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 7
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The first settlers of Amherst, coming from the old towns in Mas- sachusetts, brought with them the customs which prevailed at the time of their emigration. They were plain and simple in their dress. In living, they had few or none of the luxuries of life. Their fare was plain and substantial. They used considerable liquid food, such as milk, broths, pea and bean porridge. Chocolate was some- times used, and was probably es- teemed as one of their greatest luxuries. Coffee was unknown to them, and though tea had been introduced into the country about sixteen years when the town was settled, the first inhabitants had not tasted of it. The first used in the place was sent by some Boston friends to the family of the minis- ter, who were unacquainted with
the method of preparing it, but concluded it must be boiled in a kettle or pot, in a manner similar to their boiling their liquid food. They therefore put in a quantity of the exotic herb, and having boiled it till they supposed it was done, they dipped it out and sipped of it, but doubtless found it less palata- ble than their favorite beverage. Wine was a great rarity, and ar- dent spirits were rather regarded for medicinal purposes than as fit for an article of drink. Sugar which was known in this country as early as 1631 was used by them as was also molasses, but only in small quanties. " The most com- mon conveyance was by horses fitted out with saddles and pillions. Two could ride in this way the same animal, and often times an infant was superadded. A few years before the revolutionary war, it began to be the practice to trot horses, previously, these animals had paced. The first or second chaise brought into town, was owned by Mr. Benjamin Kendrick, and he rode in it till he was eighty- six years old. As late as 1810, he journeyed with it to Boston and its neighborhood. It presented such an antique appearance, that it was often called the 'Old Ark.'"
First Ministers. Rev. Daniel Wilkins, (Cong'l) ordained in 1736, died in 1784; Rev. Jeremiah Barnard, ordained colleague, in 1780; Rev. Nathan Lord D. D., President of Dartmouth College, ordained as colleague in 1816.
Boundaries. . North by New Boston, east by Bedford and Mer- rimack, south by Hollis, and west by Milford and Mount Vernon. Area, 22,432 acres, Improved land 12,300 acres.
55
ANDOVER.
Distances. Twenty-eight miles south from Concord, and forty- seven from Boston.
Railroad. Nashua and Wilton Railroad passes through this town.
ANDOVER.
MERRIMACK Co. The surface is uneven, being broken by hills and mountains. The soil, in many localities, is strong, and when prop- erly cultivated, yields excellent crops. Not more than one third of the area of the town, or 8,456 out of 29,883 acres, is considered capa- ble of improvement.
Ponds and River. There are several ponds, the largest of which is Loon Pond. Its water is very pure, and the scenery around it is grand and picturesque.
Mountain. Ragged Mountain extends along the north part of the town; it is an eminence but little inferior to Kearsarge in height, but its name fully describes it.
There are several small villages, the post office names of which are East Andover, Potter Place, West Andover, and Andover.
Employment. The inhabitants are principally engaged in farm- ing; but manufacturing is an important branch of industry. Among the most important of goods annually produced, is paper, $20,000, shoe pegs $20,000, Hames $28,000, lumber $19,200; grain ground $19,100, cotton and woolen hose $10,000, besides lasts, weld- ing composition, and other small mechanical works. There are also blacksmiths, wheelwrights, carpenters, masons, painters, &c. The total value of goods annually produced, is $128,600. (See tables.) Resources. Productions from agriculture, $66,257; mechanical
labor, $29,500; stocks, $17,500; money at interest, $28,401; depos- its in savings banks, $84,419; stock in trade, $33,400; from sum- mer tourists, $2,000; professional business, $20,000.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. Howard Moody, pastor; Freewill Baptist, Rev. C. B. Griffin, pastor; Christain, Rev. A. H. Martin, pastor.
There are twelve schools, of which two are graded. Average length of schools for the year, fif- teen weeks.
Hotel. The Kearsarge House. Stages leave here on the arrival of the cars, in warm weather, for the Winthrop House, on Kearsarge Mountain, four miles distant. The scenery from the summit of this mountain is very fine, and visitors are largely increasing, from year to year.
First Settlement. Andover was first known as Emerisstown. In 1746 it was granted to Edward Brown and others, as New Britton, in honor of the captors of New Britton, in 1745, in which expedi- tion some of the grantees were engaged. June 25, 1779, it was in- corporated under its present name. The first inhabitant was Joseph Fellows, who came here in 1761. Among the deceased citizens who are remembered with respect by the inhabitants, can be mentioned Dr. Silas Barnard, the first physi- cian in town. He died June 25, 1795. Dr. Jacob B. Moore, a poet of some eminence, became a resi- dent here in 1796; died January 10, 1818. Jonathan Weare, Esq., a civil magistrate, and highly re- spected, died in 1816. Mr. Jona- than Noyes was respected for his charitable disposition. "Potter,"
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
the famous juggler and necroman- cer, was a citizen of Andover and one of the railroad stations bears his name, " Potter Place."
First Minister. A Congrega- tional church was established in 1782, and the Rev. Josiah Babcock became the first pastor; dismissed in 1809.
Boundaries. . North by Hill, east by Franklin, south by Salisbury, and west by Wilmot.
Distances. Thirty miles north- west from Concord.
Railroad. Northern Railroad passes through the town, in an easterly and westerly direction.
ANTRIM.
HILLSBOROUGH Co. The west part of this town is hilly but af- fords a fine range for grazing. There are some valuable tracts of interval, and some very fine up- land farms yielding fine crops.
Rivers and Ponds. Contoocook River passes through the easterly part of the town. North Branch River originates from several ponds in Stoddard, and furnishes several valuable mill sites, and in some parts of its course it is bor- dered by fine tracts of interval.
Employments. The larger por- tion of the inhabitants are engaged in agriculture ; but manufacturing is a very important branch of busi- ness in town. The annual value of sewing silk and twist manufac- tured is $25,000; 100,000 apple- parers, 500 hand seed sowers, and 300 horse seed sowers are annu- ally made, valued at $100,000; be- sides there are cribs, cradles, bed- steads, window shades, paste board boxes, leather, &c., manufactured; 200,000 shingles and 600,000 feet of lumber are annually sawed.
The total value of manufactured goods annually produced is $211,- 300. (See tables.)
Resources. Productions of the soil, $92,732; mechanical labor, $44,100; stocks, &c., $13,700; money at interest, $27,878; de- posits in savings banks, $120,710; stock in trade, $19,815; from sum- mer tourists, $900; professional business, $10,000.
Churches and Schools. Presby- terian, Rev. W. R. Cochran pas- tor; Methodist, J. A. Cooledge pastor; Baptist, Rev. William Hurlin pastor. There are twelve schools in town; average length of schools for the year, sixteen weeks.
Library. Antrim Library Asso- ciation.
Hotels. Appleton House, North Branch House.
First Settlers. Antrim derived its name from a town in Ireland of the same name. Deacon James Aiken settled here in 1768. No other person moved into town for the next four years, during which time he suffered many privations and hardships for the want of friends and neighbors. The town was incorporated March 22, 1777. First Minister. Rev. Walter Fullerton, ordained in 1800, dis- missed in 1804.
Boundaries and Area. North by Windsor and Hillsborough, east by Deering and Bennington, south by Hancock, and west by Stod- dard. Area 21,173 acres; improv- ed land, 11,730 acres.
Distances. Thirty miles south- west from Concord, and twenty- three miles north-west from Am- herst.
Railroad. Eight miles by daily
57
ATKINSON.
stage to Hillsborough Bridge, on Contoocook Valley Railroad.
ATKINSON.
ROCKINGHAM CO. This town . has an uneven surface; but the soil is of a superior quality, and under a high state of cultivation. Much attention has been given to the cultivation of the apple, and the best fruit in the State is pro- duced here.
Employments. Farming is the principal occupation of the people, but there are about forty mechan- ics, the larger proportion of whom are engaged in making shoes. Thirty-six thousand pairs are an- nually made, and valued at $50,000.
Resources. Annual productions of the soil valued at $41,476; an- nual value of mechanical labor, $ 16,287; money at interest, $ 12,- 600; stock in trade, $2,300; from summer tourists, $6,000.
Summer Resorts. Atkinson, ow- ing to its elevated position, and its quiet and pleasant village, is be- coming noted as a place for sum- mer resort. Over 200 persons spent their summer vacation and recreation here the past year.
Schools, Libraries, &c. Atkinson Academy, in this town, is one of the oldest and most respectable in- stitutions in the State; incorporat- ed in 1791. There is a library, connected with the academy, con- taining 800 volumes. The school is now under the charge of B. H. Weston, A. M.
Churches. Congregational, Rev. C. F. Morse, pastor ; and Univer- salist Church. Valuation, $ 10,000.
First Settlers. This town was named in honor of Theodore At- kinson. a large land-holder and a member of the council. It was
originally a part of Plaistow; but, owing to some difficulty in locat- ing a meeting-house, it was set off and incorporated September 3, 1767. Benjamin Richards, Jona- than and Edmund Page, and John Dow were the first settlers, and came here about 1728.
First Minister. Rev. Stephen Peabody, ordained in 1772; died in 1819.
Boundaries. South by Haver- hill, Mass., west by Salem and Londonderry, north by Hampstead, and east by Plaistow. Area, 6939 acres.
Distances. Thirty miles south- west from Portsmouth, and thirty- six south-east from Concord.
Railroads. Boston & Maine. If the Plaistow and Nashua Rail- road is built it will pass through Atkinson.
ASHLAND.
GRAFTON CO. Ashland is a small township taken from the southern portion of Holderness in 1868. The soil is hard, but, when properly cultivated, produces good crops. The farmers find a ready sale for their surplus products, in the thriving manufacturing village of Ashland.
Rivers. Pemigewasset River washes the extreme western part of the town. Squam River, the outlet of Squam Lake and Squam Pond, runs in a south-west direc- tion, and empties into the Pemi- gewassett. This river affords some of the best water power in the State, enough at all seasons of the year, and a surplus. Much of this power is improved, but double the capital could be invested on it to good advantage.
-
Village. On Squam River, and
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
on the Boston, Concord and Mon- treal Railroad is situated the busy manufacturing village of Ashland. The business, for the size of the village, is very extensive. There are several large paper mills, two hose manufactories, woolen mill, lumber and grist mill, straw board mill, leather board mill, large peg mill, glove and mitten manufacto- ries, boots and shoes, besides many other small mechanical shops. There are also two church edifices, school-houses, bank, eight or ten stores of all kinds, hotel, livery stable, express office, telegraph office, insurance, lawyer and phy- sician's offices, and nearly one hundred dwelling houses. The scenery around Ashland is delight- ful, affording views wild, roman- tic and beautiful.
Employments. Manufacturing and trade are the principal em- ployments of the inhabitants. Over 600,000 yards flannel, 1,200 tons manilla paper, 140 tons leath- er board, 50,000 dozens cotton and woolen hose, 175,000 shingles, 600, 000 feet boards, &c., 20,000 bush- els shoe pegs, besides buck gloves and mittens, tin ware and other small manufactories. The total value of manufactured goods of all kinds, annually produced, is about $ 646,600. (See table.)
Resources. Productions of the soil, $48,364; mechanical labor, $110,100; money at interest, $28,870; deposits in savings bank, $59,820; stock in trade, $ 44,420.
Churches and Schools. Freewill Baptist, Rev. L. Malvern, pastor, church value, $ 6,000; Episcopal, J. Le Roy, pastor, value church, $ 4,000. There are six school dis- tricts and eight schools in town,
average length of schools for the year, scventeen wceks.
Library. Ashland Town Li- brary.
Bank. Ashland Savings Bank, (see tablc.)
Hotel. "Squam Lake House."
First Organization. Ashland was originally a part of Holdern- ess, and was incorporated July 1, 1868.
Boundaries. North by Plymouth and Holderness, east by Holder- ness, south by New Hampton, and west by Bridgewater and Holder- ness. Area of improved land, 3,853 acres.
Distances. Forty-four miles north from Concord, and six west from Plymouth.
Railroads. The Boston, Concord and Montreal railroad passes through the southern section of this town.
AUBURN.
ROCKINGHAM Co. Was origin- ally that part of Chester called "Long Meadow." It was incor- porated June 25, 1845.
The surface is broken, but the soil is strong and produces good crops of corn, oats and potatoes.
Lakes and Streams. Massabesic Lake is the largest body of fresh water in the county, comprising an area of about fifteen hundred acres. It is about six miles long, and from two to four hundred rods in breadth. Near the centre of the length, the Lake is nearly divided into two parts, but is connected together by a strait, some two hundred rods in length. There are no large streams in town, but there are some brooks that furnish very good water pow- er which is generally improved.
59
BARNSTEAD.
Employments. The larger por- tion of the people are engaged in farming, who find a ready market for all their surplus produce in the City of Manchester, some five 'miles distant. Shoemaking and lumbering are the principal me- chanical businesses; there being annually made about 24,000 pairs of women's boots and shoes, and 1,870,000 feet of lumber sawed.
Resources. Annnal value of the productions of the soil, $ 67,843; value of mechanicallabor, $ 10.400; deposits in savings bank, $50,924; money at interest, $5.993; stock in trade, $ 14,020; receipts from sum- mer tourists, $ 3,000.
Churches and Schools. There are two churches, Methodist, Elder James Adams, pastor ; Congrega- tional, Rev. J. L. Gay, pastor. There are eight schools in town, average length of schools for the year, 17 weeks.
Tourists. The beautiful scenery around the Massabesic, has at- tracted the attention of many lovers of recreation, and Auburn is becoming quite a resort for sum- mer tourists. The "Massabesic House " located on the shore of the Lake, is a large and commodious hotel, and suitably adapted for summer boarders. The Concord and Portsmouth railroad passes within a few rods of the house. Trains twice a day, each way, arrive and depart. The Lake is truly a pleasing and attractive resort for the pleasure seeker, as well as the student of nature.
The "Cave," on the westerly side of " Devil's Den" Mountain, will interest any stranger who will visit it. The entrance to this cave is about five feet in height, and two and a half in width. It extends
into the hill, in a northern direc- tion, about eighty feet, of sufficient dimensions to permit a person to pass. It is divided Into numerous apartments, several of which are fourteen feet square, and from two to fifteen feet in height. About sixty persons spent their summer vacation in Auburn in 1872.
Boundaries. North by Candia, east by Chester, south by London- derry, and west by Manchester.
Distances. Twenty miles south- east from Concord, and twenty-one west from Exeter.
BARNSTEAD.
BELKNAP Co. Barnstead is one of the most wealthy agricultural towns in the county. The land lies, principally, in large swells, affording excellent grazing; while the soil is easily cultivated and produces fine crops of wheat, corn, oats and hay. On the river, there are some very fine interval lands, and valuable farms. No more pleasant country, for farming, can be found in the State, than Barn- stead.
River and Ponds. Suncook riv- er is the principal stream, and furnishes some fine water power. There are several ponds, the larg- est of which are Suncook, Brindle and Half Moon Ponds. These waters are well stored with fish.
Minerals. Plumbago and bog iron ore are found in various sec- tions of the town.
Employment. Farming is the principal employment of the in- habitants. About 100,000 pairs of sale shoes are annually made; 500,000 shingles and 400,000 feet of boards and dimension timber, are annually sawed; 10,000 yards woolen goods manufactured, be-
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
sides blacksmiths, coopers, car- penters, masons, machinists, &c. Total value of goods annually manufactured is estimated at $146,000.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $152,140; mechanical labor, $27,700; stocks and money at in- tercst, $10,325; deposits in savings banks, $70,179; stock in trade, $3,000.
Villages. There are two very pleasant villages. At Barnstead Parade there is a church, school- house, hotel, store, saw-mill, and twenty-five or thirty dwelling- houses. Rev. Enos George was a resident of this village for over fifty years. He died about 1858. Barnstead Centre lies on the Sun- cook, about two miles north of the Parade. Here are two stores, ho- tel, town-house, church, school- house, mills, shoe manufactory, several mechanical shops, of vari- ous kinds, and about fifty dwelling houses.
Churches and Schools. Chris- tian, Rev. J. H. Nutter, Rev. J. H. Davis, pastors; Congregational, at the Parade, Rev. W. O. Carr, pas- tor; Freewill Baptist, Rev. M. A. Quinby, pastor.
There are fifteen schools. Aver- age length of schools for the year, nineteen weeks. (See table.)
First Settlement. Rev. Joseph Adams and others received a grant of this town, May 20, 1727. Set- tlements commenced 1767. In 1775 there were 250 inhabitants in town; in 1790, 807.
Hotel. Shackford House; Cen- tre.
First Ministers. A Congrega- tional church was organized in 1804, and the Rev. Enos George became its pastor; Elder David
Knowlton, Freewill Baptist, or- dained in 1804; died in 1809.
Boundaries. Northeast by Al- ton, south-east by Strafford, south- west by Pittsfield, and north-west by Gilmanton. Area, 26,000 acres; arca of improved land, 14,805 acres.
Distances. Twenty miles north- east from Concord, and eighteen south-east from Gilford.
Railroads. Four miles to Pitts- field Station, on Suncook Valley Railroad. The Suncook Valley Extension to Alton, when built, will pass through this town. Also the Concord and Rochester Rail- road.
BARRINGTON.
STRAFFORD COUNTY. The sur- face of this town is broken and rocky, the soil being principally a gravelly loam. What is termed the oak ridges is of a sandy loam, rich and productive and easily cul- tivated.
Rivers and Ponds. Isinglass riv- er is the principal stream, and affords some good water power. One fall in this river is thirty feet perpendicular. There are thirteen ponds within the limits of the town from which flow streams, furnishing considerable water power.
Minerals. In some of the rocks, beautiful and perfect specimens of quartz crystals, and other tour- malin, are found. Bog iron ore, in considerable quantities, may be obtained.
Cavern. About two miles from the center of the town, there is a remarkable cavern which is con- sidered quite a curiosity by natu- ralists. The principal room in this cavern, is sixty feet in length, from
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BARTLETT.
twelve to fifteen in hight, and from four to ten feet in width.
Employments. Agriculture is the principal employment of the peo- ple, but considerable manufactur- ing is carried on. 150,000 pairs of shoes are annually made, also 2,300,000 feet of boards &c., 685,000 shingles, and 600,000 clapboards are annually sawed. The value of the potatoe crop exceeds that of any town in the county.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 114,585; mechanical labor, $ 51,525; stocks and money at in- terest, $ 15,700; deposits in sav- ings banks, $ 129,176; stock in trade, $ 13,675; from summer tour- ists, $ 1,500.00.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. Ezra Haskell, pas- tor; Freewill Baptist, no pastor. There are fifteen schools in town; average length of schools for the year, sixteen weeks; amount of money annually appropriated for school purposes, $ 1,658.56.
First Settlements. This town originally included the town of Strafford within its limits, and comprised an area of 54,380 acres, but about 29,120 acres were taken, in 1820, to form the latter town. Incorporated May 10, 1722. The first settlement was made about ten years later.
First Ministers. Rev. Joseph Peirce settled in 1755, dismissed in 1768; Rev. David Tenney ordained in 1771, dismissed in 1778.
Boundaries. North by Roches- ter, east by Madbury and Lee, south by Nottingham and North- wood, and west by Strafford. Area 25,200 acres.
Distances. Thirty miles east from Concord, five west from Dover.
Railroads. By stage to Dover station, five miles on the Boston and Maine railroad. The Nashua and Rochester, railroad now being built, will pass through this town.
BARTLETT.
CARROLL Co. This town lies at the foot of the White moun- tains. The surface is rocky and uneven. The soil is various; on the Saco it is very good, and fine crops of corn, oats and potatoes are produced.
River. Saco River meanders through the center of the town and is the principal stream.
Iron Ore. Prof. Hitchcock, in his Geological survey report for 1871, says, that in the northern part of Bartlett, occurs one of the most extensive deposits of work- able iron ore ever found in New- Hampshire. For full details, see page on mineralogy.
Employments. Farming is the principal employment, but lum- bering is becoming an impor- tant branch of business. About 1,500,000 feet of boards and dimen- sion timber are annually sawed. Mills are being erected that will increase their facilities to 7,000,000 feet a year. It is also becoming an important point for tourists.
'Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 68,312; mechanical labor, $ 5,800; stocks and money at inter- est, $9,158; deposits in savings banks, $368; stock in trade, $ 1,450; summer tourists, $ 6,000.
Churches and Schools. Advent, Rev. J. B. Dearing, pastor; Free- will Baptist, Rev. Spencer Kenni- son, pastor; Methodist, Kev. O. T. Sinclair, pastor. There are six schools, average length for the year, fourteen weeks.
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
Hotels. Bartlett House, East Branch House and Pequawkett House.
First Organization. This town was incorporated June 16, 1790, and received its name in honor of Governor Josiah Bartlett.
Boundaries. North by Jackson, east by Chatham, south and west by ungranted lands. Area 13,000 acres; area of improved lands, 5,482 acres.
Distances. Seventy-five miles north-east from Concord and about twenty-five miles north from Os- sipee.
Railroad. Portland and Ogdens- burg railroad passes through the town.
BATH.
GRAFTON Co. This town is ยท pleasantly situated in the val- ley of the Connecticut. The high mountains around complete- ly shield it from high winds and long storms. About one sixth part of the whole town is interval. On the hills the soil is generally of a reddish loam. Much improve- ment has been made in agricul- ture, and it is now considered one of the best farming towns in the State. Large quantities of wheat, corn, oats and barley are annu- ally raised.
Rivers and Mountains. The Ammonusuc River passes through the southerly part, and furnishes some fine water power. At Bath village a fine bridge spans the riv- er, 372 feet in length. Wild Am- monusuc River unites with the Ammonusuc, in this town at the south-west corner. Gardner's Mountain rises from the conflu- ence of the Connecticut and Am- monusuc rivers, and extends in a
northerly direction through the town, thus separating the inhabi tants, who find a communication only through a single pass in the mountain.
Minerals. In several localities large veins of copper ore have been opened, which appear to be of much value, if properly worked.
Employments. The inhabitants are generally engaged in farming. 200 tons of starch and 23,000 pounds of maple sugar are annually man- ufactured. A disastrous fire oc- curred in Bath village, February 1, 1872, destroying the Congregation- al church edifice, Bath Hotel and several dwelling houses, none of which have been rebuilt .* A mill for the manufacture of wood pa- per has recently commenced op- eration.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 157,838; mechanical labor, $ 9,500; stocks &c., $ 32,500; mon- ey at interest, $ 28,000; deposits in savings banks, $2,875; stock in trade, $ 14,250 ; from summer tour- ists, $ 600.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. Edward Cleveland, pastor; Catholic, no pastor; Un- ion church, at Swiftwater village, Rev. Arnold Adams, pastor. There are twelve school districts and thirteen schools in town; average length of schools for the year, twenty-four weeks.
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