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NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

IN THREE PARTS.

PART I.

A HISTORICAL SKETCH OF NEW HAMPSHIRE,

FKOM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT TO TUE ADOPTION OF THE FEDERAL
CONSTITUTION IN 1788.

PAKT II.

A GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE;

CONTAINING A PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS, CITIES,

VILLAGES, &c.; REMARKABLE CURIOSITIES, MINERAL LOCALITIES,

STATISTICAL TABLES i ALSO, TUE BOUNDARY AND AREA OF

THE STATE ; A GENERAL VIEW OF THE COUNTIES,

BOTH HISTORICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL.

PAKT III.

A GENERAL VIEAY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE ;

CONTAINING A DESCRIPTION OF ITS SOIL, PRODUCTIONS, CLIMATE ; ITS GEO-
LOGICAL AND MINEKALOGICAL FEATURES ; THE PRINCIPAL MOUNTAINS,
LAKES, AND RIVERS ; EDUCATION AND RELIGION ; BIOGRAPHICjVL
SKETCHES OF DISTINGUISHED MEN ; LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC,
AND CHARITABLE ASSOCIATIONS ; BANKS, RAILROADS,
NEWSPAPERS, 5.C.

TOGETHEK WITH THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE,

COMPILED FROM NUMEROUS AUTHENTIC SOURCES,

EDWIN A. CHARLTON.

CLAREMONT, N. H. : /

TRACY AND SANFORD.

1855

"-n

TO THE

SONS or NEW HAMPSHIRE

IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED,

THE PUBLISHERS.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by

TRACY AND SANFOED,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of New Hampshire.

STEKEOTTPED AT THE
BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY.

M'FARLAND AiVD JENKS,
rKINTEKS.

PREFACE.

The present work was undertaken with the de-
sign of furnishing as great an amount of reliable
and important information concerning the past
history and the present condition of New Hamp-
shire as the means at our command and the limits
assigned us would allow.

In the Historical Sketch we have aimed to
give a brief synopsis of the leading events in the
history of our state, from its first settlement to the
adoption of the federal constitution. In this we
have generally followed Dr. Belknap, not, however,
without reference to other authorities, among which
may be mentioned Barstow's History of New
Hampshire ; the New Hampshire Historical Col-
lections ; Adams's Annals of Portsmouth ; together
with various histories of the United States.

The Gazetteer was prepared entirely by George
Ticknor, Esq., of Claremont, to whose preface we
would refer the reader for further information con-
cerning that part of the work.

The Third Part embraces a variety of subjects,
which we deem it unnecessary to mention in detail.
The principal authorities which we have consulted

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PREFACE.

in its preparation are Farmer and Moore's New
Hampshire Gazetteer; Hayward's Unitod States
Gazetteer ; Dr. Jackson's Geological Eeport ;
Oakes's White Mountain Scenery ; New Hamp-
shire Compiled Statutes ; Life of Eleazar Whee-
lock, founder of Dartmouth College; Kev. N.
Bouton's Historical Discourse; New Hampshire
Annual Register, for the last forty years ; United
States Census Report for 1850 ; together with
various pamphlets and periodicals. To our friends
and correspondents who have aided us in our labor,
we tender our sincere thanks for their kind assist-
ance and cooperation.

The department of Biography is not so full as
we could have wished ; yet to have given even a
brief sketch of all deserving such a notice, would
have increased both the size and the price of our
volume far beyond their prescribed limits.

It has been our aim to form the plan of the
work and to arrange the materials furnished us
in such a manner as to produce an harmonious
whole ; and though, from the nature of the case,
we can lay no claim to literary merit or to origi-
nality, yet we trust that our efforts to make a
judicious selection and arrangement have not been
wholly unsuccessful. With these remarks, the
work is respectfully presented to the public.

E. A. C.

Haverhill, N. H., February 1, 1855.

CONTENTS.

PART I.

HISTORICAL SKETCH.

CHAPTER I.

Introduction. — Captain John Smith's Exploration. — The Virginia Company.

— The Plymouth Council. — Gorges and Mason. — Grant of Mariana and
Laconia. — Settlements at Portsmouth and Dover. — Wheelwright's Pur-
chase.— Mason's new Patent. — New Hampshire. — Upper and Lower
Plantations. — Neal's Expedition to the White Mountains. — Survey of
Portsmouth and Dover. — Discouragements. — Surrender of the Charter of
the Plymouth Council. — Death of Mason. — Reflections 9

CHAPTER II.

— Erection of a Church. — Burdet's Exploits. — Morton abandons Ports-
mouth.— Underhill's Administration. — Knollys and Larkham. — Dover
•and Portsmouth form Governments. — Union with Massachusetts. —
Wheelwright flees. — Laws of Massachusetts and Character of the early
Settlers. — Persecution of the Quakers. — Witchcraft 16

CHAPTER III.

— Attacks on various Places. — Death of Lieutenant Plaisted. — The In-
dians make Peace. — Death of King Philip, and Renewal of Hostilities at
the East. — Waldron seizes the Refugees at Dover. — The Mohawks are
solicited to assist the English. — Captain Swett is defeated. — Conclusion
of Peace. — Omens 24

05)

O CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IV.

Mason's renewed Efforts. — Randolph visits New England. — New Hampshire
is erected into a royal Province. — The Commission is published. — Meeting
of the Assembly and making Laws. — Waldron succeeds President Cutts. —
Cranfield is appointed Governor. — His arbitrary Proceeding. — Gove's Re-
bellion. — Mason institutes a Suit against Major Waldron. — Weare is sent
to England. — Persecution of Moody. — Fresh Usurpations of Power. —
Resistance of the People. — Cranfield obtains Leave of Absence. — Barefoot
succeeds him. — Treaty with the Indians , 31

CHAPTER V.

— Attack on Dover. — Salmon Falls. — Expedition to Canada. — Temporary
Peace. — Attack on Oyster River. — Conclusion of Peace. — Usher's Admin-
istration.— Partridge supersedes him. — The Earl of Bcllamont is appointed
Governor, and visits New Hampshire. — Allen's Efforts. — Dudley appointed
Governor 38

CHAPTER VI.

Dudley holds a Conference with the Indians. — They commence Hostilities. —
Various Attacks. — Defence of Durham. — Expeditions against Port Royal.

— Death of Colonel Hilton. — Attemp'ted Reduction of Canada. — Appoint-
ment of Shutc and Vaughan as Governor and Lieutenant Governor. — The
latter is superseded by John Wentworlh. — Progress in industrial Pursuits.

— Settlement of Londonderry. — Incorporation of new Towns. — Governor
Shuto returns to England. — More Trouble with tlie Indians. — Causes of
their Hostility to the English. — Attempt to capture Ralle. — Attack on
Dover and other Places. — Expedition to Norridgewock and Death of Ralle.

— Adventures of Captain Lovcwell. — Ratification of Peace 46

CHAPTER VII.

Controversy with Massachusetts. — Grants of Townships. — A new Assembly
is chosen. — Burnet's short Administration. — BcUhcr succeeds him. —
Death of Wentworth and Appointment of Dunbar. — Party Strife. — Set-
tlement of the Boundary. — War with France. — Siege and Capture of Lou-
isburgh. — Project to invade Canada. — Approach of a French Fleet. —
Indian Hostilities. — Defence of Charlestown. — The Heir of Mason sells
his Claim. — Controversy between Governor Wentworth and the Assem-
bly. — Proposal to settle the CoOs. — Jealousy and Resentment of the In-
dians.. t.. 65

CONTENTS. ♦

CHAPTER VIII.

The "Old French War." — Indian Hostilities. — Expeditions against Crown
Point. — Massacre at Fort Edward. — Rogers's Expedition against the St.
Francis Indians. — Conquest of Canada. — Grants. — Settlement of the
western Boundary. — The Stamp Act. — Meserve is appointed Distribu-
tor. — His Resignation. — Demonstrations of the People. — Banning Went-
worth is superseded by John Wentworth. — Taxes. — Dartmouth College.
— Division of the Province into Counties. — The Tea sent to Portsmouth is
reshipped. — Convention at Exeter. — Seizure of Gunpowder and Arms at
Fort "William Henry. — Attempts of Wentworth to maintain Peace. —
Close of his Administration 63

CHAPTER IX.

The Revolutionary War. — Forces raised by New Hampshire. — Preparations for
Defence. — Treatment of the Tories. — Formation of a temporary Govern-
ment. — Expedition to Canada. — Declaration of Independence. — Battle of
Bennington. — Surrender of Burgoyne. — Sullivan's Expedition against the
Seneca Indians. — Close of the War. — Adoption of a State Constitution. —
Troubles with Vermont. — Distress and Rebellion. — Formation and Adop-
tion of the Constitution of the United States. — Conclusion 71

PART II.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Page 85.

PART III.

GENERAL VIEW OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Page
SURFACE, 445

CLIMATE, 446

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY, 453

MINERALS, 456

SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS, 469

LAKES, 461

RIVERS 463

MOUNTAINS , 468

O CONTENTS.

ROUTES TO WHITE MOUNTAINS, 477

EDUCATION,..* 479

RELIGION 491

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 500

SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS, 551

RAILROADS, 552

BANKS, 656

NEWSPAPERS, 557

CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, 566

NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

HISTORICAL SKETCH.
CHAPTER I.

Introduction. — Captain John Smith's Exploration. — The Virginia Company.
— The Plymouth Council. — Gorges and Mason. — Grant of Mariana and
Laconia. — Settlements a4 Portsmouth and Dover. — Wheelwright's Pur-
chase.— Mason's new Patent. — New Hampshire. — Upper and Lower
Plantations. — Neal's Expedition to the White Mountains. — Survey of
Portsmouth and Dover. — Discouragements. — Surrender of the Charter of
the Plymouth Council. — Death of Mason. — Reflections.

The discovery of America in 1492 by Christopher Co-
lumbus was one of the most remarkable events in the his-
toiy of the "world. In itself considered, it was wonderful
that an entire continent should now, for the first time, be
made known to the civilized nations of Europe ; while the
effects of this discovery on the destiny of the human race
are incalculable. On these shores, untrodden as yet save
by the wild son of the forest, multitudes of every rank and
condition sought a home. Hither came the needy adven-
turer, too idle or too proud to labor with his hands, hoping
that by some turn of fortune he should amass wealth or
gain power. Here, too, the stern, unyielding, yet upright
Puritan sought a dwelHng-place where he might worship

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10 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

his God agreeably to the dictates of his ovra conscience.
Those bereft of all hope of bettering their condition at
home deemed the wilds of the new world a fitting place
to hide their sorrows in solitude or to attempt to retrieve
their ruined fortunes. The lawless outcast, compelled " to
leave his country for his country's good/' could find no
more congenial spot than the newly-discovered continent.

At this time, too, there was an unusual degree of intel-
lectual excitement among the nations. Europe, for centu-
ries buried in a universal night, began at length to arouse
from her torpor and to exhibit new signs of vitality. The
invention of the art of printing, of gunpowder, and the mar-
iner's compass were among the results of this activity. It
is not strange that, under such circumstances, a spirit of
adventure should pervade the public mind, and that any
bold leader could induce many to follow him, either for
conquest or discovery.

But it was not until a considerable time had elapsed that
New England attracted any great share of public attention.
The tide of emigration, that commenced flowing almost at
the first announcement of the discovery, took a more south-
erly direction. The first thing sought for was the precious
metals ; and these, being found more abundant in southern
latitudes, drew thither the eager crowd of adventurers.
And besides, a mild and genial climate and a fertile soil
offered far more inducements than the bleak shores of the
north. But in 1614 the renowned Captain John Smith, so
well known from his connection with the early settlement
of Virginia, explored the Atlantic coast from the Penob-
scot to Cape Cod, trading with the natives. During this
voyage the River Piscataqua, with the harbor at its mouth,
w^as discovered. On his return to England he presented a
map of the country to the Prince of Wales, afterwards
Charles I., who called it New England.

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 11

In the year 1606 King James had granted a charter, lim-
iting Virginia between the thirty-fourth and forty-fifth de-
grees of north latitude. This large territory was divided
between two con^panies ; the southern part being assigned
to London adventurers, the northern to certain persons in
Bristol, Exeter, and Plymouth. The members of the
northern, or Plymouth Company, finding themselves liable
to be encroached upon by their neighbors, petitioned for a
new charter, which was granted in 1620. The corporation
thus instituted was composed of forty " nobles, knights,
and gentlemen," and was called " The Council established
at Plymouth, in the County of Devon, for the planting,
ruling, and governing of New England in America."

Among the most enterprising members of this council
were Sir Ferdinando Gorges and Captain John Mason.
The former had been an officer in the navy of Queen Eliz-
abeth and companion of Sir Walter Ealeigh, and was
withal a man of most daring and adventurous spirit. The
latter Avas originally a merchant of London, afterwards
governor of Newfoundland, and was scarcely inferior to
his rival in enterprise and boldness. He soon procured
from the council a grant of the land between the river of
Naumkeag — now Salem — and the Merrimack, and ex-
tending back to the head waters of each. This he called
Mariana. The next year, 1622, he and Gorges conjointly
obtained a grant of the territory extending from the Mer-
rimack to the Sagadahock,* and back to the great lakes
and the river of Canada — the St. Lawrence. This was
named Laconia. These two grants comprise nearly all the
present territory of New Hampshire, together with portions
of the adjoining states and Canada. The same year they
formed the " Company of Laconia," for the purpose of col-

* The Kennebeck.

12 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

onizing their new possessions ; and in the spring of 1628
they sent over David Thompson, Edward and WilHam
Hilton, with several others, to carry out their designs.
Thompson, with one division, landed near the mouth of
the Piscataqua, on the southern shore, at a place to which
they gave the name of Little Harbor. Here they erected
salt works and established a fishery. The Hiltons went
eight miles farther up the river, to Northam, afterwards
called Dover. These were the first settlements within the
present limits of New Hampshire. Thompson, however,
became dissatisfied with his situation, and in about one
year removed to an island in Massachusetts Bay afterwards
called by his own name. But it does not appear that this
place, where he had erected salt works and dwellings, was
entirely deserted.

For several years these colonies on the Piscataqua pro-
gressed but slowly. Unlike those who landed at Plymouth
to seek a home where they might enjoy civil and religious
liberty, the first settlers of this state were seeking gain.
They hoped, by establishing .fisheries and carrying on trade
with the natives, to secure an abundant requital for all their
labor. Influenced by such feelings, they for a time neg-
lected agriculture — the only sure resource of a new country.

Thus time passed away, presenting but few incidents
worthy of note. No remarkable events occurred ; at least
none have been recorded. Doubtless in their own little
circle these pioneers of the wilderness experienced the
iisual variety that falls to the human race. But what toils
and sufferings they endured, neither history nor tradition
informs us.

In 1629 Rev. John Wheelwright and others of the Mas-
sachusetts Bay colony purchased of the Indians, for what
they deemed a valuable consideration in " coats, shirts, and

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 13

kettles," a considerable tract of land between the Piscata-
qua and the Merrimack. The deed was signed by Passa-
conaway, the chief sagamore of the Indian tribes in this
part of New England, though exercising immediate juris-
diction over the Pennacooks living on the ISIerrimack in
the vicinity of Concord. It was also signed by the chiefs
of several other tribes. This land had been before granted
to Gorges and Mason by the Plymouth Company ; but it
mvTst be admitted that the right conveyed by the original
owners and occupants of the soil was flxr better than that
of a self-constituted company in a distant land or of a for-
eign monarch claiming it by the right of discovery.

Very soon after, Mason obtained a new grant from the
Plymouth Council of this very same territory ; whence it
has been conjectured that he and Gorges had made a mutual
agreement to divide Laconia and take out new patents.
This, from the county in England in which he had former-
ly resided, he called New Hampshire. Edward Hilton
also obtained a deed of the land occupied by himself and
his associates in the vicinity of Dover. His patent includ-
ed Dover, Durham, Stratham, and part of Newington and
Greenland. The London adventurers, or those settled near
the mouth of the river, secured a grant including Ports-
mouth, Newcastle, and Rye, with part of Newington and
Greenland.

Thus we find that in 1631 there were two settlements,
entirely distinct and independent of each other, commonly
called the Upper and Lower Plantations ; the one composed
chiefly of " west country adventurers," the other of those
from London. Of the former. Captain Thomas "VViggin
was appointed agent ; of the latter, Captain Walter Neal.
Between the two, quarrels sometimes arose about disputed
territory ; but they were finally settled without bloodshed.
2

14 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

A desire to discover gold pervaded the minds of the col-
onists. New Hampshire, being a mountainous region, was
deemed likely to abound in the precious metals. Thus,
though ostensibly formed for " trade, fishery, salt making,
building, and husbandry," the companies early began to ex-
plore the wilds in search of metallic treasures. Fabulous
stories of beautiful lakes and rivers abounding in fish, of
fertile islands with most delightful climates, were freely cir-
culated, and to a great extent believed. At length Captain
Neal started on foot, Avith one or two companions, on an
expedition to discover these fair lands in the interior of La-
conia. The El Dorado was not found ; but in the course
of their journey they saw the White Mountains ; and, find-
ing something there resembling crystal, they called them the
Crystal Hills. For want of provisions they were compelled
to return, but not until they supposed they were within
one day's journey of the wished-for spot.

In 1633 Neal and Wiggin surveyed their respective pat-
ents and laid out the towns of Dover and Portsmouth.
They agreed with Wheelwright that his proposed town at
Swampscot Falls should be called Exeter. Hampton was
laid out the same year ; but neither of the last two places
was settled until some time later.

But in the mean time want, privation, and hardship were
producing their accustomed effects. Agriculture, as al-
ready observed, was neglected ; while the hopes of valuable
discoveries proved fallacious. Vines were planted, but
came to nothing. There was not a mill in the colony ; but
^' bread was either brought from England in meal or from
Virginia in grain, and then sent to the windmill at Boston
to be ground." Iron mines were discovered, but not
wrought. The chief sources of income were trade and the
fisheries ; but even these yielded no return to those who
had advanced capital. ]Meanwhile new supplies of pro-

HISTOEICAL SKETCH. 15

visions, clotliing, and other necessaries were frequently sent
over from the mother country. But, under such circum-
stances, it is no wonder that many abandoned the enterprise.
Some sold their interests to Gorges and Mason, who, more
sanguine than the rest, persevered, with the hope of future
success, and finally became almost the sole proprietors.
They appointed Francis Williams governor, who is repre-
sented as a discreet, sensible man, and very acceptable to
the people.

The Virginia Company had always viewed the Plymouth
Council with jealousy and dislike, and in 1635 complained
of their charter as a monopoly. Gorges appeared in person
before the Parliament to defend it, but in vain. The char-
ter was siu'rendered ; though Gorges and Mason secured for
themselves a considerable interest in the territory. Mason
had gained New Hampshire, and also purchased of Gorges
a tract north-east of the Piscataqua, three miles in width ;
but his death, which happened the same year, put an end
to all his projects. Had he lived, it is not improbable that
he might have recovered at least a part of the capital he
had expended.

Thus it will be seen that the objects which Gorges and
Mason had in view in sending colonists to this state were
never reahzed. No vast mineral treasures were found ; no
flouiishing vineyards enlivened the landscape. After years
of toil, after expending vast sums of money, they had failed
to accomplish Avhat they desired and hoped ; but they laid
the foundations on which others built; they sowed the
seed while others reaped the harvest. And, though we
may perhaps regard them as having mistaken views of the
true sources of national prosperity, we cannot too much
honor the memory of the merchant adventurers who labored
so long and so pcrseveringly to colonize the infant state.

CHAPTER II.

Religious Intolerance. — Antinomian Controversy. — Banishment of Wheel-
wright. — Settlement of Exeter. — Formation of a Government. — Settle-
ment of Hampton. — Affairs on the Piscataqua. — Wiggin visits England.
— Erection of a Church. — Burdet's Exploits. — Morton abandons Ports-
mouth.— UnderhUl's Administration. — KnoUvs and Larkham. — Dover
and Portsmouth form Governments. — Union with Massachusetts. —
"Wheelwright flees. — Laws of Massachusetts and Character of the early Set-
tlers. — Persecution of the Quakers. — Witchcraft.

Most of the early settlers of Massachusetts had been driv-
en ffom their native land by the intolerance of their rulers ;
but, when they ■were once freed fi-om their depressed situa-
tion and placed in authority, they allowed no such liberty
to others as they had claimed for themselves. Indeed
they did not seem to understand the true principles of re-
ligious freedom. Beheving themselves to have attained
perfect truth, they could see nothing but error in the creeds
of all who differed from them in opinion ; and this they
could not conscientiously tolerate. The strong arm of the
law was invoked to check the spread of doctrines which
they believed would be dangerous to the best interests of
the state. It was this spiiit — the fault of the times rather
than of the men themselves — that drove Wheelwright, al-
ready mentioned as having purchased land of the Indians
at Swampscot Falls, to estabhsh a new settlement. He be-
longed to a party of the church called Antinomians, and
for a time was engaged in a very bitter and violent contest,

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HISTORICAL SKETCH. 17

in which the principal men of the colony paiticipated ; but
being at length overpowered, he, with several others, was
banished from the territory of Massachusetts. At the time
of making his purchase he stipulated that a settlement
should be commenced within ten years ; and, as this time
was drawing to a close, he proceeded at once to establish a
colony at Exeter. This was in 1638. As there was no
general government in New Hampshire to which they
could appeal for protection, they formed an independent
system of their own. Their laws were based on the Bible.
They had one chief magistrate and two assistants, chosen in
an assembly of the people, and holding their offices one
year. They were sworn to discharge their duty faithfully,
while the people were sworn to obedience. The laws were
enacted in a general assembly ; and in fact the whole organ-
ization presents an example of a purely democratic form of
government.

About this time the Massachusetts colony empowered
Richard Dummer and John Spencer to commence improve-
ments and to build a house at Hampton, called by the In-
dians "VVinuicummet. What they most valued was an ex-
tensive salt marsh, which bade fair to produce a supply of
hay for their cattle. Soon after some persons from Norfolk
county, England, had leave to settle here. The whole
number was now fifty-six. The house first erected was
long known as the Bound House.

We must go back a little in the order of time to relate

the condition of affairs on the Piscataqua. Portsmouth,

having by the death of Mason lost her principal patron,

was struggling with difficulties. Nor was Dover entirely

exempt from discouragements. In 1633 Captain Wiggin,

the agent of the latter plantation, visited England to obtain

new supplies. On returning, he brought with him from
o *

18 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

the west of that country several families of considerable
property and " of some account for religion." Among
the number was William Leveridge, a pious and devoted
clergyman. They proceeded to lay out a compact town on
Dover neck, trade being their principal object. On an in-
viting part of the eminence they erected a church, wliich
for greater security they surrounded with an intrenchment
and flankarts ; but, on account of insufficient support, Lev-
eridge was compelled to seek a more favorable locality.
After this they had a number of ministers, some of whom
proved unworthy of their high calling. The first of these
was one Burdet, who came among them in 1634. He was
at length elected governor, to the exclusion of Wiggin ;
but, being detected in some criminal acts, he made a precip-
itate flight to the Province of Maine, whence he never re-
turned.

After the death of Mason, his widow and executrix sent
over William Norton as her agent, with full power to man-
age her affairs at the Portsmouth plantation ; but after re-
siding there some time, finding the expenses far exceeding
the income, he abandoned the whole and gave up the im-
provements to the tenants. Some removed, carrying off
their goods and chattels ; while others remained, claiming
the houses and other property as their own. But several
of the buildings had been destroyed by fire ; so that at
length nothing remained for the heirs of Mason excepting
their interest in the soil. These events took place between
1638 and 1644.

Captain John Underhill Avas banished from Boston during
the Antinomian controversy, and took refuge at Dover.
Having been elected governor in place of Burdet, he formed
a church, and placed one Knollys over it. Afterwards
Thomas Larkham came and preached, and by his superior

HISTOKICAL SKETCH. 19

eloquence gained tlie favor of the people, so that they chose
him as their minister in place of Knollys ; but, as he ad-
mitted persons of immoral character to the church, and also
assumed civil authority, they restored Knollys. Dissen-
sions and strife arose between them, and finally Knollys
returned to England ; while Underbill went back to Boston,
and, on making a confession, was restored to favor.

The people of Dover and Portsmouth had as yet no set-
tled form of government, having no authority from the
crown to form one. It will be recollected that the first
settlements were mere private enterprises managed by
agents ; but, finding this system insufficient to meet their
present wants, they formed a combination at each of these
places like that at Exeter. At Dover, in 1640, a written
instrument was drawn up and signed by forty-one persons,
agreeing to abide by the laws of England and those enacted
by a majority of their own number until they should learn
the royal pleasure. The exact time at which a similar ar-
rangement was entered upon at Portsmouth is unknown.

We have thus briefly traced the rise and progress of the
first four settlements made within the present limits of New
Hampshire. Each was independent of the other, there be-
ing no union between them save that arising from similar
circumstances and common dangers. At length a proposal
was made to unite with Massachusetts. To this the latter
colony was by no means averse. Indeed they already laid
claim to a great part of the territory of New Hampshire,
though they had never tried to enforce it. Accordingly
Portsmouth and Dover put themselves under the jurisdic-
tion of Massachusetts in 1641 ; and Exeter did the same
about one year later. Hampton was considered as a pai-t
of that colony already. Wheelwright, being still under
sentence of banishment, removed with some of his follow-

20 KEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

ers to Wells, (Maine,) but was afterwards restored on
making some slight acknowledgment. He subsequently
preached at Hampton.

On consummating this union the people of New Hamp-
shire were allowed one remarkable privilege, considering
the intolerance so prevalent at that time — which was, that
they might act in a public capacity without regard to their
religious professions ; though by a previous law of Massa-
chusetts none but church members could vote on town af-
fairs or hold a seat in the General Court.

For thirty-eight years, from 16-il to 1679, the history
of New Hampshire becomes merged in that of the colony
of which she became a constituent part.

The laws of Massachusetts, which now took effect in our
OAvn state, were in many respects peculiar. Their social
customs, too, were modified by their religious belief and by
the circumstances in which the;^ were placed. Inhabiting
a new country, surrounded by a fierce and deadly foe, com-
pelled to labor with all their power to supply their wants
and to protect themselves from danger, they had but little
inclination or opportunity to cultivate the milder graces
and refinements of life. Every thing that had the appear-
ance of levity was discarded. Their general design was to
form a government with laws based on the Bible, and mod-
elled, to a considerable extent, after the Jewish common-
wealth. Their laws had reference to many things not
usually regarded as coming under the jurisdiction of the
civil magistrate. To quote Dr. Belknap,* " The drinking
of healths and the use of tobacco M^ere forbidden ; the for-
mer being considered as a heathenish and idolatrous practice,
grounded on the ancient libations, the other as a species of

* History of New Hampshire, vol. i. p. 67.

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 21

intoxication and waste of time. Laws were instituted to
regulate the intercourse between the sexes and the advances
towards matrimony. They had a ceremony of betrothing
which preceded that of marriage. Pride and levity of be-
havior came under the cognizance of the magistrate. Not
only the richness, but the mode of dress and cut of the hair,
were subject to state regulations. Women were forbidden
to expose their arms or bosoms to view. It was ordered
that their sleeves should reach down to their wrist and their
gowns be closed around the neck. Men Avere obliged to
cut short their hair, that they might not resemble women.
No person not worth two hundred pounds was allowed to
wear gold or silver lace or silk hoods and scarfs. These
pious rulers had more in view than the political good.
They were not only concerned for the external appearance
of sobriety and good order, but thought themselves obliged,
so far as they were able, to promote real religion and en-
force the observance of the divine precepts."

But, notwithstanding some gloomy and forbidding traits,
there is much in the character of the Puritans to command
our admiration — much that is worthy of our approval and
emulation. None could be more conscientious than they
in the performance of what they regarded as duty. Their
morals were of a high order. Intemperance and profanity
were almost unknoAvn. They early attended to the educa-
tion of their youth, and for this purpose founded a college
at Cambridge Avithin a few years after their first settlement.
They purchased land of the Indians Avhich had already been
granted by the croAvn. They regarded slavery as inconsist-
ent with the natui-al rights of mankind, and by laAV forbade
the buying and selling of slaves excepting those taken in
war or reduced to this condition for crime. In 1645 the

22 NEW HAMPSHIRE A3 IT IS.

General Court ordered a negro who had been kidnapped
from Africa and sold at Portsmouth to be sent back.

But their great error was in confounding civil and reli-
gious authority — a' fact to which we have already alluded.
Their ministers took part in the public assemblies, while
the civil magistrates had a controlling voice in the churches.
Toleration was regarded as "the firstborn of all abomina-
tions ; " and the right of the magistrate to employ force
against heretics and unbelievers was strongly insisted on.
The Quakers especially sufiered the weight of their ven-
geance. At first they were banished ; but this punishment
proving insufficient to check them, they were whipped, im-
prisoned, and in some instances put to death. In the win-
ter of 1662 three Quaker women were sentenced to be
publicly whipped through eleven towns, with ten stripes
apiece in each town. The sentence was executed in Dover,
Hampton, and Salisbury ; but at the latter place they were
fortunately released through the agency of Walter Bare-
foot.

The witchcraft delusion prevailed to some extent in New
Hampshii-e. There is still on record an account of the trial
of "Goodwife Walford " at Portsmouth in 1658. The
complainant, Susannah Trimmings, testified as follows : *
" As I was going home on Sunday night I heard a rustling
in the Avoods, which I supposed to be occasioned by swine ;
and presently there appeared a woman, whom I apprehend-
ed to be old Goodwife Walford. She asked me to lend
her a pound of cotton. I told her I had but two pounds
in the house, and I would not spare any to my mother.
She said I had better have done it, for I was going a great
journey, but should never come there. She then left me,

* Adams's Annals of Portsmouth.

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 23

and I was struck, as Avith a clap of fire, on the back ; and
she vanished toAvards the water side, in my apprehension, in
the shape of a cat. She had on her head a white linen
hood, tied under her chin ; and her waistcoat and petticoat
were red, with an old gown, apron, and a black hat upon
her head." Several other witnesses were examined ; but
the case was not then decided, and was probably dropped
at the next term of the court. Mrs. Walford afterwards
brought an action for slander against Robert Coutch for
saying that she was a witch and he could prove her one.
The verdict was in her favor — five pounds and costs. These
trials are curious as illustrating the spirit of the times, as
well as the kind of evidence on the strength of which the
accused were often condemned. Some other cases occurred
in New Hampshire ; but none were ever convicted.

CHAPTER III.

Mason's Efforts to recover his Estate. — The King sends Commissioners to
New England. — Their Reception, Treatment, and Proceedings. — Jealousy
of the Indians. — Passaconnaway. — Commencement of King Philip's War.
— Attacks on various Places. — Death of Lieutenant Plaisted. — The In-
dians make Peace. — Death of King Philip, and Renewal of Hostilities at
the East. — Waldron seizes the Refugees at Dover. — The Mohawks are so-
licited to assist the English. — Captain Swett is defeated. — Conclusion of
Peace. — Omens.

The civil dissensions that prevailed in England at this
time prevented the making of any determined efforts by the
heirs of Mason to recover the possession of the New Hamp-
shire plantations. In 1652 Joseph Mason came over to look
after the interests of the family, and commenced an action
against Richard Leader, who was occupying some of the
lands at Newichwannock. The case was finally brought
before the General Court, which caused a survey to be
made. By this it was found that the charter of Massachu-
setts included all that had been granted to Mason and
nearly all that had been granted to Gorges. The court
decided that " some lands at Newichwannock, with the riv-
er, were, by agreement of Sir Ferdinando Gorges and oth-
ers, apportioned to Captain Mason, and that he also had
right by purchase of the Indians, as also by possession and
improvement." The agent left soon after, making no effort
to recover the rest of the estate.

(24)

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 25

The first heir named in Mason's will died in infancy ; and
Robert Tufton, grandson of Captain John Mason, succeed-
ed to the inheritance. The family had always been at-
tached to the royal cause, and consequently had nothing to
hope for during the protectorate of Cromwell. But on the
restoration of Charles II., Tufton, who now took the sur-
name of Mason, petitioned the crown for redress. The
king referred the matter to his attorney general. Sir Geof-
fry Palmer, who reported that Mason had a legal title to
New Hampshire. Here the matter rested for some time ;
but in 1664 the king appointed four commissioners to visit
the New England colonies and to examine and determine
all matters of dispute. This was very offensive to the peo-
ple of Massachusetts, as they regarded it as interfering with
their liberties ; and accordingly they received the commis-
sioners with great coldness. The latter, in their progress
through the country, came to Portsmouth, but made no
settlement of the controversy. They told the citizens of
that place that they would release them from the jurisdic-
tion of Massachusetts, and took some measures to bring
about such a result ; but most of the people preferred to re-
main as they were. The commissioners returned, greatly
incensed at the treatment they had received. For some
time after this the foreign affairs of England so engrossed
the attention of the royal government that they took no
further action in regard to the claims of Mason.

But now a greater danger threatened the colonies —
which was an attack from the Indians. For many yeai's the
natives had been watching the growth and prosperity of the
infant states with feelings of stifled jealousy. They saw
their best hunting grounds encroached upon day by day ;
they saw their new neighbors rapidly increasing in numbers
3

26 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

and wealth ; until it became evident that the white man, if
not speedily checked, would become the sole possessor of
the land which had been theirs from time immemorial. But
for a time fear kept them in restraint. An English gen-
tleman who was present gives an account of a dance and
feast held by the Pennacooks in 1660. The aged Passa-
connaway, famed far and wide for his wisdom and cunning,
reputed as a sorcerer, with power to make water burn and
trees dance, was present, and made his farewell speech, ad-
vising them to cultivate the friendship of the English. He
warned them that it would prove their own ruin should
they take a contrary course. His counsels had so much
effect that his son and successor, Wonolanset, on the break-
ing out of the war fifteen years afterwards, withdrew to a
remote part of the country to avoid being di-awn into the
quarrel.

Philip, of Mount Hope, son of the " good Massasoit," is
commonly regarded as the instigator of this first general
war ; and it is supposed that he drew many of the neighbor-
ing tribes into a combination to exterminate the English.
The first attack was made on Swansey,* in June, 1675.

The eastern Indians had some causes of their own to im-
pel them to war. The wife of Squando, a noted sachem
dwelling at Saco, was one day met by some sailors while
passing along the river in her canoe with her infant child.
They had heard that the Indian children could swim as
naturally as the young of beasts, and overset the canoe to
try the experiment. The child was rescued by the mother,
but died soon after, and its death was imputed to the treat-
ment it had received. Squando now became a most bitter
foe of the English, and used all his influence to excite a

* Bristol county, Massachusetts.

HISTOKICAL SKETCH. 27

war against them. After the commencement of hostilities
at Swansey the war spread to other parts of the country.
In September of the same year they made an incursion
against Oyster River, now Durham, where they burned
two houses, killed two men, and carried away two captives.
They also killed one man, and took another prisoner, be-
tween Exeter and Hampton. Soon after they attacked a
house at Newichwannock in which fifteen women and chil-
dren had taken refuge ; but a girl of eighteen saw them
approaching, and stood against the door until they chopped
it down with their hatchets. In the mean time all but two
children escaped to a place of safety. The bold heroine
was knocked down and left for dead, but finally recovered.
The enemy now made their appearance on both sides of
the Piscataqua, burning houses and killing all who fell in
their way. Some young men of Dover took the field
against them and succeeded in killing two. All the settle-
ments of New Hampshire were now filled with alarm, and
business was suspended. On the 16th of October an at-
tack was made on Salmon Falls. Lieutenant Roger Plais-
ted sent out seven men to search for the enemy ; but, fall-
ing into an ambush, three were instantly killed, and the
rest retreated. Plaisted then sent to Major Waldron for
assistance, which the latter could not grant consistently
with his own safety. The next day he ventured out with
twenty men and a cart to bring in the dead bodies of the
slain ; but, falling into another ambush, his men deserted
him. Plaisted himself, disdaining to yield or fly, was slain
with one of his sons, while another son was mortally wound-
ed. The gallant behavior of these men caused the Indians
to retreat.

The enemy still continued their predatory incursions.

'28 NEW ELAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

plundering and burning wherever they found the people
off their guard. They made their appearance opposite
Portsmouth, but were dispersed by a few cannon shot.
In this way the autumn was passed until the close of
November, when the whole number of the slain exceeded
fifty.

The Massachusetts colony, being fully occupied in de-
fending their southern and western borders, could afford no
seasonable aid. Finding the necessity of vigorous action,
the colony resolved to send a force against the head quar-
ters of the enemy ; but the winter, setting in early and
with great severity, prevented. But this circumstance in-
clined the Indians to peace, as they were now pinched with
famine. Accordingly they came to Major Waldron, ex-
pressing their sorrow for what had been done and promis-
ing to be quiet and friendly. Through his influence a
peace was concluded with the eastern Indians, which con-
tinued until the next August. The captives wliich they
had taken were restored.

In August, 1676, King Philip was slain, which put an
end to the war in the southern quarter. Some of his fol-
lowers took refuge among the Pennacooks, others with the
eastern Indians — the Ossipees and Pequaketts. Hostili-
ties were renewed through the influence of these refugees,
and at length two companies were sent from Boston to Do-
ver. Here they found a large nvimber of Indians at the
house of Major Waldron, whom they regarded as their
friend and father. The Boston companies had orders to
seize all Indians who had been engaged in King Philip's
war, and, recognizing such among the number, would have
fallen upon them at once had they not been dissuaded by
Major Waldron, who proposed to have a training and sham

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 29

fight the next day in order to take them by stratagem.
This having been done, they were all seized and disarmed.
A separation was then made ; the Pennacooks and those
who had made peace the autumn before were set at liberty ;
while the refugees — the strange Indians, as they were
called — were retained as prisoners to the number of two
hundred. Seven or eight who were convicted of having
killed Englishmen were executed. The rest were sold into
slavery in foreign parts. After this two or three expedi-
tions were made into the wilderness, but without producing
any important results.

In 1677 an effort was made to induce the Mohawks to
take part against the eastern Indians. But they made no
distinction between the friendly and hostile tribes ; and
consequently they did more harm than good to the English.
In June of the same yeai', Captain Swett, of Hampton,
went to the Kennebeck River with two hundred Indian
and forty English soldiers, but was defeated and slain with
many of his men. The savages then took some twenty
fishing vessels, the crews not apprehending any danger. In
the month of August, Andros, the governor of New York,
sent a sloop with some forces to build a fort at Pemaquid.
The Indians then appeared friendly, and continued peacea-
ble during the autumn and winter. In the spring of 1678
three commissioners were appointed to treat with Squando
and the other chiefs of the eastern tribes. A treaty was
concluded at Casco, now Portland, which put an end to
this harassing war of three years' duration, of which the
whole burden and expense were borne by the colonies
themselves. They neither asked nor received any assist-
ance from the royal government.

The historians of that day have recorded many signs.

30 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

omens, .and predictions. Some imagined they heard guns
and drums in the air ; others saw fiery swords and spears
in the heavens. Even an eclipse was regarded as the fore-
runner of some great event ; and, in short, every unusual
appearance was considered as ominous. All this doubtless
resulted from superstitious fear as well as from ignorance
of the laws of Nature.

CHAPTER IV.

While the colonists were engaged in the Indian war
Mason again petitioned the king for redress. Sir WilHam
Jones, his attorney general, and Sir Francis Winnington,
his solicitor general, to whom he referred the matter, re-
ported that ]\Iason "had a good and legal title to the
lands." This was in 1675. Edward Randolph was then
sent over to make inquiry into the state of the coimtry.
He reported on his return that he found the whole country
complaining of the usurpation of the magistrates of Boston,
though the people both of Dover and Portsmouth had pe-
titioned that they might " continue in possession of their
rights under the government of Massachusetts." The lat-
ter colony sent two agents to defend their claims. After a
full hearing before the lords chief justices of the King's
Bench and Common Pleas, in 1677, it was decided that
Massachusetts had no right of jurisdiction over New Hamp-
shire, and that the four towns — Portsmouth, Dover, Exe-
ter, and Hampton — did not belong to the former colony.

(31)

d% NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

They also denied the right of government to Mason. No
opinion was given as to the right of the soil, there being
no court in England that had cognizance of it.

All this paved the way to a separation from Massachu-
setts ; and accordingly, in 1679, a commission was issued,
forming New Hampshire into a royal province. The gov-
ernment was to be administered by a president and council
appointed by the king. Laws were to be enacted by an as-
sembly of representatives chosen by the people. The pres-
ident was required to appoint a deputy to succeed him in
case of his death or absence. The king reserved the right
to discontinue the assembly of the people if inconvenience
should arise therefrom. The form of government was sim-
ple, and, with tins exception, as liberal as could have been
expected.

Thus a iinion that had subsisted for thirty-eight years
was dissolved, to the great regret of the people of New
Hampshire, being satisfied as they were with the govern-
ment which they already enjoyed. In order to make the
change more acceptable, the king appointed some of the
most popular men of the colony to office. The president,
John Cutts, Avas a highly-esteemed merchant of Ports-
mouth. William Vaughan, John Oilman, and Eichard
Waldron were of the council.

The royal commission was brought to Portsmouth on the
1st of January, 1680. The persons therein named accept-
ed their offices with great reluctance, and only through fear
that, if they refused, others might be appointed who would
not regard the interests of the colony. They published
the commission and took the oaths of office on the 22d of
January. They issued writs calling an assembly, which
met on the 16th of March. At the time of this election
there were two hundred and nine voters in the four towns.

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 33

The assembly immediately returned thanks to the Massa-
chusetts colony for their former protection, and expressed
their regret for the separation. They then proceeded to
form a code of laws. Among the capital offences, which
were fifteen in number, were reckoned idolatry, blasphemy,
man stealing, treason, and witchcraft. The president and
council, with the assembly, constituted the Supreme Court,
and three inferior courts were formed. The militia was
organized and put under the command of Richard Wal-
dron.

The enforcement of the acts of trade and navigation
caused some difficulty. Edward Randolph was appointed
surveyor and collector of the customs throughout New
England. He sometimes acted in a violent and arbitrary
manner ; while the people, on their part, most strenuously
resisted any assumption of authority. In the execution of
his commission he seized a ketch belonging to Portsmouth ;
and, having been brought before the council on complaint
of the master of it, he behaved with such insolence that the
court compelled him to make a public apology and ask for
pardon. His deputy, Walter Barefoot, was fined ten
pounds for his arbitrary proceedings in the matter.

In the latter part of 1680 Mason came from England,
empowered by the king to take a seat in the council. He
soon endeavored to compel the people to take leases of
him ; but the council to which they appealed for protection
forbade such proceedings, and stated their intention of
transmitting the grievances of the people to the king.
After this he refused to sit in the council, and soon re-
turned to England. Meanwhile President Cutts died, and
was succeeded by his deputy. Major Waldron. Under his
administration affairs went on much as before.

Mason, finding he could accomplish nothing under the

34 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

circumstances then existing, labored to bring about a change
of government ; and at his solicitation the king appointed
Edward Cranfield lieutenant governor and commander-in-
chief of New Hampshire, who accepted the office with the
hope of gain. To insure this. Mason engaged to pay him
one hundred -and fifty pounds annually, and mortgaged
the province for security. By his commission, which was
granted in May, 1682, he was vested with new and extraor-
dinary powers. He could suspend members of the coun-
cil, veto laws passed by the assembly, dissolve the same at
his pleasure, erect courts, and pardon criminals. He soon
showed his tyrannical disposition by suspending two mem-
bers of the council, "VValdron and Martyn, but restored
them on the meeting of the assembly. Hoping to concil-
iate him, the assembly voted him a present of two hundred
and fifty pounds. But his good humor was shortlived.
At the next session they refused to pass a bill which he
presented them for the support of the government ; and he
dissolved the assembly, having previously suspended Stile-
man, a member of the council.

This arbitrary proceeding excited the resentment of all
the people. The excitement rose to such a pitch that sev-
eral persons of Exeter and Hampton, headed by Edward
Gove, a member of the dissolved assembly, declared for
*' liberty and reformation," and endeavored to bring about
a revolution. But the project was so rash and dangerous
that the principal men not only discountenanced it, but
also aided in apprehending Gove and his followers. A
court was immediately held, and he, with several others,
was convicted of treason. All but Gove were soon set at
liberty. He was sent to England, imprisoned in the Tower
of London for three years, when he was pardoned and his
estate restored.

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 35

On the 14th of February, 1683, the governor called on
the inhabitants to take leases of Mason within one month.
This they refused to do ; but some of the principal land-
holders proposed to refer the matter to the governor, that
he might state it to the king. Mason objected to this, say-
ing he would have nothing to do with them unless they
would acknowledge his title.

Cranfield suspended several members of the council, and
appointed in their places those who would be more sub-
servient to his own wishes. Things being thus prepared,
Mason took out a writ against Major Waldron for holding
lands and selling timber to the amount of four thousand
pounds. The latter challenged the jury as interested per-
sons, some having taken leases of Mason, and all living
upon lands which he claimed. But the trial went on, and
judgment was rendered against the defendant. Suits were
instituted against others, with similar results ; but as Ma-
son could find no purchaser of the lands, and was unable
to keep possession of them himself, they continued to enjoy
them as before.

The governor, with his council, had now usurped the
whole legislative power, so that the people were compelled
to make a stand for their liberties. Having raised money
by subscription, they appointed Nathaniel Weare to make
complaint to the king.

In the mean time Cranfield was disappointed with regard
to the accumulation of wealth. Having abused the people
so much, he could expect nothing from their favor. He
attempted to raise money by pretending fear of foreign in-
vasion ; but the assembly refused to pass the bill, and he
again dissolved them.

Mr. Moody, the minister of Portsmouth, being a strong
advocate of the cause of the people, was the object of his

S6 NEW HAMrSHIKE AS IT IS.

peculiar vengeance. Soon after the dissolution of the as-
sembly, he signified to Moody his intention to partake of
the Lord's supper on the next Sabbath, and required him
to administer it according to the liturgy. As Cranfield
had foreseen, he refused to do so, never having been episco-
pally ordained. An action was commenced against him,
and he was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, but was
released at the end of three w6eks on condition that he
should preach no more in the province. He went to Bos-
ton and remained there for several years, but afterwards
returned to Portsmouth.

Cranfield now undertook to tax the people by the aid of
the council without the consent of the assembly. But the
council, though composed principally of his friends, re-
fused to adopt this measure until the rumor of a plot among
the Indians to renew hostilities in the spring aroused their
fears.

Warrants for the collection of the taxes were issued in
the summer of 1684 ; but the constables every where en-
countered great opposition. At Exeter forcible resistance
was made to the sheriff.* Mason ordered out the troop of
horse under his command to assist in enforcing the laws;
but not a man appeared on the day appointed.

The agent who was sent to England had been waiting a
long time for depositions from home. Cranfield retarded
the business by refusing to summon and swear witnesses.

* " History will justify us in boasting somewhat of Old Exeter. "We find
her people ever ready to resist oppression in every form. When the royal gov-
ernor, Cranfield, undertook to impose taxes on the people of New Hampshire
without their consent, at Exeter, his officers who were sent to collect the tax
were beaten off with clubs by the men, and attacked by the women, with true
Antinomian spirit, with boiling water, whenever they attempted to enter their
houses." — Speech of Henry C. French, Esq., at the " Second New Hampshiro
Festival."

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 37

and also by denying access to the public records. "Weare
at length made out his complaint in general terms, which
was referred to the Board of Trade, who summoned Cran-
field to make his defence. When the evidence was all pre-
sented, new articles of complaint were drawn up. After a
hearing, their lordships made a report censuring the course
of Cranfield. He had before applied for leave of absence ;
which was now granted, and he sailed for Jamaica. Wal-
ter Barefoot, his deputy, succeeded him, and continued in
office until superseded by Dudley as president of New Eng-
land. During his administration a treaty of friendship was
concluded with the Pennacook and Saco Indians. Hagkins,
a chief of the former tribe, having heard that the Mohawks
were coming to destroy them, besought the protection of
the English. It was stipulated that personal injuries on
either side should be redressed ; that information of approach-
ing danger from enemies should be given ; that the Indians
should not remove without giving due notice ; and that,
while these articles were observed, the English should
assist them and defend them against the Mohawks and all
other enemies. The peace continued about four years.
4

CHAPTER V.

The Charter of Massachusetts forfeited. — Dudley appointed President of New
England. — Succeeded by Andros. — His tyrannical Proceedings. — Revo-
lution in England. — Temporary Union with Massachusetts. — Allen ap-
pointed Governor and Usher Lieutenant Governor. — King William's War.
— Attack on Dover. — Salmon Falls. — Expedition to Canada. — Tempora-
ry Peace. — Attack on Oyster River. — Conclusion of Peace. — Usher's Ad-
ministration. — Partridge supersedes him. — The Earl of Bellamont is ap-
pointed Governor, and visits New Hampshire. — Allen's Efforts. — Dudley
appointed Governor.

The British government was becoming more and more
oppressive while Charles II. occupied the throne. Fre-
quent complaints of the New England colonies were made
to him, to which he gave a ready ear, even then fearing the
rising spirit of liberty which existed among his distant sub-
jects. Some time before his death he declared the charter
of Massachusetts forfeited. His successor, James II., issued
a commission, appointing Joseph Dudley president of New
England — thus bringing New Hampshire under the same
government with Massachusetts. He managed affairs with
comparative moderation, in order to bring the new system
into operation without exciting the resentment of the people.
But in a few months he was succeeded by Sir Edmund An-
dros as captain general and governor-in-chief of New Eng-
land. Andros entered upon the duties of his office with
the fairest professions, but soon showed himself a rapacious
tyrant. He appointed only such to the council as were

(38)

HISTORICAL SKETCH. S9

willing to aid him in his oppressive schemes. The liberty
of the press was restricted. The people were allowed to
hold a town meeting only once a year, and then for the
choice of officers. To prevent complaints being carried to
England, he forbade any one to leave the colony without
his express permission.

While the colonies were suffering such oppression, the
report of a revolution in England reached them. William
III. ascended the throne in 1688 ; but, before the news
was well authenticated, the people assembled and im-
prisoned Andros. A committee of safety was organized
to assume the reins of government imtil they should re-
ceive orders from England Andros was sent home as a
prisoner.

In the mean time t^e people of New Hampshire were
left without a government. They waited for orders from
the mother country, but none came ; and in 1690 they held
a convention of deputies chosen from each town. This
assembly petitioned to be admitted under the jurisdiction
of Massachusetts; which was granted, and delegates were
sent to the General Court of that colony for two or three
years. Their own wish was to become a constituent part
of Massachusetts ; but the king refused to grant a charter
to that effect.

Mason had made some unsuccessful attempts to recover
his estate during the administration of Andros. He died
in 1688, leaving two sons, John and Robert, heirs to the
claim. They afterwards sold their title to the New Hamp-
shire lands to Samuel Allen, of London, who solicited the
king for a commission as governor. Notwithstanding the
desire of the people to be annexed to Massachusetts, the
king gave him the appointment, with John Usher as his

40 3fEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

lieutenant, with power to act in his absence. Usher ar-
rived and entered upon his duties in 1692.

While the colony was suffering the embarrassment at-
tendant on a change of government as well as the claims
of the Masonian proprietors, a fresh war with the Indians
broke out, commonly called King William's war. The
Baron de St. Castine, a French nobleman, had chosen the
rude life of an Indian trader, and was now living at Penob-
scot. Being connected with some of the chiefs by mar-
riage, he had great influence with the natives. In 1688
Andros plundered his house and fort. Justly indignant
at this base act, he urged the Indians to war. They, too,
had some real or supposed injuries to avenge ; and it
proved no difficult matter to arouse a sanguinary conflict.

Thirteen years had passed since the seizure of the In-
dians at Dover ; but they still remembered it, and longed
for vengeance. Some of those who had been sold into sla-
very had returned to excite their brethren. Wonolanset,
however, still regarded the prophetic injunction of his fa-
ther, and kept aloof from the contest.

The first outbreak was at North Yarmouth, Maine,
where they killed some cattle. Several were taken prison-
ers ; but Andi'os, hoping to conciliate the natives, ordered
them to be set at liberty. This clemency not proving ef-
fectual, he led an army into the wilderness, but saw no In-
dians. After 'he was deposed, those who managed affairs
tried to prevent the renewal of hostilities, and sent messen-
gers and presents for this purpose ; but, though the savages
made fair promises, they were ready to break them at the
first opportunity.

On the evening of the 27th of June, 1689, two squaws
applied at each of the garrisoned houses in Dover for lodg-

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 41

ing. The people, fearing no danger, readily admitted
them. Mesandowit, one of the chiefs, was entertained at
Major Waldron's. " Brother Waldron," said he, with his
usual familiarity, while they were at supper, " what would
you do if the strange Indians should come ? " "I can as-
semble a hundred men," was the reply, " by lifting up my
finger." With this fatal confidence they retired to rest.
When all was quiet, those within opened the gates and
gave the signal. The savages rushed in and began their
bloody work. Waldron, though eighty years of age, seized
his sword and drove the assailants back through two doors,
but was stunned by a blow from a hatchet. He was then
put to death with the most cruel tortures. Twenty-three
persons were killed in this attack and twenty-nine taken
prisoners. The captives were carried to Canada and sold
to the French.

Several expeditions were now made against the enemy,
but without success — the most that they could do being to
destroy their corn. In the winter of 1690 the Count de
Frontenac, governor of Canada, despatched three parties to
lay waste the English settlements. One party attacked
Salmon Falls ; and, though the inhabitants fought bravely,
they were overpowered, with the loss of thirty killed and
fifty-four prisoners. Their buildings were consumed, with
the cattle which were in the barns. A number of men col-
lected from the neighboring towns pursued them. A sharp
conflict ensued ; but the Indians, having the advantage of
situation, escaped.

After this predatory excursions were frequently made.
Some were killed at Newington and at Exeter. Two com-
panies which were out scouting came up with the enemy at
Wheelwright's Pond, in Lee, where a bloody conflict took
4 *

42 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

place. Fifteen of the English, including Captain Wiswal,
were killed, and several wounded.

The colonies now resolved to naake an expedition against
Canada, which was regarded as the source of their troubles.
In 1690 an army of two thousand men was raised, and the
command given to Sir William Phipps ; but they did not
reach the vicinity of Quebec until October. The troops be-
came sickly and dispirited ; and this, in connection with the
lateness of the season, compelled them to return without
having accomplished any thing. But fortunately the In-
dians desired a cessation of hostilities ; and peace continued
until the next summer, when they attacked "Wells, in
Maine, but were repulsed. Soon after several persons
were killed at Rye. But the colonists had become accus-
tomed to Indian warfare, and were well prepared for de-
fence. They kept out ranging parties to guard their fron-
tiers and save them from surprisal. This kept the enemy
so much in subjection that but little mischief was done ;
and in 1693 they sued for peace. They agreed to deliver
up all their captives, to become subjects of the English
government, and to observe perpetual peace. They might,
perhaps, have kept their promises ; but the French urged
them to renew the war. The very next year, Villieu, who
was the commander at Penobscot, accompanied by a French
priest, led a force of two hundred men against Oyster Riv-
er, then a part of Dover, but now Durham. There were
twelve garrisoned houses, of which five were destroyed ;
the rest were successfully defended. Between ninety and
one hundred persons were killed or taken prisoners. From
this time until 1697 the inhabitants of New Hampshire
continued to suffer from the incursions of their savage foe,
though but few events occurred worthy of note. Among
the victims was the widow of President Cutts. In 1696

HISTOKICAL SKETCH. 43

they made an attack at Portsmouth plain and killed four-
teen.

After peace was concluded between the English and
French governments, Count Frontenac told the Indians
that he could no longer assist them, and advised them to
, bury the hatchet and restore the captives. They hesitated
for a time, but finally made a treaty of peace. Most of the
captives were restored. Thus terminated this distressing
war with a cruel and treacherous foe.

Meanwhile Usher was managing the civil affairs of the
colony. Somewhat imperious and overbearing in his man-
ners, his conduct by no means pleased the liberty-loving
sons of New Hampshire ; and the fact that he was in the
interest of one who laid claim to their lands was enough
to excite a prejudice against him, and to render his admin-
istration, though devoid of any remarkable occurrences, a
scene of petty strife.

In 1697 William Partridge, of Portsmouth, received a
commission appointing him lieutenant governor in place of
Usher. One of his first acts was to restore several mem-
bers of the council who had been suspended by his prede-
cessor. But the next year, the Earl of Bellamont, having
been appointed governor of New York, Massachusetts Bay,
and New Hampshire, came to NeAv York, where he re-
mained the first year after his arrival. During that time
Allen came over and assumed the command. His short
administration was marked by continual altercations be-
tween himself and the people. But in the spring of 1699
the Earl of Bellamont set out to visit his eastern colonies,
and assumed the government of New Hampshire, to the
great joy of the people. Partridge, who had withdrawn
ou the arrival of Allen, now returned and resumed his

44 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

office. The earl departed in about eighteen days, leaving
Partridge in command.

Allen now attempted to obtain possession of the territo-
ry which he had purchased of the Masons. But the judg-
ments of the courts previously rendered in favor of the
claimants could not now be found, and he was compelled
to commence anew. The courts of the colony having de-
cided against him, he appealed to the king. Failing in the
proof of some important points, he lost his case, though the
royal council gave him permission to begin new suits in the
New Hampshire courts. But at length, wearied out with
continued disappointment and delay, he proposed to make a
compromise with the people ; but his sudden death pre-
vented its consummation.

In the mean time the Earl of Bellamont died ; and Queen
Anne appointed Joseph Dudley governor of Massachusetts
and New Hampshire. This was in 1702. The next year
Usher was again appointed lieutenant governor.

After the death of Allen his son and heir renewed the
suit ; but the jury rendered a verdict against him. He ap-
pealed to the queen ; but the ministry suspended the final
decision ; and at length his death ended the contest.

CHAPTER VI.

Dudley holds a Conference with the Indians. — They commence Hostilities. —
Various Attacks. — Defence of Durham. — Expeditions against Port Royal.
— Death of Colonel Hilton. — Attempted Reduction of Canada. — Appoint-
ment of Shute and Vaughan as Governor and Lieutenant Governor. — The
latter is superseded by John Wentworth. — Progress in industrial Pur-
suits. — Settlement of Londonderry. — Incorporation of new Towns. —
Governor Shute returns to England. — More Trouble with the Indians. —
Causes of their Hostility to the English. — Attempt to capture Ralle. — At-
tack on Dover and other Places. — Expedition to Norridgewock and Death
of Ralle. — Adventures of Captain Lovewell. — Ratification of Peace.

Dudley, on assuming his office, had some fears of an In-
dian outbreak ; and to prevent this, if possible, he called
together the chiefs of several tribes and with them con-
firmed peace, which they made the most solemn promises
to maintain inviolate. But, notwithstanding their f;iir pro-
fessions, urged on by the French, they soon renewed hos-
tilities. The first attack was made in August, 1703, — only
a few months after the conference, — upon the eastern set-
tlements of Maine. From this time until peace was de-
clared, in 1713, the inhabitants of the frontiers were kept
in constant fear. Yet no very memorable actions were per-
formed ; and the history of this war, commonly called
Queen Anne's war, so far as it relates to New England,
presents little else than individual instances of suffering
and cruelty.

At Hampton village the savages killed five persons ;

(45)

46 NEW IIAMrSIIIKE AS IT IS.

among whom was the widow Mussey, a speaker among the
Friends. A Avinter expedition Avas nndertaken against
them, but resuUed in nothing, lu the spring of 1704 they
renewed hostihties and attacked the settlements on Oyster
and Lamprey Rivers. (>olonol Church soon after sailed
along the eastern shore and did the enemy considerable
damage. In 170G they attacked the garrison at Durham.
The men Averc all absent ; but the Avomen, putting on hats
and disguising themselves as much as possible, defended
the place so valiantly that the enemy fled. The next win-
ter Colonel Hilton succeeded in surprising eighteen of the
savages ; which, on account of the difficulty of finding the
enemy, Avas regarded as a great victory. The same year
an expedition Avas fitted out against I'ort lloyal,* in Nova
Scotia, the ca})ital of the French settlements. On landing,
they fell into an ambuscade of the Indians ; but Walton
and Chesley, at the head of the NeAV Hampshire troops,
pushed on and put the enemy to flight. But disagreements
arose among the officers ; and finally the army returned
sickly and dispirited, but without having suffered any great
loss.

For a considerable time but little Avas done on either side.
The Indians Avere still prowling about, ready to fall upon
any Avhom they might find off their guard. In 1710 a
ncAV effort Avas made to reduce Fort ivoyal, which proved
successful. While preparations Avere being made for this,
and before the officers were appointed, Noav Hampshire
was called to mourn the loss of the brave Colonel Winthrop
Hilton. He had gone out Avith several others to a consid-
erable distance from home to peel the bark from some trees
which had been felled. While engaged in this the Indians

* Now called Annapolis.

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 47

rushed suddenly upon them and killed three, one of whom
was Colonel Hilton, and took two prisoners. The rest
fled, unable to make any defence, their guns being wet.
Thus fell this gallant man, to the great grief of the colony.

In 1711 the English government sent over a force to aid
the colonies in attempting the conquest of Canada. To
this New Hampshire contributed one hundred men. The
army consisted of more than six thousand men, well sup-
plied with the munitions of war. They set out with the
fairest prospects of success ; but in one fatal night their
hopes were blasted. A part of the fleet was wrecked in
the St. Lawrence, and a thousand men perished : the rest
returned. This failure emboldened the Indians, who re-
newed their attacks at Exeter, Oyster River, and Dover.
But in 1712 the news of the peace of Utrecht was received,
to the great joy of the people. Hostilities were then sus-
pended ; and not long after a formal peace was ratified with
the Indians. A vessel was then ^ent to Quebec to ex-
change prisoners. By this many were released from what
had seemed a hopeless bondage and restored to their home
and friends. Some, however, had become so attached to
the life of the Indian that they preferred to remain rather
than to return to civilized life.

On the accession of George I. to the throne of England,
in 1715, a change of government was expected; and,
though the assembly petitioned for the continuance of
Dudley, their request Avas not granted. Samuel Shute
was appointed governor of Massachusetts and New Hamp-
shire, and George Vaughan lieutenant governor of the lat-
ter province. As Dudley was in daily expectation of his
successor, though not then actually superseded, he gave up
the command of New Hampshire to the lieutenant ; so that
for a year Vaughan had the sole management of affairs.

48 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

He attempted to establish the land tax of Great Britain in
his province — a procedure which greatly offended the
people.

Governor Shute arrived and published his commission in
1716. On assuming his office he removed several of the
councillors, and appointed citizens of Portsmouth in their
places. This gave offence to the other towns of the colony,
as they feared the preponderance of the trading interest.
In the mean time a controversy arose between the govern-
or and his lieutenant — the latter claiming the right to ex-
ercise the command whenever the former was absent from
the province. As Shute resided most of the time in Bos-
ton, this would have given Vaughan almost the exclusive
administration of business ; but, having disobeyed some of
the instructions of the governor, he was complained of to
the king, who removed him, and appointed John Went-
worth in his place.

During the long and distressing war with the Indians it
required all the energy of the people of New Hampshire to
save themselves from utter destruction. But the glad re-
turn of peace brought with it a desire to develop the re-
sources of the infant state. The noble white pines of the
forest Avere well adapted to the use of the royal navy ; and,
to preserve those suitable for masts, a surveyor was ap-
pointed to mark all such with a broad arrow, and a law
was enacted forbidding any person to cut a tree thus re-
served except at the direction of the surveyor. But the peo-
ple sometimes violated the law, which their acquaintance
with the woods enabled them to do, often with impunity.
They complained, too, that the surveyor neglected to mark
the trees, and then prosecuted those who ventured to use
them.

There were also in some localities many pitch-pine trees

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 49

from which tar and turpeutiue were manufactured. A
company of merchants attempted to monopolize the manu-
facture of these articles ; but, when a large number of trees
were prepared for use, they were destroyed by unknown
hands.

The raising of hemp was commenced, but not prosecuted
to any great extent, as there was no more land under cul-
tivation than was needed for other purposes. Encourage-
ment was given to the manufacture of iron — the ore being
abundant in several localities. For the further encourage-
ment of the colonists, as well as for the benefit of the
mother country, lumber was admitted into England free of
duty.

In the spring of 1719 the province received an accession
of inhabitants from the north of Ireland. They were the
descendants of Scotch Presbyterians who had settled in the
counties of Antrim and Londonderry for the sake of great-
er religious freedom ; but as some penal laws were still in
force, and as they were compelled to pay tithes, they deter-
mined to seek a home in the new world. One hundred
and twenty families embarked for America ; of whom a part
landed at Boston, the rest at Portland. Sixteen families
selected a place then called Nutfield * as their future home.
Soon after their ax-rival at this place a sermon was preached
under a large oak, which was long regarded with peculiar
veneration. As soon as they were settled they called Mc-
Gregore to be their minister, who remained with them un-
til his death. He is said to have been " a wise, affection-
ate, and faithful guide to them both in civil and religious
concerns." In the mean time they received additions to
their number; and in 1722 their town was incorporated

♦■ On account of the large number of \valuut and chestnut trees growing there.

50 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

under the name of Londonderry — from a city in Ireland
memorable for its defence when besieged by the army of
King James. Some of their number had suffered the hard-
ships of this siege.

These settlers were conscientious, frugal, and industri-
ous, and, as might have been expected, rapidly increased
in wealth and influence. Their descendants emigrated to
various places in New England, and now number many
thousands. Among them are reckoned some of the most
distinguished men of our country.

The way M'as now paved for the settlement of other un-
occupied lands; and in 1722 four townsliips — Chester,
Nottingham, Barrington, and Kochester — were chartered
and incorporated. The signing of these charters was the
last official act of Governor Shute. Though the people of
New Hampshire were well satisfied with his management,
he encountered so much opposition in Massachusetts that
he returned to England. Lieutenant Governor Wentworth
then took the command.

Again was the colony called to endure the 'hardships of
an Indian war. Again the war Avhoop of the savage was
heard, while the smoke of burning dwellings marked his
destructive progress.

There were various causes which operated to bring on
this war. The English had always treated the Indians as
subjects of the royal government, and, as such, endeavored
to control them ; while the French permitted them to re-
tain their savage independence. The royal governors at
the north did not endeavor, like William Penn, to gain
their good will by kind and just treatment. They some-
times purchased land of them, but generally for an incon-
siderable price. Even when a purchase was made, the In-
dians, having no records, soon forgot the transaction, or

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 51

thought that bargains made by their ancestors were not
binding upon themselves. They complained, too, of the
traders, who often took advantage of their ignorance. At
first they were not aware that the building of dams and the
cultivation of the soil would lessen their supplies of fish
and game ; but when they found this to be the case they
determined to check the further progress of the English.

The Jesuits had, at an early period, established mission-
ary stations among the eastern Indians.* One of these
was at Norridgewock, on the Kennebeck, under the care
of Sebastian Kalle. By his gentle, condescending deport-
ment, and by his kind treatment of the natives, he had
gained their confidence and good will to such an extent
that he possessed almost unlimited influence over them;
but the English regarded liim as the chief instigator of
strife, and determined on his capture. For this purpose a
party was despatched under Colonel Westbrook ; but Father
Ealle escaped. This was in the winter of 1722. The In-
dians could not suffer such an attempt against their spirit-
ual father to remain long unrevenged. Before this they
had been troublesome to the settlers in the eastern towns —
burning their hay, killing their cattle, and the like ; but
now they prepared for more desperate measures. The
next summer they took several prisoners at Merry Meeting
Bay, and soon after destroyed Brunswick. The govern-
ment then decided upon hostilities ; and a formal declara-
tion of war was issued at Boston and Portsmouth.

The first appearance of the enemy in New Hampshire
was at Dover ; their next at Lamprey Biver ; and soon after
they attacked the settlements at Oyster Eiver, Kingston,
and Chester. There were several families of Quakers at

* Called by the French the Abenequis.

52 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

Dover, who refused to use any means of defence, believing
tlie use of arms unlawful. The savages marked the house
of John Hanson for their prey. While Hanson, two of his
sons, and his oldest daughter were absent, they entered the
house and took his wife, with four of his children, prison-
ers. Mr. Hanson afterwards went to Canada and redeemed
his wife and three of the children. The other, a daughter,
he could not obtain. He started a second time, hoping to
procure her release, but died at Crown Point while on his
way to Canada.

In 1724 a second expedition was made against Norridge-
wock. Father Ralle and a large number of the Indians
were killed. The victorious party destroyed the chapel,
and brought away the plate and furniture of the altar as
trophies of the battle. Ralle was then sixty-eight years of
age, and had been a missionary among the Indians for thir-
ty-one years.

The colonial government offered a reward of one hun-
di-ed pounds for each Indian scalp. This, together with
their hatred of the enemy, induced many parties to go out
as volunteers. One of these companies, under the com-
mand of Captain John Lovewell, of Dunstable, was much
distinguished, at first by success, and afterwards by misfor-
tune. In the first excursion they killed one and took a
boy alive. Returning to Boston, they received the prom-
ised reward and several presents in addition. This success
increased the number of the company to seventy. They
started on a second expedition ; but their provisions fell
short, and thirty of the number were dismissed. The re-
mainder went on, and in the town of Wakefield surprised
ten Indians asleep, whom they killed. A third time they
set out, intending to attack the villages of the Pequaketts
on the upper branches of the Saco. One of the men falling

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 53

sick, they built a stockade fort on the west side of Great
Ossipee Pond. Here they left the surgeon and several of
the company for a guard. The number was now reduced
to thirty-four. Marching north some twenty-two miles, on
the morning of the 8th of May, 1725, they saw a solitary
Indian standing on a point of land projecting into a pond
near which they had encamped.* Apprehending that he
was placed there as a decoy, they concealed their packs
among the trees and proceeded with great caution. In the
mean time two parties of Indians, under Paugus and Wah-
wa, came upon their track and pursued it until they came
to the place where they had left their packs. Counting
these, and finding the number of the English less than their
own, they placed themselves in ambush near the spot.

Lovewell's company, having met the Indian who was
first seen, killed and scalped him. Seeing no others, they
returned to the place where they had left their packs.
While looking for them, the Indians rose and commenced
firing. Captain Lovewell and eight of his men were killed
on the spot. The rest, under Lieutenant Wyman, reso-
lutely defended themselves ; and towards night the savages
retired. Paugus was slain.

On assembling the remnant of the company, it was found
that nine were unhurt, and eleven wounded, but able to
march. Their chaplain, Jonathan Frye, Ensign Robbins,
and another were mortally wounded. These they were
compelled to leave. They made the best of their way to
the fort where the guard had been left ; but, to their sur-
prise, it was deserted. In the beginning of the action one
man had fled from the field and informed them of the de-
feat of Lovewell. From this place they set out for home.

* This pond is in Fryeburg, Maine. The scene of action is still pointed out.

54 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

One or two perished of their wounds ; the rest returned in
safety.

The colonies now sent commissioners to complain to
Vaudreuil, the governor of Canada, of the aid he had given
the Indians. This produced a favorable effect ; and in the
latter part of 1725 a treaty of peace was made at Boston,
and ratified the next spring at Falmouth.

CHAPTER VII.

Controversy with Massachusetts. — Grants of Townships. — A new Assembly
is chosen. — Burnet's short Administration. — Belcher succeeds him. —
Death of Wentworth and Appointment of Dunbar. — Party Strife. — Set-
tlement of the Boundary. — AVar with France. — Siege and Capture of Lou-
isburgh. — Project to invade Canada. — Approach of a French Fleet. —
Indian Hostilities. — Defence of Charlestown. — The Heir of Mason sells
his Claim. — Controversy between Governor "Wentworth and the Assem-
bly.— Proposal to settle the CoOs. — Jealousy and Resentment of the In-
dians.

A CONTROVERSY now arose with Massachusetts respect-
ing the boundary line between the two provinces. That
colony claimed all the land to a line commencing at a point
three miles north of the mouth of the Merrimack, thence
running west and north parallel with the river to a point
in the present town of Sanbornton, thence due west. To
strengthen this claim by gaining possession of the disputed
territory, several grants were made and new settlements
commenced. The Indians had mostly disappeared from
New Hampshire ; and now the fertile lands on the Merri-
mack, once the dwelling-place of the Pennacooks, were
taken possession of by emigrants from Massachusetts. The
settlement of Concord was commenced in 1727. Town-
ships were also granted to the descendants of soldiers who
had been engaged in the wars of the previous century, and
to the survivors of Lovewell's company. This aroused the

(55)

56 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

New Hampshire government, which the same year granted
several townships.

On the death of George I. the assembly, which had sub-
sisted five years, was dissolved, and a new one called in
the name of George II. On meeting, an act was passed
limiting the duration of the assembly to three years. The
house then attempted to remodel the courts ; but the coun-
cil resisted. A contest sprang up between them, which the
lieutenant governor terminated by dissolving the assembly.
This gave offence to the people ; but in the mean time
William Burnet arrived and published his commission as
governor of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He died
within a few months after his arrival, and Jonathan Bel-
cher succeeded him. This was in 1730.

Governor Belcher, having taken offence at some of the
proceedings of Wentworth, treated him with great coldness
and deprived him of a large part of his salary. The latter
died soon after ; but his friends resented the affront and
formed a party in opposition to the governor. David Dun-
bar was appointed the successor of Wentworth, and imme-
diately joined the opposition.

Whatever were the alleged grounds of the controversy,
it is evident that Governor Belcher and his fiiends had pro-
jected the union of New Hampshire with Massachusetts;
while the opposing party demanded a distinct governor, who
should reside in their own province. The chief obstacle
in the way of this was the want of adequate means of sup-
porting him ; and to remove this, it became their object to
enlarge their territory and to fix its boundaries. In 173 1
a committee of both provinces met at Newbury, but
through the influence of Massachusetts failed to come to
an agreement. The representatives of New Hampshire

HISTOKICAL SKETCH. 57

then appealed to the king, and appointed John Rindge, of
Portsmouth, to present the petition. The matter was re-
ferred to the Board of Trade, and at length it was ordered
that the settlement of the hne should be made by a board
of commissioners chosen from the councillors of the neigh-
boring provinces. The board met at Hampton in 1737.
The commissioners fixed upon the present eastern bound^i-
ry, but made no positive decision as to the southern line.
Both parties then appealed to the king, who, in 1740, ter-
minated the dispute in favor of New Hampshire, giving
her a tract of land fifty miles in length by fourteen in
breadth more than she had claimed.*

In the mean time the opponents of Governor Belcher
were laboring strenuously to procure his removal, and were
finally successful. He was succeeded in Massachusetts by
"William Shirley, and in New Hampshire by Benning
Wentworth ; thus giving the latter colony what she could
now, with her enlarged territory and increased resources,
more justly claim — a distinct government.

In 1735 New England was visited by a severe epidemic
known as the throat distemper. Its first appearance was at
Elingston, New Hampshire, whence it spread in every di-
rection. The number of victims in this province alone ex-
ceeded one thousand, most of them children. This fatal
scourge proved a great check to the progress of the colonv.

In 1744 England declared war against France. As was
expected, the colonies were soon involved in the conflict.
The French governor of Louisburgh, on Cape Breton Isl-
and, surprised the garrison of Canseau, an island north-east
of Nova Scotia, which was a place of resort for the English

* New Hampshire claimed that her southern boundary should be a line com-
mencing throe miles north of the mouth of the Merrimack and running due
west.

58 NEW HAMPSHIEE AS IT IS.

fishermen. The prisoners were detained for some time and
them dismissed on parole. The account which they gave
of Louisburgh turned the attention of the English to that
stronghold, and at length the bold project of attempting
its reduction was formed. According to some accounts, the
plan was originated by William Vaughan, of Portsmouth.
Certain it is that he was one of the leading spirits in the
enterprise.

Governor Shirley laid the matter before the General
Court of Massachusetts ; and early in 1745, though reject-
ed at first, it was finally carried by a majority of one vote.
Vaughan immediately hastened to Portsmouth with a copy
of a circular which had been prepared, asking for assist-
ance. The assembly caught his enthusiasm, and without
delay voted to raise men and money. Some of the other
colonies also rendered assistance. William Pepperell was
appointed commander-in-chief.

All things being prepared, the forces, to which New
Hampshire contributed about five hundred men, sailed for
Canseau, which had been appointed as a place of rendez-
vous. Here they remained three weeks, waiting for the
ice around Cape Breton to dissolve. On the last of April
they came in sight of Louisburgh. Vaughan, who held
the rank of a lieutenant colonel, but without a regular com-
mand, volunteered to lead the first column to invest the
city. During the whole siege the New Hampshire troops
were brave, active, and laborious. For fourteen successive
nights they were engaged in dragging the cannon over a
morass ; and as the wheels sank in the mire. Colonel
Meserve constructed sledges on which to draw them.

The governor of the city, finding his supplies cut off and
preparations making for a general assault, his troops being
at the same time sickly and dispirited, resolved to surrender.

HISTOEICAL SKETCH. 59

whicli he accordingly did on the 17th of June. Thus this
fortress, with the exception of Quebec the strongest in
America, fell into the hands of the English.

Shirley now projected the conquest of Canada, which the
British ministry encouraged. In the summer of 1746 New
Hampshire raised eight hundred men as her quota. But
no orders came from England, and consequently the troops
were kept in a state of suspense and inaction. Towards au-
tumn the country was alarmed by the approach of a fleet
from France. Preparations were immediately made for de-
fence. A new battery was placed at the entrance of Piscat-
aqua Harbor, and another at the point of Little Harbor.
But in a few weeks the French, weakened and dispirited
by shipwreck and sickness, departed without having accom-
plished their designs. After this the New Hampshire re-
giment took up their quarters near Winnipiseogee Lake,
where they spent the winter.

While the expedition against Cape Breton was in prog-
ress, the frontiers suffered much from the Lidiaus. They
first appeared at Great Meadow,* and then at Upper Ash-
uelotjf killing one man at each place. In the spring of
1746 they took three prisoners at Number Four, J and
soon after laid a plan to surprise the fort at Upper Ashue-
lot. A large party concealed themselves in a swamp at
night, intending to rush in the next morning ; but a man
who chanced to go out very early discovered them and
gave the alarm. He defended himself against two Indians
and escaped to the fort ; but two other persons were slain,
and one was taken prisoner. At New Hopkinton§ eight
were carried away captive. Other places suffered from the
ravages of the enemy ; and at length the Massachusetts gov-

* Now "Westmoreland. t Now Keene.

X Now Charlcstown. § Now Hopkinton.

60 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

ernment sent troops to aid these exposed towns. Captain
Paine came to Number Four, where a part of his men fell
into an ambush. A skirmish ensued, in which five men
were killed on each side, and one of the English was taken
prisoner. Not long after this there was another engagement
at the same place, in which the enemy were repulsed with
considerable loss. Every spot was full of danger. Busi-
ness was, to a great extent, suspended. If the people
wanted bread, they were obliged to go to the mills with an
armed guard. Even the lower towns did not escape.
Several were killed at Rochester. The enemy appeared
both at Pennacook* and Contocook,t kilHng some and
taking others prisoners.

Some of the people of Massachusetts thought it inexpe-
dient to defend a territory which was out of their jurisdic-
tion, and at length prevailed on the assembly to withdraw
their forces from the western frontier of New Hampshire.
The inhabitants were then compelled to leave their homes.
But the assembly of Massachusetts soon decided to resume
the protection of these places. In the spring of 1747 Cap-
tain Phineas Stevens, with a company of thirty rangers,
came and took possession of the fort at Number Four. On
the 4th of April he was attacked by a large body of French
and Indians, but defended himself so resolutely that the
enemy retired. J

During the next two years the same scenes were enacted
in various quarters. The Indians hovered about in small
parties, ready to fall upon the unwary. Yet it is worthy
of remark that they treated their captives with far more
kindness than in previous wars. This was doubtless owing

* Now Concord. t Now Boscawen.

J See gazetteer, under " Charlestown."

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 61

to the high price that was paid for the ransom of prisoners.
In 1749 peace was estabhshed.

In 1746 the heir of Mason, availing himself of some le-
gal defect in the sale to Allen, sold his interest in the soil
of New Hampshire to a company of twelve gentlemen in
Portsmouth. They quitclaimed all the towns which had
been previously granted and settled within the limits of
their purchase, and also made new grants on fair and equi-
table terms, so that the prejudice which was at first excited
against them gradually died out.

When the extension of the boundary lines brought Fort
Dummer* within the limits of New Hampshire, the gov-
ernor, wishing to maintain it, caused six new members to
be elected to the assembly from towns which were supposed
to favor that project ; but the house excluded them, and
the governor, being engrossed with the expedition against
Louisburgh, yielded the point. On the return of peace,
having received fresh instructions from the royal govern-
ment, he called a new assembly, with members from those
towns whose representatives had before been rejected. The
assembly again resisted, and for tln-ee years no public busi-
ness was transacted. The recorder's office was closed, the
soldiers were unpaid. But in 1752 a new assembly was
called, which came together with a spirit of moderation,
and proceeded to the transaction of business.

During the same year it was proposed to plant settle-
ments on the rich meadows of Coos — at Haverhill and
Newbury. But a deputation of the St. Francis Indians

* In Hinsdale. The town was originally called by the same name. The
New Hampshire assembly refused to assume the expense of supporting this
fort, for the reason that it was fifty miles distant from any settlement made by
the people of their own state. The Massachusetts government continued its
support of this place, as well as of Number Four, until 1757.

62 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

came to Number Four and remonstrated against it, threat-
ening hostilities in case it shouhl be pursued, so that the
plan was abandoned. A party of the same tribe surprised
four young men who were hunting on Baker's Eiver. Two
were taken prisoners, one escaped, and one was killed.
One of the prisoners was John Stark, then sixteen years of
age. The Indians, admiring his bold bearing, adopted him
into their tribe ; but he was soon ransomed. This early
captivity fitted him to be an expert partisan in the succeed-
ing war.

Two warriors also of the same tribe, named Sabatis and
Plausawa, came to Canterbury, where they were cruelly
murdered. A present was made to the tribe, intended " to
wipe away the blood." The murderers were apprehended
and brought to Portsmouth, but an armed mob released
them before the day of trial. Eewards were offered for the
apprehension of the rioters ; but no discoveries were made,
as the people regarded the action meritorious. Afterwards,
when a conference with the Indians was held at Portland,
the St. Francis tribe refused to attend, but sent a message
to the effect that the blood was not wiped away. They stiU
remembered the injury, and were ready to avenge it. And
it was not long before they had an opportunity.

CHAPTER VIII.

The "Old French War." — Indian Hostilities. — Expeditions against Crown
Point. — Massacre at Fort Edward. — Rogers's Expedition against the St.
Francis Indians. — Conquest of Canada. — Grants. — Settlement of the
western Boundary. — The Stamp Act. — Meserve is appointed Distribu-
tor. — His Resignation. — Demonstrations of the People. — Benning Went-
worth is superseded by John Wentworth. — Taxes. — Dartmouth College.
— Division of the Pro^ance into Counties. — The Tea sent to Portsmouth is
reshipped. — Convention at Exeter. — Seizure of Gunpowder and Arms at
Fort William Henry. — Attempts of Wentworth to maintain Peace. —
Close of his Administration.

France now resolved to connect her distant settlements
in Canada and Louisiana by extending a line of forts from
the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi. She also wished to
extend her Hmits to the east, in order to command naviga-
tion in the winter. This encroachment upon territory
claimed by the English led to war. At the first report of
hostilities the Indians renewed their attacks upon the fron-
tiers of New Hampshire. Li August, 1754, they surprised
the family of James Johnson, at Number Four, and carried
away eight prisoners.

In the spring of 1755 an expedition was undertaken
against Crown Point. For this New Hampshire raised five
hundred men. General Johnson, the commander of the
forces, posted this regiment at Fort Edward, while he was
encamped near Lake George. On the 8th of September
he was attacked by a body of French and Indians. A

(G3)

64 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

detachment, sent out from Fort Edward on the same day,
took the baggage and ammunition of the enemy, and seri-
ously annoyed them in their retreat. After this the New
Hampshire forces were employed as scouts. Another regi-
ment of three hundred men was raised and employed for
the same purpose.

The next year Governor Shirley planned another expe-
dition against Crown Point, but he was superseded by the
Earl of Loudon. At the request of the latter, three com-
panies of rangers were formed from the New Hampshire
regiment, and the command given to John and William
Stark and Robert Rogers. But the season passed away,
and but little was accomplished. The campaign of 1757
opened with a new expedition against Crown Point. New
Hampshire, as usual, contributed her share of men. A part
of the regiment was posted at Fort William Henry Avith
other forces. General Montcalm invested this fort "with a
large body of French and Indians ; and on the sixth day
the garrison, having expended their ammunition, capitulat-
ed. They were allowed the honors of war, and were to be
escorted to Fort Edward. But the Indians, enraged at the
terms of surrender, fell upon them as they were marching
out unarmed, plundered them without restraint, and mur-
dered all who made any resistance. The New Hampshire
troops happened to be in the rear ; and out of two hundred
men eighty were killed or taken.

When William Pitt was placed at the head of the British
ministry, affairs were prosecuted with new and increased
vigor. The strongholds of the French were taken one
after another. Quebec, the strongest city in America,
yielded to the victorious arms of Wolfe in 1759. The
same year, Rogers, with two hundred rangers, was de-
spatched to destroy the Indian village of St. Francis. He

HISTOKICAL SKETCH. 65

halted at night within three miles of the place, which was
visible from the top of a tree. In the evening he entered
the village in disguise, accompanied by two of his officers.
He found the Indians engaged in a grand dance. Having
posted his men to the best advantage, he made an attack
just before day, when the savages were asleep. But little
resistance could be made. Some were killed in their
houses, others were shot or tomahawked as they fled. The
light of day disclosed the sight of several hundred scalps
of the English elevated on poles. The assailants found the
place enriched with plunder from the frontiers and by the
sale of captives. Having set fire to the village, they com-
menced their retreat, intending to rendezvous at the Upper
Coos. They kept together for about ten days, passing on
the east side of Lake Memphremagog, and then, being short
of provisions, separated into small parties, that they might
gain subsistence by hunting. They were now reduced to
the extreme of suffering. Some perished in the woods,
some were cut off by the Indians, and others at last reached
Number Four.

The conquest of Canada was completed in 1760, which
put an end to the Indian depredations. Many captives re-
turned. From this time forth the people of New Hamp-
shire were freed from the attacks of their savage and relent-
less foe.

During the war, troops were continually passing through
the territory now known as the State of Vermont, and had
observed its fertility. Governor Wentworth claimed this
as belonging to New Hampshire, and at once proceeded to
make grants, and with such rapidity that in 1761 no less
than sixty townships were granted on the west and eigh-
teen on the east side of the Connecticut. This was a great
6*

66 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

source of emolument to the governor, as, in addition to his
fees, a reservation was made for him of five hundred acres
in each township.

But New York claimed as far east as the Connecticut ;
and finally the matter was submitted to the royal decision.
An order was passed by the king in council, declaring the
river to be the boundary line between the two provinces.

Great Britain, bui"dened with an immense national debt,
now entered upon a course of oppressive measures, designed
to increase her revenue, by taxing the American colonies.
The first enactment that produced decided and active op-
position was the celebrated stamp act, which was passed in
1765. The effect of this act was to require all notes,
bonds, and other legal instruments in the colonies to be
executed, upon stamped paper, on which a duty was to be
paid. This produced great excitement throughout the col-
onies ; and the stamp officers were generally compelled to
resign, to save themselves from the violence of the popu-
lace.

George Meserve was appointed distributor of stamps for
New Hampshire. He was in England at the time of his
appointment, but soon after came to Boston. Before he
landed he was informed of the opposition of the people to
the act, and was requested to resign, which he readily did.
He was then welcomed on shore. On his arrival at Ports-
mouth, he was compelled to make a second and more formal
resignation before going to his house. Soon after the
stamped paper designed for this colony Avas brought to Bos-
ton and lodged in the Castle, there being no person author-
ized to receive it.

The stamp act was to take effect on the 1st day of No-
vember. On the last day of October the New Hampshire

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 67

Gazette * appeared with a mourning border. The next day
a funeral ceremony was held over the Goddess of Liberty.
On depositing her in the grave some signs of life were dis-
covered, and she was borne off by the rejoicing multitude.
By such exhibitions the spirit of the people was kept up,
and the opposition to arbitrary enactments strengthened.

It was rumored that Meserve intended to distribute
stamped paper, notwithstanding his resignation. The Sons
of Liberty took the alarm, and, having assembled in force,
compelled him to give up his commission and instructions,
which they carried off in triumph. Meserve took an oath
before a justice that he would neither directly nor indirect-
ly attempt to execute his office. His commission was sent
to the agents of the province in London.

During these proceedings Governor Wentworth remained
silent. His failing health, his advanced age, and his ample
fortune were all averse to his taking an active part in the
contest, or using his authority, as the royal governor, to
crush the spirit of the people. For a time it was doubted
whether the courts could go on with their usual business
without the stamped paper, and some hoped to be freed
from the payment of their debts. But voluntary associa-
tions were formed at Portsmouth, Exeter, and other places,
to aid in enforcing the laws and to support the magistrates.
The stamp act itself proved a dead letter, and in 1766 was
repealed, to the great joy of the people.

In 1767 Governor Wentworth was superseded by his
nephew, John Wentworth. This appointment was very
acceptable to the people, by whom Wentworth was held in
great esteem. He had used his influence to procure the
repeal of the stamp act, which rendered him still more dear

* Established at Portsmouth in 1756.

68 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

to them. He had a taste for agriculture, and encouraged
the cultivation of the soil both by precept and example.

An act of Parliament, passed in 1767, laying a tax on
glass, paper, painters' colors, and tea, revived the bitter
feelings which had been allayed by the repeal of the stamp
act. But the personal popularity of Governor Wentworth,
together with the influence of his friends, prevented the
adoption of a non-importation agreement in Portsmouth.
" We cannot depend on the countenance of many persons
of the first rank here," wrote the Sons of Liberty to their
brethren in Boston, "for royal commissions and family
connections influence the principal gentlemen among us at
least to keep silence in these evil times."

The establishment of Dartmouth College was among the
events of this administration. It was founded by Eleazar
Wheelock, in 1769. About the same time the province
was divided into five counties, named by the governor after
some of his friends in England — Eockingham, Strafford,
Hillsborough, Cheshire, and Grafton.

The duties were soon repealed on all articles excepting
tea. The trading towns passed resolutions not to allow this
article to be landed or sold. This proved eflTectual. In
some instances it was sent back in the same vessels which
brought it. At Boston it was destroyed.

The first cargo brought to Portsmouth was landed and
stored in the custom house. A town meeting was cgjled,
and a proposition made to the consignee, Mr. Parry, to re-
ship it, to which he assented. It was then peaceably sent
to Halifax. A second cargo sent soon after to the same
person caused some disturbance. Mr. Parry's house was
attacked and his windows broken. He applied to the gov-
ernor for protection, who summoned the council. But in
the mean time the committee of the town prevailed on the

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 69

consignee to send this cargo also to Halifax, which ended
the difficulty. This was in 1774.

The assembly which met in the spring of the same year
appointed a committee of correspondence. The governor,
who had labored in vain to prevent this, now dissolved the
assembly ; but on a summons from the committee the mem-
bers came together again. The governor entered their
meeting, declared it illegal, and ordered them to disperse.
After he retired they adjourned to another place, and wrote
letters to all the towns in the state, requesting them to send
deputies to hold a convention at Exeter. They also ap-
pointed a day of fasting and prayer, which was observed
with due solemnity. The convention met in due time, and
chose Nathaniel Folsom and John Sullivan delegates to the
Provincial Congress at Philadelphia.

An order was passed by the king in council forbidding
the exportation of gunpowder to America. The news of
this reached Portsmouth at a time when a ship of war was
expected from Boston to take possession of Fort William
and Mary, at the entrance of the harbor. The committee
of the town, with all possible despatch and secrecy, raised
a party, which assaulted the fort, and, having confined the
captain and five men, who were the entire garrison, carried
ofi" one hundred barrels of powder. The next day another
company removed fifteen of the lighter cannon and all the
small arms. These articles were secreted in the different
towns. Major John Sullivan and John Langdon were lead-
ers in the enterprise. Immediately after its accomplish-
ment the Scarborbugh frigate and the sloop-of-war Canseau
arrived with several companies of soldiers, who took pos-
session of the fort.

Early in 1775 a second convention met at Exeter to con-
sult on the state of affi\irs and to choose delegates to the

70 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

next General Congress, to be holclen on the 10th of May.
Sullivan and Langdon were appointed.

On the 19th of April the first blood of the revolution
■was shed at Lexington. The people of New Hampshire,
as well as of the other colonies, then flew to arms. Yet
the governor still hoped "to plant the root of peace in
New Hampshire." The assembly met in May, and he
urged conciliatory measures. The house desired a recess,
to consult with their constituents, which he reluctantly
granted. In the mean time a convention met at Exeter, in
which the province was fully represented. They passed a
vote of thanks to those who had taken the powder and arms
from the fort the preceding winter. They also instructed
the assembly how to proceed at their next meeting. The
house met, pursuant to adjournment, on the 12th of June.
Their first act was, in obedience to the instructions of the
convention, to expel three members whom the governor
had called from new towns on account of their devotion to
the royal cause, while older and more populous towns were
unrepresented. The governor then adjourned the assem-
bly. One of the expelled members, having censured the
proceeding, was assaulted by the populace, and fled to the
governor for protection. The people demanded him, and,
to enforce it, pointed a gun at the governor's door, upon
which the offender was given up and carried to Exeter.
Wentworth retired to the fort, and his house was pillaged.
When the assembly met again he sent a message, adjourn-
ing them to the 28th of September ; but they met no more.
In September he came to the Isles of Shoals, and issued a
proclamation adjourning the assembly to the next April.
This was the closing act of his administration. The British
government, which had subsisted ninety-five years in New
Hampshire, was now at an end.

CHAPTER IX.

It is not our purpose to give a detailed account of the
revolutionary war, but only to relate the part performed by
our own state in that momentous struggle. On receiving
the news of the battle of Lexington, twelve hundred men
went from New Hampshire to join their brethren who were
encamped in the vicinity of Boston. From these, two regi-
ments were formed, and the command given to Colonels
James Keid and John Stark. The latter was working in
his sawmill when he heard of the commencement of hos-
tilities. He at once dropped the implements of his labor
and proceeded to the scene of action. These regiments
were present at the battle of Bunker Hill, where they be-
haved with great bravery. Soon after this battle a third
New Hampshire regiment, under Colonel Poor, joined them.
The whole were posted on Winter Hill, under the immedi-
ate command of General Sullivan.

In the autumn it was suspected that the British intended
to attack Portsmouth. General Washington thereupon sent
General Sullivan to take command of the militia and defend

(71)

72 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

the Harbor of Piscataqua. Some fortifications had already
been erected. These were strengthened, and other prepara-
tions were made for defence. A company of artillery was
stationed at the forts, and a company of rangers on the
Connecticut River. The militia was divided into twelve
regiments, out of which four regiments of minute men were
enlisted — so called because they were to be ready to march
at a minute's warning. When called into service, they
were allowed the same pay as soldiers of the continental
army.

While most of the people of New Hampshire espoused
the cause of liberty, there were some who still clung to the
royal government. Against these — who were called tories
— a most violent resentment was excited. Some were im-
prisoned; others fled to Nova Scotia or to England, or
joined the British army at Boston. Others who remained
were restricted to certain limits and their motions watched.
Jealousy, hatred, and revenge were um-estrained. Al-
though many lamented these excesses, there was no effect-
ual remedy. The courts of justice were closed, and all the
restraints of former authority were broken. Yet much
was accomplished in the maintenance of order by the ex-
ample of the leading men and by the moral sense of the
people.

The convention which assembled at Exeter in May, 1775,
was chosen for a period of six months. During this time
they established post offices, and appointed a committee of
safety, which was considered as the chief executive. Be-
fore their adjournment they called a new convention, agree-
ably to the recommendation of Congress, designed to secure
a more general representation of the people. This conven-
tion met on the 21st of December, and proceeded to form
a temporary government. Having assumed the name of

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 7S

House of Representatives, they chose twelve persons to be
a distinct branch, called the Council, with power to elect
their own president. It was ordained that no act should
be valid unless passed by both branches ; that all money
bills should originate with the House of Representatives ;
that the secretary and other public officers should be chosen
by the two houses ; and that the present assembly should
continue one year ; and if the dispute with Great Britain
shoidd continue, precepts should be issued annually to the
several towns, on or before the 1st day of November, for
the choice of councillors and representatives, unless Con-
gress should direct otherwise. No provision was made for
an executive branch ; but during their session the two
houses performed the duty of this department of govern-
ment. At their adjournment a committee of safety was ap-
pointed to sit in the recess. The president of the council
was president of this committee. To this responsible office
Meshech Weare was annually elected during the war, and
was also appointed judge of the Superior Court. Such was
the confidence of the people in him that they did not hesi-
tate to invest him with the highest legislative, executive,
and judicial authority at the same time.

Congress having ordered several vessels of war to be
built, the Ealeigh, a frigate of thirty-two guns, was launched
at Portsmouth, and, after some delay, was completed, and
joined the fleet vmder Commodore Hopkins.

Two thousand men were raised for the services of 1776,
and formed into three regiments, under the same officers as
in the preceding year. A regiment, under Colonel Bedell,
was also raised in the western part of the state, to be ready
to march into Canada. The three regiments under Gen-
eral Sullivan were sent into Canada to meet and succor the
^my which had been despatched against Quebec the pre-
7

74 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

vious year, and was now retreating before a superior force
of the enemy. Sullivan met them at the mouth of the So-
rel, and took the command — General Thomas, the com-
mander-in-chief, having fallen a victim to the small pox,
which had broken out among them. Sullivan conducted
the retreat with great prudence. It was computed that
nearly one third of the New Hampshire soldiers perished by
sickness. The remainder joined the army under Washing-
ton, and took part in the battles of Trenton and Princeton.

The declaration of independence* was hailed with joy
by the people. Within fourteen days it was published by
beat of drum in all the shire towns of the colony, which
now took the name of the State of New Hampshire.

For the campaign of 1777 three regiments were raised
in this state, and put under the command of Colonels Jo-
seph Cilley, Nathan Hale, and Alexander Scammell. The
officers were appointed by Congress for the war, and the
men were enlisted either for that time or for three years.
They rendezvoused at Ticonderoga, under the immediate
command of Brigadier General Poor. They remained at
this place until the approach of the British under Burgoyne
rendered it advisable for them to retreat. Hale's battalion
was ordered to cover the rear of the invalids, which brought
him seven miles behind the main body. On the second
morning he was attacked by a party of the enemy at Hub-
bardtown. A skirmish ensued, in which Major Titcomb was
wounded; and Colonel Hale, Captains Robertson, Carr,
Norris, and three other officers, with about one hundred
men, were taken prisoners. The main body of the army
retreated to Saratoga. During their progress a skirmish

♦ This was signed, in behalf of New Hampshire, by Josiah Bartlett, Wil«
liam Whipple, and Matthew Thornton.

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 75

took place at Fort Anne, in which Captain Weare, son of
the president, was mortally wounded, and died soon after
at Albany.

The approach of Bui-goyne compelled the people of Ver-
mont to ask for assistance. The committee of safety at
Exeter, to whom they had applied, called together the as-
sembly, and in three days decisive measures were taken for
the defence of the country. The militia of the state was
formed into two brigades — one commanded by William
Whipple, the other by John Stark. A portion of each was
ordered to proceed at once to the western frontier. Stark
joined the Vermont forces under Colonel Warner, then as-
sembled twenty miles north of Bennington. Burgoyne,
learning that the prorincials had a large quantity of pro-
visions at Bennington, despatched Colonel Baum, with
about fifteen hundred men, to seize them. Some of the In-
dians Avho preceded the main body being discovered about
twelve miles from Bennington, Stark sent Colonel Gregg,
with two hundred men, to oppose them. Hearing that a
body of regular troops was advancing, he marched with his
whole brigade to support Gregg, whom he met on the re-
treat. When he came in sight of the enemy he drew up
his men in full view, but they declined an engagement.
He then withdrew about a mile and encamped. The next
day being rainy he kept his position, but sent out detach-
ments to skirmish with the enemy. On the morning of the
16th of August his force was increased by a company of
militia from Berkshire county, Massachusetts. He had now
about sixteen hundred men. In the afternoon he moved
to the attack. After two hours' hard fighting, the enemy
were completely routed. While the militia were dispersed
in search of plunder, the re enforcements sent to the aid of
Baum arrived and attacked them. Fortunately Colonel

76 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Warner, witli his regiment of Green Mountain Boys, met
the enemy. Stark rallied his forces, and the victory was
complete.

In the arrangement of general officers for the preceding
year, a junior officer had been promoted over Stark, who
thereupon retired from the army, and was now acting un-
der the direction of the New Hampshire assembly. When
the news of the victory reached Congress, although they
had previously censured liis movements as destructive of
mihtary subordination, they passed a vote of thanks to him,
and promoted him to the rank of a brigadier general.

The army under General Gates was increased by the
mihtia of the neighboring states. Colonel Whipple, with
a large part of his brigade, joined him ; while volunteers
from every part of the state flocked to his standard. In the
battles of Stillwater and Saratoga the New Hampshire
forces took a conspicuous part. The surrender of Bur-
goyne with all his army soon followed.*

The scene of war was then transferred to the south. In
the battle of Monmouth a part of the New Hampshire brig-
ade, under Colonel Cilley and Lieutenant Colonel Dear-
bom, were closely engaged, and behaved with such bravery
as to receive the particular approbation of Washington.
The following winter they were encamped at Eeading.

In 1779 General Sullivan was appointed to the command
of an army of four thousand men designed to go up the
Susquehannah Eiver and attack the Seneca Indians. The
New Hampshire brigade formed a part of the forces. The
expedition was carried on with great judgment and intre-
pidity. Several engagements took place, in which the In-
dians were worsted. After their return they rejoined the

» October 17, 1777-

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 77

main army, and passed the winter at Newtown, Connecti-
cut.

In the following year the New Hampshire regiments
were stationed at AVest Point, and afterwards marched to
New Jersey, where General Poor died. The winter was
spent in a hutted cantonment near the Hudson Riverj at a
place called Soldier's Fortune. At the close of the year
the three regiments were reduced to two, which were com-
manded by Colonels Scammell and George E.eid. In 1781
a part of them went to Virginia, and were present at the
capture of Cornwallis. Here the brave Colonel Scammell
fell. They were afterwards quartered at Saratoga and on
the Mohawk River, until the return of peace secured the
independence of the United States.

The temporary constitution adopted at the beginning of
the war had so many defects that in 1779 a convention of
delegates, chosen for this purpose, drew up a new system
of government. It was submitted to the people, and reject-
ed. Another convention met in 1781, and continued for
two years. They at length proposed a constitution, which
was adopted June 2, 1784. The essential features of it
are retained in our present constitution.

Sixteen toAvns in the western part of the state refused to
send delegfites to this convention, on the ground that the
war had dissolved all allegiance to a superior jurisdiction,
and that each town had a right to govern itself as an inde-
pendent municipal corporation. They petitioned to the as-
sembly of Vermont to be admitted into their state, which
was granted. This led to a long controversy, which was
finally settled by Congress. Vermont was required to give
up her claim to the revolted towns as a requisite to her ad-
mission into the Union. This was done, and the people
returned to their former allegiance.
7*

78 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

The revolutionary war left the country deeply in debt.
Congress had no power to establish a system of imposts,
and consequently heavy taxes were levied on polls and es-
tates. This, in connection with other circumstances, pro-
duced a season of distress and suffering, from which New
Hampshire did not escape. The assembly did what they
could to relieve the people, and urged them to diligence
and economy as the only effectual remedy. But this seemed
too slow a process to those who were suffering the combined
ills of excessive taxation and poverty. Some imagined that
the establishment of a paper currency would free them from
all their embarrassments, and for tliis they became clamor-
ous. As the numerical strength of the party increased,
they increased their demands. Some went so far as to re-
quire an abolition of debts and an equal distribution of
property. The excitement rose to such a pitch that in
1786, while the assembly vi'as sitting at Exeter, about two
hundred persons assembled at Kingston, and proceeded to
the seat of government, armed with guns, swords, clubs,
and scythes, and demanded an answer to their petitions.
The president, General John Sullivan, stated the reasons
why the assembly could not comply with their wishes.
Meanwhile the members of the assembly were held as pris-
oners, the mob having placed sentries at the ^ doors, and
tlireatened death to any one who should attempt to escape
before their demands were granted. But early in the even-
ing some of the citizens of Exeter beat a drum at a dis-
tance, while others cried, "Huzza for the government!
Bring out the artillery ! " The insurgents then fled in dis-
order. The next morning the militia vv'ere assembled from
the neighboring towns, and took about forty of the rioters
prisoners, of whom all but six were dismissed. These,
with two others who were apprehended afterwards, were

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 79

required to recognize for their appearance at the next su-
perior court, when their bonds were discharged: The firm
and prudent course of the government had its desired effect,
and thenceforth no active opposition was made.

The articles of confederation adopted by Congress in
1778 were found inadequate to meet the wants of the
United States. In 1787 a convention of delegates met at
Philadelphia for the purpose of forming a new constitution,
in which all the states were represented except Rhode Isl-
and. After long and careful deliberation, the results of
their labors were imbodied in the instrument, which, M'ith
some slight amendments, forms the present basis of our
national government.

When the new constitution was presented to this state
for adoption, various objections were raised. A conven-
tion was called at Exeter to consider it, in February, 1788.
After a debate of ten days, they adjourned for four months.
In the mean time the proposed constitution had been freely
discussed among the people, and had continued to gain
their approbation. At the second meeting of the conven-
tion, it was ratified at the close of a session of three days.
New Hampshire was the ninth state which accepted it ;
and thus the number necessary to put it in operation was
completed.

Having brought our " Historical Sketch " down to the
time of the adoption of the federal constitution, we leave
the subject. From that time New Hampshire has steadily
progressed in wealth, population, and all that adds to the
comfort of civilized life. That she may ever prosper, must
be the fervent wish of every true son of the Granite State.

* •

NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS,

PART II.
A GAZETTEER

OF THE

STATE OP NEW HAMPSHIRE;

CONTAINING

A PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS,
CITIES, VILLAGES, MOUNTAINS, RIVERS, LAKES,

REMARKABLE CURIOSITIES, MINERAL LOCALITIESj
TOGETHER WITH SEVERAL

VALUABLE STATISTICAL TABLES.

THE BOUNDARY AND AREA OP THE STATE, AND A GENERAL VIEW
OF THE COUNTIES, BOTH HISTORICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL.

GEORGE TICKNOR.

(81)

PREFACE TO THE GAZETTEER.

The design of this portion of the present work is
to give as minute, accurate, and reliable a descrip-
tion of all the cities and towns in the State of New
Hampshire as the marked and constant changes
incident to rapid increase of population in some
places, and the ever-varying tide of business in its
almost innumerable departments, every v/here,will
admit. The geographical position of each town, its
geological features, as well as whatever is interest-
ing in its mineralogy, have been as carefully and
fully described as the means at our command would
enable us to do. From several towns we have had
no reply to inquiries which we have made at differ-
ent times. It would not be surprising, therefore,
if in such cases we may not have succeeded in giving
as full an account as actual facts might warrant.
To undertake to enumerate every slrore, tavern, grist
mill, saw mill, and shop would be useless and unim-
portant. We have not specified the various officers,
physicians, attorneys, and clergymen in the several
towns, because information of all these facts, annu-
ally corrected, is given in Lyon's very valuable

(83)

84 PREFACE.

Eegister, to which we have frequently resorted for
aid in our labors. For the description of the towns
in Hillsborough county we are greatly indebted to
Mr. J. R. Dodge for the free use of his " Hillsbor-
ough County Records." We have also referred to
Jackson's Geological Report of New Hampshire,
Farmer and Moore's Gazetteer of New Hampshire
for 1822, Historical Collections, and the Reports of
the treasury and other state departments.

A general view of the several counties, including
the history and topography of each, with statistical
tables, containing a variety of important and useful
matter, is also given in a subsequent part of this
work.

We take this opportunity to express our sincere
acknowledgments to our correspondents generally,
many of whom have furnished us with the matter
sought for at no slight sacrifice of time and expense.
In a work of this kind, a claim to the merit of
originality would be simply absurd. Diligence
and care in arranging in proper order what has
already been before the public eye in some form,
together with the material furnished us from va-
rious sources, are perhaps more than should be
awarded to us.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

BOUNDAEY, AREA, POPULATION, AND GENERAL
STATISTICS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

[The population and general statistics of the state are given according to tlie
census of 1850. The population of the several to^vns will be regarded as
given according to the same census unless the particular year is mentioned.
The statistical account of each town is given for the year 1852 — which is
the latest inventory made by state authority — unless a different period is
stated.]

BOUNDARY, AREA, &c.

New Hampshire is bounded north by Canada East, east
by Maine, south-east by the Atlantic Ocean and Massachu-
setts, south by Massachusetts, west and north-west by Ver-
mont. It is situated between 42° 40' and 45° 16' north
latitude, and 70° 35' and 72° 27' longitude west from
Greenwich, or 5° 30' and 6° L5' longitude east from Wash-
ington.

Its extreme length is 168 miles ; greatest width, 90
miles ; which is from the easternmost point in the town of
Rye, due west, to Connecticut River. North of latitude 43°
it gradually decreases in width, and at its northern extrem-
ity is only 19 miles wide. This state includes an area of
9280 square miles, or 5,939,200 acres, about 100,000 acres
of which are covered with water.

The State of New Hampshire is divided into 10 coun-
. 8 (85)

NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

ties and 232 towns, including Hart's and Wentworth's Lo-
cations, besides several grants and the public lands. Of
the towns, 3 were incorporated in the reign of Charles I.,

1 during the reign of Charles II., 2 under William III.,

2 under Queen Anne, 15 under George I., 37 under George
II., 86 under George III., and 86 under the state govern-
ment. The average ratio of increase of population, from
1790 to 1850 inclusive, is about 15 per cent., as will be
seen from the foUowinsr table : —

1730, 10,200

1740 15,000

1755 30,000

1767, 52,000

1775, 82,000

1790 141,855

1800 183,858

1810, 214,460

1820, 244,161

1830, 269,633

1840, 284,574

1850, 317,964

TABULAR VIEW.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS.

Acres of land improved in year 1850, 2,251,388

Value of farming implements and machinery, ,^2,314,125

Value of live stock, g8,871,901

No. bushels wheat raised, 185,658

" " Indian com, 1,573,670

" pounds of wool, 1,108,476

" " butter, 6,977,056

" " cheese, 3,196,563

" " maple sugar, 1,292,429

" tons of hay, 598,854

ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE.

COTTON GOODS.

Capital invested in year 1854, 511,950,500

No. establishments in operation, 56

Bales of cotton used annually, 93,026

No. hands employed — males, 3,511 ; females, 10,711, 14,222

Average wages per month — males, ;^26,00 ; females, gl3,47 g39,47

Value of products, ^9,830,619

Yards sheeting, &c., 115,106,247

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 87

WOOLLEN GOODS.

Capital invested, ^2,437,700

No. establishments in operation, 61

Pounds of wool used, 3,604,103

Value of raw material, ^1,267,329

No. hands employed — males, 926; females, 1,201 ....2,127

Average wages per month — males, ^22,87; females, 14,53, S37,40

Value of products, ,?2,127,745

Yards of cloth manufactured 9,712,840

Pounds yam, 165,200

PIG IRON.

No. establishments in operation, .....I

Capital invested, §2,000

Tons ore used, 500

Value of raw material, fuel, &c., §4,900

No. hands employed, 10

Average wages per month, 518,00

Tons pig iron made, 200

Value of products, §6,000

CASTINGS.

No. establishments in operation, 26

Capital invested §232,700

Tons pig iron, 5,673 ; do. old metal, 500, 6,173

Tons mineral coal, 1,680; do. coke and charcoal, 20,500 22,180

Value of raw material, fuel, &c., §177,060

No. hands employed, 374

Average wages per month §33,05

Tons castings made, 5,764

Value of products, §391,910

BANKS.

No 35

Amount of capital invested §3,416,000

EXTIRE STATE VALUATION, §113,627,285

DESCRIPTION OF TOWNS, CITIES, VILLAGES, &c.

Ac WORTH, Sullivan county, 13 miles south from New-
port, and 44 west from Concord. 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 several good
mill seats, which are used mainly in the manufacture of
such articles as are needed for home consumption. The
soil is strong, and in general well cultivated. This town
is somewhat celebrated on account of the large crystals of
beryl which have been found within its limits. Specimens
of these are to be found in almost every mineral cabinet
throughout the world. Dr. Jackson informs us that one of
these beryls, 8 inches in diameter, was shown him in the
imperial cabinet of Vienna, and was highly valued.

The town was granted, September 19, 1766, to Colonel
Samuel Stoddard and 64 others. In 1768 it was settled
by W^illiam Keyes, Samuel Hooper, and John Rogers, who
removed thither with their families. During the first years
of the settlement its progress was but feeble, and it was not
until 1771 that there were inhabitants enough to fill the
usual offices of a town.

A Congregational chuixh was organized March 12,
1773. First settled minister. Rev. Thomas Archibald,
who was settled November 11, 1789, and dismissed June
14, 1794. Rev. John Kimball succeeded, and was settled
June, 1797; dismissed May, 1813.

(88)

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 89

Population in 1850, 1251. Number of polls in 1852,
278. Amount of inventory, $411,0-41. Number of sheep,
6317. Do. neat stock, 1542. Do. horses and mules, 314.

Albany, Carroll county. Bounded east by Conway,
south by Tamworth, west by Waterville, north by ungrant-
ed lands. Distance from Concord, 75 miles. Its principal
stream is Swift River, which passes through the town in a
westerly direction, and empties into the Saco in Conway.
There are numerous small streams, which evidently were
inhabited in great numbers by otter and beavers. It in-
cludes many lofty hills and mountains, the highest of which
is called Chocurua, from an Indian of that name, who was
killed on its summit by a party of white hunters who had
chased him hither. Before he was killed he pronounced
the curse, well known in song, upon his pursuers, their
posterity, habitations, and possessions.

The prosperity of the town has been considerably retard-
ed by a remarkable disease, which almost entirely prevents
the raising of neat stock. Its peculiarities are a loss of ap-
petite, costiveness, contraction of the abdomen, followed in
a few days by powerful evacuations, by which the animals
are rapidly reduced and soon die. Superstition and tradi-
tion point to the curse of Chocorua as the cause ; but the
better supposition is, doubtless, that it is owing to certain
properties contained in the water, or perhaps the soil.
Science will, we trust, ere long, point out the cause of the
evil which so much injures and afflicts man and beast.

This town was granted in 1766 to Clement March and
others, under the name of Burton. Population, 455. Num-
ber of polls, 95. Amount of inventory, $68,927. Num-
ber of sheep, 178. Do. neat stock, 383. Do. horses and
mules, 42.

90 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Alexandria, Grafton county. Bounded north by He-
bron, east by Bristol, south by Hill, and west by Danbury.
30 miles north from Concord. A small portion of New-
found Lake is within the limits of this to\yn. Smith's and
Fowler's Eivers are the principal streams. This town con-
tains about 2000 acres of valuable interval land, which
bears every appearance of having been once covered by
Newfound Lake. Beneath the soil, which is from 1 to
20 feet in depth, is a layer, or stratum, of white sand
and coarse gravel, embedded in which are found stumps,
and even whole trees, in a state of almost perfect preserva-
tion. Also at this depth are discovered traces of beaver
dams. In the more elevated portions of the town the land
is generally moist, and possesses a strength and fertility of
soil well adapted to the growth of wheat, potatoes, and the
grasses. In the westerly part of the town is Cardigan
Mountain, which forms the boundary between Alexandria
and Orange. Its base and sides are compact, rugged, and
covered with a heavy growth of timber of various kinds.
Its summit is divided into two peaks, consisting of granite,
and destitute of vegetation. Its elevation is 5000 feet
above the level of the sea. Another curious geological fact
is the appearance at the outlet of Newfound Lake. About
20 feet above the present bed of the stream are distinct
marks of the bed of a former stream, which can be traced
to Pemigewassett River. This town was granted, March
13, 1767, to Joseph Butterfield, Jr., and others. It was
incorporated November 23, 1782. It was first settled in
December, 1769, by Jonathan Corliss, John M. Corliss,
and William Corliss. In 1821 its territorial limits were
diminished by the annexation of a large tract to New Ches-
ter, now Hill. A Congregational church was formed in
the year 1788. Rev. Enoch Wliipple was the first settled
minister. He was dismissed in 1794.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 91

Population, 1273. Number of polls, 267. Amount of
inventory, $280,055. Number of sheep, 1691. Do. neat
stock, 1278. Do. horses and mules, 166.

Allenstown, Merrimack county. Bounded north by
Epsom, east by Deering and Candia, south by Hooksett,
west by Pembroke. Distant from Concord 1 1 miles. The
land is generally of an ordinary quality, though there are
some excellent farms. It was formerly well timbered with
oak and pine, considerable quantities of which yet remain.
The town is well watered by numerous small streams.
Great Bear Brook furnishes the principal water power.
From Catamount Hill, the highest land in town, are ob-
tained large quantities of fine granite. At the east end of
the liill is a precipice of 70 feet, nearly perpendicular. At
the foot of the precipice is a cavern of considerable depth.
This town, although granted at an early period in the set-
tlement of New Hampshire, was not incorporated until
1831. The first settlers were John Wolcott, Andrew
Smith, Daniel Evans, Pobert Buntin, and others. In 1748
Mr. Buntin and son, in company with James Carr, while
at work on the west bank of the Merrimack Kiver, nearly
opposite the mouth of the Suncook, were surprised by a
party of Indians.

Carr, attempting to escape, was immediately shot down.
Buntin and his son made no resistance. They were taken
through the wilderness to Canada, and sold to a French
merchant at Montreal. Here they remained about eleven
months, when, a favorable opportunity presenting itself,
they made their escape, and reached home in safety. The
son, when the revolutionary war broke out, enlisted in the
army, and died in defence of his country at White Plains,
in October, 1776.

92 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Population, 526. Number of polls, 114. Amount of
inventory, $146,531. Number of sheep, 226. Do. neat
stock, 325. Do. horses and mules, 63.

Alstead, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Acworth,
east by INIarlow, south by Gilsum, and west by Walpole.
It is 12 miles south-east from Charlestown, and 56 west
from Concord. It is well watered by several small streams.
Cold River passes through the north-west part, and some
of the branches of the Ashuelot take their rise here. War-
ren's Pond, a beautiful sheet of water, abounds with pick-
erel, perch, and several other kinds of fish. The soil is
strong and fertile. There are 5 meeting houses and 1
academy in this town. A paper-mill establishment, with a
capital of $7000, does a flourishing business.

There are several small manufacturing establishments of
various kinds ; all of which are in prosperous operation, and
give an air of business and enterprise to this pleasant vil-
lage. Alstead was formerly called Newton, and was grant-
ed, August 6, 1763, to Samuel Chase and others. In 1771
there were 25 families, besides 10 bachelors who cultivated
their lands and prepared their own meals. The first Con-
gregational church was organized in 1777, Pev. Jacob
Mann, the first pastor, was settled in February, 1782 ; dis-
missed in 1789. Pev. Samuel Meade was settled in 1791 ;
dismissed in 1797.

General Amos Shepard, for many years a member of
the General Court of New Hampshire, and president of
the Senate seven years, was a resident of this town, and
was one of its most prominent citizens from 1777 to the
time of his decease in 1812. Upright and just in all his
dealings, he secured the respect and confidence of all who
knew him. Industrious, persevering, and economical, he

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 93

acquired a handsome fortune, which enabled him to pass his
last days in ease and quiet.

Population, 1425. Number of polls, 336. Amount of
inventory, ,$529,420. Number of sheep, 5731. Do. neat
stock, 1384. Do. horses and mules, 348.

Alton, Belknap county. Bounded north by Winnlpi-
seogee Lake, east by New Durham, south by Barnstead,
west by Gilmanton. 22 miles north-east from Concord,
and 25 north-west from Dover. The surface of the land is
rough and uneven ; the soil is hard and rocky, but produc-
tive. The timber growth is principally oak, beech, maple,
and pine. There are still a few lots of the latter, but the
enterprise of the lumber dealer is fast lessening the quan-
tity of salable pine. The principal elevation is Mount
Major, There is a large swell of land called Prospect
Hill, affording excellent grazing nearly to its summit, from
which, in a clear day, the ocean may be seen. There are
several small ponds within the limits of the town. Merry
Meeting Bay, a part of Lake Winnipiseogee, extends south-
erly about 2000 rods into the town, where it receives the
waters of Merry Meeting River. There are at present 7
stores, 3 hotels, 5 shoo manufactories, from which about
300,000 pairs of shoes, boots, &c., are sent annually to mar-
ket. It also contains 2 grist mills, 7 saw mills, 2 of which
are propelled by steam power. Cars run from this place
to Dover, Boston, &c., 3 times a day, and connect with
steamboat on Winnipiseogee Lake. This town was former-
ly called New Durham Gore. It was settled in 1770 by
Jacob Chamberlain and others. It was incorporated Janu-
ary 15, 1796, and named Alton, by one of its principal pro-
prietors, from a town of the same name in England. A
Freewill Baptist church was formed here in 1805.

94 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Population, 1795. Number of polls, 564. Amount of
inventory, $618,583. Number of sheep, 1407. Do. neat
stock, 1947. Do. horses and mules, 309.

Amherst, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
New Boston, east by Merrimack, south by Hollis, west by
Mount Vernon. 28 miles from Concord, 47 from Boston.
Area, 22,432 acres. It is the shire town of Hillsborough
county, and is situated on the Souhegan River, a tributary
of the Merrimack. There are also several small streams
and ponds in various parts of the town. The soil is, in
some portions of the town, of an excellent quality. There
are some fine hill farms. The comity buildings and several
of the dwelling houses of the village are situated on a plain
extending about one half mile north and south, and the
same distance east and west.

There is a chalybeate mineral spring about one and a half
miles east of the meeting house, which is resorted to occa-
sionally by invalids. Bog iron ore is found in considerable
quantities in this town. There is also a bed of hmestone
of a valuable quality. Amherst is underlaid by granite, so
far as can be observed around the margin of the valley in
which the village is situated. This valley seems to be
formed of a deposit of silicious sand derived from an an-
cient drift from the north, the valley itself presenting the
appearance of having been once a great basin. A printing
press was established here, in 1795, by Nathaniel Coverly.
The first weekly newspaper, called the Amherst Journal
and New Hampshire Advertiser, was published from Janu-
ary, 1795, to January of the following year. The Village
Messenger was commenced January 6, 1796, and discontin-
ued December 5, 1801. The Farmer's Cabinet was first
published November 10, 1802, and has continued to the

Sn^rared'by J C EwtB-e

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 95

present time. The publication of the Hillsborough Tele-
graph commenced in January, 1820, and continued about
a year and a half.

This town was granted by Massachusetts, in 1733, to the
persons then living, and the heirs of those not living, who
had served in the Narraganset war of 1675. It was first
named Narraganset Number Three, afterwards Souhegan
West. Several of the proprietors were natives of Salem,
Massachusetts. The first settlement was in the year 1734,
by Samuel Walton and Samuel Lampson. In 17-41 the
settlement consisted of 14 families. It was incorporated
January 18, 1760, under the name of Amherst, as compli-
mentary to Lord Jeffrey Amherst, an English general in
America during the French war. A Congregational church
was organized here September 22, 1741, and on the follow-
ing day Rev. Daniel Wilkins was ordained and settled as
pastor. Rev. Nathan Lord, D. D., president of Dartmouth
College, was ordained as a colleague with Rev. Mr. Bar-
nard, May 22, 1816.

Among the citizens of Amherst worthy of notice may
be mentioned Hon. Moses Nichols, who held the rank of
colonel under General Stark in the battle of Bennington.
He was one of the councillors under the new constitution.
Hon. Samuel Dana, a graduate of Harvard and a classmate
of the renowned statesman and patriot John Adams, was
judge of probate several years in the county of Hillsbor-
ough, was state senator, and an eminent lawyer. Hon.
William Gordon was state senator in 1794, representative
to Congress in 1796, and attorney general in 1801. Hon.
Robert Means, a native of Stewartstown, in Ireland, came
to America in 1764. By his industry and close applica-
tion he soon acquired a large fortune. He was three years
a representative to the General Court, was state senator the

96 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

same number of years^ and in 1786 was councillor for
Hillsborough county. Hon. Charles H. Atherton was a
son of Hon. Joshua Atherton, graduated at Harvard Col-
lege in 1794, was eminent and successful as a lawyer, held
the office of register of probate for the county of Hillsbor-
ough 39 years, was a representative to Congress in 1815
and 1816. He was a man of more than ordinary talent,
was upright and honest, and was highly esteemed by his
countrymen. Through the confidence reposed in him by
the public, as well as by reason of his untiring industry and
application, he accumulated a large property. Hon. Jede-
diah K. Smith filled the offices of councillor and state sen-
ator.

Population, 1613. Number of polls, 318. Amount of
inventory, $549,728. Number of sheep, 398. Do. neat
stock, 1271. Do. horses and mules, 278.

Andover, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Hill,
east by Franklin, south by Salisbury, west by Wilmot.
Distance from Concord, 21 miles, north-west. Area,
29,883 acres. The Blackwater is the principal stream in
this town. There are several ponds, the largest of which
are Loon and Chance Ponds. The water comprising these
ponds is remarkably pure, and the scenery about both, es-
pecially Chance Pond, is picturesque and charming. A
beautiful view may be had of this pond in passing over the
Northern Railroad some two miles above Franklin village.
Perch and pickerel are taken in great abundance here.
The surface of the town is uneven, and in some parts rocky
and sterile. The soil in many localities is strong, and, with
careful cultivation, is productive. Ragged Mountain, in
the north part of the town, is an eminence well described
by its name. There is a flourishing academy in this town.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 97

which, from its healthy and quiet location, affords excellent
advantages for the student.

Andover was granted in 1746 to Edmund Brown and
others. It was first called New Breton, in honor of the
captors of Cape Breton in 1745. In 1779 it was incorpo-
rated under its present name. The first inhabitant was Jo-
seph FelloAvs, who moved into the place in 1761. In 1782
a Congregational church was organized, under the Rev. Jo-
siah Badcock as pastor. Dr. Jacob B. Moore, a poet of
some eminence, was a resident of this town. The famous
juggler and necromancer. Potter, was a citizen of Andover.
The place where he resided may be seen at the " Potter
Place," a station on the Northern Railroad.

Population, 1220. Number of polls, 300. Amount of
inventory, $378,272. Number of sheep, 222. Do. neat
stock, 325. Do. horses and mules, 63. Value of im-
proved and unimproved lands, $125,466.

Antrim, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
Hillsborough, east by Deering, south by Hancock, and
west by Stoddard. 30 miles south-west from Concord.
Area, 21,743 acres. Contoocook River passes through the
easterly part of the town, in the vicinity of which are valu-
able tracts of alluvial land. The town is generally hilly,
though the soil is productive and well cultivated. Upon
North Branch River, a stream formed by the confluence of
several smaller streams from ponds in Stoddard, are some
excellent mill seats, and along its course are small tracts of
interval. The western portion of the town affords a fine
range for grazing. The town derives its name from a town
of the same name in Ireland. It was first settled by Dea-
con James Aiken, in 1768. Four years passed away before
another person moved into the place. During these years
9

98 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

of solitude he suffered many privations and hardships, ow-
ing to the want of neighbors. This town was incorporated
March 22, 1117. Population, 1143. Number of polls,
278. Amount of inventory, $384,209. Number of sheep,
980. Do. neat stock, 1415. Do. horses and mules, 268.
Value of improved and unimproved lands, $229,534.

Atkinson, Rockingham county. Bounded north by
Hampstead, east by Plaistow, south by Haverhill, Massa-
chusetts, west by Salem. 30 miles south-west from Ports-
mouth, and 36 south-east from Concord. Area, 6839
acres. The surface is uneven, but the soil is superior.
The apple has for many years been carefully cultivated,
and fruit of the most delicious quality is produced. This
town comprises a portion of the lands conveyed November
15, 1642, to the inhabitants of Pentuckett, (New Haver-
hill,) by the Indians. The deed was signed by two sa-
chems, Possaquo and Saggahew, with the consent of their
chief, Passaconnaway. When the dividing line between
this state and Massachusetts was settled, the tract compris-
ing Plaistow fell within the limits of this state, and Atkin-
son, on account of difficulties respecting the location of a
meeting house, was set off from Plaistow, and incorporated
September 3, 1767, under its present name, in honor of
Theodore Atkinson, a large land owner, and for many years
secretary of state.

The first settlement was made about 1728 by Benjamin
Richards, of Rochester, in this state, and Jonathan and Ed-
mund Page and John Dow, from Haverhill, Massachusetts.
The academy is one of the oldest and most respectable insti-
tutions in the state, having been incorporated in 1791. The
buildings belonging to this institution are situated about
two miles from the Boston and Maine Railroad. The

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 99

grounds of the location are very elevated and pleasant, the
village healthy and quiet. In a large meadow in this town
is an island, containing six or eight acres, which has been
said to exhibit phenomena of a remarkable nature. When
the meadow is overflowed by means of a dam, the island
has been known to rise in the same degree as the water
rises, which has been as high as six feet. The fact of such
a floating island was noticed by Dr. Belknap, and has since
been certified to by reliable persons.

Population, 600. Number of polls, 151. Amount of
inventory, f 210, 151. Number of sheep, 44. Do. neat
stock, 499. Do. horses and mules, 70. Value of im-
proved and unimproved lands, $144,106.

Auburn, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Can-
dia, east by Chester, south by Londonderry, and west by
Manchester. It is about 5 miles distant from the latt«r
town, 23 from Concord, and 42 from Boston. It was
originally a part of Chester, and was incorporated in 1845.
Massabesic Pond is the largest body of water in the coun-
ty, comprising an area of about 1500 acres. It consists of
two nearly equal divisions, each about 3 miles in length
and from 200 to 400 rods in breadth, each part being unit-
ed by a strait some 250 rods in length, and in some places
very narrow. The soil in general is strong and productive,
especially the large swells of land. There is in this town,
on the westerly side of "Devil's Den" Mountain, a large
cave, extending into the hill in a northerly direction, near-
ly to the centre. The entrance is about five feet in height
and two and a half in width. It is divided into numerous
apartments, several of which are 14 feet square. It vai'ies
in height from 2 to 15 feet. This has been explored on
several occasions ; and those who have been more minute

100 ' NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

in their examinations report that, after having gone as far
as possible, there is still another opening, too small to ad-
mit the body of a man, which communicates -vvith a large
apartment, from which openings are discovered leading in
various directioias. The rocks which compose the walls of
this cave seem to consist mainly of gneiss, and in some
places possess a slight taste of alum. In the summer sea-
son, the Massabesic Lake, or Pond, furnishes a pleasing and
attractive resort for the pleasure seeker as well as the quiet
student of Nature. The scenery around is varied and de-
lightful. The lake is interspersed with numerous islands,
some of which are covered with a thick, heavy growth of
pine timber, affording no slight inducement to the hunter ;
while the waters abound with pickerel, perch, and trout.
Lumbering is carried on to a considerable extent in this
town. There are 10 sawmills, which in the aggregate fur-
8ish annually about 1,600,000 feet of lumber. The shoe-
making business is also quite extensive, 45 being engaged
constantly in this department of industry. There is also
an edge-tool manufactory, with a capital of ^10,000, giv-
ing employment to 10 men ; also a steam mill, which em-
ploys 6 hands.

Population, 810. Number of voters in 1854, 210.
Amount of inventory in 1852, $237,009. Number of
sheep, 310. Do. neat stock, 588. Do. horses and mules,
107. Value of improved and unimproved lands, $157,460.

Baenstead, Belknap county. Bounded north by Alton,
east by Strafford, south by Pittsfield, and west by Gilman-
ton. 20 miles north-east from Concord. Area, 26,000
acres. The land lies principally in large swells, furnishitig
excellent grazing ; while the soil is easily cultivated, and
yields a rich reward to the industrious husbandman. There

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 101

are several ponds in town, the largest of wliicli are the
Suncook, the Brindle, and Half Moon Ponds. These wa-
ters abound with fish. Plumbago, bog iron ore, and yel-
low ochre are found in various localities throughout the
town. Specimens of basaltic trap rock are also discovered
near the way from this town to Pittsfield. This town was
granted. May 20, 1727, to Rev. Joseph Adams and oth-
ers. Settlements commenced in 1767. A Congregational
church was organized, August 5, 1804, with Rev. Enos
George as pastor. Elder David Knowlton was settled
over the Freewill Baptist society in 1804. The " Social
Library" was incorporated in 1807, and still continues to
floui'ish.

Population, 1848. Number of polls, 525. Amount of
inventory, $590,979. Number of sheep, 1360. Do.
horses and mules, 330. Value of improved and unim-
proved lands, |397,032.

Barrington, Strafford county. Bounded north by
Rochester, east by Madbury and Lee, south by Notting-
ham, and west by Strafford. Distance from Concord, 30
miles east. Surface broken and rocky ; soil generally a
gravelly loam. There are, however, several elevations,
termed oak ridges, which contain a rich, sandy loam and
hazel mould, and are easily tilled, as well as productive.
There are within the limits of this town 13 ponds, each of
considerable magnitude, from which flow streams affording
many very good water privileges. In Isinglass River is a
perpendicular fall of 30 feet, which furnishes a constant
supply of water for an extensive manufactory. The rock
in this town is principally granite, in which quartz predom-
inates. In some of the rocks beautiful and perfect speci-
mens of quartz crystals, and in others tourmaline, are
9*

102 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

found. Bog Iron ore may be obtained in considerable
quantities.

There is, about two miles from the centre of the town, a
cavern of some note. The entrance, upon the side of a
hill, is large enough to admit a person in a stooping pos-
ture. You pass along about 5 or 6 feet in a horizontal di-
rection ; after which you descend about the same distance,
at an angle of 45 degrees, through space barely large
enough to admit a common-sized man. Having forced
yourself through this narrow passage, you find yourself in
a capacious hall, 60 feet in length, from 12 to 15 in height,
and from 4 to 10 in width. Leading from this are several
other fissures, of too small compass to admit of exploration.

There are in this town three meeting houses — one Con-
gregational, one Freewill Baptist, and one Methodist.
First settled minister. Rev. Joseph Prince, in 1755. The
town was incorporated May 10, 1722. Settlement com-
menced 10 years after. It originally included the town of
Strafford in its limits, comprising an area of 54,380 acres.
In 1820 about 29,120 acres, somewhat more than half the
town, was taken to form the town of Strafford.

Population, 1754. Number of voters in 1854, 475.
Amount of inventory, ^517,075. Number of sheep, 1041.
Do. neat stock, 1633. Do. horses and mules, 254. Value
of improved and unimproved lands, $318,142.

Bartlett, Carroll county. Bounded north by Jackson,
east by Chatham, south and west by ungranted lands.
Latitude 44° 4'' north. Distance from Lancaster, 45 miles,
south-east, and from Concord, 75, north-east. It lies at
the foot of the White Mountains, and contains about 13,000
acres. The surface is uneven, and in some places rocky.
The soil is various ; on the Saco River, which winds

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. lOS

through the middle of the town, it is very good. This
town was incorporated June 16, 1790, and received its
name in honor of Governor Bartlett. It contains numerous
small streams, in which trout are abundant. Baldface
Mountain, a rugged eminence in the north-east part of the
town, is said to contain inexhaustible quantities of iron ore
of the best quality, from which steel of a fine quality, suit-
able for cutlery, might be manufactured. The surrounding
country is densely covered with hard wood, suitable every
way for the manufacture of charcoal, insuring an abundant
supply for smelting the ore.

Population, 761. Number of polls, 163. Amount of
inventory, $150,613. Value of lands, improved and un-
improved, $91,138. Number of sheep, 661. Do. neat
stock, 712. Do. horses, 82.

Bath, Grafton county. Bounded north by Lyman, east
by Landaff, south by Haverhill, and west by Ryegate, Ver-
mont. Distance from Dartmouth College, 42 miles, north-
east ; from Concord, 82, north-west. This town is pleas-
antly situated in the valley of the Connecticut River, be-
tween the Green Mountains on the west and the White
Mountains on the east, and thus protected from high winds
Vnd long storms. The Ammonusuc River waters the south-
erly part of the town, affording numerous and excellent
water privileges. At Bath village is a bridge across the
Ammonusuc, 372 feet in length. The White jNIountain
Railroad passes under the west end of this bridge. At the
south-west corner of the town, Gardner's Mountain rises in
bold ascent from the confluence of Connecticut and Am-
monusuc Rivers, and extends in a northerly direction
through the whole town, thus separating the inhabitants,
who find communication almost impossible, excepting

104 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

through a single pass in the mountain. On this mountain
are traces of argentiferous galena in very small veins.
The rocks are principally granite, argillaceous slate, and
flint. In several localities large veins of copper ore have
been opened within a few years, which appear to be abun-
dantly worthy of being wrought. The soil on the hills is
a reddish loam, resting upon a bed of marl. In the valleys
the soil is alluviaL Brick clay, of excellent quality, is
abundant. About one sixth part of the town consists of in-
terval land. Bath is one of the best agricultural towns in
the state, much and careful attention having been devoted
for many years to that department of labor. There is in-
vested in factories and mills of various kinds from $12,000
to $15,000.

Bath was granted, September 10, 1761, to Eev. Andrew
Gardner and 61 others. The conditions of this charter not
having been complied with, it was rechartered in March,
1769, to John Sawyer and others. The first settlement
was made in 1765 by John Herriman, from Haverliill,
Massachusetts. In the succeeding year Moses Pike and
Sawyer commenced settlements. A Presbyterian church
was formed in 1778, and dissolved in 1791, when a Congre-
gational church was organized, embracing 19 members.
Rev. David Sutherland, a native of Edinburgh, was in-
stalled in 1805. The present number of members is 126.
Pastor, Thomas Boutelle.

Population, 1514. Number of polls, 363. Amount of
inventory, $464,531. Value of improved and unimproved
lands, $255,434. Number of sheep, 4348. Do. neat
stock, 1830. Do. horses and mules, 384.

Bedford, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
GofFstown, east by Merrimack Piver, which separates it

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 105

from Manchester, south by Merrimack, and west by Mount
Vernon and New Boston. Distance from Concord, 21
miles, south ; from Manchester, 8. Area, 20,000 acres.
In the west part of the town the land is uneven and strong ;
but the soil, though hard, is warm and productive. The
eastern part is a rich interval of the Merrimack. In the
westerly part of the town is a gulf and precipice, which are
regarded as interesting curiosities of Nature. A small riv-
ulet plunges over the precipice, falling 200 feet in a dis-
tance of 100 yards. Excavations in solid stone are found
here large enough to contain several persons. Apparently
there are three ponds in this town ; though their waters are
probably united beneath an extensive bog, which floats upon
the surface, and rises and falls with the water. This town
abounds in mineralogical specimens. Several varieties of
iron ore are found here. Plumbago, pyritous copper,
schorl, hornblende, epldote, talc, crystallized quartz, &c.,
are also found in various localities.

Bedford was granted by Massachusetts, in 1733, to the
officers and soldiers and the surviving heirs of those de-
ceased who had served in the Narraganset war. The num-
ber of grantees was 120. It was originally named Souhe-
gan East. The first settlement was made in 1737 by Rob-
ert and James S. Walker. In the following year Colonel
John Goffe, Matthew Patten, Esq., and Captain Samuel Pat-
ten were added to the settlement. Several of the early set-
tlers emigrated from the northern portion of Ireland. The
first child born in this town was Silas Barron, son of IMoses
Barron, A. D. 1741. The town was incorporated by Gov-
ernor Wentworth in 1750. In its early history Bedford
was a favorite resort of the Indians. In 1745, one James
McQuade and Robert Burns had been to a neighboring
town to purchase corn, and on their return McQuade was

106 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

killed by a party of Indians concealed in a thicket by the
path. Burns, by running in a zigzag course, confused the
enemy, and escaped — arriving in safety to his family.

On the bank of the river, near GofFe's Falls, is a plot of
ground, about 10 rods in length by 4 in mdth, which is
supposed to have been an Indian burying ground. The
surface is level, and about 40 feet above the river. Human
bones have been washed from the bank by the river. In
1821, Dr. Woodbury, in company with others, exhumed
parts of three skeletons from this ground. They seem
to have been deposited in bark, pieces of which still
remained. One appeared to have been buried in a sitting
posture. Their heads lay towards the south. Upon
the head of one, the hair, which was in complete preserva-
tion, was fastened in a bunch behind, similar to the manner
observed by the female Indians of the pres'ent day. A
Presbyterian church was formed here in 1757. About the
same time Rev. John Houston was ordained as the pastor,
who occupied this position until 1778.

Population, 1906. Number of polls, 423. Do. houses,
315. Do. families, 346. Do. farms, 226. Value of lands,
$527,642. Stock in trade, 116,305. Valuation, $756,512.

Bennington, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
Deering, east by Francistown, south by Greenfield, and
west by Hancqck and Antrim. This is a small township,
taken from Deering, Francistown, Greenfield, and Hancock
in 1842. This village is provided with better manufac-
turing facilities than almost any of the neighboring towns.
The manufacture of cutlery in its varieties is carried on to
considerable extent by Samuel Baldwin and Amos and Alfred
Whittemore, who employ 14 hands. The land is generally
uneven, and the soil moderately productive.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 107

The people are industrious and enterprising. Manu-
facturing in its various departments constitutes the chief
employment.

Population, 541. Number of polls, 117. Do. houses,
109. Do. fiimilies, 121. Do. farms, 31. Value of lands,
$63,098. Stock in trade, |4800. Factories, $10,100.
Valuation, $165,229. Number of sheep, 426. Do. neat
stock, 375. Do. horses, 88.

Benton, Grafton county. Bounded north by Landaflf,
east by Woodstock, south by Warren, and west by Haver-
hill. 70 miles north-west from Concord, and 12 east from
Haverhill. Area, 33,290 acres. This town is watered by
the Oliverian Brook and the Wild Ammonusuc River. In
the south-east part of the town is one of the most consider-
able elevations in Grafton county, — • Moosehillock Mount,
— which ranks among the highest mountains in the state.
Sugar Loaf and Owl's Head Mountains are also considerable
elevations. There is a large quantity of valuable timber in
this town, which, however, is being rapidly manufactured
into lumber. The town presents generally a rough and
mountainous aspect, and the land in many portions is not
capable of cultivation. There are, notwithstanding, several
well-cultivated and productive farms. On Black Mountain
is a quarry of stone very much resembling Italian marble, and
is excellent for building. The Boston, Concord, and Mon-
treal Railroad passes through the south part of the town.
Benton was granted in 1764 to Thcophilus Fitch and
others, under the name of Coventry. There was no settle-
ment, however, until after the revolutionary war. In 1790
the number of inhabitants was 80.

Population, according to the late census, 478. Num-
ber of polls, 131. Amount of inventory, $110,795.

108 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Value of land, $52,620. Number of sheep, 883. Do.
neat stock, 485. Do. horses, 92.

Berlin, Coos county. Bounded north by Milan, east by
Success, south by Shelburne, Gorham, and Eandolph, and
west by Kilkenny. 140 miles north from Concord, and
20 east from Lancaster. Area, 31,154 acres. Here are
several small ponds and streams. The Androscoggin, pass-
ing through the east part of the town, and the Upper
Ammonusuc through the west, are the largest streams. The
former stream descends some 200 feet in a mile or two ; and
the principal fall, worn through a solid rock, is a remarkable
curiosity. There are 3 large sawmills in this town ; 2
furnishing employment for 50 or 60 hands, the third
about 40. There are several others, employing from 5 to
10 men. The surface is broken and mountainous. From
some of the elevations distinct and beautiful views of the
White Mountains may be obtained.

This town was granted in 1771 to Sir WilKam Mayne,
baronet, Thomas, Robert, and Edward Mayne, and others,
from Barbadoes. Its original name was Maynesborough.
It was incorporated in 1829 under its present name.

Population, 173. Number of polls, 51. Valuation,
$48,984. Value of lands, $22,890. Number of sheep,
207. Do. neat stock, 194. Do. horses, 25.

Bethlehem, Grafton county. Bounded north by White-
field, east by Carroll and ungranted lands, south by Fran-
conia and Lisbon, and west by Littleton. Area, 28,608 acres.
100 miles north from Concord. It is watered by Great
Ammonusuc and Gale Eivers. The principal mountains
are the Round and Peaked. The soil produces good crops
of grass, grain, and potatoes. Specimens of magnetic and

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 109

bog iron ore are found in various localities. This town
was settled, in 1790, by Jonas Warren, Benjamin Brown,
James Turner, Thomas Platch, John Hatch, Nathan and
Amos Wheeler, and others, and incorporated December 21,
1799. A Congregational church was organized October 15,
1802, a Baptist church in 1800, and a Freewill Baptist in
1813. At present there is no Baptist church. A Meth-
odist church was formed a few years since.

Population, 950. Number of polls, 191. Amount of
inventory, ^199,285. Value of lands, improved and un-
improved, ^110,206. Number of sheep, 884. Do. neat
stock, 888. Do. horses, 148.

BoscAWEN, Merrimack county. Bounded north by
Salisbury and Franklin, east by the Merrimack River,
which separates it from Canterbury and Northfield, south
by Concord and Hopkinton, and west by Warner. Area,
32,230 acres. 8 miles from Concord, and 68 from Boston.
This town is well watered. Merrimack River touches its
eastern border, and the Blackwater runs through the whole
extent of the town from north to south, parallel with, and
about 5 miles distant from, the Merrimack. The latter
stream furnishes numerous water privileges. The soil is
deep, productive, and well cultivated. There are many
farms in a high state of cultivation. Much fruit of excel-
lent quality is raised here. The intervals on the Merrimack
are of considerable extent. The plains bordering on the
intervals have a soil somewhat lighter and less fertile.

Great Pond lies near the centre of the town. It is about 1
mile in length, and the same in width. Long Pond, in the
west part of the town, is about 2 miles in length, and half a
mile in width. There are 2 villages, the principal of which
is in the easterly section of the town, known as Boscawen
10

110 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Plain. It is a pleasant village, containing some elegant
residences. The principal street, nearly 2 miles in length,
is well shaded, and in a hot summer day presents an invit-
ing appearance. Here are 2 meeting houses, an academy,
and 2 hotels, besides several stores. The other village is
in the .westerly part of the town, situated in more elevated
land. It possesses all the charms of a quiet rural district,
where peace and comfort prevail.

Much attention is paid to the interests of education, owing
in a great measure, no doubt, to the untiring and successful
labors of the late Samuel Wood, who fitted between 80 and
90 yoimg men for college, 31 of Avhom became ministers
of the gospel. This town was granted in 1733, by Massa-
chusetts, to John Coffin and 90 others, who held their first
meeting in May 2 of that year.

The proprietors gave to the new township the name of
Contoocook, from the Indian name of the river. In 1760,
when incorporated, it received its present name in honor
of Sir Edward Boscawen, an English admiral then on duty
in this country. The first settlement was made early in
1734, by Nathaniel Danforth, Moses Burbank, Stephen
Gerrish, Edward Emery, and a few others. Abigail,
daughter of INIr. Danforth, was the first white child born in
this town. To protect themselves against the inroads of the
savages, these families erected a log fort, 100 feet square
and 10 feet in height, near the meeting house on King
Street. For more than twenty years this proved a safe
and commodious garrison for all the inhabitants. In 1746
the Indians made an attack upon the settlement, killed one
Thomas Cook and a colored man, and seized and carried
away captive to Canada Elisha Jones, where he died.

In May, 1754, Nathaniel Melvon and family, consisting
of himself, wife, and five children, were taken captive and

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. Ill

hurried away to Canada, from whence 1[hey escaped after a
servitude of more than three years. In August of the
same year, a party of Indians came to the house of one
PhiHp Call, where they killed his wife. They were pur-
sued, and, secreting themselves in ambush, rushed out upon
their pursuers, and took Enos Bishop. Timothy Cook at-
tempted to escape by plunging into the river, but was shot.
In 1756 Ezekiel Flanders and Edward Emery were killed
while on a hunting excursion to Newfound Lake, in Nel-
son. The island lying at the mouth of Contoocook River,
within the limits of this town, named Dustan's Island, was
the scene of the heroic deeds of Mrs. Hannah Dustan,
which may appropriately be noticed here. Mrs. Dustan,
her infant babe, only a week old, and her nurse were
taken captive by the Indians at Haverhill, March 15, 1698.
The mother, still confined in bed, was forced by the sav-
ages to rise and accompany them. The infant, showing
signs of uneasiness, was despatched by an Indian, who
dashed its head against a tree, before the party had pro-
ceeded far from the place of capture. They conveyed the
mother, feeble and exhausted, and the nurse up the Mer-
rimack, and halted at the island mentioned above. Here
they rested for a while, intending soon to proceed on their
way, a considerable distance farther up the river, to an In-
dian town, where the captives were informed that they
would be compelled to run the gantlet through the village.
Aware of the cruelties that awaited her, Mrs. Dustan
formed a determination to exterminate the whole party,
should an opportunity present itself Her companions con-
sisted of her nurse, and an English boy who had been
taken from Worcester. She prevailed upon them to assist
her in this daring enterprise.

The wished-for time was close at hand. The Indians

112 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

having refreshed themselves on this island, being still tired
from the long and rapid march, and apprehensive of no
danger, lay down, and quickly sank into a profound sleep.
Mrs. Dustan, viewing the circumstance as favorable to
her deliverance, seized upon it at once. By the aid of the
nurse and boy, with the deadly weapons of her brutal cap-
tors, she despatched ten of the number. Of the remaining
two, a woman made her escape, and a boy they intentionally
left. Taking the scalps of the slain, and one of their birch
canoes, she returned down the river to Haverhill in safety,
to the joy and astonishment of her friends.

The precise time when the church was formed in this
place has never been ascertained. Rev. Phinehas Stevens
was ordained October 8, 1740, and died January 19, 1755 ;
Rev. Robie Morrill was ordained December 29, 1761, and
dismissed December 9, 1766 ; Rev. Nathaniel Merrill was
ordained October 19, 1768, and dismissed April 1, 1774 ;
Rev. Samuel Wood, D. D., was ordained October 17, 1781,
and continued in charge of the church for more than fifty
years. Many of the inhabitants of Boscawen took an ac-
tive part in the war of the revolution.

There is in operation at the present time 1 cotton mill,
furnishing employment for about 60 hands ; 1 woollen fac-
tory, which produces annually about 100,000 yards of
cloth. An extensive business is carried on in the manu-
facture of saws of various descriptions, which have thus
far proved to be of superior quality. About 450 persons
are engaged in the manufacture of shoes. This town has
a fund, for the support of common schools, of ^1733.

Population, 2063. Number of polls in 1854, 558.
Amount of inventory, ^737,147. Value of lauds, improved
and unimproved, $449,500. Number of sheep, 6095.
Do. neat stock, 1585. Do. horses, 300. Value of shares

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 113

in banks and other corporations, $13,900. Value of facto-
ries and their machinery, $26,000. Value of mills and
carding machines, $10,000.

Bow, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Concord,
east by Merrimack Eiver, which separates it from Pembroke,
south by Dunbarton, and west by Hopkinton. This town
is situated on the Concord and Nashua Railroad. 8 miles
south-east from Concord. Area, about 16,000 acres. The
surface is uneven ; the soil hard, but productive. Turee
Pond is the only body of water of any considerable size.
Turkey River discharges into the Merrimack at Turkey
Falls, in the north-easterly part of the town. Bow Canal
is situated on the Merrimack, 3 miles below Concord. It
was originally constructed at a cost of $13,860. The
first church organized in this town was of the Baptist
denomination, in 1795. Two years after. Rev. Benjamin
Sargent was ordained as its pastor. This township was
granted. May 20, 1727, to Jonathan Wiggin and others, and
was originally laid out 9 miles square, including a large
portion of the territoiy which now belongs to Concord and
Pembroke.

Population, 1055. Number of polls, 218. Valuation,
$335,116. Valutj of lands, $223,274. Number of sheep,
422. Do. neat stock, 946. Do. horses, 133.

Bradford, Merrimack county. Bounded north by
Newbury and Sutton, east by Warner, south by Henniker
and Hillsborough, and west by Washington. 28 miles
west from Concord. Area, 19,000 acres, nearly 500 of
which are covered with water. It is watered by several
small streams which issue from ponds, the largest of
which is Todd's Pond, lying partly in Bradford and partly
10*

114 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

in Newbury. In this pond are several floating islands,
which are truly objects of curiosity. Bradford Pond, about
550 rods in length by 150 in width, lies in the east part
of the town. It communicates with Warner River by an
outlet at its northern extremity. This pond is studded
with numerous small islands, which, with the rugged de-
scent of the eastern bank, the clear waters below, the dwell-
ings and variegated fields on the western shore, present,
in the summer season, a wild and charming scenery. Many
parts of the town are rough and hilly. A large portion,
however, consists of a valley, about 3 miles in width.

The terminus of the Merrimack and Connecticut River
Railroad is in the village of this town. Near the Sunapee
Mountains is an extensive plain, more than 1 mile in length,
and about half a mile in width. The soil is various. In
some places it is a rich loam ; in others, light and sterile.

In the easterly part are valuable stone quarries. This
town was first settled, in 1771, by Deacon "William Presbury
and his family, consisting of his wife and ten children. It
was incorporated September 27, 1787, and included a part of
Washington. The Congregational church was organized in
1803. In March, 1805, Rev. Lemuel Bliss was ordained
and settled as its first minister.

Population, 13-41. Number of polls, 807. Amount of
inventory, $404,376. Value of lands, improved and un-
improved, $166,433. Value of mills, &c., $5466. Stock
in trade, $8000. Number of sheep, 3096. Do. neat
stock, 1529. Do. horses, 302.

Brentwood, Rockingham county. Bounded north by
Epping, east by Exeter, south by East Kingston and King-
ston, and west by Poplin. Area, 10,465 acres. 32 miles
south-east from Concord, and 4 east from Exeter. The

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIKE. 115

soil is well adapted to the growth of grass ; and, by careful
cultivation, good crops of most of the cereal grains may be
produced. Exeter River runs through the entire length
of the town on the southerly side. There are 2 other
small streams within the town ; one called Little River, and
the other Deer Hill River — so named from a hill in its vi-
cinity which was a favorite resort of deer. At Pickpocket
Falls, on Exeter River, are several saw and grist mills and
1 large paper manufactory. In a few localities, consider-
able quantities of iron ore have been discovered. Vitriol,
combined in masses of sulphur, has also been found.
This town was incorporated June 26, 1742. A Congrega-
tional church was established here in 1752, and Rev.
Nathaniel Tuck was ordained about the same time ; de-
ceased in 1789. Rev. Ebenezer Flint was his successor,
who continued in charge until 1811, when he was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Chester Cotton. A Baptist society was
formed here in 1775.

Population, 923. Number of polls in 1854, 218.
Valuation, $310,576. Value of lands, 1 149,042. Num-
ber of sheep, 672. Do. neat stock, 983. Do. horses, 130.

Bridgewater, Grafton county. Bounded north by
Plymouth and Hebron, east by Pemigewasset River, which
separates it from Holderness and New Hampton, south by
Bristol, and west by Newfound Lake, which divides it from
Alexandria. 30 miles north from Concord. The soil is
well adapted to grazing, and in this respect is excelled by
few, if any, towns in the vicinity. The first settlement
was made in 1766, by Thomas Crawford, Esq., when the
tract included all of Hill, Bridgewater, and Bristol, A
Congregational church was organized here in 1817. Previ-
ous to this time, the inhabitants who were members of that

116 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

body attended public worship in Hebron. There are also
societies of Baptists, Freewill Baptists, and Methodists.
The inhabitants are mainly devoted to agriculture, and
are an industrious and sober community. This town
was incorporated February 12, 1788.

Population, 670. Number of polls, 145. Amount
of inventory, ^14-1,378. Value of lands, improved and
unimproved, $79,529. Number of sheep, 1580. Value
of neat stock, $13,890. Do. horses, $3956.

Bristol, Grafton county. Bounded north by Bridge-
water, east by Pemigewasset River, which separates it from
New Hampton, south by Hill, and west by Alexandria.
It is 90 miles from Boston, 30 north from Concord, and 16
south from Plymouth. Area, 9000 acres, exclusive of
ponds. The surface is hilly and uneven, but the soil is
in general very good. Newfound Lake, 7 miles long
and 3 wide, lies partly in this town, and partly in Bridge-
water. Its waters are drained by a river of the same
name, about 2 miles in length and 100 feet in width,
into Pemigewasset River. The village is situated near
the confluence of these two rivers. Smith's River, which
forms the southern boundary between this town and Hill,
also unites with the Pemigewassit near this place. There
are some excellent water privileges on these streams, near
the village, upon several of which manufacturing estab-
lishments of various kinds, and generally with a moderate
capital, have been erected.

The village is situated on a plain somewhat irregular.
The neighboring hills are broken, and in some instances of
steep and rugged ascent, presenting to the view a charming
and romantic landscape. The village itself presents an
appearance not only pleasing and attractive, but also

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 117

tlirh'ing and prosperous. Here is the terminus of tlie
Franklin and Bristol Railroad, which connects with the
Northern at Franklin. Graphite (plumbago) has been
discovered here in considerable quantities and of superior
quality. Bristol was taken from Bridgewater and New
Chester, (now Hill,) and incorporated June 24, 1819. The
first settlement within its present limits was made in 1770,
by Colonel Peter Sleeper, Benjamin Emmons, and others.
A Methodist society was incorporated and a church organ-
ized in June, 1818. There are at present Congregational,
Methodist, and Freewill Baptist societies and churches in
this town. About 90 persons are employed in the various
manufactories.

Population, 1103. Number of polls, 300. Amount
of inventory, f 277,057. Value of improved and unim-
proved lands, $157,180. Value of mills and carding
machines, $6900. Value of factories, $1300. Number
of sheep, 869. Do. neat stock, 719. Do. horses, 134.

Brookfield, Carroll county. Bounded north by "Wolf-
borough and Wakefield, east by Wakefield, south by Mid-
dleton, and west by Durham and Wolfborough. Area*
13,000 acres. 45 miles north-east from Concord. This
tract was originally a part of Middleton, from which it was
taken and incorporated in 1794. The soil is deep and
strong. Cook's Pond, about 1 mile long and three fourths
of a mile in width, forms the source of the next branch of
Salmon Fall River, and is the only body of water of note in
the town, excepting a small pond, covering about 15 acres,
which is situated directly on the top of Moose Mountain.
The water is clear and cool, and the quantity is always about
the same. The first settler was Nicholas Austin. The pre-
cise date of his settlement is not kno'rni, though it was some

118 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

time before the town was incorporated. Richard Hanson, a
few years after the settlement of Austin, erected the first
framed house in the town.

Population, 552. Number of polls, 118. Amount of
inventory, $131,184. Number of sheep, 344. Do. neat
stock, 691. Do. horses, 105.

Brookline, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
Milford, east by HoUis, south by Townsend and Pepperell,
in Massachusetts, and west by Mason. Area, 12,664 acres,
240 of which are covered with water. 43 miles north
west from Boston, 35 south from Concord, and 7 south from
Amherst. The Nisitissit is the only river in this town.
This stream rises in the north-east part of Mason, and runs
in a southerly direction to Potanipo, or Tanapus, Pond.
This pond is situated near the meeting house, and is about
1 mile in length and one third of a mile in width. This
town possesses but few natural resoujces for its advance-
ment in wealth and population. Agriculture is the chief
employment. The soil in some parts is good ; but it is
often hard, sterile, and unproductive, unless cultivated with
great care.

This town formerly belonged to Massachusetts, and was
included in the Dunstable grant. It was incorporated
March, 1769, under the name of Baby. By a legislative
act, in 1798, it received its present nam^ A Congrega-
tional church was organized here in 1797. Rev. Lemuel
"W!adsworth was the first minister.

Population, 718. Number of polls, 186. Amount of
inventory, |268,333. Number of sheep, 78. Do. neat
stock, 457. Do. horses, 113.

Cambridge, Coos county. Bounded north by Errol and

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 119

Umbagog Lake, east by the State of Maine, south by Suc-
cess and Milan, and west by Dummer. Latitude 44° 57'.
Area, 23,160 acres. 143 miles north-east from Concord,
and 35 north-east from Lancaster. This township, granted,
in 1793, to Nathaniel Rogers and others, is still but
thinly inhabited. The surface is uneven; but a large
portion might be easily cultivated. The soil is good.
Several streams rise in this town and fall into the An-
droscoggin. The land is mostly covered with a dense,
heavy growth of wood, a large part of which is maple ;
though pine, spruce, and hemlock grow in considerable
quantities.

Population, 33. Number of polls, 10.

Campton, Grafton county. Bounded north by Thorn-
ton, east by Sandwich, south by Holderness and Plymouth,
.and west by Rumney. Area, 27,892 acres. 50 miles
north from Concord, and 14 from Plymouth. The sur-
face is broken and uneven, abounding with ledges, and
high, rocky hills. Mount Prospect, situated in the souther-
ly part of the town, is a considerable elevation. Prom its
summit a delightful view of Winnipiseogee Lake is ob-
tained, as well as a large portion of the southern part of
the state. There are very few positions from whence so
good a view of the lake can be had. The distance from its
summit to Plymouth depot is only 4 miles. There is
in the easterly part of the town a range of mountains
designated by a variety of names, the most common of
which is Morgan Mountain. Pemigewasset River runs in
a southerly direction nearly through the middle of the
town, and receives the waters of ]\Iad, Beebe, and West
Branch Rivers on the east, and Bogbrook on the west.
The soil in the valleys is generally good. There is also

120 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

considerable good interval. The high lands, where they
are not too rocky, are excellent for grazing. The forest
trees are generally deciduous ; though there are some hem-
lock, spruce, and pine. Livermore's Falls, in Pemigewasset
River, near the south part of the town, present appearances
of a striking character. The formation of the rocks in the
bed of the river, at this point, bears conclusive evidence of
volcanic eruption. Several specimens of a substance bear-
ing close resemblance to lava have been found in this re-
gion. In the easterly part of the town plumbago is found
in large quantities and of good quality. Iron ore is found
in a few localities, but of rather an inferior quality. On
the top of the mountain range referred to, very fine speci-
mens of crystallized quartz are found. From 20 to 30 tons
of maple sugar are manufactured in this town annually,
Campton and Rumney were included in the same grant
to Captain Jabez Spencer, of East Haddam, Connecticut,
in October, 1761 ; but in consequence of his death before
any settlement was made, his heirs, with others, obtained a
new charter in 1767. The first settlement was made, in
1765, by two families of the names of Fox and Taylor.
This town derives its name from the fiict that the first
proprietors, when they went to survey the two townships
of Campton and Rumney, built a camp within its limits.
This town furnished 10 soldiers for the army in the revo-
lutionary war, 5 of whom died in the service. A Congre-
gational church was organized here in 1774. Rev. Selden
Church was ordained and settled as pastor in October,
1774 ; dismissed in 1792. Rev. John Webber was in-
stalled in February, 1812; dismissed March 12, 1815.
Rev. Amos Brown was ordained and settled January 1,
1817 ; dismissed in 1822. At present there are 3 meeting
houses in the town, belonging respectively to the Con-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 121

gregational, Baptist, and Freewill Baptist denominations.
There is 1 woollen factory, giving employment to about
25 persons. There are also 2 shoe establishments, fur-
nishing labor for 30 or 40 persons. The amount of capital
invested in the various manufacturing departments in town
is estimated at $45,000.

Population, 1439^ Number of polls in 1854, 350.
Amount of inventory, $335,096. Value of lands, im-
proved and unimproved, $183,334. Number of sheep,
2484. Do. neat stock, 1525. Do. horses, 280.

Canaan, Grafton county. Bounded north by Dorches-
ter, east by Orange, south by Enfield, and west by Hanover.
Distance from Concord 40 miles, north-west ; from Haver-
hill 25, south-west. The principal stream is the Mascomy
River, which, rising in the north-west part of Dorchester,
by a meandering course of 8 or 10 miles, discharges its
waters into Mascomy Pond, in Enfield. Heart Pond, so
named from its peculiar form, lies in the centre of the
town, and upon such an elevation of land that at a distance
it has the appearance of a sheet of water on a hill. It is
about 500 rods in length and 200 in width, and is nearly
surrounded by a bank, or mound, of earth from 4 to 5 feet
in height. From the regularity of its formation and its
uniform height, it has every appearance of a work of art ;
but, from a series of observations, it is found to be produced
by the drifting of ice in the spring. On the west side is
the village known as Canaan Street — a very pleasant place.
The Northern Railroad passes through the south-easterly
portion of the town. In the vicinity of the depot, quite a
thriving village has been built up within a few years.
There are two or three stores here, which do quite an
extensive business. The land throughout the town pre-
11

122 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

sents a surface more even and regular than that of several
of the adjacent towns. The soil is generally deep and
fertile, producing excellent potatoes and grass, as well as
the cereal grains. Goose, Clark, Mud, and Bear Ponds,
lying in different parts of the town, are favorite resorts of
the fishermen, while numerous brooks are well stored with
trout.

Canaan was granted in 1761 to 62 persons, all except 10
of whom were from a town of the same name in Connecti-
cut. The first permanent settlement was made in the
winter of 1766, by John Scofield, who conveyed thither
all the property he possessed on a hand sled, a distance of
14 miles, on the snow crust. Others of the first settlers
were George and Joshua Harris, Thomas Miner, Samuel
Jones, and Samuel Meacham.

The fii'st church organized in town was of the Baptist
denomination, and was formed in 1780. In 1783 Rev.
Thomas Baldwin, D. D., was ordained and settled over it.
He continued in the pastoral charge of this church until
1790, when he removed to Boston. Many difiiculties were
encountered in the establishment of this church, and in
some instances violent opposition was manifested. Dr.
Baldwin had frequent occasion to visit Concord, and often
performed the journey on foot through the wilderness. It
was during one of these solitary walks that he composed
the familiar and beautiful stanzas commencing with, —

" From whence doth this union arise ? "

A Congregational society was incorporated here in 1820,
and Rev. Charles Calkins ordained as pastor. There is
also a respectable Methodist society in this town. Jonathan
Dustan, a native of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and a grand-
son of the heroine Mrs. Hannah Dustan, was for some

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 123

time a resident, and died here July 4, 1812, aged 93.
There is an academy pleasantly located in Canaan Street,
which from its healthy location, and the general quiet and
order of the village, together with a competent board of
teachers, affords good inducements to the real student.

Population, 1682. Amount of inventory, $453,498.
Number of polls, 389. Value of mills and carding
machines, $8150. Value of stock in trade, $11,960.
Amount of money at interest or on deposit, $21,450.
Value of lands, improved and unimproved, $276,753.
Number of sheep, 4810. Do. neat stock, 1456. Do.
horses, 256.

Candia, Hockingham county. Bounded north by Deer-
field, east by Nottingham, south by Auburn and Chester,
and west by Hooksett. Area, 15,360 acres. Distance
from Concord 15 miles, south-east ; from Exeter 20, west.
It is situated on the height of land between Merrimack
River and the ocean. The soil is naturally of hard culti-
vation, but the energy and industry of the inhabitants have
rendered it highly productive. From its elevated position,
it commands an extensive view of the beautiful scenery of
the country for many miles around, including within the
range of vision the White Hills, the Wachuset, several
other mountains, the lighthouses on Plum Island, and the
ocean. It is a very healthy town, owing in a great meas-
ure, probably, to its elevation. Farming is the principal
employment. There are many excellent farms, from which
much produce, including considerable fruit of excellent
quality, is raised, for which a ready market is found in
Manchester. This town raises annually the sum of
^1000 for the support of common schools. As a result
of this liberal provision in behalf of the elements of

124 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

common school education, Candia sends out a large num-
ber of well-educated young men and ladies as teachers,
who usually rank high in this truly useful and laudable
calling. There is a large shoe manufactory in this town,
where 150 persons are constantly employed.

The first settler within the limits of the town was "Wil-
liam Turner, who came here in 1748. In 1755 John
Sargent and others commenced settlement here. It was
incorporated in 1763. It received its present name from
Governor Benning Wentworth, who was once a prisoner on
the Island of Candia, in the Mediterranean Sea, the ancient
Crete. The people of this town were active in the war
of independence. The names of 69 soldiers are found on
the town records.

A Congregational church was first established here in
1771, and Kev. David Jewett settled as its pastor ; removed
in 1780 ; succeeded in 1782 by Rev. Joseph Prince, who
was succeeded in 1790 by Eev. Jesse Eemington, who
died in 1815. There is also a society of Freewill Bap-
tists.

Population, 1482. Number of polls in 1854, 450.
Amount of inventory, $409,394. Amount of money at
interest or on deposit, $39,333. Value of lands, improved
and unimproved, $242,830. Number of sheep, 342. Do.
neat stock, 1246. Do. horses, 195.

Canterbury, Merrimack county. Bounded north by
Northfield and Gilmanton, east by Gilmanton and Loudon,
south by Loudon and Concord, and west by Merrimack
River, which separates it from Boscawen. A high ridge
of land, extending along the line between this town and
Northfield, affords a fine prospect of the surrounding
country. Canterbmy is 8 miles distant from Concord,

GAZETTEER OF XEW HAMPSHIRE. 125

and contains an area of 26,345 acres. The surface is
uneven, the more hilly portions being excellent for pas-
turage. The soil is generally good. There are no streams
of importance in the town ; but several ponds supply small
streams, which are used to some extent for manufacturing
purposes. For a long time during the early period of the
settlement, the inhabitants were sufferers from the encroach-
ments of the Indians. The husbandman cleared and culti-
vated his grounds under protection of a guard ; and often,
while pursuing his daily toil, he was reminded of his
danger by the sudden report of firearms in the hands of
the secret, lurking foe. In 1738 two men, named Blan-
chard and Shepherd, having proceeded a short distance from
the garrison kept in town, were surprised by a party of seven
Indians, who suddenly rose from behind a log within a few
feet of them. All the Indians at once fired, but without
effect. Blanchard and his companion returned the fire
ujDon the savages, but to no purpose. Shepherd then
made his escape ; but Blanchard was taken. The Indians
wounded and mutilated him so badly that he survived but
a few days. During the French and Indian war, frequent
attacks were made upon the inhabitants of this town. On
one occasion they broke into the house of Thomas Clough,
and, finding no one within, plundered it of its contents.
Finding a negro servant of Clough, with a boy named
Jackson, at work in a field not far distant, the Indians took
them to Canada, where they remained until the close of
the war in 1749. In the spring of 1752 two Indians,
named Sabatis and Christi, came into the settlement, where
they were kindly entertained by the people for several
weeks. At length they left suddenly, forcing away with
them two negroes, one of whom soon succeeded in making
his escape, and returned. The other was taken to Crown
11*

126 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Point and sold to a military officer. The following year
Sabatis returned with another Indian, named Plausawa,
when, on being reproved for his former misdemeanor, he
and his comrade behaved in an insolent and threatening
manner. Doubtless this misconduct was caused in a great
measure by the use of strong drink, with which, by some
thoughtless persons, they had been freely treated. While
in this condition, such was their conduct that strong and
bitter feelings were excited against them. Soon, however,
they took their leave, when a certain person followed them,
and, taking advantage of their now almost helpless con-
dition, killed them. By the assistance of another person
the Indians were immediately buried, but so slightly that
their bodies were dug up by wild beasts, and their
bones were soon after discovered scattered about on the
ground. These two men, shortly after the discovery, were
arrested, and taken to Portsmouth for trial. A bill being
found against them by the grand jury, they were confined
in irons for trial; but in the night previous to the time
appointed, a mob from the country, armed with axes and
bars, forced open the prison and carried them off in
triumph. So imbittered were the feelings of the people
against the Indians, by reason of their wanton and brutal
depredations, that it was difficult, and almost impossible, to
award them justice, even in cases of undisputed right.

This town was granted in 1727 to Richard Waldron and
others. This grant also included Northfield and Loudon.
It was settled soon after the grant was obtained. There
was no regular church organization until 1761, although
there was occasional preaching from the first settlement.
In the year just mentioned Rev. Abiel Foster was ordained,
and labored as pastor until 1779, after which he was
called to discharge the duties of magistrate and legislator.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 127

In 1783 he was chosen to Congress, and for three years
filled that office under the old confederation. He was
several times returned as member of Congress until 1804.
Rev. Frederic Parker was ordained in 1791, and contin-
ued in charge until 1802, when he deceased. Eev. William
Patrick was ordained in 1803, who has, until within a very
few years, discharged the arduous duties of his sacred trust,
and now labors in connection with a colleague. There is
also a Freewill Baptist society in the town.

Population, 1614. Number of polls, 369. Amount
of inventory, $595,493. Value of lands, improved and
unimproved, $396,260. Number of sheep, 2604. Do.
neat stock, 1850. Do. horses and mules, 250.

In the south-east part of this town, situated on an ele-
vated and beautiful site, is the neat and quiet, though busy,
village of the Shakers — a sect of Christians first known in
this coimtry about the year 1774, when the founder, Ann
Lee, came to New York from Liverpool. The organiza-
tion of this society commenced, in the autumn of the year
1782, through the instrumentality of two ministers, Eben-
ezer Cooley and Israel Chauncey, from New Lebanon, in
New York, where a society, the first in America, had been
formed about two years previous. The village is about 11
miles north-east from Concord. It is remarkably healthy ;
which is owing partly, no doubt, to the regular and simple
habits of the people, and partly to the location. The soci-
ety own not far from 2500 acres of land, nearly all of
which is under improvement, although there is still forest
enough left for the supply of wood and timber for several
years. The land is regarded as devoted to the Lord, as well
as all their property, which they enjoy in common. They
readily pay their just proportion of the public taxes, and
share all the burdens of government except the performance

128 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

of military duty, which they deem at variance with the
doctrines of the gospel ; and, in return, they ask of govern-
ment that protection only which is guarantied to other citi-
zens. Although this society, in connection with others in
the vicinity, embraced their present faith in the years 1782
and 1783, they were not gathered into a compact body or
church, in order to possess a community of interest, until
the year 1792 — about ten years after they first embraced
the faith ; but the members of the society continued in a
sejjarate family capacity, and each member retained and
managed his own property and other temporal affairs pertain-
ing to himself according to his own judgment and discre-
tion. In the beginning of the year 1792, imder the super-
intendence of Elder Job Bishop, from New Lebanon, the
members of this society adopted the order of a joint union
and interest in all they possessed, being governed by no
other spirit or influence than that which governed the prim-
itive Christians or church at the day of Pentecost. Nor
has the instance been known, from the day of the forma-
tion of this society to the present, wherein a member has
claimed for his exclusive use or control a cent of what he
or she had thus consecrated, or even to hint that aught of
the things once possessed were in any sense entirely his
own. Howevei:, this sacrifice or surrender is not required
of any one contrary to his own faith and voluntary choice.
There are at the present time some, who are held in union
as members of the society, who have never consecrated
their property or devoted it to the joint interest. Such
usually constitute an order or family by themselves, ren-
dering their time and service, together with the use of their
property, for the mutual support and benefit of such family.
In the year 1782 there were about 30 families who re-
ceived the testimony, exclusive of other individuals, the

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 129

whole number amounting to perhaps 140 or 150 members.
Since that time there has been a slow but gradual increase,
so that the society consists of nearly 300 members. They
do not boast of numbers or offer crowds as a test of the
soundness of their Christian faith and doctrine, or as an
infallible guide to the narrow way that leads to eternal life ;
neither do they regard large numbers or powerful associa-
tions as any evidence in favor of the " good and the right
way ; " but, on the contrary, " Strait is the gate and nar-
row is the way that leadeth unto life ; and few there be that
find it." (Matt. vii. 14.) Neither is it their aim to accu-
mulate property ; but what they acquire by honest industry,
more than is sufficient for their comfortable support, they
bestow to charitable purposes.

The whole number of buildings belonging to this society
in Canterbury is about 100. Among these is a meeting
house, where the members resort once a week, on the Sab-
bath, for public religious worship. There are 15 dwelling
houses, mostly of wood, painted with light yellow, and are
2 and 3 stories in height. In each family there are rooms
in some of the dwellings appropriated exclusively for the
trustees of the society, where all its financial business is
transacted. There are also, in some of these buildings,
apartments fitted for the accommodation and comfort of the
aged and infirm. There are other large and convenient
buildings, constructed of wood or brick, which are occupied
as workshops, store houses, granaries, wood houses, barns,
&c., which are spacious, convenient, and in all respects
perfectly adapted to the purpose for which they were de-
signed. There is also one school house, where the boys are
instructed during the three winter months, and the girls
the same length of time during the summer. To any one
who has had the pleasure of visiting this school, the order.

130 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

method, and careful attention to the minutest details, as
well as the more comprehensive data of elementary studies,
are both readily apparent and striking, and furnish an exam-
ple eminently worthy of imitation. The studies pursued
are those usually taught in most country schools ; but the
learner is not suffered to rest with merely a superficial ac-
quaintance with the subject of study, as is often the case.
Correct and thorough knowledge, even though to a limited
extent, is deemed of far greater benefit than a partial and
indistinct glance at every branch and department of learn-
ing. There are 6 mills — 1 for carding and spinning ; 1
gristmill, in which is also a sawmill for timber, shingle
machines, planing machines, &c. ; 3 turning mills for
wood and iron ; 1 for weaving, coloring, fulling, and for
the knitting of shirts and drawers. These mills are all sit-
uated on one stream and at the head of six artificial ponds.
The water of these is collected in reservoirs at a distance
of 3 miles from the village, and is conducted from one
to the other through ditches. The various articles of man-
ufacture in this community consist principally of brooms,
pails, tubs, sieves, flannel and knit shirts and drawers, An-
gola shirts and drawers, &c.

The raising of garden seeds and medicinal herbs and
roots constitutes an extensive branch of business. Corbett's
compound sirup of sarsaparilla is manufactured here. The
distillation of the various essential oils, such as checkerber-
ry, rose, peach, &c., and the preparation of the various me-
dicinal herbs and extracts for almost every market in the
region, are to a large extent carried on and furnished by this
society. These are sold not only through the United States,
but are also transported in great quantities to the Canadas,
Cuba, Austraha, and other places. The use of alcoholic
drinks is never indulged in or allowed except in cases of

CxAZETTEER OF XEAV HAMPSHIRE. 131

sickness. In their business transactions with others, they
never solicit credit either for large or small sums. Their
secular concerns are conducted with a degree of probity,
uprightness, and perseverance which has rendered them
proverbial for industry, justice, and benevolence. The pe-
culiar doctrines of this sect are noticed under the head
" Religion," in another part of this volume.

Carroll, Coos county. Bounded north by Jefferson, east
by the White Mountain territory, south by ungranted land,
and west by Bethlehem aud Whitefield. It lies at the base
of the White Mountains, and presents a rugged and dreary
appearance. The surface is uneven ; the soil in some places
is strong and deep ; the scenery is wild and romantic. It
is yet considerably covered with a dense forest of maple,
as well as pine, hemlock, and spruce. There are numer-
ous small sti-eams within its limits, which swarm with
trout. Its area consists of 24,640 acres. Pondicherry
Mountain is situated in the northern part, between this town
and Jefferson. John's and Israel's Rivers receive several
tributaries from this place, and the head streams of the
Ammonusuc from the neighboring mountains unite in pass-
ing through this town. Carroll was originally named
Bretton Woods, and was granted, in 1772, to 'Sir Thomas
Wentworth, baronet, Rev. Samuel Langdon, and 81 others.
It received its present name in 1832, when it was incorpo-
rated. Distance from Concord, 113 miles, north.

Population, 299. Number of polls, 77. Valuation,
^94,194. Number of sheep, 253. Do. neat stock, 270.
Do. horses, 65.

Centre Harbor, Belknap county. Bounded north-east
by Moultonborough, south-east by Meredith, south-west by

132 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

New Hampton, and north-west by Holderness and Squam
Lake. Area, 7550 acres. Distance from Concord, 40
miles, north; from Boston, 116. Measley Pond and
Squam Lake are partly in this town. In the latter are
found considerable quantities of fine trout. This is a beau-
tiful sheet of water, 6 miles in length, and studded with
islands, some of which are mere dots upon the waves, while
others contain an acre or more, and in summer are bright
with verdure, or later in the season are smiling with the
gifts of Ceres. From Red Hill the view of this lake is
enchanting, and awakens in the mind of the beholder
thoughts of some fliiryland which mortals sometimes may
catch a glimpse of, but can never approach. The soil in
this town is mostly a rich loam. The town is pleasantly
situated, and its location probably gave rise to its present
name. It derived its name originally from that of one of
the first settlers who came here in IT 67.

The first settlement was made in 1765, by Ebenezer
Chamberlain. A Congregational church was organized
here in 1815, over which Rev. David Smith was settled in
1819. Centre Harbor is widely known as one of the most
pleasant summer resorts in the country. Far from the noise
and bustle of crowded city and the petty annoyances of
village gosfeip, the man of leisure or the man of business
may each find an asylum adapted to his wants. From its
pure and invigorating atmosphere the city invalid may re-
new the decaying springs of his own vitality, while bud-
ding beauty shoots forth still more beautiful. In the vil-
lage at the north-western extremity of the lake is an excel-
lent hotel, kept by Mr. Coe, which for many years has
been celebrated for the order, quiet, and liberal attention
kept and maintained in all its arrangements. Here the
traveller will find all the elegance, style, variety, and lux-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 133

ury of a first-class city hotel. Sail boats, row boats, fishing
tackle, horses, carriages, &c., may be obtained here for the
accommodation of visitors.

Travellers from New York will secure a direct route to
this place by taking the Norwich line of steamers on Long
Island Sound; thence over the Norwich and Worcester
Railroad to "Worcester ; thence over the Worcester and
Nashua Railroad to Nashua; thence over the Concord
Railroad to Concord ; thence over the Boston, Concord, and
Montreal Railroad to Wier's Landing, at the outlet of Lake
Winnipiseogee. From thence by steamboat, a delightful
ride of 10 miles on the lake brings you to your journey's
end — the Senter House. From this place the route is
easy and agreeable to Franconia, leading through a section
of the state remarkable for its cool and reviving breezes
and its wild and beautiful scenery. In this section there is
also much to attract the attention of the geologist and the
lovers of science generally. In many places there are
strong marks of the existence, at some former period, of a
volcano in the vicinity.

Population, 544. Number of polls, 124. Valuation,
$138,790. Number of sheep, 438. Do. neat stock, 616.
Do. horses, 78.

Charlestown, Sullivan county. Bounded north by
Claremont, east by Unity, Acworth, and Langdon, south by
Langdon and Walpole, and w^st by Springfield, Vermont.
Distance from Concord, 51 miles, west. Area, 21,400
acres. The only rivers in this town are the Little Sugar
and the Connecticut, which latter flows along its western
limits for a distance of 13 miles. The town is very narrow,
and its eastern line is very irregular. In Connecticut Riv-
er are 3 islands, which constitute a part of Charlestown,
12

134 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

the largest of which (Sartwell's Island) contains about 10
acres, and is in a state of high cultivation. The other two
contain about 6 acres each, and are composed of a rich,
loamy soil. Little Sugar River passes through the north
part of the town. The soil is various. West of the road
leading to Walpole there are 1500 acres of interval, of a
deep, rich, and loamy soil, favorable to the production of
most of the varieties of grass and grain ; in the east and
north-east portions of the town the soil of the uplands is
strong and productive. A ridge of land in the westerly
part of the town extends nearly through its entire length,
the surface of which is hard, uneven, and stony, and is
considered of but little value.

Charlestown village is one of the most pleasant and de-
lightful in the state. It is situated on a plain, about half
a mile from Connecticut River, and nearly parallel with it.
The main street is about a mile in length, is quite broad,
and the highway is adorned on each side with rows of ma-
jestic elms. The houses are mostly of two stories, neat and
substantial, — many of them built in the style and on the
liberal scale so common among country gentlemen fifty or
seventy -five years ago, — with spacious grounds. Others
are elegant modern cottages. The Sullivan Railroad passes
through this village and through the village at North
Charlestown, at both of which places is a depot. There is
a deposit of bog iron ore about 2^ miles south-east of the
village, covering an area of 6000 yards. In the midst of
this deposit a chalybeate spring rises, strongly impregnated
with iron. Yellow ochre, in great abundance and of a qual-
ity suitable for paint, is obtained here. On the summit of
the hill, above the deposit of bog iron ore, is a bed of
conglomerated quartz pebble.

Charlestown was granted, December 31, 1735, by Mas-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 135

sachusetts, under the name of Number Four, to 63 persons.
The first meeting of the proprietors was holden at Hatfield,
April 5, 1737. The first settlers were several families by the
names of Parker, Farnsworth, and Sartwell, from Groton,
Massachusetts. They were soon followed by a family named
Hastings, from Lunenburg, and another named Stevens, from
Rutland. In 1743 a fort was built in this place, under the
direction of Colonel Stoddard, of Northampton. Mills were
first erected in 1744. It was in this year that the Cape
Breton war began. Charlestown, being more than 30 miles
fi:om any settlement, was, during this period, the scene of
much suffering and privation. In the spring of 1746 a
party of Indians suddenly appeared, and took John Spaf-
ford, Isaac Parker, and Stephen Farnsworth, as they were
driving their teams. Their cattle were soon after found
dead, with their tongues cut out. The men were carried to
Canada, and after some time returned to Boston under a
flag of truce. In May following the Indians again made
their appearance at Number Four. About evening some
women went out to milk their cows, attended by Major Jo-
siah Willard and several soldiers as a guard, when eight
Indians, who were concealed in a barn, fired on them, and
killed Seth Putnam. While they were scalping him, Wil-
lard and two of his men fired on them and mortally wound-
ed two of them, when the Indians retreated, carrying their
dying companions with them. A few days after, as Cap-
tain Paine, with about 30 of his men, Avere going out to view
the place where Putnam was killed, they fell into an am-
bush. The enemy rose up from the bushes, fired, and then
endeavored to cut off" the retreat of Paine and his compa-
ny. The noise being heard at the fort. Captain Phinehas
Stevens, with a party of men, rushed out to their relief.
A warm skirmish followed, in which five men were killed

136 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

on both sides, and one of Paine's party was taken. The
Indians were at length compelled to retire, and in their
haste left behind several of their guns and blankets.
About a month after, another engagement happened at the
same place. As Captain Stevens and Captain Brown were
going into the meadow to look for their horses, their dogs
discovered an ambush, which put the men on their guard,
and gave them the advantage of the first fire. After a
short but close encounter, the Indians were driven into a
neighboring swamp, drawing away some of their dead. In
this action only one white man was lost. Several blankets,
hatchets, spears, guns, and other things were left by the
Indians, which were sold for £40, old tenor, which
was reckoned " a great booty for such beggarly enemies."
During the early part of the summer of this year, the In-
dians destroyed the mills in Charlestown by fire. In Au-
gust a man named Phillips was killed ; and as the people
were carrying him into the fort they were fired upon, but
happily none were injured. Having burned a few build-
ings, and killed and maimed some cattle, the Indians took
their leave. In November the settlement was deserted,
excepting that six men were left in charge of the fort,
who kept it until winter set in, when they also left. In
the latter end of March, 1747, Captain Phinehas Stevens,
who commanded a company of rangers consisting of 30
men, came to Number Four, and finding the fort deserted,
but in good condition, determined to keep possession of it.
He had been there but a few days when he was attacked
by a party of 400 French and Indians, under command of
M. Debeline. The dogs, by their continued barking, ex-
cited the suspicion that the enemy were lurking about,
which induced the inmates of the fort to keep the gates
closed. A single man ventured out to make a discovery.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 137

and was immediately fired upon ; but he succeeded in re-
turning to the fort with only a slight wound. The enemy,
finding that they were discovered, now arose from their con-
cealment and poured in their volleys upon the fort from
all sides. The wind being high, they set fire to the fences
and log houses, and in a few moments the fort was sur-
rounded by flames. Captain Stevens was on the alert, and
ready at every point with means to avert impending dan-
ger. He kept every vessel within the fort full of water,
and caused trenches to be dug under the walls, so that a
man might crawl through and extinguish any fire which
might catch on the, outside walls. The Indians, bent on
the destruction of the fort and all within it, kept up a
continued stream of flaming arrows against the fort, but
fortunately without effect. The fire of the fences did not
reach the fort, so that all attempts at destruction by confla-
gration were providentially of no avail.

This attack, accompanied with hideous shouts and yells,
was kept up incessantly for two days. Infuriated at the
obstinacy of the besieged, the savages next prepared a
wheel carriage, loaded with dry fagots and bushes, which
they pushed behind them towards the fort. Feeling cer-
tain of success, before they carried this plan into effect,
they demanded a cessation of arms till sunrise ; which was
granted. In the morning, Debeline advanced towards the
fort with 50 men, bearing a flag of truce, which he stuck
in the ground. He demanded a parley, which was agreed
to. A French officer, with a soldier and an Indian, then
came forward and proposed that the garrison should bind
up a quantity of provisions in their blankets, and, having
laid down their arms, allow themselves to be conducted as
prisoners of war to Montreal. Another proposal was, that
the two commanders should meet, and that an answer
12*

138 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

should then be given. Stevens met the French com-
mander, who, without waiting for an answer, began to
enforce his first proposal with the threat that, if not im-
mediately acceded to, he would storm the fort, and put
every man within it to the sword if they should refuse
his terms or kill one of his men. Stevens, seeing that to
treat upon honorable terms was out of the question, reso-
lutely replied, that he would listen to no terms until the last
extremity — that he was intrusted with the defence of the
fort, and was determined to maintain it till he should be con-
vinced that Monsieur Debeline, with his forces, could ac-
complish what he had threatened. He added, that it was
poor encouragement to surrender if they were all to be
slaughtered for killing one man, when it was certain they
had already killed many. The Frenchman, with insolence,
replied, " Go, see if your men dare fight any longer, and
give me a quick answer." Stevens went into the fort, and
asked his men whether they would fight, or surrender. It
was at once and unanimously resolved to fight. This was
immediately communicated to the enemy, who thereupon
resumed their shouting and fighting, keeping it up all that
day and the night following. On the morning of the third
day they demanded another cessation for two hours. Two
Indians then came forward and proposed to Stevens that,
if he would sell them provisions, they would withdraw.
He answered, that to sell an enemy provisions for money
was contrary to the law of nations; but he would pay them
five bushels of corn for every captive for whom they would
give a hostage, until the captive could be brought from
Canada. After this reply the enemy fired a few more
guns, and then disappeared. In this brave defence against
great odds and a starving, savage foe, no lives were lost
within the fort, and only two men were wounded. An ex-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 139

press was immediately despatched to Boston, and the news
was there received vnth. demonstrations of joy. Commo-
dore Sir Charles Knowles was so highly pleased with the
conduct of Captain Stevens that he presented him with an
elegant and valuable sword. From this circumstance the
township, when it was incorporated, July. 2, 1753, received
the name of Charlestown.

This charter was granted by Governor Benning Went-
worth to Joseph AYells, Phinehas Stevens, and others, who
were purchasers under the old grantees. In 1754 the
French war began, and the inhabitants were once more
obliged to resort to the fort for safety. From infancy the
settlers had been trained to scenes of hardship and danger
unknown to their descendants. When they attended pub-
lic worship, or cultivated their lands, they proceeded forth
from the fort armed for battle, and worshipped or toiled
under protection of a sentinel. In their depredatory ex-
cursions, the Indians preferred prisoners to scalps, and
generally killed but few excepting those who were likely
to escape or appeared too formidable to be encountered
with success. On the 29th of August, 1754, the Indians,
early in the morning, attacked the house of James Johnson,
who, with his ^vife, her sister, and three children, and two
men, Peter Labaree and Ebenezer Farnsworth, were taken
prisoners. On the second day of the journey, about 15 miles
from Charlestown, in the wilderness, Mrs. Johnson was
delivered of a child, who, from the pecuhar circum-
stances attending its birth, was named Captive. The In-
dians halted one day on account of the woman, and on the
next day took up their march, carrying her in a litter
which they made for that purpose. During the march,
being distressed for want of provisions, they killed the
only horse they had, and the infant was nourished by suck-

140 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

ing pieces of its flesh. AVhcn they had arrived at Mon-
treal, Johnson obtained a parole to return and solicit funds
for the redemption of his family and himself. He applied
to the Assembly of New Hampshire, and at length secured
£150 sterling ; but the season was then so far advanced
that he did not return to Canada until spring opened. He
was then charged with having broken his parole ; a great
part of his money was taken from him by violence ; and he
was shut up with his fimily in a prison, where they took
the small pox; but fortunately they all survived. After
18 months, Mrs. Johnson, with her sister and two daughters,
was sent in a cartel sliip to England, and thence retxu'ned
to Boston.

Johnson was still retained in prison for three years, and
then, with his son, returned and found liis wife in Boston.
His eldest daughter was retained in a nunnery in Canada.
The daughter who was born on the journey, as related, after-
wai'ds married Colonel George Ivimball. In 1756 Lieutenant
Moses Willard, the fother of Mrs. Johnson, was killed.
He was at work Avithin sight of the fort with liis son
Moses. The Indians, having despatched the father, pur-
sued the son, and wounded him with a spear. He how-
ever made his escape, di-agging the spear with him into the
fort. In 1757 the Indians again burned the mills wliich had
been rebuilt, and took Sampson Colefax, David Farnsworth,
and Thomas Adams prisoners. In 1758 Ashahel Stebbins
was killed, and liis wife, Isaac Parker, and a soldier were cap-
tured. In September, 1760, Joseph Willard, his wife, and
children were taken prisoners. After they had proceeded
on their joiuney a few miles, the Indians, finding that the
infant child gave signs of uneasiness, and fearing that it
might impede theu* progress, took it aside and beat out its
brains. This, it is believed, was among the last depreda-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 141

tions committed by the Indians in New England. The
prisoners taken from Charlestown were all conveyed to
Canada by way of Lake Champlain and sold to the French.
Nearly all were sooner or later redeemed by government
or by their friends. The first child born in Charlestown
was Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Parker. She was bom in
1744. Charlestown has been, and still is, favored with not
a few men of eminence and ability.

Captain Phinehas Stevens, of whom mention has' already
been made, was one of the first settlers. He was a native
of Sudbury, Massachusetts, fi-om whence his father removed
to Rutland. At the age of 16, while his father was making ,
hay, he, with three little brothers, followed him to the
meadow. They were surprised by the Indians, who killed
two of his brothers, took him prisoner, and then made prep-
arations to kill his youngest brother, a child four years old.
By signs, he made the Indians to imderstand that, if they
would spare the little fellow, he would carry him on his
back. They spared him, and he carried him on his back to
Canada. He died, in November, 1756, in the service of
his country. Samuel Stevens, Esq., son of Captain Ste-
vens, was the first representative of the town to the General
Court, and, at the age of 87 years, discharged the duties
of register of probate for the county of Cheshire, which
post he had occupied for several years. Colonel William
Heywood was one of the ten males who formed the Congre-
gational church in 1761, and filled the office of town
clerk 42 years. Colonel Samuel Hunt, who was an active
military officer during the French and revolutionary wars,
settled in this town in 1759, and was sheriff of the
county imtil his death in 1779. Hon. Simeon Olcott
and Hon. Benjamin West were men whom posterity
wiU not forget. Hon. Henry Hubbard has filled the re-

142 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

sponsible offices of representative and senator in Congress
and governor of New Hampshire. Hon. J. J. Gilchrist,
chief justice of the Superior Court of Judicature in this
state, is a citizen of Charlestown.

Charlestown is not remarkably well situated for a manu-
facturing town or a place of extensive business of any kind.
It has but little water power, and affords but few facilities
for trade. Still it is a flourishing town. The Connecticut
River Bank in this town has a capital of $90,000. There
is a shoe establishment; employing 50 hands. The railroad
machine shop gives employment to 12 or 15 hands. The
first settled minister was Rev. John Dennis, who, on ac-
count of the Indian war, Avas ordained in Northfield De-
cember 4, 1754. He was dismissed in 1756. Rev. Bulkly
Olcott was ordained May 28, 1761 ; died June 26, 1792.
Rev. Daniel Foster supplied the place of settled minister
from 1796 to 1809. Rev. Jaazaniah Crosby was ordained
October 17, 1810. He preached and maintained the doc-
trines of the Congregational creed for several years, when
he, with all, or nearly so, of his congregation adopted the
Unitarian faith. This is, at the present time, a large and
flomishing society, still under the charge of Mr. Crosby.

Population, 1644. Number of polls, 349. Amount of
inventory, $793,664. Value of shares in bank, $70,500.
Value of lands, improved and unimproved, $442,412.
Number of sheep, 5806. Do. neat stock, 1415. Do.
horses and mules, 296.

Chatham, Carroll county. Bounded north by the
White Mountains, east by Maine, south by Conway, and
west by Bartlett and Jackson. Area, 26,000 acres. 92
miles north-east from Concord, and 40 north from Ossipee.
This town was granted, in 1767, to Peter Livius and

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 143

others. There are several ponds in this town, and a few
streams of considerable size. The surface is mountainous
and rocky, and the soil, though in some places good, is yet
so scanty as never to support a dense population. Be-
tween Chatham and Jackson, Carter's Mountain rises so
high as to prevent the opening of a road between the two
towns ; so that, in their intercourse with the people of Coos
county in adjoining towns, the inhabitants are obliged to
pass through part of the State of Maine. There is a large
quantity of excellent wood and timber in this town, and
the time will doubtless come when want and enterprise
will find a market for it. A large quantity of maple sugar
is produced here annually.

Population, 516. Number of polls, 115. Valuation,
$107,975. Number of sheep, 542. Do. neat stock, 503.
Do. horses, 70.

Chester, Eockingham county. Bounded north by Can-
dia and Eaymond, east by Poplin and Sandown, south by
Derry, and west by Auburn. 23 miles south-east from
Concord, and 17 west from Exeter. A branch of Exeter
Kiver, called " the Branch," is the only stream of impor-
tance. A considerable portion of this town contains an ex-
cellent soil, and some of the large, rich swells are surpassed
in fertiHty by none in the state. There are also several
large and valuable meadows. Plumbago, of good quality
and in considerable abundance, is found in this town. Sul-
phur is also found in small quantities, embedded in tremo-
lite. Granite and gneiss are the prevailing rock. Chester
formerly included the present town of Auburn, which was
set off and incorporated in 1845. In October, 1719, about
80 persons, chiefly from Hampton and Portsmouth, having
associated together for the purpose of obtaining a grant of

144 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

a township in the " chestnut country," stationed three men
upon this tract to keep possession until they should secure
the grant. After considerable difficulty, they obtained a
grant of land 10 miles square.

The settlement was immediately commaiced by several
persons from Rye and Hampton, among whom were Samuel
Ingalls, Jonathan Goodhue, Jacob Sargent, Ebenezer Dear-
born, Robert Smith, B. and E, Colby, John and S. Robie,
who, by their activity and perseverance, contributed largely
to the success and permanence of the enterprise. From
1T22 to 1726 the progi-ess of the settlement was somewhat
lnterrui3ted by an Indian war, called the Three Years' war,
or Lovewell's war. The Indians committed no depreda-
tions here, excepting that, in June, 1724, they took Thomas
Smith and John Carr, and, after carrying them about 30
miles, bound them, and lay down to sleep. During their
nap, which proved to be pretty sound, the captives made
their escape, and in three days arrived safe at a garrison in
Londonderry. Several garrison houses were kept in this
township until the peace of 1749. On the 8th of May,

1722, the township which had hitherto been called Cheshire
was incorporated under its present name. By the charter,
it comprised more than 120 square miles of territory. <

The first meeting under this charter was held March 28,

1723. Until 1728, the town meetings were usually held
in some old town within the province, and nearly all the
town officers, though proprietors, were not inhabitants of
the town. Until 1735, the business of the town and of the
proprietary was transacted at the town meetings. After
this time, separate meetings were held. In 1729 the town
voted to build a meeting house, wliich was so far completed
that the town meetings were afterwards holden in it. In the
following year, Rev. Moses Hale was settled as pastor. In

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 145

this year, the first settlers, who were Presbyterians, formed
a society, and settled Rev. John Wilson, after the rules of
the kirk of Scotland. In 1738 this society erected a
meeting house. They resisted every attempt to set-
tle a Congregational minister ; and after Rev. Ebenezer
Flagg, a minister of that profession, was settled, many of the
Presbyterians refused to pay the taxes assessed upon them
for his support. Two of them, James Campbell and John
Tolford, were arrested by the collector and lodged in jail in
Exeter. After a long and tedious lawsuit, in which not a
little of bigotry was manifested on both sides, the party
arrested obtained a decision in their favor ; and in 1740
the two societies were clothed with corporate powers, and
authorized to hold meetings separately.

Rev. Mr. Elagg, of the Congregational church, died No-
vember 14, 1796. Rev. Nathan Bradstreet was his suc-
cessor, and so continued until 1818. Rev. Joel Arnold
was settled March 8, 1820. Rev. Mr. Wilson, of the
Presbyterian church, was born in the county of Ulster, in
the north part of Ireland. He came to this country in
1729, and preached 45 years. After his death, the church
was vacant 24 years. In 1803 Rev. Zaccheus Colby was
ordained, and was succeeded by Rev. Clement Parker in
1817. A Baptist society was organized in 1819. At
present there is a Congregational and a Methodist society.
In 1750 the south-west part of the town, with a f)ortion
of Londonderry, was set off to form the present township
of Derry. In 1763 that part of the town called Charm-
ingface was incorporated by the name of Candia. In 1765
another portion wafe cut off, and incorporated under the
name of Raymond. In 1822 another portion was cut off,
to form, with other tracts, the town of Hooksett. In 1845
that portion of the town known for many years as Long
13

146 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Meadows was incorporated under the name of Auburn.
For some time after the occupation of this territory by the
whites, the Indians had a settlement of some 10 or 12
wigwams on an island in Massabesic Pond, vestiges of
which still remain. The first child born in Chester of
white parents was a daughter of Samuel Ingalls, who
lived to the age of 90 years. John Sargent was the first
male child born of English parents in this town, who lived
to be nearly 80 years of age. This town is finely located, so
far as health and longevity are considered. It is situated
about 20 miles from the ocean, which, on a clear day, can
be distinctly seen from the more elevated portions. The
sea breezes are agreeable and exhilarating.
* Population, 1301. No. of polls, 296. Amount of in-
ventory, $359,892. Value of improved and unimproved
lands, $237,959. Number of sheep, 619. Do. neat stock,
916. Do. horses, 149.

Chesterfield, Cheshire county. Bounded north by
Westmoreland and Keene, east by Keene and Swanzey,
south by Winchester and Hinsdale, and west by Brattlebor-
ough and Dummerston, Vermont. Area, 29,437 acres. 62
miles south-west from Concord, and 11 south-west from
Keene, with which it is connected by railroad. This town is
mostly upland, well adapted for grazing and most of the cereal
grains. Pew towns on Connecticut River have so little inter-
val. Although its western border is washed by this river
for a distance of six miles, nearly all this space is occupied by
hills which rise up from the river side. SpafFord's Lake,
in the northern part of the town, is indeed a charming
sheet of water. It is about 10 miles in circumference,
covers a surface of about 600 acres, and is fed by springs in
its bosom. Its waters are remarkably clear and pure, its

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 147

bed consisting of a white sand. In this lake is an island
containinsc about six acres, a favorite resort of the students
of the Academy in this town as well as others. On its east-
erly side a stream issues forth, of sufficient size to carry
the machinery of a cotton mill, employing 20 hands ; two bit
and auger factories, employing the same number ; a peg
manufactory, a large tannery, several saw mills, grist mills,
and other works.

West River Mountain (Wantastiquel) lies partly in this
town and partly in Hinsdale. It bears strong marks of
having once been subject to volcanic eruption. Near what
is supposed to have been the crater, lava is now to be found
in considerable quantities. It is said, by those who live near
the mountain, that a trembling motion is often felt and a deep
rumbling is heard in its bowels. During the early period of
the settlement of the town, the inhabitants, having discovered
the crater, and believing that it led to a silver mine, procured
a lease of it. By the terms of the lease, the lessees were re-
quired to dig at least three days in each year. For a long
time this condition was faithfully observed ; and in the prog-
ress of labor an excavation was made, follo"\\dng the course
of the crater downwards about 100 feet, principally through
a solid rock.

At the centre of the town is a pleasant village. Here
is located the Academy, which was opened in 1794, and for
many years was the only academy in Cheshire county. Its
advantages are good, and the course of instruction pursued
has hitherto met with general approbation.

Chesterfield was granted, February 11, 1752, to 12 per-
sons of the name of Willard, and 52 others. The first set-
tlement was made, November 25, 1761, by Moses Smith
and William Thomas, who, with their families, sailed up the
Connecticut River in a canoe, and made their first *' pitch '*

148 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

on the banks of the river. Then* chief subsistence for
some time consisted of shad and sahnon, of which there
"was a great abundance in the river, and deer, wliich were
numerous in the forest. The first religious society formed
in town was Congregational, in 1771. Rev. Abraham
"Wood was ordained December 13, 1772. A Baptist
society was incorporated here in 1819, and a Universahst
society in 1818. Mrs. Hannah Bay ley died in this town
in November, 1822, aged 104 years and 3 months.

Population, 1680. Number of polls, 429. Amount of
inventory, ^487,596. Value of lands, improved and unim-
proved, $379,400. Number of sheep, 683. Do. neat
stock, 1935. Do. horses, 255. Amount of shares in cor-
porations, money at interest, &c., $50,940.

Chichestee, Merrimack county. Bounded north by
Pittsfield, east by Pittsfield and Epsom, south by Pem-
broke, and west by Loudon and Concord. Area, 11,978
acres. This is an excellent farming town, and yields abun-
dantly the various kinds of produce raised in this region.
There is no waste land, and no elevation of importance ;
so that, although small in extent compared with most other
towns, it nevertheless contains a large amount of easily
cultivated soil. Bear Hill, in the north part of the town,
is the only considerable eminence. This is under high cul-
tivation. The east part of the town is watered by Suncook
Biver, which affords a few mill seats, and flows through
some excellent interval. The inhabitants are chiefly en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits. Traces of Indian settle-
ments are often discovered, such as chisels, axes, &c., of
stone. The Pennacooks, once a powerful tribe, resided in
this vicinity, and their plantations were on the banks of
the Suncook River. This town was granted, in 1727, to

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 149

Nathaniel Gookin and others, but was not settled until
1758, In 1791 a Congregational society was formed, and
Rev. Josiah Carpenter ordained. At present there is one
Congregational society, one Methodist, and one Freewill
Baptist in town.

Population, 999. Number of polls in 1854, 261.
Inventory, $279,886. Number of sheep, 889. Do. neat
stock, 1108. Do. horses, 164. Value of lands, improved
and unimproved, $158,449.

Claremont, Sullivan county. Bounded north by Cor-
nish, east by Newport, south by Unity and Charlestown,
and west by Weathersfield, Vermont. Area, 25,830 acres.
Distance from Concord, 47 miles, west. This town is
watered by Connecticut River on its western border, and by
Sugar River, which flows in a westerly direction, winding
in its course through broad and fertile meadows, until it
reaches the village in the central part of the town, when
its fall is very rapid till within about a mile of the Con-
necticut, into which it is discharged. Red Water Brook
waters the north-east part of the town. There are, be-
sides, several other small streams in various parts of the
town. The soil consists mostly of a rich gravelly loam,
very deep. The surface is generally undulating. A large
portion of the town consists of interval, or meadow, the
soil of which, in many places, is very deep. The upland
farms are generally easily and well cultivated, and highly
productive. The town is mostly surmounted by high
hills, which, to some extent, ward off high and bleak winds.
Vegetation is several days earlier here than in the sur-
rounding towns. Claremont enjoys the reputation of being
the best farming town in the state.

The only eminences of note are Green Mountain, in the
13*

150 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

easterly, and Barbour's Mountain, in the westerly, part of the
town. Green mountain is based on a mica slate founda-
tion. The mountain itself consists of quartz rock, ap-
parently of regular stratification, but really of crystalline
structure. On the sides of the mountain are found large
crystals of staurotide, some of which are very beautiful.
From the summit of this mountain the Connecticut River
can be seen for many miles, permeating through its broad
and luxuriant intervals, dotted here and there with a
radiant islet, and gliding quietly by villages and farm
houses scattered along its shores — the whole presenting a
landscape which, for variety and beauty, is seldom sur-
passed. The rock composing Twistback Mountain, a small
eminence, consists of micaceous slate, interstratified with
small beds of blue limestone, somewhat impure. Barbour's
Mountain is a beautiful swell of land, containing some of
the best cultivated farms in the town.

The hills are generally sloping acclivities, easily culti-
vated on all sides, together with their summits. The vil-
lage of Claremont, situated about two miles east of the Sul-
livan Railroad depot in this town, presents a thriving and
attractive appearance. Scattered over a large surface, it
includes an agreeable variety of plain, terrace, and gentle
declivity. There are five houses of religious worship,
each spacious, and exhibiting a different, and in some in-
stances a beautiful, style of architecture. In the " AVest
Parish " are two churches — one Episcopalian, the other Ro-
man Catholic. This is a quiet and romantic spot. The
mercantile business of this town is considerable. There
are in the village 46 stores — milliners', jewellers', tailors',
druggists' shops, and grocers'. There are two banks — the
Claremont Bank and the Sullivan Savings Institution.
There are two large shoe manufactories here — one fur-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 151

nishing emplftyment for 40 males and 36 females, owned
by G. N. Farwell & Co., and furnishing 25,000 pairs of
ladies' shoes annually ; the other, owned by Silas E. Noyes,
employing 12 males and 20 females, and furnishing 12,000
pairs of shoes per annum.

The manufacturing facilities of this town are equalled
by few, if any, towns within the state. The rapid fall of
Sugar River furnishes immense water power and numerous
excellent mill seats, which, with Sunapee Lake as a reser-
voir, and the right, by an act of incorporation, to draw
down the lake 10 feet, — though this, as yet, has not been
found necessary, — insures an abundant and constant sup-
ply of water during all seasons of the year. The fall of
this river through the village, a distance of about three
fourths of a mile, is 150 feet. Each 20 feet of fall fur-
nishes power sufficient to carry 20,000 spindles. The
entire fall through the town is 250 feet. These valuable
privileges are being rapidly taken up. The following are
the principal works on this stream in the village : —

The Sunapee Mills, a cotton manufactory, runs 1320
mule spindles, 1280 warp do., and 60 looms. It consumes
104,000 pounds of cotton per annum. About 10,000 yards
of print goods are manufactured weekly. Number of hands
employed, 50. Capital, $30,000. Benjamin Cozzens
agent ; J. W. Thompson superintendent and treasurer.

The Monadnock Mills, a cotton manufactory, in re-
spect to the extent of buildings, capital, and amount of
goods annually manufactured, may justly be ranked among
the first establishments of the kind in the country. The
entire length of the factory building, with wheel house and
repair shop included, is 418 feet. The main wings of the
building are each 124 feet in length, 60 in width, and
5 stories high, besides spacious attics. Capital stock.

152 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

• 1200,000. Number of spindles, 15,000. Do. looms, |,
120 ; |, 41 ; |, 24 ; V' ^^ ' ? ' "^^ ' ^o^al, 321 — equal
to 465 I looms. Number of male operatives employed,
100. Do. females, 300. Amount of stock consumed annu-
ally, 725,000 pounds. Do. goods manufactured, 2,050,000
square yards. Do. money annually paid to operatives,
$75,000. Jonas Livingston agent.

The Claremont Machine Works — a company engaged
in the manufacture of engine lathes and planers. These
machines are finished to the utmost degree of perfection.
Upon some of them the highest premiums have been
awarded at the Crystal Palace. Amount of capital in-
vested, $15,000. Number of hands employed, 25.

The Home Mills — a cotton manufactory. Capital
stock, $30,000. Number of spindles, 2600. Do. looms,
|, 51. Male operatives, 18 ; female, 22. Amount of cot-
ton consumed annually, 80,000 pounds. Yards of sheeting
manufactured annually, 363,000, 37 inch. Amount of
money paid annually to operatives, $7800. Arnold Briggs
agent.

Sanford and Rossiter's Woollen Factory. Thomas San-
ford agent. Capital stock invested, $40,000. Goods
manufactured, cassimeres. Number of yards manufactured
per annum, 45,000. Pounds of wool consumed annually,
50,000. Number of operatives employed, 30.

E. E. Bailey's Silver Ware Manufactory. Capital in-
vested, $5000.

Claremont Cutlery Company. Manufacture table cut-
lery mostly. Capital invested, $30,000. Manufacture
from 2000 to 3000 knives and forks per day. Consume
annually 30 tons of steel ; 30 do. cocoa ; 20 do. ebony ;
50 do. hard coal; 30 do. grindstones; 2500 bushels
of charcoal ; and 100 cords of wood. Dimensions of

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 153

main building, 96 by 40 feet. Do. of forge shop, 65 by
24. 100 operatives are employed, with machinery suf-
ficient to employ 50 additional hands. Amount of busi-
ness per annum, ,^60,000. The cutlery manufactured at
this establishment has been considered by large dealers as
superior to any other manufactured in this country or
England.

Claremont Manufacturing Company. S. Ide agent.
Authorized capital, .f 500,000. Incorporated 1832. This
company manufacture and sell paper and books. Amount
of capital paid in, ^100,000. They are now running
3 mills, with 9 engines. Amount of paper made, about
250 tons per year. Value, ^50,000. Value of books
manufactured, $50,000. Number of hands employed —
males, 40 ; females, 50.

There are also two weekly papers published in Clare-
mont— the National Eagle and the Northern Advocate.

Claremont was granted, October 26, 1764, to Josiah Wil-
lard, Samuel Ashly, and 67 others. It received its name
in honor of Lord Clive, a distinguished English general,
who then had charge of the British forces in the East
Indies. The first settlement was made in 1762, by Moses
SpafFord and David Lynde. The first white native of
Claremont was Elijah, son of Moses SpafFord, born in
1763. The first settled minister in the town was" Kev.
George Wheaton, of the Congregational faith. His suc-
cessor was Rev. Augustine Hibbard, who was settled in
1774 ; dismissed in 1785. Rev. John Tappan was ordained
March 7, 1796 ; dismissed in September, 1802. It is now a
large and flourishing society. The first minister of the
Episcopal church in this town was Rev. Ranna Cossitt,
who took holy orders in England in 1772, and in the
following year entered upon the duties of his sacred office.

154 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Eev. Daniel Barber succeeded him in August, 1775, and
was dismissed in 1818. Rev. James B. Howe succeeded
him in 1819. There are two Episcopalian churches in this
to\yn; the one in the "West Parish" was erected in 1773,
now under the charge of Rev. H. S. Smith. The number
of communicants is about 50. The other, Trinity Church,
was erected in 1852, at a cost of $10,200, and is a splen-
did edifice of the Elizabethan Gothic style. This church is
under the charge of the Right Rev. Carlton Chase, D. D.,
Bishop of New Hampshii-e, and contains about 225 com-
municants.

A Baptist society was formed in 1785, and in the follow-
ing year Rev. John Peckens was ordained. He was suc-
ceeded by Rev. John Peake in 1788. This society is now
in a flourishing condition.

The Methodist society was formed in 1809. Rev. Caleb
Dustin was the pastor for many years, and was beloved by
all who knew him.

The Universalist society was formed in 1826, and for
several years had only occasional preaching. For some
time past, however, the society has been under the care of
a settled minister.

Hon. Caleb Ellis was a resident of this town. In 1804
he was chosen member of Congress, which office he held
two years. In 1813 he was appointed judge of the Superior
Court, in which office he remained until his death in 1816.
Hon. George B. Upham, a citizen of this town, was a
member of Congress in 1801, which office he held two years.
He was an eminent lawyer, and by his industry and close
application became, from a poor young man, one of the
most wealthy men in New Hampshire. He died February
10, 1848, aged 79.

Population in 1854, 4376. Number of polls, 1013.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 155

Inventory, $2,096,742. Value of lands, improved and
unimproved, ,f946,256. Number of sheep, 6349. Do.
neat stock, .2445. Do. horses and mules, 602.

Clarks'sille, Coos county. Bounded north by Pitts-
burg, east by grant to Gilmanton Academy, south by
Stewartstown, and west by Canaan, Vermont. Distance
from Concord, 156 miles, north. This is almost the north-
em Kmit of the state, there being but one town beyond it,
with which it is classed, for the election of representative.
The soil is rugged, and not very productive ; the surface
is broken and hilly. There are two ponds — one, Clarksville
Pond, containing about 100 acres; the other, Carr Pond,
covering about 30 acres. There are several tributaries to
the Connecticut within this town, but no streams of con-
siderable size. This town was incorporated June, 1854.

Population, 187. Number of polls, 54. Amount of
inventory, $38,571. Value of lands, improved and unim-
proved, $15,467. Number of sheep, 285. Do. neat
stock, 257. Do. horses, 41.

CoLEBROOK, Coos county. Bounded north by Stewarts-
town, east by Dixville, south by Columbia, and west by
Vermont. Area, 25,000 acres. Distance from Concord,
140 miles, north ; from Lancastei*, 35, north. This town is
watered by Mohawk River and Blue Brook, the former
containing excellent mill seats and water privileges. The
soil is rich, and generally easily cultivated. Intervals of
good quality and of considerable extent stretch along the
Connecticut; and the uplands, of moderate ascent, are fer-
tile. This is a town of considerable enterprise. The
people are industrious, engaged chiefly in agriculture and

156 NEW HAMPSHIEE AS IT IS.

the manufacture of lumber. There is an academy here,
with a fund of $1200.

This town was originally granted to Sir George Cole-
brook. It was incorporated in 1790.

Population, 908. Number of polls, 219. Amount of
inventory, $217,569. Do. money at interest or on deposit,
$29,485. Value of lands, improved and unimproved,
$94,548. Do. mills and stock in trade, $11,264. Num-
ber of sheep, 1586. Do. neat stock, 1194. Do. horses, 234.

Columbia, Coos county. Bounded north by Colebrook,
east by Dixville and ungranted lands, south by ungranted
lands and Strafford, and west by Vermont. Area, 37,822
acres. Distance from Concord, 135 miles, north; from Lan-
caster, 30, north. The surface of the town is uneven, and
broken by mountains along its southern limits. From these
elevations descend a number of streams in a westerly direc-
tion into the Connecticut, yielding an ample supply of water
for the soil, and affording many excellent water privileges.
There are several small ponds in this town, the most re-
markable of which is Lime Pond, situated about two miles
south-east from Chamberlain's Town, in Colebrook, and near
the town line, on a small branch of Simm's Stream. This pond
is 160 rods in length, 50 wide, and of an irregular, ellipti-
cal shape. Its bottom is covered to a depth of 6 feet with
white, calcareous marl of great purity, which is formed by
myriads of shells of the cyclas and planorbis species, im-
mense hordes of which are still living in the waters of the
pond, and are generally found collected under loose stones.
Around the shores considerable quantities of impure blue
and gray limestone are found. The calcareous matter is
generally derived from a neighboring peat swamp. This

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 157

marl is readily burned, and converted into excellent lime
for bviilding purposes. A short distance from this place is
Fish Pond, the waters of which swarm with trout of fine
size. At the outlet of this pond, limestone occurs in con-
siderable quantity. The soil in this town is generally
strong and productive. Lumber is extensively manufac-
tured here, and conveyed to market by rafts down the
Connecticut. Large quantities of maple sugar are also
made.

This town was granted in 1770, and named Cockburne,
in honor of Sir James Cockburne, one of the grantees. It
was incorporated December 16, 1797. It received its
present name in June, 1811.

There are two religious societies established here, — the
Methodist and Baptist, — each of which has a meeting house
for worship.

Population, 762. Number of legal voters in 1854, 175.
Inventory, $141,187. Value of lands, improved and un-
improved, $73,178. Number of sheep, 1539. Do. neat
stock, 997. Do. horses, 168.

Concord, Merrimack county, the capital of the State of
New Hampshire, is bounded north by Canterbury and Bos-
cawen, east by Loudon and Pembroke, south by Bow and
Hopkinton, and west by Hopkinton and Boscawen. Lati-
tude, 4^ 12' north. Area, 40,919 acres, about 1800 of
which are covered with water. There are five ponds in
Concord, the largest of which are Turkey Pond, in the
south-west, and Long Pond, in the north-west, part of the
town. The streams flowing from these afford several valu-
able mill seats and privileges. The Contoocook enters
the west comer of the town, and, uniting with the Merri-
mack on the north-west line, forms at the confluence the
14 «

158 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

island celebrated as the spot where Mrs. Dustan effected
her escape, after slaying a party of Indians who had cap-
tured her. (See Boscawen.) The Merrimack is the prin-
cipal stream in this region, and, running nearly through
the centre of the town, its borders are beautified and
adorned by rich and highly cultivated intervals. Concord
is very rapidly increasing in business, population, and
wealth by the extension of numerous railroads in various
directions, and its favorable location for securing the trade
of the surrounding towns, as well as by reason of the
almost infinite variety of manufacturing and mechanical
work carried on within its limits.

Concord is built upon the sandy diluvium of the Merri-
mack, through which a fine-grained white granite is occa-
sionally seen, forming low ridges of hills. In the west par-
ish is a large quarry of this rock, which has been worked
for many years. Large quantities have been used in this
vicinity and also in Boston. This town was the favorite
resort and home of a considerable tribe of Indians called
the Pennacooks. At the time of the settlement of eastern
New Hampshire they had been much reduced In numbers
and strength by their frequent wars, especially with their
formidable enemies the Mohawks. Tradition, authenti-
cated by several circumstances, says that their principal
stronghold was a fortified bluff on the east side of the
Merrimack, opposite the north end of Main Street. In
one of the last conflicts between these two tribes, one
division of the Mohawks advanced down along the west
side of the river ; and, as the Pennacooks had fled to their
fort on the east bluff, the former made a show of attack, as
if about to cross the stream and take the fortress by storm.
Meanwhile their main body had crossed the river some
distance above, and, coming down on the east side, rushed

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 159

across the narrow strip of plain land leading to the bluff,
which was protected on the west by the river, and on the
north and south by deep ravines. The hostile parties
meeting on this narrow plain, a bloody battle ensued ; and
though the Pennacooks kept possession of their stronghold,
yet it was at immense sacrifice of life. The Mohawks,
sadly reduced in numbers, retired to their own country —
New York. Could the details of that bloody scene be
accurately traced, we doubtless might record instances of
valor and intrepidity which would equal, or even surpass,
the noblest efforts of the pale tribes in their more scientific
and civilized modes of warfare. Hon. J. C. Potter, whose
birthplace was on this battle ground, says that he has
found undoubted relics of this well-fought field. At the
time of the first English settlement, a small number of
Pennacooks remained of all the multitude who once foimd
ample subsistence on this their favorite planting, hunting,
and fishing ground. Rapidly they dwindled away, until
a few years witnessed the end of the last of the Penna-
cooks.

This place was first visited by the whites in 1639. It
was granted in 1725, under the name of the " Plantation
of Pennacook," to Benjamin Stevens, Ebenezer Stevens,
and others, by Massachusetts, who claimed jurisdiction of
the territory by virtue of the grant in the royal charter of
the county, extending northerly to " three miles north of
the Merrimack River." In 1726, 103 house lots were
laid out on the river, and about 50 persons were employed
during the warm season in building and agricultvu-e.
The erection of a meeting house and works of defence
was commenced this year, and finished in 1727. The
dwelling house of the Rev. Mr. "Walker was built at the
same time, and, though somewhat modernized, is yet stand-

160 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

ing, and occupied by J. B. Walker, one of his descendants.
It is said to be the oldest two-story house between Haver-
hill, Massachusetts, and Canada. Another, built in 1727
by Edward Abbott, is yet standing, though degraded to
the station of a barn. It stands on Montgomery Street,
near Dr. T. Chadbourne's. In this house Avas born, Feb-
ruary, 1728, the first child of English parents — Dorcas,
daughter of E. Abbott, who died in 1797. The first male
child was born of the same parents in 1730. He died in
1801. The first town meeting was held January 11, 1732,
and Captain Ebenezer Eastman was chosen moderator.
In 1733 an act of incorporation, including a space about
seven miles square, was passed by the General Court of
Massachusetts, under which the territory received the name
of Rumford, from a parish of that name in England. In
1762, by an order of the king in council, Rumford was de-
clared within the jurisdiction of New Hampshire. In
1765 this town was incorporated by New Hampshire un-
der the name of Concord.

In 1739, in apprehension of an attack from the Indians,
the town built a garrison, enclosing the house of Rev. Mr.
Walker. In 1742 the wife of Jonathan Eastman was
captured by the Indians and taken to Canada. She was
redeemed by her friends some time after, and returned to
them. No serious attacks, however, were made by the
Indians until the commencement of the war of 1744. On
the 8th of August, 1746, about 100 Indians from Canada
stationed themselves near the settlement, with the design
of destroying it. The same day a company of 40 men
from Exeter came to the rescue ; making, with the two
companies already stationed here, a very respectable force.
The savages hoped by waiting until the Sabbath to surprise
the inhabitants while at worship. But the people went

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 161

armed, and, having discovered the enemy, marched against
them and put them to flight. Despairing of success in
their original plan, the Indians withdrew and lay in am-
bush, determined to kill or capture all who might fall with-
in their reach. On Monday, August 11th, seven of the
inhabitants, all armed, set out for Hopkinton. One of the
party, having proceeded farther than the rest, sat down,
about a mile from the village, to await the approach of his
friends. The Indians rose from their place of concealment
and killed him. His companions, among whom was Jona-
than Bradley, had just gained the summit of the hill when
the firing took place ; and being deceived as to the number
of the enemy, Bradley, who was the leader of the party,
ordered his men to fire and rush upon them. The whole
body of Indians then arose, and, being about 100 in num-
ber, completely surroimded Bradley and his handful of men.
Bradley now urged his men to save themselves if possible.
Flight was out of the question. Samuel Bradley was shot
through the body, stripped of his clothing, and scalped.
To Jonathan they ofiered quarter, as some of their number
were acquainted with him ; but, scorning their offer, he
fought his overpowering foe with desperation until he was
struck down, and, with the knives and tomahawks of the
Indians, horribly mangled and scalped. Two others, John
Bean and John Lufkin, were killed. Alexander Roberts
and William Stickney were made prisoners and taken to
Canada. As soon as the alarm was given, the soldiers in
the garrison and several of the inhabitants hastened to the
place of conflict. At their approach the savages fled, leav-
ing behind their dead and wounded. The bodies of Bradley
and his companions were brought in and interred on the
following day. Six of the Indians were killed and several
wounded. A granite monument was erected on the spot
14*

162 NEW HAMPSHiUE AS IT IS.

where Bradley and his associates fell, by Richard Bradley,
Esq., a grandson of Samuel Bradley.

It is, perhaps, somewhat remarkable that many of the
descendants of the first settlers are residents in Concord, and
occupy the same homesteads where their ancestors settled.
Among these are the Walkers, Bradleys, Rolfes, Stickneys,
Eastmans, &c. ; and few of the ancient estates have been
squandered or lost by prodigality.

Concord became the permanent seat of government of
New Hampshire in 1805. In 1816 the building of
the State House was commenced. It was first occupied in
1819. The centre of the building is 50 feet in front by
57 in depth. The wings are each 38 feet in front by 49 in
depth — the whole 126 feet front. The outside walls are
hammered granite. The grounds extend from Main Street
to State Street, and contain two acres, beautifully laid out and
ornamented with a variety of shade trees, and substantially
enclosed. The entire cost of the building and grounds
was $82,000. In this building is the Representatives
Hall, with an arched or dome-shaped ceiling rising 30
feet from the floor, the Senate and Council Chambers,
offices for secretary, treasurer, adjutant general, the State
Library, and rooms for committees.

With the formation of the county of Merrimack, in
1823, Concord became the county seat, and the county
courts have been held here since that time. By an act of
the legislature, passed in 1852, the Superior Court holds
its sessions in Concord for all the counties in the state.

Court House. — As the present ancient structure is soon
to be superseded by a new and elegant edifice, the erection
of which is to be commenced this year, (1854,) it is suffi-
cient to say that it is a relic of antiquity and of uncomely
proportions. It was occupied many years as a state house.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 163

and more recently as a town hall and seat of justice.
The new City Hall and County Kooms are to be construct-
ed on the most approved style of architecture, commodious,
and located in the centre of spacious grounds now the prop-
erty of the city. The whole work is to be completed in
1855.

The County Jail is a new and beautiful edifice, built of
brick, and is situated one mile west of the State House. Its
location is pleasant, and its grounds capacious and taste-
fully arranged, and in a few years it will be ornamented with
a growth of shade and fruit trees.

The State Prison is located in State Street. The central
part and the south wing were erected in 1812, at which
time the institution went into operation. In 1833 a north
wing was added, its form and style corresponding with
the improvements of the age. In this building are the
hospital, cook rooms, and a hall, with cells for 120 convicts.
The hall is warmed by steam and lighted with gas. The
cooking is also done with steam. The entire expense of
this building was about $60,000. The yard, including
nearly two acres, is enclosed by a heavy wall of granite.
The workshops are well arranged for the accommodation
of the convicts in their several employments, which con-
sist of shoemaking, blacksmithing, and cabinet work.
There are regular religious services each Sabbath, and
instruction imparted to all such of the convicts as are
imable to read or write. There is connected with this
institution a library of 800 volumes, judiciously selected,
with a view solely to the moral improvement of the con-
victs. The prison has for many years been well managed,
and will compare favorably with any institution of the kind
in this or other countries.

For several years the proceeds of the labor of the pris-

164

NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

oners have been sufficient to defray all expenses of the insti-
tution, besides a surplus of $1500 to $3400 as net income.

Number of convicts in prison, committed, discharged, pardoned, deceased, anA
escaped in each year since the establishment of the institution in IS 12.

Year.

In Prison

Com-
mitted.

Dis-
charged.

Pardon 'd

Removed
to Insane
Asylum.

Died.

Escaped.

1812

1813

1814

1815

1816

1817

1818

1819

1820

1821

1822

1823

1824

1825

1826

1827

1828

1829

1830

1831

1832

1833

1834

1835

1836

1837

1838

1839

1840

1841

1842

1843

1844

1845

1846

1847

1848

1849

1850 .

1851

1852

1853

109

1854

105

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

165

The Asylum for the Insane is situated on a delightful
eminence three fourths of a mile south-west of the State
House. The buildings are spacious and convenient. The
style of architecture is rather with reference to substantial
purposes than otherwise. The buildings consist of a main
or central body, 48 by 44 feet, four stories high, erected
in 1843 ; a north wing, 90 by 36 feet, four stories high,
erected in 1852 ; and a commodious building designed
for unsafe and turbulent maniacs. An appropriation of
$20,000 has been made by the legislature for the construc-
tion of a south wing corresponding with the north wing.
There is connected with the institution a valuable farm,
the labor upon which is performed by the inmates of the
asylum. This institution has an excellent reputation,
and has continued to increase, not only in the number com-
mitted to its care, but correspondingly in the number dis-
charged as wholly or partially recovered. Dr. John E.
Tyler is at present the superintendent. Its productive
funds amount to $33,000 — $15,000 of which was a legacy
of the late Countess Rumford, and $3000 of the late Mr.
Chandler. The following table will show the progress and
success of the institution from its commencement : —

Statistics from the opening of the asylum to June 1, 1854.

Admit-

Dis-

Recov-

Partially

Unim-

Whole

Remain-

Year.

ted.

charged.

ered.

recovered

proved.
6

Died.

No.

ing.

1843

1844

104

5 ,

151

1845

158

1846

174

1847

187

100

1848

192

109

1849

190

114

1850

103

217

127

1851

215

117

1852

107

106

224

118

1853

132

107

250

143

1854

141

123

284

161

Whole number ever admitted, 1199.

166 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

The Rolfe and Rumford Asylum for widows and orphans
was founded by the late Countess Kumford, who gave her
beautiful country seat, situated about one mile south from the
State House, and the sum of $20,000, as a fund for its
endowment. It has not yet been put in operation.

The Methodist General Biblical Institute. — The prin-
cipal building of this institution was built for and occupied
as the Town Meeting House. It was erected in 1751, and
until 1820 was, with the exception of a small Quaker
meeting hovise, the only house of worship in Concord.
It is beautifully located in the north part of the city, at
the junction of Main and State Streets. It was repaired
and changed in its internal arrangements to a very con-
venient edifice, and opened for its present uses, in the fall
of 1846. Since that time it has enjoyed increasing pros-
perity. During the present year there have been in attend-
ance 90 students. The property of the institution is ap-
praised at $50,750 50. The students have maintained an
excellent reputation with the citizens, and are very useful
— supplying many churches in the neighboring towns with
preaching in the temporary absence of the stated preacher,
and otherwise advancing the cause of religion. Faculty :
Rev. John Dempster, D. D., Eev. S. M. Vail, A. M., and
Eev. J. W. Merrill, D. D.

Education. — There is a high school, taught by G. S.
Barnes, A. M., and four select schools. There is no incor-
porated academy. The common schools are well conducted.
In the populous parts of the city, the school houses are"" all
of liberal and commodious construction. Some have been
built without, at least, a penurious regard for expense.
These schools are conducted according to the graduated
system, including instruction in the first elements, as
well as the higher branches of English education.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 167

The whole number of scholars for the year 1854 was
2300. The amount of money expended, ^5536 — being
$2,40| to each scholar.

Incorporated Companies. Banks. — Mechanics' Bank,
capital stock, $100,000 ; Merrimack County Bank, $80,-
000; State Capital, $150,000 ; New Hampshire Savings
Bank.

Insurance Companies. — New Hampshire Mutual ; New
England IMutual ; Columbian Mutual ; Equitable Mutual ;
Union Mutual ; People's Mutual.

Railroads. — The Concord Railroad extends from Nashua,
up the Merrimack, to Concord. Length, 34t miles. It
was opened for travel September 1, 1842. Expense of
construction, including depot and all running equipage,
^1,450,000. The depot is a splendid building — large,
commodious, with a spacious hall, and other convenient
rooms.

The Northern Railroad extends from Concord to West
Lebanon, at White River junction. Length, 69 miles.
The lower section was opened in 1846, the upper in 1847.

The Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad extends
from Concord to North Haverhill. The first section was
opened for travel May 10, 1848. It was completed in
1853. Length, ^^ miles.

The Merrimack and Connecticut River Railroad was
opened for travel to Warner September 20, 1849.

The Portsmouth and Concord Railroad is now com-
pleted, and is doing a prosperous business. Length, 47
miles.

All these roads centre in Concord, which add greatly
to its importance as a place of business.

Hotels. — The American House is kept by John P. Gass ;
the Eagle Hotel, John P. Gibson; the Phoenix House,

168 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Dumas & Stickney ; the Union House, Stevens ; the Pavil-
ion, George Dame ; the Elm House, W. M. Carter ; the
Columbian House, Norton ; Hotel at Fisherville, Durgin.

The first of these may be styled as public houses of
the first class ; all are respectable, and receive a large pat-
ronage.

Houses of Worship. — Congregational, 5 ; Methodist
Episcopal, 2 ; Calvinist Baptist, 3 ; Freewill Baptist, 1 ;
Episcopal, 1 ; Unitarian, 1 ; Universalist, 1 ; Advent, 1.

Professional Men. Clergymen. — Congregationalist,
7 ; Methodist, 9 ; Calvinist Baptist, 4 ; Freewill Baptist,
1 ; Episcopalian, 1 ; Unitarian, 1 ; Universalist, 1 ; Ad-
vent, 1. Of the ministers, one Congregationalist is ed-
itor of a paper, and one chaplain of the Insane Asylum ;
of the Methodists, one is a bishop, three professors in the
Theological Institution, and one chaplain of the State Pris-
on ; of the Baptists, one is agent for the Education Society.

Physicians. — Allopathic, 1 1 ; homoeopathic, 3 ; hydro-
pathic, 1 ; botanic, 1 ; dentists, 3.

There are in Concord 28 lawyers.

Newspapers. — There are published the New Hamp-
shire Patriot, NeAV Hampshire Statesman, Congregational
Journal, Independent Democrat, State Capital Reporter,
Baptist Observer, and New Hampshire Phoenix. In these
establishments 60 men are employed.

Statistics of Trade. — Dry goods and groceries, 50
merchant tailors, 11 ; hardware stores, 5 ; shoe stores, 9
tinware and stoves, 4 ; saddle, harness, and trunk, 5
book stores, 5 ; apothecary stores, 5 ; hat, cap, and fur
stores, 3 ; millinery, 6 ; confectionery and toy shops, 4 ;
furniture stores, 3. Total, 109.

Statistics of Labor. — The number of persons engaged
in the following pursuits is, carriage manufactory, 340 ;

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 169

in trade, 300 ; on railroads and depots, 270 ; shoemakers
estimated at 200 ; makers of musical instruments, 52" ;
printing and publishing, 60 ; bookbinding, 16 ; on granite
quarry, 30 ; furnace and iron foundery, 24 ; manufacturers
of cotton goods, 200 ; woollen do., 50 ; harness and trunk,
27 ; professional men, 71.

About 500 men are engaged in the occupations common
to New England towns. There is a large number of house
builders, painters, masons, &c. There are in this town
20 grist and sawmills. An idle man or a gentleman of
leisui'e is a curiosity in Concord.

Manufacturing. — The manufacture of coaches and car-
riages has been carried on extensively for several years,
formerly by the firm of Downing & Abbott, latterly by
several companies. The fame of Abbott & Oo. and Down-
ing & Co. is widespread. Their work, it is admitted, is
unrivalled. All kinds of carriages are sent from their shops
to every state in the Union, to Canada, Australia, Mex-
ico, and South America. The establishments of Messrs.
Ingalls, Griffin, & Titcombe are of recent date, though in
good repute. The number of men employed by Abbott &
Co. is 200. They manufacture annually 800 carriages of
all sorts. Amount of sales per annum, ^150,000. Cap-
ital invested, ^100,000. The number of men employed
by Downing & Co. is 80 ; by Griffin, 30 ; by Ingalls,
25 ; by Titcombe, 5.

The manufacture of boots and shoes is carried on to a
considerable extent, but mostly by private individuals or
small firms. The number engaged in this branch of in-
dustry, as near as can be ascertained, is 200.

The manufacture of musical instruments is an important
branch of industrial pursuit in Concord. There are three
firms engaged in this business — viz., Prescott & Brothers,
15

170 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

employing 20 men ; Liscombe & Dearborn, employing 14
men; Charles Austin, -vvlio employs 18 men.

Bookhinding. — Messrs, Merrill & Merriam employ 6
men ; Morrill & Silsby employ 6 men ; Crawford & Co.
employ 4 men.

About a mile north from the city is the quarry from
which was taken the stone for the construction of the State
House. Several grand edifices in our southern cities have
been constructed of granite taken from this quarry. Means
have recently been taken to enlarge the business.

The manufacture of cotton goods is carried on in the vil-
lage of Fisherville, in the northern part of Concord. The
woollen manufactory is in the West Parish.

Distinguished Men. — Rev. Timothy Walker came
with the first settlers to Concord — then Pennacook — in
1726, and was the settled pastor of the Congregational
church until his death. During the 52 years of his minis-
try here his labors were attended with abundant success.
He was possessed of more than ordinary intellectual pow-
ers — was enterprising and active. Wise in his counsels,
prudent in his management, and full of the purest patriot-
ism, he was eminently the man for his time and place. He
lived to behold the triumph of American arms ; and when
the news of the final defeat of the British at Yorktown
was conveyed to him, he exclaimed, '* It is enough !
*Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.' "

Hon. Timothy Walker, son of the Rev. Timothy
Walker, was born in 1737, graduated at Harvard in 1756,
was intrusted with various civil offices by his townsmen,
and in 1776 was one of the committee of safety for the
state. During the war he commanded a company of min-
ute men, was subsequently paymaster of the state forces,
and served in a campaign under General Sullivan. He was

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 171

member of the convention which framed our constitution
in 1784, was for several years afterwards a member of the
legislature, and for a long period sustained the office of
chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas. He died in

1QOO

Benjamin Thompson, afterwards known as Count Rura-
ford, was for many years a resident of Concord, and mar-
ried a daughter of Rev. Timothy "Walker. In 1775 he
went to England, and was a clerk in the office of an Eng-
lish nobleman, who, pleased with his fidelity and capacity
for business, procured for him a colonel's commission. He
served in the British armies until 1784, when, his philo-
sophical inquiries having attracted attention in foreign
countries, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant gen-
eral of horse in the service of the Duke of Bavaria. Here
he distinguished himself in effecting discipline and econo-
my among the troops, and in his efforts in the public ser-
yice accomplished much in behalf of the poor. On leav-
ing the service, the duke honored him with the title of
count. He afterwards visited England, where he received
the honor of knighthood. He died in France in 1814.

Hon. Isaac Hill came to Concord in 1808, and com-
menced life as a jovirneyman printer. He soon became ed-
itor of a political paper, and for many years wielded a pow-
erful influence throughout the state. He filled the offices
of state senator, senator in Congress, and governor of New
Hampshire. He was an enterprising and benevolent man,
contributing liberally to the various benevolent and reli-
gious institutions of his adopted town. He died in 1850.

Ex-Governor Kent, of Maine, who filled with great
ability several important offices, was a native of Concord.

The President of the United States, Franklin Pierce,
had been, for many years previous to the time of his en-

172 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

tering upon the duties of his office as chief magistrate of
this Union, a resident of Concord, and an active promoter
of all its interests.

Population. — Until some eight years past, the increase of
population was gradual ; but since that time there has been
a rapid advance, as will be seen by inspecting the census
returns. In 1840 the population was 4987; in 1850,
8584 ; in 1854, it is estimated at 10,400.

In March, 1853, the town of Concord adopted a city
charter. This was long and violently opposed, principally
from a belief that taxes would thereby be greatly increased.
Experience, however, has proved otherwise, and the pru-
dence of the measure is now almost universally admitted.
Concord is one of the most healthy towns in the Union.
Probably there is not another city of the same population
whose bill of mortality would present so favorable an indi-
cation of general health and longevity. This is doubtless
owing to its beautiful location and the enterprise and in-
dustry of the people.

Conway, Carroll county. Bounded north by Chatham,
east by Brownfield and Fryeburg, Maine, south by Eaton
and Madison, and west by Madison and Albany. Area,
23,040 acres. Distance from Concord, 12 miles, north.
Swift River, a large and rapid stream, Pequawkett River,
and a stream flowing from Walker's Pond, discharge them-
selves into Saco River in this town. Saco River here is
about 12 rods wide, and on an average 2 feet deep ; its
current is rapid and broken by falls. This river has been
known to rise 27, and in a few instances 30, feet in 24
hours. The largest collections of water are Walker's Pond
and Pequawkett Pond ; the latter is about 360 rods in cir-
cumference. Pine, Rattlesnake, and Green Hills are the

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 173

most considerable elevations in this town, situated on the
north-eastern side of the river. On the southern side of
Pine Hill is a detached block of granite, or bowlder, which
is probably the largest in the state — an immense fragment,
but which doubtless owes its present position to some vio-
lent action of Nature. A spring near the centre of the
town, on the bank of Cold Brook, discharges water strongly
impregnated with sulphur, which has proved beneficial in
some cases to invalids.

Considerable quantities of magnesia and fuller's earth
have been found in various localities. The soil is interval,
plain, and upland. The interval along the river varies
from 50 to 220 rods in width, and was originally covered
with white pine and rock maple. The plain land, when
well cultivated, produces abundant crops of corn and rye.
The upland is rocky and uneven, and to cultivate it with
success requires long and patient labor.

There are in this town 5 hotels, 10 stores, 1 lathe man-
ufactory, and 1 paper mill. The Congregational church
was established here in 1778. Kev. Nathaniel Porter,
D. D., was settled in October of the same year. The Bap-
tist church was formed in 1796. Kev. Richard R. Smith
was ordained in the same year. He was succeeded by Rev.
Roswell Means in 1799. There is also a society of Free-
will Baptists.

This town was settled, in 1764, '65, and '66, by James
and Benjamin Osgood, John Dolloff, Ebenezer Burbank,
and others. On the 1st of October, 1765, Daniel Poster
obtained a grant of this township on condition that each
grantee should pay a rent of one ear of Indian corn annu-
ally, for ten years, if demanded.

Population, 1769. Number of legal voters in 1854,
458. Amount of inventory, $423,045. Value of lands,
15*

174 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

improved and unimproved, $171,597. Number of sheep,
1017. Do. neat stock, 1660. Do. horses, 267.

Cornish, Sullivan county. Bounded north by Plain-
field, east by Croydon, south by Claremont, and west by
Windsor, Vermont. Area, 23,160 acres. Distance from
Concord, 50 miles, north-west; from Newport, 13. This
town is watered in its western limits by the Connecticut
River, over which a bridge connects with Windsor. The
soil is generally fertile, and adapted to the growth of the
grains, fruits, and vegetables generally raised throughout
the state. The town is hilly, with the exception of that
part which lies on the river. On Bryant's Brook specimens
of silver ore have been found; also, on the bottom and
along the margin of the brook, spruce-yellow paint is
obtained in considerable quantities. Good limestone occurs
in various locations. Crystals of red oxide of titanium
have been discovered in this town. These are valued
highly by jewellers, who sell them under the name of
Venus hair stone.

There are in this town two hotels and two stores. The
people are generally engaged in agricultural pursuits. Sever-
al farms in this town are under excellent cultivation. This
town was granted, June 21, 1763, to Rev. Samuel McClin-
tock and 69 others. It was settled in 1765 by emigrants
chiefly from Sutton, Massachusetts. When the first settlers
arrived they found a camp, known for many years as the
"Mast Camp," from its having been erected for a company
engaged in procuring masts for the royal navy. Captain
Daniel Putnam, a citizen highly esteemed, and for many
years clerk of the town, came here in 1764. Cornish was
one of the sixteen towns that seceded from New Hampshire
and joined Vermont in 1778. During this year a conven-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 175

tion of delegates from several towns on both sides of the
river met in this town.

A Congregational church was formed here in 1768.
Rev. James Welman was the first minister. He was suc-
ceeded in 1800 by Rev. Joseph Rowell. A Baptist church
was formed here in 1791, and Rev. Ariel Kendrick was
ordained in 1801. An Episcopalian society was formed in
1793. This society was incorporated, in 1795, under the
name of "Trinity Church."

Population, 1606. Number of legal voters in 1854,
386. Inventory, ^584,644. Value of lands, improved
and unimproved, $274,124. Amount of school fund,
$580. Number of sheep, 6605. Do. neat stock, 1822.
Do. horses, 368.

Croydon, Sullivan county. Bounded north by Gran-
tham, east by Springfield and Sunapee, south by Newport,
and west by Cornish. Area, 26,000 acres. Distance from
Concord, 44 miles, north-west. This town is very hilly
and uneven, and its surface is in many places covered with
huge masses of granite. Croydon Mountain stretches
across the western part of the town, and is the highest
elevation in Sullivan county. This town is well watered.
It contains several ponds, the largest of which are Long
Pond, Rocky Bound, Governor's and Spectacle Ponds.
The north branch of Sugar River crosses it in a south-west-
erly direction, dividing the town into two nearly equal
parts. On this stream and its tributaries are some excellent
mill seats. The soil, excepting the alluvial bordering upon
Sugar River, has generally been considered stubborn and
unproductive ; it, however, produces excellent grass, pota-
toes, and wheat. This town enjoys the reputation of
furnishing the very best qualities of butter and cheese.

176 NEW IIAMPSHinE AS IT 13.

Croydon was granted by charter to Samuel Chase,
Ephraim Sherman, and Go others, IMay 31, 17G3. It was
first settled, iu 1766, by emigrants from INIassachusetts.
When the revolutionai-y wai- broke out, the inhabitants of this
remote and sterile township were not idle and unconcerned
spectators. No less than 55 of its citizens served in the
war, several of whom laid down their lives in defence of
their country.

A Congregational church was formed here September
9, 1778. In June, 1788, Rev. Jacob Haven Avas settled
as pastor, wlio fiiithfully discharged the duties of his office
until 1834. He died March 17, 1845, aged 8l^.

Population, 861. Number of legal voters, 215. Valu-
ation, $;.?64,520. A'alue of lands, improved and unim-
proved, !^153,672. Acres of improved land, 13,400.
Bushels of potatoes, 14,285. Pounds of wool grown,
15,735. Do. of butter made, 50,970. Do. cheese, 1072.
Do. maple sugai', 17,120. Capital invested in manufictur-
ing, $17,700. Number of sheep, 3833. Do. neat stock,
1297. Do. horses, 188.

Dat.ton, Coos county. Bounded north by Lancaster,
east by Whitefield, south by Whitefield and Littleton,
and west by Lunenbiu-g, Vermont. Area, 16,455 acres.
Distance from Concord, 125 miles, north; from Lancaster,
8. The Fifteen Mile Falls in Connecticut River com-
mence in this toAvn, and flow tumultuously along its
north-western border. This town is also watered by John's
River and several large brooks. The western and southern
parts are very uneven and liilly. The land originally was
covered with a deep, heavy growth of maple, beech, birch,
and ash. Along the borders of John's River the Mhite pine
is abundant. The soil on the highlands is deep and fertile.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 177

and in many places of easy cultivation. Blake's Pond lies
at the south-east part of the town ; it was named for a
famous hunter, INIoses Blake, who, with Walter Bloss, and
their families, were the first settlers, and for many years
were the only inhabitants.

There are two churches, — one Congregational and one
Methodist, three hotels, two stores, and two saw mills, —
one employing 20 men. This town was incorporated No-
vember 4, 1784, and received its name from Hon. Tristam
Dalton, a grantee.

Population, 750. Number of legal voters, 150. Valu-
ation, $161,094. Value of lands, $91,877. Number of
sheep, 889. Do. neat stock, 804. Do. horses, 141.

Danbury, Grafton county. Bounded north by Grafton
and Alexandria, east by Alexandria and Hill, south by Hill
and Wilmot, and west by Wilmot and Grafton. Area,
19,000 acres. • Distance from Concord, 30 miles, north-
west ; from Plymouth 16, south-west. The shape of this
town is that of a diamond. It is generally hilly and un-
even. Along Smith's River, the only stream of note, is
some very good interval. The soil is generally cold and
sterile. The Northern Railroad passes through this town
near its south-western border. There is in this town one
Congregational society and one Methodist. There are three
stores and one hotel. There is also a high school ; average
attendance, 60.

This town was first settled in November, 1771. It was
incorporated in 1795. The first settlements were very
gradual, and made in the easterly jiart of the town.

Population, 944. Number of legal voters, 251. Valu-
ation, |217,031. Number of sheep, 2311. Do. neat stock,
1052. Do. horses, 146.

178 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Danville, Eockingham county. Bounded north by-
Poplin, east by Kingston, south by Hempstead, and west
by Sandown. Distance from Concord, 33 miles, south-east ;
from Exeter, 10. Area, 7000 acres. The surface is uneven ;
the soil generally light, but in some parts excellent.
Squamscot River passes through the north-west corner of the
town, and is the only stream of importance. Long Pond
lies in the east part, and Cub Pond in the west. This
town was formerly a part of Kingston, and was incorporated,
February 22, 1760, under the name of Eoake, in honor of
a British admiral of that name. The first settlements were
made in 1735, by Jonathan Sanborn, Jacob Hook, and others.
Rev. John Page was ordained over the Congregational
church here in 1763. He died of small pox January 29,
1782, aged 43 ; since that time no minister of that denom-
ination has been settled. There is at present one Freewill
Baptist society and one Methodist. This town received its
present name in 1836. In 1775 it contained 300 more
inhabitants than at any time since.

Population, 614. Number of legal voters in 1854, 155.
Valuation, ^196,587. Value of lands, improved and un-
improved, J^89,976. jSTumber of sheep, 304. Do. neat
stock, 454. Do. horses, 82.

Deerfield, Rockingham county. Bounded north by
Xorthwood, east by Nottingham, south by Raymond and
Candia, and west by Epsom. Area, 25,815 acres. Dis-
tance from Concord, 18 miles, south-east ; from Portsmouth,
30, north-west. This town contains several ponds, which
abound with fish. Pleasant Pond, a bieautiful sheet of
water, lies partly in this town and partly in Northwood.
Its waters are very clear. Moulton's Pond, in the west
part of the town, although small, is noted from the fact

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 179

that it has no visible inlet ; its waters are supposed to be
supplied by a subterranean passage. It has several times
been sounded; but no bottom has yet been discovered.
The outlets of this pond run in opposite directions — one
in a northerly direction, discharging into Suncook Pond, in
Epsom; the other flowing into a branch of Limprey River,
near the centre of the town. The surface of the town is
uneven, diversified by large sAvells and intervening dales.
The soil is durable and fertile. The growth of wood con-
sists mainly of rock maple, white maple, beech, birch, red
oak, and hemlock.

This town took its name from the fact that it abounded
with numerous herds of deer, many of which, in its early
settlement, were slain ; and while the petition for the char-
ter of the town was pending before the General Court, a
large fat buck was killed, and presented to Governor Went-
worth by a Mr. Batchelder, and thus secured the act under
the name of Deerfield. This town was first settled in
1756 and 1758 by John Robertson, Benjamin Batchelder,
and others. The Pawtuckaway Mountains, lying on the
line between this town and Nottingham, the summits
of which are in the latter, consist of three distinct eleva-
tions, rising somewhat abruptly from the shores of Round
Pond, in Nottingham, and are known as the Upper, Mid-
dle, and Lower Mountains. They are based on mica slate,
which is rapidly decomposing, owing no doubt to the pres-
ence of large quantities of iron pyrites. The farms on
which the Messrs. Meloons reside in Deerfield are noted
for the richness and strength of their soils, which consist
of the natural deposits of the wash from the mountains.
The highest of these mountains is 892 feet above the level
of the sea. Saddleback Mountain, situated on the line
between Deerfield and Northwood, consists of mica slate.

180* NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

and is elevated 10T2 feet above the level of the sea. From
the summit of this mountain, the ocean, which is 30 miles
distant, may be distinctly seen with the naked eye in a
clear day. It is a place of resort in the summer and fall
months. Nottingham Mountain, bearing the name of the
town from which Deerjfield was taken, lies on the line be-
tween this town and Epsom. On the southerly side of this
mountain is a natural formation, for many years designated
as " Indian Camp." It is a cave about 20 feet wide, 10
feet liigh, and 14 deep. In the back part is still another
cavity, called the " Indian Oven," and is a refuge for wild
animals. The sides of the camp are irregular, and the top
is covered by a canopy of granite, projecting about 14 feet,
and affording a shelter from the sun and rain. On the east
side is a natural flight of stone steps, by which persons
may easily ascend to the top of the ridge. There is a bed
of iron ore in the south-easterly part of the town, which
was formerly worked, but Avas found inadequate for practi-
cal purposes. Iron ore, terra sienna, and particles of
magnetic iron pyrites, disseminated in the rocks, are found
in various localities, often rendering the management of
the compass very difficult and perplexing. Near the shore
of Pleasant Pond have been found fine specimens of black
lead. In the town of Deerfield, for nearly twenty years
past, there have been heard certain reports, or explosions,
which appear to be subterraneous, and apparently of a vol-
canic or gaseous nature. Sometimes the sound resembles
the blasting of rocks or the report of distant cannon ; at
other times it is more like the rumbling of a carriage
driven furiously over frozen ground, accompanied with a
tremulous motion and shake of the ground, and passing
with the dip of the stratified rock, which is from a south-
westerly to a north-easterly direction. In the fall of the

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 181

year these sounds are more frequent ; and sometimes fifteen
or twenty reports may be heard during a single day, and as
many in the night. An investigation of the causes of these
strange phenomena is now being made by the Hon. E.
Merriam, an eminent geologist from New York.

The names of eighteen persons from this town who died
in the revolutionary army are preserved. There are three
religious societies in this town. The Congregational was
formed in 1772, and E-ev. Timothy Upham ordained. A
Freewill Baptist society was formed in 1799. There is
also a Calvinist Baptist society in this town. All these are
in a flourishing condition. The sum of ^1200 is appro-
priated annually for the support of common schools, in
addition to the proportion of the literary fund. There are
two hotels, ten stores, eight grain and sawmills. There
are four shoe manufactories, with a capital of about $12,000,
in which nearly 300 persons are employed. There is also a
convenient Town Hall, in which a high school is kept.

Population, 2022. Number of polls in 1854, 550. Do.
legal voters, 537. Valuation, $555,251. Value of lands,
improved and unimproved, $359,531. Number of sheep,
1345. Do. neat stock, 1974. Do. horses and mules^368.

Deering, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
Hillsborough and Henniker, east by Weare, south by
Francestown and Bennington, and west by Antrim. Area,
20,057 acres. Distance from Concord, 23 miles, south-
west ; from Amherst, 22, north-west. This town is diver-
sified with hill and valley ; is well watered by numerous
streams — too small, however, for manufacturing purposes to
any extent. The soil is strong and productive. Dudley's
Pond, near the north line, is 140 rods long and 50 wide.
Pecker's Pond, near the centre of the town, is 180 rods
16

183 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

long and 65 wide. In the north part of the town is a
mine of plumbago, and supposed to be very valuable.

There are one clothing mill, one store, one grist and two
sawmills, two hotels, and three wheelwright shops. There is
one Congregational society, established in December, 1789,
by Rev. Solomon ISIoore and Rev. Jonathan Barns. Rev.
Messrs. Gillett, C. Page, and D. Long preached here, but
were never settled. A second Congregational church was
formed in 1801, and Rev. William Sleigh ordained the
same year ; he was dismissed in 1807. There is also a
Baptist and a Methodist society here.

This town was incorporated January 17, 1774. The
name was given by the Hon. John Wentworth, in honor
of his wife, whose name before marriage was Deering.
The first permanent settlement was made in 1765, by
Alexander Robinson. He Avas soon followed by William
McKean, William Forsaith, Thomas Aiken, William Aiken,
Francis Grimes, and others.

Popvilation, 890. Houses, 179. Families, 194. Farms,
132. Value of lands, $268,480. Stock in trade, $2000.
Inventory, $396,510. Number of polls, 208. Do. sheep,
1089, Do. neat stock, 1499. Do. horses, 183.

Derey, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Au-
burn and Chester, east by Sandown and Hampstead, south
by Salem and Windham, and west by Londonderry. Dis-
tance from Concord, 25 miles, south-east; from Exeter,
18, south-west. This is an excellent township for grazing.
The soil is productive, and well cultivated. This town
contains some of the best farms in the region. The
people are remarkable for their industry, general wealth,
and longevity. The village in this town is pleasantly
located, and presents a thriving, healthy appearance. Bea-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 183

ver Pond in this town is a beautiful sheet of water, one
mile in length by 160 rods in width, nearly surrounded by
gently rising hills, mostly covered with forest. There are
in this town two academies — Pinkerton, with a fund of
$16,000; and Adams Female Academy, with a fund of
$4000. There are three religious societies in town, and as
many meeting houses — one Presbyterian, one Methodist,
and one Congregational. The Manchester and Lawrence
Kaih'oad passes through this town. It was incorporated
July 2, 1837, and originally formed a part of Londonderry.
Population, 1850. Number of legal voters in 1854,
450. Amount of inventory, $668,861. Value of lands,
$458,453. Number of sheep, 431. Do. neat stock, 1300.
Do. horses, 378.

Dix\iLLE, Coos county. Bounded north by Clarksville
and grant to Gilmanton Academy, east by Dartmouth
College grant and Wentworth Location, south by Millsfield
and Tingranted lands, and west by Columbia, Colebrook,
and Stewartstown. Area, 31,023 acres. 146 miles north
from Concord, and 40 north-east from Lancaster. This is
a somewhat rugged and rocky region, but nevertheless con-
tains some very good land. It is watered by numerous
streams. Much of it yet remains uncultivated and covered
with a dense forest. In this town is the Dixville Notch,
a remarkable gap in the mountains, wild and interesting to
the beholder ; and when this region becomes more widely
known, it will constitute one of the most agreeable resorts
for lovers of picturesque scenery. It is the pass through
which teams go from Erroll to Portland. The direction
of the pass is north-east and south-west, and is walled on
both sides by towering ledges and columns of mica slate,
which stand nearly vertical, and rise to the height of 600

184 NEW HAMPSHIRE A3 IT IS.

to 800 feet from the road. The rock in this region resem
bles volcanic more than any other found in the state. On
the north side of this road, some 40 rods distant, is the
Flume, caused by the decay of a large trap dike. The
chasm is 20 feet deep and 10 wide, and is the channel of a
stream of water.

Tliis town was granted in 1805 to Colonel Timothy Dix,
of Boscawen, who was the first settler. In 1820 there
were only two inhabitants. Population, 8.

DoECHESTER, Grafton county. Bounded north by "Went-
worth, east by Groton, south by Canaan, and west by
Lyme. Area, 23,040 acres. 50 miles north-west from
Concord, and 23 south from Haverhill. The principal
streams are the south branch of Baker's River, a tributary of
the Mascomy, and Bocky Branch. There are several
ponds lying wholly or partially in this town. Church,
Island, and McCutcher Ponds form the head waters of
the Rocky Branch ; Little, Norris, and Smart's Ponds form
the head waters of the Mascomy River. Smart's Moun-
tain, lying partly in this town, is a considerable elevation.
From its summit a most delightful and extensive view is
presented of the surrounding country, including the green
hills of Vermont and the course of the Connecticut River for
several miles. The soil in some parts is very fertile, espe-
cially the intervals on the branch of Baker's River. The
highlands are very iineven, and generally rocky. The
manufacture of lumber is a considerable branch of business
in this town. There are 11 sawmills, the aggregate capi-
tal of which is $28,000, which give employment to 40
or 50 hands. There are connected with several of these
machinery for the manufacture of clapboards, shingles,
copperas casks, &c. There is quite an establishment for

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 185

the manufacture of charcoal, with a capital of $4000, giv-
ing employment to nine hands. On a hill near the centre
of the town is a granite ledge, which seems to have been
forced asunder, and the fissure, which is about 16 inches
in width, is filled with basalt, in which there are impressions
similar to the tracks of cattle, about five inches in width and
two and a half feet apart. There are in this town two
meeting houses — one belonging to the Congregational
society, the other to the Baptist. The Baptist society
was formed in 1819. The first two charters of this town
were forfeited by a failure to fulfil the conditions required.
The third was granted May 1, 1772, to 72 persons, about
which time the actual settlement began. The first settler^
were Benjamin Rice and Stephen IMurch, from Hanover.

Population, 711. Number of polls, 175. Inventory,
^165,199. Value of lands, $102,579. Number of sheep,
^742. Do. neat stock, 674. Do. horses, 100.

Dover, shire town of Strafford county. Bounded north
by Somersworth, east by the Salmon Falls River, — which
separates it from Elliot, Maine, — south by Madbury, and
west by Rochester. 40 miles east from Concord, and 66
north from Boston. This is the oldest and one of the prin-
cipal towns in the state. It is situated at the head of navi-
gation in the Cocheco River, about 12 miles from the ocean,
in the midst of a rich and fertile country. Passing through
the town in any direction, the traveller finds no rugged
mountains nor sterile plains ; but, occasionally ascending
gradual swells of land, he beholds spread out before him
a vast and beautiful picture of village, forest, stream, ver-
dant dale, and cultivated field. In the south part of the
town is a neck of land, about three miles in length and half
a mile wide, between the Piscataqua River on one side, and
16*

186 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Bellamy, or Back, Eiver on the other. The travelled road,
irom which the land gradually descends in both directions,
commands an extensive and delightful prospect of bays,
islands, and distant mountains. On this neck of land was
commenced the first settlement of the town, in 1623, by a
company in England styled the "Company of Laconia."
The purpose of the settlement was to estabhsh a fishery
around the mouth of the Piscataqua ; to accomplish which,
Edward and William Hilton, fishmongers of London, were
sent hither. These two men commenced their operations
on the Neck, called by the Indians Winnichahannat ; but
they named it at first Northam, afterwards Dover. For
many years this spot included the principal part of the
population of the town. Here was erected the first meet-
ing house, surrounded with entrenchments and flankarts,
the remains of which are still pointed out. But in pro-
cess of time the current of population began to change
and settle around the Falls, four miles north of the Neck,
where is now the beautiful and prosperous village of Dover.
The descent of the falls in tliis place is very rapid, being
32 feet within a short distance. As this water power began
to be developed a new vigor was added to business, and
wealth rapidly followed. During the earlier periods of the
settlement this town was much fi:equented by the Indians,
and often suffered greatly from their sudden and repeated
attacks. In 1675, Major Waldron, by a stratagem, the
justice and prudence of which have been questioned, suc-
ceeded in securing about 200 Indians in Dover, who had
at times betrayed signs of hostihty. Seven or eight who
had been guilty of some misdemeanor were immediately
hung, and the rest were sold into slavery. Exasperated by
this act, as the Indians termed it, of treachery, they swore
against him unmitigated revenge. In 1689, after a lapse

GAZETTEER OF KEW HAMPSHIRE. 187

of 13 years, they determined to execute their project.
Previous to the fatal night, June 27, hints of impending
danger were thrown out by the squaws, but were not
heeded. The friendly Indians were suffered to sleep in the
garrisons with the people as usual. In the quiet of night
the doors of the garrisons were opened, and at a given
signal the Indians arose from their secret places and rushed
upon the unsuspecting and defenceless inhabitants. Major
Waldron, although 80 years of age, made a gallant defence,
but was at length overpowered by the superior numbers of
his assailants, who literally cut him to pieces. In this
onset 23 persons were killed and 29 made prisoners. In
1691 a young man in the woods near the settlement was
fired upon by a party of Indians. A body of citizens went
in pursuit, and killed or wounded nearly the whole party.
In 1696 they again made an attack upon the people as they
were returning from church : three were killed, and several
wounded and taken prisoners. In 1704 one Mark Giles
was killed, and the people waylaid on their way from
meeting. In 1706 William Pearl and Nathaniel Tib-
betts were killed, and in 1710 Jacob Garland met the
same fate. In the spring of 1711 and 1712 this town
was attacked by Indians, who killed a Mr. Tuttle. In
August, 1723, the Indians again made their appearance,
and surprised the house of Joseph Ham, whom they killed,
and carried off three of his children.

The first settled minister in Dover was Rev. William
Leveridge, a Congregationalist preacher, who came here
October 10, 1633. Plis support being inadequate, he re-
mained but two years, when he was succeeded by Rev.
George Burdet, who was settled in 1637. The third was
Hanserd Knolles, under whom was organized, in 1639, the
" First Church," being the oldest but one in New Hamp-

188 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

shire. He was followed in 1640 by Thomas Larkham,
who remained in charge only a few months. Daniel Maud,
fifth minister, was settled in 1642; died in 1655. John
Eeyner settled in 1655 ; died in 1669. He was succeeded
in the same year by his son John, who died December
21, 1676. John Pike was the eighth minister, and was
settled in 1681 ; died in 1709. Nicholas Sever was
ordained at Dover in 1711; resigned in 1715. Jonathan
Gushing was settled in 1717; died in 1769. During the
last two years of his ministry he was assisted by Kev. Jere-
my Belknap, D. D., the historian of New Hampshire, who
succeeded him in 1769. Dr. Belknap was pastor until 1786,
when he was followed by Eobert Gray, whose connection
as pastor of tliis chui-ch ceased in 1805. Eev. Caleb H.
Shearman was ordained at Dover May 6, 1807 ; dismissed
May 7, 1812. Eev. J. W. Clary was ordained May T,
1812; dismissed August 6, 1828. Hubbard Winslow
was ordained December 4, 1828 ; dismissed in November,
1831. David Eoot was ordained in 1833; dismissed in
1839. J. S. Young was ordained November 20, 1839 ;
dismissed September 4, 1843. Homer Barrows was in-
stalled July 9, 1845; dismissed July 6, 1852. The
present pastor, Benjamin F. Parsons, was installed January
12, 1853. An Episcopal chiurch was established here at
an early period in the history of the town. The Methodist
society was incorporated in 1819. There is also one Uni-
tarian society, one Calvinist Baptist, two Freewill Baptist,
one UniversaUst, one Catholic, and one Quaker, or Friends.

A high school has recently been estabUshed on the sys-
tem of classification. The entire cost of buildings, fur-
niture, apparatus, &c., is $15,067.

The Cocheco Manufacturing Company is one of the old-
est and most extensive corporations of the kind in the

GAZETTEER OF NEV/ HAMPSHIRE. 189

couiity. It was incorporated in 1812, and amended in
1821. It commenced operations in 1822. Its capital is
V $1,300,000. The business of this company is divided
into two departments — one, manufacture of cotton goods ;
two, printing calicoes. In the manufacturing department
there are four mills, containing 47,312 spindles and 1200
looms. Amount of printing cloths manufactured per an-
num, 10,000,000 yards — all printed into calico in the
print works. Number of bales of cotton consumed annu-
ally, 4300. Do. hands employed — males, 400 ; females,
800 ; total, 1200. Moses Paul, agent ; George Mathew-
son, superintendent of print works.

There is an extensive oil carpet manufactory owned by
Abraham Folsom. It has been in successful operation
about five years. About 1000 yards of carpeting are man-
ufactured daily. In tliis work about 40 men are em-
ployed. These beautiful and substantial fabrics are sent
to various parts of the country and the world.

On Bellamy River, about a mile south-east from the vil-
lage, is the Bellamy Machine Shop, where railroad cars,
engine lathes, &c., are made. 20 men are employed. Au-
gustus Pickerson, agent.

F. A. & J. Sawyers's Flannel Manufactory consumes
60,000 pounds of wool per annum, produces 200,000 yards
of flannel per annum, and employs 20 hands.

About one fourth of a mile below Messrs. Sawyers,
Messrs. Hale & IMoses have erected a factory for making
flannel goods. It is estimated to do about the same amount
of business as is done by Messrs. Sawyers.

Davis & Snow have a steammill, where they manufac-
ture sashes, doors. Sec, and employ 20 hands.

There are, besides, several small shops, in which various
kinds of mechanical and manufacturing labor are per-

190 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

formed. There are two hotels and thirty stores in this
town. The village of Dover is well laid out and well built,
the houses generally being two stories, neat, and some
elegant. The houses of worship, the Court House, and
other public buildings are handsome, and the factories
massive and imposing in their structure. Dover is easily
approached by the Boston and Maine Railroad, by the
Cocheco Railroad, and by the Great Falls and Conway
Railroad.

Population, 8186. Number of polls, 1660. Valuation,
$3,267,800. Value of lands, 1 1,527,500. Number of
sheep, 413. Do. neat stock, 1557. Do. horses and
mules, 412.

Dublin,* Cheshire county. Bounded north by Nelson
and Hancock, east by Peterborough, south by Jaffrey, and
west by Marlborough and Roxbury. Area, 26,560 acres.
Distance from Concord, 50 miles, south-west ; from Keene,
10, south-east. Dublin is situated on the height of
land between Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers. Its
streams are small. There is a pond near the middle of the
town, called Centre Pond, about one mile in length, and
the same in width. A large portion of the Grand Monad-
nock lies in the north-west part of the town, and near the
centre is Breed's Mountain. INIonadnock was formerly
covered with small trees and shrubbery ; but numerous
fires have laid bare its surface, which presents an uneven
mass of ragged rocks. The soil is hard and rocky —
much better adapted to grazing than tillage. A handsome
Congregational meeting house, erected in 1818, stands on
such an elevation that the rain dropping from the west

• Harriaville lies partly in this town. For description, see Nelson.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 191

roof runs into the Connecticut River, and that from the
east roof into the Merrimack. There is a Baptist meeting
house in the north-west part of the town. The common
schools in this town are well conducted. Several years
since a bequest of $8000 was made by Rev. Edward
Sprague for the support of the public schools. He also
left the fown $5000, the interest of which is to be applied
annually for the support of a Congregational minister.

This town, originally called Monadnock Number Three,
was granted, November 3, 17-19, to Matthew Thurston and
others. It was incorporated March 29, 1771. The first
settlements were made in 1762 by John Alexander, Henry
Strongman, and William Scott, natives of Ireland, from
the capital of which country this town received its name.

The Congregational church was formed June 10, 1772,
and Rev. Joseph Farrer ordained at the same time. The
Baptist church was organized November 5, 1785. Rev.
Elijah Willard was ordained June 5, 1793. There is also
a Methodist and Unitarian society in this town.

Population, 1088. Number of polls, 262. Inventory,
$454,492. Value of lands, $244,947. Number of sheep,
2191. Do. neat stock, 1349. Do. horses and mules, 206.

DuMMER, Coos county. Bounded north by Millsfield
and Erroll, east by Cambridge, south by Milan, and west
by Stark and ungranted lands. Area, 23,040 acres. Dis-
tance from Concord, 140 miles, north ; from Lancaster, 30,
north-east. The principal rivers are the Androscoggin and
the Little Ammonoosuc. In the latter are the Dummer, or
Pontook, Falls. This town was granted, March 8, 1773, to
Mark H. "Wentworth and others. It was left unoccupied,
however, for many years. Its progress has been very
slow, owing perhaps, in some degree, to the rocky and un-
even surface of the laud and the coldness of the soil.

192 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Population, 171. Number of legal Yoters, 45. Com-
mon schools, 8. Inventory, $38,832. Value of lands,
$24,027. Number of sheep, 206. Do. neat stock, 138.
Do. horses, 5.

DuNBARTON, Morrimaclc county. Bounded north by
Hopkinton and Bow, east by Bow and Hooksett, south by
Goffstown, and west by Weare. Area, 21,000 acres.
Distance from Concord, 9 miles, south. The situation of
this town is somewhat elevated, though there are but few
hills, and no mountains. Owing to its elevation, the air is
pure and the water good. The soil is excellent, especially
for the growth of corn, wheat, and fruit. Some of the
finest specimens of apples are produced here. The farm-
ers are generally industrious and successful husbandmen.
The inhabitants are principally descendants of Scotch-Irish,
so called from the fact that their ancestors emigrated from
Scotland to Ireland. Arsenic, in the state of arsenical
pyrites, is found in this town. Dunbarton was granted in
1751 to Archibald Stark, Caleb Page, and others, by the
Masonian proprietors. It was first called Stark's Town,
in honor of the principal proprietor. Its present name is
derived from Dunbarton in Scotland. The first settle-
ment was made, about 1749, by Joseph Putney, James
Kogers, William Putney, and Obadiah Foster. Captain
Caleb Page was one of the first settlers. Archibald Stark
resided in Manchester. He was a man of considerable in-
fluence, and possessed a large landed property. James
Rogers was from Ireland, and was father to Major Robert
Rogers. He was shot in the woods, being mistaken for a
bear. The Congregational church was formed here about
1789. Rev. Walter Harris was ordained August 26,
1789.

GAZETTEER QF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 193

Population, 915. Number of legal voters in 1854,
230. Do. common schools, 10. Inventory, $387,984.
Value of lands, $250,249. Number of sheep, 1145. Do.

neat stock, 1323. Do. horses and mules, 170.

Durham, Strafford county. Bounded north by Madbury,
east by Little and Great Bays, south by Newmarket, and
■west by Lee. Area, 14,970 acres. Distance from Con-
cord, 32 miles, south-east; from Portsmouth, 11, north-
west. This town is situated on Oyster River, at the head
of tide water. This river, so called from the abundance
of oysters found at its mouth, takes its rise from Wheel-
wright's Pond, in Lee, and after winding nearly its whole
course through Durham, and furnishing in its progress
several excellent mill seats, falls into the Piscataqua. The
soil of this town is generally hard and strong. On both
sides of Oyster Kiver is a deep, argillaceous loam, favorable
to the growth of grasses, of which very heavy crops are
cut every year. The farmers devote much of their time
to the production of hay for the Boston market. More
than 1000 tons are annually exported. A chain of granite
ledge extends through the town, which seems to be of
primitive formation. There was formerly a large erratic
bowlder of sienitic granite in the south-west part of the
town, so carefully poised upon two other pieces of the
same material that it was visibly moved by the wind. This
town was originally a part of Dover, and included in Hil-
ton's patent, but soon after its settlement was formed into
a distinct parish, by the name of Oyster River. This was
a famous rendezvous of the Indians. The early inhabitants
were greatly exposed to their assaults and depredations.
In September, 1675, they made an attack on this place,
burned two houses, killed several men, and carried away
17

194 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

t"wo captives. Two days after they made another attack,
destroyed several houses, and killed two persons. In 1694,
when a large number of the inhabitants had marched to
the westward, the Indians, who were lurking in the woods
about Oyster River, having carefully ascertained the number
of men in the garrison, rushed upon them as they were going
to their morning devotions, and, having cut off their retreat
to the house, put them all to death except one, who fortu-
nately escaped. They then assailed the house, in which
were only two boys, besides the women and children. The
boys kept them off for some time, and wounded several of
them. At length the Indians set fire to the house ; but
even then the boys would not surrender until the Indians
had promised to spare their lives. They, however, treach-
erously murdered three or four children, one of whom they
pierced with a sharp stake in the presence of its mother.
The women and children were carried captive, but one of
the boys made his escape the following day. The next
spring the Indians narrowly watched the frontiers, to deter-
mine the safest and most vulnerable points of attack. The
settlement at Oyster River was selected for destruction.
Here were twelve garrisoned houses, fully sufficient for the
reception of the inhabitants ; but, not apprehending any
danger, many of the families remained 'in their unfortified
houses, and those who were in the garrison were by no
means prepared for a siege, as they were nearly destitute
of powder. One John Dean, whose house stood near the
Falls, happening to rise very early for a journey, was shot
as he came out of his door. The attack was now commenced
with vigor on all points where the enemy were ready. Of
the twelve garrisoned houses five were destroyed — namely,
Adams's, Drew's, Edgerly's, Meader's, and Beard's. The
Indians entered Adams's house without resistance, where

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 195

they killed fourteen persons, whose graves are still to be
seen. Drew surrendered his garrison on promise of safety ;
but he was put to death. Thomas Edgerly, having hid
himself in his cellar, preserved his house, though it was
twice set on fire. The house of John Buss, the minister,
together with his valuable library, was set on fire and con-
sumed. In this onset the Indians killed and captured
between 90 and 100 persons, and destroyed 20 houses.
In 1703 they made another incursion, and killed one man.
In 1704 several persons were murdered by them. In
1705 they assailed the house of John Drew, where they
killed eight persons, and wounded several others. In 1707
they captured two persons, and murdered two others as
they were on a journey to Dover. In September, same year,
a party of Mohawks attacked a company of men who were
at work in the woods under the direction of Captain
Chesley. At the first fire the enemy killed seven, and
wounded another. Chesley, with his few surviving com-
rades, kept up a brisk fire, and for some time kept them at
bay ; but they at length fell, overpowered by numbers. In
1724 the Indians made another attack upon this town, and
killed several persons in ambush.

The first preacher in this town was the Eev. John Buss,
who died in 1736, aged 108. There is a Baptist society
in this town, and one academy. Major General John Sulli-
van, of the revolutionary army, was a resident of this town,
and died here January 23, 1795. He was a native of Ber-
wick, Maine, and was a distinguished commander during
the war ; was president of the state three years, and after-
wai'ds district judge of New Hampshire. Hon. Ebenezer
Thompson was a native of this town. He held several
offices during the war, and was an efficient legislator.
Colonel Winborn Adams, of the revolutionary army, was a

196 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

citizen of Durham. Population, 1500. Number of legal
voters in 1854, 350. Do. common schools, 10. Inventory,
1485,953. Value of lands, i^335,782. Number of sheep,
417. Do. neat stock, 1000. Do. horses, 182.

East Kingston, Eockingham county. Bounded north
by Brentwood and Exeter, east by Kensington, south by
Southampton, and west by Kingston. Area, 2120 acres.
Distance from Concord, 42 miles, south-east ; from Ports-
mouth, 20, south-west. The surface is moderately uneven.
The soil is of an excellent- quality, and well adapted to the
growth of grains and grasses. Powwow River enters the
south-west part of this town, having its sources from ponds
in Kingston.

There are in this town one meeting house belonging to
the Methodist denomination, two stores, one carriage manu-
factory, one shoe manuiiictory, and two tanneries. The sum
of $2000 was recently bequeathed to the town by the late
Jeremiah Morrill, Esq., the interest of which is to be
applied for the benefit of common schools. This town
was incorporated November 17, 1738. Among the first
settlers were William and Abraham Smith, who settled
near the centre of the town. Rev. Peter Coffin was settled
here in 1739, and was dismissed in 1772, since which time
the Congregational society has had no regular preaching.

Population, 532. Number of legal voters in 1854, 150.
Do. common schools, 4. Inventory, $274,751. Value of
lands, $186,137. Number of sheep, 236. Do. neat
stock, 484. Do. horses, 72.

Eaton, Carroll county. Bounded north by Conway,
east by Brownfield, Maine, south by Freedom, and west by
Tamworth. Area, 33,637 acres. Distance from Concord,

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 197

71 mileSj north-east; from Ossipee, 22, north. The soil
of the uplands, which are quite uneven, is good. The
plains are a sandy loam, and were formerly covered with
an excellent growth of pine. There are no streams of
importance in this town. Six Mile Pond is about three
miles in length and from one half to a mile in width.
There are several other smaller ponds in this town. Eaton
was granted, November 6, 1766, to Clement March and 65
others. A Baptist church was formed here in 1800.
There are two Freewill Baptist societies in this town.
There is a woollen factory, and several small mills for
various purposes. Iron ore of good quality is found here.
There is also a vein of sulphurfet of lead, of considerable
value. Zinc in large quantities is to be found here.

Population, 1751. Number of polls, 308. Inventory,
$276,227. Value of lands, $149,581. Number of sheep,
1178. Do. neat stock, 1659. Do. horses, 189.

Effingham, Carroll county. Bounded north by Free-
dom, east by Porter, Maine, south by Ossipee, and west by
Ossipee. Area, about 30,000 acres. Distance from Con-
cord, 60 miles, north-east ; from Ossipee, 5, north. There
are several mountains of considerable elevation in this
town. The Ossipee River is the only stream of note.
Near this river is a pond, about -400 rods long, and 270
wide. Province Pond lies between this town and Wake-
field.

Effingham was settled but a few years before the revo-
lution. It was first called Leavitt's Town. It was incor-
porated August 18, 1778. Rev. Gideon Burt was the
first settled minister, who entered upon his duties as pastor
of the Congregational Church in 1803, and was dismissed
in 1805, since which time the church has been vacant.
17*

198 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

At present there are two Freewill Baptist societies in the
town. A Baptist society was formed here in 1808. The
Effingham Academy was incorporated in 1819, and is a
respectable institntion.

Population in 1775, 85 ; in 1850, 1252. Number
of polls, 244. Inventory, $255,161. Value of lands,
$109,415. Number of sheep, 407. Do. neat stock,
1227. Do. horses, 207

Ellswor-TII, Grafton county. Bounded north by Wood-
stock, east by Thornton, south by Rumney, and west by
Warren. Area, 16,606 acres. 52 miles north from Con-
cord, and 12 north from Plymouth. A mountainous terri-
tory. The most prominent elevation is Carr's INIountain,
situated in the north part, and extending to the centre of
the town. A small stream issues from West Branch Pond,
in the south-east part of the town, and runs into the
Pemigewasset, in Campton. The soil, though in some parts
sterile and rugged, produces wheat, rye, corn, oats, pota-
toes, &c. This tOAvn was granted in 1769, under the name
of Trecothick, to Barlow Trecotliick. Large quantities of
maple sugar are made here annually. There is one Eree-
will Baptist church and society in this town. There are
also three common schools, five sawmills, and one gristmill.

Population, 320. Number of legal voters, 75. Valua-
tion, $44,344. Value of lands, $18,952. Number of
sheep, 455. Do. neat stock, 292. Do. horses, 39.

Enfield, Grafton county. Bounded north by Canaan,
east by Grafton, south by Grantham, and west by Lebanon.
Area, 24,060 acres. 42 miles north-west from Concord,
with which it is connected by the Northern Railroad. The
surface of this town is diversified M'ith hills and valleys.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 199

and watered by a variety of ponds and streams well stored
with fish. Mascomy Pond, which has received from travel-
lers the name of Pleasant Pond, is indeed a beautiful sheet
of water, about five miles in length, and on an average
half a mile in width. Its eastern banks are covered with
trees, which, with the ascending hill, gradually rise one
above the other for some distance. Along the eastern
shore the Northern Eailroad extends for a considerable dis-
tance. Mascomy River, which takes its rise in Dorchester,
running through Canaan, discharges into this pond. This
pond is supposed to have been at some former period much
higher than at present, and the plain and villages south
are supposed to have been the bed of it. This is evident
from the ancient shore still remaining around the pond
and about 30 feet above high water. Logs have been
found 12 feet below the surface of the plain once flowed.
Its fall appears to have been sudden, caused by an altera-
tion of its outlet. On the eastern shore, about half a mile
from the pond, is a pleasant and thriving village, known
as North Enfield. There are several stores and mills here,
and one extensive tannery.

This pleasant village has grown up within a few years.
The soil is generally strong, though requiring considerable
labor to make it productive. On the south-western shore
of the pond is situated the Shakers' village. This society
own the land on the south-west bank, nearly the entire
length of the pond. The village is located about midway
between the two extremities of the pond, on an alluvial
plain of great 'fertility and under a very high state of culti-
vation. About 20 acres of this are devoted to horticulture,
from which large quantities of garden seeds and all the
valuable varieties of botanic medicinal herbs and roots are
produced. The buildings are neat and convenient, and

200 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

some on. a large and splendid scale. In the village of the
Middle Family is a large and beautiful stone edifice, four
stories in height, surmounted by a cupola in which is a
bell weighing about 1800 pounds, remarkable for its sono-
rousness and sweetness of tone. An immense and costly
barn for cows has recently been erected. Its dimensions
are 250 feet in length by 50 in width. The location and
arrangement are admirable. It is built across a gentle
ravine, opening from bank to bank, and is so constructed
that teams laden with hay, grain, or straw may enter at
either gable, precipitate the hay into the bay below, pass
along, and make their egress at the other end. Such a
location has enabled the owners to extend a cellar through
its entire length for the reception of the manures, both
solid and liquid, which are kept from filtration or otherwise
escaping downwards by a plank floor laid upon a stratum
of clay wrought as a bed of mortar. The descent of the
ground upon the back part of the barn affords a passage to
and from the cellar both convenient and easy for carrying
pond mud and manure. The cows are tethered upon the
south side of the barn, and in one continuous stable 16 feet
in width, with walls plastered inwardly with lime mortar,
and leaving a wall behind the gutters of four feet in width,
and a passage between the cribs and mows on the north
side, which secures warmth, sufficiently wide for a horse
and cart to pass, whenever it may be necessaiy to feed with
vegetables or green food. The scafiblds above furnish
space to deposit the litter, which is let down through a
trap door in the rear of the cows ; also a room for the
herdsman's of&ce. All these arrangements render it, per-
haps, the most convenient and extensive barn in America.
Its height to the eaves upon the back side is 30 feet, stalls
8 feet, and scafiblds 16. The flooring for teams is framed
4 feet below the eaves.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 201

The manufactures of the Shakers consist mainly of
"wooden ware, such as pails, tubs, dry measures, brooms,
&c. They also manufacture extensively woollen and
flannel shirts and drawers, cassimeres, flannels, feeting,
&c. They own about 2000 acres in the vicinity of their
village, and considerable in adjoining towns. They are
divided into three distinct families. The middle, or, as
they term it, the first order, contains about 120 members.
The second order, or family, resides about one mile south of
the first, and contains about 80 members. The north fam-
ily, or novitiate, is situated at the extreme north of the
village, and contains usually about 60 members. Each of
the families has one large and commodious building,
which is called the office, where all the commercial affairs
are transacted and where all visitors are entertained. It is
desirable that all visitors should first call at one of these
offices. Trustees of the first order, C. M. Dyer and H. C.
Baker ; of the second, Jason Kidder and William Wilson ;
of the north family, A. Bronson. The society in Enfield
have but little water -power ; but by means of artificial chan-
nels they have about 10 mills of different kinds. They
usually keep about 100 cows. They take much pains in
the improvement of stock. They have recently imported
two small flocks of French merino sheep at an expense of
$200 to ^500 apiece. The religious pecuharities * of this
society are similar to those of the society at Canterbury,
which have already been noticed.

This town was formerly called Relham, and was incorpo-
rated and granted to Jedediah Dana and others July 4,
1761. First settlers, Nathaniel Bicknell, Jonathan Paddle-
ford, and Elisha Bingham. Elias, son of the person last

* See article upon Religion.

202 KEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

named, -was the first male child born in this town. For their
first minister the Congregational society had Rev. Edward
Evans, who was settled in December, 1799, and dismissed in
1805. A Freewill Baptist church was established here in
1816. There is also a Methodist society.

Population, 1742. Number of polls, 376. Inventory,
$506,944. Value of lands, $289,473. Number of sheep,
8439. Do. neat stock, 1371. Do. horses and mules, 236.

Epping, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Not-
tingham and Lee, east by Newmarket and Exeter, south
by Brentwood and Poplin, and west by Raymond. Area,
12,760 acres. The soil in general is very good, and well
adapted to the growth of the various productions of this
climate. Lamprey River, at the west, receives the waters
of the Patuckaway, and runs through the entire length of
the town. Another river runs through the north part of
the town, and is called North River. These streams af-
ford a few convenient mill seats, which are occupied by
three small woollen manufactories, in each of which from
eight to ten persons are constantly employed. There are
six stores, two hotels, and three meeting houses — one be-
longing to the Congregational society, one to the Methodist,
and one to the Freewill Baptist. There is also a small so-
ciety of Friends, or Quakers.

The late Hon. "William Plumer, governor of New
Hampshire, and one of her most distinguished sons, was a
resident of this town. Hon. Jolm Chandler, formerly rep-
resentative and senator in the Massachusetts legislature,
member of Congress, and brigadier general in the army of
the United States in the war of 1812, was a native of Ep-
ping. The Congregational society was first established
here in 1747, when Rev. Robert Cutler was ordained. As

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 203

early as 1769 a Quaker society existed here. The Baptist
society was formed here about 1776. A society of Metho-
dists was established about 1800.

Population, 1663. Number of legal voters in 1854,
354. Valuation, |499,941. Value of lands, $302,803.
Value of shares in banks and other corporations, |j^25,150.
Number of sheep, 954. Do. neat stock, 972. Do. horses
and mules, 181.

Epsom, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Pitts-
field, east by Northwood and Deerfield, south by Aliens-
town, and west by Pembroke and Chichester. Area,
19,200 acres. Distance from Concord, 12 miles, east.
The surface of this town is generally uneven. The prin-
cipal eminences are called McCoy, Fort, Nat's, and Not-
tingham Mountains. The soil is generally good, and well
adapted to grazing or the raising of grain. Gl'eat and Lit-
tle Suncook are the only rivers of any size. There are
three ponds — Chestnut, Round, and Odiorne's. The min-
eralogical features of Epsom are of some importance.
Brown oxide and sulphuret of iron are found in various
localities. Terra sienna, a valuable material for paint, is
also found here. Arsenical pyrites, argentiferous galena,
and hematite associated with quartz crystals, occm* in sev-
eral localities.

Epsom was granted. May 18, 1727, to Theodore At-
kinson and others. It received its name from Epsom in
England. Eev. John Tucker was the first settled minister,
and was ordained in 1761. Like other frontier towns, Ep-
som was exposed, during the early period of its settlement,
to excursions of the Indians ; no serious injuries, however,
were sustained. In 1747, August 21, Mrs. McCoy was
taken prisoner and carried to Canada, from whence she re-

204 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

turned after the close of the war. Depredations were after-
wards committed upon the cattle, the inhabitants having pre-
viously fled to the garrisons in Nottingham.

Major Andrew McClary, a native of this town, a brave
and meritorious officer, fell, gallantly resisting the enemies
of his country, at Bunker's (or Breed's) Hill, June 17, 1775.
Immediately on receipt of the news of the massacre at
Lexington, he left his plough in the field and hastened to
the conflict.

Population, 1365. Number of polls, 281. Inventory,
$349,589. Value of lands, 1 169,267. Number of sheep,
1122. Do. neat stock, 1350. Do. horses, 187.

Erroll, Coos county. Bounded north by Wentworth's
Location, east by Umbagog Lake, — a portion of which is
within its limits, — south by Cambridge and Dummer, and
west by Millsfield. Area, about 35,000 acres, 2500 of
which are covered with water. Several considerable
streams unite here with the Androscoggin, which passes
through the north-east part of the town. Upon this stream,
in Erroll, have been expended quite recently more than
$100,000 in erecting dams, &c., for the purpose of hold-
ing back the water, so as to enable the company engaged in
the enterprise to drive logs from the upper lakes to market
through the whole season. There are numerous ponds and
small streams which abound with trout. The soil in some
parts is very good. A large portion of the town is still
covered with a thick, heavy growth of maple, beech, birch,
and pine.

Population, 138. Number of legal voters, 41. Com-
mon schools, 3. Valuation, $44,752. Value of lands,
$22,808. Number of sheep, 279. Do. neat stock, 178.
Do. horses. 25.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 205

Exeter, the shire town of Rockingham county^ is
bounded north by Newmarket and Stratham, east by
Stratham, Hampton, and Hampton Falls, south by Ken-
sington and East Kingston, and west by Brentwood and
Epping. The compact part of the town lies about the
falls — which separate the tide from the fresh water — of a
branch of the Piscataqua, called by the Indians Squamscot,
and now known by the name of Exeter River. On this
river are several valuable mill privileges, many of which
are now occupied.

The town is pleasantly situated on the bank of the river.
The soil is generally good, though including every variety,
from the best to the poorest quality. The people are
largely engaged in agricultural pursuits, in which great
inyprovement has been made. Exeter owes much of her
prosperity to the large number of her enterpiising and in-
telligent mechanics. The Exeter Manufacturing Company
was incorporated in 1828. Its capital stock amounts to
$162,500. Dimensions of building, 175 feet long by 44
wide, and 6 stories high. It contains 7488 spindles and
175 looms. Manufacture number 25 cotton cloth, 36
inches wide. Annual consumption of cotton, 450,000
pounds. Number of yards of cloth produced per annum,
1,400,000. Do. operatives employed — males, 45 ; fe-
males, 160 ; total, 205. During the past year the build-
ing was thoroughly repaired. It is now lighted with gas,
and heated by steam. John Low, Jr., agent and treas-
urer.

Orin Head, carriage manufacturer, has from $30,000 to
$40,000 capital invested. In this establishment over 200
carriages of all kinds are annually manufactured. A sad-
dlery and harness shop is also connected with this concern.
In both departments about 60 hands are employed.
18

^06 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

There are, besides, a papermill, and several other shops
of less extent where various articles are manufactured.

Phillips Academy, a celebrated institution, vras founded
in 1781 by the liberal donations of John Phillips, D. D.,
who, at his decease in 1795, left a large portion of his
estate for the benefit of this institution. It is under the
control of a board of seven trustees, only three of whom
can be resident in Exeter. A considerable portion of the
fund is appropriated towards the support of the poorer class
of students.

Exeter has, during all periods of its history, contained
among its citizens eminent and useful men. Some of the
most distinguished jurists, statesmen, and scholars in the
country received a part of their mental training in its lit-
erary institution. Hon. Samuel Tenney was well known in
his day as a man of science and learning. General Na-
thaniel Peabody was a member of the old Congress, a sen-
ator in 1792, and speaker of the House in 1793. Hon.
Nicholas Gilman was a member of the old Congress, a
senator in 1804, president of the Senate, and a senator
in Congress from 1805 to his death in 1814. General
Nathaniel Folsom was a member of the old Congress, and
a brave and valuable officer of the revolution. Hon. Jere-
miah Smith, a native of Peterborough, was one of the first
representatives under the federal government, was ap-
pointed judge of the Supreme Court of New Hampshire,
and in 1802 was chief justice, and continued such until
1809, when he was elected governor. Hon. John Taylor
Gilman was an active supporter of the revolution, and for
fourteen years, between 1794 and 1816, was governor of
the state.

The settlement of Exeter commenced in 1638 under
John Wheelwright and others, who formed themselves into

GAZETTEEK OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 207

a body politic, chose their magistrates, and bound them-
selves by vote to sacred obedience. Their laws were made
in popular assemblies, thus manifesting the true idea of a
pure democracy. This organization lasted three years.

In 1629 "Wheelwright had purchased of the Indians the
country between the Merrimack and Piscataqua, extending
back about fifty miles. By reason of his Antinomiau
opinions he had been banished from the colony of Massa-
chusetts, and sought refuge here. In 1642 Exeter was
annexed to the county of Essex, Massachusetts ; and Wheel-
wright, who was still under sentence of excommunication,
was compelled and made to flee from the society of re-
ligious bigotry. The early inhabitants suffered consider-
ably from the depredations of the Indians. In 1675 one
person was killed and another made prisoner, and other
outrages were committed. In 1695 two men were killed.
In 1697 the town was undoubtedly saved, as it were, by
accident, from utter destruction. By an unintentional
alarm, caused by the firing of a gun for the purpose of
frightening a few women and children who had gone into
the fields after strawberries contrary to the advice of their
friends, the people were brought together under arms. A
large party of Indians had laid in ambush for several days,
secretly making preparations for a vigorous attack, and
had fixed upon the following day to begin the assault.
Hearing the report of the gun, and seeing the people as-
sembled together, they supposed they had been discovered,
and made precipitate retreat, killing one person, wounding
another, and carrying away a child. The Indians gave the
people no further trouble until 1707, when another per-
son was killed. In the spring of 1709 William Moody,
Samuel Stevens, and two sons of Jeremy Oilman were
captured at Pickpocket Mill, in Exeter. In 1710 the

208 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Indians killed Colonel "VVinthrop Milton, a meritorious citi-
zen, with two others, and took two prisoners. Soon after
this they killed one John Magoon, and captured John
Wedgewood and four children. In April, 1712, a Mr.
Cunningham was killed, and depredations committed upon
the proj^erty of the inhabitants.

The first church in Exeter was probably the first formed
in this state. It was founded in 1638 by Rev. John Wheel-
wright, a brother-in-law of the celebrated Anne Hutchin-
son, and a contemporary of Oliver Cromwell at the uni-
versity. This church, after Wheelwright's banishment,
was broken up, and a new one formed some time after, but
at what precise period does not appear. Rev. Samuel
Dudley was ordained in 1650. The Second Congrega-
tional Church was formed in 1748, and Rev. Daniel Rogers,
a descendant of the martyr John Rogers, was ordained.
There are at present two Congregational societies, one
Methodist, one Freewill Baptist, one Calvinist Baptist, and
one Unitarian. The town is divided into six school dis-
tricts. In some of the districts are substantial and elegant
school houses. Much has been done here towards the ad-
vancement of the common school interest in this town.

The Granite State Bank has a capital of $125,000.
President, Moses Sanborn; cashier, S. H. Stevens.

Population, 3329. Number of legal voters in 1854,
794. Amount of inventory, $1,265,391. Value of lands,
$195,110. Do. factories and machinery, $48,000. Do.
mills and carding machines, $20,400. Do. stock in trade,
$90,356. Amount of money on hand, &c., $177,610.
Number of sheep, 390. Do. neat stock, 777. Do. horses
and mules, 228.

Farmington, Strafford county. Bounded north by New

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 209

Durham and INIilton, east by INIilton and the State of Maine,
south by Rochester and Strafford, and west by Strafford and
New Durham. Area, 21,000 acres. Distance from Con-
cord, 25 miles, north-east ; from Dover, 18, north-west.
This township is somewhat broken, and the soil in many
places is rugged, but very productive when carefully
tilled. There is but little interval on the Cocheco River,
which winds through the north-east part of the town. The
Blue Hill, or Frost Mountain, extending nearly through the
town in a north and south direction, is the highest eleva-
tion of land in the county. From the summit of this
mountain may be seen in a clear day INIount Washington,
Monadnock, and hundreds of smaller hills in the distance ;
while the ships in Portsmouth Harbor can be traced in their
various motions, swayed hither and thither by a slight
breeze. The Cocheco River is the only stream of note.
A rock, weighing some 60 or 70 tons, formerly so nicely
poised as to be moved easily by the hand, has within a few
years been moved from its position by some persons, no
doubt, wearing out for want of exercise.

The school fund in this town is $3000. There are
seven stores, and one hotel. The manufacture of shoes is
carried on quite extensively. About 560,000 jDairs of
shoes are manufactured annually. The amount of capital
invested is $475,000 ; 650 hands are employed. There is
a bank in this town, with a capital of $50,000. Farming-
ton was originally a part of Rochester, but was incorporated
as a distinct town December 1, 1798. A Congregational
church was formed here, about 1818, under the care of the
Eev. James Walker. There is also a Freewill Baptist
society here. This tovnx is divided into 16 school districts.

Population, 1699. Number of legal voters in 1854,
483. Inventory. 651,335. Stock in trade, $21,530.
18*

^10 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Value of shares in bank, &c., $44,574. Do. of lands,
1380,920. Number of sheep, 903. Do, neat stock, 1512.
Do. horses and mules, 260.

FiTZWiLLiAM, Cheshire county. Bounded north by
Troy and Jaffrey, east by Rindge, south by Royalston and
"Winchendon, Massachusetts, and west by Richmond.
Area, 22,700 acres. Distance from Concord, 60 miles,,
south-west; from Keene, 13, south-east. It originally
contained 26,900 acres ; but by an act of the legislature,
June 23, 1815, 4200 acres were taken from it, and now
form a part of Troy. Camp and Priest Brooks are the
principal streams. There are several small ponds. The
surface is hilly; the soil is hard, but very good for graz-
ing. There is a considerable quantity of meadow land,
which is very productive. Near the centre of the town is.
a considerable eminence, remarkable for the delightful
prospect it affords. Gap INIountain lies partly in this town,
and partly in Troy. On its summit is found an excellent
kind of whetstone. There is also a quarry of granite of
superior quality, which is extensively wrought. The manu-
facture of wooden ware of various kinds is a large item in.
the industrial pursuits of the inhabitants. There are eleven,
different establishments in which this kind of labor is per-
formed. There are also one carriage shop, one tannery, and
a factory where enamelled leather is made. In these
various departments 250 persons are employed. There
are four stores, one hotel, twelve common schools, one
Unitarian chm-ch, one Congregational, and one Baptist.

This town was originally called Monadnock Number
Four, and was granted, January 16, 1752, to Roland Cotton
and 41 others; but, the grantees having suffered forfeiture, it
was regranted to Samson Stoddard and 22 others. The

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 211

first settlement was made, in 1760, by James Read, John
Fassitt, Benjamin Bigelow, and others. It was incorporated
May 19, 1773, when it was named in honor of the Earl of
Fitzwilliam.

The Congregational church was formed March 27, 1771,
when the Rev. Benjamin Brigham was ordained. In 1816
an elegant church was erected at an expense of ^7000.
On the night of January 17, 1817, it was struck by light-
ning, and entirely consumed. The Cheshire Railroad
passes through this town. •

Population, 1482. Number of legal voters in 1854,
300. Inventory, $468,637. Value of lands, |283,675.
Stock in trade, $19,530. Number of sheep, 297. Do.
neat stock, 1093. Do. horses and mules, 232.

Francestown, Hillsborough county. Bounded north
by Deering, east by Weare and New Boston, south by
Lyndeborough and Greenfield, and west by Greenfield
and Bennington. Area, 18,760 acres. Distance from
Concord, 27 miles, south-west; from Amherst, 12, north-
west. The two south branches of the Piscataquog rise in
this town; the largest branch from Pleasant Pond, the
other from Haunted Pond. These two ponds are consider-
able collections of note ; the former being about 350 rods
square, and the latter 300 in length by 225 in width. The
land is uneven, and in many parts stony, but the soil is
strong and productive. There are some small patches of
interval which are very fertile. In the western part of
the town the rock is mostly coarse granite; in the eastern
it is sulphuric, easily crumbling. There is in the easterly
part of this town a valuable quarry of soapstone, which
has been extensively wrought for sizing rollers and other

212 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

purposes. In the nortli part of the town plumbago occurs
in small quantities.

This town was first settled, in 1760, by John Carson, a
Scotchman. It derived its name from Frances, the wafe of
Governor Wentworth. It was not granted to proprietors,
as most of the early townships were. It includes what
was once called New Boston Addition and a part of Society
Land, and was incorporated, on petition of the inhabitants,
June 8, 1772. The titles were derived from the Masonian
proprietors. A Congregationail church was formed here,
January 27, 1773, under the Her. Samuel Cotton. Mr.
James Woodbury was an active soldier in the French war
of 1757. He was engaged by the side of General Wolfe
when he was mortally wounded at the memorable siege of
Quebec. He also belonged to the company of rangers
under the immortal Stark.

Population, 1114. Number of houses, 241. Do.
families, 261. Do. farms, 128. Value of lands, $314,-
620. Stock in trade, $5050. Inventory, $531,982.
Number of sheep, 1953. Do. neat stock, 1193. Do.
horses and mules, 240. Do. polls, 244.

Franconia, Grafton county. Bounded north by Beth-
lehem, east by ungranted lands, south by Lincoln and
Landaff, and west by Lisbon. Area, 32,948 acres. Dis-
tance from Concord, 74 miles, north; from Haverhill, 28,
north-east. A large portion of the town is mountainous.
Its streams are branches of the Lower Ammonoosuc, and rise
in the mountainous tracts on the east. Along these streams
there is considerable Interval — meadow laud very fertile
and productive. Near the "Notch" are two bodies of
water; the lower one, commonly called Ferrin's Pond, is

214 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

highway, he is directed to look in a northwardly direction,
when he discovers iia the distance the stern visage of the
Old Man of the Mountain.

The Basin is a deep excavation in granite, formed by
the continual action of the falling waters of the Pemige-
wasset, together with the whirling and grinding action of
pebbles and masses of granite swept into the cavity by the
force of the stream. The diameter of the Basin is about
thirty feet, and its depth appears to be in such proportion
as to form a huge bowl, always filled to the brim with
clear, cold water.

The Flume is about threQ fourths of a mile from the
main road, on the right hand as you go towards Franconia
Notch. A narrow pathway through woods leads to the
spot. There are in the passage, numerous small streams,
over which have been felled trees, which is the only
bridge to be met with in this wild, romantic walk. " The
Flume is a deep chasm, having mural precipices of granite
on each side ; while a mountain torrent rushes through its
midst, falling over precipitous crags and loose masses of
rock. During the spring freshets and in early summer it
is not practicable to walk in the bed of the Flume ; but
late in the season but little Avater flows, and the bottom of
the river affords a good footpath. One of the most re-
markable objects in the Flume is an immense rounded block
of granite, which hangs a few feet overhead, supported
merely by small surfaces of contact against its sides." To
the traveller passing in the bed of the stream and under-
neath this massive block, the appearance is, that it must
instantly fall upon him. The trunk of a fallen tree Hes
across the top of the river, and furnishes a natural bridge
for adventurous persons, though extremely dangerous, es-
pecially for persons unaccustomed to such feats.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 215

Franconia owes much of its prosperity to the existence
and working of a rich vein of granular magnetic iron ore,
the locality of which is within the present limits of the
town of Lisbon, The ore is blasted out and conveyed to
the furnace in Franconia. In December, 1805, a company
was incorporated under the name of the New Hampshire
Iron Manufactory. The buildings necessary for the prose-
cution of the enterprise were erected on the south branch
of the Lower Ammonoosuc, and consist of a large blast fur-
nace, a cupola furnace, a forge, trip hammer shop, black-
smith shop, and pattern shop. From 20 to 30 men are
constantly employed. 250 tons of pig iron and from 200
to 300 tons of bar iron are produced annually. The ore
is said to be the richest yet discovered. It yields from
56 to 90 per cent. A respectable business is also carried
on in the manufacture of starch from potatoes, about 60
tons of which are made annually. There is a bedstead fac-
tory, in which eight men are employed, doing a business
of about $8000 per annum.

There are in Franconia three hotels of large dimensions,
and handsomely finished and furnished, in which special
regard is paid to the ease and enjoyment of the numerous
travellers who visit Franconia for pleasure, scientific pur-
poses, or business.

This town was originally called Morristown, and was
granted, February 14, 1764, to Isaac Searle and others.
The first settlement was made in 1774 by Captain Ar-
temas Knight, Samuel Barnett, Zebedee Applebee, and
others.

There is a Congregational church consisting of 14 mem-
bers, and a Freewill Baptist church of 138 members.

Population, 584. Number of polls in 1854, 139. Do.
legal voters in do., 132. Inventory, |174,549. Value of

216 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

lands, $95,226. Stock in tmcle, $15,945. Number of
sheep, 567. Do. neat stock, 592. Do. horses and mules,
114.

Fkeedom, Carroll county. Bounded north by Eaton,
east by Parsonfield, Maine, south by Effingham, and west
by Ossipee. Distance from Concord, 60 miles, north-east;
from Ossipee, 10, north. This is an uneven township, but
contains some excellent land for grazing and tillage. Os-
sipee Lake lies partly in this town. The only stream of
importance is Ossipee Eiver, which affords several excel-
lent mill seats. The inhabitants are generally devoted to
agriculture ; and the numerous highly-cultivated farms
give evidence that labor is not unaccompanied by skill.
There are two carriage factories, doing business on rather a
moderate scale ; one door, sash, and blind factory ; one
planing and mortising factory ; two blacksmith shops ;
one bedstead shop ; and four shoe shops. There is a re-
ligious society of the Baptist fliith ; one hotel, one high
school, and ten common schools. This town was incor-
porated June 16, 1831, and was formerly called North
Effingham.

Population, 910. Number of legal voters in 1854, 240.
Inventory, $225,930. Value of lands, $131,202. Do.
stock in trade, $3350. Do. sheep, $1916. Do. neat
stock, $17,295. Do. horses and mules, $8087. Do.
polls, $53,860.

Frakklin, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Hill
and Sanbornton, east by Sanbornton and Northfield, south
by Boscaweu and Sahsbury, and west by Salisbury and
Andover. Distance from Concord, 19 miles, north. This
pleasant and thriving town was taken from the towns of

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 217

Salisbury, Andover, Saubornton, and Northfield, and was
incorporated December 24, 1828. It is small in extent,
comprising probably an area of not more than 9000 acres.
The soil is generally a sandy loam, in some parts very
rich ; in others, especially the more elevated pine plains, it
is somewhat sterile. Much attention has been paid to ag-
riculture here, and some of the farms will compare with
the best in the state. The celebrated Webster Farm,
through a portion of which the Northern Railroad paisses,
is under high cultivation, and very productive. At this
place is a way station called the Webster Place. There
is in this town an extensive peat bog, including about
thirty acres, which is two feet deep, with a hard clay be-
neath it.

The principal village is situated near the confluence of
the Pemigewasset and Winnipiseogee Rivers, which, by
their union, form the Merrimack. Its principal street is
about one mile in length, running parallel with the Pemi-
gewasset and Merrimack Rivers, at a distance of from
30 to 80 rods from their channels. The water power
in this toAvn is abundant and valuable. On the Win-
nipiseogee are several mills and factories. The Frank-
lin ^lills have recently commenced operations. Feeting,
woollen undershirts, and drawers are extensively manufac-
tured here. The factory building is a large and massive
stone structure, four stories in height. Connected with
this are some twelve or fifteen tenements for the operatives.
The method of manufacturing such goods by machinery is
comparatively a new enterprise, but promises well for those
engaged in it. There is also a largo paper manufactory, in
which froya 25 to 30 hands are employed. H. Aiken's
machine shop, where are manufactured " Aiken's patent
brad awls " and tools of various kinds, is in this town.
19

218 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT 13.

There is also an iron foundery and a forge shop, where a
large business is carried on.

In the principal village are two meeting houses, two
hotels, seven stores, and one academy.

The Northern Railroad passes directly in the rear of the
principal street ; and the track being elevated considerably
above a level with the tops of the houses, the traveller sees
almost beneath his feet a beautiful village, teeming with
life and activity ; while still farther eastward he beholds
the noble river whose power gives motion to the greatest
number of spindles and looms of any stream in the world.

The two religious societies her^ are the Congregational
and the Christian Baptist.

The cemetery, situated on a plain elevated considerably
above the village, and some 100 rods easterly from it, is
' indeed a lovely spot. All is quiet around ; and yet within
its enclosure the visitor, with a single glance, may behold
the distant and gradually rising hills towards the west, and
the puffing locomotive, with its almost endless train ; while
a short distance below is the union of the Pemigewasset
with the Winnipiseogee, and before him the busy village ;
the whole scenery, with its variety and beauty, presenting
a striking contrast ,to the stillness of the sacred grounds,
and forcibly reminding him that there is but a step between
the abodes of the living and the city of the dead.

Population, 1251. Number of polls, 282. Inventory,
$463,635. Value of lands, $291,560. Stock in trade,
$16,200. Money on deposit, &c., $37,980. Number of
sheep, 1497. Do. neat stock, 909. Do. horses, 170.

Gilford, shire town of Belknap county. Bounded
north by Winnipiseogee Lake, east by Alton, south by
Gilmanton, and west by Long Bay and Meredith. Area,

GAZETTEER OF ^■EW HAMPSHIRE. 219

23,000 acres. 25 miles north-east from Concord. The
soil is generally productive and under a high state of culti-
vation. There are two ponds — Little and Chattleborough.
Gunstock and Mile's Rivers, rising in Suncook Mountains,
and flowing in a northerly direction into the lake, are the
principal streams. Two islands in the lake, belonging to
Gilford, are connected with it by bridges, one of which is
oO rods in length. Four bridges across the Winnipiseogee
connect this town with Meredith. Gilford village and
Meredith village are connected by a bridge across Winni-
piseogee River, and both are called Meredith Bridge ; (for a
description of which, see Meredith.) The Suncook Moun-
tains extend in a towering pile through the easterly part of
the town, from Gilmanton nearly to the lake.

This is a thriving town, and the village connected -with.
the Meredith side is one of the most flourishing anc} pleas-
ant villages in New Hampshire. This town, which was
incorporated June 16, 1812, was -formerly a part of Gil-
manton. It was settled in 1778 by James Ames and S. S.
Gilraan. The Freewill Baptist society, formed in 1798
under Elder Richard Martin, was the first religious society
established in Gilford. Elder Uriah Morrison was ordained
over a Baptist society in 1808. Elder William Blaisdell
was ordained over the Christian Baptist society in 1809.
There are at present one Calvinist Baptist and three Free-
will Baptist societies in this town.

Population, 2425. Number of polls, 594. Inventory,
$604,333. Value of lands, $357,148. Stock in trade,
$9460. Value of mills and machinery, $7200. Money
at interest, $29,407. Number of sheep, 2209. Do. neat
stock, 1716. Do. horses and mules, 257.

Gilmanton, Belknap county. Bounded north by Gil-

220 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

ford and Alton, east by Alton and Barnstead, south by
Canterbury and Nortlifield, and west by Sanbornton and
Great Bay. Area, 63,500 acres. 25 miles north-east
from Concord, and 8 south-west from Gilford. This town
is watered by the Winnipiseogee, Suncook, and Soucook
Rivers. The soui-ce of the Suncook is a pond on the top
of one of the Suncook Mountains, 900 feet above its base.
The water of this pond falls into another at the foot of the
mountain, about one mile in length and half a mile in
width ; flowing through this, it falls into another, covering
about 500 acres, from which it winds through the town,
receiving several streams in its course. Gilmanton is very
hilly and rocky. The north part bounds upon Suncook
Mountains, from which a chain of hills extends in a south-
erly direction. The soil is hard, but fruitful, and has been
brought to a very high state of cultivation. No part of
the state presents a more pleasing and picturesque appear-
ance to the eye of the agriculturist. Quartz crystals of
considerable size are found near Shell Camp Pond. For-
merly bog iron ore of a good quality was taken in large
quantities from the bottom of Lougee Pond by means of
long tongs. Porcupine Hill is a remarkably abrupt preci-
pice of granite, gneiss, and mica slate rock, which form, by
their overhanging strata and deep ravines, a pleasant and
favorite resort of the students of Gilmanton Academy — an
old and highly respectable institution of learning. Below
this steep precipice is a deep and shady dell, thickly clad
with dark, evergreen foKage of forest trees ; while the rocks
are wreathed in rich profusion by curious and beautiful
lichens, or mosses. Wild plants are abundant and various.
Gilmanton Academy was incorporated October 13, 1762.
This town was granted. May 20, 1727, to 24 persons named
Gilman, and 152 others. The settlement was delayed and

GAZETTEER OF XEW IIAIMPSHIKE. 221

interrupted by tlic frequent depreciations of the Indians.
In December, 1761, Benjamin and John INIudgett, with
their famiHes, settled here. Dorothy Weed, the first child,
was born here October 13, 1762. A Baptist church was
organized here November 16, 1773. Elder Walter
Powers was ordained June 14, 1786 ; dismissed in 1806.
The Congregational church was formed November 30,
1774, and Rev. Isaac Smith ordained. There are also
Methodist and Freewill Baptist societies in this town.
Hon. William Badger, formerly governor of this state, was
a native and citizen of Gilmanton.

Population, 3282. Number of polls, 704, Inventory,
1983,253. Stock in trade, $13,256. Value of lands,
$556,600. Number of sheep, 3507. Do. neat stock,
3920. Do. horses and mules, 546.

GiLSUM, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Alstead,
east by Stoddard and Keene, south by Keene, and west
by Surrey. Area, 9456 acres. 46 miles south-west from
Concord, and 9 north from Keene. The surface is gener-
ally uneven and stony. The soil is fertile ; and in many
parts good arable land, free from stone, is to be found.
Ashuelot River runs through this town, and affords several
excellent water privileges. There is a small body of water
in the north-east part of the town called Cranberry Pond.
Near the house of Mr. Samuel Bingham there is a huge
block of loose "granite resting upon the crushed edges of a
strata of mica slate. This immense bowlder has received the
name of Vessel Rock, and appears to have been stranded
upon the mica slate ledge, whither it was driven and depos-
ited by the powerful drift current which passed over the
country in ancient times. A large piece of this rock was
split off from the mass by some external force in the winter
19*

222 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

of 1817. The piincipal block measures 26 feet long by
24 in -width and 26 in height.

There are in this town two stores, one hotel, and two
woollen factories. In one, owned and occupied by Eben-
ezer Jones, about 15,000 yards of choice broadcloth are
manufactured annually. The number of hands employed
is 20. Capital invested, ^15,000. Ebenezer Jones pro-
prietor. In the other are manufactured about 40,000 yards
of flannel per annum. Number of hands employed, 12.
Capital invested, ^9000. There is also a factory for
making bobbins, a chair factory, and a large tannery. Gil-
sum was first granted, December 8, 1752, to Joseph
Osgood, Jacob Farmer, and others, and was called Boyle.
It was regranted, July 13, 1763, to Messrs. Gilbert and
Sumner, and others. From the union of the first syllables
of these two names is derived the name Gilsum. First set-
tlement in 1764, by Josiah Kilburu. The Congregational
church was established in' 1772; incorporated in 1816.
There are now two meeting houses — one owned by the
Congregational, the other by the INIethodist, society.

Population, 6GQ. Number of legal voters in 1854, 157.
Inventory, $187,030. Value of lands, i|76,531. Num-
ber of sheej), 1413. Do. neat stock, 531. Do. horses
and mules, 94.

GoFFSTOWN, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
Dunbarton and Hooksett, east by Hooksett and Manchester,
south by Bedford, and west by New Boston and Weare.
Area, 29,170 acres. 16 miles south from Concord, 12
north from Amherst, and 6 north-west from Manchester.
Merrimack River forms part of the eastern boundary.
Piscataqua River runs through its centre. There are
two considerable elevations in this town, which bear the

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 223

Indian nan^e of XJncannunuc. Excepting these elevations,
Goffstown is less broken and hilly than the adjoining towns.
On the rivers are large tracts of valuable interval. Back
from the rivers are extensive plains, not so rich in soil, but
easily and carefully cultivated. From the plains the land
rises in large, but gradual, swells, rocky in some parts, but
excellent for grazing. A Congregational society was formed
here in 1771 ; a Baptist church was organized in 1820.
This town was in early times a favorite resort of the In-
dians, who found ample support in the abundance of fish
in its limits. It was granted by the Masonian proprietors,
in 1748, to Eev. Thomas Parker and others, of Dracut,
Massachusetts. At present the Baptists are the onl)^ so-
ciety who have a settled pastor. There are nine sawmills
and four gristmills, two hotels and eight stores, one factory
for the manufacture of batting, one shoe manufactory, in
which are employed 100 hands, two sash and blind facto-
ries, two wheelwright shops, and six blacksmith shops.

Population, 2270. Number of houses, 416. Do. fami-
lies, 441. Do. farms, 272. Inventory, $658,509. Value
of lands, $457,175. Stock in trade, ,$16,212. Number
of sheep, 700. Do. neat stock, 1644. Do. horses and
mules, 283. Do. polls, 424.

GoRHAM, Coos county. Bounded north by Berlin, east
by Shelburne, south by the northerly base of the "White
Mountains, and west by Randolph. Area, 18,140 acres.
Distance from Concord, 96 miles, north ; from Lancaster,
20, east. It was formerly called Shelburne Addition. It
is a rough, cold, and unproductive township. Several
streams, swarming with trout, descend from the mountains
into the Androscoggin River in this town.

Population, 224. Number of polls, 51. Inventory,

224 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

|65,230. Value of lands, $40,744. Number of sheep,
115. Do. neat stock, 100. Do. horses, 48.

Goshen, Sullivan county. Bounded north by Sunapee,
east by Newbury, south by Washington, and west by Unity
and Newport. Area, 12,023 acres. Distance from Con-
cord, 42 miles, north-west ; from Newport, 10, south-east.
From Sunapee Mountain, lying in the east part of this
town, spring numerous small streams, which unite in form-
ing Sugar Ptiver. Rand's Pond is in the north-east part
of the town. The soil is particularly adapted to the growth
of grass. Large quantities of maple sugar are manufac-
tured here annually. A plumbago vein of considerable
extent and richness is wrought here. The varieties of rock
are mica, slate, gneiss, and granite. A Congregational
church was formed here in 1802, and a Baptist society in
1803. There is also a society called Christians. There
are two stores and five common schools in this town. Go-
shen was formed of territory taken from Newport, Suna-
pee, Newbury, Washington, Lempster, and Unity. It was
incorporated December 27, 1791. The first settlement
■was made in that part then called Wendall, now Sunapee,
by Captain Benjamin Rand, William Lang, and Daniel
Grindle, whose sufferings and hardships were very great.
Their crops were often greatly injured, and sometimes en-
tirely cut off, by early frosts. In such cases they were
obliged to go to Walpole or Charlestown for grain. Dur-
ing a winter of great scarcity Captain Rand went to Wal-
pole after grain ; and being detained by a violent snow storm,
his family were obliged to live six days without provisions,
during which time Mrs. Rand sustained one of her chil-
dren, five years of age, by milk from her breast, her infant
child havinar died a short time before.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 225

Population, 659. Number of legal voters in 1854, 166.
Inventory, $181,372. Value of lands, $92,476. Num-
ber of sheep, 2744. Do. neat stock, 824. Do. horses, 143.

GosPORT, Rockingham county. One of the Isles of
Shoals, formerly called Appleton, and afterwards Star Isl-
and. It contains about 150 acres. Gosport was early in-
vested with town privileges. In 1728 the inhabitants paid
£16 as their proportion of the province tax of £1000.
Subsequently a meeting house and a fort were built on its
west point. Since those times its business has been con-
siderably diminished. Within a few years, however, it has
revived somewhat. The inhabitants are principally engaged
in fishing. In this pursuit 50 men are engaged. The
amount of capital invested in the cod fishery is $2000,
mackerel fishery $2500, herring fishery $500.

There is a school, which is kept most of the time during
the year. There is a religious society of the Christian
sect. There is also a large and convenient hotel on this
island, constructed for the accommodation and comfort of
pleasure seekers, visitors, and travellers generally. The
Isles of Shoals are places of fashionable resort in the warm
seasons, and are very healthy summer residences.

Population, 103. Number of legal voters in 1854, 35.

Graftox, Grafton county. Bounded north by Orange,
east by Alexandria and Danbury, south by Springfield, and
west by Enfield and Canaan. Area, 21,993 acres. Dis-
tance from Concord, 36 miles, north-west ; from Haverhill,
60 mile^, south-east. Smith's River, a tiibutary of the
Merrimack, runs through this town in a south-easterly di-
rection. There are five ponds ; the largest, covering from
200 to 300 acres, is called Grafton Pond. Isinglass
Hill, in the north-west part of the town, contains a vein oi

226 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

mica, 'wMcli is wrought during the summer season, and
yields nearly 50,000 pounds of mica suitable for commerce.
The view from this hill is picturesque. An abrupt preci-
pice, too steep for ascent, on its north-east side, descends
into a dark copse of woods ; while to the south is an exten-
sive and variegated picture of mountains and undulating
hills, covered with green forest, and interspersed with a few
cleared and fertile valleys. Beryls of large size are ob-
tained from John's Hill, an eminence about one mile south-
west from Glass Hill. There are two meeting houses —
one belonging to the Freewill Baptist society, and the other
to the Union Religious Society.

Grafton was granted, August 14, 1T61, to Ephraim
Sherman and others. The first permanent settlement was
made in 1772, by Captain Joseph Hoyt, from Poplin. A
Baptist church was formed here in 1785. The Freewill
Baptist church was formed in 1817.

Population, 1259. Number of legal voters in 1854,
300. Inventory, $289,490. Value of lands, $166,390.
Number of sheep, 2955. Do. neat stock, 1361. Do.
horses, 177.

Geantham, Sullivan county. Bounded north by En-
field, east by Springfield and Croydon, south by Croydon,
and west by Plainfield. Area, 24,900 acres. Distance
from Concord, 40 miles, north-west ; from Newport, 12,
north. There are seven ponds, the largest of which is
called Eastman's Pond, covering nearly 300 acres ; another,
near the centre of the town, covers about 200 acres. The
surface is broken and hilly in some parts. The soil is pro-
ductive, and some of the farms along its southern and
western borders are highly cultivated. Croydon Mountain
extends in a direction from south-west to north-east through
this town. Upon the summit is a pond, covering about 80

GAZETTEER OF XEW HAMPSHIRE. 227

acres. The more hilly parts are excellent for pasturage.
It is well watered by numerous brooks, many of which
abound with trout. In the north-west corner of the town
is found in large quantities a substance which, being
clarified, produces a paint similar to spruce yellow, or,
being burned, to Spanish brown. Grantham was granted
July 11, 1761; but the proprietors not fulfilling the con-
ditions of the charter, it was forfeited. In 1767 it was
regranted to Colonel William Symmes and 63 others
under its present name. The name was afterwards changed
by the prefix "New," which was in a few years after
dropped. The inhabitants upon the west side of the
mountain are closely connected with Meriden parish, in
Plainfield, in matters of general intercourse and business.
On the eastern side of the mountain is a INIethodist meeting
house.

Population, 784. Number of polls, 183. Inventory,
1261,739. Value of lands, $150,053. Number of sheep,
5636. Do. neat stock, 1110. Do. horses, 186.

Greenfield, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
Bennington and Francestown, east by Francestown and
Lyndeborough, south by Lyndeborough, and west by
Peterborough and Hancock. Area, 16,904 acres. Distance
from Concord, 38 miles, south-west; from Amherst, 14,
north-west. The surface is rough ; the soil is various ;
the hills are generally good for grazing, and the valleys for
tillage. A part of Crotched Mountain rises from the north
part, and part of Lyndeborough Mountain from the south
and east sections of the town. There are a few valuable
meadows. In one of them have been found many Indian
relics, thus indicating that this must have been a favorite
resort of the sons of the forest. There are five ponds;

228 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

one about a mile in length, and one third of a mile in
"width. There are no streams of importance. The industry
of the people is almost entirely agricultural. The first
settlement was made, in 1771, by Captain Alexander
Parker, Major A. Whittemore, and others. It was incorpo-
rated June 15, 1791. Its present name was given by Major
Whittemore. A Congregational church was formed in
1791.

Population, 716. Houses, 149. Families, 160. Farms,
80. Value of lands, 1 180,691. Inventory, |248,483.
Number of sheep, 863. Do. neat stock, 910. Do. horses,
166. Do. polls, 171.

Greenland, Pockingham county. Bounded north by
Green Bay and Newington, east by Portsmouth, south by
North Hampton, and west by Stratham. Area, 6335 acres.
Distance from Concord, 45 miles, south-east ; from Ports-
mouth, 5, west. The soil is remarkably good, and under high
cultivation. The orchards and gardens are valuable, and
yield large profits to the farmers. Greenland is celebrated
for its excellent fruit. This was originally a part of Ports-
mouth, and was incorporated in 1703. Settlements com-
menced early, and in 1705 there were 320 inhabitants.
Pev. William Allen, the first minister, was ordained July
15, 1707; died September 8, 1760, aged 84. Rev. Samuel
McClintock, D. D., a learned divine, active in the cause
of his country, and a chaplain in the revolutionary army,
was a colleague of Mr. Allen, and his successor. The
Methodist church was formed in 1809. There is a fund
of $5000, the income of which is ai:)plied to the support
of a Congregational minister and for missionary enter-
prises. The Eastern Pailroad passes through this town.

Population, 739. Number of polls, 175. Inventory,

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 229

$344,379. Value of lands, $225,830. Shares in corpo-
rations, $20,602. Number of sheep, 469. Do. neat stock,
580. Do. horses, 121.

Groton, Grafton county. Bounded north by Went-
worth and Eumney, east by Hebron, south by Orange, and
west by Dorchester. Area, 16,531 acres. Distance from
Concord, 45 miles, north-west; from Plymouth, 10, west.
The northerly part is watered by Baker's River ; and the
southerly has several small streams, which flow into New-
fovmd Lake. Spectacle Pond lies about a mile, north-east,
from Groton meeting house. There are ten sawmills, two
gristmills, besides shingle and clapboard machines; there
is also one store, and one meeting house. The Universalist
society is the largest of the religious societies. This is a
somewhat cold, though healthy, toMaiship. The surface is
uneven, but the soil is strong. Corn and potatoes are the
principal crops. This town Avas granted, July 8, 1761, to
George Abbott and others, under the name of Cocker-
mouth; afterwards regranted to Colonel John Hale and
others. The first settlement was commenced in 1770 by
James Gould, Captain E. Melvin, Jonas Hobart, Phinehas
Bennet, and Samuel Farley. In 1779 a Congregational
society was formed, and Rev. Samuel Perley was ordained.
He was succeeded, in 1790, by Rev, Thomas Page.

Population, 776. ^ Number of legal voters in 1854, 180.
Inventory, $176,936. Value of lands, $100,112. Num-
ber of sheep, 1979. Do. neat stock, 1008. Do. horses,
133.

Hampstead, Rockingham county. Bounded north by
Sandown and Danville, east by Kingston and Plaistow,
south by Plaistow and Atkinson, and west by Derry. Area,
20

230 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

8350 acres. Distance from Concord, 30 miles, south-east;
from Exeter, 13, sonth-west. This town lies partly on the
height of land between Merrimack and Piscataqua Rivers.
Most of the waters descend through Spiggot Kiver, which
flows from Wash Pond, near the centre of the town.
Angly Pond lies in the north-east part of the town, and
is drained by the Powwow River. Island Pond contains a
valuable farm of 300 acres. Hampstead is an irregular
shaped town, its contour being varied by about 30 angles.
The soil is hard and stony. The tract comprising this
town was considered as a part of Haverhill and Amesbury,
Massachusetts, imtil 1741. About 1728 Mr. Emerson
made a settlement in the south part, near a brook ; and at
that time only a Mr. Ford and two Indians lived in the
place. It was granted by Governor Penning Wentworth,
January 19, 1749, and named by him after a pleasant vil-
lage five miles north of Loudon, in England. In the early
settlement of the town a dispute arose between Kingston
and Hamj)stead respecting certain grants made by Ames-
bury before the state line was established, which was settled
by Hampstead paying £1000, old tenor.

About 1750 a meeting house was erected, and Rev^
Henry True (Congregational) was ordained June 3, 1752 ;
he was succeeded by the Rev. John Kelly in 1792. Hon.
John Calfe, for twenty-five years a justice of the Court of
Common Pleas, and for the same number of years clerk of
the House of Representatives, was a native of this town.
There are eight common schools, one hotel, three stores,
two blacksmith shops, four wheelwright shops, and one
establishment for the manufiicture of tools of various kinds.
About 120 persons are engaged in making shoes. A large
gristmill is in process of construction.

Population, 789. Number of legal voters in 1854, 221

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 231

Inventory, $302,974. Value of lands, .^207,819. Num-
ber of sheep, 89. Do. neat stock, 480. Do. horses, 107.

Hampton, Rockhigham county. Bounded north by
North Hampton, east by the Atlantic, south by Hampton
Falls, and west by Exeter. Area, 8130 acres, 1800 of
which are salt marsh, and 650 sand banks between the
marsh and high-water mark of the ocean. Distance from
Concord, 50 miles, south-east ; from Exeter, 7, east. The
surface is generally level, gradually descending towards the
sea. The soil is excellent, well adapted to tillage and
mowing, but there is not pasturage sufficient for grazing
to any extent. It is pleasantly situated, its numerous
eminences affording delightful views of the ocean, Isles of
Shoals, and the sea coast from Portsmouth to Cape Ann.
Hampton Beach has long been a celebrated resort for inva-
Kds and seekers of pleasure. There is an excellent hotel
at this place- for the accommodation of visitors. Boar's Head
is an abrupt eminence, of singular shape, which extends
into the sea, and divides the two beaches, which otherwise
would be continuous. At this point, a little distance from
the shore, fishing is excellent, and cod are frequently taken
in great abundance. Ship building is carried on to a con-
siderable extent here. The Indian name of this town was
Winnicummet. It was first settled, in 1638, by emigrants
from the county of Norfolk, England. The first house
was erected in 1636. Hampstead was incorporated in
1638, and then included North Hampton, Hampton Falls,
Kensington, and Seabrook. In the same year a Congrega-
tional church was established here, which was the second in
New Hampshire. The first pastor. Rev. Stephen Bachelor,
was ordained 1638. A Baptist society was incorporated
in 1817. During the early period of its settlement, Hamp-

232 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

stead was the scene of Indian depredations. On the 1 1th
of August, 1703, a party of Indians killed five persons,
among whom was a widow Mussey, celebrated as a preach-
er among the Quakers. There is a fund here of $12,000,
the interest of which is devoted to the support of a Con-
gregational minister.

Population, 1197. Number of polls, 287. Inventory,
$494,613. Value of lands, |362,070. Stock in trade,
$6860. Number of sheep, 384. Do. neat stock, 842.
Do. horses, 143.

Hampton Falls, Eockingham county. Bounded north
by Hampton, east by the Atlantic, south by Seabrook, and
west by Kensington and Exeter. Area, 7400 acres. Dis-
tance from Concord, 45 miles, south-east ; from Exeter, 7,
east. The soil is similar to that of Hampton, of which it
originally formed a part. It was incorporated in 1712,
and the same year the Rev. Theophilus Cotton, the first
minister, was ordained. There is also a Baptist and a
Unitarian society here.

Population, 640. Number of polls, 131. Inventory,
$281,219. Value of lands, $187,690. Number of sheep,
392. Do. neat stock, 854. Do. horses, 79.

Hancock, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
Antrim, east by Bennington and Greenfield, south by Pe-
terborough, and west by Nelson. Area, 19,372 acres.
Distance from Concord, 35 miles, south-west ; from Am-
herst, 22, north-west. The soil is various ; sandy, clayey,
and rocky in the north and west, with fine meadows along
the Contoocook Piver, which forms its eastern boun-
dary. The west part of the town is mountainous, and
affords excellent pasturing, besides some very good tillage.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 233

There are two ponds of considerable size — one, near the
centre of the town, is called Norway Pond ; and the other,
from its shape, is called Half Moon Pond.

The meeting house is situated near the centre of the
town, on a handsome plain, in a thriving and pleasant vil-
lage. This meeting house was built in 1820, and the
pews were sold in one day, at auction, for $7000. The
town bears little of the impress of change in opinions or
customs. It is emphatically one of those good old farming
towns where any one would be proud to point out the
home of his ancestors. The postmaster here has not been
removed since his appointment forty-two years ago. The
Congregational society has had but three ministers since
its formation. Rev. Reed Page settled September 21,
1791 ; Rev. Archibald Burgess in 1822 ; Rev. Asahel
Bigelow in 1850. Hancock was incorporated November
5, 1779. It was named in honor of Governor Hancock,
of Boston, who was one of the original proprietors. The
first settlement was begun in May, 1764, by John Grimes.

Population, 1012. Number of polls, 199. Do. houses,
212. Do. families, 226. Do. farms, 35. Value of lands,
$241,660. Inventory, 1387,130. Stock in trade, $5430.
Number of sheep, 1112. Do. neat stock, 1390. Do.
horses, 245.

Hano\'er, Grafton county. Bounded north by Lyme,
east by Canaan, south by Lebanon, and west by Norwich,
Vermont. Area, 27,745 acres. Distance from Concord,
52 miles, north ; from Haverhill, 30, south. There is in
this town no considerable stream or river excepting the
Connecticut. Mink Brook, Slate Brook, and Goose Pond
Brook are the principal streams. Neither of these is suf-
ficient for mill privileges. There arc several small islands
20*

234 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

in Connecticut River within the limits of Hanover, the
largest of which is Parker's Island, containing about 20
acres. The original growth of wood is maple, beech,
birch, ash, bass, hemlock, spruce, and pine. When the
town was first settled the largest proportion of forest trees
was hardwood. The surface of Hanover is agreeably
diversified with hills and valleys, and nearly all is very
easily cultivated. The proportion of waste land is prob-
ably less than in any other town in Grafton county. Some
of the farms are under a high state of cultivation. The
soil is generally fertile. Moose Mountain is a considerable
elevation, extending across the town from north to south,
at a distance of about five miles from Connecticut River.
The principal village is in the south-west corner of the
town, on a beautiful and extensive plain, about half a
mile from Connecticut River, and 180 feet above the level
of its waters. Vegetable substances have been found, in
different parts of this plain, 50 and 80 feet below the
surface. The Common, or Park, is a square, level area of
about six acres, shaded by rows of thrifty maples, and sur-
rounded by streets of considerable width. On the north
side is the residence of the president of the College, the
residence of the late Hon. Mills Olcott, and the meeting
house and chapel ; on the west is a street containing many
beautiful residences and gardens j on the south is Dart-
mouth Hotel, several stores, and the Tontine, a brick build-
ing 4 stories high and 150 feet in length, besides several
dwelling houses*; and on the east is the College Yard, a
spacious ground, including the college buildings, which,
with the Observatory, are five in number. On College
Street, a few rods north from the Park, is the Medical
Building, a brick structure some 60 or 70 feet in length
and 3 stories in height. The College and Medical Build-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 235

ings are spacious, convenient, and present a handsome and
imposing appearance.

This is one of the most desirable locations for the prose-
cution of study in New England. The uniform tempera-
ture of the climate, the pleasantness of the village, the
healthiness of the situation, the beautiful and romantic
scenery, the quiet which generally prevails, the seclusion
from the bustle and confusion of city life, the many pleas-
ant resorts, — all contribute to render it, in every essen-
tial, a seat of literature and science. Pine Grove, and
the charming view from it of the majestic Connecticut,
gliding its waters in placid stillness by verdant meadows
and well-cultivated fields, and the Ecraduallv risino- Green
Hills of V^ermont seen in the distance, furnish a picture not
soon forgotten by those who have frequented the spot.
For a more particular description of the College, see an-
other part of this volume.

Hanover was granted by charter, July 4, 1761, to 11
persons of the name of Freeman, and 52 others, princi-
pally from Connecticut. The first settlement was made in
May, 1765, by Colonel Edmund Freeman, from IMansfielcl,
Connecticut. In 1766 Benjamin Rice, Benjamin Davis,
Gideon Smith, and Asa Parker settled here. In 1770
Dartmouth College was established by Dr. Wheelock.
The Congregational church was organized in 1771. The
first settled minister was Rev. Eden Boroughs, who was
installed in 1772. There is a Baptist society and also an
Episcopal church here.

Population, 2352. Number of polls, 451. Inventory,
^698,996. Value of lands, $456,164. Stock in trade,
115,015. Money on deposit, &c., $33,125. Value of
shares in corporations, .$10,150. Number of sheep,
12,168. Do. neat stock, 1526. Do. horses and mules,
360.

^36 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Haverhill, Grafton county. Bounded north by Bath,
east by Benton, south by Piermont, and west by Newbury,
Vermont. Area, 34,340 acres. Distance from Concord,
70 miles, north-west. This is one of the shire towns of
Grafton county. It is watered by Oliverian Brook, run-
ning thi'ough its southern part and discharging into Con-
necticut River, and by Hazen Brook, running through the
centre of the town and falHng into the Connecticut near
the " Great Ox Bow " in Newbury. This is a pleasant
township. The soil is various, adapted to every species
of cultivation common to the climate. There is consider-
able interval, covered with a deep, rich loam. The plain
at Haverhill Corner, which is the principal village, is
covered mostly with alluvial soil. There is a beautiful
Common in this village, laid out in the form of an oblong
square, ornamented with trees, and enclosed by a hand-
some fence. Aroimd the Common stand the buildings,
several of which, besides the meeting house, academy, and
hotel, are large and well constructed. The location is a
delightful elevation, overlooking the adjacent country for
many miles in extent. From the street the ground slopes
gracefully towards the river until it reaches the intervals.
The county buildings are of brick, and, though not ex-
pensively constructed, are neat and commodious.

Haverhill is a thriving town. Its progress was con-
siderably retarded by an extensive fire some years since,
which consumed several buildings, besides other property
of large amount.

Granite in tabular sheets, of excellent quality and easily
wrought, is found in great abundance on Catamount Hill,
Veins of copper and iron pyrites, sulphurets of lead and
zinc, arsenic, large crystals of garnet, and talc, or soapstone,
are found here in several localities. About six miles

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 237

north-easterly from the village, on the west side of Black
Mountain, is a bed of limestone of great dimensions. It
is of a pure white color, and highly crystallized. It is of
inestimable value. Bog iron ore of a superior quality ex-
ists here. The Passumpsic Railroad passes along the
western border of the town ; and the Boston, Concord, and
Montreal Bailroad passes through in a direction nearly
north-west and south-east. The Haverhill Academy was
incorporated Februazy 11, 1794. This town was granted,
May 18, 176-i, to John Hazen and 74 others. The first
settlement was made in the same year by Mr. Hazen, who
built his encampment on the " Little Ox Bow," near a
spot where formerly there had been an Indian fort and
burying ground, from whence numerous skulls and relics
of the aborigines have been taken. Several of the early
settlers were from Haverhill, Massachusetts, from which
place this town derived its name. Its original name was
LoAver Cohos. The first court was held here in 1773.
The first minister was Eev. Peter Powers, the first male
child born in Hollis, who was settled over Haverhill and
Newbury, Vermont, in 17G5 ; dismissed in 1784. The
First Congregational church was organized in 1790. Rev.
Ethan Smith was ordained January 25, 1792 ; dismissed
in 1799. Rev. John Smith was ordained December 23,
1802 ; dismissed in 1807. The first newspaper was
printed here April 21, 1808, and was called the Coos
Courier. It has been published under different names. At
present its title is the Democratic Republican. Hon. John
Page, former governor of New Hampshire, a worthy and
useful man, is a citizen of this town. The late Hon.
Joseph Bell, a distinguished lawyer, who by his industry
and ability amassed a large property, was for many years
a resident of Haverhill ; and here was the scene of his
poverty, his labors, and success.

238 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Population, 2405. Number of polls, 569. Inventory,
$699,442. Yalue of lands, $392,091. Stock in trade,
$14,600. Number of sbeei?, 5631. Do. neat stock, 2069.
Do. horses, 603.

Hebron, Grafton county. Bounded north by Plymouth
and Rumney, east by Plymouth, south by Orange, and west
by Groton. Area, 13,350 acres, 1670 of which are cov-
ered with water. Distance from Concord, 40 miles, north ;
from Plymouth, 9, west. Newfound Lake lies mostly in this
town. There are no streams of importance. The people
are generally engaged in agricultural pursuits ; and although
the surface is in some parts rough and the soil hard, yet,
by skill and industry, excellent wheat and potatoes are
raised in considerable quantities. A large portion of He-
bron was included in the grant of Hebron under the name
of Cockermouth. The remainder was taken from Plym-
outh. It was incorporated June 15, 1792. There is an
academy, which is open during the spring and fall. There
are two religious societies — one Congregational and one
Methodist.

Population, 565. Number of polls, 107. Inventory,
$122,659. Value of lands, $71,695. Stock in trade,
$2700. Number of sheep, 1697. Do. neat stock, 564.
Do. horses, 61.

Henniker, Merrimack county. Bounded north by
Bradford and Warner, east by Hopkinton, south by "Weare
and Deering, and west by Hillsborough. Area, 26,500
acres. Distance from Concord, 15 miles, west. Contoo-
cook Piver passes easterly through the centre of the town.
Its course is winding, and in many places presents scenes
of beauty and interest. There are several ponds of con-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. S39

siderable size. Long Pond, nearly two miles in length
and about sixty rods in width, is situated about one mile
north of the centre village. Craney Hill is the principal
elevation, and includes a large tract on the south side of
the town. It is mostly under high cultivation. In its soil
and productions, Henniker is inferior to no town in the
county. The hills yield good wheat in large quantities,
and the valleys are suitable for corn and grass ; besides, its
water privileges are numerous and excellent. The River
Railroad connects this place wdth Manchester. A woollen
factory, where cassimeres, doeskins, tweeds, and satinets are
manufactured to the yearly amount of 120,000 yards, is in
successful operation. Name of company, Imri Woods &
Sons. Agent, Imri Woods. Cost of buildings and ma-
chinery, ^6000. Number of hands employed, 12. There
are, besides, several other mills, doing business on a mod-
erate scale. The inhabitants are ch'iefly devoted to agri-
culture. Henniker was granted, July 16, 1752, by the
Masonian proprietors, under the name of Number Six,
to James Wallace, Robert Wallace, and others. James
Peters was the first settler, who erected a log hut here in
1761. It was incorporated November 10, 1768, and re-
ceived its name in honor of John Henniker, Esq., a
wealthy merchant of London, and a friend of Governor
Wentworth, and who was also a member of the British
Parliament at that time. The Congregational church was
established here, June 7, 1769, under the charge of Rev.
Jacob Rice. Hon. Robert Wallace, who filled the various
offices of councillor, senator, representative, and associate
justice of the Common Pleas, was one of the earliest set-
tlers in this town.

Population, 1690. Number of polls, 373. Inventory,

240 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

^601,434. Value of lands, $409,000. Stock in trade,
$6580. Number of sheep, 1724. Do. neat stock, 2037.
Do. horses, 327.

Hill, Grafton county. Bounded north by Danbury,
Alexandria, and Bristol, east by New Hampton and Sanborn-
ton, south by Franklin and Andover, and west by Wilmot
and Danbury. Area, about 20,000 acres. Distance from
Concord, 24 miles, north ; from Haverhill, 44, south-east ;
from Plymouth, 16, south. It is watered by Pemigewasset
and Blackwater Kivers, besides several small streams. Eagle
Pond is the only body of water of note. Ragged Moun-
tain is a rugged elevation, but little inferior to Kearsarge
in height. Looking from the summit of the surrounding
hills, the surface of this town appears to be much broken
and uneven ; still there are many highly-cultivated farms.
The soil is generally good, in some parts very fertile.
Farming is almost the only employment. Trade, manu-
facturing, and the mechanic arts are carried on to a very
limited extent. Hill was granted, September 14, 1753, to
87 proprietors, who held their first meeting in Chester ;
and as the greater part were from that place, the new town
■was called New Chester until January, 1837, when it re-
ceived its present name. The first settlement was made, in
1768, by Captain Cutting Favor and Carr Huse, Esq. It
was incorporated November 20, 1778. The Congrega-
tional society was incorporated December 11, 1816. At
present there is one Calvinist Baptist society, one Christian
Baptist, and one Methodist.

Population, 951. Number of polls, 225. Inventory,
$262,305. Value of lands, $151,065. Stock in trade,
$3300. Number of sheep, 1532. Do. neat stock, 945.
Do. horses, 145.

■crn^c ""^.^.rt-

fi^//

Boston, TiA:nor,Rml AFi'ufs. LSO^'.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 241

Hillsborough, Hillsborough county. Bounded north
by Bradford, east by Henniker, south by Deering and
Antrim, and west by "Windsor and Washington. Area,
27,320 acres. Distance from Concord, 30 miles, south-
west ; from Amherst, 23 miles, north-west. This town is
well watered. Hillsborough and Contoocook Rivers are
the principal streams. The largest body of water is Lyon's
Pond — about one mile in length, and two thirds of a mile
in width. The surface is very uneven and rocky ; the soil
is strong and productive. Plumbago is found here in a
state of extraordinary purity. It occurs in narrow veins,
which are wrought to a considerable extent. There are four
meeting houses, five religious societies, sixteen stores, eight
saw and gristmills, three hotels, seven blacksmith shops,
one iron foundery, five tanneries, eight wheelwright and
furniture shops, two sash and blind factories, one bobbin
factory, two harness makers' shops, two clothing stores,
and one cotton factory.

In the cotton factory about 20 hands are employed.
The goods manufactured consist mostly of yarn and twine.
The village, and in fact the whole town, presents a picture
of thrift and industry seldom equalled. Idleness finds but
few patrons, contentment many. The two extremes of
society so often to be observed elsewhere are not to be met
with here. An elevated spirit seems to pervade the whole
community, which bespeaks not only intelligence, but also
a high sense of honor and integrity. Hillsborough was
formerly designated as Number Seven of the frontier towns.
The first settlement was made in 1741, by James McCalley,
Samuel Gibson, Kobert McClure, James Lyon, and others.
The wife of James McCalley was the only woman in town
during the first year of the settlement. When the Cape
21

24^ NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS

Breton war broke out, in 1744, the settlement was aban-
doned, and was not resumed until near 1757. In tbe
mean time the town was granted, by the Masonian pro-
prietors, to Colonel John Hill, of Boston, from whom it
received its present name. It was incorporated Novem-
ber 14, 1772. The Congregational church was organized
October 12, 1769. In November of the same year Bev.
Jonathan Barns was ordained. There are now two re-
ligious societies of that denomination. A Baptist society
was organized May 21, 1813. There is also a Methodist
and a Uni versalist society, neither of which, however, has reg-
ular preaching. To the town of Hillsborough is conceded
an additional importance from the fact that, at the present
time, one of her sons occupies the high position of chief
magistrate of the United States, while another holds the
office of governor of New Hampshire. The old farm house
where President Pierce was born is situated on the old
turnpike leading from Francestown through Hillsborough
Upper Village, near the terminus of the Contoocook Val-
ley Railroad. The old horse shed, in one end of which a
room was finished for a law office, where the future presi-
dent first '' set up in business," is yet standing, and shows
from what humble stations the path of honor often starts.

The birthplace of Governor Baker, like that of most of
his predecessors, was a lowly farm house, where green
fields and growing crops constituted the show of splendor,
and honest toil was the passport to promotion.

Population, 1685. Ratable polls, 466. Legal voters,
423. Number of houses, 363. Families, 320. Farms,
200. Inventory, $561,163. Value of lands, |351,443.
Stock in trade, $9075. Factories, $3200. Number of
sheep, 1353. Do. neat stock, 2120. Do. horses and
mules, 337.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. S43

Hinsdale, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Ches-
terfield, east by Winchester, south by Northfield, Massa-
chusetts, and west by Vernon, Vermont. Area, 14,000
acres. Distance from Concord, 75 miles, south-west;
from Keene, 15, south-west. It is well watered with
numerous springs and streamlets. Connecticut River
laves its western border for a distance of nine and a half
miles. The Ashuelot River passes through the principal
^village, and discharges into the Connecticut a short distance
below the great bend called Cooper's Point. There are
numerous excellent water privileges on the Ashuelot.
There are several islands in the Connecticut belonging to
this town. On the north line of the town is West River
Mountain, which extends from the bank of the Connecti-
cut, in an easterly direction, across the entire width of the
town. The highest peak is called Mine Mountain, and is
about 900 feet above low-water mark. In several localities
about this mountain are found iron ore, beds of silicate of
manganese, and other minerals. Several years since there
were signs of a volcanic eruption in this mountain, attend-
ed by a discharge of a molten substance resembling lava.
The intervals here are extensive and fertile. Stebbin's
Hill is a large swell of land, under high cultivation. Be-
tween the intervals and hills is a large tract of table land,
well adapted to the growth of corn and rye. On the point
of a hill not- far from Connecticut River are still to be
seen remains of an Indian fortification. Tradition, only,
gives any account, and that uncertain, of this ancient
structure. This region was evidently a favorite resort of
the sons of the forest. In its early period this town was
subjected to the dangers, privations, and depredations of
Indian wars. The settlers were protected by Fort Dum-
mer, Hinsdale's Fort, Shattuck's Fort, and Bridgman's

244 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Fort ; but, notwithstanding, they wex'e ineffectually shield-
ed from the hostile incursions of the savages. On the 24th
of June, 1746, a party of twenty Indians suddenly appeared
before the last-mentioned fort, and attacked with great fury
a number of men who were at work in a meadow. Three
persons were killed, two were wounded, and two were
taken prisoners. One of the captives, Daniel How, in the
struggle killed one of the Indians. In 1747 they de-
stroyed Bridgman's Fort, killed several persons, and cap-
tured others. In October of the same year one Jonathan
Sawtell was taken prisoner. On the 3d of July they
made an attack upon a gristmill, whither Colonel Willard,
with a guard of twenty men, had gone for the purpose of
grinding corn. Soon after he had stationed his guards the
enemy commenced firing. The colonel gave such loud
and repeated orders to make preparations for an onset upon
the Indians, besides placing several old hats upon sticks,
and raising them, as if platforms being erected for firing
within the yard, that they fled with great precipitation,
leaving behind their packs and provisions. June 16, 1748,
wliile crossing from Colonel Hinsdale's to Fort Dummer,
three persons — Nathan French, Joseph Eichardson, and
John Frost — were killed, and seven others were captured,
one of whom soon afterwards died of his wounds. In
1755 they attacked a party at work in the woods, killed
two persons, and took Jonathan Colby prisoner. In July
of the same year they killed in ambush Caleb Howe, Hil-
kiah Grout, and Benjamin Gaffield, as they were returning
from labor in the field. The Congregational church was
organized here in 1763. The Baptist church was formed
in 1808. There are at this time two churches, in addition to
those already mentioned — namely, one Methodist and one
Universalist. There are also two hotels, four stores, with

GAZETTEER OF NEAV HAMPSHIRE. 245

an aggregate capital of ^12,200; two woollen factories,
both of which manufacture cashmeretts, one employing 45
hands, with a capital of $50,000, the other employing 17
hands, with a capital of f'20,000 ; two machine shops,
with an aggregate capital of $22,000 ; number of hands
employed in both, 23 ; one paper mill, capital, f 20,000,
number of hands employed, 12 ; one foundery, capital,
$4000, number of hands employed, 5 ; one tannery, capi-
tal, $8000, number of hands, 5 ; one edge tool manufac-
tory, capital, $10,000, number of hands, 15; one bobbin
and spool factory, capital, $5000, number of hands, 9 ;
one pail factory, capital, $6000, number of hands, 10 ;
one door, sash, and blind factory, capital, $6000, number
of hands, 10.

Population, 1903. Number of legal voters in 1854, 292.
Inventory, $432,202. Value of lands, $263,587. Stock
in trade, $14,500. Number of sheep, 289. Do. neat
stock, 671. Do. horses and mules, 155.

HoLDERNESS, Grafton county. Bounded north by Camp-
ton, east by Sandwich, Moultonborough, and Centre Har-
bor, south by Centre Harbor and New Hampton, and west
by Bridgewater and Plymouth. Area, 24,921 acres. Dis-
tance from Concord, 40 miles, north by Boston, Concord,
and jMontreal Railroad ; from Plymouth, 6, east. The
soil is hard, and not easily tilled, but, when carefully cul-
tivated, produces tolerably well. The Pemigewasset and
Squam Rivers run through this town, and afford several
good water privileges. A portion of Squam Lake lies
along its southeasterly borders. Squam Pond, lying wholly
in Holderness, is two miles long and half a mile wide.
There are several large paper and straw board manufacto-
ries in this town ; also a woollen factory. The route from
21 *

246 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT 13.

Plymouth through this place to Centre Harbor is delight-
ful, affording views wild, romantic, and beautiful.

Holderness was first granted, October 10, 1751, to John
Shepard and others ; but the conditions of the charter not
being complied with by the grantees, it was forfeited. It
was regranted, October 24, 1761, to John Wentworth and
67 others. The first settlement was made, in 1763, by
"William Piper. An Episcopal church was estabHshed
here about 1770 There is also a Freewill Baptist and a
Methodist society here. Hon. Samuel Livermore settled
in this town in 1765. He was one of the grantees, and,
by purchase, became proprietor of about one half of the
township. He was a graduate of Princeton College ; in
1769 was appointed the king's attorney general ; was a
delegate to the old Congress ; in 1782 was appointed chief
justice of the Superior Court of New Hampshire ; and
from 1792 to 1802 he was United States senator.

Population, 1744. Number of polls, 404. Inventory,
$444,258. Value of lands, $257,866. Stock in trade,
$6860. Value of mills, &c., $15,500. Number of sheep,
1321. Do. neat stock, 1530. Do. horses, 242.

HoLLis, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Mil-
ford, Amherst, and Merrimack, east by Merrimack and
Nashua, south by Dunstable and Pepperell, Massachusetts,
and west by Brookline. Area, 19,620 acres. Distance
from Concord, 36 miles, south ; from Amherst, 8, south.
Nashua River waters the south-east part, and the Nisitissit
crosses the south-western extremity. Here are four ponds
and several small streams. The soil is various. On the
Nashua are some excellent tracts of interval. The uplands
are moderately fertile. Near the centre of the town, on a
somewhat elevated site, is a pleasant and thriving village.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 247

There are two meeting houses — one belonging to the
Congregational society, and one to the Baptist. There are
also two stores, four carpenters' shops, eleven saw and
gristmills, five blacksmiths' shops, three wheelwrights,
and sixteen coopers' shops. The original name of HoUis
was Nisitissit ; it was afterwards called the West Parish of
Dunstable. The first settlement was made, in 1731, by
Peter Powers. His son, Peter Powers, was the first child
born in town. This town was incorporated April 3, 1746.
It received its name from the Duke of Newcastle, whose
name was Hollis. The Congregational church was organ-
ized in 1743.

Population, 1293. Number of polls, 330. Inventory,
$597,992. Value of lands, $370,432. Stock in trade,
$7118. Number of sheep, 320. Do. neat stock, 1304.
Do. horses, 219.

HooKSETT, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Bow,
Pembroke, and Allenstown, east by Candia and Auburn,
south by Manchester and Goffstown, and west by GofFstown,
Dunbarton, and Bow. Distance from Concord, 9 miles,
south. It is situated on both sides of the Merrimack
Biver. Near the centre of the town are the falls known
by the name of Isle of Hooksett Falls. The descent of the
■water here is 16 feet in a distance of 30 rods. Prom Pin-
nacle Mountain, an eminence a short distance westerly, the
view of the river above and below the falls, the cultivated
fields, and far-off hills furnish a view truly picturesque.
The surface is diversified with hill and valley. The soil
is not generally of the most fertile character, though there
are soine excellent farms. Pinnacle Mountain consists of
an immense mass of broken rocks, rising abruptly to the
height of 200 feet from its base, covered Avith scattering

248 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

trees and bushes. At the foot of the mountain, and on its
western side, is a beautiful pond of water, of a bright-
greenish tinge, remarkably clear, and of great depth. It
has no visible outlet, and is supposed to have been the bed
of the mountain, from which the latter, by some violent
convulsion of Nature, was upturned. Fine specimens of
lead and silver ore have recently been discovered here. A
company has recently been formed for the purpose of
working the mines, with a fair prospect of success. Hook-
sett is noted for its numerous beds of valuable brick clay.
There are seven brickmaking establishments here in vigor-
ous operation ; about 125 hands are employed, and several
million of bricks are annually made. There are in this
town two meeting houses, — one belonging to the Congre-
gational, and the other to the Methodist society, — two
hotels, fovir stores, and one large cotton factory, in which
170 hands are employed, Avhich is the property of the
Amoskcag Company at Manchester. It was taken from
Chester, Goffstown, and Dunbarton, and incorporated July
3, 1822.

Population in 1854, about 1600. Legal voters, 300.
Number of school houses, 9. Inventory, $483,117.
Value of lands, $287,084. Do. mills, factories, &c.,
$49,900. Stock in trade, $36,780. Number of sheep,
342. Do. neat stock, 529. Do. horses, 151.

HoPKiNTON, Merrimack county. Bounded north by
Warner and Boscawen, east by Concord, south by Bow,
Dunbarton, and Weare, and west by Henniker. Area,
26,967 acres. Distance from Concord, 7 miles, west.
Contoocook River winds through this town in a north-east-
erly direction, and falls into the Merrimack in Concord.
in its course it receives the waters of Blackwater and

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 249

Warner Rivers, besides several small streams. The inter-
val and meadow lands along these streams are valuable on
account of their fertility. The village is pleasantly situated
on a gentle eminence, about seven miles from the State
House in Concord. This is a good agricultural town, and
is somewhat noted for its delicious fruit. Large quanti-
ties of lumber are manufactured here, and transported on
the railroads to various markets. There are six religious
societies — one Episcopal, one Congregational, one Bap-
tist, one Freewill Baptist, one Universalist, and one New
Jerusalem, or Swedenborgian ; nine stores ; one woollen
factory, with a capital of f 7000, and employing twelve
hands ; one tannery and curriers' shop, with a capital of
$6000 ; and nine sawmills. Contoocookville, the junction
of the iMerrimack and Connecticut River Railroad and the
Contoocook Valley Railroad, is an active and thriving vil-
lage. Hopkinton was granted by Massachusetts, January
16, 1735, to John Jones and others, and was called Num-
ber Five, afterwards New Hopkinton. The first settlement
was in 1740. When the French and Indian war broke
out the inhabitants were compelled to leave, and did not
return until the war had closed. The inhabitants suffered
considerably from Indian depredations. On the 22d of
April, 1746, six Indians broke into a garrison and took
eight persons while in their beds, and hurried them away.
On the loth of April, 1753, while Abraham Kimball, the
first male child born in town, was going from Kimball's
Garrison to Putney's, he was seized by the Indians, who
took at the same time Samuel Putney. On the third day
after the capture, while the Indians were on the hills west
of Boscawen plains, they were so unexpectedly attacked
by some of the inhabitants of Boscawen that they fled,
leaving Putney behind. Kimball escaped by the help of a

250 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

dog, which seized an Indian while in the act of drawing
his tomahawk to kill him. In 1756 Henry Miller and
others received a grant of Hopkinton, which was the occa-
sion of long and bitter disputes. The difficulties were,
however, settled by an act of incorporation granted Janu-
ary 11, 1765. The Congregational society was organized
November 23, 1757. The Baptist society was formed
May 8, 1771. The Episcopal society was established,
under the name of Christ's Chui'ch, in 1803.

Population, 2169. Number of legal voters in 1854,
594. Inventory, $532,505. Value of lands, $402,211.
Stock in trade, $8205. Value of mills, &c., $9070.
Number of sheep, 2657. Do. neat stock, 2103. Do.
horses, 332.

Hudson, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Litch-
field and Londonderry, east by Windham and Pelham,
south by Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, and west by
Nashua. ^Area, 17,379 acres. Distance from Concord,
38 miles, south ; from Amherst, 17, south-east. The land
is of easy culture, consisting of a rich sandy loam. On
the river are large intervals of a deep and fertile soil.
Distant from the river the surface is hilly and uneven.
There are two ponds, — the Little Massabesick and Otter-
nick, — both covering about 300 acres. There are three
religious societies — the Congregational, established No-
vember 30, 1737 ; the Baptist, formed in 1805 ; and a
Methodist. There are two saw and two gristmills, one
store, two blacksmiths' shops, and one plane manufactory.
This town was included in the grant of Dunstable, now
Nashua, and was settled in 1710. It was incorporated as
a separate town, July 5, 1746, under the name of Not-
tingham West, which it retained until 1830. The first

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 251

settlements were made on the banks of the river, where
the Indians had made dealings for the cultivation of corn.
The first inhabitants lived in garrisons. A few Indians
lingered in the vicinity for a short time after the settlements
began, and, in times of peace, made frequent visits here,
representing that it was once a favorite resort to them and
their ancestors. Near the old Indian cornfields have been
found cinders like those produced in blacksmiths' work.

Population, 1312. Number of polls, 269. Houses,
238. Families, 284. Farms, 153. Inventory, $437,060.
Value of lands, $280,043. Stock in trade, |6104. Num-
ber of sheep, 333. Do. neat stock, 973. Do. horses, 176.

Jackson, Carroll county. Bounded north and west by
Pinkham's Grant, east by Chatham, and south by Bartlett.
Area, about 31,968 acres. Distance from Concord, 90
miles, north. The surface is uneven and rocky ; the soil
generally rich and productive. Ellis River is the most
important stream. There are several -brooks and rivulets
in various parts of the town. The principal elevatioais are
Double Head, Thorn, Bleak, and Baldface INIountains.
The latter is situated on the line between this town and
Bartlett. On this mountain iron ore, of a quality une-
qualled in this country, exists in inexhaustible quantities.
Veins of tin ore, of rich quality, and apparently of con-
siderable extent, were discovered by Dr. Jackson, state
geologist, on the same mountain. This is considered as
the first vein of this kind of metal that has been discovered
in the United States. The ore yields from 30 to 50 per
cent, of pure tin. Arsenical pyrites are found in several
localities. Limestone is abundant. Agriculture is the
chief employment. There is a small fund, the interest of
which, amounting to $400, is appropriated in equal poj:-

262 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

tions for the support of the gospel and common schools.
There are two meeting houses, two stores, and one tavern.
A Freewill Baptist society was formed here in 1803. This
town was first settled, in 1779, by Benjamin Copp, who,
with his family, endured the solitude of the wilderness 14
years before any other person settled here. It was incor-
porated, December 4, 1800, under the name of Adams. At
the request of the inhabitants, its name was changed to
Jackson in 1828.

Population in 1854, about 600. Inventory, $112,888.
Value of lands, |40,778. Stock in trade, $700. Num-
ber of sheep, 885. Do. neat stock, 771. Do. horses, 81.
Number of polls, 119.

Jaffrey, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Dubhn,
east by Peterborough and Sharon, south by Pindge and
Fitzwilliam, and west by Troy and Marlborough. Area,
25,600 acres. Distance from Concord, 46 miles, south-west ;
from Keene, 15, south-east. Monadnock Mountain lies most-
ly in this town. Near the summit, which is about 300 feet
above its base, only a few dwarfish shrubs grow in the crevices
of the rocks. Its sides are covered with blueberry, which af-
ford an abundance of delicious fruit. There are several caves
in various parts of this mountain, which seem to have been
formed by large fissures made by extensive strata thrown
from their primitive position. Several streams issue from
its sides, the largest of which rises about 100 rods from its
summit, and forms the principal source of the Contoocook
Piver. About one and a half miles from the mountain, in
a south-easterly direction, is Monadnock Mineral Spring ;
the waters are slightly impregnated with carbonate of iron
and sulphuret of soda. Where it issues from the earth,
yellow ochre collects in considerable quantities. So even

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 253

is the temperature of the water that it has never been seen
frozen over. It is not affected by drought or heavy rains.

There are four meeting houses — two Congregational,
one Baptist, and one Universahst ; one academy, with a
small fund, the interest of which is applied to the purchase
of apparatus ; four stores ; one hotel ; five saw and three
gristmills ; two cotton factories, capital $20,000, number
of hands employed 80 ; A. Bascom & Co. proprietors ;
one carding machine ; two wooden ware shops, employing
10 hands ; and two tanneries. The Monadnock Bank has a
capital of |i50,000. The proprietors of the Mason title
granted this town, in 1749, to 40 persons. The first set-
tlement was made, in 1758, by one Grout and John Davi-
son. It was incorporated in 1773, and received its name
from George JafFrey, Esq., of Portsmouth. Its former
name was Middle Monadnock, or Number Two. The
Congregational church was formed in 1780.

Population, 1497. Number of legal voters in 1854,
330. Do. common schools, 13. Inventory, |5 74,542.
Value of lands, |325,304. Stock in trade, $8094. Value
of mills, factories, &c., $22,738. Number of sheep, 1349.
Do. neat stock, 1514. Do. horses, 254.

Jefferson, Coos county. Bounded north by Lancaster,
east by Kilkenny, south by "White Mountain region and
Carroll, and west by Whitefield. Area, 26,076 acres.
Distance from Concord, 98 miles, north ; from Lancaster,
10, south-east. The surface is rough and uneven. On
the south-west side of Pliny Mountain are several excellent
farms of a rich and productive soil, which command an
extensive and beautiful view of the White Mountains. At
its base is fine grazing and tillage land. The western por-
tion of the town is low, wet, and cold. Cherry and Safety
22

254 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Ponds are the largest bodies of water. Israel's River is
the only stream of note. There are two stores, two meet-
ing houses, — one Baptist and one Methodist, — two starch
mills, and eight common schools. It was granted, under
the name of Dartmouth, October 3, 1765, to Colonel John
GofFe, and regranted, June 26, 1772, to March H. Went-
worth and others. It was first settled by Colonel Joseph
Whipple, Samuel Hart, and others, about 1773. It was
incorporated December 8, 1796. During the war of the
revolution Colonel Whipple was captured here in his
house by a party of Indians, headed by a white man. By
stratagem he succeeded in making his escape. The pai'ty
plundered the house and retired.

Population, 629. Number of legal voters in 1854, 170.
Inventory, 1 13 1,672. Value of lands, $54,410. Num-
ber of sheep, 662. Do. neat stock, 680. Do. horses,
128.

Keene, shire town of Cheshire county. Bounded north
by Westmoreland, Surrey, and Gilsum, east by Sullivan
and Roxbury, south by Swanzey, and west by Chesterfield
and Westmoreland. Area, about 22,040 acres. Distance
from Concord, 55 miles, south-west. The surface is gen-
erally level or moderately swelling. The soil consists of
three varieties — viz., interval, light, sandy plain, and up-
land. The latter includes the outskirts of the town,
bounding on the east, west, and north ; the flat, or valley,
consisting of the first and second varieties. The valley is
separated into two nearly equal portions by the Ashuelot
River, and from the unusual extent of level surface which
it presents, variegated by cultivation, affords a pleasing
prospect to the traveller. The Ashuelot River has its
source in a pond in Washington.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIKE. 255

Keene is pronounced by Dr. Dwight, in his tl-avels, one
of the pleasantest inland towns he had ever visited. The
principal village is situated on an extensive plain, about
midway from the Ashuelot on the west, and the uplands
on the east. The width and uniform level of its streets,
the beautiful shade trees, behind which many splendid
residences and beautiful gardens are seen, its large and
well-constructed hotels, its handsome stores, and general
thrifty appearance render it both pleasant and attractive.
The main street extends one mile in length in a straight
line, and is of uniform width, and almost a perfect level.
Keene is a place of large business. Its facilities for trade,
owing, in a great measure, to its location in relation to the
adjacent towns, are numerous, and secure to its mercantile
interests valuable advantages. What can be said of but
few country villages may with truth be said of this — viz.,
that its business has been directly benefited and perma-
nently increased by the railroad enterprise.

There are three large and commodious hotels. The
Cheshire House is a noble structure, its rooms airy and
convenient, and the internal arrangements are in full
keeping with the inviting appearance of its external form.
The Emerald House and the Eagle are pleasant hotels,
and each affords a comfortable home for the traveller.
The Town Hall is a large and handsome edifice of impos-
ing structure. The office of the Ashuelot Mutual Fire
Insurance Company is in this village.

Manufactories. — A. Davis & Co., iron foundery. Cap-
ital, $6000. Business per annum, 1^10,000. Employ 12
hands.

J. M. Reed, manufacturer of patent jack screws and
boot forms. The screw is used for raising buildings and
other heavy burdens. One turn of this screw performs

256 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

the same amount of labor that two will in others. Capital,
12000. Hands employed, 10.

Falkner & Colony, manufacturers of flannels. Capital
invested, $50,000. Employ 40 hands. $100,000 worth
are manufactured per annum ; also $6000 worth of lum-
ber.

William S. Briggs (successor to Eliphalet Briggs, who
carried on the business of cabinet making for 40 years)
manufactures all kinds of cabinet work.

S. D. Osburn also manufactures cabinet work.

The Cheshire Railroad Company have a large repair
shop here, where about 25 hands are employed.

There is in operation a large sash and blind manufac-
tory, driven by a 25 horse power engine.

Foster & Felt, manufacturers of organs, ^olian sera-
phines. Woodward & Brown's piano fortes, &c., employ
from 8 to 12 hands.

H. Pond & Co., hat and cap manufacturers, employ 12
hands, have several branch stores in this and adjoining
states, and are doing an extensive business.

There are two large estabhshments for the manufacture
of clothing.

South Keene. — J. A. Fay & Co., manufacturers of
planing, mortising, tenanting, sash, sticking, moulding,
and various other machines ; also an iron foundery con-
nected. Amount of capital, $40,000. Amount of busi-
ness, $50,000. Number of hands employed, 50. Build-
ing, 160 by 40 feet, wood, two stories high, with an ell, 55
by 30 feet, two stories high, separate from the same, and a
forge shop and iron foundery building.

There are two banks — the Ashuelot, with a capital of
$100,000 ; and the Cheshire Bank, with a capital of $100,-
000. Also one Savings Bank.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 25T

There are four meeting houses — one Congregational,
one Unitarian, one Baptist, and one Methodist. The
Congregational church was organized October 18, 1T38.
Since that time it has had only six different ministers.
The present pastor, Eev. Zedekiah S. Barstow, D. D., was
ordained July 1, 1818. The Baptist church was formed
in 1816, with Rev. Ferris Moore as pastor. The Uni-
tarian chuixh was organized on the 18th of March, 1824.
This town is divided into 14 school districts. Numbers
1, 2, 10, and the centre districts have united under the
Somersworth Act, which provides for a graduated system,
by which the pupil ascends from the simplest rudiments to
those higher branches usually taught in academies. For
an historical account of the newspapers published in this
town the reader is referred to another part of this volume,
under the appropriate head. Keene was originally granted
by Massachusetts. Its first settlement began about the
year 1734, by Jeremiah Hall, Elisha Root, Nathaniel
Rockwood, Seth Heaton, Josiah Fisher, Nathan Blake, and
others. Its original name was Upper Ashuelot. It was
incorporated under its present name April 11, 1753. The
name was given in honor of an English nobleman. Sir
Benjamin Keene. In 1736 a meeting house was erected,
and two years later a minister was settled.

Like all other frontier settlements, it received its full share
of Indian depredations and cruelty. In 1745 the Indians
killed Josiah Fisher, a deacon of the church ; and in the
year following they attacked the fort, the only safe retreat
of the inhabitants. They were discovered by Captain
Ephraim Dorman just in time to prevent their taking it.
He was attacked by two Indians, but boldly defended him-
self against them, and reached the fort in safety. A furious
assault followed, in which John Bullard was killed. A
22*

258 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

•woman named McKenny, being out of the fort, ^yas brutal-
ly stabbed, from the effects of which she soon died. Na-
than Blake was captured and taken to Canada. He
remained in confinement two years. The Indians burned
all the buildings in the settlement, including the meeting
house. The inhabitants continued in the fort until April,
1747, when they abandoned the place. In 1753 they re-
turned and recommenced their settlements. In June,
1755, the Indians again attacked the fort in great numbers.
The onset was furious, accompanied by screams and terrific
yells. By the vigilance and bravery of Captain Syms, they
were repulsed. After burning several buildings, killing a
large number of cattle, and committing other depredations,
they departed. In July they returned and made another
violent attack upon the fort, but with as little success as
before.

Colonel Isaac Wyman, an influential man and a brave
soldier, led the first detachment of men from this town in
the war of the revolution, and was present at the battle
of Bunker (Breed's) Hill. This company consisted of 30
men. The list of the foot company in Keene at this time
numbered 12G men, the alarm list 45.

This town is the residence of the Hon. Samuel Dinsmoor,
who was governor of New Hampshire during a term of
three years ending June, 1852, and was deservedly one of
the most popular men among all parties who have ever
filled that high office.

Keene is connected by the Cheshire Railroad with
Groton Junction and Boston, and by the Ashuelot Railroad
with Springfield, Massachusetts.

Population, 3392. Number of legal voters in 1854,
767. Inventory, $1,562,228. Value of laQds, |809,598.
Stock in trade, $77,400. Value of mills and factories,

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 259

$26,400. Money on deposit or at interest, $186,697.
Value of shares in banks and other corporations, $224,100.
Number of sheep, 1520. Do. neat stock, 1512. Do.
horses, 370.

Kexsixgton, Eockingham county. Bounded north by
Exeter, east by Hampton Falls and Seabrook, south by
South Hampton, and west by East Kingston. Area, 7045
acres. Distance from Concord, 40 miles, south-east ; from
Exeter, 6, south. The surface is generally even. There
is no stream worthy of note, and but one small pond,
called Muddy Pond, from the turbid appearance of its
waters. The soil is moderately good. There are two stores,
one small tannery, and one boot and shoe establishment,
where 25 hands are employed. There are two meeting
houses — one belonging to the Universalist society and one
to the Christian Baptist. A Congregational church was
established here in 1737. This town was settled at a very
early period, and was originally a part of Hampton, from
which it was detached and incorporated April 1, 1737.
It contained more inhabitants at the commencement of the
revolution than at present.

Population, 700. Number of legal voters in 1854, 166.
Inventory, $255,027. Value of lands, $134,200. Stock
in trade, $2000. Number of sheep, 385. Do. neat stock,
800. Do. horses, 106.

Kilkenny, Coos county. Bounded north by Stark,
east by jNIilan, Berlin, and Eandolph, south by ungranted
lands and White Mountain territory, and west by Jefferson
and Lancaster. Area, 15,906 acres. Distance from Con-
cord, 120 miles, north ; from Lancaster, 15, north-east.
This is a poor township — rough, rocky, cold, and sterile.

260 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Along tlie southern "border of the town is a narrow strip of
land which is productive and easily cultivated. Pilot and
Willard's Mountains include a large portion of the terri-
tory of this town. These eminences are so called from
the fact that a man named Willard was lost while hunting,
and his dog Pilot, which he observed left each day, and, as
he supposed, in pursuit of game; but, being nearly ex-
hausted with hunger and fatigue, he determined to follow
his dog at his next departure, and was conducted by his
faithful companion in safety to his camp. This town was
granted, June 4, 1774, to Jonathan Warner and others.
Population, 19.

Kingston, Pockinghani county. Bounded north by
Brentwood, east by East Kingston, south by Newton and
Plaistow, and west by Hampstead and Danville. Area,
12,188 acres, 800 of which are covered with water. There
are several ponds in this town, the largest of which is
Great Pond, which covers about 300 acres. Near the
centre of the town is a large plain, on which is situated
the principal village. The soil is generally a loam, resting
on a bed of sand, or coarse gravel. In some parts the
soil is clayey. The plain land is rich and very fertile.
The rocks are mostly gneiss and mica slate, intersected by
trap dikes, containing carbonate of lime. Moulding sand'
of a very fine quality is found here.

There are three meeting houses, — one Congregational,
one Methodist, and one Baptist, — two hotels, four stores,
four carriage factories, and one large tannery. The inhab-
itants are mostly engaged in agriculture.

The charter of Kingston was granted, August 6, 1694,
by Lieutenant Governor Usher, to James Prescott, Ebene-
zer Webster, and others, from Hampton. It included East

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 261

Kingston, Danville, and Sandown. Soon as the grant was
obtained the proprietors erected garrisons and began to
cultivate the lauds. They were, however, discouraged by
the dangers and difficulties of Indian hostilities. In 17 07
Stephen and Joel Gilman were ambushed between Exeter
and Kingston, but fortunately escaped. In 1712 Stephen
Gilman and Ebenezer Stevens were wounded, and the
former taken and put to death. In September, 1724,
Jabez Colman and son were killed while at work in the
field. Four children were taken at the same time ; one
escaped, the others were afterwards redeemed. Ancient
French coins, Indian implements, such as jasper and quartz
ai'row heads, axes, gouges, and hammers of various kinds
have been ploughed up in the vicinity of the ponds.

The Congregational society was organized about 1725.

Distance from Concord, 38 miles, south-east; and 6,
south, from the Railroad Depot in Exeter.

Population, 1192. Number of legal voters in 1854,
300. Inventory, $401,208. Value of lands, $252,622.
Stock in trade, $7350. Number of sheep, 346. Do. neat
stock, 682. Do. horses, 135.

Lancaster, shire town of Coos bounty. Bounded north
by Northumberland, east by Kilkenny, south by Jefferson,
Whitefield, and Dalton, and west by Guildhall, Vermont.
Area, about 23,480 acres. Distance from Concord, 116
miles, north. The Connecticut River, which is very deep
and about 22 rods in width at this place, washes its north-
eastern border for a distance of 10 miles. Israel's River
flows through the centre in a north-westerly direction.
There are also several small streams, which abound with
trout. There are several ponds, the largest of which is
Martin ]\Icadow Pond, named from one INIartin, a hunter.

262 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

There are numerous mountains in the neighborhood of
Lancaster ; but it is not itself mountainous excepting in
the south-east part, where the surface is hilly and unfit for
cultivation. The soil along the Connecticut is alluvial ;
the meadows extend back nearly three quarters of a mile,
and at the mouth of Israel's Elver much farther. The
meadows are bordered by pine lands, varying in width,
which are easily cultivated, and are highly productive
when properly tilled. Limestone is found here. The soil
is peculiarly adapted to the growth of wheat and the
other small cereal grains, which are produced in great
abundance.

The village contains three meeting houses ; the Court
House, Jail, and other county buildings; one academy;
seven stores ; two hotels ; and two carriage manufactories,
with a capital of ,^15,000 each. The amount of school
fund is ^600. This is a remarkably healthy as well as
pleasant location. Lancaster, with several other towns in
this state and Vermont, were formerly designated by the
name of Coos — an Indian name, signifying crooked. It
was granted, July 15, 1763, to Captain David Page and
others. He, with his family, Edward Buckman, and Em-
mons Stockwell, made the first settlement in the autumn of
the same year. The war of the revolution impeded the
progress of the settlement. Every person but Stockwell
left the new town and fled for safety to the older settle-
ments ; he resolutely determined to stay and abide the
consequences, and by his example induced others to
return. The Congregational church was organized in
July, 179-i, There is also a Methodist and a Unitarian
society here. The Lancaster Bank has a capital of $50,000.
The Coos County Democrat, a weekly newspaper, is pub-
lished here. From Its first settlement to the present time.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 263

Lancaster has been advancing with healthy progress in
wealth and population.

Population, 1559. Number of legal voters in 1854,
320. Inventory, $408,521. Value of lands, $242,053.
Stock in trade, $14,438. Money at interest or on deposit,
$17,800. Number of sheep, 2843. Do. neat stock, 1543.
Do. horses, 328.

Landaff, Grafton county. Bounded north by Lisbon
and Franconia, east by Lincoln, south by Benton, and west
by Bath. Area, 29,200 acres. Distance from Concord,
90 miles, north-west. Wild Ammonoosuc runs through the
south part of the town, and the Great Ammonoosuc through
the north-easterly extremity. Landaff Mountain in the
east part. Cobble Hill in the centre, and Bald Hill in the
west are the principal elevations. The soil in some por-
' tions of the town is very fertile. In Cobble Hill veins of
maarnetic iron ore have been discovered. The inhabitants
are chiefly engaged in farming. Large quantities of maple
sugar arc made annually. Landaff was granted, January
3, 1764, to James Avery and others ; but the grantees
neglecting to fulfil the conditions of the charter, it was
declared to be forfeited. It was then granted to Dart-
mouth College. After the revolution the original grantees
set up their claim, on the ground that the adjudication of
the forfeiture was irregular. Several cases were tried by
' the court, and the claims of the grantees were sustained.

A Baptist church was formed here in 1788. There is
also a Methodist and a Freewill Baptist society.

Population, 948. Number of polls, 207. Inventory.
$247,096. Value of lands, $138,454. Stock in trade,
$1600. Money on deposit, &c., $21,750. Number of .
sheep, 1900. Do. neat stock, 1086. Do. horses, 220.

264 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Langdon, Sullivan county. Bounded north by Charles-
town, east by Acworth, south by Alstead and Walpole,
and west by Walpole and Charlestown. Area, 9891 acres.
Distance from Concord, 50 miles, west ; from Newport,
18, south-west. The soil is generally productive, and is
usually under excellent cultivation. The inhabitants
are chiefly engaged in farming. There is considerable
fruit of a delicious quality raised here. Langdon has for
several years been famous for its large, handsome cattle.
Indeed, nearly every thing from the agricultural department
of this town bears strong marks of the patient labor and
the rich rewards of the farmer. A large branch of Cold
River passes in a southerly direction through the entire
extent of the town. This town was incorporated January
11, 1787, and named in honor of Governor Langdon.
The first settlers were Seth Walker, Nathaniel Rice, and
Jonathan Willard, in 1773.

A Congregational church was formed in 1792. There
is also a Universalist society, consisting of but few persons.

Population, 575. Number of polls, 131. Inventory,
$327,665. Value of lands, $188,529. Stock in trade,
$5519. Money on deposit, ,$51,321. Number of sheep,
2001. Do. neat stock, 697. Do. horses, 149.

Lebanon, Grafton county. Bounded north by Hanover,
east by Enfield, south by Plainfield, and west by Hartford,
Vermont. Area, 23,000 acres. Distance from Concord,
65 miles, north-west, by the Northern Railroad ; from
Dartmouth College, 4, south ; from Haverhill, 28, by the
Passumpsic Railroad. Besides the Connecticut, which
laves its western border, it is watered by the Mascomy
River, which runs in a westerly direction through its
centre, and affords several valuable mill seats and water

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 265

privileges. Its source is Mascomy, or Enfield, Pond, by
which a constant supply of water is secured. Its tributa-
ries are Stony and Great Brooks. Over this river, from
East Lebanon to "White Eiver Junction, a distance of nine
miles, the Northern Eailroad Company have erected four-
teen bridges. The soil is generally alluvial. The inter-
vals on the Connecticut are about half a mile in width.
There is also considerable good interval along the Masco-
my. On the uplands the soil is strong, deep, and fertile,
and, with proper care, produces abundantly. Excellent
fruit, in considerable quantities, is raised here. In the east
part of the town is a small village, called East Lebanon,
containing a depot, a hotel, a store, and a large sawmill,
besides dwelling houses, shops, &c. The village at "West
Lebanon, near White River Junction, is indebted largely
for its present flourishing condition from the fact that it is
situated at the terminus of the Northern Eailroad. Since
that road was opened, its progress in wealth and population
has been rapid. There are several large and handsome
dwelling houses, several large buildings owned by the
Northern Railroad Company, several stores, a new and
elegant meeting house, a public house, a sawmill, grist-
mill, &c. On an elevated and beautiful location, a few
rods from the main street, a large brick building is in pro-
cess of erection, and is designed for a female academy. It
is named after a Mr. Tilden, a wealthy citizen of New
York city, formerly of this town, who contributed ^5000
towards its erection. Its entire cost is estimated at
$12,000.

The principal village is situated on a plain near the cen-
tre, at the head of the falls of Mascomy River. The depot
is conveniently located a few rods westerly from the Com-
mon. The Common is a square, level area, containing 10
23

266 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

or 12 acres. Several of the houses surrounding it are
elegant and costly structures. All are handsome, and
mostly two stories in height. The streets are spacious,
and shaded with maple and elm. The whole presents a
picture of neatness, beauty, and thrift seldom surpassed.
There are three houses of religious worship, — one Con-
gregational, one Methodist, and one Universalist, — one
academy, two hotels, and about twenty stores ; also tai-
lors', tin ware, and blacksmiths' shops.

The manufacturing interest is quite extensive. Some
of the principal establishments are worthy of particular
notice.

Iron Foundery — Simons, Durant, & Co. Capital stock,
about $20,000. Manufacture stoves, ploughs, mill and
machinery castings, trimming machines, &c. Number of
hands employed, 20.

Phillips, Messer, & Colby — Scythe Factory ; A. S. Mes-
ser agent. Capital stock, $5000. Amount manufactured
per annum, 1600 dozen. Number of men employed, 12.

M. & J. H. Buck & Co., manufacturers of wood-work-
ing machinery, mill irons, portable and stationary steam
engines, and planing and mortising machines. Capital
stock, about $40,000. Amount manufactured per annum,
$50,000. Number of hands employed, 50. The mem-
bers of this firm are active, enterprising, and intelhgent.
Their work is widely celebrated. They have received
orders from the British government for some kinds of ma-
chinery manufactured by them.

Sturtevant & Cole, manufacturers of doors, sashes, and
blinds. Capital stock, about $15,000. Number of hands
employed, 18.

The manufacture of chairs and cabinet work is carried
on to a considerable extent.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 267

There is also a large gristmill, constructed on the prin-
» ciples of modern improvement.

The people are enterprising and industrious. Society is
refined and agreeable.

The capital of the Bank of Lebanon is ^100,000.

The Granite State Whig, a weekly newspaper, is pub-
lished here.

The farmers are generally independent, owing much of
their prosperity to the early introduction of sheep on quite
an extensive scale, and to careful selections of the best
grades. This is a remarkably healthy township. Galena
bog iron ore, arsenical pyrites, brown epidote, and haematite
iron are found in various localities.

The facilities for trade and mercantile enterprise are sur-
passed by but few country towns. Notwithstanding its
extent and variety of business, Lebanon has long been
noted for its very slight encouragement to gentlemen of
the legal profession. It was granted, July 4, 1761, to 62
proprietors. The first settlers were William Downer, Wil-
liam Dana, Levi Hyde, Charles Hill, Silas Waterman, and
Nathaniel Porter. It was the first town settled on Con-
necticut River north of Charlestown. The first settlers
were a brave, hardy people, tenacious of their rights, many
of them possessed of strong minds, and well educated.
The Congregational society Avas established in 1771, the
TJniversalist society in 1813, and the Methodist society
about 1836. The second- Congregational society was or-
ganized in 1850. Thomas Waterman was the first male
child born in Lebanon.

Population in 1854, 2336. Number of legal voters,
500. Do. school districts, 15. Inventory, ^846,608.
Value of mills and factories, ^23,000. Stock in trade,
$25,350. Money on deposit, at interest, «S:c., in 1852,

268 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS. i

$42,300. Value of lands, #470,788. Number of sheep,
13,115. Do. neat stock, 1223. Do. horses and mules, 304.

Lee, Strafford county. Bounded north by Barrington
and Madbury, east by Durham, south by Newmarket and
Epping, and west by Nottingham and Barrington. Area,
11,625 acres, 300 of which are covered with water. Dis-
tance from Concord, 31 miles, south-east ; from Dover,
12, south-west. In the north part is Wheelwright's Pond,
covering 165 acres, and forming the source of Oyster River.
This pond is memorable on account of a battle fought on
its shores, in 1690, between a party of Indians and two
companies of rangers under Captains Floyd and Wiswall.
Lamprey, Little, North, and Oyster Rivers are the princi-
pal streams. The soil is generally hard, and requires con-
siderable cultivation to render it productive. In some
parts, however, it is very fertile. Agriculture is almost
the only employment. This town was originally a part of
Durham, and was incorporated January 16, 1766.

Population, 863. Number of polls, 216. Inventory,
|309,928. Value of lands, $199,660. Stock in trade,
$1506. Value of mills, &c., $4242. Number of sheep,
1130. Do. neat stock, 959. Do. horses, 174.

Lempster, Sullivan county. Bounded north by Unity,
east by Goshen and Washington, south by Marlow, and
west by Acworth. Area, 21,410 acres. Distance from
Concord, 40 miles, west ; from Newport, 12, south. The
surface is mostly uneven, and in the eastern part moun-
tainous. The soil is moist and cold, and better adapted to
grass than grain. It is well watered, but by small streams.
Near the western boundary is a pond, 320 rods long and
80 in width. Sand Pond, lying in tliis town and Marlow,

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 269

is 420 rods long and 70 wide. Dodge's Pond, near the
centre, covers about 50 acres. The surface is hilly, and
in some parts rocky. It is an excellent grovving town.
There are two meeting houses, one hotel, three stores, and
a large shoe manufactory, in connection with which is an
extensive tannery, where common hair-tanned leather and
patent hair-tanned leather are made. The amount of cap-
ital invested is 1^25,000. JSTumber of hands employed, 70.
Alvah Smith & Sons, proprietors.

Lempster was granted by charter, October 5, 1761, to
Richard Sparrow and 61 others. In November of the
same year a Congregational church was organized. There
is also a Methodist society here.

Population, 906. Number of polls, 200. Inventory,
$292,376. Number of sheep, 2146. Do. neat stock,
1029. Do. horses, 198.

Lincoln, Grafton county. Bounded north by Franconia,
east by Thornton and ungranted lands, south by Woodstock,
and west by LandafF. Area, 32,456 acres. Distance from
Concord, 70 miles, north ; from Haverhill, 20, east. The
middle tract of the Pemigewasset passes nearly through
the centre of the town. There are several ponds, the
most important of which are Bog, Fish, and Loon Ponds.
There are many elevations ; Kinsman's Mountain is the
highest. This is a rough township, and the soil is poor.
The crops are often injured by early frosts. AVild animals
are abundant. There are numerous instances of land slips
in this vicinity. They commence near the top of the
mountain, and consist of vast avalanches of earth and mas-
sive rocks, which slide downwards to its base, forcing their
way against every impediment. This town was granted,
January 31, 1764, to James Avery and others, but was not
23*

270 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

settled until the close of the revolution. Its population
has increased but slowly. Many portions of the town
seem to have been designed by Nature as a residence for
creatures of habits different from those of man.

Population, 57. Number of polls, 19. Inventory,
$21,158. Value of lands, $14,016.

Lisbon, Grafton county. Bounded north by Littleton,
east by Franconia, south by Landaff, and west by Lyman.
Area, 29,130 acres. Distance from Concord, 89 miles,
north ; from Haverhill, 20, north-east. It is watered
through its whole extent by the LoAver Ammonoosuc Kiver,
which runs in a south-west direction, and by several other
small streams. Mink Pond, in the southern part, affords a
few good mill seats at its outlet. The interval along the
Ammonoosuc is very productive. The plain land has a
light, thin soil, unproductive unless enriched with frequent
dressing with manure. The upland is a strong, deep soil,
affording many valuable farms for tillage and grazing.
Blueberry Mountain is the principal elevation. Most of the
iron ore which supplies the Pranconia furnace is taken
from veins in the south-eastern part of this town. Lime-
stone exists in numerous localities, and in great abundance.
Large quantities of maple sugar are made here annually.
Lisbon was first granted, August 6, 1763, to Joseph Burt
and others, under the name of Concord. It was afterwards
granted to Leonard Whiting and others, November 20,
1768, under the name of Gunthwaite. Its former name
was again resumed, and retained until 1817, when it re-
ceived its present name.

Population, 1882. Number of polls, 372. Inventory,
$436,285. Value of lands, $243,425. Stock in trade,
$ 1 1,400. Number of sheep, 28 18. Do. neat stock, 1839.
Do. horses, 358.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 271

Litchfield, Hillsborough county. Bounded north and
east by Londonderry, south by Hudson, and west by Mer-
rimack Area, 8426 acres. Distance from Concord, 30
miles, south ; from Amherst, 8, east. This is a small but
remarkably fertile township. There is yet remaining con-
siderable timber land of great value. Farming is almost
the sole employment. The Merrimack washes its entire
western border. This town was taken from Nashua, (then
called Dunstable,) and incorporated by Massachusetts, in
1734. It was chartered by New Hampshire in 1749. It
was formerly known by the name of Natticott. The set-
tlement commenced in 1720. A Congregational church
was formed in 1741. A Presbyterian church was organ-
ized in 1809, which is, at the present time, the only re-
ligious society having a settled pastor.

Population, 447. Houses, 81. Families, 89. Farms,
55. Stores, 1. Mills, 3. Inventory, $229,363. Value
of lands, $116,516. Stock in trade, $7290. Number of
sheep, 249. Do. neat stock, 422. Do. horses, 56. Do.
polls, 96.

Littleton, Grafton county. Bounded north by Dalton
and Waterford, Vermont, east by Dalton and Bethlehem,
south by Lisbon and Lyman, and west by Concord, Ver-
mont. Area, 26,000 acres. Distance from Concord, 100
miles, north-west ; from Haverhill, 30, north. Connecti-
cut River extends along the western border for 15 miles ;
and so rapid is its course that it is impossible to ascend or
descend in boats with safety. For several miles the water
rushes almost like a cataract, foaming and dashing with fury
over its rocky bed. Ammohoosuc River waters its southern
part ; and along its banks are small patches of excellent in-
terval. This river affords many very fine mill seats, sev-
eral of which are occupied. The surface is in many parts

272 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

uneven and rocky, but a large portion of the town is well
adapted to tillage or grazing. Black, Iron, Palmer's, and
Raspberry Mountains are the most considerable elevations.
Large quantities of limestone are found in various locali-
ties. Novaculite, or oilstone, is found in abundance. The
oilstones are wrdlight and ground into proper shape, and
sold for 25 cents per pound. It is a greenish and blue
compact slate, with a fine siliceous grit. The quarry fur-
nishes several kinds suitable for sharpening fine instru-
ments and carpenters' tools of all kinds. It is veiy exten-
sive, and of great value. The inhabitants are generally
devoted to agriculture ; and many fine farms furnish un-
mistakable proof that this pursuit is attended with skill and
perseverance.

Considerable attention is paid to manufactures. There
is a large woollen factory, in which about 75 operatives are
employed ; an iron foundery and two machine shops, where
22 men are employed ; two sawmills, in which 10 men are
employed ; one chair factory, cabinet, and carriage shop, in
which 16 men are employed ; one sash and blind factory,
furnishing employment for 10 men ; and one bedstead fac-
tory, where 7 men are employed. There are also thirteen
stores, ten blacksmith shops, one extensive tannery, two
meeting houses, and three hotels. The White Mountain
House, recently erected, is a spacious, well-arranged, and
handsomely finished building. The traveller may rest
assured that here he will find a comfortable home. It is
commodiously located on the route usually taken by visit-
ors to the "White Mountains and Franconia. H. S. Thayer
proprietoi-.

The territory, including Littleton, was first granted,
November 17, 1764, under the name of Chiswick. It
was regranted, January 18, 1770, by the name of Apthorp,

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 273

and included Dalton. In November, 1784, it was divided,
and the towns of Littleton and Dalton incorporated. A
Congregational church was organized in 1803. There is
also a Methodist society, numbering about 125 members.
The White Mountain Railroad terminates here, and adds
greatly to the mercantile facilities of this town, as well as
to its general thrift and prosperity.

Population in 1854, 2148. Number of legal voters,
501. Valuation, $472,144. Value of lands, |267,296.
Stock in trade, $14,450. Do. mills, factories, and ma-
chinery, $16,500. Number of sheep, 2081. Do. neat
stock, 1757. Do. horses, 353.

Londonderry, Eockingham county. Bounded north by
Manchester and Auburn, east by Derry and Windham,
south by Hudson, and west by Litchfield. It originally
included 64,000 acres ; but several towns have since been
taken from it. The largest stream is Beavers' River, issuing
from Beavers' Pond — a beautiful sheet of water, nearly cir-
cular in form, and about 300 rods in diameter. This town
contains but very little waste land. The soil is unusually
fertile and easy of cultivation. There are no high hills, ex-
tensive plains, swamps, or stagnant waters of any consider-
able extent. Its surface is varied by gentle swells and
intervening vales. The healthfulness of its location is
indicated by the longevity of the inhabitants. The village
is very pleasantly located on a slight elevation. There are
three meeting houses, — belonging respectively to the Pres-
byterian, Baptist, and Methodist societies, — six stores, and
two shoe manufactories.

This town was settled, in 1719, by a colony of Presby-
terians from Londonderry, in the north of Ireland, whither
their ancestors had emigrated from Scotland about the year

274 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

1616. On the 11th of April, 1719, sixteen families, with
the Rev. James McGregore, their pastor, took possession of
this township, which was then called Nutfield. In 1720
they purchased a tract of land from Colonel John Wheel-
wright, whose ancestor had purchased the same, together
with other lands, from the Indians. Although this was
long a frontier town, the inhabitants were never molested by
the Indians. The proprietors of Londonderry received a
grant of the tract on which they had located, and a charter
of incorporation, June 1, 1722. The early settlers were
generally farmers — intelligent, prudent, and of sound judg-
ment. None were rich, but most were possessed of suf-
ficient property to enable them to make an easy start and
rapid progress in the improvement of their lands. They
introduced the culture of the potato, a vegetable hitherto
unknown in New England; and it was not until many
years after this that, if a farmer laid by three bushels of
potatoes for his winter stock, he regarded this meagre
quantity, as we should now term it, as more than sufficient
for his wants. They also introduced the manufacture of
linen cloth, which was for many j^-ears a source of no small
profit.

A company of 70 men from this town, under the com-
mand of Captain George Reid, were in the battle at Bunker's
Hill ; and about the same number were in that at Benning-
ton, where Captain David McClary, one of their leaders, a
brave and noble-hearted officer, was killed. The celebrated
Major General John Stark and Colonel George Reid,
officers of the revolutionary army, were natives of this
town.

Joseph M. Keen, D. D., the first president of Bowdoin
College, Arthur Livermore, Jonathan Steele, and Samuel
Bell, judges of the Superior Court, the latter of whom

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 275

was governor of 'New Hampshire from 1819 to 1823,
were also natives of Lonclouderry. Among the descend-
ants of the early settlers are Hon. Jeremiah Smith,
chief justice of the Superior Court ; Generals Miller and
McNeil, distinguished officers in the war of 1812; Mat-
thew Thornton, one of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence; and John Prentice, for several years attor-
ney general of the state.

Population, 1731. Number of legal voters in 1854,

453. Do. common schools, 11. Inventory, $557,150.

• Value of lands, $275,055. Stock in trade, $3400. Money

on deposit, &c., $29,701. Number of sheep, 328. Do.

neat stock, 1200. Do. horses, 220.

Loudon, Merrimack county. Bounded north-west by
Canterbury, north-east by Gilmanton, south-east by Chi-
chester, and south-west by Concord. iVrea, 28,257 acres.
Distance from Concord, about 10 miles, north-east. Sou-
cook River, running in a southerly direction through this
town, affords several valuable mill privileges. There is
considerable good interval along its banks. The soil is
various. The natural growth of timber is maple, beech,
pine, oak, and chestnut. Soucook village is the seat of
the principal business. Loudon was formerly a part of
Canterbury, from which it was taken and incorporated
January 23, 1773. Settlements had been made, in 1760,
by Moses Ordway and Abraham and Jethro Bachelder. A
Congregational society was established here in 1784. There
is also a Methodist and a Freewill Baptist society.

Population, 1553. Number of polls, 411. Inventory,
$590,890. Value of lands, $276,741. Stock in trade,
$4500. Money on deposit, «&c., $34,551. Number of
sheep, 1830. Do. neat stock, 2074. Do. horses, 302.

2TG XEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Lymaix, Grafton county. Bounded north by Littleton,
east by Lisbon, south by Bath, and west by Monroe. Dis-
tance from Concord, 90 miles, north; from Haverhill, L3,
north. There are several ponds in this town, through the
largest of which Burnham's River flows. The lower por-
tion of the Fifteen JNIile Falls is in Lyman. The soil
is generally good for the grains and grass. The inhabit-
azits are a sober, industrious, and enterprising people.
This town was granted, jSTovember 10, 1761, to several
individuals, among whom Daniel Lyman was conspicuous.
From him the township received its name. From the first*
three families that settled here were 20 sons, 19 of whom
lived to a great age.

Population, 1442. Inventory, $357,229. Number of
polls, 305.

Lyme, Grafton county. Bounded north by Orford, east
by Dorchester, south by Hanover, and west by Thetford,
Vermont. Area, 28,500 acres. Distance from Concoi-d,
54 miles, north-Avest ; from Haverhill, 20, south. There
are three small streams passing through Lyme, and dis-
charging into the Connecticut Biver, upon one of which
has been erected within a few years a large and valuable
gristmill. Scarcity of water is provided against by several
large reservoirs, built at great expense, by means of which
abundance of water is obtained in the dryest seasons. The
soil is different from that of other towns on Connecticut
Biver in the proportion of interval, which is far less, the
lands adjacent to the river being similar to those of other
parts of the town. The most considerable elevation is
Smart's Mountain, in the north-east part. Beds of lime-
stone, of the granular, crystalline variety, are found in sev-
eral locations, associated with which are large quantities of

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHrRE. 277

massive garnet, witli crystals of hornblende. Some of these
beds are six feet in thickness. A very curious mixture of
granular quartz with carbonate of lime has been discovered.
It exists in exhaustless quan,tities, and is highly valuable
for the manufacture of plate or window glass. Very hand-
some specimens of black tourmaline, or crystallized sulphu-
ret of antimony, have been found in different parts of the
town. Between the east and west villages is an extensive
deposit of clay marl, of inestimable value for agricultural
^purposes. Lyme is a very fine farming town. It has been
celebrated for many years for its large wheat crops and its
numerous and superior flocks of sheep. The people are
industrious, and generally independent. The principal
village, which is pleasantly situated, is remarkable for the
neatness and order which generally prevail.

Lyme was incorporated, July 8, 1761, and granted to
Theodore Atkinson and others. It was settled. May 20,
176-4, by Walter Fairfield, John and William Sloan, and
others. The Congregational church was organized in 1772.

Population, 1618. Number of polls, 362. Inventory,
$591,615. Value of lands, $352,210. Stock in trade,
$12,650. Value of mills, $7125. Money on deposit,
$51,615. Number of sheep, 13,176. Do. neat stock,
1414. Do. horses, 317.

Lyndeborough, Hillsborough county. Bounded north
by Greenfield, Francestown, and New Boston, east by
Mount Vernon and Milford, south by Milford, Wilton,
and Temple, and west by Temple and Greenfield. Area,
20,767 acres. Distance from Concord, 35 miles, south;
from Amherst, 10, west. This is an elevated township.
A mountain range of considerable height divides it from
east to west. The soil is stony, but deep and strong. For
24

278 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

grazing, it is doubtless unequalled by any town in the
county. The streams are small, originating mostly from
springs within the town. The village, though small, is
pleasantly situated on the banks of Piscataquog River.

Lyndeborough was originally granted, by Massachusetts,
to Captain Samuel King and 59 others, who were engaged
in the Canada expedition in 1690. It was then called
Salem Canada, from the circumstance that many of those
belonging to the expedition were from Salem. In 1753
Benjamin Lynde, Esq., purchased a considerable portion
of the township and adjoining lands. It was incorporated
April 23, 1764, and received its name from him. It was
settled in 1750. A Congregational church was formed
here in 1757. There is also a Baptist society, which has
occasional preaching.

Population, 968. Houses, 199. Families, 203. Farms,
123. Inventory, $385,083. Value of lauds, $204,946.
Stock in trade, $5755. Number of sheep, 483. Do. neat
stock, 1065. Do. horses, 171. Do. polls, 227.

Madbury, Strafford county. Bounded north-east by
Dover, south-west by Durham and Lee, and north-west by
Barrington. This is a small, triangular-shaped town, con-
taining about 12 square miles. Distance from Concord, 36
miles, south-east ; from Dover, 3, south. Its extreme
easterly point extends to the tidewater of a branch of the
Piscataqua. The soil is generally productive. In the
valleys it consists of a proportion of clay, on the uplands
of a mixture of sand and loam. Bog iron ore and red and
yellow ochre exist in several localities and in considerable
quantities. Bellamy Bank Biver is the only stream of im-
portance, and Barbadoes Pond the only considerable body
of water. This town originally constituted a part of Dover,

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIEE. 279

but was set off from it and incorporated May 31, 1755.
Agriculture is almost the only industrial pursuit.

Population, 484. Number of polls, 117. Inventory,
$180,978. Value of lands, $120,150. Do. miUs, $300.
Money on deposit, &c., $11,499. Number of sheep, 338.
Do. neat stock, 537. Do. horses, 88.

Madison, Carroll county. Bounded north by Albany,
east by Conway and Eaton, south by Freedom, and west
by Tamworth. Distance from Concord, 64 miles, north-
east; from Ossipee, about 20, north. The surface is
uneven, and in some parts rocky ; the soil is generally
good. Six IMile Pond is the largest body of water. There
is one meeting house, which belongs to the Freewill Bap-
tist society. There are four stores and one hotel. This
town was formerly a part of Eaton, and was set off from it
and incorporated December 17, 1852. It is divided into
nine school districts.

Population, about 840. Number of legal voters, 200.

Manchester, Hillsborough county, lies on the east side
of Merrimack River, which forms its western boundary
for a distance of nine miles ; Hooksett touches it upon the
north. Auburn upon the east, and Londonderry upon the
south. Massabesick Lake lies partly in this town and
partly in Auburn. This is a beautiful sheet of water,
studded with islands, and affording some of the finest pros-
pects in this part of the state. It is divided into two
nearly equal parts by a narro^v• strait, which is crossed by a
bridge ; each of these parts is about three miles long by
one wide. It is a favorite resort as well with strangers as
with those living in its vicinity. The soil is generally
light, sandy, and unproductive. Had Manchester depended

280 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

for its prosperity upon its agricultural resources, instead of
enjoying the honor of having the largest and most flourish-
ing city in the state within its limits, its rank would have
been with the lowest class of towns. But Avhile such
astonishing progress has been made within a few years
through the impulse given to almost every department of
business, that attention which agriculture justly merits, as
the foundation of every other enterprise, has by no means
been forgotten.

The Amoskeag Falls, between Manchester and GofFs-
town, are the largest on the Merrimack. In the ordinary
stage of the water, the fall to the foot of the locks is 47
feet, and the whole fall in the space of a mile is S-i feet,
furnishing power sufficient to run sevenal hundred thousand
spindles. This almost incalculable force is the nurse of
the vigorous city which, though still in its youth, is the
first in the Granite State ; the largest in population ; the
most varied, extensive, and prolific in productive industry ;
and among the cotton manufacturing districts in New
England, it stands second only to Lowell. At the head of
the Amoskeag Falls a stone dam has been constructed, on
the east side of which guard gates of the most substantial
masonry are built, through which the water passes into a
spacious reservoir, or basin, connected with the upper canal,
for the use of the mills, and with the Amoskeag Canal,
which was built in 1816 for the purposes of navigation.
The upper canal is 4950 feet long, 75 "wide at the reser-
voir, from which it is gradually diminished to 45 feet, is
10 feet deep, and is walled throughout with stone. The
lower canal, which is the old Amoskeag Canal, is 7500
feet in length, corresponding in its other dimensions and
construction with the upper canal. The fall from the
upper canal into the lower is 20 feet ; from the lower to

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 281

the river, from 20 to 30 feet. The water power thus
secured is estimated to be sufficient to drive 216_,000 spin-
dles, together with all other machinery necessary to com-
plete the manufactm-e of cloth. The rapid fall of the
river below prevents all obstructions from backwater.
The falls are truly a curiosity of Nature. The width of
the river is greatly increased, and is divided into several
streams by numerous small islands. The water rushes
through the various channels over a rugged bottom with
great velocity, and the sound it produces is heard at a great
distance. At the upper part, near the greatest fall, circu-
lar holes of various sizes have been worn perpendicularly
into the solid rock several feet, some of which are nearly
10 feet in diameter. It is said that the Indians, in time of
war, concealed their provisions in these holes. Various
kinds of tools used by the aborigines, such as axes, chisels,
arrowheads, gouges, &c., have been discovered in the
vicinity ; also skeletons and parts of the human frame
have been dug up here, rendering it probable that the
spot was a frequent resort of the Indians.

Manchester was incorporated, September 3, 1751, under
the name of Derryfield. It was taken from Londonderry,
Chester, and a portion of a tract called Harrytown. It
received its present name in 1810. In 1822 its population
amounted to 761; in 1830, it was 887; in 1840, 3325;
in 1850, 13,933 ; in 1854, 19,897.

The city of Manchester was incorporated in June, 1846.
Its present mayor is Frederic Smyth ; city clerk, George
A. French. The city proper is divided into six wards.
Its council and officers generally are the same as those in
similar corporations. It is laid out in nearly square form,
being the longest from north to south. The streets are
■ 24*

282 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

regular and broad. The western portion is built almost
exclusively of brick ; while the eastern abounds in wooden
structures, many of which are elegant and tasteful resi-
dences. It is situated on a plain, about 90 feet above the
river, the boarding houses of the corporations occupying
the slope towards the canals. The principal street, (Elm,)
which may be termed the Broadway of Manchester, is
100 feet in width, extends more than a mile north and
south, and presents an attractive and lively aspect. Four
large squares have been laid out in different parts of the
city, handsomely enclosed, and decorated with trees. In
two of them are ponds of considerable size, which serve
the double purpose of ornament and as reservoirs in case of
fires. More particular notice will be given of the squares
under the appropriate head.

The public cemetery, called the Valley, including an
area of 25 acres, and situated a short distance from the
city, is truly a beautiful spot. Notwithstanding its vicinity
to the city, yet such is the natural formation of the adjacent
grounds that a solitude both agreeable and appropriate,
and which tends rather to impress the mind of the visitor
with a sense of the intimate relations of the departed with
the living, pervades its charming though sacred walks,
and, for the time, shuts out from the not unwilling heart
all consciousness of the bustle and activity of the gay and
crowded streets. The surface is somewhat broken, afford-
ing a pleasing variety of plain, woodland, lawn, and sloping
declivity. A deep valley divides the enclosure, at the bot-
tom of which a running stream winds its way, with gentle
lullaby, to the busy waters of the noble Merrimack. It Is
laid out with winding paths and broad avenues, richly
adorned with shade trees and shrubbery. It is always a

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 283

place of resort, and is jvistly a source of pride to those who
have so admirably succeeded in clothing with beauty and
attraction the last home of mortals.

Religious Societies. — First Methodist Episcopal society

— organized in 1829 ; house in Manchester Centre ; Rev.
Elijah P. Wilkins pastor. Elm Street Methodist society

— chapel on Elm Street; cost $16,000; Elisha Adams
pastor. Universalist society — organized in 1839; house
on Lowell Street; cost $11,000; B. M. Tillotson pastor.
First Congregational society — incorporated in 1839; house
on Hanover Street ; cost $6500 ; C. W. Wallace pastor.
First Baptist society — organized in 1839 ; house on Man-
chester Street ; cost $7000 ; Isaac Sawyer pastor. Free-
will Baptist society — organized in 1839; house on Merri-
mack Street; cost $5000. Unitarian society — organized
in 1840 ; house on Merrimack Street, corner of Union ;
Francis Le Barron pastor. Saint Michael's Church, Epis-
copal— organized in 1841; church on Lowell Street,
corner of Pine ; I. G. Hubbard rector. Franklin Street
Church, Second Congregational society — organized in
1844 ; house on Franklin Street ; cost $11,000 ; Samuel
C. Bartlett pastor. Second Baptist society — house on
Elm Street ; cost $8000 ; J. M. Coburn pastor. Catho-
lic church — erected in 1850 ; house on Union, corner of
Merrimack Street; cost $16,000. Wesleyan Methodist
society — organized in 1849 ; meetings in Patten's Hall ;
Thomas Latham pastor. Free Church — house erected by
City Missionary Society in 1851 ; cost $2000 ; T. P.
Sawin pastor.

Schools. — There are nine school districts in the city, in
each of which is only one house, except in number two,
which includes the most thickly-settled portion. In this
district are four spacious brick edifices, containing fourteen

284 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

schools, and six smaller buildings, containing ten schools.
The board of instruction is divided into four departments
— the High School, in which are a principal whose salary
is $1000 per annum, and two assistants ; the South Gram-
mar School, having a principal whose salary is f 600 per
annum, and two assistants ; the North Grammar School,
with teachers, a principal whose salary is $600 per an-
num, and two assistants ; and the Intermediate School,
having teachers, a principal whose salary is $500 per
annum, and two assistants. There are, besides, two un-
classed schools, seven middle, and twelve primary. A
free school is open four evenings in the week, and is at-
tended by about 200 members. Instruction is given in
reading, spelling, writing, geography, grammar, and arith-
metic.

Although, in glancing at the educational resources of
the city of Manchester, we find no richly-endowed acad-
emies or time-honored seats of literature, yet we discover a
system which, for vigor and efficiency in reaching the
masses and scattering the light and treasures of knowledge
in those dark and obscure places, — scores of which may be
found in any city, which a more general, and perhaps, at
first, more attractive, plan of instruction would entirely
overlook, — is not only deserving of universal approval,
but also reflects great credit upon those who were able to
conceive and carry it to practical results.

Manchester Athenaum. — Incorporated in 1844. The
library contains 3100 volumes. An extensive reading
room is connected with it. Rooms in Patten's Building.

The Fire Department consists of a chief, nine assistant
engineers, six engine companies, two hose do., and one
hook and ladder do.

Newspapers. — Manchester American and Messenger ;

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIKE. 285

J. Abbott editor. Manchester Democrat ; John H. Good-
ale editor. Granite Farmer and Visitor. Manchester
Daily Mirror; John B. Clarke editor. Dollar Weekly-
Mirror ; by the same. Union Democrat ; Campbell &
Gilman editors.

Railroads. — Nine railroads centre in Manchester —
the Concord, Northern, Montreal, Vermont Central, (in-
cluding Vermont, Canada, and Ogdensburg,) Passumpsic,
Merrimack and Connecticut River, Manchester and Law-
rence, Contoocook Valley, and New Hampshire Central.
The New Hampshire Central and Concord and Claremont
are merged into one, under the name of the Merrimack and
Connecticut River Railroad.

Banks. — Amoskeag Bank; capital, $150,000; incor-
porated in 1848. City Bank, incorporated in 1853 ; capital,
$100,000. Manchester Bank, incorporated in 1845 ; cap-
ital, $145,000. Amoskeag Savings Bank ; amount of de-
posits January 1, 1854, $153,626. Manchester Savings
Bank, incorporated in 1846 ; amount of deposits, $100,000.

Public Houses. — Manchester House, Elm Street, cor-
ner of Merrimack, by William Shepherd. Franklin Hotel,
by J. Goodrich, Manchester Street. City Hotel, by Frank-
lin Tenney, Elm, corner of Lowell Street. Elm Street
House, by D. T. Norris, Elm, corner of Concord Street.
Piscataquog Hotel, Piscataquog, by J. B. Leavitt, south
end of Main Street. Quimby's Hotel, by Benjamin B.
Quimby, head of Granite Street. Amoskeag Hotel, by N.
& J. B. Quimby, in the village of Amoskeag.

By a recent act of the legislature, the villages of Amos-
keag and Piscataquog have been annexed to Manchester.

Squares. — Concord, between Amherst and Concord
Streets, is laid out with gravelled walks, ornamented with
trees, and contains a circular reservoir, walled in with stone.

286 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Areaj 4| acres. Hanover contains 4 acres of land, and has
a large open reservoir. jNIerrimack, between Merrimack
and Central Streets, contains a large open reservoir, and
includes an area of 5|- acres. Treniont, between Bridge
and High Streets, is laid out with gravelled walks, and has
a covered reservoir. Area, 2i acres. The Park is a very
pleasant plot of ground, situated between Park and Cedar
Streets, and contains 3^ acres.

The Company^s Reservoir is situated about one mile, in
a north-easterly direction, from the City Hall. It is a rec-
tangular cistern, 484 by 234 feet at the top ; depth of
water, 18 feet; capacity, 11,000,000 gallons. The height
above the river is 150 feet. The object is to supply the
mills and boarding houses with water.

In addition to the ponds and reservoirs mentioned above,
there are, besides, fourteen other cisterns and reservoirs
located in various parts of the city.

Manufacturing Companies. — Amoskeag Manufacturing
Company ; capital, ^3,000,000 ; incorporated in July,
1831 ; commenced operations in 1837. The business of
this company is divided into three departments — viz., 1st,
land and water power ; 2d, manufacturing cotton goods ; 3d,
machine shop — each department having a separate agency.
Land and water power — E. A. Straw agent ; J. Knowlton
clerk. Manufixcturing department, Amoskeag Xew !Mills —
David Gillis agent ; Charles Richardson clerk. Four mills
are in operation. Mill number 1 contains 8960 spindles
and 234 looms ; number 2, 8832 spindles and 250 looms ;
number 3, 20,478 spindles and 545 looms ; number 4,
24,576 spindles and 636 looms ; total, 62,846 spindles
and 1665 looms. A fifth mill is in process of erection,
and will be completed, with its machinery, the coming
winter. This mill will contain 20,000 spindles and 480

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 287

looms for the manufacture of fine goods. This company-
has a mill for the manufacture of batting. They have also a
mill in Hooksett, containing 8000 spindles. The goods
manufactured consist of seven descriptions of tickings, a
great variety of striped denims, drilhngs, sheetings, and
cotton flannels. Number of yards produced annually,
19,000,000. Do. pounds of cotton consumed annually,
8,000,000 ; do. indigo, 35,000 ; do. potash, 80,000 ; do.
cojiperas, 44,000 ; do. madder, 65,000 ; do. tons potato
starch, 150 ; do. cords wood, 9000 ; do. gallons sperm
oil, 10,000. Amount annually paid out at the mills,
$600,000. Number of hands employed — males, 600 ;
females, 1900 ; total, 2500. To this company was award-
ed the prize medal at the World's Fair, in London, for the
best sheetings, drillings, tickings, and cotton flannels there
exhibited.

There is connected with this department a savings in-
stitution, where those employed by the company may de-
posit their surplus earnings, and receive five per cent,
interest per annum. The amount thus deposited January
1, 1854, was $153,626.86, payable at seven days' notice.

Amoskeag Machine Shop — Oliver W. Bailey agent ;
Edward Kendall clerk. Machinery for cotton and woollen
mills, locomotives, &c., are manufactured here. There are
three shops, and one foundery. 500 men are constantly
employed. There arc consumed annually 2000 tons pig
iron, 800 tons bar iron and steel, 100 tons copper, 40 tons
brass castings, 250 tons boiler iron, 600 tons Lehigh coal,
600 tons Cumberland coal, 4000 bushels charcoal, 4000
gallons oil, and 700 cords wood. They manufacture from
three to four locomotives per month, and pay annually
$200,000. The average sum paid as wages, per month, is

288 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

$12,000, wliicli is distributed among the workmen at the
rate of from $40 to $75 per month.

Manchester Print Works — incorporated in 1839 ; cap-
ital, $1,800,000. There are two departments. The man-
ufacturing department consists of two mills. Waterman
Smith agent ; J. S. Shannon clerk. In both mills are
56,000 spindles and 1450 looms. Number of hands em-
ployed — males, 400 ; females, 1200 ; total, 1600. Num-
ber of yards produced per annum, 14,000,000. The goods
manufactured consist of mousseline de laines, cashmeres,
Persian cloths, barege de laines, and cotton printing cloths.
Number of pounds of wool consumed annually, 1,300,000 ;
do. cotton, 1,800,000 ; do. cords wood, 2000 ; do. tons
coal, 1000 ; do. gallons sperm oil, 5000 ; do. gallons olive
oil, 2000 ; do. pounds oil soap, 80,000 ; do. tons starch,
60. Amount annually paid out, $450,000. Printing de-
partment — Charles H. Dalton superintendent ; A. N.
Baker clerk. These works were destroyed by fire Septem-
ber 22, 1853. Loss, $250,000. Eebuilding was com-
menced immediately. Printing started in the new works
June 12, 1854, being 8 months and 21 days from the
date of the fire. Number of printing machines, 12. Do.
hands employed — males, 350 ; females, 30 ; total, 380.
Do. yards printed per day, 45,000, consisting of mousseline
de laines, cashmeres, Persian cloths, barege- de laines, and
madder cotton prints. Value of drugs consumed annually,
$400,000. Number of tons of coal consumed annually,
3000. Pay roll and incidental expenses per annum,
$180,000.

Stark ISIills — Phineas Adams agent ; William B. Web-
ster clerk. Incorporated in 1838 ; commenced operations in
1839. Capital, $1,250,000. There are two mills. Num-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 289

ber 1 mill contains 21,400 spindles, and 460 looms for
sheetings, and 126 for seamless bags. Number 2 mill
contains 19,564 spindles, and 550 looms for sheetings and
drillings. The goods manufactured consist of sheetings,
drillings, and seamless bags. Number of males employed,
200 ; do. females, 950. Amount of money paid at mills
per month, $30,000. Consume annually 1,000,000 cubic
feet of gas, 5880 gallons oil, 75 tons starch, 1000 tons .
coal, and 6,000,000 pounds cotton. Manufacture annu-
ally 1,320,000 bags, 8,000,000 yards sheetings, and 500,-
000 yards drillings.

Blodgett Edge Tool Company — incorporated in 1853;
capital stock, $100,000; J. G. Cilley agent. Manufac-
ture all kinds of edge tools. Employ 125 hands. Dimen-
sions of building, 160 feet long, 50 wide, and three stories
high.

Manchester Iron Company. Capital stock, $20,000 ;
president, J. N. B. Fish ; treasurer, J. T. P. Hunt ; clerk,
David Hill. Commenced operations in October, 1853.
The main building is 75 feet long by 50 wide, with an
engine house, pattern shop, &c., adjoining, 40 feet long by
60 broad. The engine is of 40 horse power. Located
near the gas works and the Manchester and Lawrence Rail-
road. Manufacture all sorts of castings for mills and other
purposes.

Blodgett Paper Company. Capital, $300,000 ; manu-
facture 15,000 rolls paper hangings per day, 16 tons paper
per week ; employ 175 hands. Dimensions of building —
200 feet long by 50 wide, five stories high, with an ell 65
by 55 : second building — 200 feet long by 30 wide ; all
brick. An additional building, 100 feet long by 30 wide,
and three stories high, is in process of erection.

B. F. Martin's Paper Mill. Dimensions of building,
25

290 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

50 feet long by 90 in height ; 3 stories high ; built of
brick. Manufacture 300 tons paper annually. Value,
$82,500. Number of hands employed, 20.

Manchester Gas Light Company. Capital, |?90,000.
President, Robert Read ; superintendent, J. T. P. Hunt ;
clerk, H. Foster. Incorporated in 1851 ; commenced oper-
ations in September, 1852. These works are situated in
the southerly part of the city, near the Manchester and
Lawrence Railroad. The main buildings are of brick, with
slated roofs. The retort house is 105 feet in length, 30
feet in width, and 18 feet in height. It contains 12
benches, each having 3 retorts, with a corresponding num-
ber of coolers and washers. The purifying house is 65
feet in length by 25 feet in width ; it contains purifiers,
meters, offices, &c. The gasometer is 87^ feet in diameter,
25 feet in height, and is of sufficient capacity for the sto-
rage of 150,000 cubic feet of gas. The tank is 90 feet in
diameter, 25 feet deep, and is substantially built of brick
and cement, with counter forts. Over the gasometer has
been erected a building 97 feet square and 27 feet in
height. The coal shed is so located that the coal is
dumped from the cars directly through the roof. Ten
miles of j)ipe, varying from 14 to 2 inches in diameter,
have beea laid, extending to different parts of the city.
By means of the works now in operation, the company are
able to furnish 150,000 cubic feet of gas in every 24
hours, though the pipes are of sufficient capacity and
strength to distribute double that quantity. 1100 tons of
Pictou, Cannel, and Hillsborough coal have been consumed
during the past year, producing in that time 8,837,000
cubic feet of gas, about one half of which is consumed by
the various manufacturing establishments and mills. These
use 4705 burners, besides 40 street lamps ; different indi-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 391

viduals, 2717 burners ; and the city authorities furnish
25 street lamps. Coke — which is coal deprived of its
volatile princi,ple — is sold at about five dollars per chal-
dron. About 1500 bushels of the hydrate of lime are sold
from these works per annum, at eight cents per bushel,
which is made from oyster shells, and, by its connection with
ammonia in the process of purification, becomes far superior
to common lime for land dressing, and is eagerly sought
after by agriculturists. The gas is sold at the rate of
$3.50 per 1000 cubic feet.

The gasworks were constructed under the direction of
Mr. J. T. P. Hunt, then and now superintendent ; and, in
beauty of architecture, substantial finish, and skilful ar-
rangement of machinery for the ends proposed, are consid-
ered as superior to any similar works in New England.

There are also about 350 stores, groceries, and shops of
various kinds within the limits of the city.

The rapidity of the growth of the city of Manchester
— which is as healthy as it is rapid — is unparalleled, at
least in New England. Figures and statistics which to-
day are a true representation of its condition, are not so
to-morrow ; and it is, indeed, of but little consequence to
record them, excepting that they may serve as milestones,
to guide the stranger from the obscure hamlet and the
times of small things to the flourishing city and the period
of magnificent prosperity.

Marlborough, Cheshire county. Bounded north by
Eoxbury, east by Dublin and Jaffrey, south by Troy, and
west by Swanzey and Keene. Area, about 13,000 acres.
Distance from Concord, 55 miles, south-west ; from Keene,
6, south. There are several ponds, Avhich are the sources
of some of the branches of the Ashuelot. The surface is

292 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

broken ; the soil rocky, but excellent for grazing. Various
branches of manufacturing are carried on to some extent
here. There are four pail factories, in which 35 hands are
employed ; one box and measure factory, eight hands ; one
machine shop, 16 hands ; one box and tray factory, five
hands ; one chair factory, four hands ; one earthen ware
shop, four hands ; one faucet manufactory, four hands ; and
one yarn factory, five hands. There are also two stores,
three meeting houses, and one hotel.

Marlborough was granted, April 29, 1751, to Timothy
Dwight and 61 others. By reason of the breaking out of
the French and Indian war the conditions of the charter were
not seasonably fulfilled ; the first charter was forfeited, and
a second granted September 21, 1754. First settlers, Wil-
liam Barker, Abel Woodward, Benjamin Tucker, Daniel
Goodenough, and one McAlister.

A Congregational church was formed in 1778. At
present there is also a Baptist and a Universalist society.

Population, 887. Number of legal voters in 1854,
225. Inventory, $321,156. Value of lands, $179,374.
Stock in trade, $4441. Value of mills, factories, &c.,
$12,225. Money on hand, &c., $40,830. Number of
sheep, 608. Do. neat stock, 804. Do. horses, 152.

Marlow, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Acworth
and Lempster, east by Washington and Stoddard, south by
GilSum, and west by Alstead. Area, 15,937 acres. Dis-
tance from Concord, 45 miles, south-west ; from Keene, 15,
north. Ashuelot Kiver passes through nearly the whole
length of the town, in a south-westerly direction. The soil is
moist, but productive. On the Ashuelot and other streams
are large tracts of valuable interval. The surface is gener-
ally uneven. This town was granted, October 7, 1761, to

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 293

William Noyes and 69 others. First settlers, Joseph
Tubbs, N. Royce, N. Miller, Nathan Huntley, Solomon
IVf ack, Solomon Gee, Eben Lewis, Samuel and John Gustin,
and others. The first town meeting was held in March,
1776. The first inhabitants were Baptists ; they formed a
church, and settled Rev. Caleb Blood, in January, 1778.
There is at present only a Methodist society.

Population, 708. Number of polls, 196. Inventory,
^290,308. Value of lands, $151,497. Do. mills, fac-
tories, &c., $4675. Stock in trade, $9423. Money on
hand, at interest, &c., $45,466. Number of sheep, 1839.
Do. neat stock, 847. Do. horses, 179.

Mason, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Tem-
ple and Wilton, east by IMilford and Brookline, south by
Ashby, Massachusetts, and Avest by New Ipswich. Area,
18,860 acres. Distance from Concord, 43 miles, south ;
from Amherst, 15, south-west. This is a hilly and healthy
township. There are no swamps or stagnant pools, and
only one small pond. The soil is good. In the south and
east parts of the town chestnut and pine abound. Souhe-
gan River is the principal stream, and affords many fine
mill sites. It is divided into nine school districts, and
supports ten schools. Education receives considerable
attention. There are four religious societies — viz., two
Congregational, one Christian, and one Baptist. The prin-
cipal village is situated in the north-west part of the town,
on the Souhegan. Here are some of the best water privi-
leges in this section of the state. The water at this place
falls 80 feet in a distance of 80 rods, and is easily made
available for manufactui'ing purposes. There is already a
large cotton factory in operation, and another is to be
erected within a few months. A large portion of the water
25*

294 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

power is yet unappropriated. Natural* facilities, together
•with the disposition now evinced to develop them, render
it highly probable that this will soon be a place of consid-
erable business. The village is the present terminus of
the Peterborough and Shirley Railroad. The railroad
bridge just below the village is one of the most splendid
and substantial structures of the kind in New England.
The scenery about the village is beautifully picturesque.

The Columbian Manufacturing Company, Mason Vil-
lage — Robert B. Williams president ; Stephen Smith agent.
Capital stock, $200,000. Number of shares, 200; par
value, |1000. Do. spindles, 6200. Do. looms, 175. Do.
hands employed — males, 106; females, 130; total, 236.
Amount of stock consumed annually, 750,000 pounds.
Number of yards produced per annum, 1,950,000. Kind
of goods, colored cottons. Number yarn, 14.

Asher Peabody, manufacturer of shoes, employs 25
hands.

Amos Scripture, agent, manufacturer of japanned tin-
ware. First established in 1833. Number of hands era-
ployed, 12.

There are two gristmills"^ five sawmills, two hotels, five
stores, two blacksmith, and two cabinet shops.

This town was granted August 26, 1768. It was for-
merly known by the name of Number One. The first effort
to settle here was made in 1751; and in the following
year Enoch Lawrence made a permanent settlement. The
Congregational church was formed in 1772 ; the Baptist
society was organized in 1786.

Population, 1626. Number of legal voters in 1854, 335.
Do. houses, 313. Do. families, 346. Do. farms, 168.
Inventory, $483,256. Value of lands, $262,606. Stock
in trade, $17,700. Number of sheep, 254. Do. neat
stock, 1069. Do. horses, 173.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIKE. 295

Meredith, Belknap county. Bounded north by Cen-
tre Harbor, east by Winnipiseogee Lake, south by a
river of the same name and Sanbornton, and west by
Sanbornton Bay and New Hampton. Distance from Con-
cord, 29 miles, north, by the Boston, Concord, and Mon-
treal Eailroad. It was incorporated December 30, 1768,
and was first called New Salem.

This is a very large township, covering an area of near-
ly 13- square miles. Several pleasant and thriving villages
are scattered over its limits. At Meredith Village there are
four meeting houses, five stores, one hotel, and several shoe
shops. On a small stream which flows through this place
from Measley Pond into Winnipiseogee Lake are a large tan-
nery, a gristmill, sawmill, and a manufactory where the wood-
work of pianos is prepared, in which about 50 hands are
employed. At Meredith Centre are a meeting house belong-
ing to a Freewill Baptist society, one saw and gristmill, and
three stores ; and about a mile distant is a Baptist meeting
house. Lake Village, pleasantly situated at the foot of Long
Bay, which at the Wiers forms the outlet of "Winnipiseogee
Lake, is a thriving manufacturing district, containing about
1500 inhabitants. Here is a large cotton warp manufactory ;
Robert Thompson agent. Number of spindles, 2200. Do.
pounds manufactured per annum, 78,000. Do. pounds
consumed annually, 100,000. Do. hands employed, 30.

Knitting and Hosiery Manufactory — Lyman B. Pulce-
fer president. Number of spindles, 500. Do. pounds of
goods manufactured annually, 25,000. Do. pounds of
raw material consumed per annum, 40,000. Do. hands
employed, 12.

Iron Foundery and Machine Shop — Cale, Davis, & Co.
Capital stock, $40,000. Manufacture ploughs, stoves,

296 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

machinery, and castings. Number of men employed,
60.

Levi Stevens, coppersmith and brass founder.

There are also three meeting houses, eight stores, one
hotel, four shoe factories, two carriage shops, and one bed-
stead manufactory.

Yarn Manufactory — Moses Sargent president ; J. M.
Sargent clerk. Capital stock, $7000. Goods manufac-
tured, knitting and hosiery yarn. Has 1000 spindles.
Number of pounds of goods manufactured annually, 50,000.
Value of stock consumed annually, $80,000. Hands em-
ployed, 25. There are also connected with this establish-
ment three sets of woollen cards.

Meredith Bridge is the principal village. It is connect-
ed by a bridge over the Winnipiseogee River with Gilford
Village, and both are called Meredith Bridge. This is a
flourishing manufacturing village, and the seat of much
business. On the Meredith side are a large, well-constructed,
and handsome hotel ; a meeting house, belonging to the Con-
gregational society ; a large car factory, in which are em-
ployed about 75 men ; a pail and bedstead factory ; a cotton
mill, in which 70 operatives are employed, the property of
which is estimated at $30,000 ; a woollen factory, in which
30 hands are employed; capital, $10,000. There are
also ten stores, two jewellers' shops, and two furniture
warehouses. The county of Belknap has recently pur-
chased a large farm on the Meredith side, and has erected
upon it spacious and convenient buildings, at a cost of about
$5000, for the support and employment of county paupers.
A county jail, to be built of granite throughout, is also in
process of erection on the same grounds.

The Belknap Gazette and the New Hampshire Demo-
crat, weekly newspapers, are published here.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 297

On the Guilford side are a large cotton mill, where tick-
ings are manufactured ; capital, J^40,000 ; number of
hands employed, 60 ; a peg factory, in which 30 hands
are employed ; a sculptor's shop, a court house, two meeting
houses, two stores, two hotels, one saw, and one gristmill.
As a farming town, Meredith is surpassed by but few
towns in the state. The soil is generally deep, fertile, and
easily cultivated. Within a few years past, considerable
attention has been paid to agriculture. In many places the
scenery is beautiful and romantic. As the traveller passes
along the road leading through the north-westerly part of
the town, he beholds spread out before him a lovely picture
of Nature. On the east and south-east, the placid waters of
the largest lake in New Hampshire, with its countless
islands, arrest the eye, stretching in a south-easterly direc-
tion beyond the reach of vision. On the north-east, Ossipee
rises majestically from its rugged base ; while towards the
north is seen Red Hill — an eminence well known to
travellers. In the vicinity of the lake Indian relics are
often found. Meredith Bridge is one of the pleasantest
villages in the state. Many of the houses are large, and
handsome in structure. The cemetery is one of those
charming spots that always attract the eye and elicit the
admiration of the stranger. It is beautifully located be-
side the Winnipiseogee River, and is laid out with taste and
care.

The population of Meredith, at present, is about 3800.
Number of legal voters, 929. Inventory in 1852,
$899,851. Value of lands, $532,972. Do. factories,
mills, &c., $21,600. Money on hand, at interest, &c.,
$32,972. Value of shares in banks and other corpora-
tions, $29,600. Number of sheep, 2100. Do. neat stock,
2133. Do. horses, 376.

298 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Merrimack, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
Bedford, east by Litchfield, south by Nashua, and "west by
Amherst. Area, 19,361 acres. Distance from Concord,
27 miles, south ; from Amherst, 6, east. Merrimack River
laves its entire eastern border, and affords communication by
water with Boston ; which, however, is of but little impor-
tance, since the Nashua and Lowell Railroad passes through
the town, parallel with the river. The Souhegan, after
winding through this town in an easterly direction, dis-
charges its waters into the Merrimack, affording in its
course many valuable mill privileges, some of the best of
which are unoccupied.

The surface is generally level, broken by a few moderate
swells. The soil in many parts is very fertile, especially
the intervals along the river. Merrimack claims the honor
of having first discovered the art of making Leghorn bon-
nets. Some of the first manufacture were sold at the price
of $50 apiece. The manufacturing interest is here exhib-
ited on a moderate scale, it being almost wholly confined
to two carpet factories, which in themselves are truly de-
serving of great credit. The energetic spirit which has
recently manifested itself in efforts for improvement and
progress in education is highly praiseworthy. There are
four stores, four sawmills, two gristmills, three wheel-
wrights' shops, four blacksmiths' shops, and two meeting
houses. This town was first called Souhegan East. It
was incorporated April 2, 1746, though it had already been
settled 13 years.

The first house in town was erected several years before
any permanent settlement was made, and was occupied as
a place of traffic with the Indians. It was called Crom-
well's House, being owned by John Cromwell, from Eng-
land. For a long time he carried on a profitable trade

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIKE. 299

with the Indians in the purchase of their furs, weighing
them with his foot in the opposite scale, until the latter,
having discovered his trick, and chagrined at the deception
practised upon them, formed the determination to kill him.
This design was made known to Cromwell, who buried his
ill-gotten wealth and made his escape. Within a short
time after his flight a party of the Pennacook tribe made
their appearance, and, not finding him, burned his house.

The name of the town is derived from the river on which
it is situated. It was originally written Monnomoke, and
Merramake, which latter is the term used by the Pennacook
tribe, and in the Indian language signifies sturgeon. Fish
of this kind were formerly abundant in this stream.

A Congregational church was organized here September
5, 1772.

Population, 1250. Number of polls, 313. Inventory,
$501,840. Value of lands, $298,190. Do. stock in
trade, $34,138. Do. mills, factories, &c., $9150. Money
on hand, at interest, &c., $22,800. Number of sheep,
368. Do. neat stock, 802. Do. horses, 141.

MiDDLETON, Strafford county. Bounded north by
Brookfield and Wakefield, east by Milton, south by Mil-
ton and New Durham, and Avest by New Durham. Area,
9840 acres. Distance from Concord, 40 miles, north-east ;
from Dover, 25, north-west. This is a very level township.
There are no elevations excepting a part of Moose, or Bald,
Mountain, which separates it from Brookfield. There are
no ponds or rivers of note. The soil is rocky and sterile.
There are one meeting house, owned by the Freewill Bap-
tist society, two stores, and one hotel. It was incorporated
March 4, 1778.

Population, 476. Number of legal voters in 1854, 130.

300 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Inventory, $128,512. Value of lands, |78,.305. Num-
ber of sheep, 273. Do. neat stock, 524. Do. horses, 83.

Milan, Coos county. Bounded north by Dummer, east
by Success, south by Berlin, and west by Kilkenny and
Stark. Area, 31,154 acres. Distance from Concord, 150
miles, north-east ; from Lancaster, 22, north-east. The
Androscoggin River passes through the eastern part. Its
tributaries here are the Chickwalneppee, Leavett, and
Stearns Rivers. There is but one pond of any consider-
able size, which is called Cedar Pond. The surface is un-
even, and in some parts rocky, though there are no moun-
tains. The soil is various. There are seven sawmills in
this town, in four of which 40 hands are employed ; ag-
gregate capital, $51,000. There are three stores, one
hotel, and one meeting house, which is owned by the
Methodist society. It was granted, December 31, 1771, to
Sir William Mayne and others, under the name of Pauls-
burg, which name was retained until ^1824.

Population, 493. Number of legal voters in 1854, 153.
Inventory, $106,346. Value of lands, $54,416. Do.
mills, &c., $2400. Stock in trade, $1600. Number of
sheep, 707. Do. neat stock, 617. Do. horses, 80.

MiLFORD, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
Lyndeborough, Mont Vernon, and Amherst, east by Am-
herst and Hollis, south by Hollis and Brookline, and west
by Mason and Wilton. Area, 15,402 acres. Distance
from Concord, 31 miles, south; from Amherst, 5, south-
west. Milford lies on both sides of the Souhegan River,
which runs in an easterly direction, affording many fine
water privileges. The intervals along its course are about
half a mile in width, and are very fertile. Large quan-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIKE. 301

titles of excellent fruit are produced liere annually. The
surface is moderately uneven ; the soil is productive. On
account of improvements made in its water power, it has
recently grown into considerable importance. The inhab-
itants are noted for sobriety, thrift, and industry.

The Souhegan Manufacturing Company were incorporat-
ed in June, 1846. Capltfil stock, ^150,000. Number of
spindles, 5000. Do. looms, 128. The kind of goods man-
ufactured is ticking. Number of yards manufactured per
annum, 1,100,000. Kaw material consumed per annum,
480,000 pounds cotton. Number of hands employed,
160. The machinery is driven by steam and Avater power.
Moses French agent ; D. S. Burnham clerk.

The Milford Manufacturing Company were incorporated
in 1810. Capital, $30,000. Number of spindles, 900.
Do. looms, 30. The kind of goods manufactured is tick-
ing. Number of yards produced per annum, 250,000.
Do. pounds cotton consumed, 100,000. Do. hands em-
ployed, 40. There is also a sawmill connected with this
establishment, in which 400,000 feet of lumber are man-
ufactured per annum. Hiram A. Daniels agent and clerk.

The ]\Iilford Plane Company employ 50 hands. Year-
ly business amounts to $50,000. The celebrated eagle
plane is manufactured here.

There are also two tinware manufactories, one employ-
ing 15 hands, and the other 2 ; three boot and shoe man-
ufactories, where about 75 hands are employed ; two car-
riage shops, one employing 20 hands, and the other 8 ;
one iron foundery, in which are engaged 35 hands ; two
tanneries, employing 12 hands ; one manufactory of agri-
cultural implements, in which 35 hands are employed ;
one furniture shop, employing 6 hands ; two tailors' shops,
employing 14 hands ; and one printing and bookbinding
26

302 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS,

establishment. There are also seven stores, one hotel, and
two meeting houses — one Congregational, organized in
1788 ; and one Baptist, organized September 5, 1809.

Milford was incorporated January 11, 1794. The first
settlers were John Burns, William Peabody, Benjamin
Hopkins, Caleb Jones, Nathan Hutchinson, Andrew Brad-
ford, Captain Josiah Crosby, and "William Wallace. Cap-
tain Crosby was a revolutionary officer.

Population, 2159. Number of legal voters in 1854,
629. Inventory, |884,960. Value of lands, $493,365.
Do. mills, factories. Sec, $75,000. Do. stock in trade,
$46,750. Money on hand, at interest, &c., $55,493.
Number of sheep, 139. Do. neat stock, 989. Do. horses,
277.

MiLLSFiELD, Coos county. Bounded north by Dixville,
east by Errol, south by Dummer, and west by ungranted
lands and Dixville. Area, 23,200 acres. Distance from
Concord, 150 miles, north; from Lancaster, 35, north-
east. Clear Stream waters its northern extremity, and
Phillips Piver and other small streams its other parts.
There are several ponds, the largest of which is 300 rods
long and 140 wide. Its northern portion is mountainous.
The surface is generally uneven, and the soil strong, but
somewhat cold. This town was granted, March 1, 1774,
to Sir Thomas Mills, George Boyd, and others.

Population, 2.

Milton, Strafford county. Bounded north-west by
Middleton and Wakefield, east by Salmon Palls Piver,
which separates it from Lebanon, Maine, and south-west
by Parmington and New Durham. Area, 25,000 acres.
Distance from Concord, 40 miles, north-east ; from Dover,

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 303

20, north-west. Salmon Falls River washes its whole east-
ern border for a distance of 13 miles. A branch of this
river passes through its northern extremity. Milton Pond
lies at the foot of Teneriffe Mountain — a bold and rocky
elevation, which extends along its eastern section. The soil
is generally good^ the surface somewhat broken, and affords
excellent pastui-age. The inhabitants are mostly engaged
in farming,

Milton INIills — John Townsend proprietor ; capital,
$50,000 ; manufacture flannels ; have 18 looms and 1200
spindles. Amount manufactured per annum, $90,000.
Do. stock used per annum, 120,000 pounds wool. Num-
ber of operatives, 35.

This town was formerly a part of Rochester, from which
it was taken and incorporated June 11, 1802. There are
two meeting houses — one Congregational, and one Chris-
tian.

Population, 1629. Number of polls, 406. Inventory,
$414,982. Value of lands, $236,265. Do. mills and
factories, $8500. Do. stock in trade, $10,730. Money
at interest, &c., $12,939. Number of sheep, 708. Do.
neat stock, 1264. Do. horses, 189.

Monroe, Grafton county. Bounded north by Littleton,
east by Lyman, south by Bath, and west by Barnet, Ver-
mont. This town formerly constituted the western portion
of Lyman, from wliich it was separated and incorporated
July 13, 1854. The surface is broken, and in some parts
hilly, and affords excellent grazing. The soil is generally
good, and produces, with proper cultivation, the grasses and
grains in abundance. The western slope of Gardner's
Mountain produces excellent grass and wheat. There is
considerable interval. Within the limits of this town are

304 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

the Narrows, at which place the river is only five rods
in width, being confined by walls of slate. The scenery is
grand and picturesque. Near the north-western extremity
of the town, at the confluence of the Connecticut and Pas-
sumpsic Rivers, the former assumes the shape of a dia-
mond, its greatest width being about one mile, encircling
20 islands, and affording a delightful landscape.

There are several sawmills here, at some of which an
extensive business is carried on. In one of these, during
the month of June, 1854, were manufactured 724,141 feet
of lumber, &c. Number of hands employed, 35. There
are also a carriage factory and machine shop, where a large
business is carried on. Bog iron ore and zinc and copper
ore are found here in various localities.

There are two stores, one hotel, and one meeting house.

Population in 1854, about 750. Number of legal
voters, 156.

Mont Vernon, Hillsborough county. Bounded north
^by New Boston, east by Amherst, south by Amherst and
Milford, and west by Lyndeborough. Area, 7975 acres.
Distance from Concord, 28 miles, south ; from Amherst,
o, north-west. There is but one stream of any note. It
rises in the northern part of the town, and passes into Am-
herst, near the eastern extremity of the plain. That part
of the stream near its mouth was called by the Indians
Quohquinapassakessanannagnog. The soil is strong and
productive — well adapted to the growth of the various
grasses and grains. The situation is elevated, and the sur-
face uneven. The village is located xipon the highest ele-
vation, and is healthy and pleasant. It was originally a
part of Amherst, from which it was separated and incorpo-
rated December 15, 1803.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 305

The Congregational church was organized here in 1780.
There are four stores, two hotels, and twelve shops and
mills t>f various kinds. There is a writing desk and fancy
box manufactory, owned by Messrs. Bragg & Conant, in
which 30 hands are employed.

Population, 722. Number of polls, 176. Inventory,
$252,256. Value of lands, $167,026. Stock in trade,
$7200. Money at interest, &c., $11,764. Number of
sheep, 86. Do. neat stock, 624. Do. horses, 89.

MouLTONBOROUGH, Carroll county. Bounded north by
Sandwich and Ossipee, east by Ossipee, south by Tufton-
borough and Lake Winnipiseogee, and west by Centre
Harbor and Squam Lake. Distance from Concord, 50
miles, north ; from Ossipee, 12, east. The surface is much
broken by mountains, lakes, and ponds. Great Squam
Pond lies in the western part, and Squam and Long Ponds
in the south, the latter of which is terminated by a neck
of valuable land, extending for some distance into Connecti-
cut River. Red Hill, which rises about 2000 feet above
the level of the sea, is composed of a beautiful sienite, in
which the feldspar is of a gray ash color. Near the sum-
mit, where the ledges of rock are exposed to the action of
the air, the rock is of a reddish hue. It is covered with
uvse ursi, the leaves of which are turned into a brilliant
red by the early frosts. Great numbers of visitors, attract-
ed by the unrivalled grandeur and beauty of the scenery
of the surrounding country, ascend this mountain in the
summer months. On a clear day, the view from its summit
is extensive. Mountains, lakes, islands, forests, and culti-
vated fields are here presented in a single view. On the
south side of the mountain is a spring of pure cold water,
about sixteen feet in diameter, from the centre of which
26*

306 ' NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

the water, impregnated with small particles of a fine white
sand, is constantly thrown up to the height of two feet
above the surface of the spring. It affords water sufficient
to drive saw or gristmills. On the stream, about a mile
below, is a beautiful cascade and waterfall of 70 feet per-
pendicular. Descending the mountain on the left of the
fall, you. soon come to a cove, in which charcoal and other
substances are found, giving rise to the belief that this was
once a place of concealment for the Indians. Many In-
dian implements and relics have been found in this town.
In 1820, on a small island in the Winnipiseogee, was
found a curiously wrought gun barrel, much decayed by
rust and age, enclosed in the trunk of a pine tree sixteen
inches in diameter. About the year 1817, on the north
line of the town, near the mouth of Melvin River, a gigan-
tic skeleton, apparently that of a man seven feet in height,
was found buried in the sand. The Ossipee tribe once
lived in this region ; and several years ago a tree was
standing, on which was carved in hieroglyphics a history
of their deeds and expeditions.

There are tlu-ee stores, seventeen common schools, one
hotel, and three meeting houses, two of which belong to
the Congregational society, and one to the Methodist and
Universalist societies, who occupy it alternately.

This town was granted, November 17, 1763, by the
Masonian proprietors, to Colonel Jonathan Moulton and
61 others. The first house of public worship was erected
in 1773, and was blown down by a violent east wind in
1819. The Congregational church was formed March 12,
1777.

Population, 1748. Number of legal voters in 1854,
420. Amount of local funds for schools, $1910. Inven-
tory, 1337,764. Value of lands, $200,078. Do. mills.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 307

$2115. Stock in trade, $2225. Money at interest, &c.,
$5576. Number of sheep, 1426. Do. neat stock, 1595.
Do. horses, 208.

Nashua, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Mer-
rimack, east by Litchfield and Hudson, south by Tyngs-
borough and Dunstable, Massachusetts, and west by Hollis.
Area, 18,878 acres. Distance from Concord, 35 miles,
south by the Concord Railroad, which terminates here. The
soil has considerable variety. It is easy of cultivation, and
generally productive. The eastern portion of the town
(now city) of Nashua, lying upon the river, presents a
very even surface ; the western part is more broken and
hilly, though by no means mountainous. It is watered by
Salmon Brook ; also by the Nashua River — a fertilizing
stream, which rises in Massachusetts.

The valley of the Nashaway, or, in modern phrase,
Nashua, sheltered one of the earliest settlements in New
Hampshire. The tribe of Indians bearing the name iden-
tical with that of this river had its head quarters in the
present town of Lancaster, Massachusetts, through which
the Nashua flows. The settlement, though commenced
some years previously, received its charter in 1673. Its
name was Dunstable, and its territory was much greater
than the present city of Nashua, embracing in addition
Dunstable, Tyngsborough, and parts of Groton, Townsend,
and other towns in Massachusetts, and Hollis, Brookline,
Milford, Hudson, parts of Amherst, Merrimack, Litchfield,
and sections of other towns in New Hampshire. More
romance of history clusters around this locaUty than at-
taches to most others in the state, filling with poetry the
memory of those days of "war's alarms," —

308 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

" What time the noble Lovewell came,
With fifty men from Dunstable,
The cruel Pequ'at tribe to tame.
With arms and bloodshed terrible."

The names of Lorewell, Weld, Blanchard, Waldo, Cum-
ings, French, Farrell, Lund, and Coburn are cherished as
belonging to some of the first inhabitants. For a long
time it was a frontier town, exposed to Indian depredations,
and annoyed by wars and sudden onsets of the relentless
foe. In the spring of 1702 a party of Indians made an
assault upon the settlement and killed several persons,
among whom was the Rev. Thomas Weld, the first minis-
ter. In Lovewell's war, the company from this town, under
the noble captain whose invaluable services give name to
the campaign, acquired imperishable fame.

The Congregational church was organized in 1685.

The village (now city) of Nashua may properly date
back to 1803, when a post office was established, houses
built, a canal boat launched, and, with much parade, chris-
tened " The Nashua," and " Nashua Village " substituted
for "Indian Head." A tavern, a store, and two or three
dwelling houses were at that time the principal buildings.
The following table exhibits the movement of population
in Nashua : —

In 1800,

862

« 1810,

1049

« 1820,

1142

« 1830,

2417

« 1840,

5960

" 1850,

(and

Nashville

8942

The present population is probably something more than

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 309

10,000. It will be noticed that its growth was quite
gradual until subsequent to 1820, when manufacturing
enterprises were undertaken upon an extensive scale. In
1822-1823 the land now owned by the Nashua Manu-
facturing Company was secured for manufacturing pur-
poses, in 1824 a charter was obtained, and in 1825—
1826 the mills went into full operation. The works of
the Jackson Company went into operation in 1826.

In 1837 the thriving village so far eclipsed the ancient
town as to give its name, Nashua, to the old township of
Dunstable. In 1842, in consequence of the hasty action
of the legislature, instigated by some of the participants
in a foolish quarrel about the location of the new Town
House, (which the majority had^cated near the bridge, on
the south side of the river,) that portion of the town
north of the river, with a small section south of it, near
its mouth, and north of the Nashua and Lowell Railroad,
(it including a portion of the property of the Jackson Com-
pany,) was incorporated with the name of Nashville. In
1853 a charter was granted and accepted, by which the
original town became a unit under a city government,

Nashua, in 1854, presents an aspect gratifying to the
pride of her sons, and indicative of that indomitable spirit
of intelligent enterprise for which the descendants of the
Pilgrims are so distinguished. For variety and perfection
of mechanical skill she yields the palm to none of her sister-
hood of the Granite State cities ; and in point of population
she claims the second rank. Cotton manufacture, though
important, does less for her than the combined benefits of
other manufactures. Artificers in wood and iron, in cards,
paper, and leather ; builders of ponderous or curious ma-
chines ; makers of edge tools, locks, and shuttles ; forge-
men, founderymen, and artisans of every degree and multi-

1
310 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

farious callings, — together swell the sum of her benefits,
until the cup of her prosperity runs over.

Few places of similar growth and pursuits wear so at-
tractive an appearance. The placid Nashua flows through
the midst of the city; grateful shade of grand old for-
est trees is each year thickening in the principal streets ;
and the hand of taste is yearly becoming more apparent in
architecture and gardening.

In morals, like all other portions of " Paradise Lost,"
the trail of the serpent is visible upon a landscape where
virtue and charity are ever-blooming flowers, though
frail, and far too few. In morals, Nashua will compare fa-
vorably with the great multitude of New England cities
of 10,000 inhabitants. •

There are eight religious societies with houses for wor-
ship. The First Congregational church. Rev. Daniel
March; Olive Street Congregational, Rev. Austin Rich-
ards ; Pearl Street Congregational, Rev. E. E. Adams ;
Baptist, Rev. D. D. Pratt ; Unitarian, Rev. M. W. Willis ;
Universalist, Rev. C. H. Fay; Lowell Street Methodist
Episcopal, Rev. Elihu Scott ; Chestnut Street Methodist
Episcopal, Rev. Jared Perkins. Prosperous Sabbath
schools, with ample libraries, exist in each, and the
amount paid in furtherance of various objects of Christian
benevolence and philanthropy is quite respectable. In one
of them, during the past year, between $2000 and $3000,
in contributions and legacies, have been contributed.

Few towns in the state have made more substantial prog-
ress, during ten years past, in the cause of popular edu-
cation. The schools are now more systematically and ju-
diciously graded, furnished with better houses and educa-
tional helps, and supplied with teachers of more experi-
ence and success than the great majority of public schools

GAZETTEEE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 311

throughout the state. The people have been educated, by
lectures, and discussions, and by the local press, till a more
just and discriminating idea of the wants and value of
right education now prevails. A great revolution in the
popular mind by such means secured the High School
House and apparatus, in district number 4, at a cost of
$15,000. The state maybe challenged to produce a better
house or better school. The whole number of districts is
11, occupying 23 school rooms, and employing between 30
and 40 teachers even in winter, most of whom are females.

The nucleus of a public library was created by the in-
stitution of the Union Athenaeum July 23, 1851. It is
yet in its infancy, numbering but 795 volumes. An annu-
al course of winter lectures is given under the auspices of
the Athenasura.

The Pennichuck Waterworks have been constructed
during the present year, (1854.) The Pennichuck has its
rise in a pond near the north-western boundary of the city,
is fed by many never-failing springs of soft, pure water,
and falls into the Merrimack. The water is taken, at a
point just above the Concord road, from an artificial pond
of 26 acres, and forced by a jonval turbine wheel of
eighty-horse power into a reservoir half a mile north of
the City Hall, 110 feet above the street level at that point,
and of a capacity of 1,250,000 gallons. The number of
hydi'ants is 32 ; the pipe to the receiving reservoir is eight
inches in diameter ; from the reservoir the pipe is fourteen
inches. E. P. Emerson is superintendent of the works,
and Russell E. Dewey clerk.

Pew places have better railroad facilities. The Nashua
and Lowell leads to Boston and the east ; the Concord to
Canada and the western lakes ; the Nashua and Worces-
ter to Albany and New York ; and the Wilton road pierces

312 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Hillsborough county north-westwardly. The Nashua and
Epplng, a projected air line to Portland, much needed to
straighten the route from the British provinces, via Port-
land, to New York, has already been surveyed.

Manufacturing Establishments. — Nashua Manufactur-
ing Company. The following statistics of the Nashua
Manufacturing Company are taken from the County Record,
published, in the fall of 1853, by Dodge Sc Noyes :
Daniel Hussey agent ; John A. Baldwin clerk. Incorpo-
rated in June, 1823. Capital, $1,000,000. Number 1
mill is 155 feet long, 45 feet wide, and 5 stories high. In
December, 1824, the machine shop was completed, and in
December. 1825, number 1 mill went into partial opera-
tion. It contains 6784 spindles and 220 looms, and m'an-
ufactures 30 inch drills and number 14 yarn. Number 2
mill was built in 1827 ; is 155 feet long, 45 feet wide, and
6 stories high; runs 12,170 spindles and 315 looms; and
makes 28 inch printing cloth, 30 inch jeans, and numbers
20 and 24 yarn. Number 3 mill was erected in 1836 ; is
220 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 5 stories high ; operates
9088 spindles and 276 looms ; and produces 37 inch sheet-
ings and number 14 yarn. Number 4 mill was built in
1844; is 198 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 5 stories high;
runs 9408 spindles and 278 looms ; and produces 37 inch
sheetings and number 13 yarn. Besides these mills, there
are a machine shop, 308 feet long, and 1 and 2 stories high,
rented for various purposes ; forty tenements for over-
seers and boarding-house keepers ; and two brick houses
for agent and clerk. The company employ 1000 hands
— 850 females and 150 males. The female operatives
average from $2 to $2.25 per week, besides board. An
addition to number 1 mill is now in progress — 108 feet
long, 48 wide, and tlaiee stories high. It will accommo-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 313

date about 3000 spindles. The company will then have in
operation more than 40,000 spindles.

An operatives' library and savings institution are con-
nected with this company.

The Jackson Company employ about 450 hands, use
4000 bales of cotton, and make about 5,000,000 yards of
cloth yearly. The present agent is Pliny Lawton ; R. W.
Lane clerk. Incorporated in 1830. Mill number 1 has
6656 spindles and 206 looms, and manufactures number
14 sheeting, 37 and 46 inches wide. Mill number 2 is
also employed in the manufacture of sheetings and 30 inch
shirtings, and runs 5888 spindles and 188 looms. There
are thirty-seven tenements for boarding purposes and for
the agent and clerk. The company have an ample saw
and gristmill connected with their dam, rented by Roby,
McQuesten, & Co. An extensive improvement is now
being made by this company. A neW mill, 3 stories high,
and 284 by 48 feet, is in progress of erection. It is to be
used for weaving and dressing. Another building, now
nearly completed, will be divided into a counting room, re-
pair shop, and cloth room. It will be 200 by 40 feet, and
2 stories high.

The Nashua Iron Company commenced operations in
1848. Daniel H. Dearborn superintendent ; Franklin
Munroe clerk. Capital, ^100,000. This company carry
on the forging business, and manufacture car axles, shaft-
ing, bowling locomotive tires, and all kinds of wrought-
iron shapes. Employ 75 hands.

Edge Tool Company — G. W. Underbill superintendent

of works ; T. G. Banks, Jr., clerk. Manufacture all kinds

of edge tools. The works are operated by a new wheel of

100 horse power, called the jonval turbine. Employ 70

314 "NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

hands. Located on Salmon Brook, one mile and a half
from the City Hall.

Nashua Gaslight Company. In the autumn of 1858
the gasworks went into operation. The buildings are sit-
uated near the Concord Railroad, south of the river. The
entire works are built in a thorough and substantial style.
Capital, $75,000. W. D. Clerk agent; Henry 0. Winch
clerk.

Bobbin and Shuttle Manufactory — Josephus Baldwin
proprietor. Manufacture all kinds of bobbins and shut-
tles. Number of hands employed, 200.

Universal Screw Chuck — newly invented, and manu-
factured by E. B. White. This is so constructed as to be
applicable in centric or eccentric work, and is pronounced
a valuable improvement.

Machinists' Tools — J. H. Gage, D. A. G. Warner, and
G. W. Whitney proprietors ; J. P. S. Otterson clerk.
Manufacture tools, steam engines, &c. Employ 60
hands.

Nashua Iron Company — Williams, Bird, & Co. pro-
prietors. Commenced operations in 1845. Capital, $40,-
000. Furnish castings of every description. Employ 60
hands. Consume 1500 tons of iron and 500 tons of coal
per annum.

Sewing Machine Manufactory — T. W. Gillis and A.
Taylor proprietors. Employ 100 hands.

Stove Foundery and Tinware Manufactory — Hartshorn,
Ames, & Co. proprietors. Employ 50 hands.

Bedstead Manufactory — E. G. Sears & Co. Employ
25 hands.

Plain, Enamelled, Colored, Card, and Fancy Paper Man-
ufactory — Gage, Murray, & Co. proprietors. Employ
25 hands.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIKE. 315

Door, Sash, and Blind Manufactory — S. N. Wilson &
Co. proprietors. Employ 35 hands.

Nashua Lock Company — Manufacture mortise locks,
rim locks, door knobs, bell pulls, &c. Employ 110 hands.

Platform, Scales, and Wrench Manufactory. Employ
six hands. Alexander proprietor.

Melodeon Factory — B. F. Tobin & Co. Employ 12
hands.

Machine Shop — Kelsey, Mack, & Co. Employ 13
hands.

Brush Factory — Joseph Goodwin.

Paper Staining — Thomas G. Banks.

Ticking Factory — T. W. Gillis.

Note Paper Embossing — W. F. Blanc.

Bed and Mattress Manufactory — Thomas Tolman. The
largest bedding manufactory in New England. Employ
40 hands. Capital, f 150,000. The spring mattresses
manufactured here are unequalled.

Stove and Tinware Manufactory — Reuben Goodrich.
Employ 16 hands.

Tin and Sheet Iron Working — Dodge, Boynton, & Co.

Iron Working — Jonathan Dustin ; Strong & Crafts ;
E. B. White.

Steam Sawmill. John D. Kimball — Run saws, plan-
ing, and shingle machines. Employ 25 hands.

Doors, Sashes, and Blinds — J. & S. C. Crombie. Man-
ufacture 1,000,000 feet of lumber per annum. Employ 40
hands.

Palmleaf Hat Manufactory — F. S. Rogers, H. C.
Rogers, and E. A. Haskins. Manufacture 30,000 dozen
yearly. Employ 13 hands in shop, and 3000 in various
parts of the state.

Lumbering and Sawing — Luther A. Roby, Cyrus T.
Eoby, and Samuel McQuesten. Employ 30 men.

316 NEW HAMPSHIRE A3 IT 13.

Gristmills — Roby, McQuesten, & Co. ; J. D. Kimball.

Sawmill — John and James Eayrs.

Jib Hanks — J. H. Everett.

Spring Bedstead Factory — "Wesley E. Merrill and Free-
man Tupper. This is a recent invention of the proprie-
tors, and seems destined, and deservedly, to supersede all
others. It can be taken apart and put together in a few
seconds, admits of no retreat for vermin, requires no
cords, screws, or mortises to hold it together, and stands
firmly, and is not likely to become loose or rickety. A
slight examination is sufficient to discover its merits and
superiority.

The mechanical department of Kashua is varied and
extensive, reaching into almost every branch of industry,
and furnishing unquestionable vouchers for its future and
permanent prosperity. There are besides 202 stores and
shops of various descriptions.

Fire Department. — There are five engines, one hook
and ladder, and one hose company. The reservoirs are
capacious, substantially built, and conveniently located.

Hotels. — Pearl Street House, 0. Bristol, Main Street ;
Xashua House, A. Longley, Chestnut Street ; Little's
Tavern, J. Little, South Nashua.

Newspapers. — Three newspapers are published in this
city — viz., the Nashua Gazette and Hillsborough County
Advertiser, the New Hampshire Telegraph, and the
Oasis.

The Cemetery is beautifully located and enclosed. It is
situated in a quiet and pleasant grove in the rear of the
Unitarian church, including about two acres. About
$5000 have been expended in the purchase of the grounds,
construction of fences, walks, &c.

The City Hall is a spacious and splendid edifice, erected
at considerable expense.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 317

Many of the residences in tHs city are fine specimens
of architectural skill.*

Nelson, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Stoddard,
east by Antrim and Hancock, south by Dublin and Rox-
bury, and west by Roxbury and Sullivan. Area, 22,875
acres. Distance from Concord, 40 miles, south-west ; from
Keene, 8, north-east. Situated on the height of land be-
tween Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers. The surface is
hilly, but good for grazing. The soil is generally hard,
but productive. There are seven ponds, covering a surface
of 1800 acres. Long Pond, the largest body of water, is
four miles in length ; from this issues a branch of the
Contoocook River. Several excellent mill privileges are
furnished by streams flowing from these ponds. Plumbago
is found in large quantities here. The mines yield on an
average 220 tons annually. The inhabitants are princi-
pally farmers, of industrious habits. Within a few years
considerable attention has been paid to manufactures,
which have added much to the growth and prosperity of the
town. The cotton factory owned by Alvan Munson has
640 spindles and 12 looms. The capital stock is valued
at $12,000. Manufactiu-e Lo cotton sheetings; number of
yarn, 20 ; number of operatives, 20.

Harrisville, a pleasant and thriving village, is situated
partly in Nelson, and partly in Dublin. It is named from
Bethuel Harris, an active and enterprising man, who, in
1820, commenced business here without funds save his
energy and perseverance. The village now contains a
meeting house, school house, a store, public house, and a
large wooden ware shop. It has a population of 350

* The valuation, &c., of the several cities in New Hampshixe will be given in
a separate table in a subsequent part of the Gazetteer.

27*

818 • NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

inhabitants. The woollen factory of Messrs. Harris &
Hutchinson, also that of Milan Harris, Colony, & Sons,
are widely known for the fine doeskins, of a truly superior
quality, manufactured here. The capital stock of Messrs.
Harris & Hutchinson is valued at ^20,000; number of
spindles, 300 ; do. looms, 7 ; do. operatives, 18. 30,000
pounds of fine wool are consumed annually. Agent, Charles
C. P. Harris. There is also a chair factory, in which 10
hands are employed. Besides these already named, there
are in Nelson two meeting houses, one ' store, three shoe
manufactories, one tannery, and one blacksmith's shop.

. This town was formerly called Monadnock Number Six.
It was granted by the Masonian proprietors February 22,
1774. The first settlers were Breed Batchelder and Dr.
Nathaniel Breed, who came here in 1767. The Congrega-
tional chmxh was organized January 31, 1781.

Population, 751. Number of legal voters in 1854,
180. Common schools, 8. Inventory, $252,100. Value
of lands, $142,296. Do. mills and factories, $6550.
Stock in trade, $2730. Money at interest, &c., $23,595.
Number of sheep, 3832. Do. neat stock, 740. Do. horses,
117.

New^ Boston, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
Weare, east by Goffstown and Bedford, south by Mount
Vernon and Lyndeborough, and west by Lyndeborough
and Francestown. Area, 26,536 acres. Distance from
Concord, 22 miles, south ; from Amherst, 9, north. This
town is watered by several streams, the largest of which is
the south branch of Piscataquog River. The soil is strong
and fertile. The sujface is uneven, affording excellent
tillage and grazing. The scenery is varied and picturesque,
partaking largely of the alpine character, with rocks piled

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 319

on rocks, and hills on hills. There are two villages, the
lower and principal of which lies in a deep and narrow
valley, through which the noisy Piscataquog winds its way.
Overlooking it, on a level and grassy niche in the steep
hillside, stands the other village, from which a tall church
spire points skyward.

There are in this town 18 sawmills, four gristmills,
three stores, one seraphine factory, one door, sash, and blind
factory, one edge tool factory, one tannery, two coopers'
shops, two blacksmiths' shops, three cabinet shops, one
hotel, and two meeting houses. New Boston was granted,
January 14, 1736, by Massachusetts, to inhabitants of
Boston. It was incorporated by New Hampshire February
18, 1763. It was fii-st settled, in 1733, by persons named
Cochran, Wilson, Caldwell, McNeil, Ferson, and Smith.
The Presbyterian church was formed about 1768. There
is also a Baptist society here.

Population, 1476. Number of polls, 298. Inventory,
$561,656. Value of lands, $379,975. Stock in trade,
$18,387. Value of mills, |8326. Number of sheep, 982.
Do. neat stock, 1682. Do. horses, 277.

Newbury, Merrimack county. Bounded north by New
London and Sunapee Lake, east by Sutton, south by Brad-
ford, and west by Goshen and Sunapee Lake. Area,
19,332 acres. Distance from Concord, 35 miles, west by
north. A considerable part of Sunapee Lake lies within
the limits of this town. Although it is Avell watered, yet
there is no stream of noticeable size. Todd Pond, lying in
the south-east part, is 500 rods in length and 60 in width.
In the western portion the surface is hilly, and well adapted
to grazing. The. land is generally mountainous, and the
soil hard and rocky. It was originally called Dantzic. In

8.'?0 NEW HAAIPSHIKE AS IT IS.

1778 it receivetl the naiuo of Fisliersfield, from John
Fisher, one of the iirst proprietors. In 1837 its name was
changed to Newbury. Zephaniah Clark ■was the first set-
tler, in 170;.?. Tliere are three Freewill Baptist societies here.
Population, 738. Number of polls, 168. Inventory,
|23l>,l>30. Value of lands, $154,068. Stock in trade,
^500. Number of sheep, J2541. Do. neat stock, 1153.
Do. horses, 161.

New Castle, Eockingham county. A rough and rocky
island, situated in Portsmouth Harbor, and formerly called
Great Island. A handsome bridge connects it with Ports-
mouth. It is a frequent resort for fishing, which is pur-
sued with great success. The soil among the rocks, being
of good quality, is made to produce abundantly. On this
island is Fort Constitution and a lighthouse. It was in-
corporated in 1693, and contains 458 acres. Hon. Theo-
dore Atkinson, for many years chief justice of the Pro^vince
of New Hampshire, and secret;u-y and president of the
Council, was born at New Castle, December 20, 1697.

Population, 891. Number of polls, 167. Inventory,
1 144,9 19. Value of lands, $1;.\194. Do. vessels, ^J.U,-
S99. Stock in trade, $;n50. Money at interest, i^c,
$J,H),589.

New Di'KiiAM. Straflord county. Pounded north-west
by AVoltliorough and Alton, east by Prooktield and Mid-
dleton, south-east by Farmington, and south-west and west
by Alton. Area, t23,6;^5 acres. Distance from Concord,
35 miles, north-east ; from Dover, oJ^, north-west.

The surface of this town is very \ineven, and a portion
of it is so rocky as to be unlit for cultivation. The soil is
generally moist and well adapted for grazing. There are

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 321

five ponds, the largest of which, — Merry Meeting Pond —
is about 10 miles in circiimference. A copious and perpet-
ual stream issues from it, and discharges into Merry Meet-
ing Bay, in Alton. Ela's River flows from Coldrain Pond,
affording several fine water privileges. Mount Betty,
Cropple Crown, and Straw's Mountain are the principal
eminences. On the north-easterly side of the latter is a
remarkable cave, the entrance of which is three feet wide
and ten feet high. The first, or outer, apartment is 20 feet
square. Those adjacent grow smaller, until at the distance
of 50 feet from the first they are too small to admit of
examination. The sides of the galleries and the rooms are
solid granite. There is a fountain, over which a part of
Ela's Eiver passes, which is regarded as a curiosity. By
sinking a small vessel into it, water may be obtained ex-
tremely pure and cold. Near the centre of the town is
Rattlesnake Hill, the south side of which is perpendicular
and 100 feet in height. Agriculture is the chief employ-
ment. Excellent fruit is raised here.

This town was granted, in 1749, to Ebenezer Smith and
others. It was incorporated, December 7, 1762, under its
present name. A Congregational church was established
here in 1773. Elder Benjamin Randall, the founder of
the sect of Freewill Baptists, commenced his labors here in
1780 and organized a church.

Population, 1048. Number of polls, 269. Inven-
tory, $299,284. Value of lands, 1 176,306. Stock in
trade, $7263. Value of mills, $7725. Money at inter-
est, &c., $7250. Number of sheep, 402. Do. neat stock,
990. Do. horses, 160.

New Hampton, Belknap county. Bounded north by
Holderness, east by Centre Harbor and Meredith, south by

3S2 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Sanbornton and Hill, and west by Bridgewater and Bristol.
Area, 19,422 acres. Distance from Concord, 30 miles,
north-west ; from Guilford, 15, north-west. Pemigewasset
!River is the only stream of magnitude in this town. Over
it is the bridge which connects with Bristol. There is a
remarkable spring on the west side of Kelley's Mountain,
from which issues a stream of sufficient power to carry sev-
eral mills. It is never affected by rains or droughts. The
surface is broken and uneven. The soil is generally re-
markably fertile, though in some parts it is dry and sandy.
In the south part of the town is a high hill of conical
shape, which may be seen, in any direction, a distance of 10,
and even 50, miles.

The Academical and Theological Institution in this
town was established, about the year 1820, under the pat-
ronage of the Baptist denomination.

The Female Seminary was widely known and celebrated
as one of the best institutions in the county, as well on
account of its retired and healthy location as for the thor-
ough and extended course of study pursued, including
nearly all the various branches taught in our colleges.

The Theological Institution was finely located on a
pleasant eminence about half a mile from the principal
village. Within a short time past, both departments have
been located in Vermont ; but, through the enterprise of the
inhabitants, a flourishing and permanent academy has al-
ready been established.

The village of New Hampton is pleasantly situated on a
large plane, surrounded by hills and mountains. The
scenery, especially in the warm season, is picturesque.

New Hampton was incorporated November 27, 1777.
The first settler was Samuel Kelley, who moved here in
1775. The first religious society was the Baptist church.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 323

formed in 1782. A Congregational church was organized
in 1800, but was dissolved in 1816. There are three
meeting houses, four stores, and one hotel.

Population, 1612. Number of polls, 307. Inventory,
$382,344. Value of lands, $244,042. Stock in trade,
$2350. Money at interest, $11,230. Number of sheep,
1444. Do. neat stock, 1430. Do. horses, 220.

Newington, Eockingham county. Bounded north-east
by the Piscataqua River, east by Portsmouth, south by
Greenland, and west by Great and Little Bays. Area,
5273 acres. The soil is generally sandy and unproductive,
excepting near the shores, where it yields heavy crops of
grain and grass. At Fox Point, in the north-westerly part
of the town, Piscataqua Bridge extends over the river to
Goat Island. This bridge was erected in 1793, is 2600
feet long, and 40 wide. Its original cost was $65,401.

Newington was formerly a part of Portsmouth and Do-
ver, and was early settled. The surface is underlaid with
clay slate, which rests upon sienitic granite. Large blocks
of this rock are often found ; and being a handsome and
durable building material, it is quarried for underpinning and
other purposes. The centre of the town is about 150 feet
above the sea. This town was incorporated in July, 1764.
Eev. Joseph Adams, the first minister of Newington, was
ordained here in 1715. Since 1810, with the exception
of occasional preaching, the Congregational society have
been destitute of a minister. There is a lai'ge and flour-
ishing society of Methodists here.

This town, like most of the new settlements, was ex-
posed to' the ravages of the Indians. In May, 1690, a
party of Indians, under a chief called Hoophood, attacked
Fox Point, destroyed several houses, killed fourteen per-

324 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

sons, and captured six others. They were immediately pur-
sued by the inhabitants, who recovered some of the cap-
tives and a portion of the plunder after a severe conflict,
in which Hoophood was wounded.

Population, 472. Number of polls, 129. Inventory,
|182,533. Value of lands, $122,532. Money at interest,
$11,251. Number of sheep, 272. Do. neat stock, 493.
Do. horses, 76.

New Ipswich, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
Sharon and Temple, east by Mason, south by Ashburnham,
Massachusetts, and west by Rindge. Area, 20,860 acres.
Distance from Concord, 50 miles, south-west ; from Am-
herst, 18, south-west. Souhegan River is the principal
stream, though it is well watered by laumerous small rivu-
lets. The soil is a clayey loam, very productive compared
with that of most of the towns in the county. The
water is good, and the water privileges abundant and valu-
able, supplied chiefly by the Souhegan. A cotton factory
was put in operation here in 1803, either the first or second
in the state.

The New Ipswich Academy, a respectable and flourish-
ing institution, was incorporated June 18, 1789.

The principal village is in the centre of the town, in a
pleasant and fertile valley, containing four meeting houses,
the Town House, and Academy. The public houses are
finished in a handsome style. Many of the dwelling
houses are of brick, and present an elegant and substantial
appearance. There are forty stores and shops of various
kinds, two hotels, 'five sawmills, and one gristmill.
( Brow^n's Ticking Mills have 1952 spindles, 54 looms^
and furnish employment for 50 operatives. Manufacture
270,000 yards per annum, and consume 140,000 pounds
raw cotton. E. Brown proprietor and agent.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 325

Mountain Mills — Hiram Smith agent. Number of
spindles, 2232. Do. looms, 54. Do. hands employed,
66. Manufacture drillings. Number of yards manufac-
tured, 44,000 per month. Do. pounds cotton consumed
per month, 12,000. Pay roll per month, for labor, .$980.

Columbian Manufacturing Company — Stephen Smith
agent.

Match Factory — Stephen Thayer proprietor. This es-
tablishment splits a cord of second growth pine into
matches daily.

New Ipswich was first granted by Massachusetts. It
was settled, before 1749, by Reuben Kidder, Archibald
White, Joseph and Ebenezer Bullard, Joseph Stephens,
and eight others. It was regranted in April, 1750, by the
Masonian proprietors, and was incorporated September 9,
1762. This town sent 65 men to Bunker Hill. A Con-
gregational church was gathered here in 1750.

Population, 1877. Number of legal voters in 1854,
408. Inventory, |736,429. Value of lands, $437,546.
Do. mills and factories, $75,720. Stock in trade, $25,124.
Money at interest, &c., $24,620. Number of sheep, 208
Do. neat stock, 1089. Do. horses, 226.

Nevs^ London, Merrimack county. Bounded north by
Springfield and Wilmot, east by Wilmot, south by Sutton
and Newbury, and west by Sunapee Lake and Sunapee.
Little Sunapee Pond, in the west part, and Harvey's and
Messer's Ponds, near the centre of the town, are the only
considerable bodies of water. The two latter are the prin-
cipal sources of Warner River, and are separated only by a
bog, which in many places rises and falls with the water.
The population of New London is principally concentrated
on three large swells of land extending through the town in

326 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

a north-westerly direction. On these swells the soil is deep
and fertile. In the north part the surface grows more un-
even and hilly. In some localities it is rocky, though there
is but very little land unfit for cultivation. Its location is
healthy, and its scenery delightful. The inhabitants are
chiefly devoted to agriculture, and there are some very
productive farms. There is a large establishment where
scythes are extensively manufactured by Messrs. Phillips,
Messer, & Colby, whose reputation as manufacturers of
these implements of husbandry is world wide. A literary
institution has recently been established here under the
patronage of the Baptists. New London was incorporated
June 25, 1779, under the name of Heidleburg. A Bap-
tist church was formed October 23, 1788. A violent
whirlwind passed through this region September 9, 1821.
The damage sustained by the inhabitants was estimated at
^9000. An immense block of granite, 100 feet long, 50
wide, and 20 high, was rent asunder, the two pieces being
thrown a distance of 20 feet from each other.

Population, 945. Number of polls, 236. Inventory,
$327,957. Value of lands, $194,491. Stock in trade,
$6350., Money at interest, $30,600. Number of sheep,
2732. Do. neat stock, 1003. Do. horses, 170.

New Market, Rockingham county. Bounded north by
Lee and Durham, east by Great Bay, south by South New
Market, and west by Epping. Area, 4882 acres. Piscas-
sick River flows through this town in a northerly direction.
Lamprey River washes its north-eastern, and the Swamscot
its south-eastern boundaries. These streams aflford numer-
ous fine water privileges. The surface is generally even,
and the soil excellent. The pursuits of agriculture are
crowned with abundant success. The south-western portion

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 327

is somewhat hilly. The villages are pleasant and thriving.
The houses are neat — many of them are of handsome
structure.

The New Market Manufacturing Company — John Web-
ster agent — were incorporated in 1823. Cotton sheetings
and shirtings are manufactured here. Number of spindles,
18,000. Do. looms, 525. Do. yards of cloth manufac-
tured per annum, 4,500,000. Do. bales of cotton con-
sumed per annum, 4000. Do. operatives, 450.

The manufacture of machinery of various kinds is exten-
sively carried on here. New Market is a very busy town.
Mechanical labor, in its various departments, is quite ex-
tensively pursued.

Mrs. Fanny Shute, who died here in 1819, will be re-
membered, not only for her excellent quaUties, but for
her youthful adventures. When 13 months old, she was
taken by a party of Indians, carried to Canada, and sold to
the French. She was educated in a nunnery, and, after
remaining 13 years in captivity, was redeemed and restored
to her friends.

The Boston and Maine Railroad passes through the east-
ern portion of this town, and connects with the Ports-
mouth and Concord Railroad at the junction in South
New Market.

New Market was originally a part of Exeter, and was
separated and incorporated December 15, 1727. In 1849
a large portion of its territory was detached and erected
into the township of South New Market.

The Congregational church was established here in 1730.
There is also a Methodist and Freewill Baptist society,
each containing respectable numbers.

Population, 1937. Number of polls, 409. Inventory,
$784,112. Value of lands, $345,806. Do. mills and

328 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

factories, $221,000. Stock in trade, $52,950. Money at
interest, $45,-330. Number of sheep, 344. Do. neat
stock, 599. Do. horses, 121.

Newport, shire town of Sullivan county. Bounded
north by Croyden, east by Sunapee and Goshen, south by
Unity, and west by Claremont. Area, 25,267 acres. Dis-
tance from Concord, 39 miles, by the Merrimack and Con-
necticut River Railroad. The central position of this town,
and its valuable water privileges, together with the fact
that it is the county seat, render it a place of considerable
business and importance. Its surface is diversified with
hills and valleys. The soil may be classified by three di-
visions — viz., the alluvial, or the borders of the different
branches of Sugar River, forming rich and fertile meadows,
from one fourth to half a mile in width, on either side
of the streams ; the dry and gravelly, or the low lands in
other parts of the town ; and the moist and cold in the
more elevated parts. In general the soil is productive.
Many farms in this town are under high cultivation.
Sugar River flows through the town, its three branches
uniting near the village, whence it passes through Clare-
mont to the Connecticut. The village is one of the pleas-
antest in the state. Its principal street is broad, and some-
what more than a mile in length. It is nearly surrounded
by hills, which are themselves overtopped by lofty eleva-
tions and mountains in the distance, rendering the scenery
in winter wild and sublime, in summer romantic and
charming.

The houses are well built — some are elegant residences,
adorned with beautiful yards and gardens. The Court
House is a large brick edifice, standing on a gentle rise a
few rods from the principal street. The county build-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 329

ings are conveniently located, and are substantially built.
There are four meeting houses, all of which are situated
on the principal street — the Baptist at the northern ex-
tremity, and the Congregational, a massive brick structure,
at the southern extremity. The Methodist chapel, a new
and handsome edifice, and the TJniversalist meeting house
are situated in the more central part. There are two pub-
lic houses, large and convenient, where the best accommo-
dations are always provided. These houses are a frequent
resort of travellers in the summer season, attracted hither
by the healthiness of the place and the opportunities for
hunting and fishing afforded by the surrounding country.
There are also eight stores, some twenty shores of various
descriptions, three woollen factories, where quite an exten-
sive business is done, two very extensive tanneries, and
one machine shop, where various articles of merchandise
are manufactured. At Northville, a busy place a few
miles from the principal village, are a scythe factory and
numerous other departments of mechanical labor. The in-
habitants are industrious and persevering ; and as idleness
is a stranger among them, so is poverty.

Newport was incorporated October 6, 1761. The first
effort towards a settlement was made, in the fall of 1763,
by Jesse Wilcox, Ebenezer Merrit, Jesse Kelsey, and
Samuel Hurd.

The Congregational church was formed in 1779. The
Baptist church was organized the same year.

The Argus and Spectator is published here ; for histoiy
of which, see another part of this volume.

The Sugar River Bank was incorporated January 7,
1853. Capital stock, |50,000.

Population, 2020. Number of polls, 479. Inven-
tory, $682,156. Value of lands, $383,904. Do. mills

330 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

and factories, $13,700. Stock in trade, $21,950. Money
at intferest, $33,050. Number of sheep, 2753. Do. neat
stock, 2180. Do. horses, 399.

Newton, Rockingham county. Bounded north by
Kingston, east by South Hampton, south by Amesbury,
Massachusetts, and west by Plaistow. Area, 5250 acres.
Nearly one third of Country Pond lies in this town. The
soil is fertile — suitable for the growth of grain and grass.
Joseph Bartlett first settled in this town in 1720, and was
followed in a few months by several others. Twelve years
previous to his settlement here he had been taken by the
Indians in Haverhill and conveyed to Canada, where he
remained four years. A Baptist church was formed here
in 1755, which is the oldest religious society of that de-
nomination in the state. A Congregational church was
organized about 1759. There are four stores, several shoe
shops, employing nearly one third of its inhabitants, and
one hotel. The Boston and Maine Railroad passes through
the town in a north-easterly direction, adding much to the
prosperity of the town.

Population, 685. Number of legal voters in 1854, 210.
Common schools, 6. Inventory, $231,743. Value of
lands, $115,230. Stock in trade, $1600. Money at in-
terest, $11,850. Number of sheep, 119. Do. neat stock,
387. Do, horses, 58. Value of shares in banks, $1250.

Northfield, Merrimack county. Bounded north by
Sanbornton and Gilmanton, east by Gilmanton, south by
Canterbury, and west by Franklin. Area, about 19,000
acres. Distance from Concord, 17 miles, north, by the
Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad. The surface is
uneven, and in some parts hilly. The soil is generally

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 331

good; that of the richest quality Hes in the two ridges
extending through the town, on which are several excellent
farms. Chestnut and Sondogardy Ponds are the largest
collections of water. It is watered by the Winnipiseogee
River and several small streams. The New Hampshire
Conference Seminary, a large and flourishing literary insti-
tution under the patronage of the Methodist denomination,
is pleasantly located on a gentle eminence some 20 or 30
rods from Winnipiseogee River, and about 50 rods from
the depot at Sanbornton Bridge. It has a valuable philo-
sophical and chemical apparatus, and its collection of
minerals is quite extensive. The first settlement in this
town was made, in 1760, by Benjamin Blanchard and
others. A Methodist church was formed here in 1806.
It now numbers about 500 communicants. There are two
factories here — one woollen and one cotton. Northfield
was incorporated June 19, 1780.

Population, 1332. Number of polls, 285. Inventory,
$428,096. Value of lands, $293,067. Stock in trade,
$1250. Do. mills and factories, |8000. Money at in-
terest, &c., $15,114. Number of sheep, 1750. Do. neat
stock, 1168. Do. horses, 197.

North Hampton, Rockingham county. Bounded north
by Greenland, east by Rye and the ocean, south by Hamp-
ton, and west by Stratham. Area, 8465 acres. Distance
from Concord, 47 miles, south-east; from Portsmouth, 9,
south by the Eastern Railroad. Little River rises in the
low grounds in the north part of the town, and, by a wind-
ing course, reaches the sea between Great and Little Boar's
Head. This township formerly constituted the parish
known as North Hill, in Hampton. On Little River are
three sawmills and one gristmill. There are two meeting

332 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

houses, two stores, and one hotel in the prmcipal village.
The settlements here date back to a very early period in
the history of this state. The -first Congregational meet-
ing house was erected in 1738. The early settlers were
much exposed to the ravages of Indians. Garrisons were
erected, to which they resorted in times of danger. In
the year 1677 several persons were killed within the limits
of this town. North Hampton was incorporated Novem-
ber 26, 1743.

Population, 822. Number of legal voters in 1854, 210.
Inventory, |3 15,438. Value of lands, |242,320. Do.
mills, f 1160. Stock in trade, ^1050. Money at interest,
$4751. Number of sheep, 341. Do. neat stock, 723.
Do. horses, 126.

Northumberland, Coos county. Bounded north by
Stratford, east by Stark, south by Lancaster, and west by
Maidstone, Vermont. Distance from Concord, 130 miles,
north ; from Lancaster, 7, north-east. The soil along
the Connecticut is very productive, free from sand and,
gravel, and easily tilled. The original growth of wood
was butternut. A considerable portion of the upland is
excellent for tillage. Cape Horn, a rugged eminence,
which rises abruptly from its base, is sitviated near the
centre of the town. Its northern base is separated from
the Connecticut by a narrow plain, and the Upper Ammo
noosuc washes its eastern side. Here the meadows are
extensive, and are annually flowed by the spring freshets,
presenting the appearance of a large lake. The scenery is
wild and beautiful. The inhabitants are chiefly devoted to
agriculture, and are somewhat noted for raising excellent
stock, although they do not excel in the extent of their
herds. The first settlers were Thomas Burnside and Daniel

GAZETTEER OF KEW HAMPSHIRE. 338

Spaulding, who, with their families, moved here in June,
1767. Near the river, on the plain situated north of Cape
Horn Mountain, are the remains of a fort, erected during
the revolutionary war, and placed under the command of
Captain Jeremiah Eames, a man well known for his useful-
ness and social disposition. This town was incorporated
November 16, 1779.

Population, 429. Number of polls, 128. Inventory,
^146,369. Value of lands, |59,434. Stock in trade,
$10,325. Value of mills and factories, .$3500. Number
of sheep, 698. Do. neat stock, 628. Do. horses, 142.

NoRTHrvvooD, Rockingham county. Bounded north by
Strafford, east by Nottingham, south by Nottingham and
Deerfield, and west by Epsom and Pittsfield. Area, 17,075
acres. There are six ponds in this town — Suncook Pond,
750 rods long, and 100 wide ; Jenners' Pond, 300 rods
long, and 150 wide ; Long Pond, 300 rods long, and 50
wide ; Harvey's Pond, 200 rods long, and from 40 to 80
wide ; and Pleasant and Little Bow Ponds. A part of
Great Bow Pond also lies in this town. The north branch
of Lamprey River has its source near Saddleback Moun-
tain, a high ridge between this town and Deerfield. On
the east side of this ridge crystals and crystalline spar of
various colors and sizes are found. Plumbago occurs in
small quantities, but of superior quality. The position of
Northwood is elevated, commanding an extensive and
delightful view of the ocean and the intervening country.
The soil is generally moist, and suitable for grazing ; in
mild seasons excellent crops of corn and wheat are raised.
A large number of the inhabitants are engaged in the man-
ufacture of shoes. There are three meeting houses, seveji
stores, and one hotel. The Baptist church was organized

334 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

in 1779, the Congregational church in 1781. The Free-
will Baptist society was incorporated in 1832. Northwood
originally constituted a part of Nottingham. It was settled,
March 25, 1763, by Moses Godfrey, John and Increase
Bachelder, and Solomon Bickford. It was incorporated
February 6, 1773.

Population, 1308. Number of legal voters in 1854,
320. Inventory, $392,063. Value of lands, $250,765.
Stock in trade, $8300. Money at interest, &c., $27,050.
Number of sheep, 634. Do. neat stock, 1079. Do. horses,
212.

Nottingham, Rockingham county. Bounded north by
Northwood and Barrington, east by Lee, south by Epping
and Raymond, and west by Deerfield and Northwood. Area,
25,800 acres. Distance from Concord, 25 miles, east;
from Portsmouth, 20, west. There are several ponds, most
of which are small. Little River and several small streams
have their sources in this town, and North River passes
through it. The centre of the town (Nottingham Square)
is pleasantly situated on an eminence, about 450 feet above
the sea level. ^ The northern and north-western parts are
quite rocky and uneven, but in general the soil is well
adapted to pasturage, and is in a good state of cultivation.
The Patuccoway Mountains, lying on the line between
Nottingham and Deerfield, consist of three distinct eleva-
tions, rising abruptly from the vicinity of Round Pond,
and are designated as the Upper, Middle, and Lower
Mountains. On the latter is a dike of greenstone trap,
which crosses its summit, and divides it into two nearly
equal parts. This dike is columnar, and on the face of a
bare ledge, inclined about forty-five degrees ; it assumes
the form of steps, fifteen or sixteen in number, and about

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 335

nine inches in height, and are familiarly called the " Stairs."
Near the centre of the town is a large ledge of white
granular quartz, which affords an inexhaustible supply of
this valuable material. The mountainous parts of the town
were formerly the haunts of beasts of prey. Nottingham
was incorporated May 10, 1722, and settled, in 1727, by
Captain Joseph Cilley and others. A Congregational church
was formed in 1742. During the last Indian war, in 1752,
a Mr. Beard, Mrs. Folsom, and Mrs. Simpson were killed
by the Indians. General Joseph Cilley and Hon. Thomas
Bartlett were distinguished for their services in the revolu-
tionary war. General Henry Butler was also an officer in
the continental army.

Population, 1268. Number of polls, 254. Inventory,
$368,548. Value of lands, |248,310. Stock in trade,
$2505. Value of mills, $10,151. Money at interest,
$19,105. Number of sheep, 897. Do. neat stock, 1153.
Do. horses, 168.

Orange, Grafton county. Bounded north by Dorches-
ter, Groton, and Hebron, east by Hebron and Alexandria,
south by Grafton, and west by Canaan. Area, about
16,000 acres. Distance from Concord, 40 miles, north-
west, by the Northern Railroad, which passes through its
south-western corner ; from Haverhill, 50, south-east.
This is a cold, rugged township, affording some excellent
pastui;age and good lumber. Many mineral substances are
found here, such as lead and iron ore. In the south-east
part of the town is a small pond, from which is taken a
species of paint resembling spruce yellow. Chalk, inter-
mixed with magnesia, has been found in the vicinity of
this pond. Yellow ochre, of a quality superior to that
imported, is found in great abundance in various localities.

336 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Clay, of an excellent quality, exists in different parts of
the town. On the summit of the elevated land which
divides the waters flowing into the Connecticut from those
which flow into the Merrimack, a series of deep pit holes
occur in the solid rock, one of which, from its great depth
and perfect regularity, is called the "Well." It is near
the track of the Northern Railroad. One side has been
broken away, so that a concave section of a semi-cylinder
is seen. Measuring from the top on this side to the bottom,
the perpendicular depth is eleven feet. The stones found
in it were rounded and polished, indicating a violent action
of water here at some period in the existence of this planet.
This summit is about 1000 feet above the waters of the
Connecticut and Merrimack. The rock is hard, and on its
surface occur the scratches usually referred to the ancient
drift epoch.

Orange was granted, under the name of Cardigan,
February 6, 1769, to Isaac Fellows and others. It was
first settled, in 1773, by Silas Harris, Benjamin Shaw, Da-
vid Fames, Colonel Elisha Bayne, and Captain Joseph Ken-
ney. Cardigan Mountain lies in the east part of the town.

Population, 451. Number of polls, 103. Inventory,
198,285. Value of lands, $53,354. Do. mills, $3150.
Stock in trade, $2550. Number of sheei^, 1049. Do.
neat stock, 364. Do. horses, 56.

Orford, Grafton county. Bounded north by Piermont,
east by Wentworth, south by Lyme, and west by Fairlee,
Vermont. Area, 27,000 acres. Distance from Concord,
62 miles ; from Haverhill, 12. This is a valuable farming
town. The soil is generally fertile. The large interval
farms on the Connecticut are well tilled, and, with the
' beautiful village, afford a charming and delightful prospect.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 337

On the west side of Cuba Mountain there are several
beds of valuable limestone, some of which have been
wrought for 25 years. The limestone is 'granular^ but does
not crumble in burning. Specimens of quartz, containing
acicular crystals of oxide of titanium, exist in the region
of this mountain. Near Sunday Mountain is a bed of tal-
cose slate, which answers well for soapstone, and is wrought
to a considerable extent. Copper pyrites, black sulphuret
of copper, green carbonate of copper, magnetic iron ore,
sulphuret of molybdena, and galena are found in various
localities. Kyanite, in large bladed crystals of a pale-blue
color, is also abundant.

The situation of the village is both pleasant and re-
markable. It stands on a beautiful plain, bordered by in-
tervals on the west. Here the river seems to recede
towai'ds the Vermont shore, leaving a rich expansion of fer-
tile meadow on the New Hampshire side. On both sides of
the river the hills approach each other near the centre of
the expansion, so as to leave only a narrow strip of land be-
tween them ; and such is the similarity in form of the lands
at either end of the narrow strip, or neck, that the whole to-
gether has very much the appearance of the figure 8. The
greatest width of each division is one and a half miles, and
the length of each about two and a half miles. On the
west side of the river there is barely space for the rail-
road between the waters and the terminus of the bluff,
which rises almost perpendicularly to a considerable
height.

The village contains three meeting houses, — of which the
Congregational is a new, costly, and sjjlendid edifice, —
one academy, — which is a large and handsome building
of brick, — six stores, and one hotel, which is in every
sense a home for the traveller. The dwelling houses, sur-
29

NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

rounded by spacious yards and charming gardens, pre-
sent the appearance of elegance, comfort, and wealth. The
pursuits of agriculture are crov/ned with abundant success.

Orfordville, a pleasant and flourishing village, is situated
about two miles above the principal village. It contains,
besides several dwelling houses, an extensive tannery, a
chair factory, sash, blind, and door factory, starch fac-
tory, planing shop, clapboard, shingle, lath, and carding
mills, and one valuable gristmill. There are also ten saw-
mills in various parts of the town. Orford Mill Eiver
passing nearly through the centre of the town, furnishes
most of the water power.

The religious societies are two Congregational and one
Universalist.

Orford was granted, September 25, 1761, to Jonathan
Moulton and others. It was settled, in June, 1765, by
General Israel Morey, John Mann, Esq., a Mr. Caswell,
and one Cross. The Congregational church was formed
August 27, 1770.

Population, 1406. Number of legal voters in 1854,
347. Do. common schools, 16. Inventory, ^631,574.
Value of lands, $389,088. Do. mills and factories,
^13,600. Stock in trade, $18,190. Money at interest,
$77,296. Number of sheep, 6094. Do. neat stock, 1591.
Do. horses, 289.

OssiPEE, shire town of Carroll county. Bounded north
by Tamworth, north-east by Freedom and Effingham,
south-east by Wakefield, and west by Wolfborough, Tuf-
tonborough, Moultonborough, and Sandwich. Distance
from Concord, 60 miles, north-east. This is an uneven,
and, in some parts, rocky and mountainous township, af-
fording excellent pasturage. The soil is strong and deep.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 339

Wheat and potatoes of excellent quality are raised here.
Ossipee Lake, a beautiful sheet of water, lies mostly in this
town. Its form is elliptical, and covers about 7000 acres.
Ossipee River is its outlet. Pine and Bear Camp Rivers
flow through the western and north-western parts. There
are also several ponds, of which Bear Pond, in the south-
east part, has no visible outlet. Ossipee Mountain, situated
about four miles north-easterly from Winnipiseogee Lake,
is composed of several distinct peaks, the most lofty of
which is 2361 feet above the sea level, and is well wooded
to its summit. The rock is gneiss, covered with numerous
fragments of trap, of a dull bluish color. Near the foot
of the mountain is a beautiful little cascade, which attracts
numerous visitors. Near the western shore of Ossipee
Lake is a circular mound, about 50 feet in diameter and
10 feet in height, from which have been taken several entire
skeletons, hatchets, tomahawks, &c.

Ossipee was incorporated February 22, 1785.

Population, 2122. Number of polls, 420. Inventory,
^390,938. Value of lands, $211,389. Stock in trade,
$7570. Value of mills, |4955. Money at interest, |9800.
Number of sheep, 969. Do. neat stock, 1872. Do.
horses, 285.

Pelham, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
Windham, east by Salem, and by Lawrence, Massachusetts,
south by Dracut, .' Massachusetts, and west by Hudson.
Distance from Concord, 37 miles south. Beaver River is
the principal stream, on which, and its tributaries, is much
valuable interval. The uplands are good for grazing and
the cultivation of fruit. The proximity of this town to
Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill, particularly to Lowell,
which is only six miles distant, affords a ready and conven-

340 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

lent market for produce of all kinds. All the varieties of
fruit common to this latitude are raised here in great abun-
dance. Granite of a superior quality is found in inex-
haustible quantities here. It is taken to Nashua, LoWell,
Lawrence, and Haverhill, for building purposes.

There are two meeting houses, one academy, two wool-
len factories, where 30 hands are employed, two stores, one
hotel, one wheelwright and carriage shop, three blacksmith
shops, and one manufactory of pruning shears.

The first settlements in this town were made in 1722,
by John Butler, "William Richardson, and others. It was
formerly included in "Wheelwright's purchase and Mason's
patent. The town was incorporated July 5, 1746. At
the time of the revolutionary war, Pelham contained 700
inhabitants, and 87 of the citizens were enrolled on the
lists of the army. A Congregational church was formed
November 13, 1751.

Population, 1071. Number of legal voters in 1854,
244. Inventory, $501,279. Value of lands, |33 1,950.
Do. mills and factories, $10,700. Stock in trade, $4792.
Money at interest, $39,475. Number of sheep, 218.
Do. neat stock, 1008. Do. horses, 152.

Pembroke, Merrimack county. Bounded north-east
and east by Chichester and Epsom, south-east and south by
Allenstown and Hooksett, south-west by Bow, and north-
west by Concord. Area, 10,240 acres. Distance from
Concord, six miles. This town is well watered. The
Suncook, on the south-eastern boundary, affords several
valuable water privileges. The main street extends in a
straight course, nearly parallel with the Merrimack, about
three miles, and, with its fertile fields and neat residences,
presents a very handsome appearance. On this street are

GAZETTEER OF ^-fEW HAMPSHIRE. 341

situated two academies, two meeting houses, one hotel, and
two stores.

The soil is various, and generally productive. On the
rivers are small but valuable tracts of interval ; and from
these the land rises in extensive and beautiful swells, wliich
yield abundantly when properly cultivated. It is connect-
ed with Portsmouth and Concord by the railroad named
after these towns.

The Chelmsford Glass Company manufacture glass here.

Suncook Village, an active and thriving place, is the seat
of considerable business. Quite recently its growth has
been much retarded by a destructive fire.

The Pembroke Mills, situated on the Suncook River,
contain 10,985 spindles and 300 looms. 240,000 yards
of sheetings and printing goods are manufactured annually,
and 552,000 pounds of cotton consumed in the same time.
Number of hands employed, 250.

The Indian name for this territory was Suncook. It
was granted under this name in May, 1727, by Massachu-
setts, to the brave Captain John Lovewell and his faithful
comrades, in consideratiozi of their services against the In-
dians. The whole number was 60, 46 of whom accom-
panied LovcM^ell in his last march to Pequawkett.

The settlements increased slowly in consequence of the
frequent alarms from the Indians, who committed many
depredations upon the property of the inhabitants. James
Carr, killed May 1, 1748, was the only person in this town
who lost his life by the Indians. It was incorporated by
its present name November 1, 1759. This town was deep-
ly concerned in the tedious dispute maintained by the pro-
prietors of Bow against the grantees of lands in this vicin-
ity. A Congregational church was organized here Mai'ch
1, 1737.

29*

342 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Population, 1732. Number of polls, 335. Inventory,
1583,470. Value of lands, |3 17,946. Do. mills and
factories, $62,750. Stock in trade, |13,250. Money at
interest, $71,240. Number of sheep, 506. Do. neat
stock, 977. Do. horses, 184.

Peterborough, Hillsborough county. Bounded north
by Hancock and Greenfield, east by Greenfield and Temple,
south by Sharon, and west by JafFrey and Dublin. Area,
23,780 acres. Distance from Concord, 40 miles, south-
west ; from Amherst, 20, Avest. This town lies in a north-
east direction from the Grand Monaclnock, and is bounded
on the east by a chain of hills called Pack's Monadnock.
Contoocook Piver runs in a northerly direction through the
centre of the town, affording several valuable water privi-
leges. The North Branch River, originating from several
ponds, affords a constant supply of water. On this stream
are some of the best waterfalls in the state. Above these
falls are extensive and valuable meadows ; the soil through-
out the town is highly productive. The surface is beauti-
fully diversified with hills, vales, meadows, broad swells,
brooks, rivulets, and rapidly -fl.o wing rivers. The air
and waters are pure, and the inhabitants are remarkably
healthy. Notwithstanding the high rank of Peterborough
as a farming town, it owes its importance and prosperity
chiefly to its manufacturing facilities. It has long been a
manufacturing town, a cotton mill having been put in oper-
ation as early as 1808.

The Phoenix Factory was incorporated In 1820, although
it had already been in operation several years. Capital,
$100,000. Goods manufactured, drillings and sheetings.
Number of spindles, 4224. Do. looms, 100. Number of
yarn, 28 in sheetings, 18 in drillings. Width of sheetings.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 343

48 to 100 inches. Number of pounds of cotton consumed
annually, 200,000. Do. operatives, 100. Frederic Liv-
ingston agent.

Peterborough Manufacturing Company — incorporated in
1823. This is the old Peterborough Cotton Manufactur-
ing Company, which was incorporated in 1808. Capital,
150,000. Number of spindles, 1604. Do. looms, 41.
Goods manufactured, sheetings ; width, 84 inches. Num-
ber of yarn, 18. Do. pounds cotton consumed per annum,
115,000. Do. hands, 50. This company also have a
separate mill for making batting. Frederic Livingston
agent.

Union Manufacturing Company — J. W. Little super-
intendent. Capital, $100,000. Number of spindles,
2792. Do. looms, 75. Kind of goods, sheetings and
shirtings. Number of yarn, 40. Do. pounds cotton con-
sumed per annum, 100,000. Do. hands employed, 75.

North Factory Company. Capital, $10,000. Number
of spindles, 984. Do. looms, 20. Kind of goods,
drillings. Number of yards manufactured per annum,
256,000. Do. hands, 25. Eli S. Hunt agent.

Woollen Factory, South Village — Noone & Cochran
proprietors. Manufacture flannels. Number of yards
manufactured per annum, 147,256, principally twilled
flannels. Capital, $24,000. Number of hands, 24.
James Gallop superintendent. ^

David Clark, manufacturer of mahogany tables. Num-
ber of hands employed, 8. Yearly amount of business,
$5000.

J. F. Johnspn, sash, door, and blind maker.

Iron Foundery — John Smith, 2d.

Paper Mill — A. P. Morrison.

There are also thirty-one stores and shops of various

344 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

descriptions, five meeting houses, one academy, and two
hotels.

The Peterborough Bank was incorporated July 15,
1854. Capital, $50,000.

The Peterborough Transcript, a weekly journal, is pub-
lished in this town.

This town was granted in 1738, by the government of
Massachusetts, to Samuel Heyw'ood and others. The first
settlers were much exposed to the ravages of the Indians,
as will appear from the following petition, the original of
which was found among the Massachusetts state papers : —

" To His Honour, Spencer Phips Esqu Lieutenant
Governor, and Commander in Chief in and over his Majes-
ty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England.
The Hon'^''-' the Council and Hon'^'''^ House of Representa-
tives of said Province in General Court assembled at Bos-
ton September 26 1750. The Petition of the Subscribers,
Proprietors and Inhabitants of a Township called Petterboro'
for themselves, and the other Proprietors and Inhabitants
of said ToAvnship. Most Humbly Shots-, That the said
Township lyes Exposed to the Indians it being a Frontier
Town and but about Six Miles North from the line parting
this Government and that of New Hampshire And Several ■
Indians have appeared in said Township and last Sabbath
dav some of them broke open a House there and none of
the family being at home Piffled the same and Carried
away many things And the Inhabitants are put in Great
Fear and Terror of their lives by the Indians, so that they
must be Obliged to leave the Town, which is now very
Considerably Settled Unless they can have some Relief
from the Great Goodness of Your Honours. And for as
much as the said Township is so Situated That if the In-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 345

habitants should leave it, Townseud, Hollis Lunenburg
Leominster and Lancaster would be Exposed to the Cruel-
ty of the Indians and would become an easy prey to them
But if your pet"""^ can be protected by Your Honours, and
have a Number of Men sent to their Assistance and a few
Block houses or a Fort built for them, they make no
doubt, with the Blessing of God, they shall be able to
Defend the said Township and to keep the Indians from
making any Attempts on the Towns aforementioned which
are all Surrounded by said Peterborough Your pet""^* there-
fore Most humbly pray Your Honours would be pleased to
take their Distressed Circumstances into Consideration and
Allow them Liberty at the Charge of the Government to
Build Block houses or a Fort and suj)ply them with fifteen
or Twenty men for such men for such a length of time as
your Honours shall think proper that so they may defend
the said Township against the Indians and by that means
Serve the Province by Securing the other Towns aforesaid
from falling into the Indians hands Or that Your Honours
would Grant them such other Relief as in your Great Wis-
dom shall seem meet. And as in duty Bound they will
ever pray, &c. Boston Oct. 4"^ 1750.

thomas Morrison John white John Hill

Alexe Babbe James Gordon William Scott

James michel John Smith thomas Vender

william Robb.
In council, Oct. 6, 1750. Bead and Sent down."

The first settlers were Scotch Presbyterians from Ireland.
Being wholly unaccustomed to clearing and cultivating
wild lands, they suffered great privations. Their nearest
gristmill was in Townsend, a distance of 25 miles ; their
only road a line of marked trees. Peterborough has fur-

346 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

nished a large number of worthy and distinguished men,
who have adorned the bench, the pulpit, the bar, the halls
of Legislature and of Congress, and the chair of state.
This town was incorporated January 17, 1760. The Con-
gregational church was organized October 23, 1799.

Population, 2222. Number of legal voters in 1854,
494. Inventory, $900,950. Value of lands, |467,651.
Do. mills and factories, $108,900. Stock in trade,
$37,030. Money at interest, $107,232. Number of
sheep, 789. Do. neat stock, 1694. Do. horses, 337.

PiERMONT, Grafton county. Bounded north by Haver-
hill, east by Warren, south by Orford, and west by Brad-
ford, Vermont. Area, 23,000 acres. Distance from Con-
cord, 75 miles, by the Passumpsic and Northern Railroads ;
from Haverhill, 8, south. The surface is somewhat hilly,
though the soil is strong, affording excellent pasturage.
The interval on the Connecticut is extensive, and under
high cultivation. Excellent wheat is raised in this town.
The plains adjoining the interval are composed of a sandy
loam, in which, in some places, marl predominates. Iron
Ore Hill contains inexhaustible quantities of specular and
magnetic iron ore, of a very superior quality. The veins
are from 10 to 15 feet in width. This is now extensively
wrought. From the summit of this hill a picturesque
view of the surrounding country is obtained. A layer of
rocks extending through the town in a direction north and
south is extensively quarried, and manufactured into scythe
stones. Peaked and Black Mountains are the principal
elevations. Eastman's Brook, flowing from a pond of the
same name, is a large mill stream, on which are three saw-
mills, one gristmill, two shingle mills, and other works.
In the principal village are two meeting houses, two stores.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 347

one hotel, and one tinware manufactory. The inhabitants
are chiefly engaged in agriculture. Piermont was granted,
November 6, 1764, to John Temple and 59 others. The
first settlement was in 1770. A Congregational church
was formed in 1771. There is also a society of Methodists
and Christians.

Population, 948. Number of legal voters in 1854, 200.
Common schools, 13. Inventory, ^334,147. Value of
lands, |231,350. Stock in trade, $1300. Money at in-
terest, $12,218. Number of sheep, 4082. Do. neat stock,
1137. Do. horses, 199.

Pittsburgh, Coos county. Bounded north by the high-
lands that divide the waters of the St. Lawrence from those
that fall into the Connecticut, east by the State of Maine,
south by Connecticut River, and west by Hall's Stream.
The area is over 200,000 acres. This is the northernmost,
as well as by for the largest, town in the state. The soil is
well adapted to grazing. Indian corn, buckwheat, and the
English grains are extensively and successfully cultivated.
The forests are finely timbered with spruce, birch, beech,
sugar and rock maple, and a small growth of white pine.
The face of the country is broken and uneven, excepting
along the banks of the streams, M^hich in many places are
spread out into large tracts of interval. Indian Stream,
Hall's Stream, and Perry's Stream are within the limits of
this town, and in the early part of the warm season, as
well as in the Ml, timber may be floated upon them for
several miles. Connecticut Lake lies in the north-east part
of the town, is nearly four miles long and three wide, and
is the source of Connecticut River. Second Lake lie^
about four miles above Connecticut Lake, and is connected
with it bv a considerable stream. It is about two miles

348 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

and a half in length and one and three fourths in width.
Third Lake lies about two miles above Second Lake, and
covers about 200 acres. It is situated near the highlands^
separating New Hampshire from Canada. Moose, deer,
and sable, &c., are found here in great abundance. The
lakes and streams swarm with pickerel, trout, eels, suck-
ers, &c, while the otter, minlc, and muskrat are found
along the banks. Pittsburg includes that formerly known
as the Indian Stream Territory, and was the seat of the
celebrated Indian Stream war. The jurisdiction of the
county was in dispute between the British and American
governments, which was settled by the Webster and Ash-
burton treaty of 1842. It also embraces Carlisle grant,
Colebrook Academy grant, and about 60,000 acres of the
public lands belonging to the state. Among the first set-
tlers were General Moody Bedel, who rendered his coun-
try faithful service in the war of 1812, John Haines,
Esq., Rev. Nathaniel Perkins, Jeremiah Tabor, Ebenezer
Fletcher, and about 50 others, who claimed to hold their
lands — 200 acres each — by proprietary grants, which,
however, were repudiated by the state ; but considering
the hardships and privations endured by these settlers, the
state reinvested them in their possessions. Pittsburg was
first settled about 1810. There are two religious societies,
— Methodists and Christians, — seven common schools,
one store, one potato starch factory, four sawmills, two
flouring mills, and one rake manufactory.

Its present population is about 500. Number of legal

voters, 100. Inventory, $76,663. Value of lands,

140,530. Do. mills, $1550. Money at interest, $1700.

* Number of sheep, 662. Do. neat stock, 497. Do. horses,

69. It was incorporated December 10, 1840.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 349

FiTTSFiELD, Merrimack county. Bounded north-east by
Barnstead, south-east by Strafford and Northwood, south-
"west by Chichester and Epsom, and north-west by Loudon.
Area, 14,921 acres. Distance from Concord, 15 miles,
north-east. The surface is uneven and rocky, but the soil
is fertile. Suncodk River passes through this town in a
southerly direction, affording several excellent water privi-
leges. Catamount Mountain extends across the south-east
part of the town. It is 1415 feet above the level of the
sea, which may be seen from its summit. IMonadnock,
Kearsarge, INIoosehillock, and the White Mountains, also,
are visible from its top ; thus rendering the prospect varied,
extensive, and grand. Berry's Pond, about half a mile in
length and fifty rods in width, is on this mountain. In
Wild Goose Pond large masses of bog iron ore have been
found. A short distance north-east from the village is
a chalybeate spring, impregnated with sulphur. Black
tom-maline and magnetic iron ore are found in a few locali-
ties. Peat bogs are numerous, several of which have
been reclaimed, and yield three and a half tons of hay to
the acre. The village is pleasantly situated, and contains
three meeting houses, one academy, nine stores, one hotel,
and one cotton manufactory, with a capital of J$ 160,000,
where 150 hands are employed. There is a society of
Friends here, who have also a house of worship. Pitts-
field was incorporated March 27, 1782. The Congrega-
tional church was organized in 1789 ; the Baptist church in
1801. There is also a large society of Freewill Baptists.

Population, 1828. Number of legal voters in 1854,
460. Common schools, 10. Inventory, f 566,592. Value
of lands, $359,206. Do. mills, |;4675. Stock in trade,
$13,725. Money at interest, $26,189. Number of sheep,
700. Do. neat stock, 1163. Do. horses, 239.
30

350 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Plainfield, Sullivan county. Bounded north by Leb-.
anon, east by Gr-antham, south by Cornish, and west by
Hartland, Vermont. Area, 23,221 acres. Distance from
Concord, 60 miles, north-west ; from Newport, 17, north-
west ; from Dartmouth College, 12, south. Connecticut
Kiver touches its western border, along which are extensive
tracts of valuable interval. In other parts there are many
fertile meadows. A small stream, which has its source in
Croydon Mountains, waters the town. There is no water
power of any considerable importance. The surface is
varied. The soil is generally strong and fertile ; in a few
localities it is hard and stony. This is an excellent town
for grazing and the raising of stock. Limestone of good
quality is found in the western portion, in several places.

Plainfield Plain is a small but pleasant village, situat-
ed on the banks of the Connecticut, and contains two meet-
ing houses, a post office, two stores, and several shops.

East Plainfield contains a few houses, and a meeting
house, erected several years since by the Baptist society,
but which has been unoccupied for some time. The soil
in this vicinity is somewhat cold and rugged.

Meriden is a pleasant and healthy village, situated on a
gentle eminence, iipon the top of which is a handsome
school house, a meeting house, two stores, a large hotel, sev-
eral dwelling houses, and Kimball Union Academy, a wide-
ly-known and distinguished literary institution. It was
endowed with a permanent fund of $40,000, a liberal
bequest of the late Hon. Daniel Kimball. Of the income
of this fund, $150 is annually applied towards the support
of a preacher ; the remainder in aid of young men who
contemplate entering upon the duties of the ministry. A
few years since an appropriation of $12,000 was made by
the widow of Mr. Kimball towards the establishment of a

GAZETTEEK OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 351

female department, and the erection of suitable buildings
for that pui'pose. A large, beautiful, and substantial edifice
was built, upon the lower floor of which are the chapel, a
spacious and well-finished room, and a reading room. On
the second floor are recitation rooms, the room contain-
ing the library and mineral cabinet, and a few rooms for
the use of students. The upper or third story is divided
into apartments for students. This new structure is joined
at right angles with the old building, which is used for
lecture rooms, laboratory, apparatus room, &c. The board
of instructors is large, and made up of permanent and ex-
perienced teachers. The modes of instruction, and the suc-
cess which has hitherto attended the efforts of the trustees
and teachers of this institution, are too generally known to
admit of description. vSuffice it to say that no efforts are
spared to promote the health and advancement, both moral
and intellectual, of the student. It was incorporated June
16, 1813.

On the " Flat," about half a mile east of the Academy,
is the Baptist meeting house, a handsome edifice, containing
a bell, Avhich for sweetness and sonorousness is seldom
equalled. The village contains many pleasant residences.

Plainfield was granted August 14, 1761, and was settled
in 1764, by L. Nash and J. Russell. A Congregational
church was organized in 1765. The Baptist church was
formed in 1792.

Population, 1392. Number of polls, 300. Inventory,
p21,759. Value of lands, $330,710. Do. mills, $1700.
Stock in trade, $2900. Money at interest, $39,901.
Number of sheep, 9860. Do. neat stock, 1256. Do.
horses, 283.

Plaistow, Rockingham county. Bounded north and

352 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

north-east by Kingston, east by Newton, south by Haver-
hill, Massachusetts, and west by Atkinson. Area, 6839
acres. Distance from Concord, 36 miles, south-east ; from
Portsmouth, 30, south-west. The soil is good, being a
mixture of black loam, clay, and gravel. In the north-
west part the surface is rocky and uneven. Various min-
eral substances have been discovered in this section. Clay
of a very good quality is found in great abundance near
the centre.

The village is pleasantly located, and contains two
meeting houses, two stores, and one hotel. The inhabit-
ants are chiefly engaged in farming, and the many thrifty
farms attest their industry and skill.

Plaistow was formerly a part of Haverhill, and included
in the Indian purchase of 1642. Its settlement com-
menced early, but the precise date is not known. Among
the first settlers were Captain Charles Bartlett, Nicholas
"White, Esq., Deacon Benjamin Kimball, and J. Harriman.
The Congregational church was organized December 2,
1730. Deacon J. Harriman is said to have been the first
man in New Hampshire who embraced the Baptist persua-
sion. After this town was annexed to New Hampshire, it
was incorporated, February 28, 1749.

Population, 748. Number of legal voters in 1854, 202.
Do. common schools, 4. Inventory, ^236,878. Value of
lands, $167,862. Stock in trade, $3250. Value of mills,
$1200. Money at interest, $3552.

Plymouth, one of the shire towns of Grafton county.
Bounded north by Rumney and Campton, east by Hol-
derness, south by Bridgewater, and west by Hebron and
Rumney. Area, 16,256 acres. Distance from Concord, 51
miles, north, by the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Rail-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 353

road. This town is -well watered by numerous small
streams in various parts, as well as by Pemigewasset and
Baker's Rivers, both of which are of considerable impor-
tance. Baker's River is about 30 miles in length. The
surface is beautifully diversified with hill and valley, mead-
ow and plain. The soil is good. Several farms in this
town are under a high state of cultivation. The village is
one of the pleasantest in New Hampshire. It is well or-
namented with trees, and the roads leading towards it from
various directions are shaded by graceful and venerable
elms. The dwelling houses are large, and many of them
elegant in structure. Its facilities for trade, owing to its
convenient location with respect to the surrounding towns,
are great and valuable. Especially is this true since the
construction of the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Rail-
road. The public house is large and well constructed.
The grounds around it are beautifully arranged, and the
whole presents an inviting appearance to the traveller. The
Court House is a handsome building, of brick. There are
two meeting houses here, besides several stores and shops.

Plymouth was granted, July 15, 1763, to Joseph Blan-
chard and others. The first settlement was made in August,
1764, by Zachariah Parker and James Hobart. In the
following autumn they were joined by Jotham Cumings,
Josiah Brown, Stephen Webster, Ephraim Weston, David
Webster, and James Blodgett. The Congregational church
was or-ganized in 1765. A Methodist church was formed
in 1803. The intervals in this town were doubtless favor-
ite resorts of the Indians for hunting. At the mouth of
Baker's River, according to tradition, they had a settle-
ment. Indian graves, bones, gun barrels, stone mortars,
pestles, and other utensils have been found here. At this
place the Indians, it is said, were attacked by Captain
30*

354 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Baker, witli a party of men from Haverhill, Massachusetts,
who routed them, killed a large number, and seized a great
quantity of furs which they had collected.

Deacon Noah Johnson, one of Lovewell's men, died
here in the 100th year of his age.

Population, 1290. Number of polls, 297. Inventory,
$311,658. Value of lands, $172,902. Stock in trade,
$14,788. Money at interest, $19,448. Number of sheep,
1106. Do. iieat stock, 1047. Do. horses, 182.

Poplin, — name changed to Freemont in 1854, —
Rockingham county. Bounded north by Epping, east by
Brentwood, south by Danville and Sandown, and west by
Chester and Raymond. Area, 10,320 acres. This town
is watered by Exeter River and several small streams. The
surface is mostly even, and is either plain or rises in moder-
ate swells. The soil is of a good quality, and in general is
well cultivated. The chief pursuit of the inhabitants is
farming, which abundantly repays the efforts of honest toil.
The superfluities of wealth are not coveted, neither are the
miseries of poverty endured ; but coinpetency, the happiest
condition of man, is a blessing widely enjoyed.

This town was incorporated June 22, 1764. The date
of its first settlement is not known. A Methodist church
was organized at an early period.

Population, 509. Number of polls, 127. Inventory,
$189,554. Value of lands, $123,652. Stock in -trade,
$2750. Value of mills, $2816. Money at interest, $3700.
Number of sheep, 419. Do. neat stock, 437. Do. horses,
73.

Portsmouth, seaport, and half shire town of Rocking-
ham county. In connection with its wealth and other ad-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 355

vantages, the fact that Portsmouth is the only seaport in
the state, and its harbor one of the safest and most commo-
dious in the country, renders it, perhaps, the most impor-
tant town in New Hampshire. It is situated on a peninsu-
la on the south side of Piscataqua River, three miles from
the ocean. Its location is pleasant and healthy — the land
sloping by a gentle declivity towards the harbor. In
the central or business part of the city the streets are
mostly paved. The buildings are of brick, and of a style
somewhat antiquated ; but there are many well-constructed
and elegant mansions. " As for antiquity,, the city of
Portsmouth is one of the earliest discovered and first set-
tled places in New England. In the beginning of the
seventeenth century, some merchants of Bristol, England,
having formed a private company for the investigation of
this country, employed for that service Captain Martin
Pring, of Bristol, a skilful navigator, and much praised by
Gorges. They placed under his command two vessels, aus-
piciously named the Speedwell and the Discoverer. In
the year 1603 he set sail for America, and was enabled
to speed so well as to be the first discoverer of New Hamp-
shire. Just 250 yeai-s ago (i. e., from 1853) he entered
the channel of our river, and explored it for three or four
leagues. He landed on this shore, and doubtless, with his
companions, trod upon the soil of this city ; for he came
in search of sassafras, then esteemed in pharmacy a sover-
eign panacea. The city of Portsmouth, therefore, just-
ly boasts of her antiquity of 250 years, and of being
the first soil in New Hampshire that was touched by
the feet of Englishmen. In 1614 the celebrated John
Smith, saved from death by the Indian girl Pocahontas,
examined and extolled the deep waters of the Piscataqua.
In 1623 the Company of Laconia, in England, consisting

356 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

of Gorges and Mason, and many eminent, noble, and en-
terprising merchants of London and other cities, selected
some choice persons, and sent them to establish a plantation
on this river. They came here for trade and commerce,
were high-minded men, and had enlarged views of gov-
ernment, religion, and religious toleration. They were not
of the Puritan party, for Gorges and Mason had not the
same religious views with the Massachusetts planters.
John Mason, the London merchant, member of the Plym-
outh Company for the planting, ruling, and governing of
New England, and first governor of this ■province, ad-
vanced a large sum of money for the welfare of this place,
and may be said to have laid the foundation of its commer-
cial prosperity. David Tomson, a Scotchman, who seems
to have been prominent among the planters, who first set-
tled in this town, built a house at Odiorne's Point, a few
rods north of the evident remains of an ancient fort. It
was built the very year of his arrival here, was the first
house erected on this plantation, and was afterwards called
Mason Hall. It was not until almost eight years after-
wards that Humphrey Chadbourne built the Great House,
which was situated on the bank of the river at the corner
of Court and Water Streets. It was afterwards occupied
by Warnerton and Richard Cutts. The review of their
ancestry, the contemplation of their* enlightened character,
noble enterprise, and liberal views cannot fail to awaken
in the sons of Portsmouth a laudable and elevating pride."
On the 28th of May, 1653, this plantation, " which was
accidentally called Strawberry Bank, by reason of a bank
where strawberries were found," was allowed by the General
Court at Boston, on the petition of Brian Pendleton and
others, to be called Portsmouth, " as being a name most
suitable for this place, it being the river's mouth, and as

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 357

good as any in the land." It was also the name of the
English city in which John Mason was born. The number
of families was then between 50 and 60. •' The line of
the township was ordered to reach from the sea by Hamp-
ton line to Wynnacot River." Our planters were so indus-
trious and successful as to be able to send corn to the early
sufferers at Plymouth.

The first edifice erected here for public worship was an
Episcopal church. It was built, at least as early as 1639,
on what is now called Church Street, and formerly Church
Lane, northerly of the Court House. A parsonage house,
erected at the same time, was situated in Pleasant Street, a
few rods north of the Universalist meeting house. The
parishioners made choice of Richard Gibson, an Episcopa-
lian clergyman, as their pastor, being the first minister that
was settled in this town, and the worship was according to
the ritual of the English church. In the year 1634, Fran-
cis Williams was appointed governor of the plantation.
He was a discreet and sensible man, accomplished in his
manners, and acceptable to the people. He collected about
him many valuable men, whose example and influence were
of the best order. These circumstances gave a high char-
acter to the town. Its reputation was so great that it was
always selected, in the days of the colonial government, as
a most desirable place of residence, and for many years it
was the home of the royal governors and the king's coun-
cil. *' It has been distinguished for men of patriotism.
Here lived William Vaughn, who claimed to be the pro-
jector of the siege of Louisburg, under Pepperell ; Dr.
Cutter, who was a surgeon in that expedition ; Colonel
Meserve, who was one of its mightiest spirits ; Major Hale,
who was an officer in one of the regiments ; and the Rev.
Samuel Langdon, who was the chaplain of the New Hamp-

358 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

shire forces. General Whipple, who resided here for the
largest portion of his life, was one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence. Governor Langdon was al-
ways a devoted friend to his country ; went to Bennington
as a volunteer in the army after the capture of Cornwallis,
and was at Rhode Island with a detachment while the
British troops were there stationed. He, with General
Sullivan, seized, at the fort in the mouth of the harbor, 100
barrels of gunpowder, and so promptly conveyed them to
Bunker Hill that they were of valuable service on the
memorable 17th of June. He had the honor of presiding
in the Senate when General Washington was elected presi-
dent of the United States. He and John Pickering and
Pierce Long were delegates to the convention for the
adoption of the Federal Constitution, and most thoroughly
supported it, long commanded a regiment in the revo-
tionary war, and was a member of the old Congress."

Portsmouth has enjoyed largely the citizenship of litera-
ary men, statesmen, scholars, and jurists. She points to a
Buckminster, a Haven, a Sewall, a PenhalloAv, a Langdon,
a Cutts, a Mason, a Bartlett, a AVebster, — who here devel-
oped and published his colossal powers to the world, — a
Brown, Alden, Pickering, Sherburne, Woodbury, and
Wentworths, and a host of others, who live in history, and
whose memories are cherished by the gratitude and admira-
tion of their posterity. Among the living she points with
pride to the once penniless orphan, but now eminent schol-
lar and sweetest of poets, James T. Fields. Its schools have
always been of a high order, and at present are not sur-
passed by those of any other city.

The Athenfeum, instituted about 37 years ago, contains
8000 volumes of choice, valuable, and expensive books.

Portsmouth has long been celebrated for the skill of its

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 359

naval architects, as well as for its abundance of fine white
oak timber and other materials for ship building. The
merchant service, as well as the United States navy, is
supplied from the ship yards here with many of the finest
first-class vessels. It has always been noted for its enter-
prise and commercial . spirit, and is the immediate centre
of an extensive trade, which, by reason of its increased fa-
cilities by railroad communication, is rapidly enlarging.
Market Square is situated in the central part of the city,
and is the principal seat of the country trade.

Portsmouth is remarkable for its noble, safe, and ca-
pacious harbor. It contains forty feet of water, at low tide,
in the channel, and is protected by islands and headlands
from storms. The river opposite the city is three fourths
of a mile wide ; its current is more than five miles per
hour ; its depth, at low water, seventy feet. The tide
rises here ten feet, and is so rapid as to keep the harbor
free from ice, as well as the river for several miles above
the town. Its great breadth and its delightful banks, in
connection with all its other advantages, render it one of
ihe most important and interesting naval stations in the
country. The city is remarkable for the beautiful scenery
with which it is surrounded. On every elevation is pre-
sented a magnificent landscape. The rides are charming,
always presenting objects of interest and delight. The
climate is salubrious. Great crimes are rarely committed,
and no execution has taken place since the year 1768. In-
telligence, sound morality, and excellent manners pervade
the community. There is also an agreeable harmony
among the various religious denominations. The fields are
generally well cultivated, and much attention is paid to
the study of agriculture. Portsmouth has suffered much
from fires. In December, 1802, 102 buildings were
burned ; in December, 1806, 14, including St. John's

360 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Church; and in December, 1813, 15 acres of the town
were burned over, destroying 397 buildings. Among the
public buildings in Portsmouth are seven handsome
churches, two market houses, an Academy, the Athenaeum,
an Almshouse, and the State Lvmatic Hospital. The Cus-
tom House is situated at the corner of Penhallow and
Daniel Streets. There are four lighthouses attached to
this district — viz. , New Castle, White's Back, White
Island, and Boon Island. Fort Constitution is situated on
the north-west point of Great Island, and nearly opposite
is Fort McClay, in Ivittery, Maine. It is connected with
this latter place by a biidge, and also with the Island of
New Castle.

The Navy Yard is situated on Navy Island, on the east
side of the river, within the limits of Maine, and has every
convenience and facility for the construction of vessels of
the largest class. It is about three fouiths of a mile south-
easterly from the city. The territory embraced within its
limits is about 65 acres, a large portion of which is en-
closed with permanent quay walls of dimension-split gran-
ite. At the wharves abundant depth of water is afforded
for government ships of the largest class. The great ra-
pidity of the tides has worn the channel very deep, so
that the formation of bars is improbable, if not impossible.
On the yard are three ship houses, one of which is 300
feet long, 131 wide, and 72 high from floor to ridge; six
timber sheds, 200 by 60 feet each, built of stone ; mast
house and rigging loft, also of stone, 250 feet long by 70
wide ; a machine shop smithery, in which is a steam en-
gine ; an engine house for woodwork, in which are a saw-
mill, planing machines, circular saws, &c., of the most
approved descriptions. In this building is a double steam
engine of 50 horse power, of excellent workmanship and
the best material, finished, fitted, and set up by workmen

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 361

in the government shop. Convenient and desirable quar-
ters are provided for the commander, lieutenant, purser,
surveyor, and sailing master, and also quarters for boat-
swain, gunner, sailmake^-, carpenter, and ordinary seamen.
A corps of marines, with their officers, is stationed here,
for whom barracks are provided. The magazine is a fine
stone structure, well adapted to the purpose for which it
was erected. The floating balance dry dock is an in-
genious and costly piece of work. A basin for moving
the dock is constructed of stone with hammered face, of rec-
tangular form, 360 feet in length, 125 in width, the walls
six feet thick at the base, abating to three feet, and 14
in height. The floor, as well as the walls, rests on 3000
piles, driven with a ram weighing 3500 pounds, 25 feet
run. These piles are three feet from centre to centre,
capped with timber, and covered with six-inch plank.
Five courses of stone are laid lengthwise of the basin, and
the spaces between them concreted six inches in depth.
The dock is 350 feet long, 115 in width, and the side
walls 38 feet in height. These walls are seven feet in
thickness, in which are partitions forming chambers on
both sides the entire length of the dock. On these walls
and amidships of the dock on each side are steam engines
of ten horse power for operating twelve pumps each.
When a ship is to be received, the dock is floated from the
basin into deep water, one of the end gates removed, the
sinking gates opened, and the dock allowed to sink, if
necessary, 32 feet, by adding to the specific gravity of the
dock by filling the chambers with water, for which purpose
the pumps are put in operation. The ship is then taken into
the dock, received on the cradle, centred, and shored. The
process of raising is now commenced. The end gate is
replaced, the discharging gates opened, and the pumps
31

362 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

again put in operation, and as the water is discharged the
dock rises. When the water is removed from the cham-
bers, the end gate opposite the one before spoken of is re-
moved, and the dock returned to the basin and moored.
During this operation some fifty gates are used in sinking,
raising, and balancing the dock. The pumps by which the
water is raised are 24 in number, three feet stroke, and the
boxes 20 inches square. These pumps are capable of dis-
charging 1,200,000 gallons of water per hour. At the
head of the dock basin is a railway, on an inclination of one
inch in ten feet, on which the ships may be drawn by an
hydraulic machine, operated by steam. The ship, after
being drawn upon this railway, is securely shored on a
stone foundation laid for the purpose. After the ship has
been duly repaired, she may be put afloat ; and the same
means are used as in raising, the order of operation being
simply reversed. The cost of the dock and appendages has
been about $800,000.

The facilities for ship building in this yard are not ex-
celled by any other. The buildings, (some of the most
important having been above mentioned,) together with
the location, depth of water, and accessibility at all times
of the year, — the terms on which competent mechanics
can be obtained, (whose skill is proverbial in naval archi-
tecture,) — render this station entitled to more consider-
ation than it has heretofore received. The sloop of war
Portsmouth, the steamer Saranac, and the frigate Con-
gress, built here, do credit to the station, to the builders,
and to the government. At the present time, however,
more than 400 mechanics are employed in preparing the
frigate Santee for launching, and reconstructing the ship
of the line Franklin, which will be a screw propeller, and
when completed will be the largest war steamer in the
world.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

363

Table of Vessels bxdlt in the District of Poi-tsmouth sitice 1800.

Year.

Vessels.

Ships.

Barks.

Brigs.
12

Schrs.

Sloops.

Tons.

1800

3403

1801

2925

1802

2045

1803

2796

1804

3283

18:)5

3258

1806

2702

1807

1608

1808

1666

1809

1514

1810

2800

1811

4375

1812

626

1813

1814

1315

1815

2057

1816

1612

1817

594

1818

2733

1819

1626

1820

1450

1821

1379

1822

1656

1S23

2429

1824

2650

182.5

2874

1826

1977

1827

2402

1828

2113

1829

916

i8;;o

1308

1831

993

1832

1798

1833

2630

1834

2348

183.5

2813

1836

3853

1837

2982

1838

29.59

1839

2603

1840

3243

1841

2667

1842

526

1843

841

1844

2280

184.5

2720

1846

4113

1847

6822

1848

4277

1849

6010

1850

5857

1851

9977

1&52

10271

1853

10708

1854

12
534

10
256

2
86

12797

165

170,207

364 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Number of vessels belonging to the district of Ports-
mouth on the 1st day of October, 1850, 92 — ships,
17 ; bark, 1 ; brigs, 3 ; schooners, 70 ; sloop, 1. Ton-
nage, 16,448. In addition to this list, there are several
small vessels, from 5 to 20 tons, used for fishing, &c., and
a number of packets which ply between Portsmouth and
places at the head of the river — such as Dover, Berwick,
Exeter, &c.

Banks. — Eockingham Bank — incorporated in Novem-
ber, 1813 ; rechartered December 17, 1852. Capital,
$160,000.

Mechanics and Traders' Bank — incorporated in Decem-
ber, 1844. Capital, $120,000.

Piscataqua Exchange Bank — incorporated in 1844.
Capital, 1200,000.

Portsmouth Savings Bank — incorporated in 1823.
Amount of deposits, $422,676.55. This institution is es-
tablished for the benefit of all classes of individuals. De-
posits are received in sums from $3 upwards, $300 being
the largest sum that can draw interest.

Insurance Companies. — Portsmouth Mutual Eire In-
surance Company — incorporated June 20, 1839. Icha-
bod Kollins president ; John Salter secretary and treas-
urer.

Railroads. — Eastern Railroad in New Hampshire —
incorporated in June, 1836. Capital, $500,000.

Eastern Pailroad — incorporated in Massachusetts. Cap-
ital, $3,850,000.

Portland, Saco, and Portsmouth Railroad — incorporated
in Maine, 1841. Capital, $1,500,000.

Portsmouth and Concord Railroad — incorporated in
July, 1845. Capital, $800,000.

Factories. — Portsmouth Steam Factory — William

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 365

Stearns agent. Capital, $530,000. Erected in 1846. The
present building is 204 feet long by 70 in width, and 6
stories high, with two L's, each 100 feet by 30, and 2
stories high. It runs 27,000 spindles, 450 looms, 'and
manufactures lawns from yarns number 70 and 90. The
machinery is driven by a high pressure steam engine of
200 horse power. 2,900,000 yards of lawn are manufac-
tured annually. 1500 tons of anthracite coal and 395,000
pounds of cotton are consumed annually. Number of
hands employed — males, 150 ; females, 230 ; total, 380.

Bridges. — Portsmouth Bridge — incorporated in June,
1819. Capital, $64,000.

Piscataqua Bridge — built in 1794 ; original cost,
$65,000.

New Castle Bridge — incorporated in 1821.

Maine Railway — incorporated in July, 1833. Capital,
$100,000.

Portsmouth Pier Company — incorporated in 1795.

Hotels. — Rockingham House, 97 State Street, by S.
A. Coburn. Franklin House, 43 Congress Street, "Wil-
lis Barnabee. Piscataqua House, 9 Pleasant Street, Josiah
G. Hadley. Market Street House, 114 Market Street,
Charles W. Walker.

Fire Department. — The Fire Department of Ports-
mouth have under their charge six engines, five of them
suction, with apparatus complete, and about 2000 feet of
hose.

Portsmouth Aqueduct Company — incorported in 1798.
By means of this aqueduct the town is supplied with wa-
ter from a spring about two and a half miles from Market
Square, which is conducted through wooden logs' into most
of the streets, and into dwelling houses.

Newspapers. — New Hampshire Gazette, Daily and
31*

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Thft mitK '^^ . ^ . . .rlntml J '. . ..-.

^ , . : > -7 F.V-"'' -rohn

p»»f/>r, . ......cy.

IPttttftmrtni^" In t^40 J:b^. • ■■.ran viK (-.himp^fA

t6 '"'"Phft f'li^Rjmt l^tCftftf, Oil. '-'

ffjii. .'^IrlftT fX T. ftrtbin«ott, a. f^/>nd

Cemef^r ' OftttWii>^y, fty ^< f'.-.-

prW/M*!** I'.i., /.,... ,, , ; 6tt twn pffmtlft jtAvftiix

<^f knd at rM fr>6t 6f Aivhvi. tt (vvvftr^t ahont: t^

/''. ' ' '•; ' l«wn, 6Yi\ftm<^rM with tcftfts an4

si ' .4^ 6f t^M^ pfmnnrl i« laid 6nt in

l<*fe (^f ^m(^n» dimmmfvmf dwideA by p^a:^^- w»lk(», and
th<^ wh/%!ft »iTrmimd<*d hy ?», 3nh«!f.f»Tif,irt,l stAru* ffiivv*, a,lr>nf?
^hich »;>'ft fAw» rtf eiiflr and mapl*^ frfti^s, A for^ft porfiou.
of th<^ l^te ^hich har* b««tt t;*lwM- wp i» f*nr.lr>«wfrrl by
h?md«ftm<* ?fnH dnmhl*^ brttt i<»ti/ifts, atwl crintein* ta«tefai and

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 367

Harmouy Grove Cemetery is in the rear of, and an addi-
tion to, Auburn Street Cemetery.

The city of Portsmouth "was incorporated July 6. 1S49.
It is 54 miles north-east from Boston, the same distance
south-west from Portland, 45 miles east-south-east from
Concord, iuid 489 miles from the city of "Washiupfton.
It is situated in latitude 43'' 5' north, and longitude
70^ 41' west from Greenwich, or 6° US' east from "Wash-
ington. The population in 1790 was 4T'^0; in 1800,
5339; in 1810, 6934; in 18^20, 73:27 : in 1830, 803:3;
in 1840, 7887; in 1850, 9700. The wealth of the city
is very considerable, and its present condition decidedly
prosperous. The cleanliness of the streets, the neatness
of the houses, the number of trees which ornament the
streets, and the many line gardens scattered throughout
the town, give the place a pleasant and inviting appearance,
while its quietness and proximity to the sea and neighbor-
ing beaches render it a delightful summer resort. From
16:23 until 1641, Portsmouth, including Kittery, Dover,
and Exeter, was an independent republic. It then, with
Exeter, placed itself under the jurisdiction of Massachu-
setts. This connection continued until 1679, when New
Hampshire was formed into a separate province. It was
incorporated, with its present hmits, !May ;28j 1643. Area,
9702 acres.

RAXDOLrii, Coos couuiv. Pounded north by Berlin, east
by Gorham, south by "SMiite ^lountains, and west by Kil-
kenny. This is a cold ;md rugged township, situated at
tlie northern base of the "NA'hite Mountains. Area, about
26,680 acres. In some parts tlie soil is good ; but its pop-
ulation has increased very gradually. Branches of Moose
and Israel's Kivors are the only streams of importance,
thouijh there are numerous brooks well stored with trout.

368 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

The sources of these two rivers are so near that a person of
ordinary size may lie with his feet on the brink of one and
drink out of the other. Moose River runs in an easterly
direction, and Israel's in a westerly.

This town was granted, August 20, 1772, to John Du-

rand, and others from London, under the name of Durand.

It received its present name in 182-1. Distance from

Concord, 120 miles, north ; from Lancaster, 20, south-

' east.

Population, 113. Number of legal voters in 1854, 26.
Do. common schools, S. Hotel, 1. Inventory, $31,670.
Value of lands, .f 23,224. Number of sheep, 114. Do.
neat stock, 95. Do. horses, 17.

Raymond, Rockingham county. Bounded north by
Deerfield and Nottingham, east by Epping and Freemont,
south by Sandown and Chester, and west by Chester and
Candia. Area, 16,317 acres. Distance from Concord,
28 miles, south-east ; from Portsmouth 25, south-west, by
the Portsmouth and Concord Railroad. The principal
streams are two branches of Lamprey River, and the
Patuckaway. The surface is generally even ; the soil is
various. The meadows are productive, and under high
cultivation. In the north part of the town, near the sum-
mit of a hill about 100 feet in height, is a cave, or fissure,
in a ledge, which, from the appearance of its mouth, is
called the Oven. It is a regular arch, about five feet in
height and the same in width, and extends into the hill
about fifteen feet.

Raymond was originally that part of Chester called
Charming Fare. In 1762 it was made a distinct parish ;
it was incorporated May 9, 1765, by its present name.

The names of 24 of the inhabitants of Raymond are
found enrolled among the soldiers of the revolution ; besides,

GAZETTEEK OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 369

numbers of the militia were engaged for short periods.
Four were killed or died in the service.

The Congregational church was organized about 1800.
There is also a iNIethodist and a Freewill Baptist society.
There are ten common schools, three stores, one hotel, and
one shoe manufactory.

Population, 1256. Number of legal voters in 1854,
300. Inventory, $269,958. Value of lands, 1 178,928.
Stock in trade, $1350. Number of sheep, 670. Do.
neat stock, 931. Do. horses, 139.

Richmond, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Swan-
zey, east by Troy and Fitzwilliam, south by Warwick
and Royalston, Massachusetts, and west by Winches-
ter. Area, 23,725 acres. Distance from Concord, 70
miles, south-west ; from Keene, 12, south. It is watered
by branches of Ashuelot and Miller's Bivers, which fall
into the Connecticut. The surface is generally level ; the
soil is favorable for the grains and grasses. Soapstone of
a good quality is found here in considerable quantities. In
the quarry from which the soapstone is taken are found
quartz, felspar, phosphate of lime, pinite, rutile, iron py-
rites, garnets, calcareous spar, and hornblende crystals. In
the hornblende rock occur very perfect crystals of black
tourmaline. lolite of great beauty is found in the quartz.
This is a rare mineral, and is highly valued.

Bichmond contains three meeting houses, three stores,
one hotel, twelve sawmills, two gristmills, four pail manu-
factories, one wooden ware manufactory, and in the village
at the " Four Corners " is a large steam mill, or shop,
which is used for various purposes.

This town was granted, February 28, 1752, to Joseph
Blanchard and others. The first Baptist church was formed

370 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

in 1768 ; the second in 1776. There are also societies of
Quakers, Universalists, and Unitarians.

Population, 1128. Number of legal voters in 1854,
300. Inventory, $308,662. Value of lands, $185,376.
Do. mills, |7750. Stock in trade, $5716. Money at
interest, $13,589. Number of sheep, 403. Do. neat
stock, 1048. Do. horses, 190.

RiNDGE, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Jaffrey
and Sharon, east by New Ipswich, south by Winchendon,
Massachusetts, and west by FitzAvilliam. Area, 23,838
acres Distance from Concord, 50 miles, south-west ; from
Keene, 20, south-east. The surface is very rocky, but the
soil is in most parts deep and rich. There are 13 ponds,
the largest of which are called Manomonack, Emerson,
Perley, Long, Grassy, and Bullet. The three first discharge
their waters by Miller's River ; the three last are drained
into the Contoocook River. These ponds abound with fish,
and are a favorite resort of anglers. There is a small ridge
of land here, from which the v^aters issuing from one side
flow into the Merrimack, and those on the other side into
the Connecticut. Rindge was originally granted by Mas-
sachusetts, and was called Rowley, Canada, or Monadnock
Number One. It received its present name from one of its
proprietors at the time of its incorporation, August 11,
1768. It was settled, in 1752, by Jonathan Stanley,
George Hewitt, and Abel Platts. Rev. Seth Dean was
ordained over the Congregational church in 1765.

Population, 1274. Number of polls, 300. Inventory,
$515,413. Value of lands, $322,542. Stock in trade,
$15,124. Money at interest, $49,650. Number of sheep,
415. Do. neat stock, 1164. Do. horses, 194.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 371

Rochester, Strafford county. Bounded north-east by
Berwick, Maine, south-east by Somersworth and Dover,
south-west by Barrington, and north-west by Farmington.
Area, 22,000 acres. Distance from Concord, 40 miles,
east ; from Dover, 10, north, by the Cocheco Raih'oad,
which connects it with the Portsmouth and Concord and
the Great Falls Railroads. Besides Salmon Fall River,
which separates this town from Berwick and Lebanon, in
Maine, the Cocheco River runs nearly the Avhole length of
the town in a south-easterly direction, while the Isinglass
River crosses its southerly corner just before its conflu-
ence with the Cocheco. Both Salmon Fall and Cocheco
Rivers afford several valuable water privileges ; on the
latter is situated the principal village. The soil is gener-
ally excellent. There are many fine and well-cultivated
farms. The surface is uneven, rising in numerous swells,
the principal of which is Squamanagonnick Hill. Upon it
are several valuable farms.

Considerable attention is paid to manufactures and the
mechanic arts. In the village called Gonic is a large wool-
len factory, owned by N. Y. Whitehousc & Co. The cap-
ital stock is ^75,000. Kind of goods manufactured, flan-
nels, ]3rinters' blankets, and printers' lapping. Number
of spindles, 1760. Do. looms, 25. Do. yards manufac-
tured per annum, 264,400 yards flannels, and 7884 yards
printers' blankets. Do. pounds wool consumed per an-
num, 110,000. Do. operatives, 50.

The capital of the Rochester Bank, in this town, is
$120,000.

James Bean, manufacturer of woollen yarn — consumes
about 1200 pounds wool per month. Number of hands, 6.

This place makes healthy progress in wealth and popu-
lation, which is owing, in a great measure, to its valuable

872 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

water power. Kochester was granted by Massacliusetts to
several proprietors, in 127 shares. Its area then consisted
of 60,000 acres. Since that time 38,000 acres have been
taken to form othe^* towns. It was incorporated May 10,
1722. Captain Timothy Roberts moved into this town
with his family December 28, 1728, and was the first per-
manent settler. He was soon followed by Eleazar Ham,
Benjamin Frost, Joseph Richards, Benjamin Tibbets, and
others. Until Canada v/as taken, in 1760, by the British
and American forces, it remained a frontier town ; the
people were poor, and often distressed, but not discouraged.
When war broke out with the Indians they were obliged
to move their families into garrisons, and to watch night
and day ; nor could they cultivate their little patches of
cleared laird but at the hazard of their lives, protecting
themselves with such numbers as they could muster from
their feeble settlement. The men were bold, hardy, and
industrious, and their sons were early trained to the use of
arms. They soon became a terror to the Indians, and did
not suffer so much from depredations as many other towns
whose situations were far less exposed. In June, 1746, Jo-
seph Heard, Joseph Richards, John Wentworth, and Ger-
shom Downs were killed, and John Richards wounded,
captured, and carried to Canada, whence he soon returned.
Jonathan Door, a boy, was also carried captive to Canada.
In May, 1748, the wife of Jonathan Hodgdon was killed
on a Sunday morning by the Indians, because she refused
to accompany them to Canada. A few years after the set-
tlement of the town a Congregational church was gathered.
There are also societies of ISIethodists and Freewill Bap-
tists. Many of the inhabitants took an active part in the
revolutionary war. The names of Captains John Brewster
and David Place, Colonel John McDufFee, Hon. John

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 373

Plummer, James Knowles, Dr. James How, ^aiicl John
P. Hale, Esq., will not soon be forgotten by the people of
E,ochester.

Population, 3006. Number of polls, GG-i. Inventory, ♦
$934,860. Value of lands, $502,902. Stock in trade,
$39,860. Value of mills and factories, |26,550. Money
at interest, $56,002. Shares in banks, $93,700. Num-
ber of sheep, 1264. Do. neat stock, 1810. Do. horses,
305.

RoLLiNSFORD, Strafford county. Bounded north by
Somersworth, east by South Berwick, Maine, and south and
west by Dover. Distance from Concord, 45 miles, south-
east ; from Dover, one mile, by Great Falls Kailroad, which
connects it with the Portsmouth and Concord and the Co-
checo Railroads. This is a very small township, taken from
Somersworth, and incorporated July 3, 1849. Salmon Fall
Piver washes its western boundary, and affords many val-
uable water privileges. The soil is excellent, and well
adapted to the various kinds of grain and grass. The
Great Falls Bank, in this town, has a capital of $150,000.
Manufactviring is carried on quite extensively.

Population, 1862. Number of polls, 345. Inventory,
$792,459. Value of lands, '$291,956. Stock in trade,
$51,400. Value of factories, $260,577. Money at in-
terest, $30,138. Number of sheep, 113. Do. neat stock,
430. Do. horses, 96.

PoxBURY, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Sulli-
van and Nelson, east by Nelson and Dublin, south by
Marlborough, and west by Keene. Area, about 6000
acres. Distance from Concord, 50 miles, south-west ; from
Keene, 5, east. This is a small but fertile township, the
32

374 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

surface of whicli is rough and uneven, rising into consider-
able swells, and affording excellent pasturage, besides the
various productions common to the climate. The north
' branch of the Ashuelot, which forms the boundary between
this town and Keene, is the principal stream. Roaring
Brook, on which are several valuable meadows, waters the
south part, and affords a few moderate water privileges.
The inhabitants are chiefly devoted to agriculture, although
the mechanic arts, in the several branches, are pursued to
some extent. It formerly constituted a part of Keene,
Marlborough, and Nelson ; from which towns it was dis-
annexed, and incorporated December 9, 1812. A Congre-
gational church was formed August 15, 1816.

Population, 260. Number of polls, 58. Inventory,
195,873. Value of lands, $61,599. Do. mills, $600.
Money at interest, $8565. Number of sheep, 1311. Do.
neat stock, 334. Do. horses, 58.

RuMNEY, Grafton county. Bounded north by Ells-
worth, east by Campton, south by Plymouth, Hebron,
and Groton, and west by Wentworth. Area, 22,475 acres.
Distance from Concord, 5 1 miles, north-west ; from Plym-
outh, 8, north-west. It is connected with both these
towns by the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad. It
is watered by Baker's River and its tributaries. Stinson's
Brook is the outlet of a pond of the same name. The
pond is in the north part of the town, and is 400 rods long
and 200 wide. The surface is uneven ; the soil is gener-
ally fertile. There is much excellent farming and timber
land here, the value of which has been greatly increased
since the construction of the Boston, Concord, and Mon-
treal Railroad, which passes through the southerly part
of the town. The principal elevations are Rattlesnake,

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 375

Webber's, and Stinson's Mountains. The latter received
its name from the fact that, on the 28th of April, 1752,
Daniel Stinson, while on a hunting excursion with General
Stark and others, was killed here by the Indians. From
this lamentable occurrence, the brook, pond, and mountain
will long perpetuate the name of Stinson. Rumney was
granted first to Samuel Olmstead ; afterwards, on the 18th
of March, 1767, to Daniel Brainard and others. It was
first settled in October, 1765, by Captain Jotham Cum-
mings, Moses Smart, Daniel Brainard, James Heath, and
others. A Congregational church was organized here Oc-
tober 21, 1767. A Baptist church was formed in 1780.
At present the Congregational church is destitute of a
pastor.

Population, 1109. Number of polls, 234. Inventory,
$303,562. Value of l^nds, $158,292. Do. mills, $3485.
Stock in trade, $6200. Money at interest, $44,933.
Number of sheep, 1200. Do. neat stock, 1060. Do.
horses, 174.

Hye, Rockingham county. Bounded north and west by
Portsmouth, and south by North Hampton. Its eastern
border for a distance of six miles is sea coast. Area, 7780
acres. Distance from Concord, 50 miles, south-east ; from
Portsmouth, 6, south. The soil is naturally hard and
stubborn ; but, by considerable pains in enriching and till-
ing, it has been made quite productive. There is a small
harbor near Goss's Mill, into which vessels of 70 or 80
tons burden may enter at high water. Fishing is carried
on to a considerable extent, and with fair profit. On the
shore are three large and pleasant beaches, — "Wallis's,
Sandy, and Jenness's, — which have become widely cele-
brated as places of summer resort. About a quarter of a

876 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

mile from the meeting house, in the midst of a white pine
grove, is an extensive granite quarry, from wliich abundant
supplies are taken for building and other purposes.

Breakfast Hill, in the western part of the town, was so
named from an incident which occurred on its summit at
the time of the Indian invasion of 1696. The savages had
been down to the sea shore for the purpose of fishing ; and
returning to the top of this hill, they sat down and pre-
pared their morning meal. While thus engaged they were
surprised by a party of rangers, and captured. The inhab-
itants suffered much in early times from the Indians. In
1694 John Locke was killed while reaping grain in his
field. In 1696, at Sandy Beach, 21 persons at one time
were killed or captured by them.

In the French or Canada war 14 persons belonging to
this town were killed or died in service ; and in the revo-
lutionary war 38 of its inhabitants lost their lives in service
at sea or on the land.

Eye was taken from Portsmouth, Greenland, Hampton,
and New Castle. It was settled as early as 1635, but was
not incorporated until 1719.

A Congregational church was organized July 20, 1726.
There is at present a Methodist and a Freewill Baptist
society.

There are also four stores and five hotels, viz., the
Ocean House, the Atlantic, the Washington House, the
Union House, and the Sagamore House ; all of which are
opened for the accommodation of visitors in the warm
season.

Population, 1296. Number of legal voters in 1854,
300. Inventory, $388,736. Value of lands, $257,364.
Stock in trade, $450. Value of mills, $795. Money
at interest, $13,698. Number of sheep, 234. Do. neat
stock, 900. Do. horses, 149.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 377

Salem, Rockingham county. Bounded north by Deny,
north-east by Atkinson, east and south by Lawrence, Mas-
sachusetts, south-west by Pelham, and west by Windham.
Area, 15,600 acres. Distance from Concord, 40 miles,
south ; from Exeter, 20, south-east. Spiggot River, pass-
ing through this town in a southerly direction, receives in
its coui'se numerous branches, and affords several excellent
mill privileges. The surface is uneven, affording a fair
proportion of interval and upland. The soil is fertile.
There are several factories, mills, mechanics', and machine
shops. The inhabitants are intelligent, industrious, and
enterprising. Salem was incorporated May 11, 1750. The
Congregational church was formed about 1740. There
are also societies of Methodists and Freewill Baptists.

Population, 1555. Number of polls, 341. Inventory,
$523,335.. Value of lands, |366,204. Stock in trade,
$9170. Value of mills and factories, |25,125. Money
at interest, $17,300. Number of sheep, 107. Do. neat
stock, 956. Do. horses, 186.

Salisbury, Merrimack county. Bounded north by An-
dover and Frankhn, east by Franklin, south by Boscawen
and Warner, and west by Warner. Area, about 26,000
acres. Distance from Concord, 16 miles, north-west.
Blackwater River waters this town, flowing nearly through
the centre. The surface is uneven ; the soil of the iipland
is strong, deep, and loamy. The more hilly portion affords
some fine tracts for tillage, but is mostly excellent pas-
turage. On Blackwater River is considerable very fertile
interval. The prevailing rock is granite. A considerable
portion of Kearsarge is within the limits of Salisbury.
The prospect from the summit of this mountain is magnifi-
cent and beautiful. Salisbury will always be celebrated
32*

378 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

as the native town of the late Hon. Daniel Webster. On a
pleasant eminence, near the centre village, stands the house
in which he was born — a humble edifice, and somewhat
dilapidated. The late Hon. Ichabod Bartlett, Hon. Thom-
as H. Pettingill, and Hon. Charles B. Haddock, for many
years professor in Dartmouth College, and present charge
d'affaires to Portugal, were, natives of this town. It was
originally granted by Massachusetts, and was known as
Bakerstown. It was afterwards granted, October 25, 1749,
by the Masonian proprietors, and called Stevenstown. It
was incorporated by New Hampshire under its present
name March 1, 1768. It was settled, in 1750, by Philip
Call, Nathaniel Meloon, Benjamin Pettingill, John and
Ebenezer Webster, Andrew Bohonnon, Edward Eastman,
and others, mostly from Kingston.

The early settlers suffered much from the inroads of the
Indians. On the 16th of May, 1753, Nathaniel Meloon
was captured, with his wife and three children. They
were taken to Canada, where himself and wife were sold to
the French in Montreal. The children were kept by the
Indians, one of whom returned after an absence of nine
years. In August, 1753, the wife of Philip Call was
killed, and on the same day Samuel Scribner and Robert
Barber were captured and taken to Canada.

The Congregational church was organized November
17, 1773. The Baptist society was formed May 25, 1789.

Hon. Ebenezer Webster, the father of the " illustrious
Daniel," was one of the first settlers, a patriot of the revo-
lution, an officer of the militia, for several years senator in
the legislature, and a judge of the Court of Common
Pleas.

Population, 1228. Number of polls, 254. Inventory,
$433,101. Value of lands, $270,793. Do. mills, $2100.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 379

Stock in trade, $10,400. Money at interest, $35,841.
Number of sheep, 6337. Do. neat stock, 1321. Do.
horses, 191.

Sanbornton, Belknap county. Bounded north by Mere-
dith, east by Gilford, south by Gilmanton, Northfield,
Franklin, and Hill, and west by New Hampton. Distance
from Concord, 17 miles, by the Boston, Concord, and
Montreal Railroad, which also connects it with Meredith
Bridge. The bays and rivers encircling this town meas-
ure 30 miles in extent ; the bay between Sanbornton and
]Meredith is three miles in width. The Winnipiseogee
runs along its eastern and southern limits, affording many
excellent mill seats. It is the only stream of note. Sal-
mon Brook, passing through the north-west part, affords
sufficient water power to drive one or two sawmills and a
gristmill during a portion of the year. The surface is gen-
erally uneven, but not mountainous, the highest hills, with
one or two exceptions, being suitable for cultivation. The
soil is almost universally good, and well rewards indus-
trious toil. Two or three miles from Sanbornton Bridge,
on the " Gulf Road," is a gulf extending nearly a mile
through very hard, rocky ground, 38 feet in depth and
from 80 to 100 feet in width. Such is the correspondence
of the sides, that the beholder is strongly impressed with
the belief that they were sundered by some natural con-
vulsion. In the declivity of a neighboring hill is a cavern,
which may be entered in a horizontal direction some 25 or
30 feet.

This town was once the residence of a powerful tribe of
Indians, or, at least, a place of common resort. At the
head of Little Bay are still to be seen the remains of an an-
cient fortification. It consisted of six walls — one extend-

380 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

ing along the river and across a point of land into the bay,
and the others in right angles, connected by a circular wall
in the rear. Within the fort have been found numer-
ous Indian relics, such as implements of war, husbandry,
cooking utensils, &c. When the first settlers of Sanborn-
ton arrived, these walls were breast high, and within the
enclosure large oaks were growing.

Sanbornton Square %vas the first settled part of the town.
It contains two meeting houses and several dwelling houses.
For several years, however, the business of the town has
been confined to Sanbornton Bridge, a pleasant and thriv-
ing village, situated on the northerly side of the Winnipi-
seogee River, and about three and a half miles south-west-
erly from Little Bay. This village is partly in Northfield
and partly in Sanbornton. It contains two meeting houses,
four common schools, the New Hampsliire Conference Sem-
inary and Female Collegiate Institute, five stores, one sati-
net factory, employing 32 hands, one tweed do., employing
30 hands, one cotton do., employing about 50 hands, one
box manufactory, in which 10 hands are employed, and
one piano-forte do., employing 15 hands. There is also one
hotel, situated but a few rods from the depot. It is large,
commodious, and well managed.

The Citizens Bank was incorporated in 1853. Capital,
$50,000.

There are in the town of Sanbornton eight meeting
houses, two of which belong to Congregational, three to
Baptist, two to Freewill Baptist, and one to Methodist,
societies. There are also twenty-eight common schools,
eight stores, and two hotels.

This town was granted by the Masonian proprietors, in
1748, to several persons by the name of Sanborn, and was
settled in 1765, by John Sanborn, David Duston, Andrew

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 381

Rowen, and others. It was incorjDorated March 1, 1770.
About this time the Congregational church was organized.
The first Baptist church was formed in 1793.

Population, 2695. Number of legal voters in 1854,
712. Inventory, |823,423. Value of lands, $513,403.
Stock in trade, $10,215. Value of mills and factories,
$17,600. Money at interest, $45,005. Number of sheep,
3326. Do. neat stock, 2636. Do. horses, 373.

Sandow^n, Kockingham county. Bounded north by
Chester and Freemont, east by Danville, south by Hamp-
stead, and west by Derry and Chester. Area, 8532 acres,
200 of which are covered with water. Distance from
Concord, 31 miles, south-east; from Portsmouth, 26,
south-west. The surface is uneven, but the soil is produc-
tive. Phillips's Pond, lying in the south part, is 340 rods
long and 200 wide. It is the largest body of water in the
town. Swamscot River flows from this pond, and pureues
a level course for nearly two miles, when another stream
unites with it. From this point, whenever the wate'rs are
raised by sudden freshets, the current runs back' towards
the pond with great force.

The settlement of this town was commenced in 1736, by
Moses Tucker, Israel and James Huse, and others. A
Congregational church was organized in 1759. A Meth-
odist church was formed in 1807.

Sandown was originally a part of Kingston, and was in-
corporated April 6, 1756.

Population, 566. Number of polls, 125. Inventory,
$236,629. Value of lands, $123,760. Stock in trade,
$1650. Value of mills, $4150. Money at interest,
$20,310. Number of sheep, 257. Do. neat stock, 461.
Do. horses, 81.

382 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Sandavich, Carroll county. Bounded north by "Water-
ville, east by TamAvorth, south by Moultouborough, and
west by Holderness, Campton, and Thornton. Distance
from Concord, 52 miles, north ; from Ossipee, 22, north-
west. Area, 64,000 acres. It was originally granted by
Governor Benning Wentworth, October 25, 17G3, and
contained an area of six miles square. In September of the
following year, an additional grant was made called Sand-
wich Addition. The Sandwich Mountains are a lofty
range, extending in a north-easterly course, and terminat-
ing Chocorua Peak in Albany. Squam Mountain extends
from Holderness, though a corner of Campton, into Sand-
wich. Bear Camp and Red Hill Rivers are the largest
streams. About one fourth of Squam Lake lies in the south-
west corner of this town, and in connection with the sur-
rounding and distant mountains affords a beautiful prospect.

Sandwich is a fine farming town ; its mountain pastures
are excellent, and are seldom affected by drought. It is
celebrated for its fine horses and cattle. Great efforts are
constantly made to improve the stock.

There are two hotels, eight stores, and quite a number
of shoe manufactories, two Congregational, one INIethodist,
and two Freewill Baptist meeting houses, and a large
society of Quakers or Friends. It has one academy and
twenty-one common schools. ^1658 have been expended
the present year for schools.

Population, 2577. Number of legal voters in 1854,,
710. Inventory, $503,425. Value of lands, $262,824.
Stock in trade, $6770. Value of mills, $3610. Money
at interest, $16,803. Number of sheep, 1975. Do. neat
stock, 2772. Do. horses, 384.

Seabrook, Rockingham county. Bounded north by

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 383

Hampton Falls, east by the Atlantic, sonth by Salisbury,
Massachusetts, and west by South Hampton and Kensing-
ton. It is located in the south-east corner of the state,
15 miles south from Portsmouth, 8 south-east from Ex-
eter, and about 45 south-east from Concord. It lies on
the great eastern route from Boston to Portland. The
Eastern Railroad passes nearly through the centre of the
town. The southerly part was formerly included within
the limits of Massachusetts. The old line from the " Bound
Rock," at the mouth of the river, on which is yet observ-
able the inscription, " A. D. 1657, H. B.," can still be
traced to a rock near the " Brick School House," marked
" B. T.," thence inland. The remainder of the territory
was a part of " Old Hampton."

The west part of the town is undulating. The middle and
eastern portions are comparatively Ipvel. The soil is light,
but productive. Extensive tracts are covered with a heavy
and valuable growth of wood and timber. There are also
large plains of salt marsh. Cam's Brook, rising in Salisbury,
Massachusetts, passes through the south-east part of the
town, and affords a few water privileges of moderate power,
which are occupied by saw and gristmills. Near its mouth
is a valuable tide mill, formerly known as Walton's — now
Robbins's — mill. Several small streams rising in this and
adjacent towns, and uniting in the broad marsh along the
eastern border forms Seabrook River, Avhich, in its course to-
wards the ocean, unites with Hampton River. The beach is a
favorite resort in the warm season. Titcomb's Hill, partly
in this town and partly in South Hampton, and Grape Hill,
in the south-west part of the town, lying partly in Massa-
chusetts, are fine elevations, which afford extensive and
beautiful prospects of the surrounding country. A portion
of the inhabitants are engaged in agricultural pursuits.

384 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

■whose highly cultivated iarms yield abiradant crops. Boat
building is carried on more extensively here than in anv
other town in the state. Several of the inhabitants are
engaged in seafaring pursuits. The fishing business is very
lucrative, though laborious. The manufactiure of shoes is by
no means a small item in the industrial account of this to"?v-n.

Dearborn Academy, foimded in 1851, is located in Sea-
brook. A substantial brick edifice, 54 feet by 40, -was
erected in 1853. An endo-wment of $15,000 was made
by the late Dr. Edward Dearborn, an eminent physician
and a distinguished citizen. It has a pleasant and salu-
bxious situation in Seabrook Tillage, commanding exten-
sive views of neighboring villages, distant moimtains, and
the broad Atlantic.

There are foiur meeting houses in this town. The Old
South meeting house, near the centre of the town, was
erected in the year 1763, and was occupied by Presby-
terian and Congregational societies. The Friends' meeting
house was built about 1765, and is situated in the north
part of the town. The Methodist chrpel A\^as built in
1835. The Evangelical Congregational meeting house
was dedicated July 6, 1836. A fund of $4000 wixs left
by the late Dr. Deai-bom, the income of which is to be
used for the support of the gospel forever in this place.

The early settlers of this town were mostly from Massa-
chusetts. They suffered considerably from the depreda-
tions of the ludians. On one occasion a man by the name
of Dow, li\-ing near a swamp thickly covered with trees j
and shrubs, observed to his brother that he was fearful that
the Indians were lurking near by, being satisfied that they
had been prowling about his house the night previous. He
was ad>'ised to go into the bushes and watch. He did
so, and soon perceived them making their way fi'om the

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 385

swamp. He then ran through the street, crying, "In-
dians ! " A Mr. Gove, who Hved in the house now owned
by David Gove, hearing the cry, jumped upon a stump,
and counted thirty-two, as they issued from their place of
concealment, crawling upon their hands and knees. They
first killed a widow named Hussey, who was passing by
the swamp ; they led her into the bushes, and beat out her
brains with a tomahawk. She was greatly lamented by the
society of Friends, among whom she had been very prom-
inent as a speaker. An earthen vessel which she was then
carrying is now in the possession of Jonathan Gove. They
next killed Thomas Lancaster, who was on his way to
mill. His cries were heard by some men who were build-
ing a garrison near by ; they ran to his assistance, but
finding the Indians superior in numbers they fled. A
friend who was with Lancaster stopped, on his way, at the
house of the late Edward Gove, to "drink a syllabub,^' and
thus escaped. They next slew Jonathan Green, beating
his head with the buts of their guns, and mangling him
in a horrible manner. A widow, living where the house
of Benjamin Brown now stands, left her child with two
young women while she went into a field to pull flax.
When the Indians came the girls fled, leaving the child
behind, which followed after; but, while endeavoring to
climb over a fence, an Indian seized it, and dashed its head
against a plough standing near. They killed and scalped
Nicholas Bond in his own house.

Among the early settlers were Christopher Hussey, Jo-
seph Dow, and Thomas Philbrick. Meshech Weare, the
first chief magistrate of New Hampshire after the revolu-
tion, settled, it is believed, within the limits of this town.
His grandfather, Nathaniel "Weare, was an agent for the
colony, and spent considerable time in England to prose-
33

386 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

cute the complaints of the colonists against the royal govern-
or, Edward Cranfield. His sou, Nathaniel Weare, father
of Meshech Weare, was much engaged in public business.
Both lived within the present limits of Seabrook.

Edward Gove distinguished himself by his opposition to
the British government. He was at length arrested, con-
victed of high treason, and confined in the Tower of Lon-
don. After three years of imprisonment he was released,
and returned to his home in New England. The order
for his pardon is still preserved, of which the following is
a copy : —

" James R.

" Where as Edward Gove was neare three years since
apprehended, tryed & condemned for High Treason in our
Colony of New-England, in America, and in June 1683
was committed prisoner to the Tower of London, we have
thought fit hereby to signify our Will and Pleasure to you,
that you cause him, the said Edward Gove, to be inserted
in the next general Pardon that shall come out for the
poor Convicts of Newgate, without any condition of trans-
portation, he giving such security for his good behavior
as you will think requisite. And for so doing, this shallbe
your Warrant. Given at our Court at Windsor the 14 day
of September 1685, in the first year of our Reign.
" By his Maj. his command.

" Sunderland.

" To our Trusty and Welbeloved the Recorder of our
Citty of London, and all others whom it my concerne.

" Edward Gove to be inserted in ye General Pardon."

The following letter, directed to him during his confine-
ment, is interesting on account of its antiquity at least ; -—

GAZETTEER OF jS'EW HAMPSHIRE. 387

Superscription : " f6r my honoured father Edward Gove.
In the tower or elsewhere. I pray deliver with Care."

" From hampton The 31 of ye first month 1686.
" deare and kind father, through gods good mercy hav-
ing this opportunity to send unto ye hoping in ye Lord
yt ye art in good health — deare father my desire is yt
God in his good mercy would bee pleased to keep ye both
in body and soul. Loving father it is our duty To pray
unto god That hee would by his grace give us good hearts
to pray unto him for grace and strength to support us so
yt ye Love of our hearts and souls should bee always fixed
on him, whereby we should Live A heavenly Life while
wee are upon ye earth so yt gods blessing may be with us
always, as our Savior Christ says in ye world ye shall
have Troubles but in mee ye shall have peace so in ye
Lord Jesus Christ ye true light of yee world There is
peace & joy & love and strength and power & truth to
keep all those yt trust in him. so deare father I hope god
in his good mercy will bee pleased to Bring us together
Againe to his glory and our good. — intreet ye Let us heare
from ye all opportunities as may bee — for it is great joy
to us to heare from ye father. I have one Little daughter
— my husband is troubled with a could — hee Remembers
his duty to ye — So no more at present. I Eest thy duti-
ful son and daughter

" Abraham Clements &
" Hannah Clements."

Seabrook was granted, June 3, 1T68, to Jonathan Weare
and others. Settlement commenced here in 1638.

The society of the Friends was formed in 1701. A
Presbyterian church was organized in 1764.

Population, 1393. Legal voters in 1854, S25. Inven-

388 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

tory, 1313,168. Value of lands, $136,520. Money at
Interest, $18,050. Number of sheep, 65. Do. neat stock,
474. Do. horses, 70.

Sharon, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Pe-
terborough, east by Temple, south by New Ipswich and
Rindge, and west by Jaffrey. Area, 10,000 acres. Dis-
tance from Concord, 48 miles, south-west ; from Amherst,
18, west. The surface is uneven, and in some parts moun-
tainous. It has no village, no tavern, and no store. There
is in the south-easterly part of the town a spring strongly
impregnated with iron and sulphur, and is in high repute
for its medicinal virtues. Sharon was incorporated June
M, 1791.

Population, 226. Inventory, $124,885. Value of lands,
$73,114. Stock in trade, $1300. Number of sheep,
87. Do. neat stock, 401. Do. horses, 46. Do. polls, 45.

Shelburne, Coos county. Bounded north by Success,
east by Riley and Gilead, Maine, south by White Moun-
tain region, and west by Gorham. Area, 18,140 acres.
Ameriscoggin River passes through the centre of this town,
into which fall the waters of Rattle River and several small
streams. The soil on both sides of the river is excellent,
producing grain, grass, and potatoes in abundance. A
short distance from the river the land becomes broken by
mountains, and is unfit for cultivation. Mount Moriah, an
elevated peak of the White Mountains, lies in the south
part of the town. Moses' Rock is a huge mass of granite,
60 feet high, 90 long, very smooth, and rising at an angle
of 50°. In 1775 David and Benjamin Ingalls commenced
a settlement here. In August, 1781, a party of Indians
visited this town, killed one man, captured another.

GAZETTEER OF XEW HAMPSHIRE. 389

plundered the houses, and returned to Canada in triumph.
The Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad passes through
the southern part of the town.

Shelburne was incorporated December 13, 1820.

Population, 480. Number of polls, 70. Inventory,
^101,832. Value of lands, $65,130. Stock in trade,
$980. Value of mills, $200. Money at interest, $4400.
Number of sheep, 541. Do. neat stock, 415. Do.
horses, 70.

SoMERSWORTH, Strafford county. Bounded north-east
by South Berwick, Maine, south by Rollinsford, south-west
by Dover, and north-west by Rochester. Distance from
Concord, 45 miles, east ; from Portsmouth, 12, north-west.
Since the separation of Rollinsford, this town is very small
in area, including only about 5760 acres. It is situated on
the Salmon Fall River, and is one of the most important
towns in the county of Strafford. Here centre the Great
Falls and Conway Railroad, a branch of the Boston and
Maine Railroad, the Great Falls and South Berwick Branch
Railroad, which connects with the Eastern Railroad. Here
also' is the terminus of the York and Cumberland Rail-
road. Most of the inhabitants of this town reside in the
village of Great Falls, which has grown up since 1823.
Prior to that time the only buildings in the vicinity were
a saw and gristmill, and two dwelling houses. In 1823
the Great Falls Manufacturing Company was chartered, and
commenced operations, with a capital of $500,000. This
company have now upwards of 75,000 spindles, and are
now erecting another mill, which will increase the number of
spindles to 83,000, being a larger number than are in oper-
ation by any other corporation in the United States. The
goods manufactured are cotton, consisting of sheetings,
33*

390 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

shirtings, and drillings, the number of yards manufactured
annually amounting to 17,000,000, valued at $1,300,000.
About 5,000,000 pounds of cotton are consumed in the
same time. Number of operatives, 2000. Amount paid
monthly for labor, $33,000. There are also consumed per
annum 100 tons of starch, valued at $9000 ; 3500 cords
of wood, $14,000; 300 tons of coal, $3000; 300,000
feet of lumber, $4000 ; 6000 gallons of sperm oil, $9000 ;
200 tons of iron, $1750; leather for belting and other pur-
poses, $3000. This company also have a bleachery, where
8,000,000 yards of cotton cloth are bleached annually.

The Great Falls Machine Company employ 80 men ;
consume 4,500,000 pounds of iron per annum, and 600
tons of coal ; manufacture machinery, gas pipe, stove and
all other kinds of castings. Value of products per an-
num, about $150,000.

There is also a machine shop owned by several individ-
uals, whose annual business is $50,000.

The Great Falls Bank has a capital of $150,000.
Somersworth Savings Bank — deposits $175,000.
The Great Falls Gaslight Company — capital, $60,000.
The streets and principal buildings are lighted with gas.

The town of Somersworth has recently purchased a
tract of 40 acres, about a mile from the village, for a cem-
etery. The sum of $3000 has already been expended in
enclosing, laying out, and ornamenting the grounds. The
location is retired, but inviting and beautiful.

Great efforts have been made in this town for the ad-
vancement of common schools. The Somersworth Act,
so called, which provides for the union of several school
districts for the purpose of establishing high schools, on a
graduated system, had its origin here. The excellence of
this system has been most satisfactorily proved in this and

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 391

other towns. The school house hi this village is in all
respects one of the best constructed in the state. Here the
scholar may obtain as complete an education as is general-
ly acquired in the academies of New England. -Number
of scholars in the high school, 80. Do. in all the depart-
ments, 800.

The INIanufacturers and Village Library Association has
3500 well-selected books. There are five meeting houses
— one Congregational, one Baptist, one Freewill Baptist,
and two Methodist. The village is named from the im-
mense waterfall in Salmon Fall River at this place. Its
descent within a very short distance is 100 feet, furnishing
some of the most valuable mill privileges in the country.

The various departments of industry, especially the me-
chanical and mercantile, are actively pursued, and impart a
healthy vigor to the whole community.

Somersworth was settled between 1650 and 1700, by
William Wentworth, John Hall, William Stiles, and others.

On the 7th of October, 1675, George and Maturin Kick-
er were surprised and killed by a party of Indians lying
in ambush about half a mile north-east from Varney's Hill.
They were then stripped of their arms and garments.
In 1724, Ebenezer Downs, a Quaker, was taken by
the Indians, and carried to Canada. He was grossly in-
sulted and abused because he refused to dance with the
other captives for the amusement of the savages. He was
redeemed in the following year. Jabez Garland was killed
in the summer of 1710, on his return from public worship.
Gershom Downs was killed by the Indians in 1711, in the
marsh between Varney's ^nd Otis's Hills. The first meet-
ing house was erected in 1729.

The present population of Somersworth is about
6000. Number of legal voters, aboutv 1200. Inventory,

392 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

$1,726,253. Value of lands, |212,579. Stock in trade,
$101,390. Value of mills and factories, $591,000. Money
at interest, |43,592. Money in banks, &c., $112,200.
Number of sheep, 96. Do. neat stock, 40*1. Do. horses, 172.

South Hampton, E,ockingham county. Bounded north
by East Kingston and Kensington, east by Seabrook, south
by Amesbury, Massachusetts, and Avest by Newton. Dis-
tance from Concord, 50 miles, south-east; from Portsmouth,
18, south-west. The surface is uneven, but not rough.
The land rises in moderate swells, and affords excellent
pasturing and tillage. The inhabitants make but little pre-
tensions, excepting in their skill in agriculture ; and their
enterprise, industry, and success justly entitle them to
greater credit than they claim.

Powow River passes through the western portion of the
town, affording a few mill seats. The most valuable priv-
ileges on this stream are in Amesbury, Massachusetts. There
are, one meeting house belonging to the Baptist society, one
hotel, two stores, and an academy, with a fund of $4200,
a bequest of the late Hon. Benjamin Barnard, for the es-
tablishment of an English High School, free to all the chil-
dren in the town over seven years of age.

This town was incorporated May 25, 1742. A Congre-
gational church was organized in 1743.

Population, 472. Number of legal voters in 1854, 115.
Inventory, $268,496. Value of lands, $201,018. Stock
in trade, $3445. Money at interest, $7150. Shares in
banks, &c., $13,500. Number of sheep, 223. Do, neat
stock, 422. Do. horses, 69.

South New^market, Rockingham county. Bounded
north by Newmarket, east by Stratham, south by Exeter,

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 393

and west by Epping. Distance from Concord, 36 miles,
south-east ; from Portsmouth, 12, south-west. This was
originally a part of Newmarket, from which it was sev-
ered, and incorporated June 27, 1849. Its territory is small,
comprising not more than 6000 acres. It contains two
meeting houses, — one Methodist and one Congregational,
— four stores, and one hotel.

The Swamscot Machine Company employ 90 men ; man-
ufacture gas pipe, steam boilers, steam engines, and ma-
chinists' tools of all descriptions. Capital $52,000.

There is also an iron foundery, in which 30 men are em-
ployed.

The junction of the Portsmouth and Concord and the
Great Falls Branch Railroads is in this town.

The principal streams are the Swamscot and the Piscas-
sic Rivers, which afford several valuable mill privileges.
The soil of this township is good and well cultivated.

Population, 516. Number of legal voters in 1854, 166.
Inventory, $104,556. Value of lands, $120,244. Stock
in trade, $13,460. Value of mills and factories, $3516.
Money at interest, $16,172. Number of sheep, 200.
Do. neat stock, 309. Do. horses, 66.

Springfield, Sullivan county. Bounded north by
Grafton, east by Wihnot and New London, south by New
London and Sunapee, and west by Croyden and Grantham.
Area, 28,330 acres, 2300 of which are covered with water.
Distance from Concord, 38 miles, north-west ; from New-
port, 13, north-east. A branch of the Sugar River has its
source in this town, also a branch of the Blackwater Riv-
er, the former discharging into the Connecticut, and the
latter into the Merrimack. There are several ponds scat-
tered through the town. The land is rough and stony, but

394 2s'EW HAJSTPSHIKE AS IT IS.

not mountainous. The soil is strong, and produces well.
There are two meeting houses belonging to societies of
the Ckristian order, thirteen common schools, three stores,
one planing mill, and several factories. There are still
larsre tracts of excellent ■wood and timber land here. In
the east part of the town is an excellent quai'ry of granite.
Population, 1;^T0. Number of legal voters in 1854,
300. Inventory, $269,591. Value of lands, $146,714.
Stock in trade, $1500. Value of mills, $3325. Money
at interest, $12,857. Xumber of sheep, 4637. Do. neat
stock, 1326. Do horses, 166.

Stark, Coos county. Bounded north by Stratford and
ungranted lands called '•' Odell," east by Dummer and Mi-
lan, south by Kilkenny, and west by Xorthumberland.
Area, 20,000 acres. Distance fiom Concord, 135 miles,
north ; from Lancaster, 10, north-east. In the north-east
part of the town, the north and south branches of the
Ammonoosuc form a junction. Nash's Stream falls into this
river, in the north part of the town. The surface is much
broken and hilly. In the valleys are some valuable farms.
Near Mill Mountain is a ledge, which on its southern part
breaks abruptly into a precipice of nearly 300 feet, while
on the north cattle may be driven to its top.

This town was settled in 1788, by Caleb and Benjamin
Smith. It was incorporated December 28, 1832. Previ-
ous to this time it was called Piercy.

Population, 418. Number of poUs, 93. Inventory,
96,213. Value of lands, $50,935. Do. mills, $3075.
Stock in trade, .$220. Money at interest, $5615. Nimiber
of sheep, 648. Do. neat stock, 579. Do horses, 62.

Stewaetstowx, Coos county. Bounded north by

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 395

Clarksville, east by Dixville, south by Colebrook, and west
by Canaan, Vermont. Area, about 23,040 acres. Dis-
tance from Concord, 150 miles, north ; from Lancaster,
40, north-east. Connecticut River passes along the west-
ern border. It is also watered by Bishop's Brook, Dead-
water, and Mohawk Rivers. Little and Great Diamond
Ponds are the principal ponds ; both of these are well
stored with salmon trout. In the north-east part of the
town is an extensive tract of land, unsettled, which fur-
nishes great quantities of excellent timber. There are five
sawmills in operation here.

There are in this town two meeting houses, — one Con-
gregational and one Christian, — one hotel, three stores,
one woollen factory, one gristmill, one iron foundery,
and one starch factory, at which a very large quantity of
starch is annually manufactured.

Stewartstown was incorporated in December, 1799. It
was settled prior to the revolution, but after the war broke
out it was abandoned. The original grantors were Sir
George Cockburn, Sir George Coleman, John Stewart, and
John Nelson. During the war of 1812, a blockhouse or
fort was erected here, and occupied until 1814. On the
site of this fort the American and British surveyors and as-
tronomers met to ascertain the 45th degree of north lat-
itude, between the two nations, according to the terms of
the treaty of Ghent.

Population, 747. Number of legal voters in 1854, 180.
Inventory, $153,598. Value of lands, $74,940. Do.
mills and factories, $3775. Stock in trade, $2200.
Money at interest, $8235. Number of sheep, 1385.
Do. neat stock, 1148. Do. horses, 167.

Stoddard, Cheshire county. Bounded north by "Wash-

396 JfKW llAMrjiinKK A? IT 1?.

ington. cast by "\Mndsor and Antrim, south by Xolsou and
Sullivan, and >\ost by Gilsuin and MaiUnv. Area. or>.i>;^r)
acres, 1100 of >vliioh arc covered with water, distance
from Concord, 4;-? miles, south-west ; tVom Kceue. 14.
north-east. It is situated on the height of land between
the Connecticut and ^lerrimack Kivers. Such is the loca-
tion of some of the houses, that the luin falling upon one
side of the roof runs into the foiuier river, while that fall-
ing upon the other side runs into the latter. The soil is
deep, underlaid with clay. It is well adapted to grazing.
The south branch of Ashuelot Iviver has its source near
the centre of the town. Long Pond, lying partly in this
t-owTi and partly in A^"ashington, is a pleasant sheet of
water, abounding with A-arious kinds of fish. Island Pond
includes about oOO acres, and is studded with small islmids.
Branch Iviver j\tfords niiuiy "sixluable mill privileges.

There are in this town two hotels, three stores, five saw-
mills, one gristmill, five slungle and clapboard mills, and
one pail factory, furnishing employment for '^0 men.
There are two glass factories, each of which contains eight
pot furnaces, which arc kept constantly heated during six
months in the year. The v;\lue of products amounts an-
nually to about §10,000, and consists of window glass and
glass ware of ^•arious kinds. The whole niimber of hands
employed in the glass works, including both sexes, is '^00.
There are also tluee nvke manulactories, two extensive t;m-
neries, and three blacksmiths' shops. Granite of a very
fine grain is abundant, and is used Lu'gely for bxiilding and
other purjxiscs.

There are two religious societies — one Congi-egational
and one X^niversalist — about equal in numbers and wealth.
The former was oi-ganized September 4, 1787. The late
Isaac Kobinson. P. P., was ord;nned Jimuarv 5, ISOo. and

GAZETTEER OF XEW HAMPSHIRE. 397

continued his labors here until July 9, 1854, the time of
his death. He was a man of remarkable mental powers,
of untiring energy and perseverance. Although he en-
joyed but very slight advantages for education, yet by close
and unremitted application he became a sound and learned
divine, as well as a scholar of unusual attainments in the
various departments of science and literature. He was
universally beloved, and his death was deeply regretted.

This town was formerly called Limerick. It was incor-
porated November 4, 1774, when it received the name of
Stoddard from Colonel Samson Stoddard, to whom, with
others, it was granted. It was settled in June, 1769, by
John Taggard and others. The hardships of the first set-
tlers were very great.

Population, 1105. Number of legal voters in 1854,
250. Inventory, $399,408. Value of lands, $242,936.
Stock in trade, .$13,006. Value of mills, $3200. Money
at interest, $36,348. Number of sheep, 4107. Do. neat
stock, 1056. Do. horses, 200.

Strafford, Strafford county. Bounded north-east by
Farmington, south-east by Barrington, south-west by
Northv/ood and Pittsfield, and north-west by Barnstead.
Area, about 29,000 acres. Distance from Concord, 30
miles, north-east ; from Dover, 15, north-west. The sur-
face is uneven, and in the north-west part mountainous.
The soil is generally good. Bow Pond lies in the south-
west part of the town, is 650 rods long and 400 wide,
and is the source of one of the principal branches of Isin-
glass Piver. Wild Goose Pond lies between this town
and Pittsfield, and Trout Pond is west of the Blue Hills,
which cross the north-west part of the town. The inhab-
itants are chiefly engaged in agriculture. Great attention
34

NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

is paid to the raising of stock. Strafford furnishes some
very fine horses and cattle. There are two Freewill Bap-
tist societies here, one Christian and one Methodist. Straf-
ford was originally a part of Barrington, and was severed
from it and incorporated June 17, 1820.

Population, 1930. Number of polls, 470. Inventory,
^491,505. Value of lands, $302,061. Stock in trade,
$3400. Value of mills, |3608. Money at interest,
$12,510. Number of sheep, 1460. Do. neat stock,
2092. Do. horses, 333.

Stratfoed, Coos county. Bounded north by Columbia,,
east by ungranted lands, called " Odell," south by Stark and
Northumberland, and west by Brunswick, Vermont. This
is a large township, extending along the Connecticut River
a distance of ten miles. The interval is very fertile, and
varies from one fourth to one mile in width. The soil,
except along the river, is rocky, gravelly, and cold. The
" Peaks," two mountains of a conical form, situated in the
south-east part of the town, are seen at a great distance.
There are several streams, the largest of which are Bog
Brook and Nash's River. Stratford was incorporated No-
vember 16, 1779. First settlers, Isaac Johnston, James
Curtis, James Brown, Josiah Lampkins, and Archippus
Blodgett.

Population, 552. Number of polls, 183. Inventory,
$146,233. Value of lands, $71,603. Stock in trade,
$3788. Value of mills, $2770. Number of sheep, 517.
Do. neat stock, 678. Do. horses, 204.

Stratham, Rockingham county. Bounded north and
east by Greenland and North Hampton, south by Exeter,
and west by Exeter and Great Bay. Area, 10,120 acres.

AZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 399

Distance from Concord, 43 miles, south-east ; from Exeter,
3, north-east. The land is even, and well calculated for
agricultural purposes. Fruits of all kinds are raised in
greater abundance here than in any other town in the state.
Stratham is celebrated for its extensive nurseries of fruit
trees. From the summit of Stratham Hill, in this town,
a beautiful and extensive prospect is afforded of the
surrounding country, including the White Mountains,
Great Bay, and the ocean. This town was a part of the
Swamscot Patent, or Hilton's Purchase. In 1697 there
were 35 families in the place. It was incorporated March
20, 1716.

A Congregational church was organized at a very early
date. First settled preacher, Rev. Henry Rust, ordained
in 1718. There are at present two Baptist societies, and
one Congregational.

Population, 843. Number of legal voters in 1854, 200.
Inventory, $378,629. Value of lands, 1 185,137. Stock
in trade, $150. Value of mills, $2330. Money at inter-
est, $26,257. Number of sheep, 659. Do. neat stock,
735. Do. horses, 134.

Success, Coos county. Bounded north by Cambridge,
east by Grafton and Riley, Maine, south by Shelburne, and
west by Berlin and Milan. Area, about 30,000 acres.
This is a rough and rugged township. In the south part
it is mountainous. The soil is hard and difficult of cul-
tivation. It was granted, February 12, 1773, to Benjamin
Mackay and others. Distance from Concord, 143 miles,
north-east ; from Lancaster, 30, east.

Sullivan, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Gilsum
and Stoddard, east by Stoddard and Nelson, south by Rox-

400 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

bury and Keene, and \rest by Keene and Gilsum. Area,
12,212 acres. Distance from Concord, 42 miles, south-
west ; from Keene, 6, east. The south-east part of the
town is watered by Ashuelot Eiver. There are two small
ponds, the one called Bolster, the other Chapman's Pond.
The surface is generally even. The soil is very produc-
tive, and well cultivated. The inhabitants are chiefly
farmers, and are intelligent, industrious, and, for the most
part, independent. In 1854 there was not a person as-
sessed for his poll who was not taxed, besides, for property
of more or less value — a circumstance, at least, of rare
occurrence. There is one religious society — the Congre-
gational. SulHvan was incorporated September 27, 1787,
and received its name from President Sullivan, the chief
magistrate of New Hampshire at that time.

Population, 468. Number of legal voters in 1854, 107.
Inventory, ^213,718. Value of lands, $135,776. Stock
in trade, |1605. Value of mills, $2500. Money at in-
terest, $23,704. Number of sheep, 2784. Do. neat stock,
714. Do. horses, 101.

SmsTAPEE, Sullivan county. Bounded north by Spring-
field, east by Nev/ London and Newbury, south by Goshen,
and west by Newport and Croyden. Area, 15,666 acres,
3000 of which are covered with water. Distance from
Concord, 35 miles, north-west ; from Newport, 7, east.
By far the larger portion of Sunapee Lake lies within the
limits of this town. It is a beautiful sheet of water —
abounding with fish — which, with the surrounding country,
afibrds a charming prospect. This is the principal source
of Sugar Eiver, which flows through the centre of the
town, through Newport and Claremont into the Connecti-
cut, afibrding in its course numerous excellent water privi-

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 401

leges. The surface of the town is uneven, and in some
parts rocky and mountainous. The soil is strong and pro-
ductive, if carefully cultivated. It was granted, November
7, 1768, to John Sprague and others, under the name of
Saville. It was settled, in 1772, by emigrants from Ehode
Island, and was incorporated April 4, 1781, when it re-
ceived the name of AVendell from one of the principal pro-
prietors, John Wendell. It received its present name in
1850. A Congregational society was incorporated June
24, 1819. There are at present two religious societies —
one Christian and one Methodist.

Population, 787. Number of polls, 191. Inventory,
$203,o33. Value of lands, $125,451. Stock in trade,
$1550. Money at interest, .$4770. Number of sheep,
1402. Do. neat stock, 1061. Do. horses, 135.

Surrey, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Walpole
and Alstead, east by Gilsum, south by Keene, and west by
Westmoreland and Walpole. Area, 12,212 acres. Dis-
tance from Concord, 52 miles, south-west ; from Keene,
6, north-west. This town is watered by Ashuelot River,
along which there is a valuable tract of interval extending
nearly the whole length of the town from north to south.
On the east side of the river is a steep mountain of consid-
erable height, upon the top of which is a pond of water,
three acres in extent and about 25 feet deep. Surrey was
originally a part of Gilsum and Westmoreland. It was in-
corporated March 9, 1769. The first settlement was made
in 1764, by Peter Hey ward. He began clearing land and
cultivating it in the summer preceding, making his home
at the fort in Keene. He was accustomed to go to his
farm in the morning, and return to the fort at night, guard-
ed only by his dog and gun, though the savages were at
34*

402 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

that time lurking in the woods. A Congregational church
was organized June 12, 1769. There are two meeting
houses in this town, but there is no regular preaching in
either. There are four common schools, two sawmills,
one gristmill, two hotels, and one store.

Population, 556. Number of legal voters in 1854,
117. Inventory, $179,201. Value of lands, $93,633.
Do. mills, $900. Stock in trade, $950. Money at inter-
est, $15,200. Number of sheep, 2130. Do. neat stock,
493. Do. horses, 95.

SuttOjST, Merrimack county. Bounded north by New
London and Wilmot, east by Wilmot and Warner, south
by Warner and Bradford, and west by NeM'bury. Area,
24,300 acres. Distance from Concord, 25 miles, north-
west. The southerly branch of Warner River enters this
town on the south, and the northerly branch passes nearly
through the centre from north to south, and affords many
valuable mill privileges. It is skirted by large and fertile
meadows, which produce grass and grain abundantly. A
large branch of Blackwater River has its source in this
town, near the westei-n base of Kearsarge Mountain, a large
portion of which is in this town. It is visited by hun-
dreds, Avho climb to its summit, attracted by the rich and
charming prospect it presents. There are several ponds ;
the largest is Kezar's Pondy which is aboi^t 190 rods square,
and Long Pond, which is 350 rods in length and 70 in
width. At the foot of King's Hill clay of a superior qual-
ity exists in great abundance. Granite of a fine quality,
and of great value on account of the large blocks, free from
seams, which can be obtained, is found here. Plumbago is
obtained in considerable quantities. The surface is diver-
sified with hills and valleys, and is in some parts rough and

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 403

mountainous. The soil presents all tlie varieties of fertil-
ity and barrenness.

This town was granted by the Masonian proprietors in
1749. It was called Perry stown, from Obadiah Perry, one
of the principal proprietors. It was first settled in 1767,
by Daniel Peaslee, who was soon followed by several oth-
ers. The first settlers found many traces of the Indians,
such as hearths skilfully laid with stone, gun barrels, ovens,
stone pestles, mortars, and tomahawks. An Indian burial-
place was also discovered near the west bank of Kezar's
Pond.

A Baptist church was organized here in April, 1782,
and a Freewill Baptist about 1818. There are at present
three meeting houses, none of which is owned or occu-
pied by any particular religious denomination, but all are
occupied promiscuously by Baptists, Freewill Baptists,
Methodists, Universalists, and Second Adventists. There
are four stores, and several sawmills, where quite an exten-
sive business is carried on in the manufacture of boards,
shingles, laths, timber, &c. There are three considerable
villages in this toAvn, in one of which is a very large
tannery.

Population, 1387. Number of legal voters in 1854, 360.
Do. common schools, 14. Amount of school fund, !|1800.
Inventory, $407,438. Value of lands, $232,901. Stock
in trade, $5175. Value of mills, $5059. Money at
interest, $23,935. Number of sheep, 4047. Do. neat
stock, 1800. Do. horses, 258.

SwANZEY, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Keene,
east by Marlborough and Troy, south by Richmond and
Winchester, and west by Winchester and Chesterfield.
Area, 28,057 acres. Distance from Concord, 60 miles,

404 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

soutli-west ; from Keene, 6, south. The principal streams
are the Ashuelot and the South Branch Kivers, on both of
which are valuable water privileges. The surface of the
town is diversified with hills, valleys, and swells of upland.
Nearly one third part is level, and consists of nearly equal
proportions of plain and interval. The soil consists of the
interval, plain, and upland. The first yields grass abun-
dantly. The plains produce excellent crops of corn, rye,
&c. The soil of the upland is strong and deep, and affords
good pasturing, orcharding, and woodland. Great Pond
and Lock's Pond, lying in West Swanzey, are each about a
mile long, and 2T0 rods in width. Ilyponeco Brook
abounds with trout. There are three meeting houses, — a
Baptist and a Universalist in West Swanzey, and a Congre-
gational in Swanzey Centre, — three hotels, five stores, and
four sash, door, and blind manufactories, with an aggregate
capital of $10,000, where 25 hands are employed; four
bucket and pail manufactories, employing 80 hands, with a
capital of |540,000 ; one box manufactory, employing 7
men ; one steam mill, employing 6 men ; six blacksmith
shops, besides several other shops, for the manufacture
of various articles of merchandise. Tliere are four vil-
lages, — one called Factory Village, another Swanzey Cen-
tre, another West Swanzey, and another West Port, — all
of which are thriving and prosperous. The Ashuelot
Pailroad passes through the two latter villages. The in-
habitants are industrious and enterprising.

Swanzey was first granted by Massachusetts, in 1733, to
64 persons. After the settlement of the divisional line, it
was granted by New Hampshire, July 2, 1753. Until the
latter date it had been called Lower Ashuelot, from the
Indian name, Ashaelock. From 1741 to 1747, the inhab-
itants suffered greatly from Indian depredations. Several

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, 405

were killed, and many were taken prisoners. Massa-
chusetts, under whose jurisdiction the town of Swanzey
remained for 13 years, at this trying period withdrew her
protection, and left the settlers defenceless and exposed to
the fury of the savages. They abandoned the settlement,
and having collected together their furniture and household
goods, concealed them in the ground, covering them with
leaves, bushes, trees, &c. Scarce had they turned their backs
upon the desolate dwellings before the Indians set fire to
them. Every house except one was consumed. About
three years afterwards the former settlers returned. The
first Congregational church was organized in 1741.

Population, 2106. Number of legal voters in 1854,
477. Inventory, |579,921. Value of lands, $354,840.
Stock in trade, |16,175. Value of mills, $22,84:1.
Money at interest, $30,197. Number of sheep, 1065.
Do. neat stock, 1416. Do. horses, 311.

Tamworth, Carroll county. Bounded north by Albany,
east by Madison, south by Ossipee, and west by Sandwich.
Area, 28,917 acres. Distance from Concord, 60 miles,
north. The surface of this town consists* of ridges and
valleys, generally veiy rocky and fertile, thus rendering it
one of the best grazing towns in the state. There are no
mountains lying wholly within the limits of this town,
though on the north are the mountains of Albany, and a
portion of Ossipee Mountain is included within its southern
border. The principal streams are Bear Cainp, Swift, and
Corway Bivers, on which are many valuable water privi-
leges. Lead ore and argentiferous galena are found in sev-
eral localities.

Tamworth was granted, October 14, 1766, to John Web-
ster, Jonathan Moulton, and others. It was settled in

406 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

1771, by Richard Jackman, Jonathan Choate, David Phil-
brick, and William Eastman. The early settlers endured
great hardships and privations in consequence of an early
frost, which cut off nearly all their crops, and reduced
them almost to utter starvation. They were a brave,
hardy, and enterprising company, and amidst all their dis-
couragements firmly resolved not to abandon the settle-
ment. Fortunately they killed now and then a deer, or
bear, or some other wild animal whose flesh was palatable,
and thus sustained themselves until they were able to se-
cui-e permanent relief.

The Congregational church was organized about 1792.
There is also a flourishing society of Methodists.

Population, 1766. Number of polls, 354. Inventory,
$287,875. Value of lands, $142,405. Stock in trade,
$3000. Value of mills and factories, $3350. Money at
interest, $11,950. Number of sheep, 1341. Do. neat
stock, 1881. Do. horses, 279.

Temple, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
Greenfield and Lyndeborough, east by Lyndeborough
and Wilton, south by Mason and New Ipswich, and west
by Sharon and Peterborough. Distance from Concord, 40
miles, south-west ; from Amherst, 12, west. Area, 13,400
acres. Temple Mountains extend along its western and
north-western border, among which are the sources of
numerous small streams. From the summits of these
mountains the prospect towards the east and south is ex-
tensive and beautiful. The surface is generally rocky and
uneven. The soil is of ordinary strength and fertility, and
may be profitably improved either for tillage, grazing, or
woodland. This town is the easterly portion of what was
formerly called Peterborough Slip. It was incorporated

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 407

August 26, 1768. A Congregational church was organ-
ized October 2, 1771. There is also a society of Univer-
salists. There are two stores, two sawmills, one gristmill,
one tannery, and one hotel.

Population, 579. Number of polls, 119. Inventory,
$244,614. Value of lands, $165,630. Stock in trade,
$1900. Value of mills, $850. Money at interest, $17,-
500. Number of sheep, 203. Do. neat stock, 906. Do.
horses, 95.

Thornton, Grafton county. Bounded north-east by
ungranted lands, east by Waterville, south by Campton,
west by Ellsworth, and north-west by Woodstock and Lin-
coln. Area, 28,490 acres. Distance from Plymouth, 12
miles, north ; from Concord, 58, north. It is watered by
Pemigewasset River, which passes through the town in a
southerly diifection, by Mad River, and several smaller
streams. On Mill Brook is a beautiful cascade, where the
water falls seven feet in a distance of two rods, and then
tumbles over a rock 42 feet perpendicular. The brooks
are filled with trout, and afford ample amusement for the
angler and pleasure seeker. The soil is generally fertile.
The interval on the Pemigewasset is very productive.
There are several elevations, but no mountains. Large
tracts of land are covered with a heavy growth of maple,
from which great quantities of maple sugar are made an-
nually. The public house on the road from Plymouth to
Franconia is a handsome and commodious building, and is,
in all respects, well arranged for the comfort and enjoy-
ment of the traveller. This town was granted, July 6,
1763, to Matthew, James, and Andrew Thornton, and
others. It was incorporated November 8, 1781. It was
first settled, in 1770, by Benjamin Hoit. A Congrega-

408 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

tional churcli was organized August 10, 1780. At present
the only religious society is the Freewill Baptist, which is
large and flourishing.

Population, 1012. Number of polls, 236. Inventory,
$230,306. Value of lands, $126,249. Stock in trade,
$5200. Value of mills, $2000. Money at interest,
$5800. Number of sheep, 1403. Do. neat stock, 1310.
Do. horses, 187.

Troy, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Marlbo-
rough, east by Jaffrey, south by Fitzwilliam, and west by
Richmond and Swanzey. Distance from Concord, 54
miles, south-west ; from Keene, 12, south-east. This is a
small township, possessing a variety of surface and soil.
The inhabitants are industrious, and chiefly engaged in ag-
ricultural pursuits. There is a small woollen factory,, four
pail manufactories, five clothes pins do., and •one rake do.
The aggregate number of hands employed in these various
enterprises is 42. There .are six common schools, one
academy, one hotel, and three meeting houses, belonging
respectively to Congregational, Baptist, and Unitarian so-
cieties. This town was severed from Marlborough and
Fitzwilliam, and incorporated January 23, 1815.

Population, 759. Number of legal voters in 1854, 190.
Inventory, $236,910. Value of lands, $126,452. Stock
in trade, $7580. Value of mills, $15,200. Money at
interest, $14,258. Number of sheep, 163. Do. neat
stock, 642. Do. horses, 95.

TuFTONBOROUGH, Carroll covmty. Bounded north-east
by Ossipee, south-east by Wolfborough, south-west by
Lake Winnipiseogee, and north-west by Moultonborough.
There are several ponds in this town, whose waters are

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 409

discharged into the lake. The soil is various ; the surface
in some parts even, in others exceedingly rough. There
are several arms of the lake stretching far inland, and pre-
senting to the spectator, from the summits of the hills, a
succession of beautiful and lively views, some of which are
unsurpassed by those from any other position in this re-
gion. The inhabitants are industrious and frugal, direct-
ing their attention chiefly to the care of their flocks and
herds. This town was originally granted to J. Tufton
Mason, was settled about 1780, and incorporated Decem-
ber IT, 1795. Among the early settlers were Benjamin
Bean, Phinehas Graves, and Joseph Peavey. A Congrega-
tional church was organized about 1800. There are Free-
will Baptist, Christian, and Methodist societies, all of which
have regular preaching.

Population, 1305. Number of polls, 277. Inventory,
1353,405. Value of lands, $222,766. Stock in trade,
$3884. Value of mills, |6800. Money at interest,
$15,990. Number of sheep, 1137. Do. neat stock, 1703.
Do. horses, 325.

Unity, Sullivan county. Bounded north by Claremont
and Newport, east by Goshen, south by Lempster and Ac-
worth, and west by Charlestown. Area, 24,447 acres.
Distance from Concord, 50 miles, north-west ; from New-
port, 9, south, Gilman's, Cold, and Marshall's Ponds are
the largest collections of water. The latter is the source
of Little Sugar River. Cold Pond is the head of Cold
Biver. From Gilman's Pond flows a branch of Sugar
River. Perry's Mountain is in the south-west part of the
town, lying partly in Charlestown. This is an uneven and
rocky township, and, with its strong, fertile soil, is well
adapted to grazing and the raising of stock. Unity is cele-
35

410 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

brated for Its excellent cattle. There are numerous locali-
ties in this town of a character highly interesting to the
geologist and mineralogist. The rock formation consists of
gneiss and granite, overlaid by strata of micaceous, horn-
blende, and chlorite slate. The direction of the strata is
north by east — dip, south, 80°. Near the north-western
corner of the town the argillaceous slate rocks occur, over-
lapping the older primary strata. Granular quartz, in
great abundance, of an excellent quality, and easily tritu-
rated, is found here. There is a strong chalybeate spring
in the eastern part of the town, which is quite celebrated ;
it is highly charged with salts of iron, and possesses tonic
properties. From the soil around this spring copperas has
been manufactured by leaching and evaporation. Bog
iron ore, in small quantities, is found in various localities.
Near Little Sugar River is a large and valuable mine of
copper and iron pyrites. Its location is favorable for
working, and, from the fact that the vein is one foot nine
inches in width three feet from the surface, and constant-
ly widens as it descends, it is believed to contain almost
an inexhaustible supply. Near this mine a new mineral
was discovered by Dr. Jackson, and named by him chlo-
rophyllite. It occurs in the sienite rocks, which are found
embedded in gneiss. Crystals of magnetic iron ore, in
octahedral forms, are found disseminated in green mica ;
also garnets and radiated actinolite. lolite, a fine, deli-
cate, blue-colored stone, which is valued highly by jewel-
lers, and titanium, valued in the arts of porcelain painting
and in the manufacture of mineral teeth, are found here in
considerable quantities.

Unity was granted, July 13, 1764, to Theodore Atkin-
son, Meshech Weare, and 45 others. The first settlers
were John Ladd, Moses Thurston, Charles Huntoon, Esq.,

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 411

and Joseph Perkins. It was called Unity on account of
a friendly adjustment of a dispute, which had existed for
a long time, between certain inhabitants of Hampstead
and Kingston; each party claiming the same territory
under different grants. It contains two meeting houses,
one academy, and one store. The religious societies are
Methodists and Baptists.

Population, 961. Number of legal voters in 1854, 200.
Common schools, 15. Inventory, ^358,993. Value of
lands, $197,355. Stock in trade, $450. Value of mills,
$850. Money at interest, $23,860. Number of sheep,
5994. Do. neat stock, 1225. Do. horses, 218.

Wakefield, Carroll county. Bounded north-west by
Ossipee and Effingham, east by Newfield, Maine, south-
east by Milton, and south-west by Middleton and Brook-
field. Distance from Concord, 50 miles, north-east; from
Ossipee, 10, south-east. Province Pond, between this
town and Effingham, is 450 rods long and 400 wide.
Pine River Pond is the source of a river of the same
name. The principal branch of the Piscataqua River
takes its rise from East Pond, in the south-eastern part of
the state. Lovewell's Pond, 700 rods long and 275 wide,
and lying in the south part of the town, received its name
from Captain John Lovewell, who surprised and destroyed
a party of Indians near its eastern shore. The soil is
generally good, and is well adapted to grazing. The
surface is broken and hilly. It was formerly called East
Town, and was incorporated August 30, 1774. There
are several very valuable water privileges here ; and along
the streams there is considerable interval, which is very
productive, and well cultivated.

The Congregational church was organized in 1785.

412 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

There is also a Freewill Baptist society, which is large and
flourishing.

Population, 1405. Number of polls, 299. Inventory,
$309,165. Value of lands, |177,278. Stock in trade,
$2900. Value of mills and flictories, $3550. Money at
interest, $9837. Number of sheep, 699. Do. neat stock,
1473. Do. horses, 240.

Walpole, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Charles-
town and Langdon, east by Alstead and Surrey, south by
Surrey and Westmoreland, and west by Westminster and
Rockingham, Vermont. Area, 24,301 acres. Distance
from Concord, 60 miles, south-west ; from Keene, 22,
north-west, Mdth which it is connected by the Cheshire
Railroad. This town is beautifully diversified with hills
and vales. The intervals, especially those on Connecticut
River, are extensive, and afford excellent tillage. The
uplands are inferior to none in the state. Walpole stands
among the highest in New Hampshire as an agricultural
town. Cold River passes through the north part of the
town, and unites with the Connecticut about one mile
south of Bellows Falls. Near these falls is a lofty hill,
800 feet above the surface of the river. The rock com-
posing this mountain is plumbaginous mica slate passing
into argillaceous slate on one side, and hard mica slate con-
taining fibriolite on the other. The principal village is
situated on a large plain, about four miles south from Bel-
lows Falls'. The main street runs north and south, and is
bordered on either side with houses, stores, and shops. Its
common, handsomely laiH out and ornamented with trees;
its broad streets, adorned with majestic elms and maples ;
its many elegant and costly residences, with their spacious
and beautiful yards and gardens, and the neatness and

GAZETTEER OF NEW EAMPSHIRE. 413

order wliich generally prevail, together with the picturesque
beauty of the surrounding country, render it one of the
most delightful villages in New Hampshire. This town is
distinguished for its excellent schools, and its valuable
efforts to promote the interests of education. It has within
a few years adopted the Somersworth Act, and has erected
a large, convenient, and handsome building for a high
school. The school fund is ^1577 50. In the village
are seven stores, one hotel, three meeting houses, — one
Unitarian, one Congregational, and one Methodist — and
about a mile south-east from the village is a meeting
house owned by the Universalist society. There are two
shoe manufactories, with a capital of ,'^1700, furnishing
employment for 15 hands ; one shirt manufactory, where
about 250 hands are engaged ; one carriage factory,
employing 12 hands, besides some 12 or 15 other shops
for various purposes. At the bridge which crosses the
river near this place, first erected in 1785, is a most sub-
lime and interesting view. The river is confined in a
narrow channel between steep rocks, and for nearly a quar-
ter of a mile is forced onward with great impetuosity, and
loud, deep roaring. The fall is in no place perpendicular,
the waters falhng 42 feet in the distance of 160 , rods.
On the west side of the falls is a canal, with nine locks.
Ai'ound the falls is an interesting locality of minerals.
The almost incredible effects of the current of the river at
this place afford striking and beautiful illustrations of the
science of geology. A channel has been worn into a solid
rock, or bed of granite, to a depth of 10 or 15 feet; and
this was in all probability effected while the water was
pouring over the precipitous hillsides south of the present
bed, and before the rocks which form the present cataract
had ever been sprinkled by the foam of the dashing waves.
35*

414 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Here the effects of the current upon the rocks are still
more wonderful. Numerous holes are bored perpendicu-
larly mto them with all the symmetry and smoothness of
the inner surface of a porcelain jar, some of which are
capable of holding sevei'al barrels of water; and one is 18
feet deep. All these pot holes lie high and dry above the
ordinary height of water, and are only reached by high
floods or freshets. Indian relics of various kinds are
found in the vicinity of the falls, and upon the rocks are
chiselled portraits of savages, variously ornamented. Near
this place are the Abenaqui Springs, whose waters possess
remarkable medicinal properties. They are highly tonic,
and efficacious in scrofulous and nearly all cutaneous
affections. These springs were formerly visited by the
various tribes of Indians who dwelt in this region, and are
named after the Abenaqui, or St. Francis Indians. From
a chemical analysis, one gallon of this water was found
to contain 13.34 grains of salts, which were decomposed
into crenate of iron 7.10, crenate of lime 4.11, chloride of
sodium, sulphates of soda, and lime, and silica 2.13.

At the base of Fall Mountain, and near the springs, is
the Fall Mountain Hotel, located in a beautifully romantic
and retired spot, for the accommodation of travellers, inva-
lids, and persons of leisure. From the hotel a path leads
directly to Table Rock, on the summit of the mountain,
which commands an extensive and delightful view of the
valley of the Connecticut. About two miles south of Bel-
lows Falls is a cemetery, beautifully situated in a rural and
quiet spot. Within these grounds a large marble monu-
ment has been erected to the memory of Colonel Benjamin
Bellows — who was one of the first settlers of Walpole —
by his numerous descendants.

Drewsville, a very pleasant village, is situated on Cold

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 415

River, and contains an Episcopal church, several handsome
residences, two stores, and several manufacturing establish-
ments.

During the first years of its settlement, Walpole was
the scene of many skirmishes with the Canadians and
Indians, In the spring of 1755, an Indian, named Philip
by the whites, who had acquired the English language
sufficiently for conversation, came into the town of Wal-
pole, and visited the house of one Mr. Kilburn, pretending
that he was on a hunting excursion, and in want of pro-
visions. He was kindly received, and furnished with every
necessary, such as flints, flour, &c. Soon after he left,
however, it was ascertained that he had visited nearly all
the settlements on Connecticut River about the same time,
and with the same plausible errand. Kilburn had already
learned something of Indian finesse and strategy, and at
once suspected, as it afterwards proved, that Philip was a
wolf in sheep's clothing. Not long after this intelligence
was sent by General Shirley, through a friendly Indian, to
all the forts, that four or five hundred Indians were collected
in Canada, whose designs were to destroy all the white
population on Connecticut River. The reception of such
news threw a gloom over the weak and defenceless settle-
ments. What could they do ? To desert their homes,
their cattle, and crops would be to give up all to the
destruction of the Canra^ian savages. Accustomed to all
the hardships and dangers of the frontier life, they boldly
resolved to defend themselves and their property, or die on
their own thresholds. Kilburn and his men now strength-
ened their position with such fortifications as their rude
implements and pressing circumstances would allow, hastily
surrounding their dwellings with a palisade of stakes
driven into the ground. Colonel Benjamin Bellows had

416 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

at this time about 30 men under his command at the
fort, which was about half a mile south from Kilburn's
house ; but this could be no protection to him while attend-
ing to his cattle, crops, &c. The enemy were now daily
expected, and the little band awaited their appearance with
fearful anxiety.

On the 17th of August, 1755, as Kilburn and his son
John, a youth 18 years of age, were returning home from
work, in company with a man named Peak and his son,
they discovered the " red legs of the Indians among the
alders as thick as grasshoppers." They instantly hastened
home, fastened the door, and made preparations for a desper-
ate resistance. Besides the four men, there were in the house
Kilburn's wife and daughter Hitty, who greatly assisted
and encouraged the men in their efforts to watch the move-
ments of the enemy, and to provide means of defence. In
a few minutes the Indians were seen crawling up the bank
east of the house, and as they crossed a footpath one by
one, 197 wer'e counted. About the same number remained
in ambush near the mouth of Cold River. The Indians,
learning that Colonel Bellows, with his men, was at work
at his mill about a mile distant, decided that it would be
best to waylay and destroy them before attacking Kilburn.
Colonel Bellows and his party, about 30 in number,
were returning homewards, each with a bag of meal on his
back, when, on a sudden, their dogs began to growl and
show signs of uneasiness. Bellows well understood the
language of the dogs, and immediately took measures to
thwart the plans of the Indians. He ordered his men to
lay aside the meal, advance to the brow of the hill,
crawl carefully up the bank, spring upon their feet, give
a single whoop, and then instantly drop into the fern.
This manoeuvre had the desired effect ; for, as soon as the

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 417

whoop was given, the savages arose from their ambush in a
semicircle around the path Bellows was pursuing. This
gave his men " a fine chance for a shot," which they at
once improved. The first fire was so well directed that the
Indians, panic-struck, darted into the bushes without dis-
charging a gun. Bellows, seeing that their numbers were
too great to risk an engagement, ordered his men to file off
to the south, and make for the fort. The Indians now re-
turned to Kilburn's house, where the same Philip, to
whom we have before alluded, came forward, and shelter-
ing himself behind a tree, called out to the inmates to sur-
render, " Old John, young John," said he, *' come out
here, we give you good quarter." ''Quarter!" vocifer-
ated Kilburn, in a voice of thunder, which sent a chill
of terror through every Indian's breast, and reverber-
ated among the hills and valleys ; " you black rascals, be-
gone, or we'll quarter you! " Philip ifturned to his com-
panions ; and, after a short consultation, the war whoop
commenced. Kilburn got the first fire before the smoke
of the Indian's guns obstructed his aim, and was confident
he saw an Indian fall, who, from his extraordinary size
and other appearances, must have been Philip. The In-
I dians then rushed forward, bent on the utter destruction of
the house and its inmates ; and probably not less than 400
bullets were lodged in its roof and sides at the first fire.
"The roof was a perfect riddle sieve." Some of them
fell to butchering the cattle, others were busily employed
in destroying the hay, grain, &c., while a shower of bullets
was incessantly falling upon the house. Meanwhile Kil-
burn and his men were by no means idle. They had
poured their powder into hats for convenience in loading
their guns quickly, and every thing was in readiness for ac-
tive defence. There were several guns in the house, and

418 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

these were kept hot by incessant firing ; and as they had
no ammunition to spare, each one took special care that every
bullet should tell with fatal effect upon the foe. The
women assisted in loading the guns ; and when their stock
of lead was exhausted, they had the forethought to suspend
blankets in the roof of the house to catch the bullets of
the enemy ; and these were immediately run into new bul-
lets, and sent back to the original owners. Several at-
tempts were made to burst open the doors, but the deadly
fire from within compelled the savages to desist from this
undertaking. The Indians, notwithstanding their numbers,
sheltered themselves most of the time behind trees and
stumps, thus showing their dread of Kilburn's musketry.
During the whole afternoon a continual firing was kept up.
About sunset the Indians began to disappear, and as the
sun sank behind the western hills, the sound of the guns
and the cry of the war whoop died away in the distance.

The result of this conflict proved an effectual check to
the expedition of the Indians. They immediately returned
to Canada ; and it is within the bounds of reason to conclude
that the heroic defence of Kilburn was the means of sav-
ing the other settlements from the horrors of an Indian
devastation.

Walpole was granted by the government of New Hamp-
shire, February 16, 1752, to Colonel Benjamin Bellows and
61 others. It was first settled in 1749 by John Kilburn
and his family. Colonel Bellows settled here in 1751.
The Congregational church was organized in 1761.

Population, 2034. Number of legal voters in 1854, 435.
Inventory, $986,836. Value of lands, $609,278. Stock in
trade, $17,430. Value of mills and factories, $16,500.
Money at interest, $129,347. Shares in corporations,
$28,900. Number of sheep, 12,771. Do. neat stock,
1538. Do. horses, 370.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 419

Warner, Merrimack county. Bounded north by Sut-
ton, Wilmot, and Salisbury, east by Boscawen, south by
Hopkinton and Henniker, and west by Bradford and Sut-
ton. Area, 31,851 acres. Distance from Concord, 17
miles, by a branch of the Merrimack and Connecticut Riv-
er Railroad. It is watered by Warner River, a pleasant
stream, which takes its rise among the mountains in Suna-
pee, affording many valuable mill privileges. There are
four ponds — - Tom, Bear, Bagley, and Pleasant. The
latter, whose waters are deep, clear, and cold, has no visi-
ble outlet or inlet, though its banks are overflowed in the
driest season. The surface is broken ; the soil is excellent.
The rocks in this town are gneiss and mica slate, the latter
containing beds of talcose rock and limestone. The gneiss
contains very finely colored pyrope garnets. The quarry of
talcose rock, or soapstone, is large and valuable. There
are several peat bogs here, one of which contains 22 acres,
and is 25 feet deep. Sticks marked with beavers' teeth
have been dug out of this bog from various depths, show-
ing that this spot must have been an immense beaver dam.

Kearsarge Mountain, a lofty elevation, is mostly situated
within the limits of the gore now forming a part of War-
ner. It is composed of mica* slate rocks, much corroded
and deeply furrowed by drift striae. Its sides are covered
with deep forests. Its summit is naked rock.

This town was granted, in 1735, by the government of
Massachusetts, to Deacon Thomas Stevens and 62 oth-
ers, under the name of Number One. It was next called
New Amesbury. It was afterwards regranted to 62 per-
sons, by the Masonian proprietors, between whom and the
former grantees controversies arose which were not set-
tled until 1773. It was incorporated September 3, 1774,
under its present name. It was first settled in 1762, by

420 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

David Annis and his son-in-law, Reuben Kimball. The
Congregational church was organized February 6, 1772.
There has also been a Freewill Baptist society here for
several years. The village of Warner is pleasantly located
on a plain, surrounded by hills, and is a flourishing place.
The railroad passes a few rods in the rear of the principal
street.

The Warner Bank has a capital of $50,000.

Population, 2038. Number of polls, 465. Inventory,
$604,010. Value of lands, $334,803. Stock in trade,
$14,780. Value of mills, $5500. Money at interest,
$47,360. Shares in corporations, $28,638. Number of
sheep, 4048. Do. neat stock, 2000. Do. horses, 256.

Warren, Grafton county. Bounded north by Benton
and Woodstock, east by Woodstock and Ellsworth, south
by Wentworth, and west by Piermont. Area, 27,720 acres.
Distance from Concord, 65 miles, north-west ; from Haver-
hill, 14, south-east. This town is watered by Baker's Riv-
er, which runs in a southerly direction nearly through its
centre. In the south-east part the surface is mountainous.
The other portions, though uneven, are generally easily
cultivated. The soil is strong and deejD, and well suited to
mowing and pasturage. There are several valuable beds of
copper and tin ore, besides galena and iron in considerable
quantities. Tremolite, black blende, and crystallized epi-
dote are found in various localities. A large portion of
the town is woodland. Maple sugar in considerable quan-
tities is made here. Warren was incorporated July 14,
1763. The only religious society is the Methodist.

Population, 872. Number of polls, 243. Inventory,
$204,866. Value of lands, $96,928. Stock in trade,
$3700. Value of mills, $2220. Money at interest.

GAZETTEER OF N^EW HAMPSHIRE. 421

$10,675. Number of sheep, 1437. Do. neat stock, 985.
Do. horses, 248.

Washington, Sullivan county. Bounded north by
Goshen, east by Bradford and Windsor, south by Stod-
dard, and west by Marlow and Lempster. Area, 30,765
acres. Distance from Concord, 35 miles, west ; from New-
port, 16, south-east. This is a hilly, but not mountainous
town. The soil is deep and moist, affording excellent
mowing and pasturage. Clay is abundant, and peat is
plenty in the swamps and low grounds. This town is re-
markable for its numerous ponds, of which there are 21 ;
most of them are well supplied with fish. It also abounds
with springs and rivulets, upon some of which are valuable
mill privileges. The village is pleasantly situated. Tubbs's
Union Academy is a flourishing institution, and has a fund
of $1500. There are in this town four meeting houses —
one Baptist, one Congregational, one Universalist, and one
Chi-istran. There are also four stores, one hotel, one card-
board manufactory, two washboard factories, two bobbin
do., and one woollen do.

Lovewell's Mountain, lying in the southerly part of the
tOAvn, received its name from Captain Lovewell, who was
accustomed to ascend it for the purpose of discovering the
wigwams of the Indians, and who, on one occasion, killed
seven Indians near its summit.

Washington was granted by the Masonian proprietors to
Reuben Kidder, Esq., under whom it was settled in 1768.
From its settlement it was called Camden until December
13, 1776, when it was incorporated under its present
name. The Congregational church was organized May 18,
1780.

Population, 1054. Legal voters in 1854, 280. Com-
36

422 NEW HAMPSHIKK AS If IS.

mon schools, 11. Inventory, $356,746. Value of lands,
$209,768. Stock in trade, $8152. Value of mills and
factories, $7030. Money at interest, $31,776. Number
of sheep, 1973. Do. neat stock, 1177. Do. horses, 185.

Waterville, Grafton county. Bounded north by un-
granted lands, east by Albany, south by Sandwich, and
west by Thornton. Distance from Concord, 60 miles,
north. This is a wild, rocky, and mountainous township,
formerly known as Gillis and Foss Grant. The principal
streams are Mad and Swift Rivers, which swarm with
trout. The scenery here in many parts is grand and sub-
lime. It is mostly a dense forest of pine hemlock and
gigantic maple. It was incorporated June 29, 1819.

Population, 40. Number of legal voters in 1854, 12.
Inventory, $22,926. Value of lands, $18,930. Number
of sheep, 50. Do. neat stock, 47. Do. horses, 10.

Weare, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by Hen-
niker and Hopkinton, east by Dunbarton and GofFstown,
south by New Boston, and west by Francestown and Deer-
ing. Area, 33,648 acres. Distance from Concord, 14
miles, south-west ; from Amherst, 17, north. This is a
large, populous, and thriving town, with abundance of
water power well occupied. The stream is the north-west
branch of the Piscataquog. There are three ponds of
considerable size. The surface is broken, but not moun-
tainous. The soil of the uplands is strong and deep. The
land is generally cultivated with care ; and the spirit of
enterprise, which imparts energy to the numerous depart-
ments of business followed here, manifests itself in no
slight degree among the farmers.

There are in this town seven religious societies, viz..

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 423

two Freewill Baptist, two Baptist, two Quakers, and one
Universalist.

There are also two hotels, six stores, two tanneries, five
sawmills, one gristmill, one woollen factory, where 30 hands
are employed ; one cotton do., employing 30 hands; one
iron foundery ; six blacksmiths' shops ; one hay cutter
manufactory, yearly business $10,000 ; one hollow augers
and screw plates do. ; one bobbin factory ; and one sash,
door, and blind do., besides several other small factories
and shops. The whole town presents a picture of activity
and industry which betokens wealth and prosperity.

Weare was granted by the Masonian proprietors to Ich-
abod Robie and others September 20, 1749. It was incor-
porated September 21, 1764, and received its name in
honor of Hon. Meshech Weare.

Population, 2436. Number of legal voters in 1854,
660. Common schools, 24. Academy, 1. Inventory,
$718,218. Value of lands, |421,231. Stock in trade,
$28,084. Value of mills and factories, 1 14,654. Money
at interest, $39,846. Number of sheep, 3680. Do. neat
stock, 2225. Do. horses, 332.

Wentw^orth, Grafton county. Bounded north by War-
ren, east by Rumney, south by Dorchester, and west by
Orford. Area, 23,040 acres. Distance from Concord, 67
miles, north-west, by the Boston, Concord, and Montreal
Eailroad, which passes through the town in direction
north-west and south-east. It is connected with Haverhill
and Plymouth by the same road. It is situated on Baker's
River, on which is a fall of twenty feet, affording excellent
water privileges. The village is pleasantly situated near
the falls, and is a thriving and prosperous place. The sur-
face is moderately uneven, in some parts quite elevated.

424 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

which, with its strong and fertile soil, renders it an excel-
lent grazing toAvn. A portion of Carr's Mountain lies in
the east part of the town, from which a fine species of
granite is quarried in great abundance. In the western
part of the town is a part of Mount Cuba, which contains
inexhaustible quantities of the best limestone. Iron ore is
found in various localities. Wentworth was granted No-
vember 1, 1766, to John Page, Esq., and others. It re-
ceived its name from Governor Benning Wentworth. The
first settlement commenced a few years prior to the revo-
lutionary war. The religious societies are the Congrega-
tional, Freewill Baptist, and Methodist.

Population, 119T. Number of polls, 262. Inventory,
$280,589. Value of lands, ^152,830. Stock in trade,
$6740. Value of mills, $4510. Money at interest,
$19,400. Number of sheep, 1434. Do. neat stock, 1236.
Do. horses, 139.

"Westmoreland, Cheshire county. Bounded north by
Walpole, east by Surrey and Keene, south by Chesterfield,
and west by Putney, Vermont. Area, 22,426 acres. Dis-
tance from Concord, 65 miles, south-west ; from Keene,
10, west, with which it is connected by the Cheshire Rail-
road. This is a very excellent farming town. It is
watered by numerous small streams, which are discharged
into the Connecticut. That flowing from SpafFord's Lake,
in Chesterfield, is the largest, and aftbrds the principal
water power. The surface is less varied by hills, valleys,
and mountains than the neighboring towns. There is con-
siderable fine interval, and the uplands are generally fer-
tile and easily cultivated. Fluor spar, crystals of quartz,
sulphuret of molybdena, deposits of nodular bog manga-
nese, felspar, and milk quartz are found in various locali-
ties. The rock is gneiss, granite, and mica slate.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 425

There are in this town three stores, one hotel, one large
carriage factory, where an extensive business is carried on,
thirteen common schools, and four meeting houses, *viz,,
two Congregational, one Methodist, and one Christian.

Westmoreland was first granted by Massachusetts under
the name of Number Two. It was afterwards called Great
Meadow. It was incorporated by the government of New
Hampshire, February 11, 1752, under its present name.
The first settlement was made iia 1741. The early settlers
were frequently annoyed by incursions of the Indians, but
no great injury, save in one or two instances, was com-
mitted. In one of their plundering expeditions they killed
William Phips, and in another carried Nehemiah How
captive to Canada, where he died.

Population, 1677. Number of legal voters in 1854,
300. Inventory, $570,458. Value of lands, |329,806.
Stock in trade, $7954. Value of mills, $1850. Money
at interest, $86,154. Number of sheep, 1940. Do. neat
stock, 1788. Do. horses, 301.

Whitefield, Coos county. Bounded north by Lancas-
ter, east by Jefferson, south by Carroll and Bethlehem, and
west by Dalton. Area, 20,800 acres. Distance from Con-
cord,' 120 miles, north ; from Lancaster, 12, south-east.
The soil is naturally good, like all the upland in the vicin-
ity of Lancaster. Several farms in this town are highly
cultivated, and are very productive. In the north part of
the town low spruce swamps abound. There is a large
quantity of excellent pine timber land here, besides exten-
sive tracts of maple and beech. John's River is the prin-
cipal stream. Blake's, Long, Hound, and Little River
Ponds are the chief collections of water. Whitefield was
36*

426 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

incorporated July 4, 1774. It was first settled by Major
Burns.

Population, 857. Number of polls, 233.- Inventory,
$223,091. Value of lands, $109,966. Stock in trade,
$11,075. Value of mills, $6825. Money at interest,
$14,950. Number of sheep, 1264. Do. neat stock, 909.
Do. horses, 176.

"WiLMOT, Merrimack county. Bounded north-east by
Danbury and Hill, east by Andover, south by Warner and
Sutton, south-west by New London, and north-west by
Springfield. Area, 15,000 acres. Distance from Concord,
30 miles, north-west. The streams which form the Black-
water River take their rise within the limits of this town,
some of which afford good water privileges. The surface
is rough and uneven. Some parts of the town are cold
and rocky, while others afford some good farms. The
summit of Kearsarge Mountain forms its southern boun-
dary. Beryls of a large size, felspar of an excellent qual-
ity, and crystals of mica are found here. The felspar found
in this place has been successfully used in the manufacture
of mineral teeth, which are said to be of the finest and
most durable quality.

There are in this town a small woollen factory, in which
eight hands are employed, and a large tannery, in which
ten hands are employed. There are also three stores, thir-
teen common schools, and three meeting houses, which
are occupied by Congregational, Baptist, Freewill Baptist,
Methodist, and Universalist societies.

Wilmot was incorporated June 18, 1807. It received
its name in honor of Dr. Wilmot, who, for a time, enjoyed
great celebrity as the supposed author of the famous Junius
letters.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 427

Population, 1272. Number of legal voters in 1854,
326. Inventory, $264,191. Value of lands, 1 131,049.
Stock in trade, $6490. Value of mills and factories,
$3050. Number of sheep, 4156. Do. neat stock, 1311.
Do. horses, 192.

Wilton, Hillsborough county. Bounded north by
Lyndeborough, east by Lyndeborough and Milford, south
by Mason, and west by Temple. Area, 15,280 acres. Dis-
tance from Concord, 40 miles, south-west ; from Amherst,
9, south-west. The principal stream is the Souhegan
River. The surface is generally uneven and rocky, but
not mountainous. The soil is strong and productive, con-
taining a large proportion of agricultural substance. Good
brick clay is abundant. There are several valuable quar-
ries of granite, which are extensively wrought. The facil-
ities of this town for manufacturing are good, and are rap-
idly being occupied. There are a sash and blind factory,
in which 15 hands are employed, and two furniture man-
ufactories, one employing seven, the other three hands.
The Wilton Manufacturing Company make woollen yarn
for carpets — E. G. Woodman superintendent. Machine
Shop — E. Putnam & Co. — employ 22 hands. There
are also one shoe manufactory, employing 12 hands, one
tannery, one knob manufactory, four sawmills, four saw
and grist mills, five stores, and two hotels, besides 14 other
shops where various kinds of mechanical labor are carried
on. The terminus of the Nashua and Wilton Railroad is
jn this town.

There are three religious societies — one Congregational,
one Unitarian, and one Baptist. The first settlement was
made, in 1738, by three families from Danvers, Massa-
chusetts. Wilton was incorporated June 25, 1762, and

428 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

derived its name from Wilton, a manufacturing district in
England. The Congregational cliurcli was organized De-
cember 14, 1763 ; the Baptist, April 7, 1817.

Population, 1161. Number of polls, 325. Inventory,
$511,048. Value of lands, $321,136. Stock in trade,
$15,580. Value of mills and factories, $27,900. Money
at interest, $28,950. Number of sheep, 500. Do. neat
stock, 1146. Do. horses, 193.

Winchester, Cheshire county. Bounded north by
Chesterfield and Swanzey, east by Swanzey and Richmond,
south by Warwick, Massachusetts, and west by Hinsdale.
Area, 33,534 acres. Distance from Concord, 65 miles,
south-west ; from Keene, 13, south-west. Ashuelot River
is the principal stream, and affords extensive water power.
It receives the waters of Muddy and Broad Brooks, besides
those of smaller streams. Humphrey's Pond, in the north-
east part, is 300 rods long and 80 wide ; it is the largest
collection of water in the town. The surface is various.
In the southerly part of the town it is level ; the other
portions are more or less uneven. The soil is generally
good. On either side of the Ashuelot are broad tracts of
interval of rare fertility. There are two pleasant and
thriving villages in this town, both of which are situated
on the Ashuelot River, and are connected with Keene and
the Connecticut River by the Ashuelot Railroad. There
are extensive tracts of wood and timber land in this and
adjacent towns, which have been rendered easy of access
since the opening of the Ashuelot Railroad.

There are in this town two woollen factories, in one of
which are em.ployed 40 hands, in the other 15, two pail
manufactories, employing 10 hands each, a friction match
factory, eight stores, two druggists' shops, two hotels, two
sawmills, and one linseed oil manufactory.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 429

Considerable expense has recently been made in con-
structing a canal from Ashuelot River, to be applied to
manufacturing purposes on a large scale.

The capital of the Winchester Bank is 1 100,000.

Within the last few years the village in the centre of the
town, as well as that in the western part, called Ashuelot,
has grown rapidly. The vast amount of water power in
both villages, and the readiness and comparatively slight
expense with which it may be applied to practical pur-
poses, render it highly probable that at no distant period
they will be manufacturing places of considerable impor-
tance.

Winchester was first granted by Massachusetts, and was
named Arlington. It was granted by New Hampshire, July
2, 1753, to Josiah Willard and others, who settled here in
1732. During the wars with the Indians which followed,
the meeting house and all the private buildings of the
settlement were burned by the enemy. In the summer of
1756 Josiah Foster and his family were taken captives by
the Indians. Some efforts were made to locate Dartmouth
College in this town, but, owing to the opposition of Josiah
Willard, the principal landholder, they proved unavailing.

The Congregational church was organized November
12, 1736. There are also Methodist and Univcrsalist
societies.

Population, 3296. Number of legal voters in 1854,
600. Common schools, 21. Inventory, 1^716,536. Value
of lands, $411,362. Stock in trade, |20,125. Value of
mills and factories, $25,950. Money at interest, $13,423.
Shares in banks, &c., $70,500. Number of sheep, 1037.
Do. neat stock, 1583. Do, horses, 305.

Windham, Eockinghara county. Bounded north by

430 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Londonderry and Derry, east by Salem, south by Pelham,
and west by Hudson and Londonderry. Area, 15,744
acres. Distance from Concord, 34 miles, south ; from
Exeter, 30, south-west. Policy, Cabot's, Golden, and
Mitchell's Ponds are the principal collections of water.
Beaver River is the principal stream, upon which is Con-
siderable meadow land. The soil is generally good.

There are two stores ; one woollen factory, where frock-
ing is made — capital, $5000 — number of hands, 8 ; one
mattress manufactory — capital, $4500 — number of hands,
4 ; one hotel ; and seven common schools. School dis-
trict number two has a fund of $1000. There is one re-
ligious society, — the Presbyterian, — which is the only
church ever organized in the town. It was formed in
1747.

On one of the most lofty eminences in town, seated upon
the out-cropping surface of a ledge of mica slate, is an
immense granite boulder, 20 feet in height, its sides
measuring 16 or 18 feet. In appearance it is erratic, there
being no rocks of a similar kind in the neighborhood.
The rock upon which it rests seems to have been fractured
or crushed by the contact or pressure of the incumbent
mass. In its under side is a cavity, or basin, the sides of
which are perfectly smooth, showing that it must have
been worn by the grinding action of pebbles and rapidly
■"flowing water, and also that the present position of the
boulder is exactly the reverse of what it once was. Wind-
ham was formerly a part of Londonderry, from which it
was severed, and incorporated February 25, 1739.

Population, 818. Number of legal voters in 1854,
203. Inventory, $274,058. Value of lands, $199,828.
Stock in trade, $2525. Value of mills, $3300. Money
at intei-est, $3775. Number of sheep, 355. Do. neat
stock, 711. Do. horses, 142.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 431

Windsor, Hillsborough county. Bounded north-east
and east by Hillsborough, south by Antrim, west by Stod-
dard, and north-west by Washington. Area, 5335 acres.
Distance from Concord, 30 miles, south-west; from Am-
herst, 27, north-west. Its surface is varied with hills and
vales. The soil is strong, and well adapted to grazing.
Black Pond is the principal collection of water. It was
formerly called Campbell's Gore, and was incorporated
under its present name in November, 1798.

Population, 172. Number of polls, 34. Inventory,
$68,329. Value of lands, |45,293. Money at interest,
$6480. Number of sheep, 283. Do. neat stock, 224.
Do. horses, 46.

WoLFBOROUGH, Carroll county. Bounded north-east by
Ossipee, south-east by Brookfield and New Durham, south-
west by Alton and Lake Winnipiseogee, and north-west by
* Tuftonborough. Area, 28,600 acres. Distance from Con-
cord, 45 miles, north-east ; from Ossipee, 8, south-west.
The face of the country is generally level ; the soil is
somewhat rocky, but strong and productive. Smith's
Pond, six miles in length, is situated in the east part of
the town, and is the source of a river of the same name.
There are also four other ponds of considerable size —
Crooked, Rust's, Barton's, and Sargent's. At the foot of
a hill near one of these ponds is a mineral spring, which is
a place of considerable resort. Wolfborough is a good
farming town. Its mechanical and manufacturing business
is also considerable. The Lake Bank was incorporated
July 15, 1854 ; capital, $50,000. Within a few years
this town has become celebrated as a healthy and delightful
summer residence. Situated on Lake Winnipiseogee,
which touches its south-western border, while the lofty

432 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

mountains of Ossipee and the rugged hills of Tufton-
borough rise up in the rear like impregnable walls of a
gigantic fortress, its whole scenery presents a view at once
picturesque and sublime. The trip across the lake from
Centre Harbor to Wolfborough Bridge, especially in a
pleasant summer evening, is truly delightful. At sunset,
when the evening shadows begin to fall upon the distant
mountain tops, presenting their rugged outlines in bold
relief, and the stars, gliding into the firmament, kindle up
their brilliant fires in the depths of the clear blue waters,
the excursion seems like a journey to the Elysian Fields,
At this hour of the day the breezes on the lake are highly
invigorating.

Wolfborough Bridge is a pleasant village, situated on
two beautiful slopes of land rising from a bay in the lake.
Since steamboats have plied these waters it has grown
quite rapidly. Visitors to the White Mountains and Fran-
conia now consider their tour incomplete unless they spend
at least one night here. Accommodations of the best kind
are provided for visitors. The Pavilion, a spacious,
elegantly furnished, and well-conducted hotel, is fully
entitled to the rank of a first class house. From its cupola
and piazzas charming views of the lake and surrounding
country are obtained. The situation of the Lake House
commands extensive and delightful views of this romantic
region. This house also furnishes excellent accommoda-
tions. Horses, carriages, boats, and attendants are always
at command at either hotel. Cojyple Crown Mountain, five
miles from the village, is easily ascended, and commands a
varied, extensive prospect. The view from its summit is
thought by many to be fully equal to that from Red Hill.
The mountain scenery is more distant, but not less distinct
The prospect embraces an excellent view of the lake, and

GAZETTEEK OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 433

some thirty different sheets of water in New Hampshire
and Maine can be counted. Mount Washington, the Isles
of Shoals, and'vessels on the ocean may also be discerned.

It was in this town that General John Wentworth erect-
ed a splendid mansion, about five miles east of the bridge,
for a summer residence. Wolfborough Academy has a
fund of $5000, and is a respectable institution. Great
attention is paid here to improvement in common school
training and instruction. This town was granted, in 1770,
to General John Wentworth, Mark H. Wentworth, and
others. Among the first settlers were Benjamin Blake,
James Lucas, Joseph Lary, and Ithamar Fullerton. A
Congregational church was organized October 25, 1792 ;
at the same time a Freewill Baptist society was formed.
There are at present two Congregational, three Freewill
Baptist, and one Methodist societies.

Population, 2038. Number of poll , 472. Inventory,
$553,199. Value of lands, $319,56(3. Stock in trade,
$12,800. Value of mills and fjictories, $14,813. Money
at interest, $28,662. Number of sheep, 1247. Do. neat
stock, 2287. Do. horses, 376.

Woodstock, Grafton county. Bounded north by Lin-
coln, east by Thornton, south by Thornton, Ellsworth, and
Warren, and west by Warren, Benton, and Landaff. Dis-
tance from Concord, 62 miles, north ; from Plymouth, 20,
north. Area, 33,359 acres. Pemigewasset River passes
through its eastern section. It is well watered by brooks
and rivulets, which supply the town with numerous mill
privileges. The principal ponds are Hubbard's, Elbow,
Kussell's, and Bog. The surface is uneven, diversified by
hills, valleys, and mountains. In many parts the scenery
is picturesque and sublime. The brooks swarm with trout,
37

434 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

and afford rich amusement to the angler and tourist. On
Moosehillock Brook is a beautiful cascade, where the water
glides smoothly on a glassy surface of rocks, or tumbles in
foaming cataract, a distance of 200 feet. Grafton Mineral
Spring is situated in this town, near the road leading to
Franconia. Its waters are strongly impregnated with sul-
phur and other mineral substances, and are in great repute,
on account of their medicinal qualities. Near the base of
Summit Mountain is a cave, extending under ground
several feet, and spacious enough to hold many hundred
people. It communicates with various apartments. Its
sides and the partition walls are- of solid granite ; and from
the fact that ice, of the greatest purity, may be obtained
here through the entire warm season, it is called the Ice
House. A large portion of this town consists of extensive
tracts of wood and timber, including pine, spruce, and
ash. During the winter season 150 men are employed by
the Merrimack River Lumbering Company in cutting and
hauling timber to the Pemigewasset, whence it is trans-
ported during the spring freshets to Lowell.

There are in this town nine saw, shingle, and clapboard
mills, with an aggregate capital of about $15,000. There
is also an extensive tannery here, where 20 hands are em-
ployed; capital, $15,000. There are two meeting houses,
— one Baptist and one Freewill Baptist, — six common
schools, and one store.

Woodstock was granted, September 23, 1763, to Eli
Demeritt, under the name of Peeling. It was settled, in
1773, by John Riant and others. It received its present
name in 1840.

Population, 418. Number of legal voters in 1854, 120.
Inventory, $113,950. Value of lands, ,$54,006. Do.
mills, $14,304. Stock in trade, $1150. Number of
sheep, 271. Do. neat stock, 398. Do. horses, 84.

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIKE. 435

COUNTIES OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Rockingham County. Incorporated in March, 1791.
Bounded north by Strafford county, east by the Atlantic
from the mouth of the Piscataqua to the line of Massa-
chusetts, south by Massachusetts, and west by Hillsborough
and Merrimack counties. Its greatest length is 34 miles ;
greatest breadth, 30 miles. There are 38 towns in this
county, which were incorporated — two in the reign of
Charles I., one in the reign of Charles II., two in the reign
of William and Mary, two in the reign of Queen Anne,
seven in the reign of George I., thirteen in the reign of
George II., eight in the reign of George III., and three
by the government of New Hampshire. Shire towns,
Portsmouth and Exeter. V^aluation, $19,685,157. Pop-
ulation, 49,204. Number of farms, 3811. Do. manufac-
tories, 984. This county was named by Governor Penning
Wentworth, in honor of Charles Watson Wentworth, Mar-
quis of Rockingham.

Strafford County. Incorporated March 16, 1791.
Bounded north by Carroll county, east by the State of
Maine, south by Rockingham county, and west by Belknap
county. Shire town, Dover. It contains 13 towns, one of
which was incorporated in the reign of Charles I., two in
the reign of George I., three in the reign of George II.,
and five under the state government. Although a large
portion of the territory of this county was taken to form
the counties of Belknap and Carroll, yet by its immense
hydraulic power, it makes rapid progress in population and
wealth, and loses none of its former importance or influ-
ence. It was named in honor of William Wentworth,

436 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Earl of Strafford. Valuation, $10,237,058. Population,
29,364. Farms, 1844. Manufactories, 394.

Belknap County. Incorporated December 22, 1840.
Bounded north by Carroll county and Lake Winnipiseogee,
east by Strafford county, south-west by Merrimack county,
and west by Grafton county. Shire town, Gilford. It
contains eight towns, two of which were incorporated in
the reign of George I., two in the reign of George III.,
and four under the state government. There are many
beautiful lakes and ponds within its limits. Its surface is
uneven, and in some parts mountainous. The soil is gen-
erally productive. Its water power is considerable. The
lakes, mountains, and valleys in this county present a great
variety of sublime and picturesque scenery. It was named
in honor of Dr. Belknap, the historian of New Hamp-
shire. Valuation, $5,372,199. Population, 17,709.
Farms, 2438. Manufactories, 163.

Carroll County. Incorporated December 22, 1840.
founded north by Grafton and Coos counties, east by the
State of Maine, south by Strafford county, and south-west by
Lake Winnipiseogee. Shire town, Ossipee. It contains 17
towns, eight of which were incorporated during the reign
of George III., and nine under the state government. The
scenery afforded by the variety of lofty mountains, deep
vales, lakes, and rapid streams, is beautiful. Much of the
land is rocky and mountainous, and although somewhat
cold, is yet excellent for grazing. Valuation, $4,344,743.
Population, 21,565. Farms, 2805. Manufoctories, 135.

Merrimack County. Incorporated July 3, 1823.
Bounded north by Grafton and Belknap counties, east by

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 437

Rockingham county, south by Hillsborough county, and
west by Sullivan county. Shire town. Concord, the
capital of New Hampshire. It contains 24 towns, four
of which were incorporated in the reign of George I., two
in the reign of George II., seven in the reign of George
III., and eleven under the state government. Greatest
length, 36 miles ; greatest breadth, 26. Surface uneven ;
soil generally very fertile. Kearsarge is the highest eleva-
tion, being 2400 feet above the sea level. Merrimack River,
the principal stream, winds through nearly the middle of the
county, and affords a large amount of water power. It was
taken from Hillsborough and Rockingham counties. Val-
uation, $14,780,293. Population, 40,339. Farms, 3220.
Manufactories, 215.

Hillsborough County. Incorporated March 19, 1771.
Bounded north by Men'imack county, east by Rockingham
county, south by Massachusetts, and west by Cheshire
county. Shire towns, Amherst and Manchester. It con-
tains 31 towns, ten of which were incorporated in the
reign of George II., twelve in the reign of George III.,
and nine by the government of New Hampshire. This is
not a mountainous region. It is well watered, and pos-
sesses an immense water power. Its facilities for manufac-
turing are excellent, and are largely improved. It received
its name from the Earl of Hillsborough, one of the privy
council of George III. Valuation, $25,406,014. Popu-
lation, 57,477. Farms, 3675. Manufactories, 399.

Cheshire County. Incorporated March 19, 1771.
Bounded north by Sullivan county, east by Hillsborough
county, south by Massachusetts, and west by Vermont.
Shire town, Keene. Greatest length, 31 miles; greatest

37*

NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

breadth, 26 miles. It contains 22 towns, eight of which
were incorporated in the reign of George II., ten in the
reign of George III., and four under the government of
New Hampshire. The surface is diversified with mountains
and plains. Connecticut River waters its western border,
and the Ashuelot passes through it in a south-westerly di-
rection. Along the latter river are extensive plains, pos-
sessing various degrees of fertility. The Grand Monad-
nock is the highest elevation, being 3450 feet above the
sea level. It received its name from one of the counties in
England. Valuation, $11,245,179. Population, 30,143.
Farms, 2805. Manufactories, 377.

Sullivan County. Incorporated July 5, 1827.
Bounded north by Grafton county, east by Merrimack
county, south by Cheshire county, and west by Vermont.
Shire town, Newport. It contains 15 towns, one of which
was incorporated in the reign of George II., nine in the
reign of George III., and five under the state government.
Croydon Mountain is the highest elevation. Along the
streams, particularly the Connecticut, the soil is very fer-
tile, and the uplands are generally productive. Sugar Riv-
er affords abundant water power. It is well watered by
numerous small streams, many of which afibrd good mill
privileges. Sunapee Lake, a beautiful sheet of water, is
the source of Sugar River, and is the largest collection of
water in the county. It was named in honor of Hon.
John Sullivan, one of the presidents under the new con-
stitution. Valuation, $7,492,942. Population, 19,375.
Farms, 2129. Manufactories, 141.

Grafton County. Incorporated March 19, 1771.
Bounded north by Coos county, east by Coos, Carroll, and

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 439

Belknap counties, south by Merrimack and Sullivan coun-
ties, and west by Vermont. Shire towns, Haverhill and
Plymouth. It contains 38 towns, 23 of which were
incorporated under the reign of George III., and 15 un-
der the state government. Its greatest length is 58 miles ;
greatest breadth, 30. It is watered on its west and north-
western borders by Connecticut River. Lower Ammonoo-
suc, Pemigewassett, and Mascomy Rivers are considerable
streams, and afford good water power. Squam, Newfound,
and Mascomy Lakes are the principal collections of water.
The surface of this county, as well as the soil, is greatly
diversified. A large portion is hilly and mountainous,
though comparatively but little is unfit for cultivation. In
the north-eastern part is a large tract of ungranted lands,
which probably will never be thickly inhabited. It is most-
ly a sterile, rocky, and mountainous region. The hilly por-
tions afford excellent pasturage, while its extensive and fer-
tile meadows and intervals produce abundant crops of grass,
grain, and all the fruits common to this climate. The first
settlement was made in Lebanon. Grafton county received
its name in honor of Augustus Henry Fitzroy, Duke of
Grafton. Valuation, $12,318,351. Population, 42,343.
Farms, 5063. Manufactories, 424.

Coos County. Incorporated December 24, 1803.
Bounded north by the highlands which separate the waters
which flow into the St. Lawrence from those flowing into
the Connecticut, east by Maine, south by Carroll and Graf-
ton counties, and west by Vermont. Shire town, Lancas-
ter. It contains 26 towns, five of which were incorpo-
rated in the reign of George III., and 21 by the state
government. This is the largest county in the state, being
76 miles in length, and on an average 20 miles in width.

440 NEW ' HAMPSHIRE AS IT 13.

Its area is estimated at 1,000,000 acres. A great portion
is mountainous, and unfit for cultivation. The White
Mountain region occupies the southern portion, and in-
cludes little else than " rocky vales and lofty piles." The
mountains extend about 20 miles from south-west to north-
east, being the more elevated parts of a range reaching
many miles in that direction. Their base is about 10 miles
in extent, covering an area of about 200 square miles, or
128,000 acres. Mount Washington, the highest peak, is
6226 feet above high water mark in Portsmouth. Besides
these gigantic piles, there are other considerable elevations
in different parts of the county. Most of the ungranted
lands, the grants to Dartmouth College, and Gilmanton
and Atkinson Academies, Wentworth's Location, Crawford's
Grant, and the tract called Odell, are within its limits.
Three of the principal rivers of New England — the Con-
necticut, Androscoggin, and the Saco — take their rise here.
There are extensive tracts of fine interval and upland in
various parts of this county ; and, although the husband-
man may not, in e\ery location, feast his eyes on fertile
plains and cultivated hills, yet the lover of Nature may
admire the majestic splendor and the impregnable founda-
tions of her strongholds. Coos is the Indian name of the
Connecticut, and signifies crooked. The first settlement
was made at Lancaster in 1763. Valuation, $2,782,946.
Population, 10,445. Farms, 1439. Manufactories, 69.

CITIES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.

The City of Manchester. Incorporated in June,
1846. Mayor, Frederic Smyth. Valuation, |6,795,682.
Value of factories, $2,544,100. Stock in trade, |5 10,990.

32*

GAZETTEER OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 441

Population In 1820, 161; 1840, 3235; 1850, 13,933;
1854, 19,877.

The City of Portsmouth. Incorporated July 6, 1849.
Horton D. Walker mayor. Valuation, $5,206,972. Val-
ue of factories, $244,100. Stock in trade, $941,510.
Population in 1820, 7327 ; 1840, 7887 ; 1850, 9739 ;
1854, 9942.

The City of Concord. Incorporated July 6, 1849.
City charter adopted in 1853. Mayor, Joseph Low.
Valuation, $3,168,065. Value of factories and mills,
$74,100. Stock in trade, $182,150. Population in
1820, 2838 ; 1840, 4903 ; 1850, 8584 ; 1854, 10,000.

The city of Nashua. Incorporated June 27, 1853.
Mayor, Josephus Baldwin. Valuation, $3,809,416. Val-
ue of factories, $834,000. Stock in trade, $546,634.
Population in 18^0, 1142; 1840, 3600; 1850, 8972;
1854, 10,462.

NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

PART III.
A GENERAL VIEW

OF TUE

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIHE ;

COMPEISING

NATURAL FEATURES,
EDUCATION AND RELIGION,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,

ACCOUNT OF VARIOUS SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS;
LIST OF BANKS, RAILROADS, AND NEWSPAPERS ;

TOOETHEU WITH

THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

(443)

GENERAL VIEW OE NEW HAMPSHIRE,

INCLUDING

SURFACE, CLIMATE, GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY, SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS,

WITH A DESCRIPTION OF ALL THE PRINCIPAL LAKES,

RIVERS, AND MOUNTAINS.

SURFACE.

The situation, boundaries, and area of New Hampshire
have already been given.* The surface of the state is
greatly diversified, having every degree of elevation, from
the gently undulating plain to the lofty cloud-capped
mountain. Its extent of sea coast is about eighteen miles.
For twenty or thirty miles back from the sea the country is
tolerably level. The first mountain range is called the
Blue Hills. Beyond this are numerous elevations, some
of which are of considerable height. Still farther to the
west is a lofty ridge, which separates the waters of the
Connecticut from those of the Merrimack, commonly called
the Height of Land. The highest elevation in this part
of the state is the Monadnock Mountain. The same ridge
extends north, separating the tributaries of the Connecticut
from those that flow eastwardly, until it terminates in the
lofty summits of the White Mountains. The country north

* See page 85.

38 (445)

446 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

of these mountains is generally hilly and mountainous, and
for the most part but thinly inhabited.

CLIMATE.

The climate of New Hampshire is very various and
fickle. Although one of the coldest states in the Union —
its mean yearly temperature being not far from 44° —
there are yet few in which the thermometer ever rises
higher than here during some of our hot summer days,
and very few in which the mercury ever falls so low. The
whole range of the temperature of the state, from the
extreme heat, when the thermometer stands at near 100°,
to the extreme cold, when the mercury is frozen at a tem-
perature of more than 40 degrees below zero, is something
over 140 degrees, a yearly range almost unparalleled in
any district of similar dimensions. And the daily varia-
tions are hardly less remarkable, sometimes amounting to
40 degrees, or even more, within twenty-four hours ; the
mean daily range, however, is about 17 degrees.

The range of the barometer also, though not quite so
excessive, still deserves notice. It amounts in all, at any
one place, to about 2.5 inches ; and more than one inch of
this variation sometimes occurs in twenty-four hours, dur-
ing the progress of one of the great storms. It should
be observed that this range is greater near the level of
the sea.

The amount of precipitation (that is of rain, and snow,*

* The tables published by the Smithsonian Institution reckon the snow as
one tenth water, so that ten inches of snow are reckoned equal to one inch of
rain. Of course, ten inches of very heavy snow are more than equal to one
inch of rain, and ten of very light snow are less ; but the ratio given is a fair
average.

CLIMATE. 447

reduced to water, added together) for the whole year is
from 35 to 55 inches, vaiying, of course, in different years,
and different places. The amount of snow is much less
constant, varying from less than a foot during the whole
winter, as sometimes happens near the sea, to 10 or 12
feet, as sometimes among the mountains. Usually there is
more, both of rain and snow, inland than on the coast,
although the number of cloudy and unpleasant days is less.
The proportion of pleasant days to the whole number of
days in the year is about one third, and there are not quite
as many in which some snow or . rain falls ; the rest are
variable days, not actually stormy, but only more or less
dark and cloudy. New Hampshire storms are not generally
of great violence, or long duration, unless near the sea,
but, as every one knows, differ much in these respects.
The larger storms almost invariably move from the south-
west to the north-east. They are usually preceded by a
calm atmosphere, and a high elevation of the barometer.
They commence with easterly winds, and a depression of
the mercurial column, often very rapid, which reaches its
limit at the crisis of the storm. Sometimes, especially in
exposed situations, they are followed by strong westerly
gales ; but these are seldom violent enough to do any
damage. These storms, especially in the winter, not unfre-
quently recur at periods of a week or eight days, whence
the old saying, 'that if the first Sunday of a month be
stormy the rest will be like it.'

Thunder storms are quite common in the summer
months ; sometimes very violent. In their number differ-
ent years differ greatly, as may be seen by referring to the
table at the end of this article. They seem to be more
frequent away from the ocean. There aie a few, but very

448 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

few, instances recorded of lightning seen in the winter,
and in only one or two of these accompanied by thunder.

Whirlwinds and tornadoes are very rare, yet not un-
known. The aurora boi-ealis has been seen lately, about
a dozen times in the course of the year on an average ; and
when we consider how many nights are moonlight, and
how many cloudy, we may look upon it as quite a common
phenomenon. The frequency of it is exceedingly variable
in different years, and, indeed, it is considered by some in
a measure periodic. It is pretty certain that for some
ninety years after 1625, there were very few seen in
England, for there are but two on record, while in the
twenty years that followed they were remarkably frequent
and brilliant. So also at Dartmouth College, in the six
years 1835 to '41 inclusive, there were observed 134, of
which 30 are marked "very brilliant," thus giving an aver-
age of 22 per annum for those years. Of late years, as
mentioned above, this phenomenon has been by no means
so common. Occasionally, but of course rarely, we have
very beautiful, and even magnificent, exhibitions of this
splendid meteor.

These general remarks, of course, need some modifica-
tions and additions to make them strictly applicable to all
parts of a state which differs so much in its different dis-
tricts. For instance, the White Mountain country is much
colder than either the Connecticut valley or that of the
Merrimack, and still more tban the seaboard. It is at
Franconia that the maximum of cold has been observed.
In this region also falls the greatest quantity of snow and
rain. Here the spring is later, and the fall earlier, by full
three weeks, than in the southern part of the state. The
summer is short and the winter very long, so that it

CLIMATE.

449

is not uncommon to have more than twenty weeks of
sleighing.

In the Connecticut valley, extending as it does north
and south for so great a distance, there is more variety.
While in the north the climate is not far different from that
of the White IMountains, in the southern extremity of the
state it is much warmer, and more like that of Massachu-
setts, so that peaches, chestnuts, &c., are found, although
not so abundant as in the corresponding part of the Merri-
mack valley. Along the bank of the river morning fogs
are very common in the months of August and September;
but they seem to have little of the chilling and depressing
effect of the ocean fogs, that sometimes occur on the coast,
especially, perhaps, because the river fogs generally precede
fair days, and are dispersed by nine or ten o'clock in the
morning, while the latter last whole days, and are often
accompanied by raw east winds and drizzling rains.
These east winds are very rare in the Connecticut valley,
where 75 per cent, of the winds observed are westerly,
and only 25 per cent, easterly; and of this 25 per cent,
full 17 are from the south-east, not an uncomfortable quar-
ter, leaving only about 8 per cent, from the east and north-
east. And, if we except an occasional day or two in March,
those damp, murky days, when the air is filled with a rain
so fine that it resembles mist, — such days as are not un-
frequent near the salt water, — are wholly unknown in the
western part of the state. Among the White Mountains
and in the Merrimack valley there are more east winds,
and yet not a large proportion, while they are as common
as any on the coast. The valley of the Merrimack is not
very different from that of the Connecticut, but yet is
somewhat warmer, forming a kind of mean between it and
the seaboard, where the temperature, though not on the
38*

450 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

average a great deal higher, is much more uniform, the
very cold and the very hot days fewer, the cloudy and
stormy ones more numerous, the snow not so deep, and
the winter not so long ; so that the fifteen weeks' sleighing
of the interior is reduced to six or seven here. It is also
more windy, because of the more level and exposed charac-
ter of the country. As compared with other states. New
Plampshire is one of the coldest, though part of Maine and
Vermont, with Northern New York and Iowa, and other
more westerly regions of the same latitude this side of the
Rocky Mountains, are not very different. Its mountainous
and diversified surface causes the great variety of tempera-
ture which has been noticed. The quiet, deep-lying valleys
become in winter basins of stinging cold, while in summer
they are sometimes heated like ovens ; but the more level
portions nearer the ocean, although they enjoy a more
equable temperature, have far less of that clear blue sky
and bracing air so peculiar to New Hamj)shire hills. And
who can doubt that this extreme and ever-changing climate
has had its due effect in moulding the energetic, self-pos-
sessed, and versatile character of our New Hampshire
men ? It certainly is ill adapted for the nurture of idle-
ness or effeminacy, since the short summer requires a
correspondingly vigorous exertion to secure the timely
fruits of the earth, and the long, cold winter necessarily
bestows on all who come under its influence a great power
of sturdy endurance.

Subjoined is a table giving some of the principal results
of the meteorological observations, from the year 1844 to
1853 inclusive, taken at Dartmouth College, which place
may bo considered a pretty fair type of the Connecticut
valley. Its latitude is approximately 43° 42' 28"; its
longitude about 72" XT', west of Greenwich, and its eleva-

CLIMATE. 451

tion 530 feet above the sea level. The mean tempera-
ture of Dover and Concord is a little warmer than that of
Hanover, yet not more than one or two degrees. Their
mean yearly range is from 10 to 15 degrees less. The
mean temperature of Franconla, on the other hand, is
lower by a somewhat greater difference, and its range also
less.

The greatest amount of rain which has fallen in any sin-
gle month is 9.46 inches, in August, 1849. The mean yearly
range of temperature is 118.4°; the extreme yearly range
is 125°; and the range for the whole ten years 129°. The
mean daily range is 16.3°. The extreme range of the
barometer is from 28.250 inches to 30.500 inches, or 2.25
inches. The change in the relative number of the winds
for the last three years, as given in the table, results from
a change of observers, and the method of observation.

452

NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

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GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 453

GEOLOGY AND MINEKALOGY.

A correct knowledge of the geological formation and
mineral resources of the several states which constitute our
confederacy is now deemed of the utmost importance. Nor
is this surprising when we consider the amount of hidden
treasure thus brought to light, or the vast amount of wealth
expended with the expectation of realizing hopes which
the least knowledge of the science of geology would have
shown, at once, to be utterly vain. The first settlers of
Virginia are not the only persons who have rejoiced at the
sight of a mass of yellow mica or iron pyrites, supposing that
they had found " the land of Ophir, where there is gold."

Until within a very few years the whole subject of
mining, metallurgy, and mineralogy was involved in ig-
norance and superstition ; and the only wonder is, that
man, amidst such gross folly and error, really accomplished
so much.

All knowledge is so remarkable, each new fact is so sur-
prising, and every new science discloses so many wonders,
that for a time it is condemned as false. Such, in a re-
markable degree, has been the fate of the science of geol-
ogy. Sharp has been the conflict and severe the ordeal
through which it has passed before it could be received
into the inner temple of the older and accredited sciences.

Until within a recent period there was no information
concerning the geological structure and the mineral charac-
teristics of New Hampshire, excepting that Avhich was col-
lected by private and individual research, and which was,
of course, limited and defective. But in June, 1839, a
law was passed, authorizing the governor to appoint a state
geologist, in order to make " a thorough geological and niin-
eralogical survey of this state." The state geologist, " by

454 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS. IT IS.

and with the consent of the governor and council/' was re-
quired to appoint an assistant for the purpose of analyzing
such rocks, ores, soils, and other substances as should be
presented to him for that purpose. The sum of $2000
annually for three years was appropriated to carry out the
provisions of the law, and in 1842 an additional sum of
$3000 was voted to continue the survey. Agreeably to
the provisions of this act, Governor Page appointed Charles
T. Jackson, Esq., of Boston, state geologist, under whose
directions the survey was commenced in 1840, and com-
pleted in 1843. The final report was made in 1844.
This report imbodies a large amount of useful and impor-
tant information, and has served to diifuse much light in
regard to the agricultural and mineral resources of New
Hampshire ; while, at the same time, it has checked ex-
travagant hopes and a spirit of lawless speculation.

Probably no portion of this continent, (or perhaps of the
world,) of equal area, furnishes more numerous or more
convincing illustrations of the principles of geology than
the " Granite State," having a formation peculiarly its
own, while those of the states both east and west of it are
different, and similar to each other. The anticlinal axis
passing nearly north and south through the entire state
proves conclusively a remarkable upheaval to have taken
place in this region at some time during the countless ages
of the past. This, moreover, is confirmed (did it indeed
need confirmation) by the fact that the rock is almost en-
tirely granite, long since proved to be one of the lowest
primitive rocks, only appearing u^j)on the surface in conse-
quence of being forced up through thousands of feet of
superincumbent strata. From its granitic formation, in-
deed, does the state derive its appellation of "Granite
State," although, in the southern portion, the mica slate

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 455

predominates in several of the mountains^ and also, to more
or less extent, in other parts of the state.

The many and great changes which the surface of this
state has evidently undergone have given a varied, wild,
and picturesque appearance to its mountains and mountain
scenery.

The drift epoch has left its witness in almost every part
of the state, scratches being found upon the surface of the
rocks, and extending usually in a direction nearly south,
showing that the great flood of waters, from whatever
source it might arise, had its origin in a direction almost
due north. But, besides these, a discovery was made a
few years since which is accounted of great value to the
science of geology.

In the construction of the railroad from Concord to
Lebanon it was found necessary to make a deep cut in the
town of Orange, near what is termed the Summit, it being
the highest land between the Connecticut and Merrimack
Rivers, over 900 feet above the bed of those streams, and
dividing the streamlets which flow into them. On this
height of land were discovered, in the solid granite, pot
holes over four feet in diameter at the top, two feet at the
bottom, and eleven feet in depth. These were worn
smooth, like those at Bellows Falls, and in them stones
rounded and polished similar to those found in pot holes
formed in our own times. One of these, which is now in the
museum at Dartmouth College, is over two feet in length,
and nearly in the form of an egg, worn and polished very
smooth. Now, there can be but one solution to this prob-
lem. These pot holes must have been formed by a great
stream of water flowing for centuries. But in order that a
stream should flow through this gap, there must have been
an entirely different configuration from that which now
exists, and this region must have been, at least, one thou-

456 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

sand feet lower tlian at present, compared with the beds of
the Connecticut and Merrimack Rivers ; since which time
it has been elevated by subterranean causes. The time re-
quired for the forming of these can hardly be estimated.
" The rock is as hard as that at Bellows Falls, where it is
rare to find pot holes more than three feet deep ; and yet
those falls have been in operation from a period long an-
terior to the creation of man."

MINERALS.

As might be expected in a formation like that of New
Hampshire, minerals in great variety and abundance are
found in almost every part of the state. These are val-
uable generally rather for utility than for their rarity, and
are consequently an important item in the wealth of the
state ; while the mineralogist will find ample scope for in-
vestigation and research. Some of the principal minerals
found in this state are the following : —

Granite is, of the quarry stones, the most abundant,
and is indeed so common that but little value is attached
to it, though its value is now rapidly increasing with the
increasing facilities for transportation. Excellent quarries
are found in almost all parts of the state.

SiENiTE, which is a building stone about equal to gran-
ite, abounds in Durham, Moultonborough, and Sandwich.

Gmeiss, which is very similar to granite, is extensively
used in building on account of its splitting more easily in
one direction than another.

Mica Slate is composed of parallel layers of mica, in-
termixed with fine granular quartz, and is highly valued,
when it splits true, for certain economical purposes. It is
scattered throughout the state, and most of the minerals
occurring here are found in this rock.

MINERALS. 457

Talcose Eock, or Soapstone, is ap invaluable material
for certain purposes, being wrought into a great variety of
useful articles. The principal quarries are in Francestown
and Orford, the most valuable quarry in this country
having been accidentally discovered in the former place in
1794.

Argillaceous Slate is found on the borders of the
Connecticut River, on the western, and at Portsmouth,
Somersworth, and Bartlett, on the eastern side of the state.
The compact variety has been wrought for tombstones in
the north-west corner of Unity, in Claremont, at Dalton,
Cornish Flat, and several other places.

Granular Quartz, on account of the facility Avith which
its grains may be separated by the crushing wheel, or even
by the stones of a common gristmill, is used for sandpaper,
polishing powder, and many other purposes of like charac
ter ; also in the manufacture of common window glass
It occurs most abundantly in Acworth, Unity, and Win-
chester.

Limestone is found in beds apparently inexhaustible,
especially in Haverhill, Lisbon, and Lyme, where quarries
have been wrought with great success.

NovACULiTE, or Oilstone, is abundant in the town of
Littleton, and of a very good quality. It is quarried and
wrought extensively.

Felspar is one of the components of granite, and
abounds throughout the state, but is most easily obtained
from the mica quarries of Alstead, Grafton, Springfield,
and Wilmot.

Mica abounds in the towns of Alstead and Grafton,
where it is quarried extensively for the market.

Fluor Spar, used for etching on glass and on agate,
occurs in Westmoreland and in Jackson.
39

458 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Sulphate of Barytes is found in Piermont in the
specular iron ore.

Beryl is found in Grafton, Orange, and Danbury in its
purest form, some of the crystals being almost equal, in
transparency and brilliancy, to the diamond. The largest
crystals are found in Acworth, but are distinguished rather
for their size than their purity.

Garnet. — The principal locations of this mineral are
Haverhill, Amherst, and Hanover.

Black Lead, or Graphite, is of considerable value, the
most extensive and profitable mines being in Goshen and
Antrim.

Iron. — The ores of this metal are scattered throughout
the state ; but the two most valuable localities, all things
considered, are probably in Piermont and Bartlett.

Zinc. — An important vein of this metal occurs in
Eaton.

Copper. — The most important localities of copper ores
are in Warren, Bath, and Unity.

Lead. — The principal locations are in Eaton and Shel-
burne, where it is also associated with silver in consider-
able quantities.

Tin occurs in Jackson, its discovery a few years since
being deemed of considerable importance, as the ore was
before unknown in the United States.

Silver is found in nearly all the lead ores of New
Hampshire in sufficient quantity to warrant its extraction
from the reduced lead, especially the ores of Eaton and
Shelburne.

Gold is found in veiy small quantities in Grafton and
Canaan.

Molybdenum occurs in great abundance in the town of
Westmoreland. *

, SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS. 459

Manganese is found in yarious parts of the state, es-
pecially in Gilmanton, Grafton, Wincliester, and Hins-
dale.

Chrome is found in minute quantities in the soil of
Dublin.

Titanium is a rare ore, but found comparatively abun-
dant in Merrimack and Unity.

Cadmium is found in all the ores of zinc, but most abun-
dant in the black blende of Shelburne.

Cobalt is found in Franconia, but is rare.

Arsenic is very abundant, both native and in the state
of arsenical pyrites. In Haverhill it is found in the former,
and in Jackson, Epsom, and Dunbarton in the latter
state.

Tungsten is found in the tin ores of Jackson.

Uranium occurs in Westmoreland, but is very rare.

It will be seen by the above list that New Hampshire
has a remarkable variety of minerals, containing a greater
number of metals than any other state in the Union. Iron,
zinc, lead, copper, and silver are the most important, and
the mining of these may yet become a leading branch of
industry.

SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.

The soil of New Plampshire is not generally distin-
guished for its fertility, though by patient industry it is
made to yield very abundant and valuable products. As
the soil is formed from the detritus of the rock, — the
granite, in general, greatly predominating, — much labor is
required for successful cultivation, though in the south-
ern portions a lighter and more fertile soil is found upon
the slate formations ; and upon the banks of the large riv-
ers, as the Connecticiit and the Merrimack, the alluvial de-

460 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

posit has formed some of the finest and most fertile meadow
lauds in the world. The peat bogs, which abound es-
pecially in the toAvns of Dublin, Littleton, Northumber-
land, Lancaster, Rochester, Warner, and Franklin, are of
immense advantage to the farms upon which they are
found. Many of these by draining become excellent grass
meadows, while all furnish an almost inexhaustible supply
fbr enriching the upland fields. It is to be hoped that
greater attention will be given to this subject, leading to
an analysis of such accumulations wherever found, and to
a more general use of this natural deposit, which, being
composed of vegetable matter, partially disorganized and
decomposed, becomes, when mingled with lime, a valuable
fertilizing agent.

Agriculture is the leading pursuit of the people of New
Hampshire, and most of the products common to the lati-
tude are successfully cultivated. Wheat, Indian corn, oats,
rye, &c., are raised in large quantities. The most common
fruits are apples, pears, plums, and cherries. Peaches are
also raised to some extent in the southern part of the
state.

Some of the principal forest trees are the birch, beach,
chestnut, sugar or rock maple, oak, hemlock, pine, cedar,
and spruce. A part of these are used for building pur-
poses and cabinet work ; others are chiefly valuable for fuel.
A variety of the maple, called birdseye maple, is much
prized for its beauty. The white pine is still abundant,
though vast quantities of it have already been sent to the
market. The largest and best of these trees are used for
the masts of vessels. From the rock maple large quantities
of sugar are made annually.

LAKES. 461

LAKES.

Connecticut Lake, the principal source of Connecticut
River, is situated in the ungranted land in the northern
part of the state. It is about five and a half miles in
length and two and a half in width. A few miles above
this is a smaller body of water, commonly called the Sec-
ond Lake, and still farther north is the Third Lake. The
latter is about five miles from Canada line.

OssiPEE Lake is situated in the townships of Ossipee
and Effingham. It is of an oval form, having an area of
about 7000 acres. Its waters are clear and beautiful.
The scenery in the vicinity is remarkably fine. The Ossi-
pee Indians are supposed to have had their head quarters
in the neighborhood of this lake.

Squam Lake, in Holderness, Sandwich, Moultonbor-
ough, and Centre Harbor, is described as " a splendid sheet
of water, indented by points, arched with coves, and stud-
ded with a succession of romantic islands." Its length is
about six miles ; its greatest Avidth about three. Its area
is estimated at from 6000 to 7000 acres. Its waters are
discharged into the Merrimack by Squam River.

Suxapee Lake borders on New London, Newbury,
and Sunapee. It is about nine and a half miles in length,
and from one half to one and one half miles in width. Its
outlet is Sugar River, which empties into the Connecticut.
It was once contemplated to unite the Connecticut and
Merrimack Rivers by a canal passing from the mouth of
Sugar River to the head waters of the Contoocook. A sur-
vey was made in 1816, by which it was found that this lake
is 820 feet above the level of the sea, and consequently
that the proposed canal was impracticable. This lake is
39* - .

462 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

situated so near the height of land that a slight excavation
would carry its waters to the Merrimack.

Umbagog Lake is situated partly in Maine and partly
in the township of Errol. Its form is quite irregular. Its
outlet is the Androscoggin Hiver.

WiNNiriSEOGEE Lake. — This is the largest body of wa-
ter in New Hampshire. It is situated in Belknap and
Carroll counties, environed by the pleasant towns of Moul-
tonborough, Tuftonborough, Wolf borough, Centre Plarbor,
Meredith, Gilford, and Alton, Its form is irregular. At
the west end are three large bays ; on the north is a
fourth, and at the east end are three others. The greatest
length is about 25 miles ; the width varies from one to ten.
Its height above the level of the sea is 472 feet. Its out-
let is the river of the same name. In the summer, steam-
boats, sloops, and smaller vessels navigate its waters, and
in the winter it presents a beautiful icy expanse. The
Indian name — Winnipiseogee — is said to mean " the
smile of the Great Spirit." Doubtless the aborigines were
not insensible to the charms of Nature, here so profusely
exhibited. The waters of the lake are clear and pellucid,
and in some places of great depth. Its surface is studded
with islands, which, like those of Lake George and Casco
Bay, are said to be three hundred and sixty-five in number.
Some of them are of considerable size, and possess soil of
great fertility.

The facility with which this beautiful lake is reached by
the various routes from the large cities on the sea coast
causes it to be muqh frequented during the summer months.
Steamboats connecting with the railroads ply regularly be-
tween the principal places bordering upon it. The follow-
ing extract, from a description written many years since by
Dr. Dwight, may not be uninteresting : —

" The prospect of this lake and its environs is enchant-

RIVEKS. 463

ing, and its beauties are seen with great advantage from a
delightful elevation a little distance from the road towards
Plymouth. The day was remarkably fine. Not a breath
disturbed the leaves, or ruffled the surface of the waters.
The sky was serene and beautiful. The Winnipiseogee
was an immense field of glass, silvered by the lustre which
floated on its surface. Its borders, now in full view, now
dimly retiring from the eye, were formed by those flowing
lines, those masterly sweeps of nature from which art has
derived all its apprehension of ease and grace, alternated,
at the same time, by the intrusion of points, by turns rough
and bold, or marked with the highest elegance of figure. In
the centre, a noble channel spread out 22 miles before the
eye, uninterrupted even by a bush or a rock. On both sides
of this avenue a train of islands arranged themselves, as if to
adorn it with the finish that could be given only by their
glowing verdure and graceful forms. That the internal and
successive beauties of the Winnipiseogee strongly resemble
and nearly approach those of Lake George, I cannot enter-
tain a doubt. That they exceed them seems scarcely
credible. But the prospect from the hill at the head of
Centre Harbor is much superior to that of Fort George.
The Winnipiseogee presents a field of at least twice the
extent. The islands in view are more numerous, of finer
forms, and more happily arranged. The shores are not
inferior. The expansion is far more magnificent, and the
grandeur of the mountains can scarcely be rivalled."

EIVERS.

Ammonoosuc Eiver. — There are two rivers of this
name, distinguished as Upper and Loiver. The Upper
Ammonoosuc has its source in the town of Milan, and
empties into the Connecticut, near the centre of Northum-

464 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

berland. Its course is somewhat circuitous, but generally
in a westerly direction. Its length is about fifty miles.
Its most considerable tributary is Phillips Kiver.

The Lower Ammonoosuc rises on the west side of the
White Mountains, near the Notch, flows in a south-wester-
ly direction about fifty miles, and falls into the Connecticut
in the southern part of Bath. Two miles from its mouth
it receives the Wild Ammonoosuc, a rapid and turbulent
stream, especially when swollen by freshets.

ANDRoscoGGiisr RiVER receives the waters of Umbagog
Lake, and also of the Magalloway River, which unites
with it about two miles below the lake. From this junc-
tion it pursues a southerly course, until it reaches the
vicinity of the White ^Mountains, where it passes into
Maine. It then bends to the east and south-east, passes
over the falls at Brunswick, not far from Bowdoin College,
and finally empties into the Kennebec.

AsHUELOT River has its source in a pond in Washing-
ton. It flows in a south-westerly direction, and falls into
the Connecticut in Hinsdale, three miles from the state
line.

CoNJs^ECTicuT River. — The principal sources of this
river are among the highlands in the northern part of the
state. It extends along the western border of New Hamp-
shire about one hundred and seventy miles, its western
shore forming the boundary between this state and Ver-
mont. Its general course is south. Passing through the
western part of Massachusetts and the centre of Connecti-
cut, it empties into Long Island Sound ; its total length
being about four hundred and fifty miles. There are many
rapids in the Connecticut, the most celebrated of which are
Bellows Falls, in Walpole.

The most important tributaries of the Connecticut

RIVERS. 465

in New Hampshire are the Upper and Lower Ammo-
noosuc, Israel's, John's, Mascomy, Sugar, and Ashuelot
Rivers.

The intervals are generally spread out on one or both
sides of the river, and extending from one half a mile to
five miles in breadth, though in some places the banks are
rocky and precipitous. The valley of the Connecticut is
justly admired for the unsurpassed beauty of its scenery,
while the river itself is unquestionably the finest in the
Eastern States. The ancient orthography of the Indian
name was Quonehtiquot, signifying Long River.

CoNTOOcooK River waters most of the towns in the
western part of Hillsborough county. It has its origin
from several ponds in JaiFrey and Rindge. In its course
northward it receives numerous tributaries. In Hills-
borough it takes a north-east and easterly direction, and,
after meandering through Concord, falls into the Merri-
mack between Concord and Boscawen.

Hall's Stream rises in the highland:, that separate this
state from Canada, and forms the north-western boundary
of the state from its source to its junction with the Con-
necticut at Stewartstown.

Israel's River, in Coos county, receives the waters
from the northern part of the White Mountain range, and,
flowing north-west, empties into the Connecticut in Lancas-
ter. It received its name from Israel Glines, a hunter,
who, with his brother, frequented these regions long before
the settlement of the country.

John's River, named from John Glines, has its princi-
pal source in Pondicherry Pond in Jefferson. It falls into
the Connecticut in Dalton.

Magalloway Rr'ER rises among the highlands near the
boundary line between New Hampshire and Maine, and.

466 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

after receiving the waters of Dead and Diamond Rivers,
empties into the Androscoggin two miles from the outlet
of Umbagog Lake.

Mascomy River is composed of several branches which
have their sources in Lebanon, Enfield, and Canaan.
These unite and fall into Mascomy Lake in Enfield.
From thence the river pursues a westerly course through
Lebanon, and empties into the Connecticut.

Merrimack River is composed of two branches. The
north branch, called the Pemigewasset, has its sources
among the White and Franconia Mountains, and flows
south, receiving the waters of Baker's and Mad River,
until it unites with the Winnipiseogee in Franklin. The
latter branch is the outlet of Winnipiseogee Lake. From
this junction the river is called the Merrimack, originally
written Merramacke and Moniiomake, which in the Indian
language signifies a sturgeon. The river pursues a south
course seventy-eight miles to Chelmsford, Massachusetts,
and thence flows east twenty-eight miles, emptying into the
sea at Newburyport. Some of its principal tributaries are the
Contoocook, which empties into it near the north line of Con-
cord ; the Soucook in Pembroke ; the Suncook, between Pem-
broke and Allenstown -, the Piscataquog in Bedford ; the Sou-
hegan in Merrimack j and a beautiful stream called the Nashua
River in Dunstable. The Men-imack, whose fountains are
nearly on a level with those of the Connecticut, is much
shorter than the latter, and, of course, has a more rapid
descent to the sea. Hence the intervals bordering on it
are less extensive, and the scenery less beautiful, than on
the Connecticut. It is, however, a noble river ', and on its
borders are some of the most flourishing towns in the state.
Its width varies from fifty to one hundred rods, and at its
mouth it presents a beautiful expanse of water, half a mile

RIVERS. 467

in width. This river, with Lake Winnipiseogee as a reser-
voir, affords an immense water power, which has given rise
to several flourishing manufacturing villages and cities.

Pi SCAT AQUA River, the only large river which is wholly
in New Hampshire, is formed by the junction of several
streams, which unite in a broad channel, hollowed out
partly by them and partly by the tide. The names of the
tributaries, beginning at the north-east, are Salmon Fall,
Cocheco, Bellamy Bank, Oyster, Lamprey, Swamscot, and
Winnicut Rivers. The last five unite their waters in Great
Bay, which resembles a lake more than a river, lying be-
tween Durham and Greenland. The waters from this bay
unite with the Salmon Fall and Cocheco Rivers a few miles
below Dover. After this junction they proceed in a direct
course to the south-east, and join the ocean a short distance
below Portsmouth, imbosoming several islands in their
course, and forming one of the best harbors in the country.
Although the Piscataqua makes an imposing appearance,
most of its tributaries are small ; the Salmon Fall furnish-
ing more water than all ' the rest. This river is called
Newichawannock from the falls in Berwick to its junction
with the Cocheco.

Saco River rises near the Notch of the White Moun-
tains, within a few rods of the sources of the Lower Am-
monoosuc. It flows in a south-east course, receiving
several ' tributaries from the mountains, the principal of
which is Ellis's River, and passes through Conway into
Maine, and from thence to the ocean. Its whole length is
estimated at one hundred and sixty miles. This river rises
and overflows very suddenly in rainy weather, and subsides
rapidly on the cessation of the rain. Its ordinary rise in
the spring freshets is from ten to fifteen feet, but in some
instances it has been known to exceed twenty feet.

468 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Sugar River is the outlet of Sunapee Lake. It flows
"West, and empties into the Connecticut in Claremont. In
its rapid descent it affords a large amount of water power,
which is now improved to a considerable extent.

WiNNiPiSEOGEE EiVER. — See Merrimack River.

MOUNTAINS.

Blue Hills is the name commonly applied to a range
of mountains in the eastern part of the state, commencing
in Nottingham, and extending in a northerly direction
through Strafford, Farmington, and Milton. The several
peaks are known as Teneriffe, Saddleback, Tuckaway, &c.

Camel's Rump. — This mountain is situated near the
boundary line between New Hampshire and Canada. It
was ascended, in 1840, by Messrs. Whitney and Wilhams,
the assistants of Dr. Jackson in the geological survey of
the state. They estimated its height at 3615 feet above
the sea level. " Its geological character is peculiar. The
specimens which we obtained from the mountain consisted
of amorphous masses of hornstone, of various hues of
color, from a light apple-green to almost black. The
mountain is covered with a low and tangled undergrowth,
with stunted fir-balsams and spruce. Although the ascent
was difficult, we were amply repaid by the magnificent
extent of the view which was displayed before us. In the
north, a series of high hills, stretching beyond each other
for five or ten miles, divides the waters flowing into the
St. Lawrence from those of the Magalloway and Connecti-
cut, beyond which, as far as the eye could reach, lay the
extended table lands of Canada, unbroken by any abrupt
elevation ; to the east, the lofty granite ranges of Maine,
Mount Bigelow, and Mount Abraham ; farther south, the

MOUNTAINS. 469

numerous large lakes near Umbagog, and the Diamond
Hills ; while in the farthest distance were seen the lofty
peaks of the White Mountains ; and to the west lay the
lakes and tributary streams of the Connecticut, and the
rolling ranges of the Green Mountains."

Cape Horn is an abrupt mountain of about 1000 feet
in height, situated near the centre of Northumberland.
Its north base is separated from the Connecticut by a nar-
row plain, while the Upper Ammonoosuc passes near the
eastern base.

Cardigan Mountain is situated in the eastern part of
Orange. It is composed of porphyritic granite. Its height
is about 1500 feet.

Carr's Mountain is in Ellsworth. It is composed of
granite, overlying mica slate. Its height is 3381 feet
above the level of the sea.

Carter's Mountain lies between Jackson and Chat-
ham.

Catamount Hills. — The highest of these hills, situat-
ed in Pittsfield, is 1415 feet above the level of the sea.

Chocorua Mountain is in Albany. Its height is 3358
feet above the level of the sea.

Gunstock Mountain, in Gilford, consists of three dis-
tinct peaks, the highest of which is 2447 feet above the
level of the sea, Erom the most southerly peak there is a
magnificent view of Winnipiseogee Lake.

Kearsarge Mountain is a conspicuous elevation In
Warner. Its sides are thickly covered with trees, which
renders the ascent difficult, but the top is a bare rock. It
is composed of mica slate. The height of the mountain is
3067 feet above the level of the sea.

Mount La Fayette is a lofty conical mountain of gran-
ite in Franconia. The view from its summit is regarded as
40

470 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

not inferior to that from Mount "Washington. Its height
is 5067 feet above the level of the sea.

MoNADNOCK Mountain, commonly called the Grand
Monadnock, is situated in Jaffrey and Dublin, 22 miles
east from Connecticut River. Its height is 3718 feet
above the level of the sea. The rocks near the summit
consist of a hard variety of gneiss. The plants are gener-
ally of an alpine character ; only a few dwarfish spruce
trees grow in the crevices of the rocks. The scenery, as
viewed from the top of the mountain, is extremely fine.
The surrounding country appears like a level plain, studded
with numerous villages and ponds. Of the latter, some
thirty are visible, some of them of considerable size. It is
said that evidences of volcanic action have been observed
here.

MoosEHiLLOCK is a noble eminence in the south-east
part of Benton. Its height is estimated at 4636 feet above
the level of the sea, thus giving it rank among the highest
mountains in New England.

Moose Mountain is the name given to an elevation
in Hanover, and to another between Brookfield and Mid-
dleton.

Ossipee Mountain, in Ossipee, is about four miles from
the eastern shore of Winnipiseogee Lake. It consists of
several distinct peaks, the highest of which is 2361 feet
above the level of the sea. It is well wooded to the sum-
mit. The rock is gneiss.

Pequaket Mountain is situated in Bartlett. Its height
is 3367 feet above the level of the sea. The view of the
surrounding country from its summit is truly magnificent.

Pilot Mountain, — See Gazetteer, Kilkenny.

Profile Mountain. — See Gazetteer, Franconia.

Ragged Mountains, so called from their rough appear-

THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. 471

ance, are situated between Andover and Hill, extending
about ten miles from the Pemigewasset to the vicinity of
Kearsarge. It is a bleak and precipitous range. The
northern portion is about 2000 feet in height.

The White Mountains. — The White Mountain range
is in Coos county, and extends about twenty miles' from
south-west to north-east. The width of the range is
various, but hardly exceeds in any place more than nine or
ten miles. Here are found the highest elevations in New
England, and, with a single exception, the highest in the
United States east of the Rocky Mountains. The unsur-
passed magnificence and grandeur of the scenery attract
multitudes of visitors annually, and give to New Hamp-
shire the well-deserved appellation of the " Switzerland of
America."

According to Dr. Belknap the Indian name of the
mountains was Agiocochook. An ancient tradition pre-
vailed among them that a deluge once occurred, which
swept away every human being except a single Powwow
and his wife, who fled to the mountains, and were there
preserved. From them the earth was repeopled. They
had, moreover, a superstitious dread of ascending the sum-
mits, which their imagination peopled with invisible beings,
who sometimes manifested their power in storms and tem-
pests, over which they were supposed to hold absolute
control. But though the savages never attempted the
ascent, believing success impossible, they frequented the
surrounding country and the mountain defiles, and propa-
gated many marvellous tales of what they alleged could
there be seen. Among other things, they gave accounts of
immense carbuncles far up the steep and inaccessible sides
of the mountains, which shone in the night with the most
brilliant and dazzhng splendor.

472 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

The first visit of white men to these regions was made
by Neal, Jocelyn, and Field in 1633. They were urged
partly, no doubt, by curiosity, and partly by the hope of
finding mineral treasures. They gave a glowing account
of their adventures, and of the extent and grandeur of the
mountains, which they called the Crystal Hills. Since
then they have frequently been visited by hunters and
men of science ; and within a few years they have become
one of the most fashionable places of summer resort in the
United States.

The geological characteristics of the White Mountains
are chiefly interesting from the fact that they exhibit the
operations of Nature on a grand scale. The rock is gener-
ally granite, sometimes capped, as on the su.mmit of Mount
Washington, with coarse mica slate. No minerals of much
value or rarity have been found here, and no evidences
of volcanic action have been discovered. It is altogether
probable that the mountains have for ages exhibited the
same unvarying appearance.

The sides of the mountains, as well as most of the sur-
rounding country, are thickly covered with trees, which in
autumn present a most beautifully variegated appearance.
The summits of the higher elevations are destitute of vege-
tation, excepting a few mosses and plants of alpine spe-
cies. For eight or ten months in the year they are covered
with snow, giving them that bright and dazzling appearance
from which they derive their name.

Many of the finest rivers of New England originate
among these highlands. The Saco flows from the east side
of the mountains, the tributaries of the Androscoggin
from the north, the Ammonoosuc and other branches of the
Connecticut from the west, and the Pemigewasset from the
south. The fountain of the latter is near that of the Saco.

THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. 473

The height of the mountains has been variously estimat-
ed. The Rev, Dr. Cutler, who, with several others, visited
the mountains and made a series of observations in 1784,
fixed the height of Mount Washington at 10,000 feet,
"which Dr. Belknap supposed would prove too low an esti-
mate. Other and later computations have given results
much less than this. Dr. Jackson, while engaged in the
geological survey of the state, made a series of observa-
tions under favorable circumstances, from which he calcu-
lated it to be 6226 feet above the high water mark in
Portsmouth Harbor. The height of several of the other
summits is estimated as follows : Mount Adams, 5759 feet ;
Mount Jefferson, 5657 ; Mount Madison, 5415 ; Mount
Monroe, 5349 ; Mount Franklin, 4850 ; Mount Pleasant,
4715.

Of these Mount Washington is easily known by its su-
perior elevation, and by its being the southern of the three
highest summits. Mount Adams is known by its sharp ter-
minating peak, and by its being the second north of Mount
Washington. Mount Jefferson is situated between these
two. Mount Madison is the eastern peak of the range.
Mount Monroe is the first south of Mount Washington.
Mount Franklin is the second south, and is known by its
level surface. Mount Pleasant is known by its conical
shape, and by its being the third south of Mount Wash-
ington.

The ascent of the mountains, though fatiguing, is by no
means difficult or dangerous. There are two or three
points from which the summit of Mount Washington can
be ascended by horses. The prospect from Mount Pleas-
ant, over which one of these routes passes, though inferior
in extent and grandeur to that from Mount Washington,
is in some respects more satisfactory, as the objects viewed
40*

474 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

are generally nearer and more distinct. The top of this
mountain is smooth, and gradually slopes away in every
direction from the centre. It is every where covered with,
short tufts of grass, interspersed here and there with moun-r
tain flowers, which give life and beauty to the scene. From
this point the summit of Mount Washington is in full view
to the north-east, being distant about three miles in a
straight line. To the north-west are seen the settlements
in Jefferson ; west, the courses of the Ammonoosuc, as
though delineated on a map ; to the south-west the Moose-
hillock and Haystack are visible ; south, Chocorua Peak ;
south-east, the settlements and mountains in Bartlett ; while
to the east are seen only dark mountains and forests. Pass-
ing from this place over Mount Pranklin and the eastern part
of Mount Monroe, the traveller reaches a plain of consid-
erable extent at the foot of Mount Washington. There
are here several ponds and springs, the largest of which is
a beautiful sheet of water of an oval form, covering about
three fourths of an acre. The waters are clear and pleas-
ant to the taste. The pinnacle of Mount Washington, ele-
vated 1500 feet above this plain, stands in majestic gran-
deur, like an immense pyramid, or some vast Kremlin in
this city of mountains.

The view from Mount Washington has been well de-
scribed by a traveller as follows : —

'' From the summit, if the day be clear, is afforded a view
unequalled, perhaps, on the eastern side of the North
American continent. Around you in every direction are
confused masses of mountains, bearing the appearance of a
sea of molten lava suddenly cooled whilst its ponderous
waves were yet in commotion. On the south-east horizon
gleams a rim of silver light ; it is the Atlantic Ocean, 65
miles distant, laving the shores of Maine. Lakes of all

THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. 475

sizes, from Lake Winnipiseogee to mere mountain ponds,
and mountains beneath you, gleam misty and wide." Far off
to the north-east -is Mount Katahdin. In the western hori-
zon are the Green Mountains of Vermont, and to the south
and south-west are Mount Monadnock and Kearsarge, while
the space between is filled up with every variety of land-
scape — mountain and hill, plain and valley, lake and river.

The Notch of the White Mountains is the name applied
to a very narrow defile extending two miles in length be-
tween two huge cliffs, apparently rent asunder by some
convulsion of nature. The mountain, otherwise a contin-
uous range, is here cleft asunder, affording a passage for
the waters of the Saco. Through this defile a road has
been constructed, following the course of the stream. At
the southern extremity the mountain walls on each side are
regular and parallel, but towards the north they become
irregular and much lower. The road gradually ascends
from the south, and the passage grows narrower until it
terminates at its northern extremity in the Gate of the
Notch. The distance between the perpendicular rocks on
each side of the chasm at this point is only 22 feet, af-
fording barely sufiicient room for the river and the road.

About half a mile below the northern entrance of the
Notch is seen a most beautiful cascade, issuing from a
mountain eight hundred feet above the subjacent valley, on
the right as you ascend from the south. The stream passes
over a series of rocks nearly perpendicular, with a course
so little broken as to preserve the appearance of a uniform
current, and yet so much disturbed as to appear perfectly
white. When swollen by rains it presents a magnificent ap-
pearance. It was called by Dr. Dwight the Silver Cascade.
Further up on the road, to the left, is a smaller branch
of the Saco, falling over three precipices some 250 feet.

476 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

The Notch was once the scene of a fearful catastrophe,
which resulted in the destruction of an entire family. The
old Notch Tavern, now called the Willey House, stood on
the westerly side of the road in the Notch, at the foot of
an abrupt elevation 2000 feet in height. Adjoining the
house were a barn and wood house, in front was a beautiful
little meadow, and along the eastern precipice flowed the
Saco. This house was occupied, in 1826, by Captain Sam-
uel Willey and his family, consisting of his wife, five chil-
dren, and two men named Nickerson and Allen. In the
month of June an avalanche, or slide, came down from the
mountain, and crossed the road, a few rods north of the
house, which led Captain Willey to prepare a place
of refuge to which they might flee in case there should
be signs of another slide. On the 28th of August, af-
ter several successive days of rainy weather, there were
closing showers, in which the rain poured down in tor-
rents, raising the rivers to an unusual height, and caus-
ing numerous slides among the mountains. A traveller,
passing through the Notch a day or two after, found the
house deserted. An immense slide, coming down directly
in the rear of the house, had been divided by a huge block
of granite about five rods distant, and passing on each side
of the house had again united in front. The barn and
other out-buildings were destroyed ; the house alone es-
caped unharmed. But the family had left this, the only
place of safety, and in attempting to flee were overwhelmed
by the moving mass. The bodies of six of them were dis-
covered not long after. The house which they occupied
is still standing, in a good state of repair. The meadow
was covered with stones and gravel, and the road, together
with the valley, was elevated for a considerable distance.
The course of the river was changed.

ROUTES TO THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. 477

ROUTES TO THE WHITE MOUNTAINS, PUBLIC HOUSES, &c.*

1. Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad. — This
railroad, with its various connections at Concord, presents
a favorable route to those who wish to enjoy the beautiful
scenery in the vicinity of Lake Winnipiseogee. Leaving
the cars at the Weirs, thirty-three miles from Concord,
visitors take the steamboat " Lady of the Lake," and pro-
ceed ten miles, to Centre Harbor. From this place the
distance to the White Mountain Notch, via Conway, is
sixty-two miles. The route from Centre Harbor to Con-
way by stage is extremely pleasant, commanding a view of
much fine scenery. At the latter place is a first-class hotel,
called the " Conway House," under the charge of Mr.
Fabyan, proprietor of the "Mount Washington House."
TAventy-four miles from Conway is the " Mount Crawford
House," or "Old Crawford's," the late residence of Abel
Crawford, the "Patriarch of the Mountains," who died
here at an advanced age in 1851. The house is kept by
Mr. Davis, who married a daughter of Mr. Crawford. It
is a favorite resort of anglers and sportsmen. Horses can
be obtained here to ascend Mount Crawford, and from its
summit, over a range of hills, to the top of Mount AVash-
ington. Six miles farther on is the "Willey House," a
large and well-conducted hotel, located near the old " Notch
Tavern," previously described. The " Crawford House,"
or " Tom Crawford's," is two miles from this place, near
the Gate of the Notch. From this place is a bridle path to
the summit of Mount Washington, passing over Mount
Pleasant, &c., as mentioned in the prcfceding article. This
house is admirably conducted by Mr. J. S. Gibb. It cora-

* See White Mountain Guide.

4'5^8 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

mands a view of the Notch, and of most of the principal
mountains in the range. Fabyan's well-known " Mount
Washington House " is -four miles farther on. It is a large,
well-conducted, and spacious hotel, commanding an impos-
ing view of Mount Washington, which is ascended from
this point, there being two bridle paths a part of the way.
White's Hotel is a neat and comfortable public house, half
a mile distant, where horses and a guide may be obtained
to ascend the mountains.

Those who wish to pass through Franconia before visit-
ing the White Mountains can take the cars for Plymouth,
fifty-one miles, and from thence by stage twenty-four miles
to the "Flume House," an excellent hotel, kept by Mr.
Taft. In this vicinity are the " Flume," " Fool," and " Ba-
sin." Six miles farther on is the " Lafayette House," a
good hotel, kept by Mr. Cobleigh, in the immediate vicinity
of which are the Profile, or *' Old Man of the Mountain,"
and Echo Lake. The house is romantically situated near
the entrance of the Franconia Notch. At this place, as
well as at the Flume House, horses can be obtained to
ascend Mount Lafayette, which is only some five hundred
feet lower than Mount Washington. For a description of
these curiosities, see Gazetteer, under Franconia.

The distance from Gibb's to Fabyan's is about twenty
miles, the road passing through Bethlehem.

2. Connecticut and Passumpsic River and White Moun-
tain Railroads. — Visitors passing up the valley of the
Connecticut by the former road and its connections take
the cars of the White Mountain Railroad, at Wells River,
and proceed to Littleton. The remainder of the distance
— to Fabyan's — is accomplished by stage. The road
follows the course of the Ammonoosuc.

3. Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad. — Visitors from

EDUCATION. 479

Portland and Boston by way of this route usually stop at
the "Gorham Station House," a large, commodious, and
well-managed house, kept by Mr. J. R. Hitchcock. From
this place a road has been laid out to the summit of Mount
Washington, on the north side of the mountain.

4. Cocheco Railroad and Winnipiseogee Lake. — There
is a route from Dover to Alton Bay by the Cocheco Eail-
road, from thence to Wolfborough by steamboat, from
that place to Conway by stage, and so on as in the first-
mentioned route.

EDUCATION.

Common School System. — The people of New Hamp-
shire early turned their attention to the subject of educa-
tion. The General Court of Massachusetts passed a law,
in 1647, establishing a system of public schools. This
law extended to the inhabitants of New Hampshire, which
was then united to that colony. It does not appear that
the interests of learning were ever lost sight of, though the
poverty and distress of the people, occasioned, or at least
increased, by their many severe conflicts with the Indians,
prevented the full accomplishment of their laudable de-
signs. The first law relating to schools passed by New
Hampshire after it became an independent province was
enacted in 1693, in the midst of a bloody struggle with
the French and Indians. This law provided for the estab-
lishment of a school in every town, subjecting those to a
penalty of ten pounds which should fail to comply with its
requirements. Other laws relating to this subject were
passed from time to time, as the exigencies of the public
seemed to demand.

"The old laws of New Hampshire," says Dr. Belknap,

480 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

■writing in 1792, "required every town of one hundred
inhabitants to keep a grammar school, by which was meant
a school in which the learned languages should be taught,
and youth might be prepared for admission to a university.
The same preceptor was obliged to teach reading, writing,
and arithmetic, unless the town were of sufficient ability to
keep two or more schools, one of which was called a gram-
mar school, by way of distinction." But these laws were
not always carried into effect. Sometimes the frontier
towns, on account of the great exertions they were com-
pelled to make for self-defence, were exempted, by a special
act of the Assembly, from the obligation to maintain a
grammar school ; and instances were not wholly unknown
in which there was a culpable neglect of duty on the part
of other towns, either by evasion, or by direct violation of
the statutes. Still, when we take into consideration all the
circumstances of the case, the small number of inhabitants,
their poverty, their exposed situation, and their numerous
contests with a deadly foe, we are the more astonished that
they should have accomplished so much.

The present public school system of our state is well
devised, and is calculated to give every one an opportunity
to acquire a good common education. The laws require
each town to raise at least "one hundred and thirty-five
dollars for every dollar of the public taxes apportioned to
said town, and so for a greater or less sum," which is to
be appropriated to the purpose of supporting the schools
of the town. Each town may divide itself into school
districts, and apportion the money among them according
to its own pleasure. The town is also required to elect at
its annual meeting a superintending school committee, con-
sisting of one or three persons, whose duty it is to exercise
a general supervision over the schools of the town, to

EDUCATION. 481

visit and examine them, and to examine teachers. No
teacher is allowed to commence a school until he shall have
been examined and approved by the superintending com-
mittee. The district is required to choose a prudential
committee, whose duty it is to employ teachers, and to
exercise a general supervision over the interests of the dis-
trict. The branches ordinarily taught in the common
schools are reading, writing, English grammar, arithmetic,
and geography.

Any district wishing to support a higher grade of
schools can do so by adopting the " Somersworth Act," * so
called. This takes the control of the school entirely from
the hands of the town committee, and gives the district
power to choose their own superintending as well as pru-
dential committee — the former to consist of not less than five
nor more than seven persons. Any district adopting this act
may establish and maintain one or more high schools, and
if they have not less than one hundred scholars, may raise
money at their discretion for the support of such schools.

Any two or more contiguous districts may unite for the
purpose of supporting a high school or schools, or any sin-
gle district in which the number of scholars exceeds one
hundred, may establish such schools. This last provision
is not intended to interfere with those which may adopt
either of the other acts. In large districts much advantage
is derived from a suitable gradation and classification of
the scholars, even though a regular high school may not be
established.

In addition to the amount raised by a public tax for the
support of schools, every banking corporation in the state

* A law passed in 1848, giving a certain district in Somersworth power to
establish a high school, and afterwards amended so as to apply to any district
which should adopt the same.

482 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

is required to pay to the state treasurer a sum equal to one
half per cent, of its capital stock, for the same purpose.
This is called the Literary Fund, and is divided annually
among the several towns, according to the number of schol-
ars reported as having attended school, during the year
preceding the time of division, not less than two weeks.

The several towns are required to appropriate a sum
equal to three per cent, of the amount by law required
to be raised for the support of common schools, which is
to be expended by the county commissioner for the support
of Teachers' Institutes within the county.

The governor and council are required to appoint annu-
ally a commissioner of common schools in each county in
the state, who, in their associate capacity, constitute a
board of education, with power to choose a chairman and
secretary. It is the duty of each commissioner to spend
not less than one day in the course of the year in each
town in his county, for the purpose of advancing the in-
terests of education, by addresses, inquiries, and other
means that circumstances may require. It is also his duty
to take charge of any Teachers' Institutes that may be held
in the county, and to make report of his doings to the sec-
retary of the board.

The board of education have power to recommend
school books, and methods of instruction and discipline
suitable to be pursued in common schools. They are re-
quired to make a report annually embracing such infor-
mation and suggestions as may seem to them useful. From
the report for 1854, made through the secretary, Hon.
Hall Roberts, the following statistics are copied : —

Number of school districts reported, 2294. Do. schol-
ars, 87,825. Average monthly wages of male teachers,
exclusive of board, .$16.42 ; do. females, |7.18. Number

EDUCATION. 483

of male teachers in tlie summer schools, 43 ; do. females,
2077. Number of male teachers in the winter schools,
1153 ; do. females, 1127. Amount raised by taxes for
schools, $166,973.88 ; do. contributed in board, fuel, &c.,
$12,376.68; do. of income from school funds, $8519.53 ;
do. of railroad tax for schools, $4827.68 ; do. of literary
fund, $15,576.23 ; do. raised for Teachers' Institutes,
$4050.00. Total raised for schools during the year,
$212,324.00.

Academies and Private Schools. — The number of
incorporated academies in the state, as reported by the
board of education, is 46. Many of these are in a flour-
ishing condition and well sustained. The oldest, and one
of the most prosperous, is Phillips Academy at Exeter,
founded and endowed by Hon. John Phillips, LL. D. It-
was incorporated in 1781. Some of the moet distinguished
men which our country has produced received their early
training at this institution. Its funds amount to $70,000.

New Ipswich Academy was incorporated in 1789. It
has received large donations from the late Hon. Samuel
Appleton, and is now called, in honor of him, the New
Ipswich Appleton Academy.

Kimball Union Academy, established at Plainfield in
1813, has funds amounting to $40,000, principally the
donation of the late Hon. Daniel Kimball, the income of
which is devoted chiefly to the support of indigent young
men preparing for the ministry.

Gilmanton Academy, at Gilmanton, incorporated in
1794, has a fund of $7000.

The New Hampshire Conference Seminary, at North-
field, is under the control of the Methodist denomina-
tion.

The New London Literary and Scientific Institution has

484 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

been recently established at New London. It is under the
direction of the Baptist denomination.

In addition to these, there is a large number of imincor-
porated institutions and private schools, many of which do
good service in the cause of education. Some of them are
kept in operation the entire year, others only for a short
period of time.

Dartmouth College. — This institution of learning was
founded in 1769, by Eleazar Wheelock, a clergyman of
Lebanon, Connecticut. Belie\dng that much might be
done for the Indians by giving them the means of acquir-
ing an education, he received into his family, for the pur-
poses of instruction, several native youth, among whom
was Samson Occum, of the Mohegan nation. Occum
proved to be a person of superior abilities, which encour-
aged Dr. "WTieelock to persevere in his efforts to spread
the gospel among the savages. But finding that it was
difficult to accomplish this by means of white missionaries,
he conceived the plan of founding a school at which he
might receive Indian boys, and prepare them for mission-
aries and teachers. In pursuance of his design, he re-
ceived into his family, in 1754, two boys of the Delaware
nation.

The school soon began to attract the attention of the
public, and to receive the aid of the charitable. In 1763
the General Court of Massachusetts voted that they would
bear the expense of the education, board, and clothing of
six children of the Six Nations for one year. They were
accordingly selected, and admitted to the school.

Among the early benefactors of the school was Mr.
Joshua Moor, of Mansfield, Connecticut, who gave a school
house and about two acres of land. In honor of him, the
institution was named Moor's Indian Charity School.

EDUCATION. 485

Meanwhile the school continued to prosper. Many emi-
nent men and benevolent societies both in Great Britain
and America made liberal donations to it ; but the increased
expenses called for new exertions on the part of its friends.
For the purpose of gaining more assistance. Dr. Wheelock
sent Occum, with the Rev. Nathaniel Whitaker, of Nor-
wich, to Great Britain. Occum was the first Indian min-
ister who had ever visited that country, and, as might
have been expected, attracted considerable attention. He
preached in all the principal cities of England and Scot-
land with great success. Between 9000 and 10,000
pounds sterling were collected, and a board of trustees ap-
pointed to receive the funds, to be drawn by Dr. Whee-
lock, as he should have need. Of this board the Right
Hon. William Legge, Earl of Dartmouth, was president.

Dr. Wheelock now determined to establish a college in
connection with his school. But as there was already a
flourishing institution of that kind in Connecticut, it was
deemed expedient to locate it elsewhere. Moreover, the
progress of civilization had driven the Indians from his
immediate vicinity, and it was thought that by removing to
the wilderness he might more successfully carry out his
views. After listening to various proposals, and consult-
ing the trustees in England, he fixed upon the western
part of New Hampshire as the most suitable locality for
the infant college, though he did not then decide upon the
precise spot.

The next step was to obtain a charter, which was granted
by John Wentworth, the royal governor of the province,
in the name of George III., ordaining " that there be a
college erected in our said province of New Hampshire,
by the name of Dartmouth College, for the education and
instruction of youth of the Indian tribes in this land in
41*

486 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

reading, writing, and all parts of learning whicli sliall
appear necessary and expedient for civilizing and Christian-
izing children of pagans, as well as in all liberal arts and
sciences; and also of English youth and any others."
This was dated December 13, 1769. In the same instru-
ment Dr. Wheelock was appointed president. A grant of
five hundred acres of land in Hanover had been previously
given to the college, and at this time the entire township
of Landaff was also granted to it. Other donations, both
of land and money, were made by various individuals in
New Hampshire and in the eastern part of Vermont, then
called the New Hampshire Grants.

In the spring of 1770, Dr. Wheelock, with two com-
panions, set out on an exploring tour, in order to choose the
most eligible place for the college and school. After visit-
ing several proposed localities, he finally selected Hanover ;
and in the autumn of the same year he removed thither
with his family and pupils, making in all about seventy
persons. There were no accommodations, excepting two
or three log houses. The location was an extensive plain,
shaded with a growth of lofty pines. Upon a few acres
the trees had been felled previously to his arrival. They
immediately set to work to build dwellings, and also a col-
lege edifice ; but the autumnal rains setting in early hin-
dered their progress. During the winter they were exposed
to many hardships ; yet it is stated that, '^ in this secluded
retreat, and in these humble dwellings, this enterprising
colony passed a long and dreary winter. The students
pursued their studies with diligence; contentment and
peace were not interrupted even by murmurs." During
the next summer various improvements were made, and
the wilderness soon began " to bud and blossom like the
rose."

EDUCATION. 487

The first commencement was held in August, 1771,
when four young men received the first honors of the col-
lege. For some years, in addition to Indians in the school
and college, a number of English youth were supported
wholly or in part by the funds, with the understanding
that they should go as missionaries when they had com-
pleted their course of study. But the difficulties that
sprang up between America and the mother country pre-
vented the accomplishment of their benevolent purposes,
as the Indians refused to admit them to their territory.
But few of the Indians educated by Dr. Wheelock became
missionaries, though many of them proved useful as teachers
and interpreters.

In the mean time the commencement of hostilities be-
tween Great Britain and her American colonies seriously
embarrassed the operations of the college by depriving it
of its expected support. But in this extremity, Hon. John
Phillips, of Exeter, made a liberal donation. The Continent-
al Congress also made a grant of $500. From these and
other sources sufficient means were obtained to keep the
college in operation during the war. But Dr. Wheelock
did not live to see the return of peace. He died on the
24th of April, 1779, in the sixty-ninth year of his age.
He was succeeded by his son, John Wheelock, then a
colonel in the United States army.

On the cessation of hostilities President Wheelock re-
solved to visit England to solicit aid for the institutions un-
der his care. In this he met with a tolerable desrree of
success. In 1785 the legislature of Vermont granted the
entire township of Wheelock to the college and school.
The next year a new college building was commenced.

After the revolutionary war it was found that the title
of the college to the township of Landaff, which had been

488 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

granted to it by Governor Wentworth, was precarious. It
had been previously granted to others by a former govern-
or ; but, as they did not fulfil the conditions of the charter,
it was declared forfeited, and afterwards granted to the
college. But after the war the first grantees renewed their
claim, and finally recovered possession of this township.
The state, however, made other grants to the college, which
more than compensated for the loss.

The college continued under the care of President Whee-
lock until 1815, when he was removed by the trustees,
with whom he had been having difficulties for a considera-
ble time. In the mean time a committee had been ap-
pointed by the legislatiure to examine into the state of af-
fairs at the college, and report accordingly. This was done
in 1816, and an act was then passed altering the charter of
the college, increasing the trustees from twelve to twenty-
one, appointing a board of overseers, and changing the name
of the institution to Dartmouth University. A majority
of the trustees, however, together with President Brown,
the successor of John Wheelock, and Professors Shurt-
leflT and Adams, refused to comply with the requirements
of the act, and appealed to the judicial tribunals. Mean-
while the university was organized, and took possession of
the buildings and apparatus ; but the officers of the college
continued their instructions in private rooms. In 1817 the
case was decided in the Superior Court of New Hamp-
shire in favor of the university. The case was then car-
ried to the Supreme Court of the United States, which, on
the 2d of February, 1819, reversed the whole proceed-
ings, and declared the act of the state null and void, thus
placing the college in a firm position by relieving it from
the fear of legislative interference.

The New Hampshire Medical Institution was established.

EDUCATION. ' 489

in connection with the college, in 1797, and is still in suc-
cessful operation. The annual course of lectures begins on
the Thursday succeeding commencement, and continues
14 weeks.

The Chandler Scientific School was founded by Abiel
Chandler, Esq., late of Walpole, who bequeathed to the trus-
tees of the college the sum of $50,000, in trust, " for the
establishment and support of a permanent department, or
school of instruction, in the college, in the practical and
useful arts of life." This department was organized and
put into operation in 1852.

Moor's Charity School was long kept in operation in
connection with the college, and under the direction of the
president ; but it is at the present time suspended.

The institution is now in a prosperous condition. ' With-
in the last year (1854) a fine observatory has been erected
and furnished with instruments, through the munificence
of George C. Shattuck, LL. D., late of Boston. The va-
rious libraries connected with the college contain upwards
of 30,000 volumes. The faculty of the institution, in-
cluding the medical department, consists of the president
and 14 acting professors. Number of the alumni, 2835.
Do. medical graduates, 844. Do. undergraduates in 1854,
252. Do. medical students, 63. Do. in the Chandler de-
partment, 38. Commencement is on the last Thursday in
July.

SUCCESSION OF PRESIDENTS.
Accessus. Exitus.

1769. Eleazar Wheelock, D. D., 1779.

1779. John Wheelock, LL. D. 1815.

1815. Francis Brown, D. D. 1820.

1820. Daniel Dana, D. D. 1821.

1822. Bennett Tyler, D. D. 1828.

1828. Nathan Lord, D. D.

490 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

We cannot close our brief sketch more appropriately
than by quoting a few extracts from the speech of Profess-
or BroAvn, made at the second festival of the Sons of New
Hampshire, celebrated in Boston, November 2, 1853.
Referring to Dartmouth College, he says,* —

*' She was not founded for New Hampshire alone. Es-
tablished with no seclusive policy or purpose, and conse-
crated as she was, from the beginning, to the two great ob-
jects of being a handmaid of religion and a mistress of
learning, that both might be diffused, each moving in har-
mony with the other, she has gathered her sons from various
regions, and invigorating their bodies by the fresh air of
the mountains, and their minds by the discipline of her
studies, she has sent them forth in due time, east, west,
north, and south, through every state, all over the world.
She might ask you to accompany her, as with a mother's
pride she followed one and another in his path through
life. She would take you beyond the seas, and point you
to some standing before kings as the representatives of
their country ; to others on the shores of the Bosphorus, in
India, in China, and the Sandwich Islands, laboring with a
man's energy in the noblest of moral enterprises, solving
the grandest of problems, to make a Christian and intelli-
gent nation out of a people superstitious, ignorant, and
degraded. • She would point you to still others establishing
the schools and incipient colleges, and directing the print-
ing presses of Oregon and California. Leading you back
from the great circuit, she would pause in every state in
the Union, and name the writers, the jurists, the senators,
in whose breeding she had some share ; and, finally, end-
ing where she began, she would take you, in her sorrow
and pride, every 24th of October, down to the sea side,

* Second New Hampshire Festival, p. 96.

RELIGION. 491

that you might bend in reverent affection, and meditate be-
side the grave of her greatest son."

EELIGION.

The constitution of New Hampshire guaranties to every
individual the right to worship God according to the dic-
tates of his own conscience, provided he does not disturb
the public peace, or disturb others in their religious wor-
ship. In July, 1819, the memorable act called the tolera-
tion law was passed by the legislature, which provides that
no person shall be compelled to join, or support, or be
classed with, or associated to, any church or religious soci-
ety, without his express consent first had and obtained, and
that any person may withdraw from a society of which he
is a member by leaving a written notice with the clerk of
the same.

The following notices comprise accounts of all the prin-
cipal denominations found within the limits of our state : —

(^Orthodox) Congregationalists* — The organization of
the first Congregational church in New Hampshire was in
1638, 18 years subsequent to the landing of the Pilgrim
Fathers at Plymouth. It is an unsettled question whether
the first church was that at Exeter, of which the celebrated
John Wheelwright was pastor, or that at Hampton, of
which the Rev. Stephen Bachilor was pastor. Both doubt-
less were formed in 1638 — the latter in the fall of that
year. Settlements had previously been begun at Dover
and Portsmouth. In the former place a meeting house was
erected as early as 1633, and William Leverich, "a worthy
and able Puritan minister," was engaged as a preacher.

* From Historical Discourse bv Rev. Mr. Bouton.

492 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

To him succeeded one Burditt, and then Hanserd KnoUys,
or Eaiowles, both unworthy men. But a church was not
formed in Dover till 1639, and no pastor was regular-
ly settled till 1642. However it maybe a question wheth-
er Wheelwright of Exeter or Bacliilor of Hampton was
first in the order of New Hampshire pastors, it should be
acknowledged that the oldest church now in existence in
the state is that of Hampton, the first Exeter church be-
ing dispersed on the removal of Wheelwright, about four
years afterwards, to Wells, in Maine. The only towns in
the province in which ministers had been settled previous
to 1670, a half century from the landing of the Pilgrims,
were Hampton, Exeter, and Dover. Of the seven that
had been pastors in those towns, only two were then in
office, viz., Samuel Dudley, of Exeter, and Seaboin Cotton,
of Hampton. In 1671 a church was organized, and Rev.
Joshua Moody settled the same day, the first minister of
Portsmouth, though he had preached there since 1658, and
occasional preaching had been enjoyed since 1640.

The fifth church organized was at Dunstable, under the
jurisdiction of Massachusetts, now the first church in
Nashua, and a minister settled in 1685. Subsequently
other towns bordering on the sea coast, as New Castle,
Newington, Stratham, Durham, Kingston, and Rye, had
ministers. Thence, very gradually, settlements were made
in the interior, and ministers settled, in Londonderry,
(1719,) Concord, (1730,) Chester, Winchester, Pembroke,
Hudson, and Keene. In the latter place Rev. Jacob Ba-
con was settled in 1738, a century after the settlements at
Exeter and Hampton. He was the 55th pastor in order
settled in the state. But at the formation of the conven-
tion in 1747, there were only about 30 ministers living.
The progress of settlements continued slow, extending into

RELIGION. 493

the interior, averaging, till after the revolutionary war,
only abbut four annually in the whole state ; but subsequent-
ly the growth was more rapid. The number of pastors
living at different periods in the history of the denomina-
tion, is as follows : —

In 1670, 2 ; 1700, 5 ; 1747, 30 ; 1776, 65 ; 1800, 76 ;
1820,90; 1847,117.

At the present time the General Association reports as
follows : —

Number of churches, 187. Do. ministers, 158. Do.
communicants, 20,309. Total value of church property
in 1850, $527,340.

The Congregational Journal, a weekly paper published
at Concord, is devoted to the interests of this denomination.

Episcopalians. — This denomination was among the
earliest established in the state. A church was erected at
Portsmouth prior to 1638, and Eev. Richard Gibson was
the first minister, who remained until 1642.

Number of parishes, 11. Do. rectors, 7. Do. commu-
nicants, 572. Do. Sabbath school children, 364. Total
value of church property in 1850, $41,100.

Christians. — Number of churches in 1850, 24. Ag-
gregate accommodations, 7240. Total value of church
property, $30,350.

Baptists. — The first Baptist church in this state —
indeed, the first north of Boston — was organized in New-
ton, Rockingham county, in 1755. The members were
separatists for " conscience sake " from the Congregational
church, and were the fruit of the " great awakening " un-
der Whitefield and others in 1740. "Walter Powers be-
came pastor at its organization. The centennial celebration
will take place in October, 1855, in connection with the
meeting of the Baptist State Convention.
42

494 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

The first Baptist communicant known in the state was
Rachel Thurbur, of Rehoboth, Ma^achusetts, who became
Mrs. Scammon, and moved to Stratham, 1720. It was the
result of her labors that Dr. Samuel Shepherd became con-
nected with the denomination in 1770, under whose inde-
fatigable labors the Brentwood church and its branches
were organized, in connection with which he lived to intro-
duce more than 600 members.

More than a century before any Baptist church existed
in this state, Hanserd Knollys came to this state, and after-
wards became an eminent Baptist. Mr. Knollys was grad-
uated at Cambridge College, England, and ordained by the
Bishop of Peterborough in 1629. Becoming afterwards a
Puritan minister, he came to this country, and to Dover, in
this state, in 1638. He organized the first Congregational
church in Dover, being the second in the state. In 1641
he returned to England, and organized a Baptist church
in London, where he was eminent as a pious and useful
minister till his death in 1691. A denominational publish-
ing society exists in London, called by his name.

Number of Baptist churches is this state in 1755, 1 ;
1780, 9 ; 1800, 26 ; 1853, 96. Do. ordained ministers in
1853, 90. Do. communicants, 8376.

About $2000 are annually expended for domestic mis-
sions.

Freewill Baptists. — The first church in New Hamp-
shire of this denomination was founded at New Durham, in
1780, by Elder Benjamin Randall, This denomination
was recognized as a distinct sect by an act of the legisla-
ture, December 7, 1804.

The following statistics are given as reported *in the
Freewill Baptist Register for 1854 : —

Number of churches in New Hampshire, 132. Do.

RELIGION. 495

ordained ministers, 135. Do. licentiates, 12, Do. com-
municants, 9751. Amount contributed for missions dur-
ing the year, $1644.28.

The Freewill Baptist printing establishment is located at
Dover, by which are issued The Morning Star, a weekly
paper, and The Myrtle, a semi-monthly Sabbath school pa-
per. The profits of the publications of this establishment
are devoted to the interests of the denomination.

Friends, or Quakers. — The Friends made their appear-
ance in New Hampshire at an early date, and at first suf-
fered severe persecution. They have now several small
societies, but no regular ministers. A society was formed
at Seabrook in 1701.

Number of churches in 1850, 15. Aggregate accom-
modations, 4700. Total value of church property,
$15,200.

Methodists. — In July, 1791, Jesse Lee preached the
first Methodist sermon in New Hampshire, at Portsmouth.
On the 26th of August of the same year he preached in a
private house in Greenland. Two weeks after this time
he again preached in Portsmouth, standing iipon the Court
House steps. He also visited, the same year, Rindge,
Marlborough, Chesterfield, Dublin, and some other towns.
In 1794 Joshua Hall was appointed to preach in New
Hampshire, but the following year the appointment was
withheld. On the 1st of January, 1795, Mr. Lee again
visited Portsmouth, and preached to an audience of four
persons.

The first Methodist society in New Hampshire was or-
ganized at Chesterfield, in the latter part of 1795. At
the conference of 1796, this society reported 68 members,
and became a regular circuit. Philip Wager was the first
stationed preacher, and reports his circuit " more than fifty
miles square."

496 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

The number of members reported in the state in 1797
was 92 ; in 1798, 122. The Methodists were recognized
by law as a distinct religious sect June 15, 1807.

The New Hampshire Conference was organized and held
its first session at Barre, Vermont, June 23, 1830. The
Vermont Conference was separated from the New Hamp-
shire Conference in 1845. The New Hampshire Conference
Seminaiy, at Northfield, was established the same year.
The Methodist General Biblical Institute went into opera-
tion at Concord, April 1, 1847, having an endowment of
$37,000.

In May, 1854, Methodism reports itself as follows : —

Preachers' appointments, 102. Travelling preachers, 82.
Superannuated preachers, 24. Local preachers, 98. Mem-
bers in society, 9352. Probationers, 1782. Number of
Sabbath schools, 123. Do. Sabbath school teachers, 1487.
Do. Sabbath school scholars, 9683. Do. Bible classes, 498.
Do. scholars in infant classes, 512. Raised for benevo-
lent objects, (i. e. missions, Bible classes, &c.,) $5119.78,
Total value of church property in 1850, $ 175,590.

Roman Catholic. — Number of churches in 1854, 4.
Aggregate accommodations in 1850, 1450. Total value
of church property in 1850, |20,000.

Unitarian. — Number of churches in 1850, 13. Ag-
gregate accommodations, 8380. Total value of church
property, $72,800.

Universalists. — The Universalists were recognized by
law as a distinct religious sect June 13, 1805. The first
society of this denomination was formed at Portsmouth as
early as 1781.

Number of societies, 70. Do. meeting houses, 56. Do.
preachers, 27. Total value of church property in 1850,
$83,100.

RELIGION. 497

ShaJcers. — " New Hampshii'e contains two societies of
those curious and interesting people called Shakers, or
United Believers — one situated in Canterbury, Merri-
mack county, and the other in Enfield, county of Grafton.
These two societies contain usually from 250 to 350 mem-
bers each.

" There are now in the United States eighteen societies
of these people, containing about 7000 members. An epit-
ome of the principal features of the two societies in New
Hampshire will give a very general representation of the
whole, as their religious opinions and practices, as well
as their internal regulations, are identical, whether in Ken-
tucky, New York, or New Hampshire.

" They are the followers of Ann Lee and her associates,
who came to this country from England in 1774.

** The religious and domestic polity of this singular
order of people presents many peculiar and highly distin-
guishing characteristics. Their church government may
be called Episcopal, or vested in bishops and elders, after
the order of the primitive church. The central or lead-
ing spiritual authority devolves upon a succession of min-
istry, or order of bishops, residing alternately at New Leb-
anon and Watervliet, in the State of New York.

" In New Hampshire, the religious principles, as first
inculcated by Ann Lee, were adopted by several families
in the before-mentioned and several of the surrounding
towns in 1782 ; but in 1792 these families associated them-
selves together in a joint interest, in all their temporal and
spiritual concerns, under the supervision of a ministry, or
order of bishops, appointed by, and subject to, the head
authority in New York. The societies in New Hampshire
have continued under the episcopal jurisdiction of a suc-
42*

498 XrSV HAMPSHLKE AS IT IS.

cession of ministry alternately residing at Canterbury and
Enfield.

'•' The most striking of their peculiar religious dogmas
are the folloAving : —

'•' That the Deity is composed of two great and funda-
mental essences, viz., power and wisdom, or male and
female principles. For proof of this they quote Horn,
i. 20.

" That Christ has made, not only his first, but his sec-
ond appearing. That these are both to be considered as
emphatically spmtual manifestations ; the first as seen in
and through the mission of Jesus of Xazareth, and the
second as seen in the same manifestations through Ann
Lee. Through these two manifestations they recognize a
spiritual parentage, or the father and mother of the new
creation.

'•' That the object of these two appearings of Christ —
first in the male, and secondly in the female — was to
make an end of sin, and to bring in everlasting righteous-
ness ; to make an end of the world, or order of the flesh,
perfected in the first Adam and Eve, that all who would
might come into the order or dispensation of the new
creation, through regeneration, or the spiritual parentage
of the second Adam and Eve. Through this agency, they
believe a new heavens and a new earth are being insti-
tuted, as seen in their order. Hence celibacy is rigidly
and tenaciously observed in every instance.

•'*' That the resurrection concerns the soul or spiritual
body only, and can have nothing to do with the naturaL

'* In short, the above leading points of doctrine would
seem to indicate a foiindation, with no borrowed material,
since Chiist, or the declension of the primitive church.

*•' However objectionable these dogmas may appear to

RELIGION. 499

the casual observer, the fact cannot be disguised, that this
doctrine, as a foundation /or practical holiness, possesses
many decided advantages. And that the isolated position
in which they stand to the world without should expose
them to much scandal and reproach, is not astonishing.
But when scandal and reproach become the cause of re-
ligious persecution, they should become a soiu'ce of uni-
versal regret. Indeed, several unsuccessful attempts have
been made to procure legislative enactments, in New Hamp-
shire, ostensibly and specially designed to oppress this
peaceable and quiet class of people, and tending to destroy
many of those sacred privileges now so faithfully guaran-
tied to every good citizen by our constitution. May
special legislation, and every species of religious intoler-
ance, never find a stronger foothold in the old Granite
State than they already possess.

" The Shakers take no part in political affairs, believing
themselves subjects of another kingdom, although they
cheerfully yield all their constitutional obligations for their
privileges secured in return.

" That they constitute the only successful attempt for an
institution, or association, for a community of joint inter-
ests, and that they have gained for themselves a character
for honesty, industry, temperance, neatness, and sobriety,
have become universally proverbial. Their villages pre-
sent a spectacle of thrift, order, and cleanliness nowhere
else to be found.

" At Enfield, for 61 years, or since the society there
was first founded, they have had but 201 deaths. The
average age of all these lives has exceeded, a trifle, 52
years. The society at Canterbury, in these particulars, is
very nearly the same. This is worthy of great consid-
eration.

500 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

*' Agriculture, horticultui-e, and the various mechanic
arts claim their constant attention, all of which they pursue
with much profit and success. By means of their indus-
try and frugal habits, their honesty and punctuality in all
their business transactions, they have accumulated a respec-
table property; and after bestowing much for charitable
purposes, they live quiet, peaceful, and happy lives. "

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DANIEL WEBSTER.*

The family of Daniel Webster was of Scottish origin,
though it was established in America at a very early peri-
od. Thomas Webster, the remotest ancestor in this coun-
try, settled at Hampton, New Hampshire, in the year 1636,
or sixteen ydars after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plym-
outh ; and from him the descent has been definitely traced
in the records of Hampton, Kingston, and Salisbury.

Ebenezer Webster, the father of Daniel, is represented
as having been a man of " striking personal appearance,"
tall, erect, and athletic, a man of great energy of character
and indomitable courage. He rendered important services
both in the French war and the revolution ; was at West
Point at the time of the discovery of Arnold's treason ; at the
battle of White Plains, and at* the battle of Bennington, be-
ing, in the latter, a major under General Stark. After the
decease of his first wife he married Abigail Eastman, who
became the mother of Ezekiel and Daniel Webster. Like

* See plate.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 501

the mothers of most men of distinction, she was possessed
of superior intellect and great energy of character. She
lived, like every true mother, for the good of her children,
and looked forward to the time when they should rise
above the humble position in which their lot was cast.
The distinction Avhich they afterwards attained is no doubt
attributable, in a great measure, to her early precepts and
instructions.

Daniel "Webster was born on the 18th of January, 1782,
in Salisbury, New Hampshire, a place at that time on the
very borders of civilization, and subject to all the diffi-
culties and dangers of a frontier settlement. In this place
he passed the days of his childhood, receiving his first im-
pressions from the wild and picturesque scenery which
there abounds, and his first instructions from his pious and
devoted mother, who, on account of his feebleness when a
child, always treated him with special kindness, and proph-
esied even then that he would become eminent.

Yes, New Hampshire was the place of his birth, the
birthplace of so many men of renown. In this, indeed,
she acknowledges no superior among her sister states. Of
her it may be said, as Homer said of Ithaca, " Rugged is
her surface and unprolific is her soil, but she is the nursing
mother of great men." Here was he born who was ap-
pointed to be the guardian of the Union, the great ex-
pounder of the constitution, as Mount Washington seems
keeping guard over the land of his birth. Here he im-
bibed that dignity, that freedom of thought, and that in-
tellectual vigor which left so indelible a mark on his ora-
tory and his public career.

" It may well be supposed th^t his early opportunities for
education were very scanty." He was obliged to walk two
and a half miles to school in midwinter, when quite young.

502 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

His first masters were Thomas Chase and James Tappan,
whom he always regarded with the most profound respiect
and esteem. In the year 1796 he was taken by his father
to the Academy in Exeter, where he remained for a few
months only, but sufficiently long to give his mind a most
powerful impulse.

Strange as it may seem, there appear to exist in all
possessed of true genius a spirit of distrust, a want of
confidence in their own ability to perform that for which
they appear, in after life, to have been specially created.
Perhaps this arises from a greater appreciation of excellence,
and a consequent shrinking from attempting any thing
which must at first fall so far short of it. Be that as it may,
it is a fact attested by Mr. Webster himself, that he found
declamation the most difficult of all his exercises. He
says, " I believe I made tolerable progress in most branches
which I attended to while in this school. But there was
one thing I could not do. I could not make a declama-
tion. I could not speak before the school. The kind
and excellent Buckminster sought especially to persuade
me to perform the exercise of declamation like other
boys, but I could not do it. Many a piece did I commit
to memory, and recite and rehearse in my own room, over
and over again ; yet when the day came, when the school
collected to hear declamations, when my name was
called, and I saw all eyes turned to my seat, I could not
raise myself from it."

By determined will and repeated trials, he, however, at
length overcame this extreme diffidence, and began very
soon to be distinguished for his oratorical powers.

The following anecdote is related of him while connected
with this school. After a month his instructor, Mr. Nich-
olas Emery, said to him one morning, " Webster, you will

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 503

pass into the other roonij and join a higher class ; " at the
same time adding, addressing his classmates, " 3^oys, you
will take your final leave of "Webster ; you will never see
him again."

He remained here but a few months, when " he was
placed by his father under the Eev. Samuel Wood, the
minister of the neighboring town of Boscawen," with
whom he remained from February till August, 1797. He
was now fifteen years of age, and it was on their journey
to Mr. "Wood's that his father first disclosed to him the de-
sign of sending him to college. Says Mr. Webster, "I
remember the very hill which we were ascending, through
deep snows, in a New England sleigh, when my father
made known this purpose to me. I could not speak. How
could he, I thought, with so large a family, and in such
narrow circumstances, think of incurring so great an ex-
pense for me. A warm glow ran all over me, and I laid my
head on my father's shoulder and wept." Many a son of
New England, many a poor New Hampshire boy, -v^ho,
when looking on the spires of old Dartmouth, has turned
away and wept because poverty forbade him to be num-
bered in those halls, can appreciate his emotions at that time.

After remaining six months with Mr. Wood, he entered
college. That his preparation was imperfect there is no
doubt. That it was far superior to that of many a child of
wealth and luxury who has spent years in irksome study,
there is also no doubt. Spurred on by the threefold incen-
tive, poverty, duty, and ambition, what is not the human
mind able to accomplish ? It has never yet been tasked to
its capacity. The example of perseverance amid difficulties
which Daniel Webster has left to the youth of our country
is alone sufficient to render his name immortal.

There is a great disposition on the part of the indolent

504 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

students in our literary institutions to prove that idleness
and dulness in college have distinguished most men of
genius ; and this is said of Daniel Webster. A greater
mistake could not be made ; and certainly in this particular
case a greater falsehood could not well be told.

Professor Shurtleff, who alone survives of the faculty
connected with the college when Webster was a student,
declares that no one was more diligent and studious than
he, and that he even then stood preeminent among his
classmates, as he has since among men.

Graduating in August, 1801, he immediately entered the
office of Mr. Thompson, near his father's, as a student of
law, where he remained until 1804, with the exception of
teaching an academy in Fryeburg, Maine, for a season, for
the purpose of obtaining money to prosecute his own profes-
sional studies, and to assist his brother Ezekiel in his college
course. " In July, 1804, he took up his residence in Bos-
ton. Before entering upon the practice of his profession,
he enjoyed the advantage of pursuing his legal studies for
six or eight months in the office of the Hon. Christopher
Gore." He first commenced the practice of his profes-
sion in Boscawen, near his father's residence ; but in Sep-
tember, 1807, he removed to Portsmouth, where he be-
came at once associated with the most distinguished law-
yers of New England. Here he commenced that brilliant
career which so soon placed him at the head of his profes-
sion. It is said that, when asked why he chose the profes-
sion of law, and if he was not aware it was already crowd-
ed, he replied, " There is room enough up high." His
style of pleading at the bar was peculiarly his own. Leav-
ing the minor technicalities of the law, he soared aloft, and
grasped the great principles of eternal truth and justice, of
which the written law is but a feeble and partial im-

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 505

bodlment, and in arguing a single case decided a hun-
dred.

The commencement of Mr. Webster's public life was in
1813, when he first took his seat in Congress ; and his maid-
en speech was on the 10th of June, upon a series of res-
olutions moved by himself relative to the repeal of the
Berlin and Milan decrees. This is said to have taken the
house by surprise ; and it is declared by a person present
that " no member before ever riveted the attention of the
house so closely in his first speech."

His history, from this time forth, " the world knows by
heart," and the speeches of him who once dared not de-
claim in a small school are familiar as household words to
every boy in our land. Though beyond question one of
the first of orators, his style was different from that of any
other man that ever lived. He had not the fire and energy
of Demosthenes, nor the brilliancy of Cicero, but a certain
measured, logical progress, which no power could resist or
gainsay. And yet his language was by no means destitute
of ornament ; nothing more beautiful, indeed, can be found
in the English language ; but the embellishments are like
the structure itself — rich and massive, intended for all time.

The following comparison between the two great states-
men. Clay and Webster, drawn by Mr. Preston, of Ken-
tucky, in his eulogy upon Mr. Webster, will probably give
a very just idea of his style of oratory : " Clay — bold,
brilliant, and dashing, rushing at results with that intuition
of common sense that outstrips all the processes of logic —
always commanded the heart and directed the action of his
party. Webster seemed deficient in some of these great qual-
ities, but surpassed him in others. He appeared his natu-
ral auxiliary. Clay — the most brilliant parliamentary lead-
er, and probably unequalled, save by the Earl of Chatham,
43

506 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

whom he resembled — swept with the velocity of a charge
of cavalry on his opponents, and often won the victory be-
fore others were prepared for the encounter. Webster,
with his array of facts, his power of statement and logical
deductions, moved forward like the disciplined and serried
infantry, with the measured tread of deliberate resolution,
and the stately air of irresistible power."

Mr. Webster removed to Boston in 1816, that he might
find a wider field for his professional pursuits, and in 1822
was elected to Congress from that city by a large majority,
and in 1827 he was first elected a member of the United
States Senate. On the election of General Harrison to the
presidency, he was appointed secretary of state, but resigned
this office soon after the commencement of President Ty-
ler's administration, and in 1845 returned to the Senate.

His speeches, both in the Senate and on special occasions,
are among the most remarkable and most valuable produc-
tions, not only in this country, but of any age or country.
Men may differ with regard to his political views and pub-
lic measures, but all must acknowledge him the greatest
intellect of his age. Nor was he less esteemed in private
life than honored in public station. Kind and cheerful in
the domestic circle, he won the affection of all Avho knew
him ; and when, on the 24th of October, 1852, he peace-
fully departed this life, in the seventy-first year of his age,
the nation mourned his loss.

His last words, " I still live," are true throughout the
civilized world, and so they shall remain while history
endures.

ngra-ved bj H W Smith from a Dag'* hv Vftipple

^^^^^^2^::^

^>^-

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 507

MARSHALL PINCKNEY WILDER, OF DORCHESTER,
MASSACHUSETTS.*

This distinguished gentleman was born in Eindge, New
Hampshire, September 22, 1798. He was the eldest child
of Samuel Locke Wilder, Esq., a worthy merchant and
farmer in that town, and its representative several years in
the legislature of this state. His father moved there, in
early life, from Lancaster, Massachusetts. His paternal
ancestors performed important services in the Indian and
revolutionary wars, in the suppression of Shays's rebellion,
and in the organization of the state and national govern-
ments. " Of all the ancient Lancaster families," says the
Worcester Magazine, " there is no one that has sustained
so many important offices as that of the Wilders."

Having given him the advantages of the common school,
his parents sent him, at twelve years of age, to New Ips-
wich Academy, and subsequently placed him under the
instruction of a private teacher, for the study of the clas-
sics. When he had nearly completed his j)reparation for
college, they discovered that his inclination was not for
sedentary, but for active life. Partly for the confirmation
of their own opinion, and partly also for the exercise of
his sense of personal responsibility, they gave him his
choice, either to continue his studies and prepare for one
of the learned professions, to enter the store with his
father and fit himself for mercantile pursuits, or to go on
to the farm with the workmen and become an agricul-
turist.

At first he chose the latter ; but Providence soon called
him from the farm to the store, where he served an ap-

* See plate.

508 ISTEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

prentlceship till he reached his majority. Then he was
admitted into the firm, called S. L. Wilder & Son. In this
connection he transacted a large and lucrative business for
several years, and, in addition, discharged the duties of
postmaster in that place.

His first marriage was December 31, 1820, to Miss
Tryphosa Jewett, of that town, by whom he had six chil-
di-en ; and his second August 29, 1833, to Miss Abby
Baker, of Franklin, Massachusetts, by whom he also had
six children. Of his offspring, seven still survive, and
five are not, for God has taken them, together with his
two wedded companions.

In 1816, when he was only eighteen years of age, he
exhibited a partiality for military tactics, and received an
appointment in the staff of the twelfth regiment of New
Hampshire militia, in connection with which he remained
till 1820, when he took command of the Rindge Light
Infantry, a new independent company, raised and equipped
mainly by his exertions. After two years he was promoted
to the office of lieutenant colonel, and the next year to that
of colonel of the regiment ; but he resigned the office the
succeeding spring, on account of his removal to Boston,
being then in the line of rapid promotion to the highest
military honors.

Upon the transfer of Mr. "Wilder's family and trade to
Boston in 1825, he engaged in the West India goods busi-
ness as a wholesale merchant, and subsequently as an im-
porter ; but in 1827 he entered a large commission house,
in which he still continues. The firm is at present called
Parker, Wilder, & Co., and sustains the reputation of one
of the most active and reliable houses in New England.
It owns and transacts the business of a large number of
cotton and woollen mills.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 509

He and his senior partner, Isaac Parker, Esq., brother
of Hon. Joel Parker, late chief justice of this state, rank
among the merchant princes of Boston. They sustain
official relations to several monetary institutions of that city.

Upon the death of Mr. Wilder's first wife, he sought
the retirement of the country, and moved into his present
residence in June, 1832. It is the first house in Dor-
chester on the road from Koxbury to Milton Hill. It is
called " Hawthorn Grove," standing back from the street,
and surrounded with shades and hedges in variety. All
its buildings are convenient and tasteful. On either side,
and in the rear of the house, are gardens and nurseries.
His conservatories rank among the best in the country.
Amateurs pronounce his collection of trees and plants the
best that can be found. His library contains the most rare
and valuable works on his favorite art.

He usually devotes the morning and evening to study ;
the rest of the day to the superintendence of his workmen
at home, and to his mercantile business in Boston. This
plan, long continued, has enabled him to make large and
various literary acquisitlrr.'.s.

He was one of the early members of the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society, of which he was elected president
in 184:0. He had previously submitted to that body a
resolution, which separated from it the Mount Auburn
Cemetery Association, and which secured the annual pay-
ment, by the latter to the former, of one quarter of the
receipts from the sale of lots, in consideration of the soci-
ety's relinquishment of its claim to those consecrated
grounds. This arrangement has proved, in a high degree,
beneficial to both organizations. It has enabled the asso-
ciation to adorn its grounds, and to erect its beautiful
temple and observatory, and also the society to offer more
43*

510 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

liberal premiums, to make numerous and important ad-
ditions to its library, and to construct its commodious hall
in School Street in Boston.

During Mr. Wilder's presidency of that society, it
greatly increased its funds and its number of members.
At the laying of its corner stone, and the dedication of its
hall, he delivered appropriate addresses, reported in its
Transactions and in the periodicals of that day. Under his
energetic and wise administration, its triennial festivals
rose to the highest rank among the gala days in Massachu-
setts. They assembled the refined and fashionable of both
sexes, from city and country, who crowded the old Cradle
of Liberty to its utmost capacity. On these occasions
Faneuil Hall was tastefully decorated, and its tables were
crowned with flowers and fruits in abundance and in
variety. Mr. Wilder's sentiments and speeches at these
festivals, together with the responses of the distinguished
cultivators and of the chief masters of eloquence, fill a
large space in the society's Transactions.

In 1848, when he resigned the office, the society acknowl-
edged its obligations to him in a vote of thanks, accom-
panied with magnificent pieces of silver plate, and inscribed
with his name and in testimony of his " zeal and success in
the cause of horticulture and floriculture." During this
period of eight years he also did much for the promotion
of pomology, by large annual importations of fruit trees,
by the growth of seedlings, and by his encouragement of
nurserymen throughout the country.

On the termination of his official relation to that society,
he headed a circular for a national organization for a
kindred purpose. This is now known as the American
Pomological Society, and Mr. Wilder was elected its first
president — an office which he now fills.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 511

At the biennial meeting of this association in 1852, he
delivered, by appointment, a eulogy on the life and charac-
ter of Andrew Jackson Downing, Esq., who perished by
the conflagration of the steamer Henry Clay on the Hud-
son. He closed with these graphic words : " Downing
is dead ! But the principles of artistic beauty and pro-
priety, of rural economy and domestic comfort, which he
revealed, await a more full and perfect development ; and
as they advance towards a more glorious consummation,
grateful millions will honor and cherish his name. His
memory shall live forever."

At the late meeting of this society in Boston, he deliv-
ered a scientific and yet practical address on pomology,*
which called forth the strong and unqualified commenda-
tion of its members. Its session of three days closed with
a levee, which he gave at the Revere House, and with a
vote of thanks for his " able lecture," for his sumptuous
entertainment, and for the dignity and fidelity with which
he had presided over their deliberations.

Mr. Wilder's knowledge of horticulture well qualified
him for a leader in enterprises for the promotion of agri-
culture. He commenced his operations in this department
in his own county of Norfolk, Massachusetts, where he
joined in a call for a convention, that organized an agri-
cultural society, of which he was elected and still con-
tinues president. At its first exhibition in Dedham, Sep-
tember 26, 1849, he delivered an address on agricultural
education. He was followed by Governors Briggs, Lin-
cold, Reed, and Hill, by Hon. Daniel Webster, Edward
Everett, Robert C. Winthrop, Horace Mann, Charles F.
Adams, Josiah Quincy, and others, in a strain of kindred
eloquence.

* Transactions for 1854.

512 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Then and there commenced a new era in the history of
American agriculture. Kindred associations sprang up in
other sections, and the cause was subsequently advocated
by him in lectures before the agricultural societies in Berk-
shire, Bristol, and Hampshire countless, and before the agri-
cultural society in this state.

Before the latter of these bodies, he closed with this
beautiful apostrophe : " My country, let the eagle of thy
liberty, which so lately stood upon the cliff of thine At-
lantic coast, but which stands to-day upon the lofty height
of thy rocky mounts, stretch her broad wings from shore
to shore, and continue to shelter the happy millions of thy
sons. And from those wings, from year to year, may her
young eaglets fly to other lands, till the reign of universal
freedom shall introduce a universal jubilee. My country,
MY COUNTRY ! glorious prospects are before thee — union,
wealth, and power ; intelligence, virtue, and immortal re-
nown ! "

In 1850 Mr. Wilder was elected from his county to the
Senate of the commonwealth, a body of which he was
chosen president, and during its session submitted a plan,
which was cordially adopted, for a board of commissioners
to examine and report to the next legislature on the con-
dition and the means of promoting agriculture in that state.
Of this commission he was chairman, and, with Rev. Dr.
Hitchcock, of Amherst College, submitted an elaborate
and invaluable report. From this body arose the Massa-
chusetts State Board of Agriculture as a distinct and per-
manent department of the government — a board of which
he is still an acting member, which has its secretary and
commodious rooms in the capitol, and which promises to
do for agriculture what the board of education has ac-
complished for the system of instruction in that common-
wealth.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 513

Mr. Wilder next undertook the formation of a kindred
national society. In the spring of 1851 he headed a call
for a convention of delegates of state agricultural socie-
ties at Washington, District of Columbia, June 24, to con-
cert measures for their mutual advantage, and for the
promotion of American agriculture. This convention was
fully attended by gentlemen from all parts of the country,
and by members of Congress. It organized the United
States Agricultural Society, which elected him for its
president ■•— an office which he still holds.

It held its first exhibition, which was confined to that
noble animal the horse, in Springfield, Massachusetts. It
was attended by twenty thousand people, and many thou-
sand dollars were awarded in premiums. Never before
were so many rare specimens of the diflferent breeds of
that noble animal brought together. The sight of them,
mounted or driven in the vast amphitheatre, was truly a
sublime spectacle.

The second exhibition of this society was held in Spring-
field, Ohio, and confined to neat cattle. In tliis depart-
ment it was a scene of equal interest with the former.
Many thousands of dollars were distributed in premiums.
The speeches of Mr. Wilder, on each of these occasions,
are fully and faithfully reported in the society's Trans-
actions.

In the autumn of 1849 an association was formed in
Boston, called the Sons of New Hampshire. It consists
of the many hundreds of emigrants from that state in and
around that commercial metropolis of New England. Of
this body Daniel Webster was the first president, and
the subject of this narrative the second. At its first
festival, Mr. Wilder renders this grateful tribute to their
native state : " She has raised men, great men ; and had

514 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

she performed no other service, this alone were sufficient
to associate her name with that of Sparta and of Athens
in the history of mankind. Her Stark was a modern
Leonidas, and among her orators [pointing to Mr. Web-
ster] none would hesitate to point out a Demosthenes.^*
(Great applause.)

The death of Mr. "Webster he noticed on four different
public occasions. On the first of these, when he met the
New Hampshire legislature and executive at the Fitchburg
Depot, at the head of the Sons of New Hampshire, to re-
ceive them as their guests, on the occasion of his obse-
quies, he said, " The loss to us, to the country, and to
the world is irreparable. The whole nation mourns." On
the second of these occasions he closed with this apos-
trophe : " Sainted patriot ! there, in those celestial fields,
where the sickle of the great reaper shall no more cut
down the wise and the good, we hope at last to meet thee
— there, in those pure realms where the rainbow never
fades, where thy brilliant star shall shine with pure efful-
gence, and where the high and glorious aspirations of thy
soul shall be forever realized." The third was when he
was elected to fill the place of Mr. Webster as president
of the association, and the fourth was at the second festi-
val of that voluntary society.

Mr. Wilder is yet in the vigor of his manhood, and on
the flood tide of success. He has, we are informed, works
in the course of preparation on his favorite arts, which
promise to be of great value to the world. His numerous
speeches and addresses, if collected and published in a
uniform edition, would make a handsome and valuable
royal octavo volume. None have contributed more to
promote American horticulture and agriculture. His affa-
ble, yet dignified manners, his appropriateness on all occa-

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 515

sions, and his long and valuable services render him a
favorite with the common people, and also with the elite of
society. Long may he live to serve his generation and his
Creator.

EDMUND BURKE.

Although Mr. Burke is not a native of New Hampshire,
yet his long residence in this state, the important offices
which he has filled, and the high position which he occu-
pies as a public man and citizen, entitle him, in our judg-
ment, to a place among our sketches of the eminent public
characters of our state.

The subject of this sketch was born in the town of West-
minster, Vermont, on the 23d day of January, 1809. His
father was a farmer, not wealthy, but possessed of a com-
petency quite sufficient for the support of himself and a
numerous family. His circumstances, however, required
that he should labor with constant industry, — the lot of
most New England farmers, — and bring his family up to
the same habits of active toil. The subject of this notice
was not exempt from the salutary training and discipline
in the habits of robust and health-giving labor, from which
but few of the sons of the tillers of the soil are exempt.
He labored with his father from the time his age and
strength would permit until he was fifteen years of age,
going to the common school of the village in which he was
born, during the summers in the tenderer years of his life,
and during the winters when he had arrived at an age
when his services were valuable and necessary upon the
farm. At the age of fifteen, his father, unable to give him
an academical education, but desiring that he should have
every advantage in his power to give him a respectable
position in society, proposed that he should make an effort

616 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

to become a member of one of the learned professions,
offering to give him his time, and promising to extend to
him such aid as might be in his power, if he would ac-
cept the generous offer of his parent. He readily em-
braced the opportunity, and immediately commenced the
study of Latin, with the view of pursuing the study of
the law. He continued the study of that language with
great industry for six months, under the tutorship first of
William F. Hale, Esq., formerly of Bellows Falls, Ver-
mont, and recently a clerk in one of the departments at
Washington, and subsequently of Henry A. Bellows, Esq.,
now of Concord, in this state ; and at the end of that time,
being then in his sixteenth year, he entered as a student
at law in the office of the Hon. William C. Bradley, of
Westminster, then and for a long time one of the most
eminent counsellors and jurists of the state. Mr. Bradley
was also distinguished as a politician as well as lawyer,
and possessed conversational powers of most remarkable
eloquence and brilliancy. It is not strange that he should
insinuate his opinions and principles (which were of the
democratic school of politics) into the mind of a susceptible
and impressible young man. To this circumstance, and
also to the hereditary principles of his family, enforced
by the precept and example of his father, who was a de-
voted disciple of the Jeffersonian school, and was also a man
of extensive reading for one in his station in life, and pos-
sessed of a strong mind, Mr. Burke undoubtedly owes the
very decided political cast of his character.

Having followed liis professional studies during the
period of nearly five years, the term required of students
who had not the advantage of gfaduation at a college, Mr.
Burke was admitted to the bar of Windham county, in that
state. He was soon after admitted in Cheshire county, in

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 517

this state, and in the spring following (April, 1830) he
emigrated to Coos county. He first settled in the town
of Colebrook, but subsequently removed to Whitefield,
where he made a permanent location. Mr. Burke re-
mained in Whitefield, in the practice of his profession,
until the fall of 1833, when he removed to Claremont, in
Sullivan county, in order to take the editorial charge of a
newspaper published in that town, called the Argus. It
is proper here to remark, that Mr. Burke has been often
heard to observe that he never spent three years of his life
so profitably as those he spent in the town of Whitefield.
He says he went into Coos county with the impression that
the people were less informed than those who lived in re-
gions longer settled ; but he soon fouiad his error. On the
contrary, he says he has never met with a community of
men genei'ally more intelligent, more imbued with strong
common sense, more patriotic in sentiment, and more gen-
erous in their feelings than he found in Coos county.
Among these people he laid in a lai'ge store of practical
knowledge both of men and things.

But to resume the thread of our narrative. His connec-
tion with the Argus was Mr. Burke's first introduction to
the editorial profession, and perhaps the foundation of his
subsequent political career. Of course, the Argus, under
his control, was a political paper, democratic in its poli-
tics, and of very decided character. After publishing the
Argus in Claremont till the autumn of 1834, Mr. Burke
was induced to remove with his paper to the neighboring
town of Newport, where, with the exception of a residence
of five years at Washington, District of Columbia, he has
ever since resided, and now resides. A short period after
his removal, the Argus was united with the New Hamp-
shire Spectator, another democratic paper published in
44

518 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

Newport, the new paper assuming the title of Argus and
Spectator, and being also under the editorial control of
Mr. Burke. Our space will not permit us to comment
particularly on Mr. Burke's career as an editor while in
charge of the Argus and Spectator. It is sufficient to say,
that, under his control, that journal advocated with great
zeal the radical doctrines of the party to whose interests it
was devoted, and, we believe, to the very general satisfac-
tion of its patrons. It is due to Mr. Burke to say, that
he started some doctrines in the columns of the Argus and
Spectator which were regarded by some of his own sup-
porters as rather novel and startling at the time, but which
have since become cherished articles of faith in the demo-
cratic creed.

So industriously and ably had Mr. Burke conducted his
paper, that at the end of three years he had acquired a
reputation as a political writer, which induced the late
Ex-President Polk and the late Felix M. Grundy, then
United States senator, of Tennessee, to offer Mr. Burke
the editorship of the Union, the leading democratic organ
of that state, published at Northville, at a high salary.
Mr. Burke accepted the offer, and published his valedic-
tory in the Argus and Spectator, preparatory to his mi-
grating to Tennessee. But many of his patrons, hearing
of his intention, proposed to him to remain ; and as an in-
ducement, they offered him the nomination for Congress,
then, by the usages of his party, due to Sullivan county.
This high and unexpected compliment an aspiring and
ambitious young man could not decline. He accordingly
permitted his name to be used, and succeeded in obtaining
the nomination. This was in the summer of 1838. In
the election of March, 1839, Mr. Burke, with his col-
leagues on the democratic ticket, was elected a representa-

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 619

live for New Hampshire in tlie twenty-sixth Congress of
the United States, being then but thirty years of age. He
took his seat in that body at the commencement of the
session of 1839-40, and was subsequently twice reelect-
ed, making, in the whole, a congressional term of six
years.

In referring to his congressional career, we think we do
Mr. Burke no more than justice to say that it was credit-
able to himself and honorable to the state. He was a true
party man, and the few speeches made by him while he
was a member were devoted to the support of the prin-
ciples and measures of the democratic party. They secured
to their author great popularity with his party. His speech
upon the independent treasury, and also his speech upon
the tariff, are monuments of intellectual labor, of which
any man may be proud. They bear the marks of profound
and critical research. But there is one speech, delivered
by Mr. Burke while a member of Congress, which com-
manded the applause of all his constituents, without dis-
tinction of party. We allude to his eloquent and beautiful
defence of our state against the rude and unprovoked at-
tack of a Mr. Arnold, a member from Tennessee. We
have seldom read a retort so condensed, conclusive, and
overwhelming. This effort alone entitles Mr. Burke to
the gratitude and praise of every true son of New Hamp-
shire, and fully justifies his claim to the high regards of
the native-born citizens of the Granite State. While a
member of Congress he was also an active, industrious, and
efficient member of important committees.

At the close of Mr. Burke's congressional career, which
was in the spring of 1845, his party having been successful
in the preceding presidential election, he was, without so-
licitation or knowledge on his part, tendered, by Mr. Folk,

520

NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

the new president, the office of commissioner of patents,
which he accepted, and upon the duties of which he en-
tered on the 5th day of May, 1845. He continued to
perform the duties of that office until the accession of Gen-
eral Taylor to the presidency, when he was superseded by
Mr. Ewbank, of New York. In the discharge of the du-
ties of this office, Mr. Burke displayed the same indefat-
igable habits of industry, and the same close and critical
research which had distinguished him in other positions.
His reports, while commissioner of patents, embraced a
vast amount of valuable information, gathered from a wide
field of investigation, and presented in a form which made
them both acceptable and popular with the country. Under
Mr. Burke's administration the patent office assumed a
position and importance which it had never before enjoyed,
and contributed its full share to the popularity of Mr.
Polk's administration.

But while Mr. Burke held the office of commissioner of
patents, his labors were not altogether confined to the mere
duties of his office. During that period he wrote those
papers upon the tariff entitled the Bundelcund Essays,
originally published in the Washington Union, but subse-
quently in pamphlet form, and circulated by tens of thou-
sands in every state in the republic. Referring to these
papers, a writer in the Democratic Review says, *' After
the close of the session of 1844 and 1845, when some of
our timid friends began to express doubts as to the pro-
priety of attempting to carry out the pledge of the Balti-
more Democratic Convention upon the question of the
tariff, Mr. Burke, appreciating the danger which this hesi-
tation threatened to the policy of the democratic party,
boldly stepped forward as its champion, and contributed to
the columns of the Union the well-known series of essays

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. • 521

on, or rather against, the protection system, published over
the signature of Bundelcund. Nothing before emanating
from his fruitful pen had so served to spread his fame ;
for they were immediately republished, wholly or in part,
in nearly every democratic paper in the Union, and from
their appearance until the final vote on the tariff in 1846,
were the object of incessant and virulent attacks from the
opposition. The democratic party, with few exceptions,
planted themselves firmly on the principles there laid down
by Mr. Burke, which, being adopted by the committee of
ways and means of the House of Representatives, and by
the treasury department, were made the basis of the rev-
enue law so triumphantly passed on the oOth of July,
1846."

After Mr. Burke retired from the patent office, he
formed a connection with the late celebrated Thomas
Ritchie, by which he became a joint editor of the Wash-
ington Union. He remained connected with the Union
one year, during which he contributed a large amount of
the editorial matter which appeared in its columns. He
had also, while he was at the head of the patent office,
been a liberal contributor to that paper, as well to its edi-
torial columns as in the shape of communications. And
we may truthfully add, that he has, for the last twenty
years, bedn an industrious and fertile writer, as the col-
umns of many newspapers can attest, and has achieved, by
his labors in connection with the press, a high position
among the editorial profession.

The term of Mr. Burke's connection with the Washing-
ton Union having expired, he, in the summer of 1850,
returned, with his family, to his residence in Newport, in
this state, where he now remains, in the practice of his
profession, and employing himself in those literary pur-
44*

522 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

suits congenial to a man of taste, and necessary to an active
mind imbued with a desire for the accumulation of knowl-
edge. Mr. Burke is now in the very vigor of his facul-
ties, and we trust has many years of active and useful life
in store for him.

In conclusion we will add, that Mr. Burke is truly a
self-made man. In the outset of his career, he had no
friends possessed of wealth and influence to aid him. He
had to depend upon himself alone. The writer of this
has heard him remark that he graduated at a common
village school, having never attended an academy or col-
lege a day in his life, and having had no other assistance
or tuition than that which he received while acquiring a
sufiiciency of Latin preparatory to entering upon his legal
studies. And he has informed us that he ceased to attend
the village school at the age of fourteen, having never at-
tended any school subsequent to that period. His success
in life is a bright example of industry, perseverance, and
energy, which we commend to the youth in humble cir-
cumstances who has the ambition to aspire to the higher
positions of usefulness and honor in society.

CHAELES G. ATHERTON.

Hon. Charles G. Atherton was born in Amherst, July
4, 1804. His father was Hon. Charles H. Atherton, who
had served as representative to Congress in 1815 and
1816, and for many years held the ofiice of register of pro-
bate for the county of Hillsborough.

The subject of this sketch entered Harvard University
at the age of fourteen years, and graduated with high
honors in 1822. Immediately after his admission to the
bar in 1825, he took up his residence in Dunstable, now

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 523

Nashua. In 1827 he was appointed solicitor for Hillsbor-
ough county. In 1831 he was elected representative to the
state legislature from Dunstable, and again four years in
succession, (1833, '34, '35, and '36,) in each of which years
he was elected speaker. In 1834, at his election as speaker,
he had all the votes cast in the house except thirteen ; in
1835 he had them all but five ; and in 1836 all but three.
In 1837 he was elected representative in Congress from
New Hampshire, and held his seat in the house for three
terms in succession. In 1843 he was elected by the legis-
lature United States senator, which office he held till March
4, 1849. In 1850 he was elected a delegate, from the late
town of Nashville, in the New Hampshire Constitutional
Convention. At the fall session of the legislature in 1852,
he was elected United States senator from this state, and
took his seat on the 4th of March following, which office
he held at the time of his death.

As a lawyer, Mr. Atherton had no superior in the state.
His attainments in the common law, as well as in equity
jurisprudence, Avere very extensive and thorough. In the
management of a case he showed most masterly and con-
summate skill ; and in presenting the strong points to a
jury, he had few equals. He was an accomplished advo-
cate ; in which character he exhibited a power of com-
manding, at the instant, all the resources of his mind, and
a dexterity of applying them seldom exceeded. As a sen-
atorial orator, his claims were of a high order. During
the administration of Mr, Polk, he was chairman of the
committee on finance — one of the most important com-
mittees in the Senate, particularly during Mr. Polk's ad-
ministration, which Avas occupied with the successful con-
duct of a foreign war. In opposition were Mr. Webster,
then in the very acme of his intellectual strength, vigor.

524 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

and experience, as well as other formidable opponents. In
all the contests and opposition which these distinguished
opponents of the administration brought to bear against the
policy of the administration, Mr. Atherton, in his defence
of the financial policy of President Polk, acquitted himself
with consummate ability, prudence, and skill.

His literary attainments were of a high order. Few,
if any, in this country, had a more thorough and minute
knowledge of American and English history and statesmen
than he. He was thoroughly conversant with English
literature and poetry, particularly with that of Queen
Anne's time — the g6lden age of English literature, in
whose gorgeous and captivating creations he delighted.
He died November 15, 1853.

LEWIS CASS.

Lewis Cass was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, on
the 9th day of October, 1782. His father. Major Jona-
than Cass, was a soldier of the revolution, who enlisted as
a private the day after the battle of Lexington. He served
in the army till the close of the war, and was in all the
important battles in the Eastern and Middle States, where
he was distinguished for his valor and good conduct,
and attained the rank of captain. He was afterwards a
major in Wayne's army, and, after a life of usefulness and
honor, died at an advanced age, at his residence near Dres-
den, in Muskingum county, Ohio. His son, Lewis Cass,
the subject of this biography, emigrated, at the age of
seventeen, to the then North-western Territory, and settled
first at Marietta, in the county of Washington, He was
thus, as he was recently called by the Convention of Ohio,
one of the " early pioneers " of that immense western re-

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 525

gion, which has already risen to such a magnitude in our
own days, and is destined to attain one so much greater
hereafter. The country north of the Ohio then contained
one territory and about 20,000 people.

Mr. Cass bore his full share in the toils, privations, and
dangers to which the defence of a new country, and its
conversion from a primitive forest to the happy abodes of
civilized man, are necessarily exposed. He read law at
Marietta, and was admitted to the bar before the close of
the territorial government. He commenced the practice,
and, as was the custom then, visited the courts in a large
district of country, travelling on horseback, and encounter-
ing many difficulties unknown to the members of the bar
at the present day.

In 1806 he was elected a member of the legislature of
Ohio, and during the session he took his part in the busi-
ness of the day. He draughted the law which arrested
the tr^torous designs of Burr, and introduced an address
to Mr. Jefferson, which was unanimously adopted, express-
ing the attachment of the people of Ohio to the constitu-
tion of the United States, and their confidence in that illus-
trious man. In March, 1807, he was appointed by Mr.
Jefferson marshal of Ohio.

He took an active part in the war of 1812, and held the
rank of colonel under General Hull. Just previous to the
surrender of Detroit by General Hull, Colonels Cass and
McArthur had been sent, with a small detachment, a few
miles distant, ostensibly for the purpose of obtaining pro-
vision, and before their return Detroit was surrendered
without the firing of a gun. So disgraceful, as well as
humiliating, did this act appear, in the mind of Colonel Cass,
that, when ordered to deliver up his sword, he indignantly
shivered it in pieces, and, strewing the fragments upon the

526 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

ground, declared that in like manner should his body be
divided and scattered before he would in any way assent
to so ignoble an act.

At the battle of St. Thomas he bore a conspicuous part,
and was highly complimented by General Harrison. In
1813 he was appointed by President Madison governor of
Michigan, at that time one of the most important offices with-
in the gift of the executive. As superintendent of Indian
affairs, he rendered vast and important services to his coun-
try, having formed twenty-one treaties with various Indian
tribes, thus extinguishing their title to nearly one million
acres of land. In 1831 General Cass was called upon by
President Jackson to take charge of the war department —
a position for which he was eminently fitted, and the du-
ties of which he discharged with energy and general satis-
faction to the country. In 1836 he was appointed minister
to Prance, and immediately resigned his position as secre-
tary of wax'. The position which he took in 1841 in rela-
tion to the question of the famous quintuple treaty will
long be held in remembrance by his counti-ymen. In 1848
he received the nomination of the democratic national con-
vention for president of the United States. In 1850 he
was once more elected senator of the United States for
Michigan. His long and useful services in public life have
rendered him world-renowned as a statesman, while his
fame as a scholar is scarcely less limited. Plain and un-
assuming in his manners, kind and social in his intercourse
with his fellow-men, he will always stand prominent in the
records of history as a true patriot, an able statesman, and
a worthy citizen.

BIOGKAPIIICAL SKETCHES. 527

LEVI WOODBURY.*

Levi Woodbuiy, tlie eldest son of Hon. Peter Wood-
bury, was born in Francestown, New Hampshire, in the
early part of the year 1790. His ancestors were among
the first settlers of Salem, Massachusetts, which was one
of the earliest plantations of that colony. From his child-
hood he was trained to those habits of industry and rigid
economy which so generally characterize the people of New
England. His early education was acquired at the district
school in his native village during the winter months, when
the labor of agriculture is suspended. While but a mere
boy, he distinguished himself for his unremitted application
to study, and even then exhibited that zeal in the pursuit
of knowledge, readiness of apprehension, sound sense, and
decision of character which so emphatically marked the
whole course of his life.

At nineteen years of age he graduated at Dartmouth
College, with a high reputation for talents and acquire-
ments, and immediately applied himself to the study of the
legal profession. He passed one year at the law school in
Litchfield, Connecticut, and divided the residue of his pre-
paratory term between Boston, Exeter, and his native town.

In 1812 he was admitted to the bar. By diligent atten-
tion to the duties of his profession, he soon obtained an
extensive and reputable practice, and acquired for himself
a rank at a bar at which lawyers who are among the most
distinguished in the Union have practised.

Even while a student, Mr. Woodbury's ardent tempera-
ment would not suffer him to remain an inactive spectator
of the political struggles that then agitated the country

* See plate.

528 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

with more intensity, probably, than at any other period
of its history ; and, accordingly, we find him mingling
in the strife, and taking part upon the side of democ-
racy.

In 1816 the ijolltical character of the state became
changed. Mr. "Woodbury was invited to the seat of gov-
ernment, to discharge the duties of secretary of the Senate,
and at the commencement of the following year was ap-
pointed judge of the Superior Court.

Promoted to a seat in the highest judicial tribunal of the
state at an earlier age than any former precedent, some ap-
prehension was felt lest his legal learning and experience
should prove inadequate to the creditable discharge of its du-
ties. The result, however, more than realized the expecta-
tions of his most sanguine friends. His patience, firmness,
familiarity with legal principles, and suavity of manners
made him a most acceptable and popular judge in jury
trials, and the first two volumes of the New Hampshire Re-
ports bear ample testimony to the diligence, great research,
and accurate discrimination which he brought to bear in
the preparation of his judicial opinions.

In 1819 Mr. Woodbury removed to Portsmouth, where
he resided during his life, except while a member of the
cabinet under the administrations of Jackson and Van
Buren.

In 1823 he was elected governor of the state, and the
year following he resumed the practice of his profession.
His legal erudition and forensic talents secured him clients
from all parts of the state, and placed him at once in a lu-
crative practice.

His fellow-citizens were not content, however, to suffer
him long to remain in the quiet of professional life ; and
in 1825 they sent him a representative to the legislature of

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 529

the state ; and at the commencement of the session, having
never before been a member of a legislative body, he was
chosen speaker of the house, and at the close of the session
was selected to fill a vacancy in the United States Senate.

His reputation for learning and talents had gone before
him, and on taking his seat in the United States Senate,
Mr. "Woodbury was regarded as the principal organ for the
democracy of New England in that body ; and during the
administration of President Adams, on more than one oc-
casion he stood forth in bold and able vindication of his
party and its principles, from the attacks of the opposition,
particularly in the discussion upon Foot's resolution re-
specting the public lands.

At the second session of Mr. Woodbury's term, his
name appears as chairman of the committee on commerce,
and as member of several other important committees.

In the course of his senatorial career, many able reports
emanated from his pen, and his speeches upon a variety of
subjects are fine specimens of varied learning, comprehen-
sive reasoning, and sound logic.

During the vacations his time was occupied in the care
of his family, and in the management of important causes
in the Superior Court of his own state. But the annual ab-
sence from his family, and his professional duties, exposed
him to great sacrifices, and at the expiration of his term
he transmitted a letter to the governor, declining a reelec-
tion. A few days after he was chosen state senator ; and
ere the reorganization of the cabinet in April following, the
office of secretary of the navy was tendered to him and
accepted.

His industry, and his prompt and methodical manner of
doing business, were soon felt in this department of the gov-
ernment, and the general satisfaction which he gave in the
45

530 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT 13.

discharge of its various and perplexing duties is suiScient
evidence of the ability with which they were performed.

In 1833 the nomination of Mr. Taney for secretary of
the treasury by President Jackson having been rejected
by the Senate, Mr. "Woodbury received the nomination, and
was confirmed without opposition.

Placed at the head of the financial affairs of the country,
in the heat of that fierce struggle which grew out of the
mismanagement of the national bank, and the consequent
removal from it of the government deposits, Mr. Wood-
bury found himself in a situation which the most masterly
abilities seemed inadequate to sustain. The sequel, howev-
er, affords another proof of the consummate knowledge of
human nature and accurate estimate of character displayed
by President Jackson in the selection of his officers.

The indomitable energy, the never-failing firmness of
purpose, the comprehension, sagacity, and unwavering
fidelity to the public interests which had previously charac-
terized Mr, Woodbury, shone now even more conspicuously,
and triumphantly sustained him for the period of seven
years in the discharge of the arduous duties of this office.

The official reports of Mr. Woodbury during this period
are replete with important statistical information and able
reasoning upon the various subjects of national policy.

In 1838, when the labors of his department were bear-
ing heavily upon him, the office of chief justice of
the Supreme Court of his native state was tendered him.
Not insensible to this honorable tribute from those who
best knew him, Mr. Woodbury was not the man to consult
his ease when duty required him to remain at the post of
public labor, however onerous it might be, and therefore
waived his own predilections for that dignified station, and
declined it.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 531

At the expiration of Van B men's administration, he re-
signed his office of secretary, and on the following day
took his seat in the United States Senate, to which he had
been elected by the legislature of New Hampshire.

Soon after the inauguration of President Polk, it is gen-
erally understood, Mr. Woodbury was invited to represent
our government at the court of St. James ; but family con-
siderations led him to decline the honor. A vacancy hav-
ing occurred on the bench of the Supreme Court by the
death of Judge Story, the appointment was offered to Mr,
Woodbury and accepted, which office he continued to hold
until his death, September 4, 1851.

FRANKLIN PIERCE*

Was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, November
23, 1804. At the period of his birth, Hillsborough county
could reckon among its sons many who had already attained
the highest distinction, besides many others who were des-
tined to occupy the highest rank in public life. General
Stark, Daniel Webster, Levi Woodbury, Jeremiah Smith,
General James Miller, General McNeil, the late Hon. Charles
G. Atherton, were natives of this county. General Ben-
jamin Pierce, father of the subject of this sketch, was one
of the first settlers of the town of Hillsborough, and con-
tributed much to the growth and prosperity of his adopted
town and county. He was born in Chelmsford, now Low-
ell, Massachusetts, in the year 1757. When the news
of the battle of Lexington reached him, he was laboring
at the plough ; and immediately loosening the ox chain,
leaving the plough in the furrow, he took his uncle's
gun and equipments, and hastened to the scene of action.

• See plate.

532 NEW HAMrSIIIEE AS IT IS.

He at once enlisted in the army, was present at the battle
of Bunker Hill, and after serving through the whole revo-
lutionary war, after an absence of nearly eight years, re-
turned to his home a thorough soldier, and commander of
a company. In 1785 he purchased a fifty acre lot in the
present town of Hillsborough, and in the spring of the fol-
lowing year built a log hut, commenced clearing and cul-
tivating his tract, and in 1787 was married to Elizabeth
Andrews, who died within a year after their union. In
1789 he married Anna Kendrick, who bore him eight
children, the sixth of whom was the future president of
these United States. At the opening of the war of 1812
Franklin Pierce was nearly eight years of age. Two of
his brothers were connected with the army, and Major
McNeil was about this time married to his eldest sister,
the daughter and only child of the first wife, Elizabeth
Andrews. His father was etctive and energetic in his sup-
port of the war, and engaged with patriotic zeal in the
discussion of those exciting questions which then wholly
absorbed the public mind. His son Franklin was a fre-
quent and earnest listener to these discussions. No mode
of education could be better adapted to imbue him with
the principles of true democracy, the nature and spirit of
republican institutions. His father had felt through life
the disadvantages of a defective education, and determined,
if possible, that his children should enjoy more largely of
these blessings than had fallen to his lot. Franklin was se-
lected as the one to receive a collegiate education. Accord-
ingly we find him, while a mere boy, at the academy in Han-
cock; next at that in FrancestoAvn ; and in 1820, at the age
of 16, a student in the freshman class of Bowdoin College
in Brunswick, Maine. During the first two years of his
college life he was so inattentive to his studies, that, at the
commencement of the junior year, he found his position in

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 533

scholarship below that of any of his classmates. Deeply-
mortified by this humiliating proof of self-injustice, he de-
termined to close his college career at once, and according-
ly absented himself from all recitations for several days,
hoping that suspension, or even expulsion, might be the
result of such continued and systematic neglect. The fac-
ulty, however, wisely, as well as leniently, paid no atten-
tion to this conduct ; and at last, stimulated by reflection^
and moved by the earnest entreaties of a few college
friends, he resolved to return to his duties, observing to his
companions, "If I do so, you shall see a change." There
was indeed a change. For three months afterwards he
rose at four in the morning, and closely applied himself to
his studies, allowing himself only four hours for sleep. He
never suffered himself after this to go into the recitation
room without a thorough knowledge of the subject in con-
sideration ; and notwithstanding the low standard of his
scholarship during the first half of his college course, he
at last graduated as the third scholar in his class. In this
rigorous discipline he acquired that full command over his
intellectual faculties, that power of concentrating all liis
mental energies at once upon the object to be gained, and
that perfect self-control, so essential to success, which have
since characterized, to say the least, all his greater efforts,
both as a lawyer and politician. He commenced the
study of law in the office of the late Judge Woodbury,
the last two years of professional study being spent at the
law school in Northampton, Massachusetts, and in the of-
fice of Judge Parker, in Amherst. In 1827 he was ad-
mitted to the bar, and began the practice of his profession
in his native town. Here, also, his first efiTort was, as is
generally expressed, a failure. In more appropriate terms,
he was unsuccessful so far as the interest of his client was
45*

534 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

involved. This defeat, however, only served to arouse his
latent energies, and, on the whole, was doubtless more
beneficial to him than the most brilliant success would have
been. That he was possessed largely of that firmness and
perseverance which overcomes all obstacles, and welcomes
disappointment in a worthy cause, as a noble incentive to
\dgorous and unwearied action, is evident in the reply to a
friend who, fearing lest he might be discouraged, sought to
raise his spirits with bright prospects in the future. " I
do not need that," he answered j "I will try nine hun-
dred and ninety-nine cases, if clients will continue to trust
me, and, if I fail just as I have to-day, will try the thou-
sandth. I shall live to argue cases in this court house in a
manner that will mortify neither myself nor my friends."
It was not, however, iintil after several years of toil that he
attained a position of eminence at the bar. His progress
was gradual, but sure. In 1829 he was chosen representa-
tive to the state legislature from his native town. He was
a member of that body four years, the two latter of which
he was speaker of the house. He was endowed, in an
eminent degree, with capacities adapted to the arduous du-
ties and responsibilities of that station — courtesy, firmness,
accuracy of judgment, clearness and quickness of percep-
tion, that readily separated truth from error, and unravelled
the complicated texture of long and exciting debate. His
merit as a presiding officer was generally acknowledged.
He was elected a member of Congress in 1833, at the age
of 29 years — young indeed for the station, as he always has
been for every public position wliich he has occupied. His
congressional life, though destitute of brilliant but empty
show, was full of labor and usefulness. He was a member
of the judiciary and other important committees where the
most valuable services are generally attended with the least

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 535

display. He was ardently attached to President Jackson,
and entered with zeal and ability into the support of
the administration. He was a member of the House of
Representatives four years. In 1837, when he scarce had
attained the age required by law for such elevation, he
was elected to the Senate of the United States. As the
youngest member of that body, he took his seat among
the greatest of American statesmen, orators, and scholars.
"Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Benton, Silas Wright, Woodbury,
Buchanan, and Walker were his peers.

In that august body his counsels were characterized by
so thorough a knowledge of human nature, by so much solid
common sense, and by such devotion to democratic princi-
ples, that, although the youngest of the senators, it was
deemed important by the leaders of his party to submit
their plans to his judgment. In 1842 he resigned his seat
as senator for the quiet, but to him attractive scenes of
private life, in the circle of his old friends and neighbors,
and in the bosom of his home. In 1838 he removed from
Hillsborough, and took up his residence in Concord, the
capital of New Hampshire. On retiring from the Senate
he returned to the practice of law, which soon became
very extensive. As an advocate he was unrivalled. Courts
listened to him with admiration, and juries hung with rap-
ture upon his lips. The earnestness with which he en-
gaged in the cause of his client, his complete success in
making it his own, his honorable bearing, his ability to
convince the hearer of his earnest desire to arrive at and,
establish the truth, arc doubtless the secret of his power.
His labor, also, in the preparation of his cases was unremit-
ting.

In 1846 he was offered, by President Polk, the office of
attorney general of the United States, which offer he re-

536 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

spectfully declined, alleging, as the chief reason, his
"fixed purpose never again to be voluntarily separated
from his family for any considerable length of time, except
at the call of his country in time of war," The existence
of the Mexican war he regarded as such call, and at once
laid aside his long-cherished plans of spending the remain-
der of his life in a private station. He enrolled himself
among the first in a company of volunteers raised in Con-
cord, and went through the regular drill as a private.
Soon after he received the appointment of colonel of the
ninth regiment, and in March, 1847, was commissioned
brigadier general in the army, his brigade being made up
of regiments from the extreme north, the extreme west,
and the extreme south of the Union. He was present at
the battle of Contreras, and all those severe contests which
preceded the entry of General Scott, with his victorious
army, into the city of Mexico ; and although, in the battle
of Contreras, he suffered a severe and painful injury by the
falling of his horse, yet he acquitted himself with so much
ability as to gain the full confidence of his distinguished
leader and afterwards unsuccessful rival in the presidential
campaign. After the battle of Churubusco, Santa Anna
having sent a flag of truce with proposals for negotiating
for peace. General Pierce was appointed, by the commander-
in-chief, one of the commissioners to arrange the terms of
the armistice. Among officers and soldiers he was re-
spected and beloved for his humanity, his independence,
firmness, and promptitude, and his readiness to encounter
any danger, or submit to any exposure of life or sacrifice
of personal comfort. After his return to his native state,
in accordance with an act of the legislature, he was pre-
sented with a valuable sword, as a testimonial of his valor
and warlike conduct.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 537

In June, 1852, the Democratic National Convention
met in Baltimore to select a candidate for the presidency,
and continued its session during four days. Several gen-
tlemen of known and distinguished ability were prominent
before that body, and received the zealous and unflinching
support of their respective friends. Thirty-five ballotings
were held, and it now became certain that no one of those
hitherto supported could receive the nomination. At the
thirty-sixth ballot the name of General Franklin Pierce
was first brought forward in that convention by the dele-
gation from Virginia. At the forty-ninth ballot the votes
for General Pierce were two hundred and eighty-two
against eleven for all other candidates. In November fol-
lowing he was elected to the highest office within the gift
of the people by an overwhelming and unprecedented ma-
jority. At the time of his election he was forty-eight
years of age, lacking a few days, being younger than any
of his predecessors. The news of his election was received
throughout the country with unusual demonstrations of
joy and satisfaction. And even among his political oppo-
nents in New England, and especially in his native state,
not a few were proud to acknowledge the distinguished
elevation of one of New Hampshire's most favorite sons.
The condition of things at home and abroad render it
quite probable that his present term of office will be one
of the most eventful and important of any that has yet
transpired. It is but just to hope, that in the records of
history, as well as in the estimation of posterity, his name
may stand high among those of his illustrious predecessors,
as well as of those who may come after him.

538 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

JOHN STARK.

Major General John Stark was born in Londonderry,
New Hampshire, August 28, 1728. His father was a na-
tive of Glasgow, in Scotland, and removed to this country,
it is believed, about the year 1719. In 1736 he settled in
Derry field, now Manchester. In 1753 young Stark, while
on a hunting expedition, was captured by a party of St.
Francis Indians, known also as the Abenaqui, and carried
to Canada. He was redeemed, by a friend in Boston, for
the sum of one hundred and three dollars. To pay this he
went on another hunting expedition on the Androscoggin.
During the French and Indian war, he served in Rogers's
company of rangers, and was appointed captain in 1756.
Hearing the news of the battle of Lexington, he immediate-
ly repaired to Cambridge, where he received a colonel's
commission, and on the same day enlisted eight hundred
men. He fought bravely at the battle of Bunker Hill,
his regiment forming a portion of the left of the American
line — its only defence being a rail enclosure covered
with hay.

He went to Canada in the spring of 1776, and in the
attack at Trenton commanded the van of the right wing.
He was also in the battle of Princeton, where he exhibited
that coolness and daring so peculiar to himself, and which
never failed to inspire his men with indomitable courage.
In March, 1777, he resigned his commission, and retired
to his farm. This was owing to the fact, that, when prep-
arations were making to form a new army in the Eastern
States to resist the progress of Burgoyne, Congress had
promoted several junior officers, while he was left out of
the list. The aggravation of this neglect was greatly
heightened by the degrading position in which he knew he

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 539

must be placed in the eyes of his brother officers, as well as
the soldiers. The main army had gone into winter quar-
ters in Morristown, and while many of the officers were
enjoying their ease, he returned to New Hampshire to pro-
cure recruits ; and having filled his regiments, he returned
to Exeter to await orders. Although he chose to be
wholly divested of military authority rather than sufter the
mortification of supersedure, he nevertheless determined
not to desert his country in the hour of peril. He was
active and popular, and the Assembly of New Hampshire
regarded him as a pillar of strength in upholding the con-
fidence and courage of the militia of the state. The As-
sembly, notwithstanding the provisions of Congress, ofiered
him the command of its own forces, which he accepted,
and once more girded on his sword, and marched to the
battle field, stipulating, however, that he should not be
obliged to join the main army, but that he might hang
upon the wing of the enemy on the borders of his state,
strike when opportunity should offer, according to his own
discretion, and be accountable to no one but the Assembly
of New Hampshire. Joy pervaded the hearts of all when
it was known that he had been appointed to the command.
The militia cheerfully flocked to his standard, which was
first raised at Charlestown, and then at Manchester, twenty
miles north of Bennington. There he met General Lin-
coln, who had been sent by General Schuyler to conduct
him and his recruits to the Hudson. Stark positively re-
fused to go, and exhibited the written terms upon which
he had consented to enter the field in any capacity. His
refusal was communicated to Congress, and that body re-
solved that the instructions of the Assembly of New Hamp-
shire were " destructive of military subordination, and
highly prejudicial to the common cause ; " and the Assembly

540 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

was requested to "instruct General Stark to conform him-
self to the same rules to which other general officers were
subject whenever they were called out at the expense of
the United States." The Assembly, however, and Gen-
eral Stark, remained firm in the position they had taken ;
and the sequel proved that what had been termed military
insubordination was productive of great benefits to the
country. General Stark was acting under no selfish mo-
tives. He had been long experienced in the sudden and
unlooked-for movememts of frontier war ; he was perfectly
familiar with the country ; he knew better than Congress
possibly could what measures, under the circumstances,
were most conducive to the public welfare ; and all his
acts were regulated in strict accordance with such knowl-
edge.

The battle of Bennington was fought on the 16th of
August, 1777. During the day previous, the rain had
fallen in torrents ; but at the dawn of this eventful day,
the clouds dispersed, and all nature lay smiling in the
warm sunlight of a fresh summer morning. Early in the
morning both armies were in motion. General Stark had
arranged a plan of attack, and, after carefully reconnoi-
tring the enemy at the distance of a mile, proceeded to act
upon it. A body of two hundred men, under Colonel
Nichols, was sent forAvard to attack the enemy's left in the
rear, while another detachment of three hundred, under
Colonel Herrick, were directed to fall upon the rear of the
right wing, and to efiiect a junction with Nichols before
making a general attack. Another body was ordered to
march towards the right front of the enemy, in order to
draw the attention of Colonel Baum, the commander of
the British forces, to that point. The action commenced
at three o'clock in the afternoon, by Colonel Nichols, who

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 541

marched up through a deep-wooded ravine, and fell vigor-
ously upon the rear of the enemy's left, which consisted of
a body of Hessians strongly intrenched. At the moment
of the first firing from Nichols's detachment, the other por-
tions of the American army advanced to the attack, and
General Stark, who, Avith the main body, was awaiting the
movement of Nichols, now threw himself upon his horse,
and shouted to his men to advance. They at once pressed
forward towards the hill, where a body of tories was in-
trenched, and having gained its summit, the whole field
of action was within their view. The heights were wreathed
in the smoke of the cannon and musketry, and along the
slopes and upon the plain the enemy was forming into
battle order. It was at this moment that General Stark
uttered that laconic speech, so familiar to all our readers.
" See there, men," said he ; " there are the redcoats. Be-
fore night they are ours, or Molly Stark must be a widow."
These words brought forth a mighty shout of applause from
the eager troop, which greatly disturbed and terrified the
loyalists in their works below. The Americans displayed
the most undaunted courage. With their rusty firelocks,
scarce a bayonet, not a single piece of cannon, they ven-
tu.red to attack five hundred well-trained regulars, fur-
nished with two pieces of artillery, in an advantageous
position, completely equipped, and aided by one hundi'ed
Indians. Scarce had the Americans gained the field before
a reenforcement of the British, arrived, and again the con-
flict was, renewed. But success followed the American
arms. Seven hundred of the enemy Avere captured, among
whom was Colonel Baum, their leader. Four pieces of
brass cannon, two hundred and fifty dragoon swords, several
hundred stand of arms, eight bass drums, and four ammu-
nition wagons were taken. Two hundred and seven of the
46

64:2 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

British were slain. Of our men, one hundred were killed,
and about as many wounded. The horse of General Stark
was killed under him, but himself was not injured. The
total loss of the enemy, in killed, wounded, and prisoners,
was nine hundred and thirty-four, including one hundred
and fifty-seven tories.

This victory was hailed with joy throughout the country.
It was an effectual check to the boasted progress of Bur-
goyne, weakened his strong arm, and revived the spirits of
the Americans. The conduct of General Stark was fully
vindicated. He had earned the reputation of a wise, able,
and successful commander. The voice of the country was
loud in his favor, and even forced Congress to bestow upon
him the honors which had heretofore been, at least, un-
wisely withheld. On the 4th of October a vote of thanks
to him and his brave army was passed, and he was ap-
pointed a brigadier general in the army of the United
States. He also served in Rhode Island in 1778 and
1779, and in New Jersey in 1780. In 1781 he had the
command of the northern division of the American army.
In 1818 Congress voted him a pension of sixty dollars a
month. He died May 8, 1822, aged ninety-three. He was
buried in Manchester, and a costly monument now marks
the place of his rest. He was a true patriot and a worthy
citizen. When his country was out of danger, he sheathed
his sword, and quietly retired to the private walks of life,
refusing all public offices and employments ; thus teaching,
by his example, that the spirit of patriotism and military
greatness does not necessarily seek political eminence and
renown.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 543

HOKACE GREELEY.*

Horace Greeley was born in Amherst, New Hampshire,
on the 3d day of February, 1811, and therefore is now
about forty -four years of age. Like many Americans, he
is of mixed descent. His father's ancestors were Enghsh,
and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Woodburn,
was a descendant of a Scotch-Irish family, the head of
which, John Woodburn, settled on a farm in Londonderry,
New Hampshire, about A. D. 1720. The Scotch-Lish
were descended from Scotch Presbyterians who had settled
in Ireland, and were of that party which opposed James
II., and vigorously defended the town of Derry against the
Stuart forces during the civil commotions which attended
the English revolution in 1788-9. The early days of
Horace Greeley, like those of the great body of American
children, were passed in toil. His father was poor, and
could not afford "the luxury of idle children." The con-
sequence was, that Horace enjoyed but very few advantages
for education. After he had attained his seventh year, he
was a constant laborer upon the not very productive farm
of his father, attending the common school two or three
months of the year during the winter season. " As a stu-
dent, he never saw the inside of any academy, seminary,
or select school." But in spite of these disadvantages,
young Greeley, when at the age of fifteen he entered a Ver-
mont printing office, was probably far better fitted for the
calHng than most boys who have enjoyed the privileges
of a regular education. By his own exertions he had sur-
mounted difficulties which to many would have seemed
insuperable. At the age of eleven he made application to

* See plate.

544 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

be admitted, as an apprentice, in a printing office in White-
hall, New York, but was refused on account of his youth,
and lack of strength adequate to the position. Four years
later he became an apprentice in the same business in
Poultney, Vermont, where he remained until June, 1830,
■when the paper was discontinued. In August, 1831, then
a few months short of his majority, young Greeley arrived
in the city of New York, where, in the course of a few
years, he -^as destined to play so important a part in the
great drama of life, the closing scene of which is by no
means yet enacted. Few who saw the raw and indigent
youth, poor and coarsely clad, with but a few pence in his
pocket, as he landed from a towboat at the foot of Broad
Street, would have imagined that they were looking at
one who was to control great parties and masses of men,
over whose writings myriads of people were daily to pore,
and whose opinions and suggestions were to be matters of
the greatest consideration to presidents, cabinets, senators,
authors, and all who aim at playing leading parts in the
ffame of life. It is not often that fame and wealth have

started from smaller or more humble beginnings.

For about eighteen months he worked as a journeyman
printer in the city of New York. His labors were un-
steady, for it was not his good fortune to find constant em-
ployment. In the spring of 1833 he went into the printing
business with another young printer named Storey. In a
short time after Storey was drowned, and his place was
supplied by a Mr. Winchester. The business, under this
firm, was very successful. In 1834 Mr. Greeley added to
the establishment a newspaper called the New Yorker.
Though it commenced with only ten subscribers, it in
time reached to a circulation of nine thousand. Mr. Gree-
ley's political life may be said to have commenced in 1834,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 545

when the country was convulsed by the difficulties and
embarrassments which grew out of the removal of the de-
posits from the United States Bank. In the discussions
of these all-absorbing topics, Mr. Greeley bore a prominent
part ; and although himself a radical of the most decided
stamp, yet his views were conservative on this as well as
— until recently, at least — upon all political questions.
"When the great contest of 1840 was opened, Mr. Greeley
was found among the foremost in the formidable phalanx
of whig laborers.

To a weekly paper, the publication of which he com-
menced in New York, he gave the name of the Log Cabin.
Considering all the elements which entered into the spirit
of this contest on either side, no better name for a " cam-
paign paper" could have been devised. It had an im-
mense circulation, and its influence was almost unbounded.
In the spring of 1841, just as the whig party had estab-
lished their leader in the chair of state, Mr. Greeley
resolved to commence the publication of a cheap daily
journal in New York city. The first number of this paper,
styled the New York Tribune, was issued on the 10th of
April, 1841 — by a singular coincidence, the very day which
was observed as one of public mourning in New York on
account of the death of President Harrison. From that
time to this the circulation of this paper has been immense,
so that it now justly stands as one of the leading journals
of the world. In 1848 Mr. Greeley was an ardent sup-
porter of Henry Clay for the presidential nomination, and
came into the support of General Taylor, who received
that nomination, with a good deal of reluctance. In the
autumn of that year he was chosen a representative to Con-
gress, to fill a vacancy which had occurred in the district
of which he was a resident. His efforts at reform, especially
46*

546 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

on the mileage question, were too direct and earnest to se-
cure to him great popularity, insomuch as legislators are
generally conservative upon all questions of retrenchment.
In social matters Mr. Greeley is thoroughly radical, and
subscribes to some of the views of the celebrated Charles
Fourier, respecting the division of labor, &c. The great
moral reforms of the day have found in him a sincere and
zealous advocate ; and it would not, indeed, be surprising
if, at times, his zeal should overpower his discretion — a
failing common to men who to honesty of purpose unite
warmth of head and heart. The amount of labor which
he performs from week to week is almost incalculable, as
will readily appear to any who knows any thing of the New
York Tribune — to say nothing of the large portion of his
time taken up in lecturing in various parts of the country,
in attending great political meetings, &c. To pass a final
judgment upon his peculiar views or writings at the pres-
ent time, when great and unforeseen changes are the fixed
law of social existence, would be as unfair as to submit a
case to the jury without giving the defendant an oppor-
tunity to state the grounds of his defence. To judge of
this man correctly, his mission must have been fully closed,
his pen must have written its last word, and the immortal
must have separated from its mortal habitation.

JOHN P. HALE.*

John P. Hale was born in Rochester, New Hampshire,
on the 31st day of March, 1806. His father bore the
same Christian name, but was born in Portsmouth, Rock-
ingham county, just previous to the declaration of inde-

* See plate.

^^^i^--^^

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 547

pendence. He held a lieutenant's commission in the army,
at the hands of General Washington. The middle name,
Parker, came from his father's maternal progenitors. His
mother was Lydia Clarkson O'Brien, only child of William
O'Brien, an immigrant Irishman, who died a prisoner of
war at the early age of twenty-three. He was of the
heroic stock from which sprang William Smith O'Brien.
William O'Brien and his brother will be found honorably
mentioned in Cooper's Naval History, as performing a
daring feat of volunteer heroism in the capture of a British
vessel, which had seized a lot of lumber at Machias, Maine,
and which it was carrying off without leave or license. In
1834 the subject of our sketch was united in marriage
with Lucy H. Lambert, by whom he has two living chil-
dren, both daughters.

John P. Hale, the father, was a lawyer. He died at
Rochester, in the height of his professional usefulness, at
the early age of forty- four. Fortunately, the mother of our
subject survived her husband, and was permitted to watch
over and direct the development of her son, until she had
the pleasure of not only seeing him enter successfully upon
a career of professional usefulness, but also into political
life, under circumstances well calculated to gratify maternal
ambition, as the subsequent facts of our sketch will indi-
cate. She died in 1832, at the age of fifty-two years.

Mr. Hale's primary education was partly obtained at the
common schools of New England — those nurseries of a
natural democracy, in which the children of the rich, from
reading the same lesson from the same book, seated side
by side in the same unostentatious school room, come to
regard the children of the poor as the equals they really
are in a common fatherhood, and to retain that regard in
after years.

548 XEAV HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

Subsequently, and after the death of his father, Mr,
Hale entered Exeter Academy, then under the charge of
Dr. Abbott, who died in 1838, after occupying that position
x)f usefulness for fifty yeai's.

Thus prepared, he entered the venerable college of Bow-
doin, -svhere he graduated in 1837. Among his college
mates were Franklin Pierce, now president of the United
States, and Nathaniel Hawthorne, the biographer of the
nation's cliief, and consul at Liverpool. He studied law
at Rochester and Dover, in his native state, finishing his
studies at the latter place, in the office of Daniel M. Chris-
tie, who stands among the ablest lawyers of the state.
Young Hale soon found himself in a large and agreeable
practice, the more welcome because affording him frequent
opportunities for the display of a degree of power before
juries in criminal trials, which showed itself, in the prog-
ress of the celebrated government cases in Boston, known
as the " Shadrach trials," to be of rai-e attainment. But
he was not less successful in the department of civil law,
especially when before the jiuy, where his remarkable
keenness in discerning the points at issue, and his adroit-
ness and promptitude in meeting them, were early dis-
played to great advantage. Among those with whom he
occasionally met, either as associates or opponents, was Mr.
Pierce, who also has enjoyed a fine reputation in New
Hampshu'e as a jury advocate.

Ml-. Hale entered political life in 1833, as a member of
the New Hampshire House of Representatives. He was
called into it by an independent workingman's movement
— an incident which may be regarded as a presage of his
futui'e services in the same direction ; for his congressional
speeches and votes will clearly indicate that his fellow-
citizens did not mistake their man in choosing him as the

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 549

champion of their neglected interests. The same year he
was selected as a member of the nominating state con-
vention of the democratic party, and thenceforward he be-
came distinctively identified with their organization. In
1834, though only twenty-eight years of age, he had al-
ready attracted the attention of the then president, General
Jackson, in a way which induced his appointment to the
responsible position of United States district attorney for
New Hampshire.

In 1843 he was elected to Congress on a general ticket,
with Messrs. Burke, Norris, and Reding. It was during
this Congress that the Texas struggle began. INIr. Hale
took a fearless stand against annexation, and immediately
addressed a letter to his constituents, fully and candidly
explaining his motives, and denouncing the project as, in
his opinion, a scheme for strengthening slavery by extend-
ing it into territory from which it had been excluded by
the laws of Mexico. This bold step was censured by
the state convention assembled in February, 1845, where
his nomination for reelection, previously made with una-
nimity, was reconsidered. In 1846 he was chosen a mem-
ber of the state legislature from Dover, and at once made
speaker of the House of Representatives. During this ses-
sion he was chosen United States senator for the term of
six years dating from March 4, 1847. On returning to
the Senate chamber, he found himself associated with four
members of that body who had been pupils at Exeter Acad-
emy, viz., Daniel "Webster, Lewis Cass, Alpheus Felch,
and John A. DIx, all of whom had been trained under the
venerable Dr. Abbott, who often observed, with apparent
self-gratulation, that he had " five boys in the Senate, and
pretty good boys, too." Mr. Hale's career in that august
body is too well known to his countrymen to need descrip-

550 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

tion here. Suffice it to say that he on all occasions showed
himself a fearless champion of liberty, according to his
views, and an uncompromising foe to the encroachments of
slavery, manifesting the utmost patience and good humor
under all the severe, and sometimes violent attacks made
upon his peculiar principles by political opponents. In his
replies to his " pitted antagonist," Mr. Foote, occur many
passages which, for eloquence, wit, and good nature, yet
mthering sarcasm, are seldom surpassed. As a public
speaker he is prompt, energetic, and direct. He is never
profound, but eminently practical, forcible, and methodical
in his own way, which is founded neither upon established
rules nor precedents ; the attempt to follow which would
involve any one but himself in inextricable difficulties.

His oratorical powers are unquestionably great. He
gains that conti'ol over his audience which changes aversion
into breathless attention, and the antipathy which, at the
outset, would denounce him as a fanatic, into generous sym-
pathy. He worries his opponent into petulance and con-
fusion, and at the same time shows towards him the utmost
kindness and good will.

The firmness, constancy, and ability with which he de-
fended his position against his southern opponents, gained
for him the confidence and esteem of the " free soil " par-
ty ; and at a convention held in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on
the 11th day of August, 1852, he was unanimously nomi-
nated for the presidency of the United States, notwith-
standing his positive refusal to stand as candidate for that
high office. At the close of his senatorial term, in March,
1853, he removed to New York city, where he still resides,
and is now actively engaged in the practice of his profes-
sion, in company with a distinguished gentleman of the
New York bar.

SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS. 551

SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS.

Our limits will allow us to make mention of but few
of the various literary and benevolent societies which are
found in our state. The following are the most important
of those of which we have been able to obtain reliable in-
formation : —

New Hampshire Medical Society. — This society was
incorporated February 11, 1791. It was formed for the
purpose of diffusing a knowledge of medical science in
this state, and for discouraging empiricism and quackery.
It has a library of considerable value, which is divided
among the district societies. This society has a close con-
nection with the Medical School at Dartmouth College. Its
influence upon the profession has been most salutary.

New Hampshire Historical Society. — This society was
incorporated June 13, 1823. The library and cabinet are
located in the hall over the Merrimack County Bank, at
Concord. The society has published six volumes of col-
lections, containing a large amount of interesting and val-
uable matter.

New Hampshire Bible Society. — The object of this so-
ciety, as set forth in its constitution, is " to promote the
more extensive distribution of the Holy Bible, by procur-
ing and distributing gratuitously among the needy and des-
titute, or selling at reduced prices, according to the dis-
cretion of the board of directors, Bibles and Testaments in
the English language." It was established in 1811. The
total amount of receipts from that time to the present is
$110,986.22. The receipts for the year ending August 23,
1854, were $6947.49.

New Hampshire Missionary Society. — This society was

552 ' NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

instituted in September, 1801. It was designed "to fur-
nish preaching and religious instruction to destitute
churches in New Hampshire." The total amount raised
in the state from 1802 to 1851, inclusive, was $170,403.18.
Of this sum upwards of $141,000 were expended in New
Hampshire and vicinitj, and the remainder in the great
west.

Independent Order of Odd FeUoics. — The first lodge of
the order in this state was instituted at Nashua, September
11, 1843, under the name and title of Granite Lodge No. 1.
The Grand Lodge of New Hampshire now embraces under
its jurisdiction forty subordinate lodges. There are also six
Encampments and a Grand Encampment. The following
abstract of the returns made by the subordinate lodges for
the year ending June 30, 1854, will exhibit the condition
of the order at that time : —

Number of contributing members, 2240. Amount paid
for relief of brothers, $2674.42 ; do. widowed families,
$75.04; do. burying the dead, $667.51. Total amount
paid for relief, $3416.97.

Free and Accepted Masons. — This order reports in

New Hampshire one grand chapter, one grand lodge, four

royal arch chapters, and twenty-four subordinate lodges,

.with 931 members. Number initiated during the year

ending June, 1854, 191.

EAILROADS.

The Ashuelot Kailroad extends from Hinsdale to Keene,
23| miles. It is at present leased to the Connecticut River
Eailroad Company, which keep it in repair, and pay a year-
ly rent of $35,000. "Whole cost of the road, exclusive
of its equipments, $499,681.17.

RAILROADS. 553

The Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad extends from
Portland, Maine, to Island Pond, Vermont, entering this
state just north of the White Mountains, and following the
courses of the Upper Ammonoosuc River until it reaches
the Connecticut. The length of that part of the road
which is in this state, is 54^ miles.

The Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad, incorpo-
rated in 1844, extends from Concord to Wells River, Ver-
mont, 92J- miles. The first section was opened in 1848.
Whole cost of road and equipments, $2,313,286.78.

The Boston and Maine Railroad, incorporated in 1835,
extends from Boston, through Exeter, Dover, and other
places, and unites with the Portsmouth, Saco, and Portland
Railroad. Whole length, 74^ miles, of which 37f miles
are in this state. Whole cost of construction and equip-
ments, 14,180,960.91, of which the sum of |825,660.68
was expended in this state.

The Cheshire Railroad, incorporated in 1844, extends
from Pitchburg, Massachusetts, to Bellows Falls, Vermont,
532- miles, 43 miles of its entire length being in tliis state.
Whole cost of road and equipments, $3,119,510.03.

The Cocheco Railroad extends from Dover to Alton Bay,
at the southern extremity of Winnipiseogee Lake, 28
miles. Incorporated in 1847. Total cost of road and
fixtures, $767,360.93.

The Concord Railroad, incorporated in 1835, extends
from Nashua, up the Merrimack, to Concord, 34J- miles.
Opened for travel September 1, 1842. Cost of the road,
including equipments, $1,412,576.91.

The Contoocook Valley Railroad, incorporated in 1849,
extends from Contoocookville, in Hopkinton, to Hillsbor-
ough Bridge, 14 J miles. Total expenditures, $259,609.62.
^ The Eastern Railroad, incorporated in 1836, extends
47

554 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

from Boston to Portsmouth, 54 miles ; 16| miles in New
Hampshire.

The Great Falls and Conway Railroad, incorporated in
1844, extends from Great Falls to Milton, 12^ miles.
When fully completed, it will extend to Wakefield line, 8
miles farther. Total expenditures up to April, 1854,
1308,222.23.

The Manchester and Lawrence Kailroad extends from
Manchester to Lawrence, Massachusetts, 2T miles. In-
corporated in 1847.

The Merrimack and Connecticut River Railroad, incor-
porated January, 1853, includes the New Hampshire Cen-
tral and the Concord and Claremont Railroads. Distance
from Manchester to Hillsborough Bridge, 33 miles ; from
Bradford to Concord, 25.

The Nashua and Lowell Raiboad extends from Nashua
to Lowell, Massachusetts about 15 miles. Incorporated in
1835. Cost of the road and fui-niture, $651,214.88. The
corporation have leased the Wilton Railroad for five years
from April 1, 1853.

The Northern Railroad extends from Concord to West
Lebanon, 69 miles. The lower section was opened for
travel in 1846. Incorporated in 1844. The Franklin and
Bristol Railroad, running from Franklin to Bristol, 12j-
miles, is now united with this. The latter was incorporated
in 1846.

The Peterborough and Shirley Railroad, from Groton,
Massachusetts, to Mason Village, in Mason, 23 miles.

The Portsmouth and Concord Railroad extends from
Portsmouth to Concord, 47 miles. Incorporated in 1845.
Cost of road and equipments, $1,075,575.56.

The Sullivan Railroad extends from Bellows Falls to
Windsor, Vermont, 26 miles. Incorporated in 1846.

r.AILEOADS. 555

The White Mountains Eaih-oad extends from Wells
River to Littleton, about 20 miles.

The Wilton Railroad extends from Nashua to Wilton,
ISJ- miles. It is leased to the Nashua and Lowell Railroad
Company.

The Worcester and Nashua Railroad, from Worcester,
Massachusetts, to Nashua, 45 miles, of Avhich distance only
6^ miles are in this state. Total cost, $1,352,0-15.79.
Expended in New Hampshire, $116,058.51.

556

NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

A STATEMENT

Of the condition of the several Banks in New Hampshire, as they existed on
the first Monday of December, A. D. 1854, as furnished by the Secretary
of State.

NAMES OP BANKS.

Amoskeag, ,

Ashuelot,

Belknap County,

Cheshire,

City,

Claremont

Citizens,

Connecticut River,. ...

Cocheco,

Carroll County,

Dover,

Francesto'mi,

Granite State,

Great Falls, ,

Indian Head,

Lake,

Lancaster,

Lebanon,

Mechanics,

Merrimack County,...

Manchester,

Mechanics & Traders,.

Monadnock,

Nashua,

New Ipswich,

Piscataqua Exchange,

Pittsfield,

Rochester, ,

Rockingham,

Salmon Falls,

State Capital,

Strafford

Sugar River,

Warner,

Winchester, ,

White Mountain,

Total,.

Manchester,

Keene,

Meredith Bridge,

Keene,

Manchester,

Claremont,

Sanbornton, . ....
Charles town, ... . .

Dover,

Sandwich,

Dover,

Francestown,....

Exeter,

Somersworth, . . . .

Nashua, ,

Wolfborough,...,

Lancaster, ,

Lebanon,

Concord ,

Concord

Manchester,

Portsmouth, . . . . ,

Jaffrey,

Nashua,

New Ipswich,...,

Portsmouth,

Pittsfield, ,

Rochester,

Portsmouth,

RoUinsford, ,

Concord, ,

Dover,

Newport,

Warner,

Winchester,

Lancaster,

" ft
a "

200,000
100,000

80,000
100,000
150,000
100,000

50,000

90,000
100,000

50,000
100,000

60,000
125,000
150,000
150,000

50,000

50,000
100,000
100,000

80,000
125,000
141,000

50,000
125,000
100,000
200,000

50,000

80,000
200,000

50,000
150,000
120,000

50,000

50,000
100,000

60,000

3,626,000

a A

5,819.61
5,739.58
3,969.15
4,455.54
2,107.42
4,075.03
2,822.85
3,615.86
4,148.57
2,654.16
2,791.72
2,334.21
5,464.49
3,666.10
6,486.56
3,683.60
114.48
9,588.93
6,173.83

13,260.00
5,137.36
5,276.87
3,606.00

10,100.47
4,444.31
9,401.69
2,703.77
6,340.66

12,231.66
2,328.67
4,693.34
3,137.68
2,633.16
2,974.00
5,108.07
3,345.33

176,434.73

S-3

a ^ .=?

-w O

169,822
76,536
79,168
76,345

115,162
88,000
47,128
60,379
94,779
46,909
93,469
58,356

115,226

130,.331

140,000
38,936
3,304
90,767
74,611
79,693

114,298

139,542
49,325

107,235
80,121

151,669
47,057
80,000

145,648
45,480

113,019
99,882
49,717
49,668
78,520
49,446

3,079,548

NEWSPAPERS. 557

NEWSPAPERS.

" The New Hampshire Gazette," Portsmouth. The
first number of this paper was issued in October, 1756, by
Daniel Fowle, who owned and published it until 1784.
It was the pioneer newspaper in New Hampshire, and is
the oldest existing one in the United States, having contin-
ued the even tenor of its way, without interruption, for the
space of one hundred years. Fowle was succeeded by
John Melcher, who conducted it until 1802, when he sold
out his interest to N. S. and Washington Pierce. The
subsequent proprietors were Messrs. Hill and Gardner,
Hill, Hill and Pierce, William Weeks, Beck and Foster,
Beck and Greenleaf, Laighton and Greenleaf, Virgin and
Moses, S. W. Moses, William P. Hill, and Gideon H. Eund-
lett. The present editor and proprietor, Mr. Edward N.
Fuller, commenced its publication in 1852. It is demo-
cratic in pohtics.

" The Portsmouth Journal of Literature and Politics."
The publication of this venerable journal was commenced
June 4, 1793, under the title of '' The Portsmouth Ora-
cle," and was issued semiweekly, by Charles Peirce editor
and proprietor, until January, 1796. It was then enlarged
and published weekly. Its subsequent proprietors were
W. Mason and Daniel Treadwell, who sold their interest
in the establishment, September 25, 1813, to Charles Tu-
rell, when it received its present title. In July, 1821, it
was transferred to N. A. Haven, Jr., who conducted it un-
til July 1, 1825, when it was purchased by T. H. Miller
and C. W. Brewster. In July, 1832, Mr. Brewster be-
came sole proprietor, by whom it has been owned and pub-
lished from that time to the present.

*' The New Hampshire Sentinel " was established in

558 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

March, 1799, in Keeiie, by John Prentiss, and was managed
by him as editor and proprietor until the close of the year
1847, a period of 48 years. In January, 1848, John "W.
Prentiss became proprietor, and conducted the paper until
June, 1853, when it passed into the hands of Albert God-
frey, who is the present editor and proprietor. The Sen-
tinel was " federal " in politics, and advocated the doc-
trines of Washington, the elder Adams, and John Taylor
Oilman, and maintained its character as a federal paper
until the period of Monroe's administration, when party
names fell into disuse. It suj)ported John Quincy Adams,
and has been devoted to the interests of the whig party
since its formation to the present time.

" The Farmer's Cabinet " was established at Amherst,
November 11, 1802, by Joseph Gushing, Esq., and was
managed by him until October 10, 1809, when he removed
to Baltimore, and was succeeded in the establishment by
the present senior editor, Richard Boylston, Esq., who has
been connected with it for 45 years. During most of this
long period the paper was under his entire charge ; he was
unaided by a single " dollar's worth " of hired or gratuitous
editorial. He labored constantly with his own hands in
preparing the paper for the press, in directing the printed
sheets for delivery, besides attending to the transient job
work of the office, keeping the accounts, and attending a
bookstore — an example of industry worthy to be followed
by some of his younger brethren of the quill. In January,
1849, the proprietorship was assumed by Edward D. Boyl-
ston, his son, who has since been its principal manager,
although the name of the father has been associated as co-
editor. In politics the tone of the paper is mild ; it is
chiefly devoted to moral and religious subjects.

" The New Hampshire Patriot and State Gazette." This
47*

NEWSPAPERS. 559

journal was established in Concord, in 1809, by Isaac Hill,
and was managed by him several years. It is now published
weekly by William Butterfield. This for many years had
an extensive circulation in New Hampshire, and is one of
the leading democratic papers in the state.

" The Congregational Journal," a religious paper, pub-
lished in Concord, was established in 1819, and was at first
called " The New Hampshire Depository," afterwards " The
New Hampshire Observer," and " The Panoplist." The
present editor is Rev. Benjamin P. Stone, D. D.

" The Dover Enquirer," a whig journal, established in
Dover, was first published in February, 1828. Editor and
proprietor, George Wadleigh.

" The Dover Gazette and Strafford Advertiser," a demo-
cratic paper, published in Dover. The first number was
issued December 14, 1825. Editor and proprietor, John
T, Gibbs.

• " The Exeter News Letter," a weekly paper, published
in Exeter, was established in 1831. Editor, Franklin
Lane, M. D.

" The Democrat " was first published in April, 1843.
It is established in Manchester, and is an advocate of '^free
soil " principles. John H. Goodale editor.

" The Cheshire Republican," a democratic paper, pub-
hshed in Keene. It was first established in Walpole,
about 30 years ago. Horatio Kimball editor.

" The Manchester Daily Mirror," established at Man-
chester, October 28, 1850. John B. Clarke editor and
proprietor. " The Dollar Weekly Mirror " is published at
the same office, under the same editorial charge. The first
number was issued February 1, 1851. Both papers are
independent in politics.

" The Daily Chronicle " was established in Portsmouth,

560 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

August 2, 1852. " The Weekly Chronicle " was first is-
sued January 1, 1853. Both papers are independent in
politics and religion. Published by Millers and Gray.

*' Nashua Gazette and Hillsborough County Advertiser,"
founded upon the " Nashua Constellation," a whig paper,
started in 1827, by Brown and Wiggin, and afterwards
published by Thayer and Wiggin, and by Andrew E.
Thayer. It then passed into the hands of Israel Hunt, Jr.,
who changed its politics, and assumed for it its present name.
It has since been published by Merrill • and Dinsmore, C
P. Danforth, W. H. Hughes, W. Butterfield, and B. B.
and P. P. Whittemore. It is now under the successful
management of the Messrs. Whittemore.

" The New Hampshire Telegraph " was founded in
1832, by Alfred Beard, who was succeeded by his brother,
Albin Beard, the present publisher. This paper is whig
in politics, enjoys a well-earned reputation and extensive
patronage.

" The Oasis " was established in January, 1843, by 0.
D. Murray, and A. I. Sawtelle. During the same year
Mr. Sawtelle sold his interest to Horatio Kimball. In
1849 Mr. Murray was succeeded by J. R. Dodge ; and in
1851 Mr. Kimball retired, giving place to S. H. Noyes.
Since January, 1851, it has been conducted by Dodge and
Noyes. It early attained the largest local circulation as
an independent family journal, and commands a respectable
and increasing patronage.

" The New Hampshire Statesman," Concord. This is a
weekly journal, and was established in January, 1823,
by Luther Poby, who conducted it for several years. It is
now published by Messrs McFarland and Jenks. It is the
leading whig paper in the state, and aside from its politics,
contains a large variety of agricultural, moral, and religious
matter.

NEWSPAPERS. 561

*'Tiie National Eagle." This paper was established in
Claremont, in October, 1834, under the direction of a
committee chosen at a whig convention for Sullivan coun-
ty, the year previous. The first number was issued by
John H. Warland editor, and Samuel L. Chase printer.
In 1836 the establishment was purchased and managed by
Messrs. Warland and Joseph Weber. In 1842 Mr. Weber
became sole proprietor, and conducted the paper until Oc-
tober, 1846, when Messrs. Charles Young and John S.
Walker purchased the entire establishment, Mr. Walker
taking charge of the editorial department. In 1849 Mr.
Walker sold his interest to Mr. J. H. Brewster, who man-
aged the paper in connection with Mr. Young, until April,
1854, when the establishment passed into the hands of Mr.
Otis F. R. Waite, its present proprietor. It is devoted to
the interests of the whig party.

" The Farmer's Monthly Visitor " was first published in
Concord, January 15, 1839, under the charge and propri-
etorship of the late Governor Hill. After his decease the
establishment was sold and located in Manchestei-, under
the editorial charge of C. E. Potter, who continued its
publication during the years 1852 and 1S53. On the 1st
of January, 1854, this paper was united with " The Granite
Farmer," under the title of " The Granite Farmer and Vis-
itor."

" The Coos County Democrat," Lancaster, was estab-
lished September 11, 1838, and was published about two
years and a half by James M. Rix and James R. Whitte-
more. Afterwards Mr. Whittemore became sole proprie-
tor, and so continued until April 5, 1842, when James M.
Rix purchased the establishment, and has continued sole
editor and proprietor until the present time. The paper
is democratic in politics.

562 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

" The New Hampshire Argus and Spectator," Newport.
This paper is now in the 31st volume of its pubHcation. Its
predecessors were '•' The Newport Spectator " and " The New
Hampshire Argus," both of which journals were merged
into one under the title above given. " The Spectator "
was originally established in Claremont, in January, 1823,
by Cyrus Barton, but was soon after located in Newport,
which town was about to be made the county seat of the
ne\Y county of Sullivan. A short time after the removal
to Newport, Mr. Dunbar Aldrich became a partner with Mr.
Barton. Afterwards the partnership consisted of Messrs.
Barton, Benjamin French, and Cyrus Metcalf, Subse-
quently, the paper was conducted by Messrs. French and
Metcalf during the space of a year or more, when Mr.
Metcalf retired, and was succeeded by Simon Brown. *' The
Argus " was established in Claremont in 1833, removed to
Newport in 1834, and was edited by Edmund Burke.
The papers were united in July, 1835, and managed by
Mr. Burke until January, 1838, when he was succeeded
by II. E. Baldwin and William English. Mr. English,
soon leaving, was succeeded by Samuel C. Baldwin, and
the establishment thus continued until 1810, when it was
transferred to Messrs. Carlton and Harvey, its present ed-
itors and proprietors, who have conducted the paper for
nearly sixteen years. It is democratic in politics.

" The Belknap Gazette." The publication of this paper
was commenced by Charles Lane, at INIeredith Bridge, Au-
gust 5, 1840, as an organ of the democratic party, March
1, 1847, the establishment was purchased by a company of
gentlemen, when the politics of the paper underwent a
change. Since that time it has been devoted to the inter-
ests of the whig party. The present editor and proprietor
is R. C. Stevens, Esq. "The Belknap Gazette" was the

NEWSPAPERS. 563

only whig paper in the state which openly sustained the
views of Mr. Webster in relation to the compromise meas-
ures of 1850.

"The Granite State Whig," established in Lebanon,
about the year 1846. It was formerly called " The White
Mountain ^gis," and was published in Lancaster. It
was afterwards established in Haverhill under the title
of the "Whig and ^'l^^gis." From this place it was re-
moved to Lebanon, when it received its present name.
George S. Towle editor and proprietor. It is whig in pol- '
itics.

" The Northern Advocate," Claremont, established in
1848. Joseph Weber editor and proprietor. Politics,
republican.

" The Rockingham Messenger," published in Ports-
mouth. First number issued October 7, 1847. Politics,
free democratic. Thomas J. Whittemore editor.

" The Union Democrat," Manchester. A democratic
paper, first issued in 1851. Campbell and Gilmore pub-
lishers ; J. ]M. Campbell editor.

" The Great Falls Weekly Journal " was established at
Great Falls in 1847. Indej)endent in politics. James T.
Furber editor and proprietor.

" The Morning Star," a religious journal, published in
Dover, by the Freewill Baptist Printing Establishment.
It was first published in Limerick, Maine, and was located
in Dover in 1834. William Burr agent.

" The New Hampshire Phoenix," established at Con-
cord, January 1, 1854. Devoted to temperance, educa-
tion, and news. Kev. Daniel Lancaster editor and propri-
etor.

" The American News," published in Keene. Devoted
to temperance, education, agriculture, and general miscel-

564 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

lany. In politics, republican. S. Woodward editor and
proprietor.

" The New Hampshire Democrat " was established at
Meredith Bridge, January 1, 1849. It was published by
Messrs. Keach and Seaver, and edited by the late Jere-
miah Elkins, Esq. Mr. Elkins continued in the editorial
department but a short time. May 23, 1850, Mr. Seaver
sold out, and Mr. Keach became sole proprietor. January
1, 1851, the establishment was purchased by Mr. Samuel
C Baldwin, who conducted the establishment alone until
November 12, 1851, when David A. Farrington purchased
half the establishment. It is democratic in politics.

" The Ammonoosuc Reporter," Littleton, established
in July, 1852, by F. A. Eastman, who conducted it until
September, 1854, when it passed into the hands of Messrs.
Bass and Churchill, its present proprietors. Politics, dem-
ocratic.

" The Semi- Weekly State Capital Eeporter " was estab-
lished in Concord, by Cyrus Barton, January 1, 1852. In
May, 1853, Amos Hadley was associated with Mr. Barton,
and in July, 1853, " The Weekly Reporter " and " The
Old Guard " were united, and Hon. Edmund Burke be-
came an extensive contributor. Irj politics this paper is
democratic, though it is apposed to the administration of
President Pierce.

" The Baptist Observer," established in Concord, in
April, 1852, by Ervin B. Tripp publisher and proprietor-,
and Rev. Edmund Worth editor. Until January, 1853, it
was issued semi-monthly. It was afterwards enlarged, and
issued weekly. In March, 1854, Messrs. Norton and
Crawford became proprietors and publishers, and in October
the firm was changed to Crawford and Chick. The pres-
ent editor is Rev. William Lamson, of Portsmouth.

NEWSPAPERS. 565

** The Independent Democrat," established in Concord,
in May, 1845, as an independent democratic paper, in op-
position to the annexation of Texas. From its commence-
ment to the present time it has been under the editorial
charge of George G. Fogg, Esq.

" The Democratic Republican," Haverhill. This paper
was established in July, 1828, by Hon. John K. Reding
editor and proprietor. It was first called " The Democrat-
ic Republican and General Advertiser," the latter portion
of the title being dropped after a year or two. Mr. Red-
ing continued in charge of the paper until April, 1841,
when he was succeeded by Mr. H. W. Reding, the pres-
ent editor and proprietor. It is devoted to the intejests of
the democratic party.

**The American Ballot," a weekly journal, established
in Portsmouth, in the summer of 1854, and devoted to the
interests of the American party.

" The Stars and Stripes," established in Manchester,
in October, 1854, under the charge of Messrs. Tenney
and Stevens. An organ of the American party.
48

CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE,

APPROVED BY THE PEOPLE, AND ESTABLISHED IN CONVENTION,
FIFTH OF SEPTEMBER, 1792.*

PART FIRST.
BILL OF RIGHTS.

Article 1. All men born free ; all govern-
ment originates from the people.

Art. 9. Natural rights of men.

Art. 3. Natural rights when surrendered.

Art. 4. Some rights unalienable, as those
of conscience.

Art. 5. Religious freedom recognized.

Art. 6. The support of the ministry.

Art. 7. Sovereignty of the state.

Art. 8. All officers are servants of the
people.

Art. 9. No office to be hereditary.

Art. 10. Government for the benefit and
under the control of the people.

Art. 11. Freedom of elettinn*:.

Art. 12. Rights and duties of citizens.
Property taken for public uses. Laws
when binding.

Art. 13. Exemption from bearing arms.

Art. 14. Every person ought to find a
certain and speedy remedy at law.

Art. 15. Rights of persons prosecuted for
crime.

Art. 16. No person to be tried after ac-
quittal for the same oflence, nor for a
capital offence except by a jury.

Art. 17. Trial to be in the county where
offonce committed.

Art. 18. Penalties to be proportioned to
offences.

Art. 19. Regulation of search and seizure.

Art. 20. Trial by jury regulated.

Art. 21. Jurors to be carefully selected
and fully paid.

Art. 22. The libeity of the press.

Art. 23. Retrospective laws prohibited.

Art. 24. Importance of the militia.

Art. 25. Standing armies dangerous.

Art. 26. The military subject to the civi!
power.

Art. 27." Soldiers, how quartered.

Art. 28. All taxes to be levied by the
people.

Art. 29. Laws suspended by the legisla-
ture only.

Art. 30. Freedom of speech and debate.

Art. 31. Object of the assembly of the
legislature.

Art. 33. Right of the people to assemble.

Art. 33. Excessive bail and fines and cru-
el punishments forbidden.

Art. 34. Martial law, when exercised.

Art. 35. The judiciary system.

Art. 36. Economy enjoined.

Art. 37. The executive, legislative, and
judicial powers to be kept separate.

Art. 38. Recurrence to fundamental prin-
ciples.

PART SECOND.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

1. Declaration of sovereignty.

GENERAL COURT.

2. Legislative power, how vested

3. Meeting of the legislature.

* The former constitution, having been approved by the people, was established by con-
vention, 31st October, 1783, and took effect on the first Wednesday of June, 1784.

(566)

CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

567

4. Power to constitute courts.

5. Power to establish laws.

C. Valuation, when and how taken.

7. No member to be of counsel.

8. Doors of galleries to bo open.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

9. Representation to be equal.

10. Towns may be classed.

11. Special authority may be given.

12. Election to be held in March.

13. (lualification of voters.

14. dualifications of representatives.
1.5. Members to be paid.

16. Vacancies, how filled.

17. Power of impeachment.

18. Money bills to originate in house.

19. Power to adjourn.

20. What is a quorum.

21. Exemption from arrest.

2Q. House to be judge of its own proceed-
ings.

23. Imprisonment for contempt.

24. Journals and laws to be published. —

Yeas and nays and protest entered on
journal.

SENATE.

25. Senate, how constituted.

26. Senatorial districts made.

27. Election to be held in March.

28. Mode of election.

29. Qualifications of senators.

30. Who is an inhabitant.

31. Rights of inhabitants of places.

32. Mode of conducting elections.

33. Votes, how examined, and senators no-

tified.

34. Vacancies, how filled.

35. Senate to be judges of their own re-

turns.

36. Power to adjourn.

37. Mode of proceeding and quorum.

38. To be a court tu try impeachments.

39. Power of punishment.

40. When the governor is impeached.

EXECUTIVE POWER.

GOVERNOR.

41. Title of the governor.

42. Governor, how chosen.

43. Governor may adjourn legislature, or

alter place of session.

44. Laws to be apjirovcd by him.

45. Resolves to be approved by him.

40. Officers to be appointed by the execu-
tive.

47. A|)pointments, how made.

48. Captains, &c., how commissioned.

49. Vacancy in office, how supplied.

50. Governor may prorogue the legislature.

51. Governor to be commander-in-chief.

52. Power of pardon.

53. Removal of officers on address.

54. Military officers, how appointed.

55. Division of the militia regulated.

5G. Money, how drawn from the treasury.
57. Account of public property rendered.
^. Compensation of governor and council.

59. Judges to have permanent salaries.

COUNCIL.

60. Five councillors to be elected.

61. Election, how determined.

62. Vacancy, how filled.

63. Members may be impeached.

64. Records of proceedings kept.

65. Council districts regulated.

66. Elections, when completed.

SECRETARY, TREASURER, COMMIS3AEV
GENERAL, &C.

67. Officers, how chosen.

68. Duty of secretary.

69. Secretary to have deputy.

70. Secretary to give bond.

COUNTY TREASURER, &C.

71. To be elected by the people.

72. Counties may be divided.

JUDICIARY POWER.

73. Tenure of office.

74. Opinion of S. J. C. may be required.

75. Judge may be removed.

70 Jurisdiction of divorce, probate appeals,
&c.

77. Jurisdiction of justices of the peace.

78. Term of oflice ceases at seventy.

79. Judge not to bo of counsel.

80. Probate jurisdiction.

61. Judge nor register to be of counsel.

CLERKS OF COURTS.

82. Appointment and duties of clerks.

ENCOURAGEMENT OF LEARNING, tC.

83. Encouragement of learning.

568

3fEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

OATHS, WRITS, AND GENERAL PRO-
VISIONS.

84. Oaths of office, form, &c.

85. Oaths, by whom administered.

86. Form of commissions.

87. Form and requisites of writs.

88. Conclusion of indictments.

89. No deodand or forfeiture allowed.

90. Common law in force.

91. Privilege of habeas corpus.

92. Enacting style declared.

93. Govemoror judge to hold nootherolRce.

94. Offices which are incompatible.

95. Officers which are incompatible.

96. Bribery excludes from office.

97. Computation of money.

98. When constitution to take effect.

99. Revision of the constitution.

100. Sense of the people to be taken every

seven years.

101. Constitution to be enrolled, and pub-

lished with each edition of the laws.

PART FIEST.

BILL OF EIGHTS.

Article 1. All men are born equally free and independent; therefore
all government of right originates from the peoj^le, is founded in consent
and instituted for the general good. '

2. All men have certain natural, essential, and inherent rights ; among
which are, the enjoying and defending life and liberty — acquiring, pos-
sessing, and protecting property — and, in a word, of seeking and obtaining
happiness.

3. "When men enter into a state of society, they surrender up some of
their natural rights to that society, in order to insure the protection of
others ; and without such an equivalent the surrender is void.

4. Among the natural rights, some are in their very nature unalienable,
because no equivalent can be given or received for them. Of this kind are

the KIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE.

5. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship Goi>
according to the dictates of his own conscience and reason ; and no sub-
ject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained in his person, liberty, or estate, for
worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates
of his own conscience, or for his religious profession, sentiments, or persua-
sion ; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or disturb others in
their religious worship.*

6. As morality and piety, rightly grounded on evangelical principles,
will give the best and greatest security to government, and will lay in the
hearts of men the strongest obligations to due subjection : and as the
knowledge of these is most likely to be propagated through a society by the
institution of the public worship of the Deitt, and of public instruction
in morality and religion; therefore, to promote those important purposes.

CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 569

the people of this state have a right to empower, and do hereby fully em-
power the legislature to authorize from time to time the several towns, par-
ishes, bodies corporate, or religious societies within this state, to make
adequate provision, at their own expense, for the support and maintenance
of public Protestant teachers of piety, religion, and morality :

Provided, notwithstanding, That the several towns, parishes, bodies cor-
porate, or religious societies shall at all times have the exclusive right of
electing their own public teachers, and of contracting with them for their
support and maintenance. And no person of any one particular religious
sect or denomination shall ever be compelled to pay towards the support
of the teacher or teachers of another persuasion, sect, or denomination.

And every denomination of Christians demeaning themselves quietly, and
as good subjects of the state, shall be equally under the protection of the
lawj and no subordination of any one sect or denomination to another
shall ever be established by law.

And nothing herein shall be understood to affect any former contracts
made for the support of the ministry ; but all such contracts shall remain
and be in the same state as if this constitution had not been made.

7. The people of this state have the sole and exclusive right of govern-
ing themselves as a free, sovereign, and independent state, and do, and for-
ever hereafter shall, exercise and enjoy every powei', jurisdiction, and right
pertaining thereto, which is not or may not hereafter be by them expressly
delegated to the United States of America in Congress assembled.

8. All power residing originally in and being derived from the people,
all the magistrates and officers of government are their substitutes and
agents, and at all times accountable to them.

9. No office or place whatsoever in government shall be hereditary —
the abilities and integrity requisite in all not being transmissible to poster-
ity or relations.

10. Government being instituted for the common benefit, protection, and
security of the whole community, and not for the private interest or emol-
ument of any one man, family, or class of men, therefore, whenever the
ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered,
and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may, and of right
ought to, reform the old or establish a new government. The doctrine of
non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish,
and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.

1 1 . All elections ought to be free, and every inhabitant of the state, hav-
ing the proper qualifications, has equal right to elect and be elected into office.

12. Every member of the community has a right to be protected by it

48*

570 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS,

in the enjoyment of his life, liberty, and property ; he is therefore bound t*
contribute his share in the expense of such protection, and to yield his per-
sonal service when necessary, or an equivalent. But no part of a man's
property shall be taken from him, or applied to public uses, without his own
consent, or that of the representative body of the people. Nor are the in-
habitants of this state controllable by any other laws than those to which
they, or their representative body, have given their consent.

13. No person who is conscientiously scrupulous about the lawfulness
of bearing arms shall be compelled thereto, provided he will pay an
equivalent.

14. Every subject of this state is entitled to a certain remedy, by hav-
ing recourse to the laws, for all injuries he may receive in his person, prop-
erty, or character, to obtain right and justice freely, without being obliged
to purchase it ; completely, and without any denial ; promptly, and without
any delay ; conformably to the laws.

15. No subject shall be held to answer for any crime or offence until the
same is fully and plainly, substantially and formally, described to him, or
be compelled to accuse or furnish evidence against himself. And every
subject shall have a right to produce all proofs that may be favorable to
himself, to meet the witnesses against him face to face, and to be fully heard
in his defence by himself and counsel. And no subject shall be arrested,
imprisoned, despoiled, or deprived of his property, immunities, or privileges,
put out of the protection of the law, exiled, or deprived of his life, liberty,
or estate, but by the judgment of his peers or the law of the land.

16. No subject shall be liable to be tried, after an acquittal, for the same
crime or offence. Nor shall the legislature make any law that shall subject
any person to a capital punishment (excepting for the government of the
army and navy, and the militia in actual service) without trial by jury.

17. In criminal prosecutions, the trial of facts in the vicinity where they
happen is so essential to the security of the life, liberty, and estate of the
citizen, that no crime or offence ought to be tried in any other county than
that in which it is committed ; except in cases of general insurrection in
any particular county, when it shall appear to the judges of the Superior
Court that an impartial trial cannot be had in the county where the offence
may be committed, and upon their report, the legislature shall think proper
to direct the trial in the nearest county in which an impartial trial can be
obtained.

18. All penalties ought to be proportioned to the nature of the offence.
No wise legislature will affix the same punishment to the crimes of theft,
forgery, and the like, which they do to those of murder and treason : where

CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 571

the same undistinguishing severity is exerted against all offences, the peo-
ple are led to forget the real distinction in the crimes themselves, and to
commit the most flagrant with as little compunction as they do the lightest
oifences : for the same reason a multitude of sanguinary laws is both im-
politic and unjust ; the true design of all punishments being to reform, not
to exterminate mankind.

19. Every subject hath a right to be secure from all uni'casonable search-
es and seizures of his person, his houses, his papers, and all his possessions.
Therefore all warrants to search suspected places, or arrest a person for ex-
amination or trial, in prosecutions for criminal matters, are contrary to this
right, if tlie cause or foundation of them be not previously supported by
oath or affirmation, and if the order in a warrant to a civil ofBcer to make
search in suspected places, or to arrest one or more suspected persons, or to
seize their property, be not accompanied with a special designation of the
persons or objects of search, arrest, or seizure ; and no warrant ought to be
issued but in cases and with the formalities prescribed by law.

20. In all controversies concerning property, and in all suits between
two or more persons, except in cases in which it has been heretofore other-
wise used and practised, the parties have a right to a trial by jury ; and
this method of procedure shall be held sacred, unless in cases arising on the
high seas, and such as relate to mariners' wages, the legislature sln^l think
it necessary hereafter to alter it.

21. In order to reap the fullest advantage of the inestimable privilege
of the trial by jury, great care ought to be taken that none but qualified
persons should be appointed to serve ; and such ought to [be] fully com-
pensated for their travel, time, and attendance.

22. The LIBERTY OF THE PRESS is csscntial to the security of freedom
in a state ; it ought, therefore, to be inviolably preserved.

23. Retrospective laws are highly injurious, oppressive, and unjust. No
such laws, therefore, should be made, either for the decision of civil causes
or the punishment of offences.

24. A well-regulated militia is the proper, natural, and sure defence of a
state.

25. Standing armies are dangerous to liberty, and ought not to be raised
or kept up without the consent of the legislature.

26. In all cases, and at all times, the military ought to be under strict
subordination to, and governed by, the civil power.

27. No soldier in time of peace shall be quartered in any house without

672 NEW HAMPSHIKE AS IT IS.

the consent of the owner ; and in time of war, such quarters ought not to
be made but by the civil magistrate, in a manner ordained by the legis-
lature.

28. No subsidy, charge, tax, impost, or duty shall be established, fixed,
laid, or levied, under any pretext whatsoever, without the consent of the
people, or their representatives in the legislature, or authority derived from
that body.

29. The power of suspending the laws, or the execution of them, ought
never to be exercised but by the legislature, or by authority derived there-
from, to be exercised in such particular cases only as the legislature shall
expressly provide for.

30. The freedom of deliberation, speech, and debate, in either house of
the legislature, is so essential to the rights of the people, that it cannot be
the foundation of any action, complaint, or prosecution in any other court
or place whatsoever.

31. The legislature shall assemble for the redress of public grievances,
and for making such laws as the public good may require.

32. The people have a right, in an orderly and peaceable manner, to
assemble and consult upon the common good, give instructions to tlieir
representatives, and to request of the legislative body, by way of petition
or remonstrance, redress of the wrongs done them, and of the grievances
they suffer.

33. No magistrate or court of law shall demand excessive bail or
sureties, impose excessive fines, or inflict cruel or unusual punishments.

34. No person can in any case be subjected to law martial, or to any
pains or penalties by virtue of that law, except those employed in the army
or navy, and except the militia in actual service, but by authority of the
legislature.

35. It is essential to the preservation of the rights of every individual,
his life, liberty, property, and character, that there be an impartial interpre-
tation of the laws, and administration of justice. It is the right of every
citizen to be tried by judges as impartial as the lot of humanity will admit.
It is therefore not only the best policy, but for the security of the rights of
the people, that the judges of the Supreme Judicial Court should hold their
offices so long as they behave well ; subject, however, to such limitations, on
account of age, as may be provided by the constitution of the state ; and
that they should have honorable salaries, ascertained and established by
etandine laws.

CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 573

36. Economy being a most essential virtue in all states, especially in a
young one, no pension should be granted but in consideration of actual ser-
vices ; and such pensions ought to be granted with great caution by the
legislature, and never for more than one year at a time.

37. In the government of this state, the three essential powers thereof,
to wit, the legislative, executive, and judicial, ought to be kept as separate
from and independent of each other as the nature of a free government
■will admit, or as is consistent with that chain of connection that binds the
whole fabric of the constitution in one indissoluble bond of union and
amity.

38. A frequent recurrence to the fundamental principles of the constitu-
tion, and a constant adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry,
frugality, and all the social virtues, are indispensably necessary to preserve
the blessings of liberty and good government ; the people ought, therefore,
to have a particular regard to all those principles in the choice of their
otficers and representatives ; and they have a right to require of their law-
givers and magistrates an exact and constant observance of them in the
formation and execution of the laws necessary for the good administration
of government.

PART SECOND.

FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

1. The people inhabiting the territory formerly called the Province of
New Hampshire do hereby solemnly and mutually agree with each other
to form themselves into a free, sovereign, and independent body politic or
state, by the name of the State of New Hampshire.

GENERAL COURT.

2. The supreme legislative power within this state shall be vested in the
Senate and House of Representatives, each of which shall have a negative on
the other.

3. The Senate and House shall assemble every year on the first
Wednesday of June, and at such other times as they may judge necessary ;
and sliall dissolve and be dissolved seven days next preceding the said first
Wednesday of June, and shall be styled the General Court of New
Hampshire.

4. The General Court shall forever have full power and authority to erect
and constitute judicatories and courts of record, or other courta, to be

574 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

holden in the name of the state, for the hearing, trying, and determining all
manner of crimes, ofi'ences, pleas, processes, plaints, actions, causes, matters
and things whatsoever arising or happening within tliis state, or between
or concerning persons inhabiting or residing or brought within the same,
whether the same be criminal or civil, or Avhether the crimes be capital or
not capital, and whether the said pleas be real, personal, or mixed, and for
the awarding and issuing execution thereon. To which courts and judica-
tories are hereby given and granted full power and authority, from time to
time, to administer oaths or afhrmations, for the better discovery of truth in
any matter in controversy, or depending before them.

5. And further, full power and authority are hereby given and granted
to the said General Court, from time to time, to make, ordain, and establish
all manner of wholesome and reasonable orders, laws, statutes, ordinances,
directions, and instructions, either with penalties or without, so as the same
be not repugnant or contrary to this constitution, as they may judge for the
benefit and welfare of this state, and for the governing and ordering there-
of, and of the subjects of tlie same, for the necessary support and defence
of the government thereof; and to name and settle annually, or provide by
fixed laws, for the naming and settling, all civil officers within this state ;
such officers excepted the election and appointment of whom are hereafter
in this form of government otherwise provided for ; and to set forth the
several duties, powers, and limits of the several civil and military officers of
this state, and the forms of such oaths or affirmations, as shall be respec-
tively administered unto them for the execution of their several offices and
places, so as the same be not repugnant or contrary to this constitution ; and
also to impose fines, mulcts, imprisonments, and other punishments ; and
to impose and levy proportional and reasonable assessments, rates, and taxes
upon all the inhabitants of and residents within the said state, and upon
all estates within the same, to be issued and disposed of by warrant under
the hand of the governor of this state for the time being, with the advice
and consent of the council, for the public service, in the necessary defence
and support of the government of this state, and the protection and pres-
ervation of the subjects thereof, according to such acts a^ are or shall be
in force within the same.

6. And while the public charges of government, or any part thereof,
shall be assessed on polls and estates in the manner that has heretofore
been practised, in order that such assessments may be made with equality
there shall be a valuation of the estates within the state taken anew once
in every five years at least, and as much oftener as the General Court shall
order.

7. No member of the General Court shall take fees, be of counsel, or act

CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 575

as advocate in any cause before either branch of the legislature ; and upon
due proof thereof, such member shall forfeit his seat in the legislature.

8. The doors of the galleries of each house of the legislature shall be
kept open to all persons who behave decently, except when the welfare of
the state, in the opinion of either branch, shall require secrecy.

HOUSE OF EEPKESENTATIVES.

9.' There shall be in the legislatm-e of this state a representation of the
people annually elected and founded upon principles 6f equality; and in
order that such representation may be as equal as circumstances will admit,
every town, parish, or place entitled to town privileges, having one hundred
and fifty ratable male polls of twenty-one years of age and upwai'ds, may
elect one representative ; if four hundred and fifty ratable polls, may elect
two representatives ; and so proceeding in that proportion, making three
hundred such ratable polls the mean increasing number for every additional
representative.

10. Such towns, parishes, or places as have less than one hundred and
fifty ratable polls, shall be classed by the General Court for the purpose of
choosing a representative, and seasonably notified thereof. And in every
class formed for the above-mentioned purpose, the first annual meeting shall
be held in the town, parish, or place wherein most of the ratable polls
reside, and afterwards in that which has the next highest number, and so
on annually by rotation, through the several towns, parishes, or places form-
ing the district.

11. Whenever any town, parish, or place entitled to town privileges as
aforesaid, shall not have one hundred and fifty ratable polls, and be so sit-
uated as to render the classing thereof with any other town, parish, or place
very inconvenient, the General Court may, upon application of a majority
of the voters in such town, parish, or place, issue a writ for their electing
and sending a representative to the General Court.

12. The members of the House of Kepresentatives shall be chosen an-
nually, in the month of March, and shall be the second branch of the
legislature.

13. All persons qualified to vote in the election of senators shall be
entitled to vote, within the district where they dwell, in the choice of repre-
sentatives.

14. Every member of the House of Representatives shall be chosen by
ballot, and for two years at least next preceding his election shall have
been an inhabitant of this state, [shall have an estate within the district

576 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

which he may be chosen to represent, of the value of one hundred pounds^
one half of which to be a freehold, whereof he is seized in his own right ;]
* shall be at the time of his election an inhabitant of the town, parish, or
place he may be chosen to represent ; shall be of the Protestant religion, and
shall cease to represent such town, parish, or place immediately on his ceas-
ing to be qualified as aforesaid.

15. The members of both houses of the legislature shall be compen-
sated for their services out of the treasury of the state, by a law made for
that purpose ; such members attending seasonably, and not departing with-
out license.

16. All intermediate vacancies in the House of Representatives may be
filled up from time to time, in the same manner as annual elections are
made.

17. The House of Representatives shall be the grand inquest of the state,
and all impeachments made by them shall be heard and tried by the Senate.

18. All money bills shall originate in the House of Representatives, but
the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other bills.

19. The House of Representatives shall have power to adjourn them-
selves, but no longer than two days at a time.

20. A majority of the members of the House of Representatives shall
be a quorum for doing business ; but when less than two thirds of the rep-
resentatives elected shall be present, the assent of two thirds of those mem-
bers shall be necessary to render their acts and proceedings valid.

21. No member of the House of Representatives or Senate shall be
arrested or held to bail on mesne process, during his going to, returning
from, or attendance upon the court.

22. The House of Representatives shall choose their own speaker, ap-
point their own officers, and settle the rules of proceedings in their own
house, and shall be judge of the returns, elections, and qualifications of
its members, as pointed out in this constitution. They shall have au-
thority to punish by imprisonment every person who shall be guilty of dis-
respect to the House in its presence, by any disorderly and contemptuous
behavior, or by threatening or ill treating any of its members ; or by ob-
structing its deliberations ; every person guilty of a breach of its privileges
in making arrests for debt, or by assaulting any member during his attend-
ance at any session ; in assaulting or disturbing any one of its olficers in

* See Amendmenu,

CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 577

the execution of any order or procedure of the House ; in assaulting any
witness or other person ordered to attend by and during his attendance of
the House, or in rescuing any person arrested by order of the House, know-
ing them to be such.

23. The Senate, governor, and council shall have the same powers in
like cases ; provided that no imprisonment by either, for any offence, ex-
ceed ten days.

24. The journals of the proceedings, and all public acts of both houses
of the legislature, shall be printed and published immediately after every
adjournment or prorogation ; and upon motion made by any one member,
the yeas and nays upon any question shall be entered on the journal ; and
any member of the Senate or House of Representatives shall have a right,
on motion made at the same time for that purpose, to have his protest or
dissent, with the reasons, against any vote, resolve, or bill passed, entered
on the journal.

SENATE.

25. The Senate shall consist of twelve members, who shall hold their
oflSce for one year from the first Wednesday of June next ensuing their
election.

26. And that the state may be equally represented in the Senate, the
legislature shall, from time to time, divide the state into twelve districts, as
nearly equal as may be, without dividing towns and unincorporated places ;
and in making this division they shall govern themselves by tlie propor-
tion of direct taxes paid by the said districts, and timely make known to
the inhabitants of the state the limits of each district.

27. The freeholders and other inhabitants of each district, qualified as
in this constitution is provided, shall annually give in their votes for a sena-
tor, at some meeting holden in the month of March.

28. The Senate shall be the first branch of the legislature ; and the sena-
tors shall be chosen in the following manner, viz. : every male inhabitant
of each town and parish with town privileges, and places unincorporated, in
this state, of twenty-one years of age and upwards, excepting paupers and
persons excused from paying taxes at their own request, shall have a right,
at the annual or other meetings of the inhabitants of said towns and par-
ishes, to be duly warned and holden annually forever in the month of March,
to vote in the town or parish M'herein he dwells, for the senator in the district
whereof he is a member :

29. Provided, nevertheless, That no person shall be capable of being

578 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

elected a senator who is not of the Protestant religion [and seized of a free-
hold estate in his own rights of the value of [a] two hundred pounds, lying
within this state,] * who is not of the age of thirty years, and who shall not
have been an inhabitant of this state for seven years immediately preceding
his election, and at the time thereof he shall be an inhabitant of the district
for which he shall be chosen.

30. And every person qualified as the constitution provides shall be con-
sidered an inhabitant for the purpose of electing and being elected into any
office or place within this state, in the town, parish, and plantation where
he dwellcth and hath his home.

31. And the inhabitants of plantations and places unincorporated, qual-
ified as this constitution provides, who are or shall be required to assess taxes
upon themselves towards the support of government, or shall be taxed
therefor, shall have the same privilege of voting for senators in the planta-
tions and places wherein they reside, as the inhabitants of the respective'
towns and parishes aforesaid have. And the meetings of such plantations
and places for that purpose shall be holden annually in the month of
March, at snch places respectively therein as the assessors thereof shall di-
rect ; which assessors shall have like authority for notifying the electors, col-
lecting and returning the votes, as the selectmen and town clerks have in
their several towns by this constitution.

32. The meetings for the choice of governor, council, and senators shall be
warned by warrant from the selectmen, and governed by a moderator, who
shall, in the presence o,f the selectmen, (whose duty it shall be to attend,) in
open meeting, receive the votes of all the inhabitants of such towns and
parishes present, and qualified to vote for senators ; and shall, in said meet-
ings, in presence of the said selectmen, and of the town clerk, in said meet-
ings, sort and count the said votes, .ind make a public declaration thereof,
with the name of every person voted for, and the number of votes for each
person ; and the town clerk shall make a fair record of the same at large
in the town book, and shall make out a fair attested copy thereof, to be by
him sealed up and directed to the secretary of the state, with a superscrip-
tion expressing the purport thereof : and the said town clerk shall cause
such attested copy to be delivered to the sheriff of the county in which said
town or parish shall lie thirty days at least before the first Wednesday of
June, or to the secretary of the state at least twenty days before the said first
Wednesday of June : and the sheriff of each county, or his deputy, shall
deliver all sach certificates, by him received, into the secretary's ofBce, at
least twenty days before the first Wednesday of June.

* See Amendments.

CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 579

33. And that there may he a due meeting of senators on the first Wednes-
day of June, annually, the governor and a majority of the council for the
time being shall, as soon as may be, examine the returned copies of such
records; and foui-teen days before the first Wednesday of June, he shall is-
sue his summons to such persons as appear to be chosen senators by a ma-
jority of votes, to attend and take their seats on that day : provided, never-
theless, that for the first year the said returned copies shall be examined by
the president and a majority of the council then in office ; and the said pres-
ident shall in like manner notify the persons elected to attend and take
their seats accordingly.

34. And in case there shall not appear to be a senator elected by a ma-
jority of votes for any district, the deficiency shall be supplied in the follow-
ing manner, viz. : the members of the House of Representatives, and such
senators as shall be declared elected, shall take the names of the two per-
sons having the highest number of votes in the district, and out of them
shall elect, by joint baljot, the senator wanted for such district : and in this
manner all such vacancies shall be filled up in every district of the state ; and
in like manner all vacancies in the Senate, arising by death, removal out
of the state, or otherwise, shall be supplied as soon as may be after such
vacancies happen.

35. The Senate shall be final judges of the elections, returns, and quali-
fications of their own members, as pointed out in this constitution.

36. The Senate shall have power to adjourn themselves, provided such
adjournment do not exceed two days at a time :

Provided, nevertheless, That whenever they shall sit on the trial of any
impeachment, they may adjourn to such time and place as they may think
proper, although the legislature be not assembled on such day, or at such
place.

37. The Senate shall appoint their president and other officers, and de-
termine their own rules of proceedings. And not less than seven members
of the Senate shall make a quorum for doing business ; and when less than
eight senators shall be present, the assent of five, at least, shall be neces-
sary to render their acts and proceedings valid.

38. The Senate shall be a court, with full power and authority to hear,
try, and determine all impeachments made by the House of Representatives,
against any officer or officers of the state, for bribery, corruption, malprac-
tice, or maladministration in office, with full power to issue summons or
compulsory process for convening witnesses before them ; but previous to
the trial of any such impeachment, the members of the Senate shall respec-
tively be sworn truly and impartially to try and determine the charge in

580 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

question according to evidence. And every officer impeached for bribery,
cou'uption, malpractice, or maladministration in office, shall be served with
an attested copy of the impeachment and order of Senate thereon, with
such citation as the Senate may direct, setting forth the time and place of
their sitting to try the impeachment ; which service shall be made by the
sheriff, or such other sworn officer as the Senate may appoint, at least four-
teen days previous to the time of trial ; and such citation being duly served
and returned, the Senate may proceed in the hearing of the impeachment,
giving the person impeached, if he shall appear, full liberty of producing
witnesses and proofs, and of making his defence, by himself and counsel,
and may also, upon his refusing or neglecting to appear, hear the proofs in
support of the impeachment, and render judgment thereon, his non-appear-
ance notwithstanding ; and such judgment shall have the same force and
effect as if the person impeached had appeared and pleaded in the trial.

39. Their judgment, however, shall not extend further than removal
from oflSce, disqualification to hold or enjoy any place of honor, trust, or
profit under this state ; but the party so convicted shall nevertheless be lia-
ble to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment, according to the laws
of the land.

40. Whenever the governor shall be impeached, the chief justice of the
Supreme Judicial Court shall, during the trial, preside in the Senate, but
have no vote therein.

EXECUTIVE POWER.
GOVEKXOK.

41. There shall be a supreme executive magistrate, who shall be styled
governor of the State of New Hampshire, and whose title shall be his ex-
cellency.

42. The governor shall be chosen annually in the month of March ; and
the votes for governor, shall be received, sorted, counted, certified, and returned
in the\same manner as the votes for senators ; and the secretary shall lay the
same before the Senate and House of Representatives on the first Wednesday
of June, to be by them examined, and in case of an election by a majority of
votes through the state, the choice shall be by them declared and published.
And the qualifications of electors of the governor shall be the same as those
for senators ; and if no person shall have a majority of votes, the Senate
and House of Representatives shall by joint ballot elect one of the two per-
sons having the highest number of votes, who shall be declared governor.
And no person shall be eligible to this ofiice unless at the time of his elec-
tion he shall have been an inhabitant of this state for seven years next pre-

CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 581

ceding, ami unless he shall be of the age of thirty years ; [and unless he
shall at the same time have an estate of the value of Jive hundred pounds,
one half of which shall consist of a freehold in his own right, within this
state :] * and unless he shall be of the Protestant religion.

43. In cases of disagreement between the two houses, with regard to the
time or place of adjournment, or prorogation, the governor, with advice of
council, shall have a right to adjourn or prorogue the General Court, not ex-
ceeding ninety days at any one time, as he may determine the public good
may require. And he shall dissolve the same seven days before the said
first Wednesday of June. And in case of any infectious distemper prevail-
ing in the place where the said court at any time is to convene, or any
other cause whereby dangers may arise to the health or lives of the mem-
bers, from then" attendance, the governor may direct the session to be holden
at some other, the most convenient place within the state.

44. Every bill which shall liave passed both houses of the General Court
shall, before it become a law, be presented to the governor ; if he approve, he
shall sign it ; but if not, he shall return it with his objections to that house
in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on
their journal and proceed to reconsider it ; if after such reconsideration two
thirds of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together
with such objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be recon-
sidered, and if approved by two thirds of that house, it shall become a law.
But in all such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas
and nays, and the names of the persons voting for or against the bill shall
be entered on the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall not
be returned by the governor within five days (Sundays excepted) after it
shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law in like manner as
if he had signed it, unless the legislature, by their adjournment, prevent its
return, in which case it shall not be a Jaw. '

45. Every resolve shall be presented to the governor, and before the
same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or, being disapproved by
him, shall be repassed by the Senate and House of Representatives, accord-
ing to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.

46. All judicial officers, the attorney general, solicitors, all sheriff's, cor-
oners, registers of probate, and all officers of the navy, and general and
field officers of the militia, shall be nominated and appointed by the gov-
ernor and council ; and every such nomination shall be made at least three
days prior to such appointment, and no appointment shall take place unless
a majority of the council agree thereto.

* See Amendments.

49*

582 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

47. The governor and council shall have a negative on each other, both
iu the nominations and appointn^cnts. Every nomination and appointment
shall be signed by the governor and council, and every negative shall be
also signed by the governor or council who made the same.

48. The captains and subalterns in the respective regiments shall be nom-
inated and recommended by the field officers to the governor, who is to is-
sue their commissions immediately on the receipt of such recommendation.

49. Whenever the chair of the governor shall become vacant by reason
of his death, absence from the state, or otherwise, the president of the Senate
shall, during ihi vacancy, have and exercise all the powers and authorities
which by this constitution the governor is vested with, when personally pres-
ent : but when the president of the Senate shall exercise the office of gov-
ernor, he shall not hold his office in the Senate.

50. The governor, with the advice of council, shall have full power and
authority, in recess of the General Court, to prorogue the same from time to
time, not exceeding ninety days in any one recess of said court ; and during
the sessions of said court, to adjourn or prorogue it to any time the two
houses may desire, and to call it together sooner than the time to which it
may be adjourned or prorogued, if the welfare of the state should require
the same.

51. The governor of this state, for the time being, shall be commander-
in-chief of th(^ army and navy, and all the military forces of the state, by
sea and land ; and shall have full power by himself, or by any chief com-
mander, or other officer or officers, from time to time, to train, instruct,
exercise, and govern the militia and navy ; and for the special defence and
safety of this state, to assemble in martial array and put in warlike posture
the inhabitants thereof, and to lead and conduct them, and with them to
encounter, repulse, repel, resist, and pursue, by force of arms, as well by
sea as by land, within and without the limits of this state; and also to kill,
slay, destroy, if necessary, and conquer by all fitting ways, enterprise,
and means, all and evei'y such person and persons as shall, at any time here-
after, in a hostile manner attempt or enterprise the destruction, invasion,
detriment, or annoyance of this state ; and to use and exercise over the ar-
my and navy, and over the militia in actual service, the law martial in time
of war, invasion, and also in rebellion, declared by the legislature to exist,
as occasion shall necessarily require : And surprise, by all ways and means
whatsoever, all and every such person or persons, with their ships, arms, am-
munition, and other goods, as shall in a hostile manner invade, or attempt
the invading, compiering, or annoying this state : And, in fine, the gov-
ernor hereby is intrusted with all other powers incident to the office of cap-
tain-general and commander-in-chief, and admiral, to be exercised agreea-

CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 583

bly to the rules and regulations of the constitution, and the laws of the
land : provided, that the governor shall not at any time hereafter, by virtue
of any power by this constitution granted, or hereafter to be granted to him
by the legislature, transport any of the inhabitants of this state, or oblige
them to march out of the limits of the same, without their free and volun-
tary consent, or the consent of the General Court, nor grant commissions
for exercising the law martial in any case, without the advice and consent
of the council.

52. The power of pardoning offences, except such as persons may be
convicted of before the Senate by impeachment of the House, shall be in
the governor, by and with the advice of council : but no charter of pardon
granted by the governor with advice of council, before conviction, shall
avail the party pleading the same, notwithstanding any general or particu*
lar expressions contained therein, descriptive of the offence or offences in-
tended to be pardoned.

53. No officer duly commissioned to command in the militia shall be re-
moved from his office but by the address of both houses to the governoi", or
by fair trial in court martial, pursuant to the laws of the state for the time
being.

54. The commanding officers of the regiments shall appoint their adju-
tants and quartermasters : the brigadiers their brigade majors : the major gen-
erals their aids ; the captains and subaltei'us their non-commissioned officers.

55. The division of the militia into brigades, regiments, and companies,
made in pursuance of the militia laws now in force, shall be considered as
the proper division of the militia of this state until the same shall be altered
by some future law.

56. No moneys shall be issued out of the treasury of this state, and dis-
posed of, (except such sums as may be appropriated for the redemption of
bills of credit or treasurer's notes, or for the payment of interest arising
thereon,) butby warrant under the hand of the governor for the time being, by
and with the advice and consent of the council, for the necessary support and
defence of this state, and for the necessary protection and preservation of
the inhabitants thereof, agreeably to the acts and resolves of the General
Court.

57. All public boards, the commissary general, all superintending olficera
of public nuigazines and stores, belonging to this state, and all comnuuuling
officers of forts and garrisons within the same, shall once in every three
months, officially, and without requisition, and at other times when required
by the governor, deliver to him an account of all goods, stores, provisions,
ammunition, cannon with their appendages, and all small arms with their

584 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

accoutrements, and of all other public property under their care respective-
ly, distinguishing the quantity and kind of each as particularly as may be,
together with the condition of such forts and garrisons ; ai»d the command-
ing officer shall exhibit to the governor, when required by him, true and
exact plans of such forts, and of the land and sea, or harbor or harbors, ad-
jacent.

58. The governor and council shall be compensated for their services,
from time to time, by such grants as the General Court shall think reason-
able.

59. Permanent and honorable salaries shall be established by law for
the justices of the Superior Court.

60. There shall be annually elected by ballot five councillors, for advis-
ing the governor in the executive part of government. The freeholders
and other inhabitants in each county, qualified to vote for senators, shalt
some time in the month of March give in their votes for one councillor ;
which votes shall be received, sorted, counted, certified, and returned to the
secretary's office, in the same manner as the votes for senators, to be by
the secretary laj^ before the Senate and House of Representatives on the
first Wednesday of 'June.

61. And the person having a majority of votes in any county shall be
considered as duly elected a councillor : but if no person shall have a ma-
jority of votes in any county, the Senate and the House of Representatives
shall take the names of the two persons who have the highest number of
votes in each county, and not elected, and out of tlxose two shall elect by
joint ballot the councillor wanted for such county ; and the qualifications
for councillors shall be the same as for senator.

62. If any person thus chosen a councillor shall be elected governor, or
member of either branch of the legislature, and shall accept the trust; or
if any person elected a councillor shall refuse to accept the office ; or in the
case of the death, resignation, or removdl of any councillor out of the
state, the governor may issue a precept for the election of a new councillor
in that county where such vacancy shall happen ; and the choice shall be in
the same manner as before directed ; and the governor shall have full power
and authority to convene the council from time to time, at his discretion j
and with them, or the majority of them, may and shall, from time to time,
hold a council for ordering and directing the affairs of this state according
to the laws of the land.

63. The members of the council may be impeached by the House,

CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 585

and tried by the Senate, for bribery, corruption, malpractice, or maladmin.
istration.

64. The resolutions and advice of the council shall be recorded by the
secretary in a register, and signed by all the members present agreeing
thereto ; and this record may be called for at any time by either house of
the legislature, and any member of the council may enter his opinion
contrary to the resolution of the majority, with the reasons for such
opinion.

65. The legislature may, if the public good shall hereafter require it,
divide the state into five districts, as nearly equal as may be, governing
themselves by the number of ratable polls and proportion of public taxes ;
each district to elect a councillor ; and in case of such division, the manner
of the choice shall be conformable to the present mode of election in
counties.

66. And whereas the elections appointed to be made by this constitution
on the first Wednesday of June annually,^y the two houses of the legisla-
ture, may not be completed on that day, the said elections may be ad-
journed from day to day until the same be completed. And the order of
the elections shall be as follows : the vacancies in the Senate, if any, shall
be first filled up ; the governor shall then be elected, provided there should
be no choice of him by the people, and afterwards the two houses shall
proceed to fill up the vacancy, if any, in the council.

SECRETARY, TREASURER, COJTMISSART GENERAL, &C.

67. The secretary, treasurer, and commissary general shall be chosen by
joint ballot of the senators and representatives assembled in one room.

68. The records of the state shall be kept in the office of the secretar)- ;
and he shall attend the governor and council, the senate and representatives,
in person or by deputy, as they may require.

69. The secretary of the state shall at all times have a deputy, to be by
him appointed, for whose conduct in office he shall be responsible ; and in
case of the death, removal, or inability of the secretary, his deputy sliall
exercise all the duties of the office of secretary of state until another shall
be appointed.

70. The secretary, before he enters upon the business of his office, shall
give bond with sufficient sureties, in a reasonable sum, for the use of the
state, for the punctual performance of his trust.

586 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

COUNTY TEEASURERS, &C.

71. The county treasurers and registers of deeds shall be elected by the
inhabitants of the several towns in the several counties in the state accord-
ing to the method now practised, and the laws of the state :

Provided, nevertheless. The legislature shall have authority to alter the man-
ner of certifying the votes and the mode of electing those oiBcers, but not so
as to deprive the people of the right they now have of electing them.

72. And the legislature, on the application of the major part of the in-
habitants of any county, shall have authority to divide the same into two
districts for registering deeds, if to them it shall appear necessary ; each
district to elect a register of deeds ; and before they enter upon the business
of their offices, shall be respectively sworn faithfully to discharge the duties
thereof, and shall severally give bond with sufficient sureties, in a reasona-
ble sum, for the use of the county, for the punctual performance of their
respective trusts.

JUDICIARY POWER.

73. The tenure that all commissioned officers shall have by law in their
offices shall be expressed in their respective commissions. All judicial
officers, duly appointed, commissioned, and sworn, shall hold their offices
during good behavior, excepting those concerning whom there is a different
provision made in this constitution : provided, nevertheless, the president,*
with consent of the council, may remove them upon the address of both
houses of the legislature.

74. Each branch of the legislature, as well as the governor and council,
shall have authority to require the opinions of the justices of the Superior
Court upon important questions of law and upon solemn occasions.

75. In order that the people may not suffer from the long continuance in
place of any justice of the peace, who shall fail in discharging the impor-
tant duties of his office with ability and fidelity, all commissions of justices
of the peace shall become void at the expiration of five years from their
respective dates ; and upon the expiration of any commission, the same
may, if necessary, be renewed, or another person appointed, as shall most
conduce to the well being of the state.

76. All causes of marriage, divorce, and alimony, and all appeals from

* Qovemor in former printed editions, but president in the originaL

CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 587

the respective judges of probate, shall be heard and tried by the Superior
Court, until the legislature shall by law make other provision.

77. The General Court are empowered to give to justices of the peace
jurisdiction in civil causes, when the damages demanded shall not exceed
four pounds, and title of real estate is not concerned ; but with right of ap-
peal to either party to some other court, so that a trial by jury in the last
resort may be had.

78. No person shall hold the office of judge of any court, or judge of
probate, or sheriff of any county, after he has attained the age of seventy
years.

79. No judge of any court, or justice of the peace, shall act as attorney,
or be of counsel to any party, or originate any civil suit, in matters which
shall come or be brought before him as judge or justice of the peace.

80. All matters relating to the probate of wills and granting letters of
administration shall be exercised by the judges of probate in such manner
as the legislature have directed, or may hereafter direct : and the judges of
probate shall hold their courrs at such place, or places, on such fixed days
as the conveniency of the people may require, and the legislature from time
to time appoint.

81. No judge or register of probate shall be of counsel, act as advocate,
or receive any fees as advocate or counsel, in any probate business which
is pending, or may be brought into any court of probate in the county of
which he is judge or register.

CLERKS OF COURTS.

82. The judges of the courts (those of probate excepted) shall appoint
their respective clerks, to hold their office during pleasure ; and no such
clerk shall act as an attorney, or be of counsel in any cause in the court of
which he is clerk, nor shall he draw any writ originating a civil action.

ENCOURAGEMENT OF LITERATURE, &C.

83. Knowledge and learning, generally diffused through a community,
being essential to the preservation of a free government, and spreading
the opportunities and advantages of education through the various parts of
the country being highly conducive to promote this end. it shall be the
duty of the legislators and magistrates, in all future periods of this govern-

588 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

ment, to cherish the interest of literature and the sciences, and all semina-
ries and public schools, to encourage private and public institutions, re-
wards and immunities for the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences, com-
merce, trades, manufactures, and natural history of the country ; to coun-
tenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence,
public and private charity, industry, and economy, honesty and punctuali-
ty, sincerity, sobriety, and all social affections, and generous sentiments
among the people.

OATHS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS. EXCLUSION FROM OFFICES. COMMISSIONS.
WRITS. CONFIRMATION OP LAWS. HABEAS CORPUS. THE ENACTING
STYLE. CONTINUANCE OF OFFICERS. PROVISIONS FOR A FUTURE
REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION, &C.

84. Any person chosen governor, councillor, senator, or representative,
military or civil officer, (town officers excepted,) accepting the trust, shall,
before he proceeds to execute the duties of his office, make and subscribe
the following declaration, viz. : —

I, A B, do solemnly swear that I will bear faith and true allegiance to
the State of New Hampshire, and will support the constitution thereof. So
help me God.

I, A B, do solemnly and sincerely swear and affirm, that I will faithfully
and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as
according to the best of my abilities, agreeably to the rules
and regulations of this constitution and the laws of the State of New Hamp-
shire. So help me God.

Any person having taken and subscribed the oath of allegiance, and the
same being filed in the secretary's office, he shall not be obliged to take
said oath again :

Provided always, Wlien any person chosen or appointed as aforesaid shall
be of the denomination called Quakers, or shall be scrupulous of swearing,
and shall decline taking the said oaths, such person shall take and subscribe
them, omitting the word " sivear" and likewise the words " so help me God"
subjoining instead thereof, " This I do under the pains and penalties of per-
jury-'"

85. And the oaths or affirmations shall be taken and subscribed by the
governor, before the president of the Senate, in presence of both
houses of the legislature, and by the senators and representatives first
elected under this constitution, as altered and amended, before the presi-
dent of the state and a majority of the council then in office, and forever

CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 589

afterwards before the governor and council for the time beinsj; : and by all
other ofticcrs, before such persons and in such manner as the legislature
shall from time to time appoint.

86. All commissions shall be in the name of the State of New Hamp-
shire, signed by the governor, and attested by the secretary, or his deputy,
and shall have the great seal of the state affixed thereto.

87. All writs issuing out of the clerk's office in any of the courts of law,
shall be in the name of the State of New Hampshire ; shall be under the
seal of the court whence they issue, and bear test of the chief, first, or senior
justice of the court ; but when such justice shall be interested, then the writ
shall bear test of some other justice of the court, to which the same shall be
returnable, and be signed by the clerk of such court.

88. All indictments, presentments, and informations shall conclude
against the peace and dignity of the state.

89. The estate of sucli persons as may destroy their own lives shall not
for that offence be forfeited, but descend or ascend in the same manner as if
such persons had died in a natural way. Nor shall any article which shall
accidentally occasion the death of any person be henceforth deemed a deo-
dand, or in any wise forfeited on account of such misfortune.

90. All the laws which have heretofore been adopted, used, and approved
in the Province, Colony, or State of New Ham])shire, and usually practised
on in the courts of law, shall remain and be in full force until altered and
repealed by the legislature ; such parts thereof only excepted as arc repug-
nant to the rights and liberties contained in this constitution ; provided,
that nothing herein contained, when compared with the twenty-third article
in the bill of rights, shall be construed to affect the laws already made
respecting the persons or estates of absentees.

91. The privilege and benefit of the habeas corpus shall be enjoyed in
this state, in the most free, easy, cheap, expeditious, and ample manner, and
shall not be suspended by the legislature, except upon the most urgent and
pressing occasions, and for a time not exceeding three months.

92. The enacting style in making and passing acts, statutes, and laws
shall be — Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Jlepresentalives in General
Court convened.

93. No governor, or judge of the Supreme Judicial Court, shall hold
any office or place under the authority of this state, except such as by this
constitution they are admitted to hold, saving that, the judges of the said
court may hold the offices of justices of the peace throughout the state;

590 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

nor shall they hold any place or office, or receive any pension or salary, from
any other state, government, or power whatever.

94. No person shall be capable of exercising at the same time more
than one of the following offices in this state, viz., judge of probate, sheriff,
register of deeds : and never more than two offices of profit, which may
be held by appointment of the governor, or governor and council, or Senate
and House of Representatives, or Superior or Inferior Courts : military of-
fices and offices of justice of the peace excepted.

95. No person holding the office of judge of any court, except special
judges, secretary, treasurer of the state, attorney general, commissary gen-
eral, military officers receiving pay from the continent or this state, except-
ing officers of the militia, occasionally called forth on an emergency, regis-
ter of deeds, sheriff, or officers of the customs, including naval officers, col-
lectors of excise and state and continental taxes, hereafter appointed and
not having settled their accounts with the respective officers with whoiu it
is their duty to settle such accounts, members of Congress, or any person
holding any office under the United States, shall at the same time hold the
office of governor, or have a seat in the Senate, or House of Representa-
tives, or Council ; but his being chosen and appointed to and accepting the
same shall operate as a resignation of their seat in the chair. Senate, or
House of Representatives, or Council, and the place so vacated shall be
filled np. No member of the Council shall have a seat in the Senate or
House of Representatives.

96. No person shall ever be admitted to hold 'a seat in the legislature,
or any office of trust or importance under this government, who, in the due
course of law, has been convicted of bribery or corruption in obtaining an
election or appointment.

97. In all cases where sums of money are mentioned in this constitution,
the value thereof shall be computed in silver at six shillings and eight
pence per ounce.

98. To the end that there may be no failure of justice or danger to the
state, by the alterations and amendments made in the constitution, the Gen-
eral Court is hereby fully authorized and directed to fix the time when the
alterations and amendments shall take effect, and make the necessary ar-
rangements accordingly.*

99. It shall be the duty of the selectmen and assessors of the several
towns and places in tliis state, in warning the first annual meetings for the
choice of senators, after the expiration of seven years from the adoption of
this constitution as amended, to insert expressly in the warrant this pur-
pose among the others for the meeting, to wit : to take the sense of the

• See act of December 14, 1792.

CONSTITUTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 591

qualified voters on the subject of a revision of the constitution : and the
meeting being warned accordingly, and not otherwise, the moderator shall
take the sense of the qualified voters present as to the necessity of a revis-
ion ; and a return of the number of votes for and against such necessity
shall be made by the clerk, scaled up E^nd directed to the General Court at
their then next session ; and if it shall appear to the General Court by such
return, that the sense of the people of the state has been taken, and that in
the opinion of the majority of the qualified voters in the state present and
voting at said meetings, there is a necessity for a revision of the constitu-
tion, it shall be the duty of the General Court to call a convention for that
purpose ; otherwise the General Court shall direct the sense of the people
to be taken, and then proceed in the manner before mentioned. The dele-
gates to be chosen in the same manner, and proportioned as the representa-
tives to the General Court: provided, that no altei'ations shall be made in
this constitution before the same shall be laid before the towns and unincor-
porated places, and approved by two thirds of the qualified voters present
and voting on the subject.

100. And the same method of taking the sense of the people as to a
revision of the constitution, and calling a convention for that purpose, shall
be observed afterv/ards, at the expiration of every seven years.

101. This form of government shall be enrolled on parchment, and de-
posited in the secretary's office, and be a part of the laws of the land, and
printed copies thereof shall be prefixed to the books containing the laws of
this state, in all future editions thereof.

IN CONVENTION,

Held at Concord, the 5th Day of September, Anko DoMrNi, 1792.

The returns from the several towns and unincorporated places being ex-
amined, and it appearing that the foregoing bill of rights and form of gov-
ernment, as amended by the convention, were approved by more than two
thirds of the qualified voters present in town meetings, and voting upon
the question, the same are agreed on and established by the delegates of
the people in convention, and declared to be the civil constitution of the
state of New Hampshire.

SAMUEL LIVERMORE,

President of the Convention.
Attest —
JOHN CALFE, Secretary.

593 NEW HAMPSHIRE AS IT IS.

AMENDMENTS.

PROCLAMATION.

Executive Depaetment, )
Concord, September 16, 1852. J
Be it known, That I, Noah Martin, governor of the State of New Hamp-
shire, in obedience to the request of the constitutional convention, do here-
by proclaim to the people of this State, that the constitution of the same
is amended, by striking from it, in part 2d, section 14th, the words " shall
have an estate within the district where he may be chosen to represent, of the
value of one hundred pounds, one half of which to he a freehold ivhereof he is
seized in his own right; " and from section 20th, the words " and seized of a
freeKold estate in his own right of the value of a huridred pounds, being luithin
this state ; " and section 42d, the words, " and unless he shall at the same time
have an estate of the value of five hundred pounds, one half of which shall con-
sist of a freehold in his own right, ivithin this state."

The foregoing property qualifications are stricken out, and the constitu-
tion is thus amended by the suffrages of more than two thirds of the legal
voters present in town meeting and voting upon the questions.

[L. S.] Given under my hand, and the seal of the state affixed, at the
council chamber, September the sixteenth, A. D. 1852, and of
the independence of the United States of America the seventy-
seventh.

NOAH MAETIN.
By the governor.
JOHN L. HADLEY, Secretary of State.

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Secretary of State's Office,
Concord, January 27, 1853.

A true copy of the original.
Attest — JOHN L. HADLEY, 5ec?-etar^ (/ASWe.

Viol 0 ■'

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