business, $ 20,000.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. C. C. Watson, pas- tor; Methodist, Rev. D. S. Dex- ter, pastor; Baptist, -; Universalist Society,
There are eleven schools in town, three of which are graded. Aver- age length of schools for the year, twenty-one weeks. Total amount of money appropriated for school purposes, $ 2,353.80.
Library. Hinsdale Library As- sociation, 800 volumes.
Newspapers. Star Spangled Banner, monthly, and Hinsdale Mirror, quarterly. (See tables.)
Hotel. Ashuelot House.
First Settlement. This town was originally a part of North- field, Massachusetts, and for a number of years called Fort Dum- mer. The first settlers encoun- tered all the horrors of the Indian warfare. and struggled with other hardships, common to many of the early settlements in New-Hamp- shire. They were protected by Fort Dummer, Hinsdale's Fort, Shattuck's Fort, and Bridgeman's Fort; but, with all these precau- tions they were not effectually se- cured from savage incursions and many cruel murders. June 17,
E
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
1746, three men were killed, two wounded, and two were taken prisoners, near Bridgeman's Fort. Daniel How, one of the captives, killed one of the Indians in the struggle. Several persons were killed and taken prisoners, and Fort Bridgeman destroyed, in 1747. June 16, 1748, Nathan French, Joseph Richardson, and John Frost were killed, and sev- eral others captured, while cross- ing from Colonel Hinsdale's to Fort Dummer. In 1755, two per- sons ; were killed and Jonathan Colby captured, while working in the woods. In July of the same year, Caleb How, Hilkiah Grout, and Benjamin Gaffield were am- bushed and killed, while return- ing from labor. The town was incorporated under the name of Hinsdale, September 3, 1763, in honor of Colonel Ebenezer Hins- dale, long a highly esteemed resi- dent here.
Boundaries. North by Chester- field, east by Winchester, south by Northfield, Mass., and west by Vernon, Vermont. Area, 14,000 acres; area of improved land, 7,381 acres.
Distances. seventy-five miles south-west from Concord, and fifteen south-west from Keene.
Railroads. The Ashuelot Rail- road passes through the southern part of the town, and joins the Connecticut River Railroad, at Vernon, with the Cheshire Rail- road, at Keene.
HOLDERNESS.
GRAFTON COUNTY. The surface of Holderness is hilly, but the soil is fertile, and produces good crops of corn, barley, potatoes and hay. There is some very fine interval
land along Pemigewassett river.
Rivers and Ponds. This town is well watered by the Pemigewassett river, which affords some good water privileges. Squam Lake lies in the south-easterly part, and Squam Pond lies partly in this town, and partly in Ashland. It is two miles long, and half a mile wide. The route from Plymouth, through this town, to Centre Har- bor and Wolfeborough, is charm- ing, affording views, wild and ro- mantic. Many summer tourists stay in this town through the warm season of the year.
Employments. Farming is the principal employment of the in- habitants. 1,200,000 feet of boards &c., and 1,100,000 shingles are an- nually produced; 3,000 pairs of boots and shoes, and $ 3,000 worth of files are manufactured, and 2,000 deer skins annually tanned, valued at $2,400; 13,900 pounds of maple sugar are manufactured.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 118,444; mechanical labor, $ 6,000; stocks, and money at inter- est, $ 9,470; deposits in savings banks, $ 5,950; stock in trade, $1, 950; from summer tourists, $6,000,
Churches and Schools. There are three churches in town, of the Freewill Baptist denomination, Elders Batchelder, Balch, Stevens and Wyatt, Pastors. There are thirteen school districts, and elev- en schools. Average length for the year, sixteen weeks.
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