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 35
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Minerals Bog iron ore and white granular quartz are found.
Village. Nottingham Square is a pleasant village, situated on an elevated site, about 450 feet above the sea level, and affords a fine view of the surrounding country.
At one time it was the seat of considerable trade, and still retains its delightful views.
Employments. Agriculture is the principal employment of the people. 96,000 pairs of shoes are annually manufactured. 70,000 clapboards, 800,000 shingles, and 23,00,000 feet of boards, &c., are sawed annually.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 72,147; mechanical labor, $26,700; stocks and money at in- terest, $ 22,550; deposits in sav- ings banks, $ 22,510; stock in trade, $ 40,785 ; from summer tour- ists, $ 1,500.
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ODELL-ORANGE.
Churches and Schools. Union Church, Rev. Hosea Quimby, pas- tor. There are thirteen schools in town. Average length of schools, for the year, eighteen weeks.
Hotel. Rockingham House.
First Settlements. Nottingham was settled by Capt. Joseph Cilley and others, in 1727. A tribe of In- · dians had their rendezvous, at one time, on the shores of a pond in Northwood, near the line of this town, but no serious depredations were ever committed by them on the inhabitants of Nottingham. Incorporated May 10, 1722.
First Ministers. Rev. Stephen Emery, Congregational, ordained in 1742, dismissed in 1749. Rev. Benjamin Butler, settled in 1758, left in 1770.
Boundaries and Area. North- east by Barrington and Lee, south by Epping and Raymond, and west by Deerfield and Northwood. Area 25,800 acres. Area improved land, 11,473 acres.
Distances. Twenty-five miles south-east from Concord, fourteen miles north-west from Exeter, and twenty west from Ports- mouth.
Railroad. By stage, three times a week, to Newmarket station, ten miles, on Boston and Maine Rail- road.
ODELL.
Coos COUNTY. In 1860, this town had one white inhabitant, but in 1870, the person had died or moved away. The town is rocky, rough, and mountainous. A large branch of the Androscog- gin has its rise here. It is bound- ed, north by Columbia and Dix- ville, east by Millsfield and Dum-
mer, south by Stark, and west by Stark, Stratford, and Columbia.
ORANGE.
GRAFTON COUNTY. The sur- face is uneven, being situated on the height of land between the Connecticut and Merrimack Riv- ers. The soil, in many parts of the town, is good, and fine crops are produced.
Streams and Ponds. The streams are small, but some of them afford a few mill privileges, which are improved. There is a small pond in the south-east part of the town, from which is taken a species of paint, resembling Spruce yellow. Chalk and mag- nesia have been found near this pond. Yellow Ochre, of a quali- ty superior to that imported, is found in various localities.
Mountain. Cardigan Mountain lies in the eastern part of the town, and is. of considerable ele- vation.
Employments. The principal employment of the people is agri- culture. 25,000 clapboards, 250, 000 shingles, and 450,000 feet of dimension timber are annually produced.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 26,306; mechanical labor, $ 1,300; money at interest, $5,500; deposits in savings banks, $ 3,139; stock in trade, $2,350; from sum- mer tourists, $ 1,000.
Churches and Schools. Freewill Baptist, Rev. J. C. Waldron, pas- tor. There are seven schools. Average length of schools, for the year, seventeen weeks.
First Settlements. Orange was granted February 6, 1769, under the name of Cardigan, to Isaac Fellows, and others. The first
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
settlement was made in 1773, by Silas Harris, Benjamin Shaw, Da- vid Eames, Col. Elisha Bayne, and Capt. Joseph Kenney. Incor- porated July 18, 1781.
Boundaries. North by Dorches- ter, Groton, and Hebron, east by Hebron and Alexandria, south by Grafton, and west by Canaan. Area 16,000 acres. Improved land, 5,624 acres.
Distances. Sixteen miles east from Dartmouth College, ten south-west from Plymouth, and forty north-west from Concord.
Railroad. The Northern Rail- road passes through the south- west corner of the town. East Canaan depot, four miles distant, is where the people take the cars.
ORFORD.
GRAFTON COUNTY. Orford is one of the seven best farming towns in the State, in respect of value of agricultural productions, and ranks as the third town in the county. It is situated on the Con- necticut which, through this town, furnishes broad intervals, well tilled and producing excellent crops of corn, oats, and hay. The uplands and hills afford fine pas- turing and tillage lands. But one other town in the State produces as many bushels of wheat.
There are but few if any farm- ing towns on the Connecticut that equal Orford in its fine scenery of mountain, hill, vales, and river views. As you stand on many of the farm hills which are cultivated to their summits, you have a view of the hills, and beautiful valleys around you dotted with fine farm houses, and well filled barns, and a little farther you have an indis-
tinct view of the villages nestling beneath the shades of the stately elm, while the church spire, peer- ing through their tops, and the ring of the village school bell, all denote that religion, education, and liberal principles harmoni- ously dwell within; while still a little farther, flows the winding Connecticut, clothed on either side with broad intervals now burdened with the rewards of the husbandman's toil, and still be- yond all this, are the green, culti- vated hills of Vermont, and at their base can be seen the puffing locomotive, and the luxurious cars, freighted with precious lives as they glide through the vale.
Rivers, Ponds, and Mountains. While the Connecticut River washes the western border of the town, Orford Mill River passes nearly through the centre and furnishes some good water power. There are four or five ponds of considerable size. Baker's Upper Pond, lies within three or four miles of the Connecticut and discharges its waters into another pond, lying partly in Wentworth, and the waters of both flow into Baker's River. Indian Pond, lies about one mile west from Baker's Upper Pond. There are two con- siderable elevations called Mount Cuba, and Mount Sunday, lying near the centre of the town, Mount Cuba, extending east into Wentworth.
Minerals. On the west side of Cuba Mountain there are several beds of limestone, which is granu- lar but does not crumble in burn- ing. Specimens of quartz contain- ing acicular crystals of oxide of tita- nium are also found here. Near Sunday Mountain, is a bed of tal-
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ORFORD.
cose slate which answers well for soap stone. There are many other mineral crystals found in various sections of the town.
Villages. Orford village is sit- uated on the upper banks of the Connecticut and on the border of the intervals and is one of the handsomest and most quiet vil- lages in the State. Here are two church edifices, large school house, academy, five or six stores, of va- rious kinds, one hotel, two law- yers, two physicians, one dentist, and several small manufactories and mechanical shops. The main street is broad, and beautifully shaded, while the dwelling houses have a neat appearance and are adorned with spacious yards, and beautiful gardens.
Orfordville is situated about two miles above the principal village, and contains two chair factories, lumber mill, and several other small shops. Here are also one church edifice, school house, store, post office and several fine dwell- ing houses. It is a pleasant village and a desirable place to live in.
Employments. The inhabitants are generally engaged in farming; but the manufactures are impor- tant. 3,900 bushels of wheat, 12, 000 bushels corn, 20,000 bushels oats and barley, 41,000 bushels po- tatoes, 41,000 pounds of butter and 4,700 tons of hay are annually pro- duced. There are annually man- ufactured 360,000 shingles, 1,480, 000 feet boards and dimension tim- ber, 12,000 bushels meal and flour, 50 tons starch, and there are two chair factories, a harness shop, blacksmith shops, wheelwright, tin ware, and shoe shops, also carpen- ters, painters, tailors, and various other mechanical business. The
annual value of mechanical pro- ductions is $ 68,400.
Resources. Annual production of the soil $ 204,200 mechanical labor $ 17,700 stocks and money at interest $ 62,243 deposits in sav- ings banks, $6,727; stock in trade, $ 39,500; from summer tourists $2,000; professional business $ 10,000.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. Frank B. Knowlton, pastor; Universalist, At Orfordville, Congregational, Rev. N. F. Carter, pastor. There are fourteen schools in town. Av- erage length of schools, for the year, twenty-two weeks. Total amount annually appropriated for school purposes $ 2,229.21.
Literary Institution. Orford Academy, Nathan E. Stark, princi- pal, in 1870.
Hotel. Orford House.
First Settlement. Orford was granted to Jonathan Moulton, and others September 25, 1761. Gen- eral Israel Morey, John Mann, Esq., a Mr. Caswell, and one Cross, commenced the first settlement in June, 1765.
First Ministers. Rev. Oliver Noble, (Congregational) ordained in 1771; dismissed in 1777; Rev. John Sawyer, settled in 1787; left in 1795; Rev. Sylvester Dana , settled in 1807; left in 1822.
Boundaries. North by Piermont, east by Wentworth, south by Lyme, and west by Fairlee, Ver- mont. Area 27,000 acres; area of improved land 16,315 acres.
Distances. Sixty-two miles northwest from Concord and twelve south from Haverhill. By cars it is eighty four miles to Con- cord.
Railroad. One mile to Fairlee,
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
Vt., station, on the Passumpsic railroad.
OSSIPEE.
CARROLL COUNTY. Ossipee is the shire town of the county. The west and south parts of the town are hilly and mountainous, while the north-eastern portion is mod- erately uneven or nearly level. The mountainous district affords excellent pasturage. The soil is deep, and, when properly tilled, produces fine crops of wheat, corn, oats and potatoes.
Lakes, Rivers and Ponds. Ossi- pee Lake, a beautiful sheet of water, lies partly in this town. It is about eight miles long and sev- en wide, and is quite as remarka- ble on account of its entire desti- tution of islands, and the bright, silvery belt which surrounds it, as the Winnipiseogee is famous for its numerous islands. This lake is shallow, and has many small bays and inlets. Ossipee River is its outlet. Pine and Bear Camp Rivers discharge their waters into Ossipee Lake, and are the princi- pal streams in town. There are several ponds, of which Bear Pond, in the south-east part, is noted for not having any visible outlet.
Mountains. Ossipee and Green mountains are the principal eleva- tions in the vicinity of Ossipee. The most lofty peak of Ossipee mountain has an altitude of near- ly 2,500 feet above the ocean level. In the crevices of the rocks, on Green Mountain, ice may be found at all seasons of the year.
Summer Resorts. The bright and silvery waters of Ossipee Lake, and the beautiful mountain scenery in and around Ossipee,
have induced many tourists, and lovers of New-Hampshire scenery to spend their summers in this pleasant town, and enjoy the many attractions which nature has so lavishly bestowed upon it. From the valleys or plains nearly as fine a home-view can be obtain- ed as in any town in the State. Around you are fine farms, where waves the growing grass or grain, and rustle the leaves of the green corn, fanned by the mountain air. On the hill-side can be seen flocks and herds, grazing on its gentle knolls, or quietly reposing within the shade of the gorgeous oak or maple. At the foot of the hills, nestle the waters of the beautiful Ossipee, or meander the spark- ling mountain streams. To the south-east is Green Mountain, with its icy fetters glistening in the summer sunbeam. To the west is the Ossipee Mountain, with its towering peaks, and in the distance, at the north, the White Mountains show their snowy summits; and a little fur- ther to the west Chocorua Peak is distinctly seen, down the precipi- tous sides of which, tradition says, an Indian made his last leap when pursued by the white man. Near the foot of Ossipee Mountain is a beautiful cascade, which attracts many visitors; also a spring, slightly impregnated with sul- phuric acid gas. Near the west- ern shore of Ossipee Lake, in a level field, is a circular mound, about fifty feet in diameter, and 10 feet in height, supposed to be the place where the Indians bur- ied their dead after an encounter with Captain Lovell. Several en- tire skeletons, besides hatchets, tomahawks, etc., have been taken
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from this mound. About 500 vis- itors spend their summer vaca- tion in Ossipee. There are three hotels and many farm houses, where summer boarders are ac- commodated.
Employments. Ossipee is one of the best farming towns in the State, many of its inhabitants be- ing engaged in agriculture. There is considerable money invested in manufactories. Over 12,000 dozen pairs of hose, over 1,250,000 feet of boards, 100,000 clapboards, and 150,000 shingles, are annually manufactured, besides an exten- sive tannery and bedstead manu- factory, annually producing 10,000 Bedsteads. 72,000 pairs of shoes are annually made. (See tables.)
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 155,603; mechanical labor, $ 55,950; money at interest, $3, 994; deposits in savings banks, $ 41,557; from summer tourists, $ 25,000; Stock in trade, $ 19,980.
Churches and Schools. There are in town one Congregational, two Methodist, and two Freewill Baptist Churches, There are twenty schools in town. Average length of schools, for the year, ten weeks.
Hotels. Carroll and Centre Houses, and Banks' Hotel. Arri- vals for the year, 7,500.
First Settlement. Ossipee was originally called New Garden. Incorporated February 22, 1785.
First Minister. Rev. Samuel Arnold, settled in 1829, dismissed in 1831.
Boundaries. North by Tam- worth, north-east by Freedom and Effingham, south-east by Wake- field, and west by Wolfeborough, Tuftonborough and Moulton- borough. Area over 55,000 acres.
Area of improved land, 17,740 acres.
Distances. Sixty miles north- east from Concord.
Railroad. Great Falls and Con- way Railroad affords this town excellent railroad facilities.
PELHAM.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. The surface of this town is moderately uneven, but the uplands are excel- lent for grazing and for the raising of fruit. But two towns in the county exceed it in the value of its fruit productions. Over 6,000 bar- rels of cider were made in town, in the fall of 1872.
Lowell and Lawrence furnish the farmers a convenient market for their surplus productions. About sixty cans of milk are daily carried to Lowell, and thirty to Lawrence, the year round. In the eastern part of the town are valu- able quarries of granite. About twenty stone workmen are con- stantly employed at these quarries.
Streams and Ponds. Beaver River is the principal stream, and together with its tributaries fur- nishes some good water power. Gumpas, White's, and Island Ponds are the principal bodies of water.
Employments. The inhabitan are principally devoted to agricul- ture. Every hundred acres of improved land in town yields the farmer, on an average, $ 1,300 an- nually. This includes pasturage, tillage, &c. The lumber business is valuable, over 1,100,000 feet of lumber, of all kinds, are annually sawed. A frocking manufactory annually produces $ 35,000 worth of frocking. Stone quarried and dressed $ 15,000. Besides there
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
are five blacksmith and two wheel- wright shops, two grist mills, and about 3,400 pairs of sale shoes made. Total value of goods an- nually manufactured, $ 96,800.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 109,965; mechanical labor, $ 19,500; money at interest, stocks, etc., $ 23,190; deposits in savings banks,* $ 54,698; stock in trade, 28,491,
$
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational Church, Rev. Augustus Berry, pastor. There are six schools in town. Average length of schools, for the year, twenty- six weeks.
Libraries. Abel Gage, private, over 500 volumes; A. Batchelder, private, over 500 volumes.
First Settlements. Pelham was originally a part of Dracut, Massa- chusetts, and was formerly includ- ed in Wheelwright and Mason's purchase. The first permanent settlement was made by John But- ler, William Richardson, Joseph Hamblett, and others, in 1721, by erecting a log house. Two years before the above date, a block house was built by the Mason pro- prietors, to assist those who might purchase, and protect them from Indian incursions. The in- habitants of Pelham have always · stood ready to defend their coun- try, whenever assailed. In the French war of 1755, nine of her citizens sacrificed their lives, to give England Canada. In the Revolution, 86 of her townsmen were enrolled on the lists of the army; and the record shows she furnished 98 men to assist in quell- ing the Rebellion of 1861. The
* The savings banks of Massachusetts get a large portion of the deposits of the farmers of Pelham.
town was incorporated, July 6, 1746, and the first town meeting was holden July 27, 1746.
First Church. The first church edifice was erected in 1746. A Congregational society was formed November 13, 1751, and the Rev. James Hobbs was ordained as its pastor; he died in 1765; Rev. Ames Moody, ordained in 1765, dismissed in 1792; Rev. J. H. Church, D. D., settled in 1798.
Boundaries. North by Wind- ham and Salem, east by Methuen and Dracut, Massachusetts, south by Dracut, and west by Hudson. Area of improved land, 8,049 acres.
Distances. Thirty-seven miles south from Concord, ten south- east from Nashua, and six north from Lowell, Massachusetts.
Railroads. Six miles to Lowell station, by mail carriage, three times a week. A new railroad is in contemplation, from Lowell, through Pelham, to Windham de- pot, on the Manchester and Law- rence Railroad; also one from Nashua, through Pelham to Plais- tow, on the Boston and Maine Railroad.
PEMBROKE.
MERRIMACK COUNTY. Pem- broke is situated on the eastern side of Merrimack River, and is one of the growing towns of the State, both in wealth and popula- tion. The soil is various, and gen- erally productive. The intervals on the river are valuable, and pro- duce excellent crops of corn, oats and grass. From these intervals, the land rises in large swells, which yield abundant crops, when properly cared for.
considerable stream
Rivers. Pembroke has no running
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PEMBROKE.
through it, but it is well watered by small streams, while its bor- ders are nearly surrounded by rivers. The Soucook River washes its north-western bor- ders, and separates it from Concord; the Merrimack waters it on the west, and separates the town from Bow; while the Sun- cook passes along its south-eastern boundary, and separates it from Allenstown. There is a small curve in the Suncook, at Suncook village, which has been made since the town line was formed, and brings a saw, and sash and blind mill, into Pembroke, situat- ed apparently on the south-east bank of the river, in Allens- town. The Suncook furnishes some fine water power in Pem- broke, which is well improved.
Villages. Pembroke strcet is situated on a high swell of land, about one mile from the Merri- mack. The main street runs par- allel with the river, and is wide and very pleasant. Thirty years ago it was the principal village in town, and the seat of considerable trade. At that time there were two flourishing academies, sever- al stores, etc .; but the thriving village of Suncook has taken away its former prestige. The Blanchard or Pembroke Academy still remains, and meets with va- ried success. The views from this village, of the surrounding country in the summer, are delightful.
Suncook. Near the mouth of the Suncook River, is situated the manufacturing village of Suncook. The river runs through the vil- lage,-consequently it is located partly in Allenstown, but the larger portion in Pembroke. The growth of this village, it might be
said, commenced less than twenty years ago, for a few years prior to that time a destructive fire swept over a large part of the business portion of the village, and its fu- ture prospects looked gloomy for a number of years. Since 1860, i has more than doubled its popula- tion, and trebled its wealth.
On the Pembroke side the Web- ster Manufacturing Company em ploys 94 males, and 225 females, and annually manufactures 7,382, 000 yards of cotton print goods, valued at $ 552,000. The Pem- broke Mills employ 49 males, and 115 females, and manufacture 3, 740,000 yards of print cloth, val- ued at $ 280,000. There is also one grist-mill, grinding 20,000 bushels of grain annually, valued at $23,900; 700,000 feet of lumber sawed, valued at $ 10,000; sash and blinds, and printing cases, valued at $ 10,000; besides bakery, fouu- dry, boots and shoes, harnesses, blacksmiths, tailors, &c. On the Allenstown side is the China Man- . ufacturing Company, employing 144 males and 340 females, and manufacturing 11,122,000 yards of cotton print cloth, valued at $ 832, 000. The total capital invested in the various manufactories in Sun- cook is estimated at $ 1,650,000 employing 345 males, and 700 fe- males, who annually receive for their labor, $ 384,000, and manu- facture goods to the value of $ 1, 754,000. There are two church ed- ifices, two large graded school- houses, one bank, telegraph and express office, from thirty to forty stores, of all kinds, two hotels, and about 2,500 inhabitants. But few villages in this State, have made more rapid progress for the past ten years than Suncook. The Sun
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
cook Branch of the Concord Rail- road, and the Suncook Valley Rail- road to Pittsfield, furnish the vil- lage with excellent railroad facil- ities.
About three miles north of Sun- cook village, on Suncook River, is a small village, where there are a lumber mill, grist-mill, a cotton twinc manufactory, and several other small shops.
Employments. As can be seen, Pembroke has become a manufac- turing and trading town, instead of agricultural, as it was twenty years ago. It might be said that the agricultural products have not decreased within that timc, but the manufactories have increased enough to over-balance the farm productions. Large quantities of brick are made ; 40,000 clapboards, 950,000 shingles and laths, and 1, 800,000 feet of boards and dimen- sion timber, are annually sawed; besides meal, flour, cotton goods, &c. The total value of goods an- : nually manufactured, of all kinds, is estimated at $ 1,010,800.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 126,170; mechanical labor, $ 228,600; stocks and money at in- terest, $ 39,750; deposits in savings banks, $202,102; stock in trade, $ 59,025 ; professional business &c., $ 80,000.
Churches and Schools. Baptist, Rev. T. M. Goodwin, pastor; Con- gregational, Rev. L. White, pas- tor; Methodist, Rev. James Noyes, pastor ; Catholic, Rev. I. B. Richer, priest. There are cleven schools in town, six of which are graded; average length, for the year, twen- ty-five wecks; value of school- houses, $ 11,500; total amount of money annually appropriated for school purposes, $ 2,230.25.
Literary Institutions. Pembroke Academy, Isaac Walker, A. M., Principal.
Hotels. Pembroke House, and Suncook House.
Bank. China Savings Bank, at Suncook, on the Allenstown side.
First Settlement. This town was granted by Massachusetts to Captain John Lovewell, and his company of fifty-nine men. in con- sideration of their faithful services against the Indians. The grant was given under the Indian name, -"Suncook,"-in May, 1727. The settlement made slow progress for many years, for the reason of In- dian depredations upon the prop- erty of the inhabitants. James Carr,-killed May 1, 1748, -was the only person who lost his life by the Indians in this town. For many years the people led a life of watching, anxiety, and fear, which few persons in these days know much about.
" The death of James Carr, of Pembroke, who was killed by the enemy early in 1748, was attended with a singular instance of canine attachment and fidelity. He, with two others, was ploughing on the west bank of the river, within the present township of Bow. To- ward night, some Indians, who had been concealed in a thicket of bushes all day, watching them, rushed upon them. Histwo com panions were taken ; butin attempt ing to run to the river, Carr, was shot and fell dead on his back, with his arms somewhat extended. As the savages ran up to scalp him, his dog,-a large and fierce animal,- instantly attacked them, but was stunned by the blow of a toma- hawk, and left for dead. The peo- ple at the garrison in Pembroke,
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heard the firing, but, it being near night, did not venture on an im- mediate pursuit, from the appre- hension of falling into an ambus- cade. After the departure of the enemy, the dog revived, guarded the corpse of his master through the night, and was found the next morning with his nose laid in its open hand; nor would the faithful animal permit any one to remove or even touch the body, until after the use of much flattery and some force."
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