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 6
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
Killed by accident.
Re-enlisted.
Executed.
Shot in attempting to desert.
Deserters from other regiments re-
Committed suicide.
turned.
1st Regiment Infantry, ...
3
730
16
7
2 12
765 2645 2013
37 17 26 21 34
31
6th
124
189
559
428
654
32
1
6
45
24
15
186
1
2531
1719
35
1586
22
4
89
222
148
277
251
200
30
11
1
2
128
2
6
219
9th
114 156
154
360
210
311
409
27
1
10
17
12th
1227
10
2 1
27
89
698
18
5
30
2
1
3
874
3
16th
.
1
34
102
2
1
· 2
951
5
18th
66
419
2
13
2
98
163
42
345
4
1
1491
87
29
and other causes.
Deserted.
staff.
or
98 270 388
1749
71 37
54
1293
37
20
1346
203
17th
coco
122 196
79
Whole number to be accounted for.
Enlisted Men New-Hampshire Volunteers; accounted for in aggregate.
45
TOPOGRAPHICAL PREFACE.
TOPOGRAPHICAL PREFACE.
IN this portion of our work, we have intended to give as minute and accurate descriptions of all the towns and cities in the State of New-Hampshire, as our limited space would permit. Business, in a manufacturing country like ours, is constantly changing. New firms are being established, buildings are being burned down, and new ones erected, continually-consequently there may be some errors that cannot be avoided.
Perhaps the readers may find passages that will be of no interest to them : but fifty or one hundred years hence, it may be of vast importance to those living at that date. Many portions of Dr. Belknap's History of New-Hampshire, are far more valuable to the inhabitants of to-day, than to the people who lived in the day of his writing. A country like ours, in its embryo state, is making history for the future, every day.
But in the main, it is written for the general benefit of the peo- ple living in the State in this generation, to develop the resources of the various sections of the State, ignorance of which, has had a tendency to deplete our population and injure the State. Massa- chusetts counts her various histories by the hundred volumes, while New-Hampshire, with a life as long, within three years, has less than ten.
We have personally visited all the cities and large towns in the State and learned their present standing and business, while, as to the smaller ones, we have co-operated with some of the officers of the town, to give us the general information required. The Town Clerks in eight or ten small towns have refused or neglected to answer our inquiries, after being written to two or three times. In these few cases we have had the manuscript of the census of 1870,
46
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
at our command, and have obtained the necessary information at that date.
There has never been a time when New-Hampshire was making more rapid progress in every department of business, than it has been making for the three years past, and our only fear is, that the march of improvement is more rapid than our most assiduous industry can keep pace with, but we shall attempt to rely on the · candor and intelligence of a generous public.
We have endeavored to give the estimated number of summer tourists stopping from one week to three months in the different towns in the State, and the value of receipts obtained from this source, which it is thought will average thirty dollars to each per- son, and if anything, it is more than that amount. The names of nearly all the clergymen up to 1800, have been given from the first settlement ; and also the pastors of churches in 1872-3. The pro- fessional business, trade and transportation, are the class of people employed as clergymen, teachers, lawyers, physicians, merchants, clerks, railroad employees, day-laborers, telegraph operators, book- keepers, &c. The number of this class, in 1870, was over 27,000, or about eight and one-half per cent. of the population of the State. We have given all the valuable information relative to the kinds of employment and resources of each town in the State, which will be of any benefit for future reference.
The value of agricultural products, is taken from the Census of 1870. The manufactories are generally taken from the present time; the schools, savings banks deposits and money at interest, are from statements given in 1872, under the law.
47
ACWORTH.
DESCRIPTION OF TOWNS.
CHAPTER III.
Topographical history of all the cities and towns in the State, giving a brief statement of the surface, the quality of the soil, its mountains, lakes, ponds, rivers and streams ; its summer resorts, villages, and manufactories; re- sources, churches, public schools, libraries, hotels, railroads, &c.
ACWORTH.
SULLIVAN Co. The soil of this town is strong and well cultivated producing good crops of corn, wheat, oats and hay.
Rivers and Ponds. Cold River, which takes its rise from Cold Pond in the north-east part of the town, is the only stream of any note. It affords some good water power which is generally improved.
Crystals of Beryls. Acworth is somewhat celebrated on account of the large Beryls that have been found there. One of the Beryls was eight inches in diameter and was sold in the city of New York for $ 15,000. It was placed in the Imperial Cabinet at Vienna.
Employments. Agriculture is the principal employment of the peo- ple. Acworth is noted for the large amount of maple sugar made there. Some years as many as 80, 000 pounds have been produced. There is considerable manufactur- ing done. Thirty one thousand dollars worth of shoes are annually manufactured, employing thirty- five males and females. Over 700,000 feet of lumber, 200,000
hoops, 5,000 bushels of shoe pegs, 4,000 boxes of clothes pins, 15,000 mop handles, 56,000 hoe handles and 175 dozens of rakes are annu- ally manufactured. Custom shoe work, blacksmithing &c., are car- ried on. There are five stores in town.
Resources. Annual production of the soil $ 90,200; mechanical labor, $ 23,200; deposits in savings banks, $ 43,817; money on hand or at interest, $ 45,807; stock in trade, $ 8,000.
Churches and Schools. There are three churches in town, viz. Con- gregational, N. B. Nichols, pas- tor; Baptist, J. L. Wilson, pastor ; Methodist, John L. Smith, pastor. There are thirteen school districts and fifteen schools. Average length of schools for the year, fourteen weeks.
First Settlers. The town was granted to Col. Samuel Stoddard and sixty-four others, September 19, 1766. William Keyes, Samuel Harper, and John Rogers removed to this place in 1768.
First Ministers. Rev. Thomas Archebald, ordained 1789; dis-
48
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
missed, 1794. Rev. John Kim- ball, ordained in 1797, dismissed in 1813.
Boundaries. North by Unity, east by Lempster, south by Mar- low, and west by Langdon and Charlestown.
Distances. Thirteen miles south from Newport and forty-four west from Concord.
Railroads. Thirteen miles to Newport depot, on the Sugar River railroad. Stage three times a week to Charlestown station, 7 miles, on the Sullivan railroad.
ALBANY.
CARROLL CO. This town is mountainous, but in the valleys the soil is fertile. There are some very fertile interval lands on the borders of Swift river.
Rivers. Swift river, passes through this town from west to east and connects with the Saco at Conway. There are several small streams which come down through the mountain gulches, and furnish convenient water privi- leges. These brooks were formerly well stored with trout, as the writ- er of this can fully verify.
Mountains. There are several high hills and mountains. Choco- rua, is the highest mountain in town, and received its name from an Indian who was killed by a party of hunters in time of peace and before that section was settled. There is a legend that before he was killed, and after they had chased him to the highest eminence on the mountain, he pronounced a curse upon the white men who should ever settle in that vicinity. Many people in that sec- tion, have the superstitious notion that Chocorua's curse has been
meted out to them by a peculiar disease which has afflicted their neat stock for many years. When science makes its full investigation as to the cause of this malady, it doubtless will find that the poor Indian and his posterity stand guiltless of the charges preferred against him.
Employments. Agriculture is the principal employment of the peo- ple. 300,000 shingles, 200,000 feet of boards &c., and 70,000 clap- boards are annually sawed. 2,800 pounds of maple sugar are annu- ally manufactured.
Resources. Productions of the soil $23,131; mechanical labor, $ 2,500; deposits in savings banks, $ 911.
Churches and Schools. Freewill Baptist church, Rev. T. Brown pastor. There are six schools in town; average length of schools for the year, twelve weeks.
First Settlements. This town was granted to Clement March, Joseph Senter and others Nov. 6, 1766, and was called Burton till 1833.
Boundaries. North by Bartlett, east by Conway south by Tam- worth and Madison, and west by Waterville. Area of improved land, 2,986 acres.
Distances. Seventy-five miles north from Concord, and twenty north from Ossipee.
Railroads. Portsmouth, Great Falls and Conway railroad passes through this town, but the nearest station is at Conway, four miles.
ALEXANDRIA.
GRAFTON CO. Much of the soil in this town is good and when proper- ly cultivated produces good crops. There are about 2000 acres of valua-
49
ALLENSTOWN.
ble interval land, which bears every appearance of having been once covered by New-found Lake. At the depth of twenty feet can be found stumps, trees, and traces of beaver dams.
Lake and Rivers. A portion of New-found Lake is within the lim- its of this town. Smith's and Fow- ler's Rivers are the principal streams. The improved horse water power is 229.
Mountains. Cardigan Mountain is the highest elevation, and forms the boundary between Alexandria and Orange. Its base is rugged and covered with a heavy growth of timber. Its summit is divided into two granite peaks, which can be seen for miles distant.
Employments. The people are engaged, generally, in farming. 2,100,000 feet of lumber is annually sawed. 8,500 pounds of maple su- gar annually manufactured. (See Tables.)
Resources. Productions of the soil, $98,517; mechanical labor, $ 7,400; money at interest, $ 70,35; deposits in savings bank, $ 8,000; stock in trade, $ 2,850.
Churches and Schools. Union Church, fifty members, Rev. Cha's E. Rogers, Pastor. There are fifteen schools in town; average length of schools during the year, thirteen weeks.
First Minister. Rev. Enoch Whipple, (Congregational) settled in 1788; dismissed in 1794.
First Organization. Alexandria was granted to Joseph Butterfield and others, March 13, 1757. Jona- than, John M. and Wm. Corliss, were the first settlers, in December 1769. Incorporated, November 23, 1782. In 1821, its territorial lim. its were diminished by the annex-
ation of a large tract to New Chester, now Hill.
Boundaries. North by Orange and Hebron, east by Bristol, south by Hill, and west by Danbury. Im- proved łand 14,382 acres.
Distances. Thirty-four miles north-west from Concord, forty south-east from Haverhill, and about fourteen south-westerly from Plymouth.
Railroads. By the express and mail train, daily to Bristol station, four miles, on Bristol Branch Rail- road.
ALLENSTOWN.
MERRIMACK Co. A portion of the soil of this town is light, though there are some very fine farms. The town was formerly covered with a growth of fine timber, and great quantities of lumber were annually taken down the river.
Rivers. Suncook River is the dividing line between Allenstown and Pembroke, and affords some excellent water power, which is being improved by cotton mills, &c. Bear Brook furnishes some good mill sites. There are several other small streams well stored with trout.
Mountains. Catamount Hill is the highest elevation. At the east end of this hill is a precipice of seventy feet, nearly perpendicular, at the foot of which is a cavern of some extent.
Employments. The inhabitants of this town are largely engaged in manufacturing and trade. One of the largest cotton mills ever built under one roof, in this State, is in this town. Over ·11,000,000 yards of print cloth are annually manufactured, valued at $830,000. 30,000 pairs of sale boots and shoes
.
50
NEW-IIAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
made, besides other mechanical shops. The total value of goods annually manufactured is $881,300. (See tables of manufactories.) The mills are situated in the vil- lage of Suncook, for a description of which, see Pembroke.
Resources. Agricultural pro- ducts, $42,334; mechanical labor, $ 192,400; money at interest, $ 18, 500; deposits in Savings Banks, $55,955; stock in trade, $22,800; from summer tourists, $ 6,000.
Churches and Schools. The church edifices, in which the peo- ple of Allentown worship, are sit- uated on the opposite side of Sun- cook River, in Pembroke. There are four schools in town; average length of schools for the year, twenty-seven weeks.
Bank. "China Savings Bank," at Suncook Village. (See tables.) Hotel. "Suncook Hotel."
First Settlers. John Wolcott, Andrew Smith, Daniel Evans, Robert Buntin, and others, were the first settlers. In 1748, on the west bank of Merrimack River, nearly opposite the mouth of the Suncook, Mr. Buntin, his son, and James Carr, while busily at work, were surprised by a party of In- dians. At the first alarm, Carr made an attempt to escape, and "was immediately shot down. Bun- tin and his son made no resistance and were not harmed, but taken through the wilderness to Canada, and sold to a French merchant at Montreal. They remained in cap- tivity about eieven months, when they made their escape, and fortu- nately reached home in safety. Andrew, the son, died, in defence of his country, at White Plains, October 28, 1776, aged thirty-eight years. Although the first settle-
ment commenced in this town pri- or to 1748, it was not incorporated until July 2, 1831.
Boundaries. North by Epsom, east by Deerfield, south by Hook- sett, and west by Pembroke. Area of improved land, 3,192 acres.
Distances. Eleven miles from Concord, south-east.
Railroads. Suncook Valley, and a branch of Concord Railroad pass through this town.
ALSTEAD.
CHESHIRE Co. The soil of this town is strong and productive, and as a general thing, the farms are well cultivated, and yield good crops:
Rivers and Ponds. Cold River passes through the north-west part, and some of the branches of Ash- uelot have their sources in this town. The water power is well improved. There are also a num- ber of ponds. Warren's Pond, 250 rods long, and 150 wide, is the principal one.
Employments. The inhabitants are largely engaged in agriculture -8,388 bushels corn, 8,500 bushels oats and barley, 41,300 lbs. butter, 38,120 lbs. maple sugar, and 4,697 tons hay, being the third town in the county in its production of hay, and the first in maple sugar. The manufactories are important. Leather board and straw wrapping paper is manufactured to the value of $ 16,600 annually. Scythe nibs and pail handles valued at $ 13,000; carriages, $12,500; 400,000 shingles and laths, and 750,000 feet of boards and dimension timber, valued at $ 11,100, besides edge tools, plows, chair stock, rakes, tin ware, black- smiths, coopering, carpenters, har- nesses, &c. The total value of
51
ALSTEAD.
goods, of all kinds, annually man- nfactured, is $84,000.
There are three villages, under the post office names of Alstead, Centre Alstead and New Alstead. . At New Alstead there are two churches, school-house, rake shop, scythe nib and pail handle manu- factory ; at the Centre, one church, town-house, school-house; at Al- stead, two churches, one large graded school-house, six or eight stores, one hotel, also manufacture edge tools, paper, lumber, chair- stock, flour, meal, &c.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 123,000; mechanical labor, $25,800; stocks and money at in- terest $61,988 : deposits in savings banks $57,276; stock in trade, $ 19,387.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, no pastor; Universal- ist, Rev. W. J. Crosby, pastor. Center, Congregational, no pastor. New Alstead, Rev. Charles Pack- ard, pastor; Methodist, no pastor. There are fourteen schools in town, two of which are graded. Average length of schools for the year, seventeen weeks.
Hotel. Humphrey House.
First Settlement. This town was originally called Newtown, and was granted to Samuel Chase and others, August 6, 1763. In 1771, there were twenty-five families, besides ten bachelors. This lonely class cultivated their lands, and attended to their own household affairs, cooking their meals, &c.
General Amos Shepard was one of the most prominent citizens of this town from 1777 to the time of his decease in 1812. He was a member of the General Court of New-Hampshire, and president of the Senate seven years. He was
respected for his upright and just dealings with all men, and through this course he acquired a handsome fortune, which enabled him to pass his last days in ease and quiet.
One great drawback to the prog- ress of the first settlers was the multitude of wild beasts which infested this section, especially bears and wolves, which were so numerous as to devour their swine and sheep, and sometimes assail the larger cattle. The wife of John Beckwith took her son Rich- ard Beckwith, then an infant, and went to the woods to gather ber- ries. She placed. her child on the ground, and wandered through the bushes. On her return toward the object of her affection, judge of her feelings as she saw a huge bear smelling and passing around her sleeping babe, while she could do nothing but silently wait the result; but again judge of her un- speakable joy, when she saw this voracious monster of the forest, retire and leave her unconscious boy unharmed.
First Ministers. Rev. Jacob Mason (Cong.), ordained in 1782, dismissed in 1789; Rev. Samuel Mead, ordained in 1791; dismissed in, 1797; Rev. Levi Lankton, or- dained in 1799, dismissed in 1828.
Boundaries. North by Acworth, east by Marlow, south by Gilsum, and west by Walpole. Area of improved land, 17,714 acres.
Distances. Twelve miles south- east from Charlestown, fourteen north from Keene, and fifty-six west from Concord.
Railroad. By daily stage five miles to Bellows Falls, Vermont.
ALTON,
BELKNAP Co. The surface of
52°
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
Alton is uneven, the soil hard, and in some portions rocky, but when properly cultivated produces excel- lent crops of corn, wheat, oats and hay. It ranks as the fourth town in the county in the value of its agricultural productions.
Bays, Ponds and Rivers. Merry Meeting Bay, connected with, or a part of, Lake Winnipiseogee, ex- tends south, from the lake, over six miles, where it receives the waters of Merry-Meeting River. There are several ponds, the largest of which is Half-Moon Pond, between this town and Barnstead. It is nearly one mile in length, and half a mile in width.
Elevations. The principal eleva- tions are Mount Major and Pros- pect Hill. The views obtained from Prospect Hill are varied and beautiful. In a clear day the ocean can be distinctly seen from its summit.
.
Summer Resort. The fine scen- ery and the varied recreations which are found in Alton, have rendered it a popular resort for tourists. At Alton Bay is the ter- minus of the Dover and Winnipis- eogee Railroad ; and in warm weather, steamboats are waiting on the arrival of each train from Boston, to convey travelers to any point on the lake. There is a fine hotel at the Bay which is filled with tourists through the summer. Many permanently stop here, and for recreation and health, frequent- ly take a steamboat ride, visiting the different points on the lake, and returning at night. The num- ber who stay here for a few weeks or months, through the season, is estimated at over 400.
Employments. Agriculture is the principal employment of the
people, although the manufactures are important. Over 125,000 pairs of sale boots and shoes are annu- ally manufactured; 10,000 clap- boards, 475,000 shingles, 500,000 feet of boards, &c., sawed; 400,- 000 bobbins, 37,000 gross of spools turned; besides shoe boxes, and staves made, and various other kinds of mechanical works carried on. The village of Alton is very pleasantly located, and is the seat of considerable trade.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $173,600; mechanical labor, $54,700; money at interest, $10- 200; deposits in savings banks, $80,072; stock in trade, $20,225, from summer tourists, $20,000.
Churches and Schools. Freewill Baptist, Rev. H. Ricker, Pastor ; Congregational, no pastor. At East Alton, Freewill Baptist Church, Rev. Mr. Davis, pastor. There are twenty schools in town, two of which are graded; average length of schools for the year, thir- teen weeks.
Banks. Alton Five Cents Sav- ings Bank (See Tables.)
Hotels. Cochecho House; at Alton Bay, Bay View House.
First Settlers. Alton was origi- nally called New Durham Gore. The first settlement was made by Jacob Chamberlain and others in 1770. It received its present name by one of the principal proprietors from a town of the same name in England. It was incorporated, January 15, 1796.
First Minister. Elder John Ad- ams (F. B.), ordained in 1811.
Boundaries. North by Winni- piseogee Lake, north-east by Wolfeborough, east by New Dur- ham, south by Barnstead, and west
53
AMHERST.
by Gilmanton . Area of improve land, 18,025 acres.
Distances. Twenty-two miles north-east from Concord, twenty- five miles north-west from Dover, and about twelve south-east from Gilford. The distance, by boat on the lake, to Wolfeborough is ten miles, and to Centre Harbor, about twenty-five miles.
Railroad. Dover and Winni- piseogee, or Cochecho, Railroad has its terminus in this town, at Alton Bay.
AMHERST.
HILLSBOROUGH CO. This town was formerly the full Shire town of Hillsborough county ; but at the present time, only one trial term of the Supreme Judicial Court is holden, which commences the first Tuesday of May. The soil on the river is of an excellent quality, pro- ducing abundant crops. On the hills the soil is strong, and many valuable farms are found under a high state of cultivation.
For many years, Amherst was considered the most important town in the county, but the grow- ing cities of Manchester and Nash- ua are fast taking the prestige which made Amherst the Metro- politan town of the county, and, like some European nations, are divid- ing the power of Poland among themselves. But this venerable town will long be respected, both for the eminent men who were na- tives or citizens there, and as being one of the finest towns in the coun- ty, and having one of the pleasant- est villages in the State.
Rivers and Ponds. The Souhe- gan River is the principal stream, and in its course to the Merrimack River from this town, affords some
of the finest water privileges in the county. Babboosuc, Little Bab- boosuc and Jo. English Ponds, are the largest collections of water.
Summer Resorts. The fine scen- ery in and around Amherst, has caused it to be a popular resort for summer tourists, who spend their vacation through the warm weath- er. One of the finest hotels in the State, is located in the village. Many private residences in the village, and in other sections of the town, keep summer boarders.
Employments. The inhabitants are principally engaged in farming. Over 90,000 gallons of milk is an- nually sold, and over 36,000 lbs. of butter made. There is one large foundery, and several other small manufactories. There are about 90 mechanics of all trades. The "Farmer's Cabinet," established here Nov. 10, 1802, is one of the oldest and most respectable weekly newspapers in the State.
Resources. Agricultural pro- ducts, $ 146,746; mechanical labor, $36,800; stocks, &c., $ 19,900 ; mon- ey at interest, $ 21,104; deposits in savings banks, $ 192,086; stock in trade, $28,600; from summer tourists, $ 12,000. The town is free from debt at the present time, and there are but few towns in the State, where the inhabitants are more prosperous and happy, than they are in Amherst.
Churches, Pastors and Schools. Baptist, Rev. Albert Heald : Con- gregational, Rev. J. G. Davis; Methodist, Rev. George W. Ru- land. There are eleven schools; average length of schools for the year. twenty-five weeks. Value of school-houses, $ 10,300; annual amount of money, appropriated for school purposes, $2,078.56.
54
NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
Library. Amherst Social Town Library 1000 volumes.
Hotel. " Amherst Hotel," Thom- as Saunders, Proprietor.
First Settlers. This town was 'granted by Massachusets, in 1733, to persons then living, and the heirs of those not living, who had served in the Narraganset war of 1675. It was first named Narra- ganset Number Three," after- wards "Souhegan West." The first settlers, were Samuel Wal- ton and Samuel Lampson, in July 1734. It was incorporated 'January 18, 1760, under the name of " Amherst " as complimentary to Lord Jaffrey Amherst, an En- glish general in America, during the French war. It became the shire town of the county in 1771. Amherst did its full duty in the revolutionary contest. We append a few extracts from notes of Hay- ward's Gazettcer.
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.