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 40
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Hotel. Washington House.
* The Savings Banks of Massachusetts get the surplus earnings of the people of this town. If the money was deposited in New- Hampshire Savings Banks, the town would annually get from the State, over $ 1,000.
First Settlers. Christopher Hus- sey, Joseph Dow, and Thomas Philbrick, were among the first settlers. It was originally a part of Hampton, afterwards Hamp- ton Falls, and the settlements were first commenced about 1638, The inhabitants suffered consider- bly by Indian depredations, and many prominent citizens were cru- elly massacred. On one of their attacks, they killed the widow Mussey, a prominent member of the society of Friends. She was noted on account of her talent as a public speaker. They also killed Thomas Lancaster, Jonathan Green, a child of widow Benjamin Brown, and Nicholas Bond. These murders were committed in the most horrible and cruel manner.
It is believed that Meshech Weare the first chief magistrate of New-Hampshire, settled within the limits of this town. Nathaniel Weare was an agent of the colony to prosecute the complaints against the royal governor, Edward Cran- field, and spent some time in Eng- land. His son, Nathaniel Weare, and father of Meshech Weare was a prominent public business man. Both lived within the limits of Seabrook. Edward Gove, a mem- ber of the assembly which Cran- field dissolved, distinguished him- self by his opposition to the Cran- field government. He was arrest- ed and convicted of high treason, sent to England and confined in the Tower of London. After re- maining there three years, he was pardoned and returned to his home. Seabrook was granted to Jonathan Weare and others in 1768.
First Ministers. Rev. Samuel
331
SHARON-SHELBURNE.
Perley, ordained in 1765; removed in 1775; Rev. Elias Hull, settled in 1779; died in 1822.
Boundaries. North by Hampton Falls, east by the Atlantic, south by Salisbury, Massachusetts, and west by South Hampton and Ken- sington. Area of improved land, 3,320 acres.
Distances. Fifteen miles south from Portsmouth, eight south-east from Exeter and forty south-east from Concord.
Railroads. The Eastern Rail- . road passes through the easterly section of the town in a northerly and southerly direction.
SHARON.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. The surface of Sharon is uneven and is more suitably adapted to grazing than to grain, though there are some excellent farms under high cultivation. In the south-easterly part of the town, is a medical spring, which is frequently visited by invalids. This spring is strongly impregnated with iron and sul- phur, and is noted for its healing qualities.
Employments. Farming is the principal employment of the peo- ple; 600,000 feet of lumber is an- nually sawed.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 18,572; mechanical labor, $ 3,000; stocks and money at in- terest, $ 3,300; stock in trade, $ 3, 135; deposits in savings banks, $10, 855; from summer tourists, $2,000.
Schools. There are three schools in town; average length, for the year, fifteen weeks.
Organization. This town was originally called Peterborough Slip. It was incorporated, June 24, 1791.
Boundaries. North by Peter- borough, east by Temple, south by New Ipswich and Rindge and west by Jaffrey.
Distances. Forty-eight miles
south-west from Concord, and eighteen west from Amherst.
Railroads. The nearest railroad communication is at Barker's sta- tion, on the Monadnock Railroad.
SHELBURNE.
Coos COUNTY. Shelburne is full of grand mountain scenery, not to be excelled by any town in the State. The soil, on both sides of the Androscoggin, is excellent, producing abundant crops of grain and grass.
Rivers. Androscoggin River passes through the center of this town into which fall the waters of Rattle River and some smaller streams.
Mountains. Moriah is the most noted elevation, and has an alti- tude of nearly 4,800 feet. From the top of this mountain, some of the best mountain views in the State can be obtained. “ Moses Rock" is on the south side of the river, near the center of the town. It is about sixty feet high and ninety feet long, very smooth and rising at an angle of nearly 50°.
Minerals. Lead and zinc have been found in considerable quan- tities. The lead mine has been worked with apparent success, but at present nothing is done.
Scenery. Shelburne presents much wild and beautiful scenery, and many tourists spend their summer vacation here. Mount Moriah, Lead Mine Bridge, and Moses' Rock are interesting local- ities to visit.
Employment. The inhabitants
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
are generally employed in farming. There is not a town in the State where farming pays any greater profits, in proportion to the num- ber of its inhabitants, than Shel- burne. The annual value of farm products will average over $ 160 to each person in town, while the av- erage in the whole State is about $ 70.
Resources. Farm products, $ 41, 922; money at interest, $7,850; mechanical labor, $ 1,800; sum- mer tourists, $ 10,000.
Churches and Schools. Two churches, viz. Congregational and Methodist. There are five schools : average length, for the year, nine weeks.
Hotel. Winthrop House.
First Settlers. Benjamin and David Ingalls commenced a settle- ment here in 1775, In August . 1781, a party of Indians visited the town, killed one man, cap- tured another, and returned to Canada with their prisoner.
Boundaries. North by Success, east by Riley and Gilead, Maine, south by White Mountain region, and west by Gorham. Area, 18,140 acres; improved land, 3,170 acres.
Distances. One hundred and thirty-three miles north from Con- cord and about thirty south-east from Lancaster.
Railroad. Grand Trunk Rail- road passes through the town.
SOMERSWORTH.
STRAFFORD COUNTY. Somers- worth is a small township, and the people are almost exclusively de- voted to manufacturing, mercan- tile trade and professional busi- ness. Next to Dover, it is the most important town, in the value
of its manufactured productions and trade, in the county, and ranks as the fifth town, or city, in the State, in manufactures.
River and Village. Salmon Falls River passes along its north- eastern border, which separates it from Maine, and is the only stream of note in town.
The village of Great Falls is sit- uated on this river, where centres all the manufacturing and trade in town.
The Great Falls Manufacturing Company controls all the water power at this point, which is rated at 3,200 horse power.
This Company has a capital of $ 1,500,000; and employs 775 men, 775 women, and 250 children, who annually receive for their labor, $533,000, and manufacture 19,728, 000 yards of sheetings etc., valued at $2,446,000. The improvements of machinery have largely increased their productions, but not the help. The Somersworth Machine Com- pany, iron founders and machin- ists, manufacture cooking, office and parlor stoves, hollow ware, also, all kinds of castings for mills, gas work, cast iron, steam, gas and water pipes, retorts, hydrants, &c. Capital invested, $ 100,000; em- ploy 100 hands; annual pay roll, $ 60,000 and producing goods, of va- rious kinds, to the value of $ 200, 000.
Great Falls Woolen Company manufacture fancy cassimeres, 6-4 goods. Capital, $ 100,000; employ 60 males 30 females ; pay roll, $ 36, 000; annual productions, $ 300, 000.
Wright & Company; flour and meal; capital, $ 30,000; annual- ly produce 1,000 barrels of flour and 168,000 bushels meal, valued
333
SOMERSWORTH.
at $ 181,000,* There are also man- ufactured, bobbins and spools, $ 35,000; harnesses, $ 9,500; 300, 800 pairs of sale boots and shoes, valued at $ 325,000. There are no shoe manufactories in town, but the stock, ready cut and put up in cases, is brought from out of the State to be made into boots and shoes. Perhaps a few cases come from the adjoining towns. There are bakers, confectioners, custom boot and shoe workmen, carpen- ters blacksmiths, painters, marble workers, masons, photographers, printers, tailors, and various other trades; there are six church edi- fices, two large school houses, two banks, between sixty and seventy stores, of all kinds, two hotels, sev- en lawyers, nine physicians and various other professions. This village is located in a remarkably romantic part of the country. Nearly opposite the office of the Great Falls Manufacturing Com- pany, and in the centre of the vil- lage, is a handsome public grove, on ground, sloping towards the mills. This grove is a great resort for the inhabitants, in the warm season of the year. Nearly all varieties of trees are to be found here, such as the maple, oak, elm, chestnut, pine, etc. Many of the streets are beautifully shaded, and lined on either side with fine resi- dences and adorned with spacious yards.
The cemetery is about one mile from the village, and has many expensive monuments and head- stones. It is a beautiful and at- tractive spot for mourners to spend a silent hour near those they once
held dear, but who now lie slum- bering in the dust.
Employments. As can be seen, Somersworth is a manufacturing and mercantile town. There are some very fine farms under a high state of cultivation, and the coun- try around here is an excellent farming district.
The capital invested in manufac- tories is $ 1,884,000; males employ- ed, 1,053; females and children, 1,089; annual pay roll, $ 715,000; value of productions, $3,594,000.
Resources. Annual productions of the soil, $ 39,980; mechanical labor, $ 715,000; stocks and money at interest, $ 157,400; deposits in savings banks, $361,046; stock in trade, $ 344,214; summer tourists, $ 10,000; professional services, $ 125,000.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational Rev. S. W. Webb, pastor; Methodist, High street, Rev. J. W. Adams, pastor; Main street, Rev. F. Ryder, pastor; Baptist, no pastor; Freewill Baptist, no pastor; Roman Catholic, Rev. Patrick Canovan, priest.
There are fourteen schools, elev- en of which are graded; average length of schools, for the year, thir- ty-four weeks; value of school- houses and lots, $ 20,500; annu al amount of money appropriated for school purposes, $6,783.50. The public schools have stood high in this town for many years. The law which provides for the union of several districts to establish graded schools, originated through the citizens of this town in secur- ing a law for this purpose, now called the "Somersworth Act."
The High School is under the in- struction of James W. Dixon, as Principal.
* The business of the manufactories was tak- en from the census of 1870, not receiving any returns from them of their present business.
334
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
Libraries. Great Falls Manu- facturers, and Village Library, 6, 000 volumes; Agricultural Libra- ry, 1,000 volumes; A. Twing's private library, 1,000 volumes.
Banks. Great Falls National Bank, Somersworth Savings Bank, and Somersworth National Bank. (See tables.)
Newspaper. Great Falls Jour- nal. (See tables.)
Hotels. Great Falls Hotel, and Granite State House.
First Settlement. William Went- worth, John Hall and William Styles commenced a settlement within the limits of this town, be- tween 1650 and 1675, but the exact date is not known.
Since 1823, the village of Great Falls has been nearly all built. At that date the Great Falls Man- ufacturing Company was char- tered, with a capital of $ 500,000; prior to that time there was only a saw and grist-mill and two dwelling houses. Somersworth was taken from Dover, and incor- porated April 23, 1754.
Many of the first settlers were killed or taken captive by the In- dians. George and Matthew Rick- er were ambushed and killed near Varney's Hill, Oct. 7, 1675. .A Quaker by the name of Ebenezer Downs was taken captive and car- ried to Canada in 1724. He was insulted and abused because he re- fused to dance with the other cap- tives for the amusement of the savages. The following year he was redeemed. In the summer of 1710, Jabez Garland was killed and the next year Gershom Downs fell a victim to their savage cruel- ties between Varney's and Otis Hill. This town has been the birthplace and residence of many
prominent men. Nicholas Pike, author of the popular system of arithmetic, was born here Oct. 6, 1745; John Wentworth, son of the Hon. John Wentworth, was born in this town July 14, 1745, and graduated at Harvard College, 1768. He was a member of the Continental Congress in the Rev- olution, and died January 10, 1787. Hon. Thomas Wallingford was born in Bradford, Mass., in 1697. He came to this town in the early part of his life, and, being energetic in his business, from a small beginning, became one of the most wealthy men in the province.
Ichabod Rollins was born here in 1721. He was Judge of Probate for the county of Strafford, and died January 31, 1800.
First Ministers. Rev. James Pike, ordained in 1730; died in 1792, Rev. Pearson Thurston, ordained in 1792; dismissed in 1812.
Boundaries. North-east by South Berwick, Maine, south by Rollinsford, south-west by Dover, and north-west by Rochester ; area of improved land, 2,294 acres.
Distances. Forty-five miles east from Concord, four north-east from Dover, and twelve north-east from Portsmouth.
Railroads. The railroad facili- ties of Somersworth are good. The Boston & Maine branch ex- tends to this village, and the East- ern, Great Falls & Conway passes along the north-eastern border with the station at the village.
It is expected that the Ports- mouth and Dover Railroad will be extended to this town, forming a junction with the Great Falls and Conway Railroad.
335
SOUTH HAMPTON-SOUTH NEWMARKET.
SOUTH HAMPTON.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. The surface of this town is uneven, but not rough, the land rising in gentle swells, and affords exellent pastur- ing and tillage. The inhabitants are noted for their proficiency in agriculture; and their enterprise, industry, and success in this de- partment, entitles them to more credit than they claim. Amesbury and Newburyport, Mass. furnish the farmers with a good market for all their surplus products.
River. Powow River passes through the western part of the town. The former water power on it, in this town, is nearly flowed out by the Salisbury Mills Compa- ny, at Amesbury.
Employments. The inhabitants are generally engaged in farming. About 350,000 feet of lumber, of various dimensions, are annually produced, and 2,000 pairs of sale shoes manufactured.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 47,430; mechanical labor, $ 3,200; stocks, and money at inter- est, $3,275; deposits in savings banks,* $46; stock in trade, $ 450.
Churches and Schools. Baptist, Rev. J. W. Searle, pastor. There are three schools. Average length of schools, for the year, thirty-one weeks. The Barnard Academy was founded through a bequest of the late Hon. Benjamin Barnard, with a fund of $ 4,200.
Hotel. "Central House."
First Settlers. Hon. Phillips White, who was a member of the old congress, a councilor in 1792 and 1793, and for many years judge
of probate, died June 24, 1811, aged eighty-two. The town was formed from parts of Hampton and Kings- ton and incorporated May 25, 1742.
First Ministers. Rev. William Parsons, Congregational, ordained in 1743, dismissed in 1762; Rev. Nathaniel Noyes, settled in 1763, dismissed in 1800.
Boundaries. North by East Kingston and Kensington, east by Seabrook, south by Amesbury, Massachusetts, and west by New- ton. Acres of improved land, 3,899.
Distances. Fifty miles south- east from Concord, six south from Exeter, and eighteen south-west from Portsmouth.
Railroads. Three miles to the station at Amesbury, on the East- ern Railroad, and four to East Kingston on Boston and Maine Railroad. The Exeter and Ames- bury Railroad, when completed, will pass through the town.
SOUTH NEW-MARKET.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. South New-Market is a small township, taken from New-Market, June 27, 1849. The surface is uneven, but the soil is strong, and, when prop- erly tilled, produces excellent crops. Many of the farms are un- ' der a high state of cultivation.
Rivers. Swamscot and Piscassic Rivers are the principal streams. The Swamscot is navigable for vessels of considerable burthen at high tide. The Piscassic affords some water power.
Village. On a slight elevation from the Swamscot, and on the Boston and Maine Railroad, is lo- cated the pleasant and busy village of South New-Market. But few villages of its size, in the State, produce more valuable manufac-
* A large portion of the surplus funds of the inhabitants, in the towns bordering on Mass- achusetts, finds its way into the Savings Banks of that State.
336
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
tured goods. The Swamscot Ma- chine Company, is located in this village, and employs 175 men. There is also one other small machine shop, which does a fine business. There are four stores, two hotels, two churches, one large school house and about 100 dwell- ings. The main street is wide, and the buildings are neat, and some of them costly structures.
Employments. South New-Mar- ket can justly be called a manufac- turing town. There are annually produced 25 engines, 1,500,000 feet of gas pipe, 90 tons of brass and iron fittings, 48 steam boilers, 750 tons of iron castings, and 13 tons of brass and copper castings, be- sides other miscellaneous machine works, the whole being valued at over $ 310,000. There are also sawed 200,000 feet of lumber, be- sides blacksmith and other me- chanical work. The total value of goods annually manufactured is $ 319,000.
Resources. Agricultural prod- ucts, $38,140; mechanical labor, $ 109,000; stocks, and money at interest, $ 17,934; deposits in sav- ings banks, $ 46,871 ; stock in trade, $ 8,400.
Churches and Schools. Metho- dist, Rev. H. A. Mattison, pastor; Congregational, Rev. Joseph Bart- lett, pastor; Universalist, -; Catholic, Father Egan, priest. There are four schools in town, three of which are graded. Aver- age length of schools, for the year, thirty-one weeksy amount of mon- ey annually appropriated for school purposes, $ 1,285.31.
Hotels. " Shute House," and " Elm House."
First Settlement and First Minis- ter. See Exeter.
Boundaries. North by New- Market, east by Stratham, south by Exeter, and west by Epping. Area, about 6,000 acres; area of improved land, 3,330 acres.
Distances. Thirty-six miles south-east from Concord, twelve west from Portsmouth, and four north from Exeter.
Railroads. Boston and Maine Railroad passes through the town in a northerly and southerly direc- tion, and the Portsmouth and Con- cord in an easterly and westerly direction.
SPRINGFIELD.
SULLIVAN COUNTY. The soil of this town is strong and produces good crops of corn, oats and po- tatoes.
Rivers and Ponds. It is watered by branches of Black water and Sugar Rivers, affording some very good water privileges. There are several ponds, viz., Station Pond, Cilley Pond, Star, Stony and Mor- gan Ponds. Staticn Pond is the largest body of water, and is 250 rods long and about 140 wide.
Employments. The people are principally engaged in agriculture. 550,000 shingles and 350,000 feet of boards, &c., are annually sawed. (See tables.)
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 72,552; mechanical labor, $ 1,200; stock in trade, $2,700; deposits in savings banks, $ 19, 667.
Churches and Schools. Christian Church, Rev. Lorenzo Bailey, pas- tor. There are thirteen school districts and eleven schools. Aver- age length of schools, for the year, sixteen weeks.
First Settlers. Israel Clifford, Israel Clifford, jr., Nathaniel
337
STARK-STEWARTSTOWN.
Clark, and Samuel Stevens settled here in 1772.
Early Minister. Rev. Job Cush- man, settled here in 1825, dismis- sed in 1828.
Distances. 38 miles north-west from Concord, and 13 north-east from Newport.
Boundaries. North by Grafton, east by Wilmot, south-east by New London, south by Sunapee and Croydon, and west by Croydon and Grantham. Area, 28,300 acres.
Railroads. The nearest railroad station is at West Andover, on the Northern (N. H.) Railroad. The public conveyance to this depot is by stage.
STARK.
Coos COUNTY. The surface is broken and hilly. In the valleys the soil is rich and productive, yielding good crops of grain and grass.
Rivers. In the north-east part of the town, the north and south branches of the Ammonoosuc Riv- er form a junction. Nash's stream, flowing from Stratford, falls into this river in the north part of the town. Piercey's Pond is in the east part.
Mountains. Mill Mountain is in Stark, also a part of Pilot Moun- tain. Near Mill Mountain is a singular ledge called the " Devil's Sliding place." On the south side, it breaks abruptly into a prec- ipice of nearly three hundred feet, while on the north, cattle may be driven to its top.
Employments. Agriculture is the principal business of the peo- ple. There are several very ex- tensive lumber mills in town, an- nually producing five or six mil- lions feet of lumber of all kinds.
Resources. Agricultural prod-
ucts, $ 60,638; mechanical labor, $ 26,200; money at interest, $ 15, 868; deposits in savings banks, $ 1,650; stock in trade, $ 20,700.
Churches and Schools. Metho- dist, Elder Amos Merrill, pastor. There are seven schools. Average length of schools, for the year, twelve weeks.
First Settlements. Caleb and Benjamin Smith settled here in 1788. This town was originally called "Piercey," and incorporated by that name January 9, 1795, but was changed to its present name to compliment the memory of General John Stark, who died May 8, 1822. The town was incorpo- rated, Dec. 28, 1832.
Boundaries. North by Stratford and Odell, east by Dummer and Milan, south by Kilkenney, and west by Northumberland. Area 20,000 acres.
Distances. One hundred and forty-five miles north from Con- cord, and ten north-east from Lan- caster.
Railroad. Grand Trunk Rail- road passes through the north por- tion of the town.
STEWARTSTOWN.
Coos COUNTY. The surface of Stewartstown is uneven and brok- en with hills, but the soil is deep and fertile, and produces good crops of barley, rye, potatoes and hay.
Rivers and Ponds. It is well watered by Bishop's Brook. Dead- water and Mohawk Rivers furnish excellent water power. Hall's Stream unites with the Connecticut river, at this place, which passes along its western border. Great and Little Diamond Ponds, are the largest bodies of water.
338
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
Employments. Agriculture is the principal employment of the peo- ple, although manufacturing is car- ried on to a considerable extent. 150 tons potato starch are annually made, 6,000 yards of full cloth, 3,000 yards of flannel and 2,000 yards of tweed, are annually man- ufacturcd, 100,000 clapboards, 250, 000 shingles, and 1,940,000 feet of boards, &c., are sawed annually. 7,000 bushels of grain ground, be- sides other mechanical shops. The total value of goods manufactured, is $ 59,400.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 60,638; mechanical labor, $ 13,300; money at interest, $ 21, 800; deposits in savings banks, $ 109; stock in trade, $ 9,750.
Churches and Schools. Christian Church, Rev. George Leach, pas- tor: Congregational Church, at West Stewartstown, Rev. W. F. Morrill, pastor. There are eleven school districts and ten schools in town. Average length of schools for the year, eighteen weeks.
Hotel. Coos House.
First Settlements. The original grantees of Stewartstown were Sir George Cockburn, Sir George Colman, John Stewart, and John Nelson. The first settlement was commenced prior to the revolution, but, after the war broke out, it was abandoned. During the war of 1812, a block house, or fort, was erected for the defence of a com- pany of militia, and was occupied till 1814. It was origanlly called Stewart, but was incorporated un- der its present name, December 24, 1799.
Boundaries and Area. North by Pittsburg and Clarksville, east by Dixville, south by Colebrook, and
west by Canaan, Vermont. Area, 23,040 acres, arca improved land, 11,665 acres.
Distances. By stage and cars, one hundred and seventy-six miles north from Concord, and forty north-east from Lancaster.
Railroads. By stage twice a week to North Stratford station, nineteen miles, on the Grand Trunk Railroad.
STODDARD.
CHESHIRE COUNTY. The sur- face of Stoddard is hilly, but the soil is deep and fertile, and yields good crops of corn, barley, potatoes and hay.
This town is situated on the height of land, between the Con- necticut and Merrimack rivers. The location of some houses is such, that the rain falling on one side of the house, falls into the Connecticut, while that falling on the other, runs into the Merri- mack river.
Rivers and Ponds. The south branch of Ashuelot River is the principal stream and has its source near the center of the town. Branch River is a considerable stream, and the two rivers afford some excellent water power. Is- land Pond, studded with small is- lands, covers about three hundred acres, and is the largest body of water in town. Long Pond, lying partly in this town and partly in Washington, is a beautiful sheet of water.
Employments. Agriculture is the principal employment of the people, although manufacturing is carried on quite extensively. 30, 000 shingles and 700,000 feet of boards &c., are sawed annually. Glass bottles to the value of $ 40,
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