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 45
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East Wilton, where there has grown up, within a few years, a large manufacturing village. Here are three woolen manufactories, large tannery, fancy boxes, and portable desk factory, furniture shop, boot and shoe factory, large lumber and grist mill, besides shops for the manufacture of wood- en ware and toys, custom boots and shoes, clothing &c. For the past three years, East Wilton has met with several financial revers- es, caused by flood, fire, and mis- management in some of its manu- factories. About three years ago, a flood on the Souhegan carried away a mill, valued at $ 40,000; a year later, the Wilton Manufac- turing Co. lost their mill by fire; and the Newell Manufacturing Co., are not in operation at pres- ent, (August 1873). New mills are being erected on the site of those burnt, the financial affairs of the other mill are being adjusted, and before another year, the manufac- turing facilities of this village, will be far ahead of what they were prior to the flood and fire. With these explanations, we shall give the manufactories of Wilton as they were rendered in the cen- sus of 1870; and no doubt within one year from date, their manufac- tured productions will exceed that of 1870 by more than $ 100,000. There are in this village from fifteen to twenty storcs of all kinds, two hotels, a bank, two churches, large school house, post office, telegraph and express officc, one lawyer, three physicians, two dentists, and about one hundred and fifty dwell- ing houses. At West Wilton, there are two stores, one hotel, school house, post office, knob factory and a number of dwelling houses.
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WILTON.
Employments. The business is nearly equally divided between agriculture and manufacturing. With the exception of Bedford, the sale of milk exceeds that of any town in the State, being over 200, 000 gallons annually. A milk car starts from this town for Boston, every morning, under the manage- ment of D. Whiting and Sons. The manufactories of various kinds, annually produce goods, as follows: Newell Manufacturing Co., 300,000 pounds woolen yarn for carpets, valued at $ 150,000; Wilton Manufacturing Co., 486,500 pounds, $232,700; Robert Dawson, carpets, 189,600 yards, $ 80,000. Wilton al- so annually produces 27,000 bush- els meal and flour, $ 35,000; toys, carts, and wagons, $ 5,200; furni- ture, $ 50,000; A. J. Putnam & Co., upper leather and splits, $ 35,000; 125,000 shingles and 1,100,000, feet boards, $ 23,300; American Silex Co., $25,000; cheese factory,
$ 2,500; sale boots and shoes, $ 25,000; besides blacksmiths, tin ware, coopering, tailors, milliners, carpenters, masons, painters, and other kinds of trade. The capital invested in manufactories is $ 319, 500; employing 178 males, and 116 females, and annually pro- ducing goods to the value of $ 695,300.
Resources. Agricultural produc- tions, $ 132,392; mechanical labor, $ 112,760; stocks and money at in- terest,$ 20,750; deposits in savings banks, $ 154,960; stock in trade, $ 52,750; professional business, $ 75,000; from summer tourists, $ 15,000. This town has become quite popular as a summer resort for tourists. The Whiting House, one of the largest hotels in the State, was built largely for the
purpose of keeping summer boarders.
Churches and Schools. Baptist, Rev. S. C. Fletcher, pastor; Con- gregational, Rev. D. F. Adams, pastor; Unitarian, Rev. I. S. Lin- coln, A. M. Pendleton, pastors. There are thirteen schools in town, four of which are graded; average length, for the year, twenty-four weeks; total value of school hous- es, $ 10,505; annual amount ap- propriated for school purposes, $ 3,117.39.
Library. Wilton Public Libra- ry, 1,200 volumes. Bank. Wilton Savings Bank. (See tables.)
Hotels. Whiting House, Rail- road House; at West Wilton, Fry House.
First Settlement, The first set- tlement was made as early as 1738, by three families from Danvers, Mass. : two by the name of Putnam, and one by the name of Dale. Hannah, the daugh- ter of Ephraim Putnam, was the first child born in town. Septem- ber 7, 1773, while the people were attempting to raise their second church edifice, the frame fell, and three men were instantly killed; two died of their wounds soon af- terward, and a number of others were badly injured. July 20, 1804, the same building was considera- bly shattered by lightning. In 1815, Ezra and Samuel Abbott erected the first potato starch mill here, and the first ever built in the State. Their first town Fair or Cattle Show, was holden about 1826. It was something new, and was well represented by people from all the adjoining towns. Among the visitors were such men as Hon. C. G. Atherton, Gov. Ben-
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
jamin Pierce, President Pierce, and other dignitaries. The town was incorporated, June 25, 1762, and derived its name from Wilton, a manufacturing district in Eng- land.
First Ministers. The first church organization was effected, and the Rev. Jonathan Livermore was or- dained, as its pastor, in 1763. He was dismissed in 1777, and died in 1809. Rev. Abel Fisk settled in 1778; died in 1802. Rev. Thomas Beede settled in 1803; dismissed in 1829.
Boundaries. North by Lynde- borough, east by Lyndeborough and Milford, south by Mason, and west by Temple. Area, 15,280 acres; area of improved land, 10,391 acres.
Distances. Forty miles south- west from Concord, nine south- west from Amherst, and fifteen miles from Nashua.
Railroads. The Wilton Railroad extends from Nashua to this town. This season, (1873) a railroad is being built from this road to Green- field, and thence being extended to Peterborough to form a junction with the Monadnock Railroad. These extensions will open rail- road communications with the southwestern section of the State.
WINCHESTER.
CHESHIRE COUNTY. Winchester ranks in population, wealth, and in the value of manufactured pro- ductions, as the second town in the county. The surface is various. In the southern part it is quite lev- el, while other portions are more uneven. On either side of the Ashuelot are broad intervals, which are very fertile, producing grass in abundance. The soil on the uplands is generally good,
yeilding excellent crops, when til- led properly.
Ponds and Rivers. Humphrey's Pond, in the north-east part of the town, is 300 rods long and 80 rods wide, and the largest body of wa- ter. The Ashuelot River passes through the town, in a south-west- erly direction. In its passage, it furnishes very extensive water power, much of it being improved. It receives the waters of Muddy and Broad brooks, and several smaller streams.
Villages. There are two vil- lages, both situated on the Ashue- lot, doing considerable business, viz. Ashuelot and Winchester. Ashuelot is the smallest, but is ex- tensively engaged in manufactur- ing. There are two stores, school house, post office, hotel, and about fifty dwelling houses. Winchester Village is very pleasant, with wide, shaded streets and many fine dwelling houses. There are three churches, one large graded school house, two banks, lawyers, physi- cian and dentist offices, and over one hundred dwelling houses,
Employments. The inhabitants are nearly equally divided be- tween manufacturing and agricul- ture. It ranks in its agricultural productions as the fifth town in the county. There are three woolen manufactories, which an- nually manufacture 278,000 yards Union Beaver and other woolen cloths valued at $ 368,800; 43,000 grey horse blankets, $118,000; six lumber mills, manufacturing boards, staves, shingles and trun- nels, valued at $ 72,600; one tan- nery, $ 75,000; two fancy box mills, $28,000; one box mill, $ 10, 000; grist mill, $ 14,000 ; bedsteads, $6,000; carriages, $5,000; machine
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WINDHAM.
shop, $ 4,000; besides blacksmith and shoe shops, harnesses, photog- raphers, tailors, carpenters, ma- sons, and a few other trades.
The total Capital invested in manufactories of all kinds is $ 397,000, employing 252 males and 105 females, who annually receive for their labor, $158,000. and an- nually produce manufactured goods to the value of $ 741,400. There are two lawyers, five physi- cians, one dentist, and various oth- er professions.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 136,784; mechanical labor, $ 158,000; stocks and money at in- terest, $84,598; deposits in sav- ings banks, $ 65,135; stock in trade, $ 81,142; professional busi- ness, $ 42,000.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. Elijah Harmon, pastor; Methodist, Rev. Anson C. Coult, pastor; Universalist, Rev. Mr. Foster, pastor; Catholic,
There are twenty-three schools, three of which are grad- ed. Average length of schools, for the year, eighteen weeks. Num- ber of scholars-girls, 301; boys, 290. Total value of school houses, $ 18,300. Total amount annually appropriated for school purposes, $ 3,338.65. There is a public high school, having two terms a year. The town appropriates $ 1,000 an- nually for this purpose.
Library. Washington Library Association, 1,200 volumes.
Banks. Winchester National Bank, and the Ashuelot Savings Bank. (See tables.)
Hotels. Winchester House and Ashuelot House.
First Settlements. Winchester was originally granted by the Gov- ernment of Massachusetts under
the name of Arlington. July 2, 1753, it was granted by New- Hampshire to Josiah Willard, who settled here in 1732. In 1746, the town was sacked by the Indians, and the church edifice was burned, with all the private residences, and the inhabitants were obliged to seek safety in older and more secure settlements. They did not return to resume the settlement for nearly five years. In the sum- mer of 1756, Josiah Foster and his family were taken prisoners by the Indians,
Efforts were made at one time to locate Dartmouth College in this town, but the project was abandoned, owing to the powerful opposition made by Josiah Wil- lard, the principal landholder.
First Ministers. Rev. Joseph Ashley, Congregational, ordained in 1736, dismissed in 1747; Rev. Micah Lawrence, ordained in 1764, dismissed in 1777; Rev. Ezra Co- nant, settled in 1788, dismissed in 1806.
Boundaries. North by Chester- field and Swanzey, east by Swan- zey and Richmond, south by War- wick, Massachusetts, and west by Hinsdale. Area, 33,534 acres. Area of improved land, 13,964 acres.
Distances. Sixty-five miles south-west from Concord, and thirteen south-west from Keene.
Railroad. The Ashuelot Rail- road passes through the town, in a south-westerly and north-easterly direction, giving it good railroad facilities.
WINDHAM.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. The soil is generally good, yielding fair crops of corn, oats and hay.
Rivers and Ponds. Beaver River
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
is the principal stream, upon which there is considerable meadow land. Policy, Cabot's, Golden and Mitchel's ponds are the principal collections of water.
Employments. The larger por- tion of the people are engaged in agriculture. The value of shoes annually manufactured is $ 35,000. There is a small woolen mill in town, and 1,500,000 feet of lumber are sawed, annually.
Resources. Annual productions of the soil, $ 65,619; from mechan- ical labor, $ 10,300; deposits in sav- ings banks, $31,422; money on hand or at interest, $ 19,060; stock in trade, $ 14,012.
Churches and Schools. The Pres- byterian Church, formed in 1747, is the only one ever organized in town. The church edifice is val- ued at $10,000. There are seven schools. Average length of schools, for the year, twenty weeks.
Libraries. The Nesmith Libra- ry was established in 1871, and now has 1,835 volumes. Sunday School Library has 300 volumes.
First Settlements. Windham was originally a part of London- derry, from which it was severed, and incorporated in 1739.
Boundaries. North by London- derry, east by Salem, south by Pel- ham, and west by Hudson and Lon- donderry. Area, 15,744 acres.
Distances. Thirty-three miles south from Concord, and twenty south-west from Exeter.
Railroads. Manchester and Lawrence Railroad depot is 2} miles from the center of the town; The Nashua and Rochester Rail- road, now being built, passes through the town ; also the Nashua and Plaistow, if built.
WINDSOR.
HILLSBOROUHI COUNTY. Wind- sor is a small township of less than 100 inhabitants. The surface is varied with hills and vales. The soil is deep, strong and well adapt- ed to grain, grass, &c.
Pond and Streams. Black Pond is the principal collection of water in town. There are no streams of any notc.
Employment. Farming is the principal employment of the in- habitants, who are as prosperous and happy as any farming com- munity in the State.
Resources. Agricultural prod- uct, $ 15,304; money at interest, $ 5,588; mechanical labor, $ 1,000; deposits in savings banks, $ 3,837; stock in trade, $ 450.
School. There is one public school in this town. Average length of school, for the year, six- teen weeks.
First Organization. £ Windsor was originally called " Campbell's Gore," and was incorporated under its present name, Dec. 27, 1798.
Boundaries. North-east and east by Hillsborough, south by Antrim, west by Stoddard, and north-west by Washington. Area of improved land, 2,604 acres.
Distances. Thirty miles south- west from Concord, and twenty- seven north-west from Amherst.
Railroad. Six miles by stage to- Hillsborough Bridge railway sta- tion, on the Contoocook Valley Railroad.
WOLFEBOROUGH.
CARROLL COUNTY. Wolfebo- rough is the largest and most im- portant town in Carroll county, both in wealth and population .- It ranks in wealth, as the twentieth,
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WOLFEBOROUGH.
and in population, as the twenty- eighth town in the State. It is pleasantly situated on the south- ern part of Lake Winnipiseogee, which touches its south-western border, while the lofty mountains of Ossipee, and the rugged hills of Tuftonborough appear to form, in the rear, walls of a gigantic for- tress, the whole presenting a view of sublime and picturesque scene- ry. The town is six miles square, and nearly one third of its surface is covered with water. The soil is somewhat hard to cultivate, but strong and very productive. The farmers find a ready market for nearly all of their surplus prod- ucts, in their own town, at good prices, Much attention has been given, for a few years past, to rais- ing garden produce, for the hotels and summer boarding houses in the village.
Ponds and Streams. Smith's, Crooked, Rust, Beach, Barton's, and Sargent's Ponds, are the prin- cipal bodies of water. Smith's Pond is six miles in length and is the source of Smith's River, which flows through Crooked Pond into the Lake at Wolfeborough Bridge. In the passage of this river, from the pond to the lake, within a dis- tance of one half mile, may be found some of the best water pow- er in the State, which is sufficient to propel all of the machinery which could be placed between the pond and the lake. At South Wolfeborough is another good power, the source of which is Rust Pond. Nearly all this power is im- proved by the Wolfeborough Wool- en Manufacturing Company. There are a number of smaller streams which afford power for lumber and shingle mills.
Village. Wolfeborough · village is pleasantly situated on two beau- tiful slopes of land, rising gently from the lake. Between these slopes, and nearly in the centre of the village, Smith's River passes into the lake. The river is span- ned by a substantial bridge about twenty-five feet in length, which connects the principal street in the village on either side of the river. On this street are located nearly all of the churches, school houses, the academy, banks, ho- tels, fifteen or twenty stores, of all kinds, and many dwelling houses. The Pavilion is one of the largest hotels in the State. It is elegant- ly furnished, well conducted, and is fully entitled to the rank of a first-class hotel. It is open only through the Summer. The Glen- don House was built in 1873, and is also a first-class hotel, finely lo- cated, having commanding views of the lake and mountain scenery ; has all the modern improvements, and for architectural beauty, neat- ness, and accommodation, it is equal to the best in the country, and is kept open throughout the year.
The Belvue House is a fine ho- tel, and beautifully situated on the shores of the lake. The Lake Ho- tel is the oldest in town. There are some twenty boarding houses, for the purpose of accommodating summer tourists, who visit this beautiful village in the warm sea- son of the year. Mill Village, about one half mile from the lake, has considerable manufacturing, three stores, one church, and the best school house in the county. At South Wolfeborough is locat- ed the Wolfeborough Woolen Manufacturing Company, several
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
stores one church, a school-house, and a number of dwellings,
Summer Resorts. The pleas- ant location on the lake, the many fine views of natural scenery, the excellent roads, and the exten- sive provisions made for the ac- commodation of travelers, to- gether with the varied recreations amid mountain, lake, and coun- try scenery, have caused Wolfebo- rough to be one of the most impor- tant points for summer tourists, in New-Hampshire. Those seeking health or pleasure, will find this town one of the most healthful and delightful resorts in the country. The evening excursions on the lake, by Steamboats, are de- lightful, and the views obtained from the deck(especially by moon- light) of the glistening waters , the islands, shores, and distant mountains, through the shades of a summer evening, are grand, and not soon forgotten by the be- holder.
Six miles east of the village is Copple Crown Mountain, 2,100 feet high. From its summit an exten- sive view of the surrounding coun- try can be obtained. Here, in a clear day, is spread before the eye of the beholder, the Ocean, Mt. Washington, the Winnipiseogee and its islands, numerous ponds, forests, and cultivated fields, all affording a grand panoramic view of nature and all its varied forms. To the north-east is "Tumble Down Dick Mountain." The view from its summit is similar to that of Copple Crown, but it is easier of ascent. Seven miles in a south- easterly direction, is Devils' Den, a natural curiosity, worthy of a vis- it from any admirer of nature. A ride of four miles from the village,
brings you to two mineral springs, the waters of which contain medi- cinal properties. These springs are visited by all classes. Horses, carriages, boats and attendants can always be obtained at the hotels.
Wolfeborough can be reached from Boston by three public routes, viz. direct, byrail, over the Eastern Railroad; by cars on the Boston & Maine Railroad to Dover, thence over the Cocheco to Alton Bay, thence (in warm weather) by Steamboats, ten miles, to Wolfe- borough; or over the Boston and Lowell, Lowell and Nashua, Nash- ua and Concord, and Concord and Montreal Railroads to the Weirs; thence, by boat on the lake, twenty miles, to Wolfeborough. At the present day, visitors to New- Hampshire never make their tour complete, without they spend a few days in this pleasant lake town. The estimated number of tourists who spent their vacation here, or made a brief visit last year, (1873) was ten thousand.
Employments. The people are engaged in agriculture, manufac- turing, trade, hotel and boarding house keeping. The manufactur- ing business is very important. The value of woolen blankets an- nually manufactured, is $ 180,000; value of leather annually tanned, $ 108,700. There are 125,000 pairs of sale shoes manufactured, and 300,000 shingles, and 1,850,000 feet of boards &c., sawed. Sash and blind and various other kinds of mechanical business are carried on. The annual value of manu- factured productions, of all kinds, is $522,500. (See tables.)
Resources. Agricultural prod ucts, $ 146,600; mechanical labor, $ 71,300; money at interest, $ 13,
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WOODSTOCK.
014; stocks &c., $ 42,900; deposits in savings banks, $ 229,835; esti- mated amount received from sum- mer tourists, $ 125,000; profession- al business, $ 100,000.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. T. H. Emerson, pas- tor; 2d Congregational; Christian, Rev. Lewis Philips, pastor; 1st Freewill Baptist, Rev. A. D. Fair- banks, pastor; 2d F. W. Baptist, Christian and Methodist, united; total value of all church property, $ 20,000. There are sixteen schools in town; average length, for the year, twenty weeks; total amount of money appropriated annually for school purposes, $ 2,505.14.
Literary Institution. Wolfe- borough Christian Institute is a prosperous Institution, and has a fund of $ 10,000, J. W. Simonds, A. M., is the principal.
Libraries. Wolfeborough Pub- lic Library, 750 volumes; Charles H. Parker, private library, 500 volumes.
Banks. Lake National Bank, Carroll County Savings Bank and Wolfeborough Savings Bank. (See tables.)
Hotels. Pavilion, Glendon, Bel- vue, Lake and Franklin Houses. Value of Hotel property, $ 175,000.
Livery Stables. There are two Livery Stables, with twenty-nine horses.
First Settlers. B. Blake, J. Lu- cas, James Lary, J. Fullerton and others first settled here. The town was named for Gen. Wolfe, an officer who was killed in the battle before Quebec, Canada, September 13th, 1759. Incorporated July 9th, 1770. Gov. John Wentworth erected a splendid mansion in this town, about five miles east of Wolfeborough village.
First Minister. Rev. Ebenezer Allen (Congregational,) ordained in 1792; died in 1806.
Boundaries. Northeast by Ossi- pee, south-east by Brookfield, south- west by Winnipiseogee Lake and Alton, and north-west by Tufton- borough. Area, 28,680 acres; im- proved land, 16,694 acres.
Distances. Forty-five miles north-east from Concord, and eight miles south-west from Ossipee.
Railroads. The Wolfeborough Branch of the Eastern, Great Falls and Conway Railroad has its ter- minus in this town, on the shores of the lake. In the summer sea- son, steamboats arrive and depart from the wharves at the village, several times daily, from and to all important points in and around the lake.
WOODSTOCK.
GRAFTON COUNTY. The surface of this large township is uneven, diversified with hills, valleys, and mountains. The soil on the rivers is good, and produces excellent crops of corn, grain, and hay. Much of the town is still a dense forest, and the extensive drives of logs we see floating down the Mer- rimack in the spring, come largely from this town.
Rivers. The Pemigewassett River passes through the eastern section, and receives large branch- es in its passage, which furnish good water power.
Mountains. The principal ele- vations are Cushman's Mountain in the south-west, Black Mountain in the north-west, and Blue Moun- tain in the west. Among these mountains, branches of the wild Ammonoosuck, and Baker's River, and Moosehillock Brook, have
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
their sources. On the last stream is a beautiful cascade, where .the waters glide smoothly on a glassy surface of rocks or tumble in a foaming cataract a distance of two hundred feet, Grafton mineral spring is in this town and its wa- ters are strongly impregnated with sulphur and other mineral sub- stances. The scenery in Wood- stock is very fine.
Employments. The inhabitants are employed in farming, in the summer, and lumbering in the winter. There is one large tan- nery, which produces leather to the value of $ 75,000 annually. Nearly all the lumber cut in town is floated down the river in the logs. Clapboards, shingles, and boards are sawed, to the value of $ 4,800 annually.
Resources. Agricultural prod- ucts, $ 44,008; mechanical labor, $ 10,500; stocks, and money at in- terest, $ 5,500; deposits in savings banks, $644; stock in trade, $ 19, 000; from summer tourists, $ 1,000.
Churches and Schools. Advent, -; Baptist, Rev. T. B. Eastman, pastor ; Freewill Baptist, There are five schools ; average length, for the year, elev- en weeks.
First Settlement. This town was granted to Eli Demeritt, Septem- ber 23, 1763, under the name of Peeling. It was subsequently called Fairfield, and again changed to Peeling. In 1804, it took the name of Woodstock. John Riant and others commenced the first settlement in 1773.
Boundaries. North by Lincoln, east by Thornton, south by Thorn- ton and Ellsworth, and west by Warren, Benton and Ellsworth. Area, 33,359 acres; area of im- proved land, 2,540 acres.
Distances. Seventy-three miles north from Concord, and twenty- one north from Plymouth.
Railroad. Eight miles to War- ren station, on the Montreal Rail- road.
,
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ROCKINGHAM.
COUNTIES OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
CHAPTER IV.
A statistical summary of the counties and State, pertaining to their geograph- ical position, value of their manufactories, farm productions, railroads, newspapers, national banks, savings banks, insurance, post-offices &c.
ROCKINGHAM.
This county has the only territory which borders on the Atlan- tic Ocean, it being about seventeen miles in extent. It is bounded north by Strafford County, east by the Atlantic, from the mouth of the Piscataqua to the line of Massachusetts, south by Massachu- setts, and west by Hillsborough and Merrimack Counties.
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