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 26
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Boundaries. North by Stark, east by Milan, Berlin and Ran- dolph, south by Jefferson, and west by Jefferson and Lancaster. Total area, 15,906 acres. The total value of the whole town, is $20,000.
Distances. One hundred and twenty miles north from Concord, and fifteen east from Lancaster.
KINGSTON.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. The surface of this town is generally
level, the soil being of a sandy loam, easy to cultivate, and when properly fertilized, produces good crops. The plain land is rich and very fertile. The highest eleva- tions are called High Hill, and Rockrimmon.
Ponds. There are several ponds, the largest of which is Great Pond, which covers about three hundred acres. All the ponds have an area of eight hundred acres.
Village. Near the centre of the town, is located the village, on a large plain. The carriage business is extensively carried on here, and, with the exception of Con- cord, more business is done in that line, than at any other point in the State.
There are three churches, school house, academy, three hotels, four or five stores, of various kinds, and about one hundred dwelling houses. It is about two miles to the railway station, on the Boston and Maine Railroad, at East Kingston.
Employments. The inhabitants are about equally divided between manufacturing, and mercantile trade on one side, and farming on the other. Carriages, to the value of $ 126,000, are annually manu- factured, leather, $ 10,000; lumber, $5,000, besides sale shoes, and other small mechanical shops. The total value of goods annually manufactured, is $ 163,800.
Resources. Annual productions of the soil, $ 56,303; mechanical labor, $ 53,600; stocks, and money at interest, $ 12,679; deposits in savings banks, $ 13,172; stock in trade, $ 9,495; from summer tour- ists, $2,000.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. Jacob Chapman, pastor; Methodist, Rev. Joseph
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Hayes, pastor; Union, -. There are six schools in town. Average length of schools for the year, twenty-two weeks.
Literary Institution. Kingston Academy, John W. Sanborn, prin- cipal.
Hotels. Alphia House, Towle's Hotel, and Farmer's Hotel.
First Settlements. Kingston was granted by Lieutenant Governor Usher, to James Prescott, Eben- ezer Webster, and others from Hampton, August 6, 1694, and contained within its borders, East Kingston, Danville and Sandown.
The proprietors erected garri- sons, and other buildings, and began to cultivate their lands, soon after they obtained their charter. But they were soon attended with troubles from the hostile Indians, which had a discouraging effect upon the infant settlement. In 1707, Stephen and Joel Gilman, were ambushed between Exeter and Kingston, but fortunately made their escape. Again in 1712, Stephen Gilman and a comrade, Ebenezer Stevens, were attacked and wounded, and Gilman taken and put to death. Jabez Colman and son were killed while labor- ing in the field, in 1724, and at the same time four children were taken-one escaped, and the others were redeemed. Ancient French coins, and Indian implements of various kinds, have been ploughed up near the ponds. Major Ebene- zer Stevens, one of the first settlers, was a very distinguished and use- ful citizen. Kingston was also the residence of the Hon. Josiah Bart- lett, who was first governor of the State, under its free constitution. He was a valuable and useful man, both in the town and State, He
died in 1795, aged sixty-five years.
First Ministers. Rev. Ward Clark, (Congregational,) ordained in 1725, died in 1737; Rev. Joseph Secombe, settled in 1737, died in 1760; Rev. Amos Tappan, ordained in 1762, died in 1771; Rev. E. Thayer, D.D., settled in 1776, died in 1812.
Boundaries. North by Brent- wood, east by East Kingston, south by Newton and Plaistow, and west by Hampstead and Danville. Area, 12,188 acres; area of im- proved land, 5,786 acres.
Distances. Thirty-eight miles south-east from Concord, and six south from Exeter.
Railroad. By daily stage to East Kingston station, on Boston and Maine Railroad, two miles distant.
LACONIA.
BELKNAP COUNTY. This town was disannexed from the eastern section of the town of Meredith, and incorporated under the name of Laconia, in July, 1855. It is a small township, but the soil is good, and, when properly culti- vated, yields abundant crops.
It is watered on its eastern bor- der by Long Bay and Winnipiseo- gee river, which separates it from Gilford. A portion of Winni- squam Lake lies in the south-east- ern part, near the village of Laco- nia. This lake is a beautiful sheet of water, about six miles in length, and from one half to two miles in width. A small steam- boat plies on its waters during the warm season, to the order of picnics and private parties. With these advantages for varied recre- ations, Laconia has become quite popular as a resort for summer
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tourists. The Winnipiseogee riv- er in its passage from Long Bay to Winnisquam lake, for the distance of two miles, furnishes some of the best water power in the State, which is improved to the extent of over 1,400 horse power in the two villages, Laconia and Lake Village.
Villages. Lake Village, lying partly in this town and partly in Gilford, is situated at the foot of Long bay, and on Winnipiseogee river. About one mile from Lake Village, on the Winnipiseogee, and on the shore of Lake Winne- squam, is located the thriving vil- lage of Laconia. For further de- scription of these villages, see Gilford.
Employments. Laconia is a large manufacturing and mercantile town, being excelled by but one town in the State in proportion to its population. At Laconia village is situated the Ranlet Car Manu- facturing Company. They employ over two hundred men, who an- nually receive for their labor, $ 150,000, while the annual produc- tion of various kinds, is valued at over $ 500,000. For many years they manufactured only baggage cars; but for several years past they have been increasing their facilities for the manufacture of passenger cars, and at the present time (1873) they manufacture every species of cars from com- mon baggage, to the finest pal- ace cars that run over our rail- roads. Some of the splendid pal- ace cars seen on the Montreal, Vermont Central, Northern and Concord railroads, are made by the skilled workmen of this company. Their work is pronounced as good and as handsomely finished, as
comes from any car manufactory in New England. Unlike most manufactories of this character, their shops are so arranged, that every part of a car, from the most simple bolt to the wheels and springs, is made in their own shops, with the exception of the axle. This gives them an advan- tage in competing with the man- ufacturers who purchase their wheels, springs, bolts, &c., from other shops. The annual value of their manufactured productions has increased from $280,000 to $ 500,000, within the past three years.
The Belknap cotton and woolen mills have the capacity of employ- ing 90 males and over 300 females, and annually turn out manufactur- ed goods to the value of $ 756,000. They are at present making some changes in their business and con- sequently are not in operation. There are five hosiery mills, usu- ally employing 84 males and 166 fe- males, and annually producing 262, 000 dozens of cotton and merino hose, valued at $353,000. One of the mills at present is not in oper- ation. There is an iron foundery for loom castings, &c .; a machine shop for mill work, shafting, and machinery, grist mill, saw mills, and various other mechanical shops. The total number of hands employed in the various manufac- tories, when all are in operation, is males, 447, females 508, and the annual value of goods manufac- tured, is $ 1,814,500.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 66,157; mechanical labor, $ 351,950; stocks and money at in- terest, $ 56,150; deposits in savings banks, $ 148,280; stock in trade, $ 107,000; professional business,
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$ 60,000; from summer tourists, $2,000.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. W. F. Bacon, pas- tor; Unitarian, Rev. C. Fowler, pastor; Catholic, Father M. J. Goodwin, priest; Methodist, Rev. B. W. Chase, pastor; Freewill Baptist, Rev. F. H. Lyford, pas- tor. There are eight schools in town, five of which are graded. Average length of schools for the year, twenty-six weeks. The total amount of money appropriated for school purposes, is $ 2,183.60.
Libraries. The Laconia Libra- ry Association has a fund to the amount of $ 1,500 to establish a Public Library at Laconia Village. Hon. O. A. J. Vaughan, private library, 1,200 volumes; Judge E. A. Hibbard, 1,200 volumes.
Newspaper. Laconia Democrat. (See tables.)
Banks. Laconia National Bank, Belknap Savings Bank, and Laco- nia Savings Bank. (See tables.)
Hotels. Mount Belknap House, Lake Village; Laconia Hotel, and Willard House, at Laconia Vil- lage.
First Settlements and First Min- ister. (See Meredith.)
Boundaries. North and north- east by Long Bay, east by Gilford, south by Sanbornton, and west and north-west by Meredith. Area of improved land, 4,702 acres.
Distances. Twenty-five miles north from Concord to Gilford Court House in Laconia Village.
Railroads. The Boston, Con- cord & Montreal Railroad passes along the eastern and north-east- ern border of the town, through Laconia and Lake Villages, thence to the Weirs, landing at the outlet of Winnipiseogee Lake, where,
in the warm season, steamboats are in readiness, on the arrival of the trains, to convey passengers to Centre Harbor, Wolfeborough, Alton Bay, and other important points in and around the lake.
LANCASTER.
Coos COUNTY. Lancaster was formerly the whole shire town of Coos county. The population, af- ter the introduction of the Grand Trunk Railway, increased quite rapidly in the northern section of the county, and Colebrook was as- signed as shire town for the North- ern Judicial District. The mead- ows and intervals in this town are considered the most extensive and finest there are in the whole val- ley of the Connecticut, extending back nearly a mile to the uplands. The soil of these intervals is allu- vial and produces excellent crops of corn, oats and grass; while the uplands, when properly cultivated, raise fine wheat and other crops. The annual value of its agricultu- ral products exceeds that of any other town in the county, and it ranks as the twelfth town in the State in agriculture.
There is no town in the State that is more pleasantly situated for fine mountain scenery than Lan- caster. The town itself is not mountainous, but towering moun- tains can be seen on every hand. At the south and south-east, the Franconia hills and the whole range of the White Mountains are in full view; and in the north and east the Stratford or ' Percy' Peaks, with many of the Green Mountains in Vermont are distinctly visible to the west ;. while before you is the meandering Connecticut with its broad, cultivated intervals
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LANCASTER.
dotted with beautiful farm houses ; the whole presenting a picture of nature and art combined, worthy of the pencil of a limner's bright- est skill.
Rivers and Ponds. Connecticut River washes its north-western border for about ten miles. It is about 20 rods wide at this point, very deep and crooked. Israel's River passes through the town in a north-westerly direction, and af- fords some valuable water pow- er. There are several ponds, the largest of which is Martin Meadow Pond, named for a hunt- er who frequented this locality many years ago. This communi- cates with Little Pond. The Ba- ker Pond, one mile north of the vil- lage, is a pleasant sheet of water and is situated so near the Con- necticut that, by a short canal, logs are run into it from that riv- er, thus affording remarkable fa- cilities for the steam saw mill, on the track of the railroad, near the inlet.
Minerals. Limestone is found in limited quantities.
Villages. On Israel's river and about one mile from the Connecti- cut, is located the large and pleas- ant village of Lancaster. The fine country which surrounds it, the ex- cellent roads, and pleasant drives, together with the magnificent mountain scenery on every side, have rendered it very attractive as a summer resort, for the denizens of our large cities and villages. From the cupola of the Lancaster House nearly as fine a view of river, country, and mountain scen- ery can be obtained as in any other section of the State. The streets are wide and beautifully shaded, while the business blocks and pri-
vate residences, betoken an air of neatness, so much admired by eve- ry lover of a village home.
The river passes through nearly the center of the village, and is spanned by two substantial bridges, the one on Main street being a fine structure. In its passage through the village it furnishes some fine water power, which is generally improved. There is one paper mill, two saw mills ca- pable of sawing 4,500,000 feet of lumber annually, one carriage fac- tory, one of the largest grist-mills in the State, door, sash and blind factory, furniture shop, foundry, machine shop, tannery, starch mill, two printing offices, shoe shops, harness shops, blacksmith shops, marble shop, tailors &c. The total value of goods annually manufactured in the village, in- cluding meal and flour ground, is estimated at $ 300,000. It is the centre of a large mercantile trade. There are between twenty and thirty stores, of all kinds, with a capital of over $ 200,000. There are also one bank, two hotels, five church edifices, with another in process of erection, one large grad- ed school house, academy, court house and jail, insurance, express, telegraph, and post offices, twelve lawyers, six physicians, two den- tists, &c. There are about three hundred dwelling houses and fif- teen hundred inhabitants in the village. At South Lancaster there is a large steam saw mill doing an extensive business. There are four large potato starch mills in town, and an excellent fair ground and race course where annual fairs and races are held.
Employments. The inhabitants in their vocation are about equal-
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ly divided between agricultural on one side, and manufacturing, mer- cantile trade and professional bus- iness on the other. 4,700 bushels of corn, 2,300 bushels of wheat, 31, 000 bushels oats, 115,000 bushels potatocs, 68,000 lbs. butter, 27,000 lbs. maple sugar, and 5,833 tons of hay are annually produced; 115, 000 clapboards, 1,000,000 shingles and laths, and 8,500,000 feet of boards and dimension timber are annually sawed, valued at $ 139, 000 ; 45,000 bushels of grain of all kinds, ground, valued at $ 60,000; 350 tons of manilla and straw wrapping paper, valued at $42,000; 150 to 200 tons potato starch, worth from $ 15,000 to $ 30,000; carriages $ 20,000; sash and blinds, $ 6,000; furniture, $ 12,000; machine shop, $ 15,000 ; harness-making, $ 10,000, besides printing, foundry, boots and shoes, tin ware, marble work, and various other smaller shops. The total value of goods of all kinds annually manufactured is $ 403,200. (See tables.)
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 181,344; mechanical labor, $ 95,800; money at interest, $ 45, 450; deposits in savings bank, $ 10, 334; stock in trade, $ 200,000; pro- fessional business, $ 80,000; from summer tourists, $ 10,000.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. H. V. Emmons, pastor; Baptist, Rev. Kilburn Holt, pastor; Methodist, Rev. Otis Cole, pastor; Unitarian, Rev. Lyman Clark, pastor; Catholic, Father I. H. Noiseaux, priest. The founda- tion for an Episcopal church edi- fice is now (1873) being laid. There are fifteen schools in town, three of which are graded; average length for the year, thirty-one weeks; annual amount of money
appropriated for school purposes, $ 3,181. There is quite a fund for public schools. The whole num- ber of scholars in town is 563.
Literary Institution. Lancaster Academy is a flourishing institu- tion, and holds thrce terms a year.
Libraries. Lancaster Puplic Li- brary, 1,600 volumes; Judge W. S. Ladd's privatc library, 1,200 vols ; Hiram A. Fletcher Esq., 4,000 vols; Ossian Ray, Esq., 1,200 vols; Jacob Benton, Esq. 1,000 vols; Col. H. O. Kent, 1,000 vols.
Bank. The County of Coos Sav- ings Bank. (See tables.)
Newspapers. The Coos Republi- can and the Independent Gazette. (See tables.)
Hotels. Lancaster House and American House. Total number of arrivals, for the year, 6,000. There is a livery stable attached to each house.
First Settlements. Lancaster was granted to Captain David Page and others, July 6, 1763. Mr. Page with his family, and in com- pany with Edward Buckman and Emmons Stockwell, made the first settlement, April 19, 1764. The war of the revolution imped- ed the progress of the settlement for fear of Indian incursions. All but Stockwell left the settlement and fled for safety to older towns- he determined to stay and risk the consequences. Many others were induced to return through his cour- ageous example, but the town did not increase very rapidly having only 161 inhabitants in 1790. It was originally called "Upper Coos." From 1790 Lancaster has been advancing steadily in popula- tion and wealth, and is now one of the most important towns in the State.
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LANDAFF.
First Minister. Rev. Joseph Willard; installed in July, 1794; dismissed in 1822.
Boundaries. North by North- umberland, east by Killkenney, south by Jefferson, Whitefield and Dalton, and west by Guildhall and Lunenburg, Vt. Area, 23,480 acres; area of improved land, 15, 394 acres.
Distances. One hundred and thirty-seven miles (by railroad) north of Concord.
Railroad. The White Mountain extension of the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad passes through this town in a northerly and south- erly direction.
LANDAFF.
GRAFTON COUNTY. The soil of this town is very fertile, and the farmers are well rewarded for their labor. There are many fine farms under a high state of culti- vation, producing excellent crops of wheat, corn, oats, barley and potatoes. But one town in the county produces as many potatoes as Landaff.
Rivers and Mountains. The wild Amonoosuck passes from south- east to north-west, through the southerly part of the town, and the Great Amonoosuck passes through the north-westerly extremity.
These rivers afford some of the best water privileges to be found in the county. In the east part is Landaff Mountain, in the centre Cobble Hill, and in the west Bald Hill, which are the principal elevations.
Minerals. Veins of Magnetic iron ore have been discovered in Cobble Hill.
Employments. A large portion of the inhabitants are engaged
in agriculture and lumbering. 2,950,000 feet of boards &c., 880,000 shingles, and 450,000 clap- boards are annually produced. Also 344 tons of potato starch are annually manufactured, valued at $ 44,200 using 75,000 bushels of potatoes in its manufacture. Two hundred tons of lime is annually made, valued at $ 1,600 and 45,800 pounds of maple sugar manu- factured.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 163,537; mechanical labor, $ 18,100; stocks and money at in- terest, $ 26,150; deposits in sav- ings banks, $ 759; stock in trade, $ 16,350 ; professional business &c., $ 10,000.
Churches and Schools. Metho- dist Church, Rev. Joseph E. Rob- bins, pastor; Union society at Lan- daff centre, Rev. Albert Gordon, pastor. There are ten schools in town; average length for the year, seventeen weeks.
First Settlements. Landaff was granted January 3, 1764, to James Avery and others, but the grantees failing to comply with the condi- tions of the charter, it was declared to be forfeited, and was then grant- ed to Dartmouth College. After the revolution, on the ground that the adjudication of the forfeiture was irregular the original grantees set up their claims and several cases were tried by the court, and finally the claims of the grantees, were sustained.
Boundaries. North by Lisbon, east by Lincoln, south by Benton, and west by Bath. Area, 29,200 acres ; improved land, 14,071 acres. Distances. Ninety-five miles north-west from Concord, and twelve north-east from Haverhill.
Railroads. . The White Moun-
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tain (N. II.,) Railroad passes through this town, but the nearest station is at Lisbon, three and one half miles.
LANGDON.
SULLIVAN COUNTY. Langdon is a small town, both in territory and population. The soil is very pro- ductive, and many farms are under a high state of cultivation, producing excellent crops of corn, oats, hay &c. This town, for many years, has been noted for its large, hand- some cattle, and, in fact, every- thing 'pertaining to agriculture, bears strong marks that farming is not a secondary business with the inhabitants.
River. A considerable branch of Cold River passes in a southerly direction through this town, and unites with the main branch, near the south line.
Employments. The inhabitants are principally engaged in farm- ing, which yields to the husband- man a rich reward. In propor- tion to the population, Langdon is the most wealthy farming town in the State. 360,000 feet of boards are annually sawed.
Resources. Productions of the . soil, $74,800; mechanical labor, $2,500; stocks and bonds, $6,700; money at interest, $22,626; depos- its in savings banks, $ 28,098; stock in trade, $ 3,500.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. Seth Hinkley, pas- tor; Universalist, - There are five' schools; average length for the year, twenty-one weeks.
Library. The Union Library has about ninety volumes.
First Settlers. Seth Walker, Na- thaniel Rice and Jonathan Wil- "lard settled here in 1773. The
town was named in honor of Gov- ernor Langdon, and was incorpor- ated January 11, 1787.
First Minister. A Congrega- tional Church was formed in 1792; Rev. Abner Kneeland, ordained in 1805; dismissed in 1810.
Boundaries. North by Charles- town, east by Acworth, south by Alstead and Walpole, and west by Walpole and Charlestown. Area, 9,891 acres.
Distances. Fifty miles west from Concord and eighteen south- west from Newport.
Railroad. South Charlestown, on the Sullivan Railroad, distant three miles. Stage runs to Cold River depot, and Bellows Falls.
LEBANON.
GRAFTON COUNTY. Lebanon is the largest and most important town in Grafton county, in point of wealth, manufactures and pop- ulation, and ranks as the fifth town in the county in the value of its ag- ricultural products. It is situated on the Connecticut, and is the southern town in the county, on the river. The town is noted for the enterprising spirit of its inhab- itants, and but few towns in the State, have made more rapid prog- ress in its manufactures and pop- ulation for the past ten years, having increased its. population fully one thousand, and doubled its manufactured productions. The surface is broken with hills, which produce fine pasturage for cattle, sheep, and horses. Many of the hills, however, are capable of cul- tivation, and produce excellent crops of wheat, corn, potatoes and grass, while the fine intervals on the Connecticut and Mascomy yield abundant crops of corn, oats
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and grass. Some of the finest views of the Connecticut valley can be obtained from some of the farm fields in this town.
Rivers. Besides the Connecticut, which washes its western borders, it is watered by the Mascomy Riv- er, which passes nearly through the centre of the town, in a westerly direction, and affords some of the finest water power in the county. It has its source from Mascomy Lake, on the eastern border of the town. At the outlet of the lake, is a substantial dam, which regulates the supply of water, thereby mak- ing it a reliable stream to erect manufactories on. In its passage of eight miles from the lake to the Connecticut it falls nearly four hundred feet.
Villages. At the outlet of Mas- comy lake, is situated the pleasant little village of East Lebanon. At this village is located W. O. Has- kell's establishment, for the man- ufacturing of school furniture ; also a mill for wood-working machin- ery. There are several other small shops, school house, post office, and twenty or thirty dwelling houses. About four miles from East Leban- on on the Mascomy, is situated the large manufacturing village of Lebanon. The river, in its descent through the village, (less than a mile) has a fall of over one hun- dred feet. In this village, is loca- ted the celebrated Sturtevant Manufacturing Company, for the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds, chamber furniture, and finishing for builders and contractors. It is the largest establishment of the kind in New-England. They em- ploy over 400 men and boys, who annually receive for their labor, $ 168,000, while the annual value of
goods manufactured is $ 700,000. Cole, Bugbee & Co's machine shop, employs 35 men ; annual pay roll, $ 20,000; value of production of water wheels, circular saw mills and castings, $ 70,000. Martin Buck & Co., machine shop, manu- facture planers, mortising ma- chines &c. and employ 8 men ; an- nual production, $25,000. Shepard Organ Company, employs 25 men, annual production, $42,000. Gran- ite agricultural works, annually manufacture 550 mowing machines, valued at $ 44,000. Mascomy Edge Tool Company annually make 2,300 dozen scythes, valued at $ 25,300. Goodrich & Baker, stair builders, and stair rails, products, $ 10,000. Shaw, Hurlburt & Co., grist mill, annually grind, 65,000 bushels grain of all kinds, valued at $ 75,000. There are also manufactured, car- riages, $ 6,000; 3,500 dozen rakes, $7,000; 1,000 dozen snaths, $7,200; printing, $ 5,000; soap, $ 5,000; besides boots and shoes, tailors, tin-workers, blacksmiths, house carpenters, &c. The total value of goods of all kinds annually manufactured in this village, is estimated at over $ 1,100,000.
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