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 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
339
STRAFFORD.
000 are manufactured .* 80,000 tubs and pails, and 17,000 boxes of clothes pins are annually made. Also nearly 11,000 pounds of ma- ple sugar are manufactured. Gran- ite of a fine quality is wrought to a considerable extent.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $46,404; mechanical labor, $ 30,600; stocks, and money at in- terest, $ 16,904; deposits in savings banks, $38,937; stock in trade, $ 11,865.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational Church, Rev. F. Jones, pastor. There are nine school dis- tricts and seven schools in town ; average length, for the year, eighteen weeks.
Library. Stoddard Town Li- brary, 500 volumes.
Hotels. Central House, and Week's Hotel.
First Settlements. This town was formerly called Limerick, and was granted to Colonel Samson Stoddard and others, and received its present name from Colonel Stoddard. It was first settled by John Taggard, Reuben Walton, Alexander Scott, James Mitchell, and others, in 1769. The priva- tions and hardships of John Tag- gard and his family were severe. Their grain was procured at Pe- terborough, a distance of about twenty miles, and carried by him on his back through the pathless wilderness. At one time, for six days, they had nothing but the flesh of the Moose to subsist on. Incor- porated Nov. 4, 1774.
First Ministers. Rev. Abishai Colton, settled in 1793; dismissed in 1795. Rev. Isaac Robinson, D. D., (Congregational,) settled in
* These works are not in operation at the present time.
1803; died July 9, 1854. He was a man of remarkable mental pow- ers, and of untiring energy and perseverance. A Congregational Church was organized Sept. 4, 1787.
Boundaries and Area. North by Washington, east by Windsor and Antrim, south by Nelson, and west by Sullivan, Gilsum and Marlow. Area, 25,925 acres; area of im proved land 12,897 acres.
Distances. Forty miles south- west from Concord, and fifteen north-east from Keene.
Railroads. By stage, sixteen miles, to Peterborough station, on the Monadnock Railroad; fifteen miles to Keene station, on the Cheshire Railroad, and twelve to Hillsborough Bridge station, on the Contoocook Valley Railroad. When completed, the Greenfield and Forest Line Railroad will pass through this town.
STRAFFORD.
STRAFFORD COUNTY. The sur- face of Strafford is broken and un- even, and the north-west part mountainous, but the soil is deep and fertile and yields large crops of corn, oats wheat, barley, and potatoes.
Rivers and Ponds. Bow Pond, the largest body of water in town, lies in the south-west part, is 650 rods long, and 400 wide, and is the source of the principal branch of Isinglass River, which furnishes abundant water power. Wild Goose Pond lies between this town and Pittsfield, and Trout Pond west of the Blue Hills.
Mountains. The range of moun- tains which have a considerable altitude, known as the "Blue Hills," lies in the north-west part of the town.
-
... 1
340
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
Employments. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agriculture. Considerable attention is paid to the raising of stock, and some very fine horses and cattle are found in this town. 600,000 shingles and 475, 000 feet of boards &c., are annual- ly produced, and about 35,000 pairs of sale shoes annually made.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 123,672; mechanical labor, $ 28,900; stocks and money at in- terest, $ 6,975; stock in trade, $ 4, 700; deposits in savings banks, $ 63,175; from summer tourists, $2,000.
Churches and Schools. There are four churches in town. Free- will Baptist, Rev. C. C. Foster, pastor; Rev. N. C. Lathrope, Rev. William Rogers, Rev. D. S. Quint, residents.
Literary Institution. Austin Academy at Centre Strafford, is a fine and prosperous institution for learning. G. C. McClellan is the Principal, School year begins February 27. School Library 50 volumes.
First Minister. Rev. William Sanders, ordained in 1822.
Organization. Strafford was originally a part of Barrington, and was incorporated June 17, 1820,
Hotel. Bow Lake House.
Boundaries. Bounded north- east by Farmington, south-east by Barrington, south-west by North- wood and Pittsfield, and north- west by Barnstead. Area, 29,000 acres ; improved land, 14,911 acres. Distances. Thirty miles north- east from Concord, and fifteen north-west from Dover.
Railroads. Ten miles to Roch- ester station on the Portland and Rochester Railroad. The Concord
and Rochester Railroad, when completed, will pass through this town.
STRATFORD.
Coos COUNTY. This town ex- tends along the Connecticut River for a distance of ten miles. The interval varies from one quarter, to a mile in width, and is very fer- tile, producing fine crops of corn, oats and hay. The soil on the up- lands is rocky, and more suitable for pasturage than tillage.
Streams. Besides the Connecti- cut, which washes its western bor- der, is Nash's Stream which wa- ters the south-east part, and dis- charges its waters into the Am- monoosuc; and Bog Brook the western part, and runs into the Connecticut.
Elevations. In the south-east part of the town, are two moun- tains, of a conical form, called " Stratford or Pearcy Peaks." These peaks are seen as far south as Dalton, nearly thirty miles dis- tant.
Employments. Agriculture is the general vocation of the inhab- itants, but there are some manu- factories. There are three lumber mills, annually sawing 1,000,000 feet of boards and dimension tim- ber, valued at $ 12,000; two starch mills producing 65 tons of starch, $ 5,800; clothes pins $ 14,000; meal, $8,000; bobbins, $ 4,000; besides blacksmiths, shoe workmen, har- ness maker, machinist, millinery, &c. Total value of goods, annual- ly manufactured, $ 55,900.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 70,534; mechanical labor, $ 14,600; money at interest $ 25, 599; stock in trade, $ 25,612; de- posits in savings banks, $ 235; from summer tourists, $ 8,000.
-
341
STRATHAM.
At Stratford Hollow there is one church, a school house, three stores, a hotel, post office, express office and one physician. At North Stratford, there is one church, one school house, five stores, of all kinds, three hotels, a post office, express office, and two physicians.
Churches and Schools. Metho- dist, Rev. Leander Moulton, pas- tor; Baptist, Rev. J. C. Sanborn, pastor. There are nine schools in town; average length, for the year, eighteen weeks.
Hotels. Stratford Hollow ; Strat- ford House. At North Stratford, American House, Willard House, and Percy House.
First Settlement. Isaac John- son, James Curtis, James Brown, Josiah Lampkins, and Archippus Blodgett commenced the first set- tlement, some time before the com- mencement of the war of the revo- lution, the population being, in 1775, 41. Thomas Burnside, of this town, was one of Rog- ers' Rangers, in the French war. He made a personal application to Governor Wentworth, at Ports- mouth, to be appointed a Justice of the Peace, stating to the Gover- nor, that his neighbor (the only in- habitant in town, besides himself,) was not fit to fill the office, neither would he give satisfaction to his townsman. His plausible argu- ment prevailed, and he was ap- pointed the first Justice of Peace in this town. Stratford was incorporated, November, 16, 1779.
Boundaries. North by Colum- bia, east by "Odell," or ungrant- ed lands, south by Stark and North- umberland and west by Vermont. Area of improved land, 6,354 acres.
Distances. Twenty miles north from Lancaster by railroad, and
one hundred and fifty-seven miles north from Concord.
Railroad. The Grand Trunk Railroad passes through this town, on its western border.
STRATHAM.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. The surface of Stratham is level, the soil is rich and very productive, producing excellent crops. This town is noted for its extensive nurseries of fruit trees. Con- siderable attention is paid to the raising of all kinds of fruit, and it ranks as the third town in the county in the value of apples pro- duced. The farmers find a ready market, at fair prices, for their sur- plus productions, at Exeter and Portsmouth. But few farming communities are more prosperous and wealthy than are the farmers of Stratham. Large quantities of peat are found in the swamps.
Elevations. Stratham Hill is the principal elevation in town. From its summit an extensive prospect is afforded of the surrounding country, including the White Mountains, Great Bay, and the Ocean.
Employments. The inhabitants are generally engaged in agricul- ture. 168,100 feet of lumber, of all kinds, are annually produced.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 111,608; mechanical labor, $ 2,700; stocks and money at inter- est, $ 43,500; deposits in savings banks, $ 65,850; stock in trade, $ 4,575.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational Church, Rev. A. B. Pea- body, pastor; Baptist Church, Rev. M. B. Laning, pastor; Christian Church, -; Freewill Baptist Church, -. There are
342
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
four schools in town; average length, for the year, thirty-two weeks.
First Settlements. The exact time of the settlement of Stratham, is not known, but it contained thirty-five families in 1697, and was incor- porated March 20, 1716, it was formerly a part of Swamscot Pa- tent, or Hilton's Purchase.
First Ministers. Rev. Henry Rust, ordained in 1718; died in 1749. Rev. Joseph Adams, settled in 1756; died in 1783. Rev. James Miltemore, settled in 1786; left in 1807.
Boundaries. North-east by Greenland, east by Greenland and North-Hampton, south by Exeter, and west by Exeter and South Newmarket. Area, 10,120 acres; area of improved land, 7,151 acres.
Distances. Forty-three miles south-east from Concord, and three east-north-east from Exeter.
Railroad. Concord and Ports- mouth Railroad passes through this town.
SUCCESS.
Coos COUNTY. This is a cold, rugged township, lying north of the White mountains. In 1870, there were but forty acres of im- proved land, four horses, seven cattle, and fourteen sheep in town. The soil is hard to cultivate and the only redeeming quality is the lumber, which may some day be brought to market. The south part of the town is mountainous.
Rivers. Narmarcungawuck and Live Rivers rise here, and pass westerly into the Androscoggin.
Boundaries. North by Cam- bridge, east by Maine, south by Shelburne and west by Berlin and Milan. Area, 30,000 acres.
It was granted to Benjamin Mackay, and others, February 12, 1773. Population, in 1870, five.
Distances. 143 miles north-east from Concord, and 30 east from Lancaster.
SULLIVAN.
CHESHIRE COUNTY. The soil of this town is good, well cultivated, and very productive. The inhab- itants are intelligent, industrious and prosperous.
River and Ponds. Ashuelot Riv- er waters the south-east part of the town. Bolster and Chapman's Ponds are the principal bodies of water. There is a reservoir of an area of over one hundred acres, and twelve feet deep, which furnishes some fine water power. There are other good water privileges still unimproved.
Employments. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in farming. Keene furnishes a good market for their products. About 600,000 feet of dimension timber. is annually sawed. There are some small manufactories, where chair stock, flour buckets, hoops, &c. are pro- duced. (See tables.)
Resources. Agricultural prod- ucts, $ 56,088; mechanical labor, $6,000; money at interest, $ 32, 144; deposits in savings banks, $ 46,741; stock in trade, $ 5,152.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. Joseph Fassett, pas- tor. There are five school districts and four schools in this town. Average length of schools, for the year, eighteen weeks.
First Town Organization. Sulli- van received its name from Presi- dent Sullivan, the chief Magistrate of New-Hampshire, at the time of its incorporation, (Sept. 27, 1787.)
343
SUNAPEE.
Boundaries. North by Gilsum and Stoddard, east by Stoddard Nelson, and Harrisville, south by Roxbury and Keene, and west by Keene and Gilsum. Area, 15, 666 acres; improved land, 7,514 acres.
Distances. Forty-six miles south-west from Concord, and six north-west from Keene.
Railroad. Keene station, on Cheshire Railroad.
SUNAPEE.
SULLIVAN COUNTY. The sur- face is uneven, the soil in some parts rocky, but strong, and, when properly cultivated, yields excel- lent crops. Granite of the best quality is found in abundance in various sections of the town. It is quarried, in considerable quanti- ties, to supply the market in this section of the State.
Lake, Streams and Ponds. By far the largest portion of Sunapee Lake lies within the limits of this town. The surface of the lake, contains about 4,100 acres, of which 2,720 acres are in Sunapee. At Sunapee Harbor is the outlet of the lake, which is the principal source of Sugar River, which flows through the centre of the town. The outlet of the lake is controlled by a stone dam, and regulated by gates, capable of holding or with- drawing ten feet of water on the surface of the lake. It has never been found necessary to test the full capacity of this valuable reser- voir. From the lake, for a dis- tance of nearly two miles, the river has a rapid descent and furnishes some of the finest water power in the State, part of which is utilized with valuable manufactories, but much remains still unimproved.
There are three small ponds hav- ing an area of 300 acres.
Employments. A majority of the people are engaged in farming, but the manufactories are consid- erable and valuable. At the Har- bor, about two and a half miles from the railway station, is a fine manufacturing village, and the principal settlement in town. In this village, with a few mills in other sections of the town, are an- nually manufactured 950 dozen hames, 1,500 dozen fork and hoe handles, 6,000 gross of clothes pins, 10,000 bushels of shoe pegs, 46 tons of starch. Machine shop receipts, $ 6,500, two paster shops produce inner-soles and stiffeners to the val- ue of $ 19,500. Also 1,050,000 shin- gles, and 750,000 feet of boards and dimension timber, 8,000 sides of leather, 7,000 of splits and 2,500 bushels of meal and flour are an- nually produced. Besides, there are other small manufactories. The total value of manufactured goods, is $ 117,500. There are also, in the village, four or five stores of various kinds, one hotel, two churches, school-house, post-office, and about fifty dwelling houses. At George's mills, there is quite a little settlement.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $56,475; labor, $28,300; mon- ey at interest, $ 15,726; deposits in savings banks, $ 29,989; stock in trade, $ 6,462.
Churches and Schools. Metho- dist, Rev. John H. Hillman, pas- tor. There are two Union Church- es. There are nine schools in town. Average length of schools, for the year, sixteen weeks.
Hotel. "Lake House."
First Settlements. The town was originally granted by the name of
344
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
Seville to John Sprague and others, November 7, 1768. It was incor- porated under the name of Wen- dell, in honor of one of the princi- pal proprietors, John Wendell, April, 4, 1781. It was changed to Sunapee, (the name of the lake and mountain,) in June, 1850. The first settlers came from Rhode Island in 1772.
First Church. A Congregational Church was incorporated, June 24, 1819. Rev. A. Woodward was the first minister.
Boundaries. North by Spring- field, east by New London and Newbury, southerly by Goshen, and west by Newport and Croy- don. Area, 15,000 acres ; improved land, 8,627 acres.
Distances. Thirty-seven miles north-west from Concord, and six east from Newport.
Railroads. The Sugar River Railroad passes through the south- ern section of the town.
SURRY.
CHESHIRE COUNTY. This town is small, both in territory and pop- ulation, but the inhabitants are prosperous and many of them are quite wealthy, for a farming com- munity. The intervals on the Ash- uelot River are fertile and very valuable, extending nearly through the town, from north to south. On the east side of the river is an ab- rupt mountain, of considerable height, upon the top of which is a pond, having an area of threc acres, and a depth of about twenty- five feet.
Employments. The inhabitants are generally engaged in agricul- ture. About 138,000 shingles and 550,000 feet of boards and dimen- sion timber are annually· sawed,
valued at $ 10,300. There are two blacksmiths and one wheelwright shop; also one store, a hotel, and two churches.
Churches and Schools. Metho- dist, Rev. Mr. Parker, pastor ; Uni- versalist, There are four schools, average length, for the year, twenty weeks.
Hotel. Carpenter House, valued at $ 5,000.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 46,375; mechanical labor, $3,900; stocks and money at in- terest, $ 12,320; deposits in sav- ings banks, $ 30,160; stock in trade, $ 6,428.
First Settlement, Surry was severed from Gilsum and West- moreland, and incorporated under its present name, May 9th, 1769. Peter Haywood commenced the first settlement, in 1764. He be- gan clearing and cultivating his land the year previous, making his home at the fort, in Keene, At that time, the Indians were hostile and lurking through the woods in the vicinity ; but he passed daily from the fort to his farm, having for his guard his trusty gun and his faithful dog: he acted as mon- itor to give the alarm, whenever the wiley savage dared approach.
First Ministers. Rev. David, Darling, (Congregational) ordain- ed in 1779, dismissed in 1783. Rev. Perley Howe, ordained in 1795.
Boundaries. North by Walpole and Alstead, cast by Gilsum, south by Keene, and west by Westmore- land and Walpole. Area, 12,212 acres; area of improved land, 6,300 acres.
Distances. Fifty - two miles south-west from Concord, and six north-west from Keene.
345
SUTTON.
Railroad. By stage three times a week, to Keene railway station.
SUTTON.
MERRIMACK COUNTY. The sur- face of Sutton is uneven, diversi- fied with hills and valleys. The soil in many portions of the town being fertile. Considerable inter- val land may be found along the branches of Warner and Black- water rivers which produce grass and grain in abundance ..
Ponds and Rivers. There are several ponds; the largest is Ke- zar's Pond about 190 rods square and Long Pond which is one mile long and seventy rods wide. The south branch of Warner River en- ters the town on the south, and the northerly branch passes nearly through the center from north to south, and furnishes good water power. There is some fine in- terval on this branch. A large branch of Blackwater has its source along the western base of Kearsarge mountain.
Mountain. A large portion of Kearsarge Mountain lies in this town. Hundreds visit it in the summer months, and climb to its summit to view the fine and va- ried scenery, which it affords. King's Hill is situated in the west, part. The most elevated part of this hill, rises within a few feet as high as Kearsarge, and affords some delightful and extensive landscape views.
Minerals. Granite of an excel- lent quality is found here. Plum- bago is obtained in considerable quantities. At the foot of King's hill, clay of superior quality is found. There are several small villages in different sections of the town, having each some manufac-
tories, stores, church, school house and post office.
Employments. Agriculture is the principal pursuit of the people, but there is some manufacturing. 5,200 bushels of grain is ground, 60,000 clapboards, 200,000 shingles and laths, and 570,000 feet of . boards are annually sawed, valued at $ 9,200. There are also an ex- celsior mill, blacksmith and shoe shops, carpenters, painters, &c. The total amount of goods of all kinds annually manufactured, is valued at $37,800.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 68,532; mechanical labor, $ 12,400; stocks, and money at in- terest, $ 26,976; deposits in sav- ings banks, $ 37,464; stock in trade, $ 11,275.
Churches and Schools. Advent, Rev. Frank Nelson, pastor; Free- will Baptist, Rev. Edwin Smith, pastor; South Sutton, Rev. I. Smith, pastor; Universalist, - -
There are fourteen schools ; average length for the year, seven- teen weeks.
First Settlement. Sutton was granted by the Masonian proprie- tors in 1749. It was called Perrys- town, from Obadiah Perry, one of the original proprietors. Daniel Peaslee first settled here in 1767, and was followed by others soon after. The first settlers found suf- ficient evidence to show that it was once the haunt of the red man. Hearths skillfully laid with stone, gun barrels, stone pestles, mortars, tomahawks, arrow heads &c., were frequently found. On the bank of Kezar's pond, an Indian burial place was also discovered. The town was incorporated, April 13, 1784.
First Minister. Rev. Samuel
346
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
Ambros, (Bap.) ordained in 1782, dismissed in 1795.
Boundaries. North by New- London and Wilmot, east by Wil- mot and Warner, south by War- ner and Bradford, and west by Newbury. Area, 24,300 acres; of improved land, 8,673 acres.
Distances. By stage and rail- road, thirty miles north from Con- cord.
Railroad. The Concord and Claremont Railroad passes through the southern border of the town near Warner. Five miles to Brad- ford station.
SWANZEY.
CHESHIRE COUNTY. The sur- face of this town is diversified, consisting of hills, valleys and swells of upland. The soil con- sists of three varities, in about equal proportions, interval plain and upland. The first named yields excellent crops of grass; the plains produce corn, rye and other grains in abundance, and the strong and deep soil of the upland affords good pasturage, orcharding and woodland.
Rivers and Ponds. Ashuelot River, the principal stream, passes through Swanzey in a south-west direction, and empties into the Connecticut at Hinsdale. The South Branch River unites with the Ashuelot about a mile north from the center of the town. Great Pond and Lock's Pond are the principal bodies of water. Hypon- eco Brook formerly afforded ex- cellent trout fishing.
Employments. Agriculture is a lucrative employment, the excel- lent soil affording the farmers am- ple returns for their labor. Manu- factures are carried on to a con-
siderable extent, the facilities for this branch of industry being su- perior, with a good prospect of the enlargements of old, as well as ,the erection of new manufac- tories.
The Stratton Mills Company manufacture, annually, 76,400 yards beaver cloth. * A blanket factory, manufacturing 28,000 yards blanket cloth, a matress factory, making $ 15,000 worth matresses. Also 210,000 packing and candy boxes, 32,400 buckets, 305,000 pails, 39,600 toy pails, and various other small articles, are annually made. Total value of goods, annually manufactured, $ 351,000.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 93,081; mechanical labor, $ 88,400; stocks, and money at in- terest, $ 17,750; deposits in savings banks, $ 98,038; stock in trade, $ 13,100; from summer tourists, $800; professional services, $ 25, 000.
Churches and Schools. Baptist Church, Rev. E. J. Emery, pas- tor; Congregational Church, Rev. Charles Willey, pastor; Univer- salist, Church, - -. There are thirteen schools in town; average length, for the year, nineteen weeks ; value of school houses $ 10, 400.
Library. School District Libra- ry, in district No. 9, 450 volumes. Hotels. West Swanzey Hotel, and Elm House.
First Settlements. Massachusetts first granted Swanzey, in 1733, to sixty-four persons. The state di- visional line being settled, it was granted by New-Hampshire, July 2, 1753. Until its being granted by the latter State, it was called * Recently burnt, but will probably be rebuilt.
347
TAMWORTH.
Lower Ashuelot, from the Indian name Ashaelock. Theinhabitants suffered severely from Indian depredations from 1741 to 1747. Several were killed and many were taken prisoners. During this trying period, Massachusetts, un- der whose jurisdiction, Swanzey had been for thirteen years, with- drew her protection, and the set- tlers were left defenceless, and ex- posed to the fury of the savages. It being necessary to abandon the settlement, the inhabitants collect- ed together their furniture and household goods, and concealed them in the ground. We can hardly conceive the emotions of these pioneers as they were com- pelled to leave behind those happy homes; scarcely had they begun their wearisome and perilous jour- ney, when the Indians set fire to the houses, and with one exception all were destroyed. After a peri- od of three years, the settlers re- turned, and the arduous task of re- building was commenced.
First Ministers. Rev. Timo- thy Harrington, (Congregational,) settled in 1741; left in 1747. Rev. Ezra Carpenter, settled in 1753; dismissed in 1769. Rev. Edward Goddard, settled in 1769; dismiss- ed in 1798. Rev. Clark Brown, settled in 1810; dismissed in 1815.
Boundaries and Area. North by Keene, east by Marlborough and Troy, south by Richmond, and west by Winchester and Ches- terfield. Area, 28,057 acres; im- proved land, 11,259 acres.
Distances. Sixty miles south- west from Concord, and six south from Keene.
Railroad. Ashuelot Railroad passes through this town, in a northerly and southerly direction.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.