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 THE 
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER; 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL THE STATES, COUNTIES AND TOWNS 
 
 IN 
 
 ALSO 
 
 DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PRINCIPAL MOUNTAINS, RIVERS, LAKES, 
 CAPES, BAYS, HARBORS, ISLANDS, AND 
 
 WITHIN THAT TERRITORY. 
 
 ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED. 
 
 Br JOHN HAYWARD, 
 
 Author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. 
 
 NINTH EDITION. 
 
 CONCORD, N. H : 
 ISRAEL S. BOYD AND WILLIAM WHITE. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 JOHN HAYWARD. 
 1839.
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1839, by 
 
 JOHN HAYWARD, 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court in Massachusetts 
 
 1TERXOTTFED AMD PRINTED BT 
 
 WILLIAM WHITE, 
 CONCORD, N. H.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 THE PREPARATION of a Gazetteer ol New England, worthy the 
 patronage of its enlightened citizens, is no easy task : those only who 
 have attempted it can form a just conception of its difficulties. Long 
 and wearisome journeys must be performed ; hundreds of volumes and 
 local histories must be consulted, and thousands of letters must be written. 
 
 Although a kind Providence has blessed the editor with health, and 
 with numerous friends, in all parts of New England ; yet, after a long 
 period of devotedness, he is mortified that his work is not more complete. 
 
 It will be perceived that there are many towns, particularly in the 
 eastern section of New England, whose names are merely mentioned ; 
 and that notices of others, in many cases, are exceedingly deficient. Had 
 our means permitted, fair representations of the character and resources 
 of those towns might have promoted individual and public interests ; and 
 enhanced the value of our volume. There are lakes and rivers in the 
 northern and eastern parts of New England, whose beauty, volume of 
 water, and hydraulic power, might vie with the Winnepisiogee and Mer- 
 rimack; but whose locations and even names are but indistinctly known. 
 
 But we have the consolation to believe that a Gazetteer of New Eng- 
 land, perfect in all its parts, is rather desired than expected. Our coun- 
 try is new : large portions of the territory of the New England States, 
 are yet a wilderness, and new counties and towns are very frequently 
 constituted. 
 
 The progress of agricultural science, and of the mechanic arts ; the 
 advancement of commerce, both at home and abroad, and the increasing 
 success of the fisheries, united with the determination of the people ot 
 New England to connect the trade of the western oceans with their 
 Atlantic borders, by roads of iron, which frosts cannot impede, are so 
 great and strong, that the most devoted geographical and statistical writers 
 must be satisfied with following at a distance, rather than keeping pace 
 with the rapid car of improvement in New England. 
 Al
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 In the performance of our work we have derived assistance from many 
 valuable mips and books on New England. Among the number a re- 
 pectiiil tribute is due, particularly, to BELKNAP'S History of New 
 Hampshire; WILLIAMSON'S Maine; DWIGHT'S Letters; SAVAGE'S 
 Winthrop; THATCHER'S Plymouth; FOLSOM'S Saco and Biddeford ; 
 BENTON and BARRET'S Statistics: HALE'S Map of New England; 
 STEVENS' Rhode Island; CARRIGAIN'S New Hampshire; and GREEN- 
 LEAF'S Maine: to WORCESTER'S Gazetteer; THOMPSON'S Vermont; 
 PEASE and NILES' Rhode Island and Connecticut; SPOFFORD'S Mas- 
 sachusetts, and FARMER and MOORE'S Gazetteer of New Hampshire. 
 
 From the Utter work, and from its authors, the lamented JOHN FAR- 
 MI:R, Esq., a celebrated antiquarian and writer, and JACOB B. MOORE, 
 Esq., of Concord, N. H., author of several valuable historical and mis- 
 cellaneous works, we are indebted for much of that which is valuable 
 in regard to New Hampshire. 
 
 From a beautiful volume, entitled " Connecticut Historical Collec- 
 tions," by JOHN WARNER BARBER, Esq., we have been permitted to 
 enrich our pages with some of their most valuable and interesting ar- 
 ticles. 
 
 To Heads of Departments at Washington, and to the Secretaries of the 
 several States to which the work refers, for valuable public documents ; 
 to Postmasters ; and to numerous other friends who have kindly assisted 
 us in our labors ; whose names we should feel proud to mention, were it 
 in accordance with their wishes ; we tender the acknowledgments of a 
 grateful heart. 
 
 For the purpose of enlarging our work, as well as for its correction, 
 our editions will be designedly small : contributions are therefore respect- 
 fully solicited. 
 
 While it i> our determination to devote our time and humble talents to 
 uder our publications worthy of general approbation; we are gratified 
 rith the assurance of co-operation from eminent men in all parts of the 
 atry ; and we trust with confidence to receive that patronage, which 
 Yankees, both at home and abroad, invariably bestow on every effort 
 whose obvious design is USEFULNESS. 
 BOSTON, May, 1839.
 
 THE 
 
 NORTHERN REGISTER. 
 
 IT was our intention to have connected this publication with the GAZ- 
 ETTEER ; but it was found that by compressing the matter, sufficiently to 
 unite them in one volume, both would fail of the object contemplated. 
 
 A great mass of materials for the Register is already received ; indeed, 
 a considerable portion is now ready for the press ; but as we have extend- 
 ed our plan, some months will elapse before its appearance. 
 
 The work will comprise the rise and progress of all the important lit- 
 erary, religious, moral and charitable institutions in NEW ENGLAND : 
 an account of the Churches and Ministers in the several towns, from 
 their origin, and settlement to the present time : the rise and extent of 
 internal improvements : statistics of various kinds : lists of Courts, At- 
 torneys at law, Physicians, Literary and Religious Journals, Newspa- 
 pers, Banks, Postmasters, &c. &c. : to which will be added brief notices 
 of distinguished men. In short, the REGISTER is designed to comprise 
 all that may be considered important and useful,in a work of this kind, in 
 relation to New England, and which is not contained in the GAZETTEER. 
 
 The number of eminent men, of every profession, who have kindly 
 tendered the Editor their co-operation, is so great, that we feel confident 
 that the REGISTER will be entitled to a share of public favor. 
 
 1EF All letters and papers for the Editor, are requested to be left at 
 the. Boston Post Office.
 
 NEW ENGLAND. 
 
 IN presenting the public with a Gazetteer of New England, it has seemed 
 proper to make a few introductory remarks of a general nature, on the 
 character of its inhabitants. They may with great propriety be called 
 a peculiar people : and perhaps New England and Pennsylvania are the 
 only parts of the new world, which have been colonized by a class of 
 men, who can be regarded in that light. The whole of Spanish and Por- 
 tuguese America was organized, under the direct patronage of the mother 
 countries, into various colonial governments, as nearly resembling those at 
 home as the nature of the case admitted. The adventurers who sought 
 their fortunes beyond the sea, in those golden tropical regions, carried the 
 vices and the virtues with the laws and the manners of their native land, 
 along with them, and underwent no farther change than was unavoidably 
 incident to the new physical and political condition in which they were 
 placed in America. The same remark, wif.i nearly the same force, may 
 be made of the Virginia colonists : they differed from Englishmen at 
 home in no other way, than a remote and feeble colony must of necessity 
 differ from a powerful metropolitan state. Pennsylvania was settled by 
 a peculiar race ; but its peculiarity was of that character which eventu- 
 ally exhausts itself; and would speedily perish but for an amalgamation, 
 necessary though uncongenial, with the laws, the manners, and institu- 
 tions of the world. If all mankind were Friends they might subsist and 
 prosper. A colony of Friends, thrown upon a savage shore and environed 
 by hostile influences from foreign colonial establishments, would perish, 
 if not upheld by forces and principles different from its own. In the set- 
 tlers of New England alone we find a peculiar people ; but at the same 
 time a people whose peculiarity was founded on safe practical principles; 
 reconcileable wiih the duties of life ; capable of improvement in the pro- 
 gress of civilization, and of expanding into a powerful state, as well as of 
 animating a poor and persecuted colony.
 
 NEW ENGLAND. 
 
 Had not America been discovered and a tract upon our continent reserv- 
 ed for EnpIMi colonization ; nay, further, had it not been precisely 
 such an uninviting spot as furnished no temptation to men of prosperous 
 fortune*, the world would have lost that noble developement of character 
 which the faihcrs of New England exhibit. A tropical climate would 
 have made it uninhabitable to Puritans; or rather would have filled it up 
 with adventurers of a different class. A gold mine would have been a curse 
 to the latest generation. Had the fields produced cotton and sugar, they 
 would not have produced the men whom we venerate as the founders of 
 the liberties of New England. 
 
 Puritanism sprang up in England, but there it could not develope itself 
 with vigor or consist with happiness. The conflict with the hostile in- 
 stitution* of society was too sharp, and admitted of the cultivation of none 
 but the militant or patient elements of character. To struggle with 
 temporary success and to bow in permanent subjection was the necessary 
 fate of the' persecuted sect. So it was wisely ordained. Had Puritan- 
 Urn permanently mastered the church and the throne in England, it 
 would have been corrupted. It would have picked up and worn the 
 trampled diadem : it would have installed itself in the subjected church. 
 Regarding Cromwell and the Rump Parliament as the gift of Puritanism 
 to English liberty, it is a bequest at which we know not whether 
 most to sigh or smile. The seed sown in England fell by the way side 
 and the fowls came and devoured it up. The cause of political and social 
 reform, which was conducted with self-denying wisdom and moderation 
 In the outset, by single-hearted, honest men, degenerated as it prospered. 
 In the moment of its triumph it sunk under the corruptions of selfish- 
 oew, as a noble vessel which has braved the tempest in mid-ocean some- 
 times goes to pieces on the rocks as it approaches land. 
 
 But the precious seeds of liberty, civil and religious, which were sown. 
 in New England, fell upon a genial soil, and brought forth worthy and 
 abiding fruit. Undertaking the same work which was undertaken by 
 their brethren in England, our fathers conducted it through the days- of 
 mall things, through hardships, trial, and disasters, to a triumphant issue. 
 It U true there were greater obstacles to be encountered in England, in 
 the resistance of established institutions. Deep rooted errors were to be 
 torn up ; the towers of feudal oppression, which had stood for centuries, 
 were to be overthrown. But the influence of these formidable institutions 
 was not limited to Old England. The rod of arbitrary power reached 
 acrow the Atlantic. The little colonies had to struggle with the crown 
 
 I the hierarchy, with the privy council and with special commissions, 
 with writs and acts of parliament ; and they had besides to struggle with the
 
 NEW ENGLAND. 
 
 hardships of the wilderness, the dangers of the savage foe, of a sterner 
 climate than that of their native land, the privations of a settler's life, 
 the alternating neglect and oppression of the mother country ; but they 
 struggled successfully with all. The reformers of abuses in England, as 
 they claimed to be called, brought a king to the block, scattered a house 
 of lords, and saw their great military leader clothed with all the powers 
 of state; and in twelve years the son of that king returned to the throne, 
 not merely by an unconditional restoration, but amidst a jubilee of na- 
 tional rejoicing and without one security for liberty. All the while the 
 fathers of New England held on their even way ; not betrayed into 
 extravagance when their cause at home (as they fondly called Old Eng- 
 land) was triumphant; nor in despair at the miserable relapse which en- 
 sued. They did not indeed live to reap the fruit of their principles and 
 their sacrifices ; and it reflects but the greater honor upon them that they 
 persevered in their great work from a sense of duty, deep-seated, con- 
 trolling, fearless, and not the less so although, while they lived, unre- 
 warded by worldly succfess. 
 
 In fact the founders of New England were actuated by the only prin- 
 ciple sufficient to produce this result. It need not be said that this was 
 religious principle. How easily it is uttered of our Pilgrim fathers that 
 they were actuated by religious principle ; how little in these prosper- 
 ous days do we realize all that is wrapped up in that description of their 
 character ! It is difficult to comprehend of others what we have not 
 experienced in ourselves. That easy frame of mind which prevails among 
 a highly favored people, in periods of halcyon prosperity, is scarcely 
 capable of being placed in sympathy with the moral heroism, the spir- 
 itual courage, the sublime equanimity of a generation truly animated 
 by the religious principle, exalted by persecution, and purified by hard- 
 ship. Happy if in such a period we can, by diligent contemplation of the 
 venerated men of other days, exalt our imaginations, till by conceiving 
 we form a desire to imitate their virtues! In proportion as we do this, 
 we shall realize the secret of their perseverance and success. They did all 
 things through Christ strengthening them. What cannot man do when 
 he has learned habitually and distinctly to regard this life as a preparatory 
 scene, a brief hour, nay a fleeting moment, introductory to an eternal 
 being ? The fathers of New England were enabled, with their scanty 
 means and feeble powers, to establish the foundation of institutions which 
 will last to the end of time, for the very reason that they regarded all hu- 
 man interests and delights as transitory. That paradox in our moral na- 
 tures which educes strength out of weakness, triumph out of self-denial, 
 worldly power and success out of a stern preference of things not of
 
 NEW ENGLAND. 
 
 tliis world, received its most illustrious confirmation in the career of the 
 pilgrim fathers of New England. 
 
 This principle of our natures is the key to the great problem of the 
 success which attended the forlorn hope of humanity that landed on 
 these shores. There is indeed a fanaticism, which violates all the laws 
 of our nature, alike the higher ulterior principles which belong to an 
 immortal spirit, and the humbler influences which grow from the rela- 
 tions of ordinary life. It leads to surprising deeds; it forms characters 
 which dazzle us with brilliant eccentricities. It is near allied to mad- 
 ness ; often runs into it. But the religiousness of the fathers of New 
 England was a far different principle. It was eminently practical. It 
 allied itself with wise institutions of government; it sought the guidance 
 of education ; it encouraged the various pursuits of industry ; it provided 
 for the public safety and defence; and with chaste discrimination admit- 
 ted the courtesies of polished life. It is difficult to say what sort of a 
 commonwealth George Fox would have founded, had circumstances call- 
 ed him to assume the province of the legislator. It is most certain, that 
 in setting up an immediate divine inspiration as the guide of every man, 
 he maintained a principle at war with the very idea of a politcal system 
 and all its institutions ; nor is it less certain that the constitution which 
 was actually granted to Pennsylvania, by its pure and noble-spirited pro- 
 prietor, possessed little of the peculiarities of his sect but their mild, 
 peaceful, and equitable temper. But the fathers of New England stop- 
 ped short of the point where solemn conviction passes into enthusiasm. 
 They pursued the ordinary occupations of life, planted the field, built 
 vessels and navigated the sea, and carried on the usual mechanic arts. 
 They made provision hr protection against the Indians and the French. 
 They organized a plan of civil government; they established by law a 
 system of common scho A education, for the first time in the history of the 
 world, and they founded a college for the avowed purpose of training up 
 a class of educated men, well qualified to take the place of the learned 
 and pious ministers who had emigrated with the first generation of pil- 
 grims. These are the d3ings of intelligent and practical men, not of en- 
 thusiasts or fanatics; an I yet they are the doings of men so resolutely 
 bent upon the exercise of the right of worshipping God according to the 
 dictates of their conscience, that they were willing to sacrifice to it 
 home, fortune, and all that t!e mass of men hold dear. 
 
 To say that the fathers of New England were not faultless, is merely 
 to say that they were men ; to say that they established no institutions, 
 the object of which was to bind the consciences of their successors is 
 praise asjust as it is high. If they adhered with undue tenacity to their
 
 NEW ENGLAND. 
 
 own opinions, and failed in charity towards those who differed, they at 
 least left their posterity free, without the attempt to secure before hand 
 the control of minds in other ages by transmitted symbols and tests. Hu- 
 manity mourns over the rigors practised towards Roger Williams, the 
 Quakers, and the unhappy persons suspected of witchcraft ; but let it 
 not be forgotten that, as late as 1749, a witch was executed at Wurzburg, 
 and that even in 1760 two women were thrown into the water in Leices- 
 tershire, in England, to ascertain by their sinking or swimming whether 
 they were witches. Above all, it may deserve thoughtful enquiry, before 
 we condemn the founders of New England, whether a class of men less 
 stern in their principles and austere in their tempers, could have accom- 
 plished, under all the discouragements that surrounded them, against all 
 the obstacles which stood in their way, the greal work to which Provi- 
 dence called them, fhe foundation of a family of republics, confederated 
 under a constitution of free representative government. There is every 
 reason to believe, great and precious as are the results of their principles, 
 hitherto manifested to the world, that the quickening power of those 
 principles will be more and more displayed, with every leaf that is turned 
 in the book of Providence. 
 
 That part of the United States denominated NEW ENGLAND, compri- 
 ses SIX STATES, SIXTY ONE COUNTIES, and TWELVE HUNDRED AlfD 
 
 EIGHTY TOWNS. Their extent, divisions, and population at several 
 periods, are as follows : 
 
 ' 
 
 Square miles 
 
 No. Counties 
 
 No. Towns. 
 
 -a 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 8 
 
 Pop. 1800. 
 
 "0 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 p 
 
 T 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 *3 
 
 V 
 
 00 
 
 p 
 
 Pop. 1887. 
 
 *a 
 
 * 
 
 ? l 
 
 Me. 
 
 32,000 
 
 ]0 
 
 34 1 
 
 95,540 
 
 151,719 
 
 228,705 
 
 293,335 
 
 393,43-; 
 
 476.0H 
 
 15 
 
 N. H. 
 
 9 280 
 
 3 
 
 224 
 
 141,835 
 
 133,858 
 
 214,-160 
 
 244,161 
 
 259,328 
 
 288,746 
 
 31 
 
 Vt. 
 
 10,212 
 
 14 
 
 237 
 
 85,539 
 
 154,465 
 
 217,995 
 
 235,764 
 
 280,657 
 
 3 IS, 094 
 
 31 
 
 Mass. 
 
 7,500 
 
 14 
 
 336 
 
 378,787 
 
 4i2,S45 
 
 472.04J 
 
 523,287 
 
 610,408 
 
 701,331 
 
 94 
 
 R.I. 
 
 1,360 
 
 8 
 
 31 
 
 68,823 
 
 69,122 
 
 76,931 
 
 8J,059 
 
 97,199 
 
 108,769 
 
 80 
 
 Ct. 
 
 4,674 
 
 8 
 
 136 
 
 237,946 
 
 251,002 
 
 261,942 
 
 275,202 
 
 297.675 
 
 304,755 
 
 C5 
 
 
 65,026 
 
 'H 
 
 1,280 
 
 1,009.522 
 
 1,233,011 
 
 1,471,973 
 
 l.659,*03 
 
 1,054,704 
 
 2.197,733 
 
 34 
 
 The population of Maine and Massachusetts, in 1837, is given as by 
 a census taken in that year. The population of New Hampshire, Ver- 
 mont, Rhode Island and Connecticut, for 1837, is estimated according to 
 the ratio of increase, from 1820 to 1830. 
 
 1 *
 
 NEW ENGLAND. 
 
 In 1830, there were in New England 1,112 persons deaf and dumb ; 
 798 blind, and 18,668 aliens. The number of colored persons iu 1820, 
 was 20,7821830, 21,310. 
 
 New England increased in population, from 1790, to 1800, 22.1 per 
 cent: from 1800, to 1810, 19.3 per cent: from 1810, to 1820, 12.7 per 
 cent: from 1820, to 1830, 17.7 per cent; and from 1830, to 1837, 12.4 
 cent. When it is considered, that most of the western states were origi- 
 nally peopled by New Engenders, and that vast numbers annually emi- 
 grate to those states, this increase of population is favorable, compared 
 with other Atlantic states. The population of New England in 1700, 
 is stated at 120,000 ; in 1755, at 345,000 ; and in 1775, at 714,000. 
 
 BOUNDARIES AND EXTENT. This territory is bounded north and 
 northwest by Lower Canada, about 375 miles, and east by the Province of 
 New Brunswick, 275 miles. Its whole eastern, southeastern and southern 
 borders are washed by the Atlantic ocean and the waters of Long Island 
 Sound, a distance of about 600 miles. It is bounded west by the state 
 of New York, 280 miles. Its circumference is about 1,530 miles. 
 
 New England is situated between 41, and 48 12' north latitude, and 
 65 55', and 74 10' west longitude from Greenwich. Its greatest 
 length is between the sources of the Madawaska, Me., and Greenwich, 
 Ct., about 575 miles; and its greatest breadth is between Machias, Me., 
 and Highgate, Vt., 300 miles. Its narrowest part is between Boston 
 and West Stockbridge, Mass., 135 miles. 
 
 NAME. During the unsuccessful attempts of Sir Waker Raleigh to 
 plant colonies within the territory of North America, from 1584 to 15S7, 
 the whole country was called Virginia, in honor of Queen Elizabeth, who 
 was then on the British throne. In 1606, James I. divided the country 
 into two sections, JVorth and South Virginia; but the French having 
 taken possession of the Canadas, and founded Quebec, in 1603, and the 
 Dutch having established colonies at New York and Albany, in 1613, 
 the intermediate territory, now the New England States, was called 
 New England, in compliment to its luxuriance and beauty, and in honor 
 to his native land, by the- celebrated John Smith, one of the first settlers 
 of Virginia, in 1607; and who visited this coast in 1614. 
 
 The New England people are frequently called Yankees We are 
 warranted in- stating, from the best authority, that of the late learned 
 HECKKWELDER, that the Lena Lenape, a tribe of Indians belonging to 
 the Six Nations, on the arrival of our fore fathers to these shores, pro- 
 nounced the word English, Yengees. The word was thus originally 
 spelt, but in the course of years, in common with thousands of other 
 Indian names and phrases, it became corrupted to Yankee. The first
 
 NEW ENGLAND. 
 
 settlers of New England were English, or Englishmen, from Old Eng- 
 land ; and however the term Yankee, or English, may be applied to 
 New Englanders the descendants of the Puritans consider the term 
 honorable to themselves, and reproachful only to those who misap- 
 ply it 
 
 SURFACE, SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS. New England is distinguish- 
 ed for its varied surface. Mountains in immense ranges, bold spurs, 
 and solitary eminences ; beautiful swells, extended valleys, and alluvial 
 intervales meet the eye in every direction. Large rivers, unrivalled for 
 their rapid courses and hydraulic power; brooks, rivulets, expansive 
 lakes, countless ponds; and a sea coast of more than six hundred miles, 
 decorated with delightful bays, harbors, and romantic islands, form and 
 beautify the outline of a picture of New England. 
 
 The soil of New England is as varied as its surface Loam, clay, and 
 sand exist in all their varieties and mixtures. The soil most gener- 
 ally diffused through this country, is a light brown loam, mixed with 
 gravel ; fitted, in different degrees of moisture and dryness, for every 
 production common to the climate ; and capable, with proper culture, 
 of the highest fertility. 
 
 The agricultural productions of this country are exceedingly numer- 
 ous and valuable. The staple -articles, and such as are cultivated in all 
 their varieties, are grass, Indian corn, wheat, rye, barley, oats, beans, 
 peas, flax, hemp, broom corn, millet, potatoes, onions, beets, carrots, 
 turnips, squashes, melons, &c. 
 
 The fruits of New England, both wild and cultivated, are also nu- 
 merous and abundant. Apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, quin- 
 ces, grapes, in all their varieties; walnuts, chesnuts, Madeira nuts, 
 butternuts ; strawberries, whortleberries, blackberries, mulberries, rasp- 
 berries, &c. This is but the commencement of a list of the fruits, plen- 
 tiful iu New England, and remarkable for their richness and flavor. 
 
 The forests of New England exhibit a noble variety of trees, not only 
 delightful to the eye, but valuable for all the uses of man. The number 
 of these is so great that a catalogue of them would cover pages. 
 Among the most valuable are the varieties of the pine, cedar, oak, wal- 
 nut, spruce, maple, beech, birch, ash ; the hemlock, hacmatack, elm, 
 fir, &c. 
 
 The botanical resources of New England are not inferior to any other 
 section of our country. Among the most beautiful native flowering 
 shrubs are the laurel, rose, honeysuckle, and woodbine. 
 
 MINERALOGY. New England unquestionably possesses a vast and
 
 NEW ENGLAND. 
 
 rich variety of minerals ; but until recently its people hare been too busy 
 in ploughing the ocean, or digging on its surface, to search for treasures 
 within the bosom of its hills and valleys. A spirit of exploration how- 
 ever, has arisen, which promises the most favorable results. Learned 
 and indefatigable men are in the field, and the wisdom of our legislatures 
 will keep them there. 
 
 Granite or sienite, in all its varieties, are common in all the states : 
 marble of various hues, varying in quality, most of which, bearing a fine 
 polish, is abundant; coal is found in various places, and strongly sus- 
 pected to exist in others. Peat is abundant on Cape Cod, where there 
 is no wood ; and it is found in meadows surrounded by forests.. Copper 
 exists'in various parts of New England; and iron ore, of a pure quality, 
 is abundant in various sections of the country. Gold and silver are said 
 to exist, but we hope not. Fine clay, sandstone, manganese ; slatestone, 
 for roofing buildings ; and various other articles for necessary use are 
 abundant. Garnets, cobalt, rock crystals, and other minerals have 
 been discovered in various parts of New England, and which are men- 
 tioned under their localities within the volume. 
 
 CLIMATE. The climate of New England is exceedingly various: 
 the temperature ranges from 15 below the zero of Fahrenheit to 95 
 above. The mercury has been known to descend from 20 to SO below, 
 and to 102 above ; but such cases rarely occur. 
 
 European philosophers have imagined that the coldness of this part of 
 America was caused by our northwest winds, proceeding, as they have 
 thought, from the great lakes, which are situated ia the interior of North 
 America: but since it has been discovered that the great lakes lie west- 
 ward of the true N. W. point, that opinion has been exploded. 
 
 A second cause to which the coldness of these winds has been attribu- 
 ted, is a chain of high mountains running from southwest to northeast, 
 in Canada and New Britain, at a great distance beyond the St. Lawrence. 
 A third opinion is that of the venerated Dr. Holyoke, of Salem, who 
 supposed that the numerous evergreens in this country are the source 
 of the peculiar cold which it experiences. A fourth opinion is, that the 
 coldness of these winds proceeds from the forested state of the country, 
 Dr. Dwight entertained an opinion different from all those we have men- 
 tioned, viz : that the winds which generate the peculiar cold of this 
 country descend, in most cases, from the superior regions of the atmos- 
 phere. The N. W. wind rarely brings snow, but when it does, the de- 
 gree of cold is increased. The deepest snows fall with a N. E. wind, and 
 storms from that quarter are most violent and of longest duration. On 
 the mountains, the snow falls earlier and remains later than in. the low
 
 NEW ENGLAND. 
 
 grounds. On those elevated sunt.mits, the winds have greater force in 
 driving the snow into the long and deep gullies of the mountains, where 
 it is so consolidated, as not to be dissolved by the vernal sun. Spots of 
 snow are seen on the south sides of mountains as late as May, and on 
 the highest till July. A southeast storm is often as violent, but com 
 monly shorter, than one from the northeast. If it begin with snow, 
 it soon changes to rain. A brisk wind from the W. or S. W. with snow 
 or rain, sometimes happens, but its duration is very short. Squalls of 
 this kind are common in March. 
 
 One of the greatest inconveniences suffered by the inhabitants of our 
 country, is derived from the frequent changes in the state of the atmos- 
 phere. The temperature has been known to change 44 in twenty four 
 hours. Changes are frequent, though seldom in the same degree. 
 Changes from wet to dry, and from dry to wet, are at times unpleasant, 
 and probably unhealthy. There is no month in the year which is not 
 sometimes very pleasant, and sometimes disagreeable. In a series of 
 years, our most pleasant months are June, September and October. 
 Often the first two, and not unfrequently the first three weeks in Sep- 
 tember are, however, very warm. From the 20th of September to the 
 20th of October, the weather is delightful. The temperature is mild, 
 the air is sweet, and the sky singularly bright and beautiful. This is 
 the period denominated the Indian Summer. Some persons think June 
 to be a more pleasant month than either September or October. In June, 
 there are usually a few days of intense heat. In all other respects, 
 except the brilliancy and beauty of the heavens, this month must be 
 confessed to have the superiority over all others. The progress of vege- 
 tation is wonderful ; and it seems as if the creative hand was, in a 
 literal sense, renewing its original plastic efforts, to adorn the world with 
 richness and splendor. All things are alive and gay. " The little bills 
 rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks. The 
 valleys are also covered with corn, and shout for joy." Health at the 
 same time prevails in a peculiar degree. The Spring is often chilled by 
 easterly winds and rendered uncomfortable by rains. The Winter months, 
 when the earth is clad with its mantle of snow, is the season for relaxa- 
 tion and pleasure. 
 
 The number of fair days in a year compared with the cloudy, is as 
 three to one. We have had but few meteorological journals kept. For 
 several years past they have become more frequent, and it is hoped, that 
 from the increasing attention to the subject, comparative results of the 
 weather will become more numerous and exact. 
 
 NAVIGATION AND COMMERCE. The people of New England, 
 from the first settlement of the country to the present time, have been 
 1*
 
 NEW ENGLAND. 
 
 celebrated for their fine ships, nautical prowess, and commercial spirit. 
 Their extended Atlantic sea coast, and their noble forests of ship timber, 
 give them as great, if not greater facilities for these enterprises, than 
 can be found in this or any other country. 
 
 The number of vessels built in the United States in 1833, was 1,188; 
 tonnage, 161,626 tons; of which there were built in New England 590: 
 tonnage, 95,146. The number of seamen employed in navigation in 
 the United States, was 67,744, of which 37,142 belonged to New 
 England. 
 
 In consequence of the absence of both natural and artificial channels 
 to the fertile countries on the borders of the great lakes, and west of the 
 Alleghany mountains, the exports and imports of New England, compar- 
 ed with the whole of the United States, appears small ; hut it must be 
 borne in mind that a large proportion of the ships and seamen employed 
 in this commerce belong to New England, and that a vast amount of the 
 exports from other states consist of the products of the manufacturing 
 industry and fishery of that section of the country. 
 
 The value of the imports of New England, during the year ending 
 30 September, 1837, was $22,052,414. Exports, $11,878,324. The 
 total value of the imports of the United States, in that period, was 
 $140,989,217; of exports, $117,419,376. 
 
 During that period the American tonnage of New England, entered, 
 compared with that of the United States, was as follows : New England, 
 1,944 vessels, 393,877 tons: United States, 6,024 vessels, 1,299,720 tons. 
 During that time there were 949 vessels built in the United States ; 
 tonnage, 122,987 tons ; of which 389 were built in New England, meas- 
 uring 51, 983 tons.' 
 
 FISHERY. This important branch of industry, and one of the great- 
 est sources of wealth to the American people, has, from time immemo- 
 rial, been almost exclusively earned on by New England vessels, men, 
 and capital. 
 
 In 1837, there were 508 vessels in the United States engaged in the 
 whale fishery ; the total tonnage was 127,239 tons ; of which number 
 459 belonged to the New England states ; measuring 115,194 tons. The 
 same year there were 127,678 tons employed in the cod and mackerel 
 fishery ; 126,963 tons of which were owned in New England. 
 
 MANUFACTURES. From the first settlement of the country, to the 
 general peace in Europe in 1815, New England was emphatically a com- 
 mercial country. During the long wars in Europe, when the flag of 
 the U. S. was the only passport among the belligerent nations, New 
 England ships became the carriers of almost the whole of the eastern
 
 NEW ENGLAND. 
 
 continent. The change from war to peace, in Europe, shook New Eng- 
 land to its centre. It however stood firm. During a pause, in which 
 conflicting interests in regard to the tariff on imports were settled, the 
 resources of the country were examined,and it was found that a large por- 
 tion of the capital which had been accustomed to float on every gale; and 
 subjected to the caprice of every nation, might profitably be employed at 
 home,in supplying our own necessities, and placing our independence on 
 a more sure foundation. A manufacturing spirit arose in New England, 
 whose power can only be excelled by the magnitude and grandeur of in- 
 numerable streams on which it is seen to move. 
 
 Our statistics on this highly important subject are exceedingly imper- 
 fect : those only of Massachusetts are attempted to be given. When we 
 find that every state in New England are making rapid advances in this 
 branch of our national wealth, particularly Rhode Island and Connecti- 
 cut ; and that the amount of manufactures in Massachusetts, in a single 
 year, was $86, 282, 616, we may safely indulge the pleasing hope that 
 the period is not distant when our exports will exceed our imports, and 
 that our work shops will no longer remain in Europe.
 
 ITEMS. 
 
 THERE are several items in this volume which do not strictly pertain 
 to the general character of the work. Some of them are here noted. 
 
 Routes to the White Mountains, - See White Mountains. 
 
 Distances on Long Island Sound and Hudson river, Long I. Sound. 
 
 Saratoga and Ballston Springs, - - White Mountains. 
 
 Lake George, N. Y., ... 
 
 Whitehall, N. Y., 
 
 The North Eastern Boundary Question briefly stated, Maine. 
 
 Confidence in God, .... Sharon, Ct 
 
 Troy, N. Y., - - - Long Island Sound. 
 
 New Lebanon Springs, N. Y., - - Hancock, Mass. 
 
 Firmness of mind, .... Stamford, Ct. 
 
 Catskill Mountains, N. Y., - - Long Island Sound. 
 
 A venerable minister, ... Hartford, Ct. 
 
 Curious Courtship, .... Lyme, Ct. 
 
 Bay of Fundy, .... Fundy, Bay 
 
 St. John's, N. B., " 
 
 A Congregation made Prisoners, - - Darien, Ct 
 
 Brave Women, Dustan's Island, Gorham, Me., and Dorchester, Mass 
 
 A good shot, .... Dalton, JV. H 
 
 Goffe and Whalley, - Hadley, Mass., and Woodbndge, Ct. 
 
 Peddling, - - Alexanders' Lake^ and Berlin, Ct. 
 
 The " Old Black Bull," Colchester, Ct. 
 
 Prices of sundry articles in 1750, - - Gorham, Me. 
 
 Faithful Missionaries, - Roxbury, Mass., and Haddam, Ct. 
 
 Burning of Fairfield, - - \ Fairfield, Ct. 
 
 Mount Auburn Cemetery, - - Cambridge, Mass. 
 
 Transplanting fish, - - Fairlee and Whiting, Vt. 
 
 Obookiah, - - Cornwall, Ct. 
 
 Large Apple Tree, - - Duxbury, Mass. 
 
 Thermometrical observations, - - Epping, ./V. H. 
 
 Fortunate Stageman, - - - Belchertown, Mass. 
 
 Tribute to female character, ... Ledyard, Ct. 
 
 Large Pines, - Liberty and Norridgewock, Me. 
 
 Generals Allen and Stark, Litchfield, Ct., and Manchester, JV. H. 
 
 General Putnam and the Wolf, - - Pomfret, Ct. 
 
 Tornadoes, Warner and New London, JV. H., and Winchendon, Mass.
 
 ITEMS. 
 
 Meteoric Stones, See Weston, Ct. 
 
 Story of the Frogs, - Windham, Ct. 
 Smart Old Men, - Whitingham Vt., and Shutesbury, Mass. 
 
 A modest office seeker, Stratford, N. H. 
 
 Land Title settled by combat, Lyme, Ct. 
 
 The " Devils Den," a good ice house, Sterling, Ct. 
 
 Large Trout, Strong, Me. 
 Floating Islands, Atkinson, N. H., and Whitingham, Vt. 
 
 Singular motive for marriage, Wethersfield, Ct. 
 
 " Lovewell's Fight," Fryeburgh, Me. 
 
 Curious Epitaphs, Dorchester, Mass. 
 
 Poised Rock, Farmington, N. H. 
 
 A Turtle well marked, Middleborough, Mass. 
 
 Mohegan Village, Montville, Ct. 
 
 A relic of olden times, Jlshford, Ct. 
 
 The New Hampshire Giant, New Market, N. H. 
 
 " Purgatory Cavern," Button, Mass. 
 
 Ice Beds, Wallingford, Vt 
 
 * Satan's Kingdom," - New Hartford, Ct. 
 
 Names of Towns, North Bridgewater, Mass. 
 
 A " South Shore" White oak, Plympton, Mass. 
 
 Tak, a slave, the captor of a British General, Tiverton, R. I. 
 
 Horrible butchery of a family, Wethersfield, Ct. 
 
 Penobscot Indians, - Orono, Me. 
 
 " The Pool," Oxford, Ct 
 
 First mail stage in the United Slates, - Shrewsbury, Mass 
 
 Indian Mound, Ossipee, N. H 
 
 George III. and John Adams, Quincy, Mass. 
 
 The Hermitess, Ridgefield, Ct. 
 
 Tough words for stammerers, Roxbury, and Webster, Mass. 
 
 Mineral Springs, Stafford, Ct., and Hopkinton, Mass. 
 
 Avalanches, White Mountains. 
 
 Autumnal Foliage, " 
 
 A worthy maiden Lady, Taunton, Mass. 
 
 A Connecticut river law suit, Wethersfield, Ct. 
 
 The Drum Rock, - Warwick, R. I. 
 
 An atrocious murder, Washington, Ct. 
 
 A New England Clergyman of 1686, Wenham, Mass. 
 
 Ancient Epitaphs, Plymouth, Mass., and Windsor, Ct. 
 
 A runaway pond, Glover, Vt. 
 
 Lake scenery, Winnepisiogee Lake,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Abbot, Me. 
 
 Piscataquis co. This town lies 
 76 miles N. by E. from Augusta, 
 130 N. by E. from Portland, and 
 about 40 N. N. E. from Norridge- 
 wock. It is bounded N. by Mon- 
 son, E. by Guilford and S. by Park- 
 man. The Piscataquis river passes 
 nearly through its centre. It was 
 incorporated in 1827. Population, 
 1337, 649. 
 
 Abiiigtou, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. This town is on 
 the high land between Massachu- 
 setts and Narraganset bays. Three 
 rivers rise here, two of which emp- 
 ty into the Taunton, the other into 
 the North. It lies 19 miles S. S. E. 
 from Boston, 22 N. W. from Plym- 
 outh, IS N N. E. from Taunton, 
 and 8 S. of Weymouth landing. 
 This town is noted for its manufac- 
 tures of boots, shoes, and tacks. The 
 total value of its manufactures, in 
 one year, was $847,294, of which 
 the amount of $82,000 was for tacks, 
 And $746,794 for boots and shoes. 
 There were 847 males and 470 fe- 
 males employed in the manufacture 
 of the latter. Population, 1837, 
 3,057. This town was incorporated 
 in 1712. Its Indian name was Man- 
 mmooskeagin. 
 
 Acoaksct River, 
 
 Rises on the border of the town 
 of Fall River, and meets an arm of 
 Buzzard's bay, at Westport, 12 miles 
 S. W. oi New Bedford, Mass. 
 
 Acton, Me. 
 
 An interior town, in the county 
 of York, recently taken from Shap- 
 leigh. It lies near the head waters 
 of Salmon river, by which it is di- 
 vided, on the W., from New-Hamp- 
 shire. It is 107 miles S. W. from 
 Augusta, and 15 W. from Alfred. 
 Population, 1837, 1409. 
 
 Acton, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. This town was 
 first settled in 1781, and in 1782 
 it was incorporated. It ha_s some 
 fine brooks, but no important mill 
 streams. It lies about 15 miles N. 
 of Newfane, and about 90 S. of 
 Montpelier. Population 1830, 176. 
 
 Acton, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This is a pleas- 
 ant farming town of good soil. The 
 Assabet river passes through it. It 
 is 5 miles N. W. by W. of Concord, 
 and 21 N. W.of Boston. Incorpo- 
 rated 1735. Population 1837, 1071. 
 
 Acwortli, IV. II. 
 
 Sullivan co. This town is chiefly 
 agricultural in its pursuits. The 
 soil is generally good. Cold river, 
 which rises from Cold pond in this 
 town, affords some good mill seats. 
 This town was formerly noted for 
 the culture of flax, which was man- 
 ufactured by some of the inhabitant? 
 into the finest linen, equal to any 
 imported from Ireland. The town 
 was settled in 1768, and incorporat- 
 ed in 1771. Population 1830, 1401.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 It lies 13 miles S. of Newport, and 
 44 W. of Concord. 
 
 Adams, .Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. This is a flourish- 
 ing agricultural and manufacturing 
 township, comprising two villages, 
 north and south, whose trade goes 
 to New York. It is 40 miles E. of 
 Troy, N. Y., 120 W. N. W. of Bos- 
 ton, 29 N. of Lenox, and 7 miles S. 
 E. of Williamstown college. The 
 Hoosack river passes through this 
 town, and affords a great water 
 power. There are in this town 19 
 cotton mills, 4 satinet factories, and 
 2 calico printing establishments. 
 There are also in this town large 
 machine shops, 4 taneries, 3 air and 
 cupola furnaces, and manufactories 
 of shovels, spades, hoes, forks, 
 chairs and cabinet ware. The total 
 value of the manufactures of this 
 place in the year ending April 1, 
 1837, amounted to $1,045,417. 
 
 Between the years 1746 and 1756, 
 this town was the scene of much 
 Indian warfare. Traces of old 
 Fort Massachusetts are still found. 
 Saddle Mountain, the summit of 
 which is called Gray lock,ihe high- 
 est of Massachusetts mountains, lies 
 chiefly in this town, and, although 
 it is 3,600 feet above the level of 
 the sea, is of easy ascent. A view 
 from Gray lock probably gives " an 
 idea of vastness and even of im- 
 mensity" better than any other 
 landscape in New England, Mt. 
 Washington, in N. H. excepted. 
 The natural bridge on Hudson's 
 Brook, in this town, is a curiosity 
 worthy the notice of travellers. 
 The waters of this brook have worn 
 a fissure from 30 to 60 feet deep and 
 SO rods in length, through a body 
 of white marble, or limestone, and 
 formed a bridge of that material, 50 
 leet above the surface of the water. 
 There is a cavern in this town, 30 
 feet long, 20 high, and 20 wide. 
 Incorporated 1778. Population 1820 
 1,8361830, 2,648 1834, 3,000 
 and in 1837, 4,191 
 
 Addis on, Me. 
 
 Washington co. This town was 
 incorporated in 1797. Population, 
 1837, 901. It lies 14 miles W. by 
 S. from Machias, and 135 E.by N. 
 from Augusta. Addison lies be- 
 tween Pleasant and Indian rivers, 
 and near the south entrance into 
 MLspecky reach. Jlddison Point, 
 or Cape Split, jutting out into the 
 sea, off which are several small 
 islands, is the principal harbor and 
 place of trade. 
 
 Addison Comity, Vt., 
 
 Middlebury is the chief town. 
 This county is bounded on the N. 
 by Chittenden county; E. by Wash- 
 ington and Orange counties, and a 
 part of Windsor county ; S. by 
 Rutland county, and W. by Lake 
 Champlain. It was incorporated in 
 1787, and contains about 700 square 
 miles. Large quantities of white 
 and beautifully variegated marble, 
 which receives a fine polish, is 
 found in this county, and large 
 quantities of it are quarried and 
 transported to various markets. 
 This county is admirably well wat- 
 ered by Otter Creek, which rises 
 near its southern boundary, and ex- 
 tends nearly through its centre ; 
 by Mad and White rivers ; and by 
 Lake Champlain, which affords it 
 many navigable privileges. The 
 soil is good, particularly in those 
 towns below the mountains, and 
 bordering the lake and rivers. This 
 county contains 22 towns. Popu- 
 lation, 1820, 20,4691830, 24,940. 
 Inhabitants to a square mile, 5. 
 
 Addison, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. This is supposed to 
 be the first place settled by the 
 whites, in this state, west of the 
 mountains. The town is pleasantly 
 located on the east side of lake 
 Champlain, and nearly opposite to 
 Crown Point, in the state of New- 
 York. At this place the lake is 
 about 3 miles broad. The French,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 it is said, commenced a settlement 
 here in 1731 ; the same year that 
 they erected a fort at Crown Point. 
 The English came here about 1770. 
 Otter Creek passes into the town, 
 but affords no important mill sites. 
 The surface of the town is low and 
 level. Mill and Pike rivers, are 
 small streams, which fall into the 
 lake opposite to Crown Point. This 
 town lies about 12 miles W. N. V< . 
 from Middlebury, and 40 W. S. W. 
 from Montpelier. Population 1830, 
 1,306. 
 
 Agamcnticns ATonntain, 
 
 So called, being three elevations 
 of land in York, Me., about 4 milec 
 from the sea, and a noted land mark 
 for those on the coast to the north- 
 ward and eastward of Portsmouth 
 harbor. The highest summit is 673 
 feet above the ocean. It is said 
 that Saint Jlspinquid died on this 
 mountain, in 1682, and tb.. his 
 funeral was celebrated by ti.- In- 
 dians, by the sacrilice of 671'. wild 
 animals. 
 
 Aganam, Mass. 
 
 The Indian name of a river in 
 Wareharn, and of a part of Westfield 
 river ; and the name of a village on 
 Westfield river, 2 miles S. Wf from 
 Springfield. 
 
 Albany, 3Ie. 
 
 Oxford co. This town was incor- 
 porated in 1803. It lies about 17 
 miles W. by N. from Paris, and 58 
 W. from Augusta. It is the source 
 of Crooked river, which empties in- 
 to Sebago Lake. Population, 1837, 
 598. 
 
 Albany, IV. H., 
 
 Strafford co., lies 60 miles N. by 
 E. from Concord, and 67 N. N. V.'. 
 from Dover. The principal river 
 in Alban\', is Swift river, which 
 passes from W. to E. into the Saco, 
 at Comvay. There are several 
 sn.nll streams in different parts of 
 the town, furnishing convenient 
 
 mill privileges. These streams 
 were once the residence of num- 
 bers of the bearer, otter, &c. 
 There are several lofty hills and 
 mountains in this town, the highest 
 of which is called Chocorua, and is 
 visible from a great extent of coun- 
 try. It received its name from 
 Chocorua, an Indian, who was kil- 
 led on the summit by a party oi 
 hunters in time of peace, before 
 the settlement of the place. The 
 predominant rock of these hills is 
 granite a soft, decomposing varie- 
 ty, in which the crystals and grains 
 of feldspar are very large. The soil 
 is fertile, being a sandy loam, mix- 
 ed occasionally with coarse gravel. 
 There are some fertile intervale 
 lands on the borders of Swift river. 
 This town has been considerably 
 retarded by a peculiar disease which 
 afflicts neat cattle. Young cattle 
 cannot be reared, nor can cows or 
 oxen be kept here for a series of 
 years, without being attacked by a 
 singular and fatal distemper. It 
 commences with a loss of appetite 
 the animals refuse hay, grain and 
 salt become emaciated ; an obstin- 
 ate costiveness attends, but the ab- 
 domen becomes smaller than in 
 health, and is diminished to one third 
 its original bulk. After these symp- 
 toms have continued for an indefi- 
 nite period, a brisk scouring comes 
 on, and the animals fall away and 
 die. Though superstition may have 
 found a reason in the dying curse 
 of the murdered Chocorua, philoso- 
 phy has not yet ascertained a satis- 
 factory cause for the disease. It is 
 probably owing to the properties 
 contained in the waters. This town 
 was granted Nov. 6, 1766, to Clem- 
 ent March, Joseph Senter and oth- 
 ers, and until the 2d July, 1833, it 
 bore the name of Burton. Popula- 
 tion in 1830, 325. 
 
 Albany, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. This town was grant- 
 ed in the year 1781, by the "name 
 of Lutterloh ; in 1815 it was chang-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ed to its present name. It is water 
 ed by a number of ponds, and by 
 Black river and its branches. Al- 
 bany lies 34 miles N. from Mont- 
 pelier, and 9 S. of Irasburgh. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 683. 
 
 Albion, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. This fine farming 
 town lies on the stage road from 
 Augusta to Bangor; 24 miles N. 
 E. from the former, and 44 S. W. 
 from the latter. Population, 1837, 
 1609. This town produced 10,728 
 bushels of wheat, in 1837. 
 
 Altrargh, Vt. 
 
 Grand Isle co. Settlements com- 
 menced here by emigrants from 
 Canada, in 1782. This town lies at 
 the N. W. corner of the state and 
 of New England ; 10 miles N. from 
 North Hero, and 79 miles N. W. 
 from Montpelier. It is bounded by 
 the waters of Lake Champlain, ex- 
 cept on the north, where it meets 
 the Canada line, in north latitude 
 45. The soil is good and finely 
 timbered. It has a mineral spring, 
 of some repute in scrofulous cases. 
 Population, 1830, 1,239. 
 
 Alexander, Me. 
 
 Washington co. About 25 miles 
 N. by W. from Machias, and S. o: 
 Bailey ville, and Baring, which bor- 
 der on the river St. Croix. In this 
 town are some ponds, which, wit! 
 the large pond in Baring and Alex 
 ander, produce a large stream which 
 empties into Cobscook bay. Popu 
 lation, 1837, 457. 
 
 Alexander's Lake. 
 
 This beautiful sheet of water, o: 
 about a mile in length and half 
 mile in breadth, lies in the town o 
 Killinijlv, Ct., and was former!; 
 known to the Indians by the nnm 
 of Mnshapaug. It* present nain 
 is derived from Nell Alexander, 
 man who settled *at Killingly i 
 1720, and became proprietor of 
 large portion of the town. As thi 
 
 erson gained his wealth in a man- 
 er which illustrates the antiquity 
 f the propensity of the inhabitants 
 f this state to the once honored, 
 et now despised employment of 
 eddting, we will give the reader 
 short notice of his history. He 
 ame from Scotland, with a great 
 umber of other emigrants, in a 
 hip which was to land them at 
 Boston. Just before leaving the 
 hip he discovered a gold ring up- 
 n deck, for which he could find no 
 wner. Thus fortunately provided, 
 fter his arrival he pawned the gold 
 ing for small articles of trade, 
 which he peddled in Boston and 
 loxbury. He was very prosper- 
 ius, and finally became able to re- 
 leem the author of his success, and 
 ursue his business without enr.bar- 
 assment. After a few years of 
 constant activity, he acquired suffi- 
 cient property to purchase a planta- 
 ion of 3,500 acres in Killingly. 
 The gold ring was transmitted as a 
 sort of talisman, to his only son 
 Nell, who transferred it to his only 
 son Nell ; who is now living at an 
 advanced age, and has already pla- 
 ced it in the hands of his grandson 
 Nell ; and so it will doubtless con- 
 tinue from Nell to Nell, agreeably 
 to the request of the first Nell, 
 until the " last knell of the race is 
 tolled!" 
 
 A singular tradition has been 
 handed down to us by the abori- 
 gines concerning the origin of this 
 lake. 
 
 In ancient times, when the red 
 men of this quarter had long enjoy- 
 ed prosperity, that is, when they 
 had found plenty of game in the 
 woods,and fish in the ponds and riv- 
 ers,they at length fixed a time for 
 a general powwow, a sort of festival 
 for eating, drinking, smoking, sing- 
 ing and dancing. The spot chosen 
 for thi* purpose was a sandy hill, or 
 mountain, covered with tall pines, 
 occupying the situation where the 
 lake now lies. The powwow lasted 
 four days in succession, and was to
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 continue longer had not the Great 
 Spirit, enraged at the licentiousness 
 which prevailed there, resolved to 
 punish them. Accordingly, while 
 the red people in immense numbers 
 were capering about upon the sum- 
 mit of the mountain, it suddenly 
 " gave way" beneath them, and 
 sunk to a great depth, when the 
 water from below rushed up and 
 covered them all except one good 
 old squaw, who occupied one of 
 the peaks, which now bears the 
 name of Loon's Island. 
 
 Mr. Barber in his admirable work 
 entitled " Connecticut Historical 
 Collections," irom which this ac- 
 count is taken, observes, " whether 
 the tradition is entitled to credit or 
 not, we will do it justice by affirm- 
 ing that in a clear day, when there 
 is no wind and the surface of the 
 lake is smooth, the huge trunks and 
 leafless branches of gigantic pines 
 may be occasionally seen in the 
 deepest part of the water, some of 
 them reaching almost to the surface, 
 in such huge and fantastic forms as 
 to cause the beholder to startle!" 
 
 Alexandria, IV. ! I. 
 
 Grafton co. A small part of New- 
 found lake lies in this town. Al- 
 exandria is 30 miles N. W. from 
 Concord, and 40 S. E. from Haver- 
 hill. Population, 1830, 1,083. In- 
 corporated, 1782. On Fowler's and 
 Smith's rivers and several other 
 smaller streams are about 2000 acres 
 of intervale land, which produce 
 flax, potatoes -and grass in abund- 
 ance. Other parts of the town are 
 favorable for wheat and maize. 
 This town was first settled by Jon- 
 athan, John M. and William Cor- 
 liss, in 1769. 
 
 Alfred, Me. 
 
 One of the shire towns of York 
 county. It lies 24 miles N. from 
 York, 35 S. from Portland and 86 
 S. W. from Augusta. Incorpora- 
 ted, 1808. Population, 1837, 1,360. 
 This is a good farming town and is 
 
 well watered by the higher sources 
 of Mousum river, which mee;s the 
 sea at Kennebunk. In this town 
 is a society of those neat and indus- 
 trious horticulturists and artizans, 
 denominated " Shakers." 
 
 Alford, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. On the line of the 
 state of New York, and watered 
 by branches of Green river. Some 
 manufactories of leather and shoes. 
 125 miles W. from Boston, 14 S. by 
 W. from Lenox, and 24 E. of Hud- 
 son, N. Y. Population, 1837, 441. 
 Incorporated, 1773. 
 
 Alli'iistoivii. N. II. 
 
 Merrimack co. On the Suncook 
 river, 11 miles S. E. from Concord, 
 and 38 W. from Portsmouth. The 
 land generally is of an ordinary 
 quality, though there are some fine 
 farms. The town is principally 
 covered with a growth of oak and 
 pine timber; and great quantities of 
 lumber are annually taken down 
 the river. Allenstown is well wa- 
 tered, though no large stream pass- 
 es through it. Great Bear brook 
 furnishes the principal mill seats. 
 Catamount hill is the highest land 
 in town. At the E. end of this hill 
 is a precipice of 70 feet nearly per- 
 pendicular, at the foot of which is - 
 cavern of some extent, inclining up- 
 wards. The first settlers were Rob t 
 Buntin and others. In 1748, while 
 at work on the western bahk of the 
 Merrimack river,opposite the mouth 
 of the Suncook, in company with 
 James Carr, Mr. Buntin and his son, 
 ten years of age, were surprised by 
 a party of Indians. Carr attempted 
 to escape, and was shot down. Bun- 
 tin and his son, making no resist- 
 ance, were not harmed ; but taken 
 through the wilderness to Canada, 
 and sold to a French trader at Mont- 
 real ; with whom they remained 
 about eleven months, escaped, and 
 fortunately reached home in safety. 
 Andrew, the son, continued on his 
 father's farm until the commence-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 raent of the revolution, when, en- 
 tering the service of his country, 
 he died in her defence at White 
 Plains, Oct. 28, 1776. Incorporated 
 July 2, 1831. Population, 1830,421. 
 
 Alua, Me. 
 
 This town is situated in the coun- 
 ty of Lincoln, 10 miles N. from 
 Wiscasset, 54 N. E. from Portland, 
 and 20 S. S. E. from Augusta. In- 
 corporated 1794. Population, 1837, 
 1,138. This is a pleasant town and 
 well watered by Sheepscot river. 
 
 Alstead, N. H., 
 
 Cheshire co., is 12 miles S. E. 
 from Charlestown,14 N.from Keene 
 and 50 W. by S. from Concord. 
 This town is well watered by small 
 streams. Cold river passes through 
 the N. W. part; and some of the 
 branches of Ashuelot river have 
 their sources in this town. There 
 are a number of ponds, the princi- 
 pal of which is Warren's pond ; 
 length, 250 rods, breadth, 150. 
 Perch and pickerel are here caught 
 in great abundance. The soil is 
 strong and productive, and the farms 
 generally well cultivated. Manu- 
 factures flourish in this town, and 
 great attention is paid to education. 
 Alstead was originally called New- 
 ton, and was granted by charter, 
 August 6, 1763, to Samuel Chase 
 and 69 others. General Amos Shep- 
 ard, who was for many years a 
 member of the General Court of 
 this state, and President of the Sen- 
 ate from 1797 to 1804, resided in 
 this town, and was one of its prin- 
 cipal inhabitants from 1777 to the 
 time of his death, Jan. 1, 1812. By 
 his persevering industry, his econ- 
 omy and correctness in business, 
 and at the same time, by a rigid ad- 
 herence to uprightness and integri- 
 ty in his dealings with his fellow 
 men, he acquired a handsome for- 
 tune, and was in many things, a 
 pattern worthy of imitation. Pop- 
 ulation in 1830, 1,552. This town 
 has 6000 sheep. 
 
 Alton, DT. II. 
 
 Strafford co. This town lies 22 
 miles N. E. from Concord, and 25 
 N. W. from Dover, and is bounded 
 N. by Winnepisiogee lake and bay. 
 The town is rough and uneven ; the 
 soil hard and rocky, but productive 
 when well cultivated. The growth 
 of wood is chiefly oak, beech, maple 
 and pine. The principal elevations 
 are Mount-Major and Prospect Hill 
 Merrymeeting bay extends S. about 
 1800 rods into this town, where it 
 receives the waters of Merrymeet- 
 ing river. Half-moon pond, be- 
 tween Alton and Barnstead, is 300 
 rods long and 150 wide. This town 
 was originally called JVew Dur- 
 ham Gore, and was settled in 1770, 
 by Jacob Chamberlain and others. 
 It was incorporated Jan. 15, 1796. 
 Population in 1830, 1,993. This 
 town has 2000 sheep. 
 
 Amesbury, Mass. 
 
 This town is situated on the N 
 side of Merrimack river, in the 
 county of Essex, 40 miles N. E. 
 from Boston, 6 N. W. from New-' 
 buryport, and 7 N. E. from Haver- 
 hill. Population, 1837, 2,567. It 
 was taken from Salisbury in 1668, 
 and is separated from it by Powow 
 river, a navigable stream for vessels 
 of 300 tons. A pond, covering 
 about 1000 acres, back of the town, 
 90 feet above the sea, serves as a 
 reservoir for a constant and exten- 
 sive water power. The manufac- 
 ture of flannel and satinet is very 
 extensively pursued. The amount 
 of those articles manufactured in 
 the year ending April 1, 1837, was 
 $425,000. Many vessels are built 
 here of superior timber, and the 
 manufacture of boots, shoes, leath- 
 er, chairs, phaetons, gigs, and car- 
 ryalls is very considerable. The 
 total amount of the various manu- 
 factures of this place is about $500,- 
 000 annually. About half the pop- 
 ulation of the town is engaged in 
 mechanical labor. Josiah Bartlett, 
 M. D. one of the signers of the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 declaration of independence was 
 born here, in 1729. He died May 
 19, 1795. 
 
 Amlierst, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. This town is boun- 
 ded on the S. by Mariaville. The 
 head waters of Union river pass 
 through it. It lies about 25 miles E. 
 of Bangor. Population, 1837, 198. 
 
 Amlierst, X. II. 
 
 An important town, and the seat 
 of justice in Hillsborough county, 
 is situated on Souhegan river. It 
 is 23 miles S. from Concord, about 
 the same distance from Hopkinton, 
 47 N. W. from Boston, 40 E. from 
 Keene, 60 S. E. from Windsor, Vt. 
 and 484 from Washington. Souhe- 
 gan is a considerable and'very im- 
 portant stream, and in its course 
 to the Merrimack river from this 
 town, affords some of the finest wa- 
 ter privileges in the county. Bab- 
 Loosuck, Little Babboosuck and Jo 
 English ponds are the largest col- 
 lections of water. In some parts, 
 and particularly on Souhegan river, 
 the soil is of an excellent quality, 
 producing abundant crops. In oth- 
 er parts, on the hills elevated above 
 the village, the soil is of a good 
 quality, and several valuable farms 
 are found under good cultivation. 
 The village is pleasant and contains 
 many handsome buildings. There 
 is a spacious common between the 
 two principal rows of houses, which 
 is often used for public purposes. 
 There is what is termed a mineral 
 spring, about 1 1-2 miles E. of the 
 meeting house. The water has 
 been found useful in rheumatic 
 complaints, and in scrofulous and 
 scorbutic habits ; for poisons by ivy, 
 dog-wood, &c. This town was 
 granted in 1733, by Massachusetts, 
 to those persons living and the heirs 
 of those not living, who were offi- 
 cers and soldiers in the Narragan- 
 set war of 1675. It was called JV*ar- 
 raganset JVo.3, and afterwards Sou- 
 hegan- West. The number of pro- 
 2* 
 
 prietors was 120, of whom a consid- 
 erable number belonged to Salem, 
 Mass. The town was incorporated 
 Jan. 18, 1760, when it assumed the 
 name of Amherst, in compliment to 
 Lord Jeffrey Amherst. Among 
 the worthy citizens of Amherst 
 who deserve remembrance, may be 
 mentioned Hon. Moses Nichols, a 
 native of Reading, Mass., who was 
 a colonel under Gen. Stark in the 
 Battle of Bennington: Hon. Samuel 
 Dana, a native of Brighton, Mass. 
 Hon. William Gordon, eminent 
 in the profession of the law. 
 Hon. Robert Means, who died Jan. 
 24, 1823, at the age of 80, was for 
 a long period of time a resident in 
 Amherst. He was a native of Ire- 
 land. In 1764, he came to this 
 country, where by his industry and 
 application to business, he acquired 
 a large property, and great respect. 
 Amherst did its duty manfully 
 during the revolutionary contest. 
 During the first four years of that 
 war about one in seventy of its 
 people died in the service. The 
 expenses of that war, to this town, 
 " in addition of any bounties, travel 
 or wages given or promised by the 
 State or the United States, was 
 found to be in specie, 3,511." 
 Population, 1S30, 1,657. 
 
 AuiHerst, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. The college and 
 village in this town are on elevated 
 ground and command a very beau- 
 tiful prospect of the surrounding 
 country. Amherst was taken from 
 Hadley, and incorporated in 1759. 
 Population, 1837, 2,602. It lies 7 
 miles E. by N. from Northampton, 
 108 S. from Dartmouth college, and 
 82 miles W. from Boston. There are 
 good mill sites in this town on two 
 streams, which empty into the Con- 
 necticut at Hadley. Its manufac- 
 tures are various, consisting of 
 woollen cloth, boots, shoes, leather, 
 hats, paper, chairs, cabinet ware, 
 tin ware, axes, ploughs, palm-leaf 
 hats, carriages, wagons, (large and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 small) joiners' planes, stoves, steel 
 hammers, pistols, and bowie knives. 
 Total annual amount of manufac- 
 tures, about $200,000. See Reg- 
 iiter. 
 
 Amity, Me. 
 
 Washington co. Township No. 
 10, first range of townships from the 
 east line of the state, about 100 
 miles N. E. from Bangor. Incor- 
 porated 1836. Population, 1837, 
 130. This town has fine soil for, 
 wheat. 
 
 Amoiioosuclt Rivera, N. II. 
 
 Upper and Lower. The Upper 
 Amonoosuck rises in the ungranted 
 lands north of the White Mountains, 
 and passing N. E. into Dummer, 
 approaches to within a few miles of 
 the Androscoggin ; thence turn- 
 ing abruptly to the S. W. it pursues 
 that direction and falls into Connec- 
 ticut river near the centre of North- 
 umberland. Its whole length is 
 about 50 miles. The valley of the 
 Upper Amonoosuck is 7 or 8 miles 
 in breadth, and more than 20 in 
 length : it is scooped out with great 
 beauty, the surface gently rising to 
 the summits of the mountains on 
 the N. The Lower Amonoosuck 
 rises on the W. side of the White 
 Mountains, and 'after running a 
 course of 50 miles, falls into the 
 Connecticut just above Haverhill, 
 by a mouth 100 yards wide. At 
 the distance of two miles from its 
 mouth, it receives the Wild Amo- 
 noosuck, a stream 40 yards wide, 
 and, when raised by freshets, very 
 swift and furious in its course. 
 The waters of the Amonoosuck 
 are pure, and its bed clean ; the 
 current lively, and in some places 
 rapid. The valley oi the Lower 
 Amonoosuck is about half a mile 
 in width, and was probably once 
 the bed of a lake, its S. W. limit 
 being the rise of ground at its foot, 
 over which the waters descended 
 ia their course to the Connecticut. 
 There is a fine fall in this river about 
 
 6 1-2 miles from the Notch of the 
 White Mountains, where the de- 
 icent is 50 feet, cut through a mass 
 of stratified granite. 
 
 Ainoskeag Falls & Village, N. II. 
 
 These falls are in the Merrimack 
 river; between Goffstown on the 
 W. and Manchester on the E. The 
 whole fall of the river, within the 
 distance of half a mile, is 54 feet, 
 producing a great hydraulic pow- 
 er. A company, with a large cap- 
 ital, have commenced forming ca- 
 nals and erecting buildings for man- 
 ufacturing purposes on a very ex- 
 tensive scale. Their plan provides 
 for 37 mills, each containing 6000 
 spindles. Two canals, 2 factories, 
 a number of dwelling houses, ma- 
 chine shops, &c. are now nearly 
 completed. The canals are each a 
 mile in length, and will, when com- 
 pleted, be equal to any works of the 
 kind in our country. The village 
 is in Goffstowu, 16 miles below Con- 
 cord and 18 miles above Nashua ; 
 delightfully situated on the banks 
 of these majestic falls. Amoskcag 
 is already a place of considerable 
 business, and must eventually be- 
 come the mart of large manufac- 
 turing operations. The vicinity of 
 these falls was much frequented by 
 the Indians. The Sachem Wono- 
 lanset resided here. The tribe un- 
 der him was sometimes molested by 
 the Mohawks, who carried terror 
 to the hearts of all the eastern In- 
 dians. In time of war between 
 these hostile tribes, the Indians liv- 
 ing in the neighborhood of the falls, 
 concealed their provisions in the 
 large cavities of the rocks on the 
 island in the middle of the upper 
 part of the fall. They entertained 
 an idea that their deity had cut out 
 these cavities for that purpose. 
 
 Andovcr, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This town was incor- 
 porated in 1804. Population, 1837, 
 551. It lies about 30 miles N. W. 
 from Paris, 61 W. N. W. from Au-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 gusta, and 70 N. W. from Portland. 
 It is finely watered by Ellis' river, a 
 branch of the Androscoggin. This 
 town is an extensive glebe of up- 
 land and intervale of excellent 
 quality, surrounded by White Cap, 
 Bald Pate, Blue and Cone moun- 
 tains. The town was first settled 
 by industrious and intelligent farm- 
 ers from Essex county, Mass., in 
 1790, and most of its present popu- 
 lation maintain the characteristics 
 of their fathers. 
 
 Andover, Su H. 
 
 Merrimack co. It lies 20 miles 
 N. W. from Concord, and about 18 
 E. by N. from Newport. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 1,324. The Blackwa- 
 ter in the S. W. part of the town, 
 Is the principal stream ; but nu- 
 merous rills and brooks find their 
 way down the hills into the ponds 
 or Elackwater. There are six 
 ponds in Andover, the largest of 
 which are Chance and Loon ponds, 
 both picturesque, and their wa- 
 ters pure. The surface of this 
 town is extremely uneven, and 
 in some parts rocky and barren. 
 The Ragged Mountains pass along 
 the N., and the Kearsarge extends 
 its ba?e along the W. The soil is 
 in many parts of good quality, and 
 pleasant villages are formed in dif- 
 erent parts of the town. This town 
 was granted in 1746, and was called 
 JVeiv Breton, in honor of the captors 
 of Cape Breton in 1745 ; in which 
 expedition several of the grantees 
 were engaged. It retained this 
 name until June 25, 1779, when it 
 was incorporated by its present 
 name. The first inhabitant of Ando- 
 ver was Jgeph Fellows, who mov- 
 ed into the place in 1761 : he died 
 March 14, 1811, aged 84. Among 
 the deceased citizens who are re- 
 membered with respect by the in- 
 habitants, we may mention Dr. Silas 
 Barnard, the first physician in town, 
 a native of Bolton, Mass., who died 
 June 25, 1795 : Dr. Jacob B. Moore, 
 a native of Georgetown, Me., born 
 
 Sept., 5, 1772; settled in Andover 
 in 1796; died Jan. 10, 1818. He 
 possessed respectable poetical tal- 
 ents; was a writer on political sub- 
 jects iu the public papers, and was 
 eminent in his profession. Jonathan 
 Weare, Esq., a civil magistrate, 
 highly respected for his integrity, 
 died in 1816. Mr. Joseph Noyes 
 was much honored for his charitable 
 disposition. In 1782 a congrega- 
 tional church was formed and the 
 Rev. Jossiah Babcock, of Milton, 
 Mass., was ordained. Andover, 
 though rough, is well adapted for 
 grazing. It feeds about 4,000 sheep. 
 
 Windsor co. Emigrants from En- 
 field, Ct., first made a permanent 
 settlement in this town, in 1776. It 
 was organized, as a town, in 1781. 
 It is a mountainous township. Mark- 
 hum and Terrible mountains lie in 
 the western part. The land is une- 
 ven, the soil is hard, and the town 
 possesses but few water privileges. 
 Population, 1830, 975. It lies 20 
 miles S. W. from Windsor , 37 N. 
 E. from Bennington, and 68 S. from 
 Montpelier. The number of sheep 
 in this town is about 4,500. 
 
 Andover, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. This town lies on the 
 south side of the Merrimack river, 
 and is well watered by the Shaw- 
 sheen river; and by Great Pond 
 and Haggett's Pond, covering an 
 area of 721 acres. It is 20 miles 
 N. by. W. of Boston, 15 N. N. W. 
 of Salem, 10 E. of Lowell, and 43 
 S. S. E. of Concord, N. H. This 
 town was first settled in 1643. In- 
 corporated, 1646. Population, 1837, 
 4,878. This town has a valuable 
 water power, which is used for 
 manufacturing purposes to a great 
 extent. The value of its manufac- 
 tures, for the year ending April 1, 
 1837, amounted to $624,450. They 
 consisted of woollen goods, boots, 
 shoes, leather, flax, soapstone, ma- 
 chinery, tin and cabinet wares,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 chairs and hats. This is a very 
 beautiful town of fine soil and un- 
 der excellent cultivation. It is on 
 high ground and commands a vari- 
 ety of beautiful landscape. The 
 access to Andover from Boston by 
 the railroad, is easy and very pleas- 
 ant. This town has long been cel- 
 ebrated for its literary and theologi- 
 cal institutions. There is no place 
 in New England better situated 
 for seminaries of learning. See 
 Register. 
 
 Androscoggin River, 
 
 Or JImeriscoggin. Its most north- 
 erly branch is the Margallaway 
 river which receives the waters of 
 Dead and Diamond rivers,and unites 
 with those flowing from Umbagog 
 lake, about a mile distant from its 
 outlet. From this junction, the 
 confluent stream pursues a souther- 
 ly course till it approaches near the 
 White Mountains, where it receives 
 several considerable tributaries, and 
 passes into Maine,N. of Mount Mo- 
 riah. It there bends to the E. and 
 S. E. ; in which course, through a 
 fertile country, it passes near the 
 ea-coast, and turning N. runs over 
 the falls at Brunswick, not far 
 from Bowdoin College, into Merry- 
 meeting bay, forming a junction 
 with the Kennebec, 20 miles from 
 the sea. 
 
 Ann, Cape, Ma*. 
 
 See Gloucester, Mass. 
 
 ', it- mi. He. 
 
 Somerset co. Anson lies about 
 10 miles N. E. from Norridgewock, 
 112 W. from Portland, and 40 N. 
 E. from Augusta. Incorporated, 
 1798. Population, 1837, 1,894. It 
 lies at the junction of Seven Mile 
 Brook with the Kennebec, on the 
 western side of that river. Here 
 are fine farms and good husband- 
 men. In 1837, 12,713 bushels of 
 wheat was raised. 
 
 Antrim, N. H. 
 
 Hillsborough co. It is 20 miles 
 
 N. W. from Amherst, 30 S. W. 
 from Concord, and 67 from Boston. 
 The E. part of Antrim lies on Con- 
 toocook river; and though some- 
 what hilly, is a tract of productive 
 land, a considerable proportion of 
 which is arable. On the river 
 there are valuable tracts of allu- 
 vial land. The North Branch river, 
 so called, a small stream originat- 
 ing from several ponds in Stoddard, 
 furnishes several valuable mill seats 
 and in some parts of its course, it 
 is bordered by tracts of intervale. 
 The W. part of the town is moun- 
 tainous, but suitable for grass, and 
 affords an extensive range of good 
 pasturage. There are six natural 
 ponds well stored with perch and 
 pike. A curiosity has been dis- 
 covered in the middle branch of 
 Contoocook river, a rock, about 10 
 feet long and 8 feet wide, covered 
 with a shallow coat of moss, afford- 
 ing sustenance to 21 different kinds 
 of plants and shrubs, three of which 
 produce edible fruit. Antrim was 
 incorporated March 22, 1777. The 
 first settlement was made by Dea. 
 James Aiken about the year 1768. 
 Dea. Aiken was a native of Lon- 
 donderry, where he was born in 
 1731. He died July 27, 1817. He 
 was a professor of the Christian re- 
 ligion more than 60 years, and 
 adorned it by a serious and exem- 
 plary life. Population, 1830, 1,309. 
 Antrim has about 4,400 sheep. 
 
 Appletou, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. This town lies 20 
 miles S. W. from Belfast, 84 N. W. 
 from Portland, and 35 E. by S. from 
 Augusta. Incorporated, 1829. 
 Population, 1837, 839. ..It is situa- 
 ted between the head waters of 
 the Muscongus and St. George's 
 rivers. Considerable wheat is grown. 
 here. 
 
 Argylc, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This is a new 
 town, but fertile, and flourishing 
 in its agricultural pursuits. It pro-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 duces the best of wheat. It lies 
 89 miles N. E. from Augusta. 
 Population, 1830, 326 ; in 1837, 601. 
 
 Arlington, Vt. 
 
 Bennington co. This town was 
 first settled in 1763. The time of 
 its organization is not known, as one 
 Bisco, a tory, the town clerk in 
 1777, destroyed the records. It is 
 finely watered by Green river, Mill 
 and Warm brooks, and Roaring 
 branch which fall into the Batten- 
 kill, at the north part of the town. 
 These streams afford excellent mill 
 sites, and on their banks are large 
 bodies of superior meadow land. 
 West and Red mountains extend 
 through the west part of the town 
 and supply a great variety of good 
 timber. Excellent marble is found 
 here ; considerable quantities of 
 which are wrought and transported. 
 Here is a medicinal spring, and a 
 cavern of large dimensions. The 
 spring is not of much note, but the 
 cavern is a great curiosity. This 
 is a flourishing town in both its ag- 
 ricultural and manufacturing pur- 
 suits. The number of sheep in 
 this town in 1836, was 10,077. It 
 lies 15 miles N. from Bennington, 
 106 S. W. from Montpelier, and 40 
 N. E. front Troy, N. Y. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 1,207. 
 
 Aroostook River. 
 
 This river rises in the interior 
 part of Penobscot county, Me., and 
 after traversing more than 100 miles, 
 and receiving many and powerful 
 tributaries in that state, it falls into 
 the river St. Johns in New Bruns- 
 wick. The lands on this river and 
 its branches are very fertile, and are 
 said to be equal to the celebrated 
 Genesee lands for the culture of 
 wheat. 
 
 Ascutm-y Mountain, Vt. 
 
 This mountain is situated in the 
 towns of Windsor and Weathers- 
 field. It is 3,116 feet above the 
 Connecticut river, at Windsor ; and 
 
 3,320 feet above the level of the 
 sea. It consists of granite and is 
 nearly destitute of -vegetable cov- 
 ering. From Windsor, to the base, 
 is 4 miles. Its ascent is generally 
 steep, but travellers who" delight 
 to view rich and variegated scene- 
 ry, will be amply rewarded for the 
 toil of a pilgrimage to its summit. 
 
 Ashburnham, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This township 
 was granted to Thomas Tileston and 
 others of Dorchester, for services 
 in an expedition against Canada, in 
 the year 1690. For many years it 
 was called " Dorchester Canada." 
 It was incorporated as a town in 
 1765. Ashburnham lies on the 
 height of land between the Con- 
 necticut and Merrimack rivers. It 
 is watered by large ponds which 
 furnish good mill seats. Its manu- 
 factures consist of cotton goods, 
 boots, shoes, leather, chairs, cabin- 
 et ware, fur and palm-leaf hats ; the 
 annual value of which is about 
 $100,000. This town is 30 miles 
 N. from Worcester, 50 N. W. from 
 Boston, and 35 W. from Lowell. 
 Population, 1837, 1,758. 
 
 Asliby, Mass* 
 
 This is a pleasant town, in the 
 county of Middlesex, on the line of 
 N. H. It is 25 miles N. W. from 
 Concord, 42 W. N. W. from Foston 
 and 8 S. E. from New Ipswich, N. 
 H. Population, 1837, 1,201. It has 
 some manufactures of palm-leaf hata 
 boots, shoes, chairs, wboden ware, 
 and curled hair. 
 
 Aslxfield, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. This town was first 
 settled in 1754, and, until its incor- 
 joration, in 1764, it was called 
 Huntstown. Population, 1837, 
 1,656. This town is on elevated land 
 between Deerfield and Westfield 
 rivers, to each of which it sends a 
 small tributary. It has small man- 
 ufactures of leather, scythe snaiths, 
 spirits and essences, and about
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 8000 sheep. It is 105 miles W. from 
 Boston, 12 S. W. from Greenfield, 
 and 15 N. W. from Northampton. 
 
 Ashford, Ct. 
 
 Windham co. This town was 
 first settled in 1710. Incorporated, 
 1714. It is watered by several 
 small streams which afford a water 
 power for one cotton and three 
 woollen factories. The surface of 
 the town is rough and stony, but 
 excellent for grazing. The num- 
 ber of sheep in this town is about 
 5,000. It lies 31 miles E. from 
 Hartford, and 14 N. W. from Brook- 
 lyn. Population, 1830, 2,660. The 
 following is said to have occurred in 
 this town, and is told to illustrate the 
 manners and customs of ancient 
 times. " A concourse of people 
 were assembled on the hill in front 
 of the meeting house, to witness 
 the punishment of a man who had 
 been convicted of neglecting to go 
 to meeting on the Sabbath for a pe- 
 riod of three months. According 
 to the existing law for such delin- 
 quency, the culprit was to be pub- 
 licly whipped at the post. Just as 
 the whip was about to be applied, 
 a stranger on horseback appeared, 
 rode up to the crowd of spectators, 
 and enquired for what purpose they 
 were assembled. Being informed 
 of the state of the case, the strange 
 gentleman rose upright in his stir- 
 rups, and with emphasis addressed 
 the astonished multitude as follows : 
 You men of Ashford, serve God 
 as if the D...1 was in you ! Do you 
 think you can whip the grace of 
 God into men ? Christ will have 
 none but volunteers.' The people 
 stared, while the speaker, probably 
 not caring to "be arraigned for con- 
 tempt of court, put spurs to his 
 horse, and was soon out of sight; 
 nor was he ever more seen or heard 
 of by the good people of Ashford." 
 Col. Thomas Knowlton was a na- 
 tive of this town. He was at the 
 battle of Bunker Hill, and fell at 
 Haerlem Heights, in 1776. Wash- 
 
 ington termed him, in a general or- 
 der after his death, "the gallant and 
 brave Col. Knowlton, who would 
 have been an honor to any coun- 
 try." 
 
 A shin-lot River, IV. 11., 
 
 Or Ashwillet, a river in Chesh- 
 ire county, which has its source in 
 a pond in Washington. It runs in 
 a southerly course through Marlow 
 and Gilsum, to Keene, where it re- 
 ceives a considerable branch issu- 
 ing from ponds in Stoddard. From 
 Keene it proceeds 'to Swanzey, 
 where it receives another consider- 
 able branch'which originates in Jaf- 
 frey and Fitzwilliam. It pursues 
 its course southerly and westerly 
 through Winchester into Hinsdale, 
 where, at the distance of about 3 
 miles from the S. line of the state, 
 it empties into the Connecticut. 
 
 Assabet River, Mass. 
 
 This river rises in the neighbor- 
 hood of Westborough ; it passes 
 through Marlborough, Northbo- 
 rough and Stow, and joins Sudbury 
 river at Concord. 
 
 Athens, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. This town was 
 incorporated in 1803. Population, 
 1837, 1,424. It is about 18 miles 
 N. N. E. from Norridgewock, 114 
 N. N. E. from Portland and 45 N. 
 from Augusta. It is watered by a 
 tributary of Kennebec river. 
 
 Athens Vt. 
 
 Windham co. This town lies 14 
 miles N. from Newfane, 98 S. from 
 Montpelier, 10 W. from Bellows' 
 Falls, and about 40 N. E. from Ben- 
 nington. Population, 1830, 415. 
 This town was first settled in 1780, 
 by people from Rindge, N. H., and 
 Winchendon, Mass. They encoun- 
 tered great hardships. " The snow 
 was four feet deep when they came 
 into town, and they had to beat 
 their own path for 8 miles through 
 the woods. A small yoke of oxen
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 were the only domestic animals 
 that they took with them." This 
 is a good township of land, particu- 
 larly for grazing. It has 2000 sheep. 
 Here are productive orchards, pine 
 timber, and a small mill stream. 
 
 Athol, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. The Indian name 
 of this town was Paquoig. This 
 pleasant place lies 60 miles W. N. 
 W. from Boston, 28 N. W. from 
 Worcester, and about 2-1 W. from 
 Fitchburg. Miller's river is a fine 
 stream, and affords Athol a great 
 water power. The manufactures 
 of Athol consist of cotton goods, 
 boots, shoes, leather, paper, iron 
 castings, scythes, ploughs, cabinet 
 ware, machinery, straw bonnets, 
 palm leaf hats,shoe pegs, harnesses, 
 shoe and hat boxes, pails, sashes, 
 doors and blinds ; annual amount 
 about $175,000. Incorporated, 1762. 
 Population, 1837, 1,603. 
 
 Atkinson, Me. 
 
 Piscataquis co. This township 
 was incorporated in 1819. It lies 
 about 35 miles N. N. W. from Ban- 
 gor, 132 N. E. from Portland, and 
 79 N. E. from Augusta. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 557. It is bounded on 
 the N. by Piscataquis river. This 
 town has a eood soil. Wheat crop, 
 1837, 5,168 bushels. 
 
 Atkinson, X. II. 
 
 Rockingham co. It is situated 
 30 miles S. W. from Portsmouth, 
 and 32 S. E. from Concord. The 
 surface of Atkinson is uneven ; the 
 soil of a superior quality, and well 
 cultivated. The cultivation of the 
 apple has received much attention 
 here, and the finest fruit is pro- 
 duced. Incorporated Sept. 3, 1767, 
 by its present name, in honor of 
 Theodore Atkinson. Several of 
 the first settlers lived to a great age. 
 The Rev. Stephen Peabody was the 
 first settled minister in Atkinson. 
 He was a native of Andover, Mass. 
 lie took an active part in the revo- 
 
 lution, and served as chaplain in 
 the regiment under Col. Poor, sta- 
 tioned at Winter-Hill. The acade- 
 my in this town is one of the oldest 
 and most respectable institutions in 
 the state ; it was incorporated Feb. 
 17, 1791. " In a large meadow in 
 this town, there is an island, con- 
 taining 7 or 8 acres, which was for- 
 merly loaded with valuable pine 
 timber and other forest wood. When 
 the meadow is overflowed, by means 
 of an artificial dam, this island rises 
 in the same degree as the water 
 rises, which is sometimes six feet. 
 Near the middle of this island, is a 
 small pond, which has been gradu- 
 ally lessening ever since it was first 
 known, and is now almost covered 
 with verdure. In the water of this 
 pond, there have been fish in plen- 
 ty ; which, when the meadow hath 
 been flowed, have appeared there, 
 and when the water hath been 
 drawn off, have been left on the 
 meadow ; at which time the island 
 settles to its usual place." Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 555. 
 
 Attleborough, Mass. 
 
 This town lies at the N. W. cor- 
 ner of the county of Bristol ; 12 
 miles N. from Providence, R. I., 8 
 N. W. from Taunton, and 28 S. 
 from Boston. A branch of the 
 Pawtucket rises here, and several 
 other rivers pass through the town. 
 It possesses a fine water power. It 
 was first settled, 1644, and incorpo- 
 rated in 1694. Population, 1837, 
 2,396. The value of the manufac- 
 tures at this place, for the year 
 ending April 1, 1837, amounted to 
 about $500,000. That of cotton 
 goods alone to $229,571. The oth- 
 er manufactures consisted of boots, 
 shoes, leather, metal buttons, combs 
 jewelry, clocks, planing machines, 
 carpenter's tools, straw bonnets, 
 chairs and cabinet ware. This town 
 suffered much during the reign of 
 the celebrated Indian King Philip. 
 In 1675, Attleborough was a fron- 
 tier settlement.
 
 Auburn, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. Until 1837, this 
 town had been called Ward, in hon- 
 or of General Ward, of the revolu- 
 tionary army. It was incorporated 
 in 1778. Population, 1837, 1,183. 
 Auburn is a pleasant agricultural 
 town. French river passes through 
 it. It lies 5 miles S. by W. from 
 Worcester, and 45 W. S. W. from 
 Boston. 
 
 Augusta, Me. 
 
 This delightful town, the CAPI- 
 TAL of the state, and chief town 
 of the county of Kennebec, is in 
 N. Lat. 44 18' 43" and W. Lon. 
 69 50'. It lies 146 miles N. E. 
 from Concord, N. H.; 182 E. N. E. 
 from Montpelier, Vt. ; 163 N. N. E. 
 from Boston, Mass. ; 203 N. N. E. 
 from Providence, R. I. ; 260 N. E. 
 from Hartford, Ct. ; and 595 miles 
 N. E. from Washington. Augusta is 
 situated at the head of sloop naviga- 
 tion on Kennebec river, 43 miles 
 from the sea. The town lies on 
 both sides of the Kennebec, and 
 contains an area of 8 by 6 miles. 
 It was first settled in 1771, and in- 
 corporated in 1797. In 1836 it con- 
 tained 6,300 inhabitants. Its In- 
 dian name was Cushnoe. There 
 was, in its early settlement, a fort, 
 and four block houses built of tim- 
 ber, to afford protection to the in- 
 habitants from the Indians, who 
 were then very troublesome. The 
 fort was called fort Western, and 
 is still standing on the east bank of 
 the river, and 'is now occupied as a 
 dwelling house. This is already a 
 very flourishing town, not only in 
 its agricultural pursuits, but in its 
 commerce and manufactures. The 
 tonnage of the place is about 3000 
 tons. Its exports are lumber of all 
 kinds, oats, peas, beans, hay, pota- 
 toes, wool, cider, apples, &c. 
 When the extent and resources of 
 the noble Kennebec audits tributa- 
 ries, above tide water, are consid- 
 ered, some idea may be formed of 
 the vast quantity of lumber that 
 
 must pass this place on its passage 
 to market. 
 
 The Kennebec bridge, uniting the 
 east and west parts of the town is 
 a fine structure. It was built in 
 1799; is 520 feet in length, and 
 cost $28,000. The town rises by 
 an easy ascent on both sides of the 
 river to a level surface; it is well 
 laid out, neatly built, and contains 
 many handsome dwelling houses. 
 Many of the streets are decorated 
 by trees, planted on each side ; a 
 striking evidence of the good taste 
 of the inhabitants. 
 
 The State House is a spacious and 
 elegant structure, located upon a 
 beautiful eminence about half a 
 mile from the village, on the road 
 towards Hallowell, and commands 
 an extensive and very delightful 
 prospect. It is built of hammered 
 granite, or rather gneiss of a white 
 color, and very much resembles 
 marble, at a distance. The materi- 
 al of which it was built, was quar- 
 ried from the spot on which it stands. 
 It has a spacious hall for the Rep- 
 resentatives ; two of convenient size 
 for the Senate and the Executive 
 Departments, and rooms for all the 
 offices immediately connected .with 
 the Government. In front is an ex- 
 tensive common, adorned with trees 
 tastefully arranged, which, when 
 grown into shades, will afford a de- 
 lightful promenade. 
 
 The United States' Arsenal 
 buildings' are situated upon the east 
 bank of the river, in view of the vil- 
 lage, and are chiefly constructed of 
 stone, and present a very fine ap- 
 pearance. The Government has 
 expended large sums of money in 
 their construction, and it is expect- 
 ed that soon the Government will 
 make it an Jlrsenal of Construc- 
 tion, There are at present about 
 2000 stand of arms deposited here, 
 besides cannon and other munitions 
 of war. The Post is commanded by 
 a captain of the Ordnance Depart- 

 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ment, aided by a Lieut, of the same 
 corps. 
 
 The State Insane Hospital. This 
 splendid granite edifice, an honor 
 to the state and to humanity, occu- 
 pies a plat of elevated ground, of 
 seventy acres, on the east side of 
 the river. Its situation is unrival- 
 ed for the beauty of its scenery. 
 This building was commenced in 
 1836, and will probably be complet- 
 ed and prepared to receive patients, 
 in 1839. It will cost the state, and 
 some beneficent individuals, who 
 have made liberal donations towards 
 its erection, about $100,000. It is 
 of the model cf the Lunatic Hos- 
 pital at Worcester, Mass., and is 
 much admired for its external arch- 
 itecture and infernal arrangement. 
 The centre building and wings are 
 262 feet long ; the centre building 
 is 82 feet in length, 46 feet wide, 4 
 stories high, besides the basement 
 and attic, having a chapel in the attic 
 80 by 40. The wings are 90 feet 
 long in front, and 100 in the rear, 
 88 feet wide, and 3 stories high, di- 
 vided into 126 rooms, 120 of which 
 are designed for patients, the re- 
 maining 6 for water closets and oth- 
 er purposes, with halls between the 
 rooms 12 feet wide running the en- 
 tire length of each wing, and com- 
 municating with the dining rooms 
 in the centre building. 
 
 The Augusta High School, is an 
 elegant brick building, situated up- 
 on a beautiful eminence, 2 stories 
 high, 65 feet long by 50 wide, hav- 
 ing a pediment front supported by 
 doric columns, and contains two 
 large school rooms, beside a labora- 
 tory and four recitation rooms, and 
 cost about $7,000. 
 
 The above is a brief sketch of the 
 prominent features of this beauti- 
 ful and flourishing town ; such as 
 it has become by the common ef- 
 forts of an intelligent and enter- 
 prising people, joined to the natur- 
 al advantages of the place. 
 3 
 
 But a new era is opened to Au- 
 gusta. The mighty waters of the 
 Kennebec have been arrested in 
 their course. That proud stream, 
 which, for ages, has rolled its rapid 
 current to the ocean, unimpeded by 
 the devices of man, is destined for 
 ages to come, to pay perpetual 
 homage to Yankee perseverance 
 and skill, and to lend its gigantic 
 strength to aid the arts and sciences 
 in supplying the wants of millions. 
 
 We may perhaps, be suspected of 
 partiality towards this lovely Vil- 
 lage of the East, for giving it so ex- 
 tended a notice ; but, as accounts 
 of works of great public utility are 
 interesting to most of our readers, 
 both duty and inclination prompt US 
 to give a brief description of the 
 KEJVNEBZC DAM ; a magnificent 
 structure; bold in its design curi- 
 ous in its workmanship, and prob- 
 ably unrivaled by any work of sim- 
 ilar character and for similar pur- 
 poses, in this or any other country. 
 
 Although Augusta enjoys the 
 pleasure of seeing this noble enter- 
 prise accomplished within its own 
 borders, and by the energy of its 
 own people ; yet improvements of 
 this character are by no means lo- 
 cal in their effects. The benefits 
 of this undertaking will be felt, not 
 only in the valley of the Kennebec, 
 but throughout the state. 
 
 These works were commenced 
 in 1836, by the Kennebec Locks 
 and Canals Company, and com- 
 pleted in September, 1837. The 
 cost was about $300,000. They 
 are about half a mile above the cen- 
 ;re of the village, and were con- 
 structed under the superintendence 
 of Col. WILLIAM BoARDMAN.of 
 Vashua, N. H., as chief engineer, 
 rom whose report many of the fol- 
 owing facts are elicited. 
 
 The length of the Dam, exclu- 
 sive of the stone abutments and 
 Lock, is 584 feet the base, 127 
 "eet the height 15 feet above or- 
 dinary high watei mark. It is built 
 with cribs of timber, bolted and
 
 NEVT ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 trenailed strongly together, and is 
 filled with ballast, to the very top. 
 The upper slope is covered with 
 five inch pine plank, jointed and 
 perfectly tight ; the lower with five 
 and three inch hemlock plank. 
 The crest, terminating at the sluice, 
 near the middle of the overfall, is 
 level, and covered entirely with 
 stone eight feet in length, and 
 strongly secured with iron straps 
 and bolts. The sluice, sixty feet 
 in length, is covered in the same 
 manner, and is about twenty inches 
 lower than the wings. The walls 
 of the Lock are 170 feet in length, 
 its chamber 101 feet by 23 1-3 feet 
 in the clear, with a single lift ; the 
 west wall serves as the eastern 
 abutment of the Dam it is 28 feet 
 thick at the base, graduated to 25 
 at the top. The head and east walls 
 are of corresponding strength. 
 Both are built wholly of granite. 
 The face courses hammered, bed 
 and joint, rabbitted, and laid in ce- 
 ment, and the rabbit filled with 
 cement The floor of the Lock is 
 constructed of timber fifteen inches 
 deep, and covered with five inch 
 pine plank, tongued and grooved, 
 with an additional flooring of five 
 inch hard wood plank, commencing 
 at the head of the Lock and ex- 
 tending fourteen feet. The main 
 gates of the Lock, and guard gates 
 of the Canals, are of white oak from 
 the Chesapeake, and the wicket 
 gates of cast iron. The large stone 
 piers above the Dam, for the pro- 
 tection of the Lock and abutments, 
 are each 30 feet square on the base, 
 graduated to 25 feet on the top, and 
 about 34 feet high, and built of 
 granite, clamped and strapped with 
 iron. 
 
 The Canals on each side of the 
 river are 50 feet wide in the clear, 
 carrying 10 feet of water from the 
 level of the top of the dam. The 
 walls are 22 feet high, 7 1-2 feet 
 thick at the base, and 5 feet at the 
 top. They are finished as far as, and 
 
 including, the guard gates. Th 
 gates are of great strength, built of 
 heavy oak timber, and in the most 
 substantial manner, revolving in 
 stone coins, with which stone and 
 sheet-piling is connected, extending 
 across and 25 feet into each bank, 
 and driven 10 feet below the bottom 
 of the Canals. 
 
 The walls on the banks of the 
 river, above and below the Dam, 
 extending about 500 feet, are of the 
 same height as the Canal walls, 
 and 8 feet thick at the base. On 
 the upper side of the Dam is a 
 sheet of timber-piling, tongued and 
 grooved, and either resting on the 
 bare ledge, or driven as far as they 
 could be made to penetrate into the 
 solid bed which covers a portion of 
 its surface, and is connected with 
 the piling which passes under and 
 across the Lock into the east bank, 
 and also with that which is driven 
 in the west bank of the river. 
 Above this, and extending to the 
 top of the Dam, so as to cover the 
 entire planking of the upper slope, 
 is a mass of gravel from 20 to 30 
 feet deep. 
 
 2,500,000 feet of timber and about 
 25 tons of iron have been used in 
 constructing the Dam, and about 
 75,000 tons of ballast have been de- 
 posited in it. 
 
 The Lock, Piers, River and Mill 
 walls, with the Canal walls, ex- 
 tending to and including the guard 
 gates, contain about 800,000 cubic 
 feet of stone. 
 
 During the progress of the work, 
 and especially while the course of 
 the river was contracted to a space 
 of 17 feet wide by 24 deep (a time 
 peculiarly favorable for forming an 
 estimate, and rarely offered in a 
 stream of this magnitude) repeated 
 observations were made upon the 
 velocity of the current, and at no 
 time was there found a less quanti- 
 ty than 2,500 cubic feet per second. 
 It is proper to add that the seasons 
 of 1836 and 1837, were both re-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 markable for the small quantity of 
 water running in all the streams in 
 this vicinity. 
 
 The pond formed by this Dam 
 covers 1200 acres. It is 16 1-2 miles 
 in length, and its average depth is 
 16 feet. 
 
 Augusta presents advantages 
 for manufacturing establishments, 
 equal, if not superior to any in New 
 England. It is located in the heart 
 of a large and powerful state, rap- 
 idly increasing in population and 
 wealth ; surrounded by a fertile 
 country, rich in every necessary 
 agricultural product, and stored with 
 granite, clay, lumber, lime, iron 
 ore every building material ; all 
 of which are found near the spot, 
 and at very low prices. 
 
 The facilities afforded at this 
 place, for transportation, are of in- 
 estimable value to a large manufac- 
 turing town. Cotton and other raw 
 materials, and manufactured goods, 
 maybe transported by water, to and 
 from the very doors of the mills. 
 At no distant period the great east- 
 ern railroad from Boston and Port- 
 land will pass through this town, 
 in its course to Bangor. At this 
 time, steamboats pass from Augus- 
 ta to Boston in eleven hours. 
 
 The greatest consideration, how- 
 ever, in regard to Augusta, as a 
 manufacturing town, is its unfail- 
 ing supply of water. The main 
 branch of the Kennebec is the outlet 
 of an immense lake, with numer- 
 ous powerful tributaries, connected 
 with other lakes or large reservoirs 
 of water. On its passage to Augus- 
 ta, Dead river, Seven Mile Brook, 
 the Sandy, Sebasticook, and many 
 other less powerful streams pay their 
 tribute to it. Indeed, all the waters 
 of the extensive valley of the Ken- 
 nebec, above the Dam, meet at this 
 place. It may be said with safety, 
 that this place possesses a water 
 power amply sufficient to drive 
 200,000 spindles, day and night, 
 throughout the year ; and an almost 
 
 inexhaustable surplus power from 
 November to July. 
 
 Preparations are making for the 
 erection of buildings for extensive 
 manufacturing operations. 
 
 Aurora, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. This town lies 106 
 miles from Augusta. With a popu- 
 lation of only 140, this town pro- 
 duced, in 1337, among its agricul- 
 tural products, 855 bushels of wheat. 
 
 Avcrill, Vt. 
 
 Essex co. This town lies on the 
 Canada line, about 30 miles N. of 
 Guildhall. It has several large 
 ponds and a branch of Nulhegan 
 river. Some of these waters pass 
 to the Connecticut, and some to the 
 river St. Francis. The soil of Aver- 
 ill is cold and broken, with few cul- 
 tivators. 
 
 Avon, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. Avon lies 35 miles 
 W. by N. from Norridgewock, and 
 50 N. N. W. from Augusta. It 
 was incorporated in 1802. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 767. It is watered by 
 some of the head branches of San- 
 dy river. In 1837, this town pro- 
 duced 3,220 bushels of wheat. 
 
 Avon, Ct. 
 
 Hartford co. This town was tak- 
 en from Farmington, in 1830. Pop- 
 ulation, 1,025. It lies between two 
 mountainous ridges and has consid- 
 erable rich level land on the bor- 
 ders of Farmington river. This is 
 a handsome agricultural town and 
 possesses some very beautiful scen- 
 ery. The view from Monte Video, 
 on Talcott mountain, nearly 1000 
 feet above the waters of the Con- 
 necticut, is quite enchanting. 
 "Wardsworth's Tower," or Monte 
 Video, is much resorted to by par- 
 ties of pleasure in summer months. 
 Avon is 6 miles N. from Farming- 
 ton, and 9 W. N. W. from Hart- 
 ford.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 lincli <-li1< r. Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This township lies 
 between two mountains on the line 
 of New Hampshire, 20 miles W. 
 by N. from Paris, and 60 W. from 
 Augusta. 
 
 Baileyville, Me. 
 
 Washington co. This town is on 
 the line of New Brunswick, about 
 45 miles N. by W. from Machias, 
 and 80 E. N. E. from Bangor. In. 
 corporated, 1828. Population, 1837, 
 331. Bailey villc is watered on the 
 E. by the St. Croix, and on the N. 
 by the outlet of Schoodic lakes. 
 
 Baker's River, IV. H. 
 
 Baker's river, a considerable 
 stream in Grafton county, is form- 
 ed of two branches. The N. branch 
 has its source near Moosehillock 
 mountain in Coventry. It runs 
 southerly through Warren into 
 Wentworth, where it unites with 
 the S. branch which originates in 
 Orange. After the union of these 
 branches, the river pursues a S. E. 
 and an easterly course through the 
 S. part of Rumney and the N. part 
 of Plymouth, where it forms a junc- 
 tion with Pemigewaset river just 
 above Plymouth village. It was 
 on this river, in the township of 
 Rumney, that General Stark was 
 captured by the Indians, on the 28th 
 of April, 1752. 
 
 Baltersfleld, Vt., 
 
 Franklin co., lies 30 miles N. E. 
 from Burlington, 38 N. N. W. from 
 Montpelier, and 15 miles E. from 
 St. Albans. Branches of Missis- 
 que river pass through it. This 
 town is well timbered with hard 
 wood , the land is warm, but some- 
 what broken. 4,000 sheep. First 
 settled about 1789. Population, 
 1830, 1,087. 
 
 , Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. This town is 
 bounded E. by Sebago pond and W. 
 by Saco river. It contains a num- 
 
 ber of ponds, affording fish of vari- 
 ous kinds. Baldwin was incorpo- 
 rated in 1802. Population, 1837, 
 1,133. It is 26 miles W. S. W. 
 from Portland. 
 
 Baltimore, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. This town was tak- 
 en from Cavendish in 1793. Hawk 
 mountain is the division line. The 
 soil is warm but stony. 1,200 sheep. 
 An abundance of gneiss and granite 
 is found here. It is 10 miles N. W. 
 from Windsor and about 65 S. from 
 Montpelier. Population, 1830, 179. 
 
 Bangor, Me. 
 
 This is the chief town of Penob- 
 scot county. It lies in N. lat. 44 
 47' 50"., W. long. 68 47'. It lies 
 66 miles E. N. E. from Augusta, 
 120 N. E. by E. from Portland, 230 
 N. E. from" Boston, Mass., 115 S. 
 from Eastport, and 675 N. E. from 
 Washington. The first settlement 
 in this place, by the whites, was 
 made in the winter of 1769 1770. 
 In 1772,the Plantation,Kenduskeag, 
 as it was then called, consisted of 
 twelve families. In 1790, the pop- 
 ulation of Bangor was 169; in 1800, 
 277; in 1810, 850; in 1820, 1,221; 
 in 1830, 2,868, and in 1837, 9,201. 
 This place is situated at the head oi 
 navigation on the west side of Pe- 
 nobscot river, 30 miles N. by E. 
 from Belfast bay, 60 to Matawam- 
 keag Point, 120 to Houlton, and 
 about 60 miles from the open sea. 
 The compact part of the population 
 reside on both sides of Kenduskeag 
 stream, about 190 yards in width at 
 its mouth, over which are three 
 bridges, and on which, at the foot 
 of the falls, about a mile from the 
 city, are numerous mills. The 
 bridge across the Penobscot, 100 
 rods above the mouth of the Ken- 
 duskeag, js about 440 yards in 
 length. It cost 050,000. The basin 
 at and below the mouth of the Ken- 
 duskeag, where the shipping lie 
 to receive their cargoes, is 90 rods 
 in width, and affords good anchor-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 age. The tide generally rises about 
 17 feet. Ship building is exten- 
 sively pursued at this place ; but 
 commerce in lumber, of all the va- 
 rious kinds in use, is the principal 
 occupation of the inhabitants. An 
 immense amount of that article is 
 annually rafted down the rivers, 
 and transported to almost all parts 
 of the world. Bangor is the great- 
 est depot for lumber on the conti- 
 nent of America. 
 
 On the Penobscot river and its 
 tributary streams, above Bangor, 
 are more than 250 saw-mills, capa- 
 ble of cutting at least two hundred 
 million feet of boards a year; all 
 of which, except what is used in 
 building, must be shipped at the 
 harbor of Bangor. The value of 
 the boards, timber, clapboards, shin- 
 gles, oars, scantling, wood, &c., 
 shipped at this port, varies from a 
 million to a million and a half of 
 dollars, annually. About 1200 ves- 
 sels of about 110 tons burthen are 
 annually employed during the sea- 
 eon of navigation, in freighting lum- 
 ber, timber, &c., to various places. 
 There are belonging to this place, 
 about 100 sail of coasting vessels, 
 50 engaged in foreign commerce, 
 and 15 or 20 other vessels engaged 
 in the fisheries. 
 
 Bangor was incorporated as a town 
 In 1791. In 1834 it became a city. 
 Its government is under a Mayor 
 and seven Aldermen, who consti- 
 tute the upper Board ; and twen- 
 ty-one Common Council men, who, 
 when they have elected a Presi- 
 dent, constitute the lower Board. 
 A city court sets every Monday. 
 
 The site of the city is pleasant, 
 commanding fine views of the riv- 
 ers and the adjoining country. The 
 buildings, both public and private, 
 are constructed with neatness and 
 taste, and some in a style of supe- 
 rior elegance. Conveyances for 
 travellers from the city are frequent 
 and comfortable ; both by land and 
 water. A railroad is in operation 
 to Oldtown, 12 miles, and steam- 
 3* 
 
 boats ply to and from Portland and 
 Boston, during the season of navi- 
 gation, which generally continues 
 eight months in the year. The 
 great eastern railroad from Boston 
 will doubtless reach this eastern city 
 before the lapse of many years. 
 
 On the banks of the Penobscot, 
 wiftiin the city, three miles above 
 the mouth of the Kenduskeag, is 
 what is called " Fort Hill," the sit* 
 of a fortification, supposed to be the 
 ancient "Negas," destroyed by Cap- 
 tain Heath, with a party of men, 
 in 1725, who, it is said, " fell on a 
 village of about 50 Indian houses, 
 and committed them to the flames. 
 The Indians becoming alarmed, de- 
 serted them." 
 
 Bangor is on one of the noblest 
 rivers in the Northern States ; the 
 product of an almost innumerable 
 number of tributary streams. Na- 
 ture has seated Bangor at the nat- 
 ural outlet of these mighty waters, 
 as the mart of one of the most ex- 
 tensive, and one of the richest al- 
 luvial basins east of the Ohio val- 
 ley. It is true that this section of 
 country is in a high degree of lati. 
 tude, and that the icy chains of 
 winter are felt with greater force 
 and for a longer period than in more 
 southern climes. But this seeming 
 disadvantage is more than compen- 
 sated by the unrivalled purity of 
 the air and water, two of the in* 
 dispensable requisitions of health 
 and longevity. There is probably 
 no portion of country in the world 
 where the great staples of wheat, 
 beef and wool can be produced with 
 greater facility ; where surplus pro- 
 duce can find a market at less ex- 
 pense, or where the industrious ag- 
 riculturalist can reap a more sure 
 reward. When the present popu- 
 lation of this immense territory, 
 extending from tide water to Mad- 
 awaska, is compared with that of 
 older settlements of a less fertile 
 soil, of less navigable facilities, and 
 in nearly as high a degree of lati- 
 tude, the mind is favorably struck
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 with the flattering prospects of the 
 valley of the Penobscot, and with 
 pleasing anticipations of the pros- 
 perity of its city. See Register. 
 
 Raring, 31 c. 
 
 Washington co. This town is 
 bounded N. by the St. Croix river, 
 E. by Calais and Robinston, and W. 
 by a large and beautiful pond which 
 empties into the St. Croix. Incor- 
 porated, 1825. Population, 1837, 
 286. The railroad from Calais, 4 
 miles, will soon be completed to 
 this place. 209 miles N. E. by E. 
 from Augusta. 
 
 Barkliampstcad, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield co. This town is wa- 
 tered by branches of Farmington 
 river. The soil is more particular- 
 ly adapted to grazing : considerable 
 beef and the products of the dairy 
 are sent to market. It is 2G miles 
 N. W. from Hartford, and 20 N. N. 
 E. from Litchfield. Population, 
 1830, 1,715. First settled, 1746. 
 Incorporated, 1779. Granite, iron 
 ore and limestone are found here. 
 The hilly part of the town presents 
 some fine scenery. Hitchcockmlle, 
 north of the centre of the town, is 
 a flourishing manufacturing village, 
 with great water privileges. 
 
 Barnard, Ate. 
 
 All the knowledge we can obtain 
 in regard to this town is, that it lies 
 in the county of Piscataquis, 108 
 miles from Augusta; that in 1837, 
 there were 132 people in the town 
 and that they raised 444 bushels of 
 wheat, the same year ; that this 
 town received $264 of the surplus 
 revenue ; that in 1837, Augustus 
 W. Walker and others, obtained an 
 act of the legislature for quarrying 
 late, and that Stephen Palmer is 
 or was, Postmaster. 
 
 Now, the good people of Barnarc 
 are hereby respectfully requestec 
 to give the editor their latitude anc 
 longitude, and other necessary in 
 formation for future editions. Cit- 
 
 zens of other towns, similarly sit- 
 uated, and of all towns, who may 
 wish more full descriptions of their 
 resources, &c. than we are able, at 
 >resent, to give, are also requested 
 :o forward their communications. 
 
 Barnard, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. First settled, 1774. 
 Incorporated, 1778. Population, 
 1830, 1,881. It is watered by 
 Broad Brook which empties into 
 White river in Sharon; and by Lo- 
 cust Creek, which also empties in- 
 to White river in Bethel. On this 
 Creek,during the revolutionary war, 
 there was erected a Fort, where 
 the militia of this arid other towns 
 were stationed as a defence against 
 Indian depredations they having 
 surprised and carried to Canada a 
 number of its first settlers, in 1780. 
 In the centre of this town is the 
 village, and a beautiful pond, from 
 which issues a stream on which 
 there are mills. On this Creek is 
 an establishment for the manufac- 
 ture of starch from potatoes. This 
 stream joins its waters with the 
 Creek one mile from the pond. The 
 surface of this town is hilly. The 
 soil is well adapted to grazing ; and 
 there are but few towns that turn 
 off yearly more cattle, butter and 
 cheese, sheep and wool. The num- 
 berof sheep is about 6,000. It lies 
 10 miles north of Woodstock, and 
 40 miles south of Montpelier. 
 
 It is stated as a singular fact, that 
 the firing on Bunker Hill, on the 
 17th of June, 1775, was distinctly 
 heard in this town, 130 miles N. 
 W. from Charlestown. 
 
 Barnet, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. This town lies on 
 Connecticut river, at the 15 mile 
 falls, and opposite to Lyman, N. H. 
 It has a good soil, and is an excel- 
 lent farming town, with slate and 
 iron ore. It lies 35 miles E. from 
 Montpelier, 10 S. by E. from Dan- 
 ville, and 65 N. by E. from Wind- 
 sor. Population, in 1830, 1,764.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 First settled, about 1763. Many of 
 the inhabitants are of Scotch de- 
 scent. This town has a great water 
 power on Passumpsic and Stevens' 
 rivers. On the latter, are falls of 
 100 feet, in the distance of 10 rods. 
 This water power is improved hy 
 three flannel and other manufacto- 
 ries. There are a number of pleas- 
 ant and fertile islands in the river 
 between this place and Lyman, and 
 some beautiful ponds in Barnet, 
 which afford fish of various kinds. 
 This is quite a romantic place, and 
 lies at the head of navigation on 
 the Connecticut river. In 1835, 
 the product of the farms, carried to 
 market, amounted to $26,381. One 
 farmer sold 3,000 Ibs. of butter, and 
 3,000 ibs. of pork. There are about 
 4,000 sheep in the town. 
 
 Barnstable County Mass. 
 
 Barnstable is the chief town. 
 This county was incorporated, 1685. 
 Population, 1820, 24,0461830, 28- 
 525 and in 1837, 31,109; area, 
 about 330 square miles. This coun- 
 ty includes the whole of Cape Cod, 
 extending E. and N. into the At- 
 lantic ocean, and which Gosnold 
 discovered in 1602. It is bounded 
 N. W. by Plymouth county, and 
 \V. hy Buzzard's bay. Cape Cod 
 lies in the form of an arm,half open ; 
 the elbow is at Chatham, 20 miles 
 E. of Barnstable ; the hand, the 
 wrist inclining inward, is at Race 
 Point, 33 miles N. by W. of Chat- 
 ham. The whole length of the 
 Cape is 65 miles, and the average 
 breadth about 5. This county is 
 principally diluvium. Below the 
 town of Barnstable the county is 
 quite sandy, so much so that the 
 people are generally dependant on 
 Boston and other towns for a large 
 proportion of their meats and bread- 
 stuffs. This deficit is amply com- 
 pensated by the unrivalled privi- 
 leges enjoyed, and well improved 
 by them, in the cod, mackerel and 
 other fisheries. This county has 
 but little wood, hut it is well stored 
 
 with peat. About two millions of 
 dollars are invested in the manufac- 
 ture of salt. There were manu- 
 factured in this county in the year 
 ending April 1, 1837, 669,064 bush- 
 els of salt, valued at $219,870. The 
 manufactures of cotton and woollen 
 oods, boots, shoes, iron castings, 
 jlass, cabinet and tin wares, cord- 
 age, &c., amounted to $496,602. 
 There are in this county 370 ves- 
 sels employed in the whale, cod 
 and mackerel fishery. The tonnage, 
 24,378 tons. The value of the fish- 
 ery, in one year previous to April, 
 1837, was $557,737. Tonnage of 
 the District, 1836, 30,278 tons. The 
 annual amount of tonnage of vessels 
 built is about 1,000 tons; value, 
 $63,318. Total annual value of 
 the fisheries and manufactures, $1,- 
 337,527. The number of sheep in 
 the county in 1837, was 7,332. 
 
 Barnstable county is noted for its 
 fine sailors and men of superior nau- 
 tical talents. The ladies are cele- 
 brated for their fair complexions 
 and good housewifery ; but are pe- 
 culiarly subject to the vicissitudes 
 pertaining to a maritime situation. 
 By a statement recently made, it 
 appears that there were in this 
 county nearly a thousand widows 
 living, who had lost their husbands 
 by the dangers of the sea. In two 
 towns, (Harwich and Wellfleet,) 
 there were 223 widows who had 
 thus lost their, companions. This 
 county has 13 towns ; and 91 inhabit- 
 ants to a square mile. 
 
 Barnstable, 3Iass. 
 
 This is the chief town of Barn- 
 stable county, and a port of entry. 
 It is 65 miles from Boston. Sandy 
 Neck, on the N. side, forms a good 
 harbor for vessels of 8 feet of water. 
 Hyannis, on the S. side, 6 miles S. 
 E. of Barnstable C. H., is now a 
 good harbor ; but by an expensive 
 Breakwater, constructing at that 
 place by the U. S. government, it 
 will soon become perfectly safe 
 from all winds, for all classes of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 vessels navigating the Sound, and 
 passing round the Cape. The " Pil- 
 grim Fathers" landed here, Nov. 
 11, 1620, and borrowed some corn 
 of the Mattacheeset Indians. The 
 celebrated patriot, James Otis, was 
 born here, Feb. 5, 1725. He died 
 at Andover, May 23, 1783. The 
 manufacture of salt was commenced 
 here as early as 1779. It then sold 
 for $6 a bushel. There was made 
 27,125 bushels of salt in this town 
 in 1837. Between 50 and 60 sail of 
 fishing and coasting vessels belong 
 to this place. This town has nu- 
 merous ponds, a considerable water 
 power, some fine upland, and ex- 
 tensive salt marshes. The manu- 
 facture of vessels, salt, boots, shoes, 
 hats, leather, cabinet ware, chairs, 
 and wooden ware, amounted in one 
 year to $56,562. Pop. 1837, 4,017. 
 
 Harnsteacl. Ji. II. 
 
 Straffbrd co. This town lies 26 
 miles W. by N. from Dover, 36 N. 
 W. from Portsmouth, and 20 N. E. 
 from Concord. Incorporated, 1767. 
 Population, 1830,2,047. Barnstead 
 is not mountainous, but has large 
 swells of land, good for grazing. 
 About 2,500 sheep are kept here. 
 The soil is easy and productive. 
 There are several ponds in this town 
 the largest are the two Suncook 
 ponds, which lie near each other, 
 Brindle pond, and Half-moon pond, 
 on Alton line. These waters are 
 stocked with fish, and are discharg- 
 ed into the Suncook. Barnstead 
 was granted May 20, 1727, to the 
 Rev. Joseph Adams and others. 
 Settlements commenced in 1767. 
 
 Barre, Vt. 
 
 A pleasant and flourishing town 
 in Washington county, six miles 
 8. of Montpelier, and 48 N. by W. 
 of Windsor. This is considered 
 one of the best farming towns in 
 the state. Large quantities of pot 
 and pearl ashes, beef, pork, butter 
 and cheese, are annually taken from 
 this place to Boston market. About 
 
 7,000 sheep are kept here. It is 
 well watered by Stevens' and Jail, 
 branches of Onion river,which afford 
 good mill privileges. Inexhausti- 
 ble quantities of granite are found 
 here, of the excellent quality with 
 which the capitol at Montpelier is 
 built. This is a great thoroughfare 
 for travellers, particularly for large 
 teams from the north to Boston, by 
 the Gulf road. A large number of 
 these noted six and eight horse 
 teams are owned here. Barre was 
 first settled in 1788. Present pop- 
 ulation, about 2,500. 
 
 Barre, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This excellent ag- 
 ricultural township is on high land, 
 and is well watered, particularly by 
 Ware river, on which are many 
 mills. The manufactures of Barre 
 for the year ending April 1,1837, 
 amounted to about $365,000. The 
 articles manufactured were woollen 
 and cotton goods, ($161,600) copper 
 pumps, boots, shoes, carriages, 
 leather, palm-leaf hats, ($167,200) 
 straw bonnets, axes, scythes, and 
 gunpowder. Large quantities of 
 beef, butter, cheese, &c., are an- 
 nually sent from this town to Bos- 
 ton market. It was incorporated in 
 1774. Population, 1837, 2,713. It 
 lies 65 miles W. by S. from Boston, 
 24 N. by W. from Worcester, and 
 15 N. E. from Ware. Barre took its 
 name in honor of Col. Barre, an el- 
 oquent friend of America in the 
 British Parliament. 
 
 Barrington, N. H. 
 
 Strafford co. It lies 20 miles N. 
 W. from Portsmouth, 10 W. from 
 Dover, and 30 E. from Concord. 
 The surface of Barrington is some- 
 what broken and rocky, the soil be- 
 ing principally a gravelly loam. 
 The town is abundantly supplied 
 with ponds, of which there are no 
 less than thirteen of considerable 
 magnitude, from whence issue 
 streams affording excellent mill 
 seats. At one of these mill seat*,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 on the Isinglass river, is a perpen- 
 dicular fall of 30 feet. There is, 
 about two miles from the centre of 
 the town, a remarkable cavern, or 
 fissure in a rock, commonly called 
 the Devil's den. The entrance is 
 on the side of a hill, and is suffi- 
 ciently large to admit a person in a 
 stooping posture. Having entered 
 5 feet in a horizontal direction, 
 there is a descent of 4 or 5 feet, on 
 an angle of 45, large enough only 
 to admit the body of a middling siz- 
 ed man. After squeezing through 
 this passage, you enter a chamber 
 60 feet in length, from 10 to 15 in 
 height, and from 3 to 8 in width. 
 Communicating with this, are sev- 
 eral other fissures of equal height, 
 and from 10 to 15 in length. Bar- 
 rington was incorporated May 10, 
 1722, and the settlement commen- 
 ced in 1732. Population, 1830, 
 1,895. 
 
 Harrington, R. I. 
 
 Bristol co. This small town, of 
 about 8 square miles, originally be- 
 longed to Massachusetts. It was 
 attached to Rhode Island in 1746, 
 and incorporated in 1771. It is 
 hounded southerly by Narraganset 
 bay, and is well watered by Palm- 
 er's river, and by an inlet of War- 
 ren liver, over which is a bridge. 
 The soil of the town is of a fertile, 
 Bandy loam, and quite productive. 
 Large quantities of sea-weed are 
 collected on its shores. A large 
 tract in Earrington, called " the 
 cove," now covered with water to 
 a considerable depth, is supposed to 
 have once been a forest, as timber 
 and fuel are obtained from its bot- 
 tom. Some salt is made in this 
 town, and shell and other fish are 
 abundant. Harrington lies 8 miles 
 E. S. E. from Providence, and 
 about 7 miles N. by W. from Bris- 
 tol. Population, 1830, 612. 
 
 Bartlett, N. II., 
 
 Coos co., is 45 miles S. E. from 
 Lancaster, 82 N. N. E. from Con- 
 
 cord, and 85 N. N. W. from Ports- 
 mouth. It lies at the foot of the 
 White Mountains, on the eastern 
 side. Its so'l is various, and, on the 
 Saco, in some parts, good. This 
 river meanders through the centre 
 of the town. Bartlett was incorpo- 
 rated June 16, 1790. Population, 
 1830, 644. 
 
 Barton, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. This town derived 
 its name from Gen. William Barton, 
 of R. I., and was first settled in 
 1796. The town is well watered 
 by Barton river, which rises in 
 Glover, and empties into Memphre- 
 magog lake. Here are several 
 ponds containing good fish. Barton 
 is a thriving town, with a good hy- 
 draulic power, and about 3,000 
 sheep. It lies 9 miles S. E. from 
 Irasburgh, and 40 N. E. from Mont- 
 pelier. Population, 1830, 729. 
 
 Basin Harbor, Vt. 
 
 See Ferrisburgh. 
 Baskalicgaii River, Me. 
 
 This river rises in a large lake of 
 the same name, in the county of 
 Washington, near the line of New 
 Brunswick ; it passes westerly 15 or 
 20 miles, and falls into the Mata- 
 wamkeag, a tributary of the Pe- 
 nobscot. 
 
 Bath, 3Ic., 
 
 In the county of Lincoln, is situ- 
 ated on the west bank of Kennebec 
 river, 12 miles from the sea, 32 N. 
 E. of Portland, and 31 S. from Au- 
 gusta. It is bounded E. by Ken- 
 nebec river, S. by Phipsburg, W. 
 by New Meadows river and Bruns- 
 wick, and N. by Merrymeeting 
 bay. Population, in 1830, 3,773 ; 
 in 1835, 4,200, and in 1837, 4,523. 
 Incorporated, 1780. An attempt 
 was made by a missionary to settle 
 this place, and preach to the fisher- 
 men, as early as 1670. But the In- 
 dians would not permit it. A per- 
 manent settlement was made in
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 1756. The principal business of 
 Hath is commerce, trade and ship- 
 building, for which it is admirably 
 well located. There belonged to 
 this port in 1835, 26 ships, 32 brigs, 
 54 schooners, and smaller vessels. 
 Tonnage of the district of Bath, in- 
 cluding the waters of Kennebec 
 river, in 1837, 41,728 tons. Total 
 number of vessels belonging to the 
 district of Bath, in 1835, 37 ships, 94 
 brigs, 195 schooners, 10 sloops, and 
 1 steam-boat. Total, 337. The 
 harbor of Bath is seldom obstructed 
 by ice. Regular lines of steam- 
 boats ply between this place and 
 Portland and Boston, about three- 
 fourths of the year. 
 
 Batli, N. II., 
 
 Grafton co., on Connecticut river, 
 is 32 miles N. of Dartmouth Col- 
 lege, 82 N. W. of Concord, and 9 
 N. of Haverhill. Bath is pleasant- 
 ly situated in the vale of the Con- 
 necticut, between the Green moun- 
 tains on the W., and the White 
 Mountains on the E., by which it is 
 effectually shielded from high winds 
 and long storms. The Amonoosuck 
 river waters the S. E. part, afford- 
 ing many fine mill seats and water 
 privileges. The Amonoosuck has 
 a very convenient fall at the village, 
 calculated to accommodate ma- 
 chinery to any extent. Two mills 
 for the manufacture of cassimere, 
 and other machinery, are already 
 erected. At the principal village, 
 (which is very pleasant,) there is a 
 considerable bridge over the Amo- 
 noosuck, of 350 feet in length, built 
 in 1307. The soil on the hills is 
 generally a reddish loam, on a bed 
 of marl, or hard pan. In the val- 
 leys, it is alluvial. About one-sixth 
 part of the whole town is intervale 
 land. Much improvement has been 
 made in the agriculture of this 
 place : 550 sheep are kept here. 
 The towu was granted, 1761, and 
 the first settlement was made in 
 1765, by John Herriman from Ha- 
 
 verhill, Mass. Population, 1830, 
 1,627. 
 
 Battenkill River. 
 
 This river is about 45 miles in 
 length. It rises in Dorset, and pass- 
 ing Manchester, Sunderland and 
 Arlington, it receives Roaring 
 Brook and other tributaries in Ver- 
 mont ; it then passes into the state 
 of New York, and falls into the 
 Hudson, three miles below Fort 
 Miller, and about 35 miles N. from 
 Albany, N. Y. 
 
 Bays and Harbors. 
 
 The bays and harbors in New 
 England are generally mentioned 
 under the places pertaining to them. 
 
 Bear Camp River, N. II., 
 
 Is formed of several branches ris- 
 ing on the south side of Sandwich 
 and Albany mountains. The two 
 principal branches unite in Ossipee, 
 and fall into Ossipee lake on its 
 western border. 
 
 Bear River, Me. 
 
 Rises in the highlands, near Um- 
 bagog lake, passes Newry, and 
 empties into the Androscoggin, op- 
 posite to Bethel. 
 
 Becket, Mass., 
 
 An elevated farming township 
 on the Green mountain range, in 
 Berkshire county. Westfield, Farm- 
 ington and Housatonick rivers re- 
 ceive the waters of several ponds in 
 this town. It has some small man- 
 ufactures, and about 7,000 sheep. 
 The town was incorporated in 1765, 
 and lies 110 miles W. from Boston, 
 15 E. S. E. from Lenox, and 23 W. 
 from Northampton. Population, 
 1837, 957. 
 
 Beddington, Me. 
 
 Washington co. There are sev- 
 eral ponds in this town, which are 
 among the head waters of Pleasant 
 and Narraguagus rivers. Incorpo- 
 rated, 1833. Population, 1837, 169.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 It lies 35 miles N. W. from Machi- 
 as, and about 40 E. from Bangor. 
 
 Bedford, -V. II. 
 
 This is a pleasant town in Hills- 
 borough county. It is 8 miles N. 
 E. from Amherst, 20 S. by E. from 
 Concord. Merrimack and Piscata- 
 quoag are the only rivers in this 
 town. The latter passes through 
 its N. E. corner, where there is the 
 pleasant and flourishing village of 
 Piscataquoag. This town has con- 
 siderable very productive intervale 
 land. It has been noted for the 
 cultivation of hops and for its fine 
 domestic manufactures. On the W. 
 line of Bedford, are a remarkable 
 gulf and precipice, which are ob- 
 jects of curiosity. A considerable 
 brook passes over the precipice, and 
 falls about 200 feet within the dis- 
 tance of 100 yards. Here are found 
 several excavations in solid stone, 
 which are sufficiently large to con- 
 tain many persons. In mineralogy, 
 this town affords a great variety of 
 specimens. Iron ore is found in 
 different places, and in several vari- 
 eties. Sulphuret of iron, imbedded 
 in common granite, and red oxide 
 of iron, combined with alumine, are 
 common. Black lead, pyritous cop- 
 per, schorl, hornblende, epidote, 
 talc, mica, black, yellow and green 
 gneiss, crystallized quartz, &c. are 
 found here. The first child born in 
 town was Silas Barren, son of Capt. 
 Moses Ban-on, in 1741. The town 
 was incorporated, May 19, 1750. 
 Bedford was the residence of many 
 Indians in former times. Near 
 Goffe's falls is a spot of ground, 
 about ten rods long and four wide, 
 which is supposed to have been an 
 Indian burial place. Population, 
 1330, 1,554. 
 
 Bedford, Mass. 
 
 This is a pleasant town in Middle- 
 sex county, and the source of Shaw- 
 sheen river. This town was for- 
 merly parts of Concord and Billeri- 
 ca, and was incorporated in 1729. 
 
 Population, 1837, 858. It lies 15 
 miles N. W. from Boston, and 5N 
 E. from Concord. Bedford is bound 
 ed N. by Concord river. It has 
 some manufactures ; principally of 
 boots and shoes. 
 
 Belcliertown, Afass., 
 
 A beautiful town in Hampshire 
 county, originally called " Cold 
 Spring," 75 miles W. from Boston, 
 11 E. from Northampton, and 27 E. 
 from Pittsfield. Population, 1837, 
 2,598. First settled, 1732. Incor- 
 porated, 1761. The soil of the 
 town is of an excellent quality, and 
 well improved. Large quantities 
 of wool is grown in this town. . It 
 is separated from Ware by Swift 
 river, on the N. The principal 
 manufacture is that of pleasure 
 wagons, of which about 600 are an- 
 nually made. Mr. A. Shumway, of 
 this place, has driven the stage be- 
 tween Belchertown and Northamp- 
 ton 25 successive years. In that 
 period he made 15,000 trips, travel- 
 led 218,400 miles, and carried at 
 least 124,000 passengers ; yet, al- 
 though his hours of travelling were 
 early in the morning and late in 
 the evening, he never broke a limb, 
 overturned his coach, or met with 
 any serious accident whatever, dur- 
 ing his whole career. 
 
 Belfast, Me., 
 
 Is the chief town of Waldo coun- 
 ty, and a port of entry, and is beau- 
 tifully situated on Belfast bay, on 
 the W. side of Penobscot river. It 
 lies 40 miles E. from Augusta, 30 
 S. from Bangor, 30 N. from Thom- 
 aston, and, across Belfast bay, 12 W. 
 from Castine. The town was in- 
 corporated in 1773, but not perma- 
 nently settled until about the year 
 1735. There is considerable good 
 land in Belfast. In 1837 it pro- 
 duced 3,492 bushels of as good 
 wheat as ever grew on the prairies 
 of the "boundless West." The 
 Paasaggassawakeag river passes 
 near the centre of the town, and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 adds much to the appearance of the 
 place. The harbor is very good- 
 it is guarded by Long and Sears' 
 islands, and has anchorage for a 
 great number of vessels of the larg- 
 est class. The proximity of Bel- 
 fast to the sea, its site in relation to 
 Penobscot river, and its excellent 
 harbor, which was never known to 
 have been obstructed by ice, but 
 twice, (1780 1815,) gives it pe- 
 culiar advantages for foreign com- 
 merce, the coasting trade, and the 
 fisheries. Considerable ship build- 
 ing is carried on at this place. The 
 tonnage of the district of Belfast in 
 1837, was 29,342 tons. The principal 
 exports are lumber and fish. Pop- 
 ulation, 1810,1,259; 1S20, 2,026; 
 1830, 3,077, and in 13:J7, about 
 4,000. Belfast, although irregular- 
 ly built, is a pleasant town, and is 
 an important winter mart of the 
 trade of Penobscot river. 
 
 Belgrade, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. In this town are 
 parts of three large and beautiful 
 ponds or lakes, well stored with fish. 
 They are connected with each oth- 
 er, and find an outlet at Waterville. 
 The scenery on the borders of these 
 waters is truly delightful. It pro- 
 duced in 1837, 6,340 bushels of 
 wheat. Belgrade was incorporated 
 in 1796. Population, 1837, 1,483. 
 It lies 10 miles N. E. from Augus- 
 ta, and 69 N. by E. from Portland. 
 The village at Belgrade Mills, 6 
 miles from the centre of the town, 
 and 16 miles from Augusta, is a 
 very flourishing place. 
 
 Bellamy Bank, X. H. 
 
 A river, one branch of which is- 
 sues from Chesley's pond, in Bar- 
 rington, and the other from low and 
 marshy lands in the vicinity ; these 
 unite in Madbury, and after mean- 
 dering through the town, the wa- 
 ters fall into the Piscataqua, on the 
 W. side of Dover Neck, where the 
 stream is called Back river. 
 
 Bellingham, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. The soil of this town 
 is light and sandy, and not very 
 good for agricultural purposes. It 
 is finely watered by Charles river, 
 and has a good hydraulic power. 
 Its manufactures, consisting of cot- 
 ton and woollen goods, straw bon- 
 nets, boots and shoes, amounted, in 
 one year, to $127,837. It lies 18 
 miles S. W. from Dedham, 17 N. 
 by W. from Providence, R. I., and 
 28 S. W. from Boston. Population, 
 1837, 1,159. Incorporated, 1719. 
 Iron ore is found here. 
 
 Bellows' Falls. 
 
 Sec Walpole, J\T. H. 
 
 Belmont, Me. 
 
 This town is well watered by the 
 Paasaggassawakeag, which rises 
 there in a pond of that name, and 
 empties at Belfast, about 6 miles N. 
 It lies 34 miles E. by N. from Au- 
 gusta. In 1837, Belmont produced 
 3,435 bushels of wheat, and consid- 
 erable wool. Waldo county. 
 
 Belvidere, Vt. 
 
 Lamoille co. A mountainous 
 township on the west side of the 
 Green Mountains, 32 miles N. E. 
 from Burlington, 32 N. from Mont- 
 pelier, 27 E. by S. from St. Albans, 
 and watered by branches of La- 
 moille river. Incorporated, 1791. 
 Population, 1830, 185. 
 
 Beiiiiington County, Vt. 
 
 Bennington and Manchester are 
 the chief towns. This is the oldest 
 county in Vt., on the west side of 
 the Green Mountains. It is bound- 
 ed on the north by Rutland county, 
 on the east by Windham county, 
 on the south by Berkshire county, 
 Mass., and on the west by the state 
 of New York. It is 39 miles long 
 and 20 wide. Area, 610 square 
 miles. Population, in 1820, 16,125 ; 
 1830, 17,468. Inhabitants to square 
 roile, 28 The low lands are excel-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 lent.and produce good crops, but the 
 largest portion of the county is 
 mountainous, and fit only for graz- 
 ing. Many streams rise in the 
 mountains and descend to the ocean, 
 some by the Hudson and some by 
 the Connecticut, affording a great 
 hydraulic power. Lead and iron 
 ores of good quality are found in 
 this county, and large quarries of 
 beautiful white marble. The num- 
 ber of sheep in this county in 1837 
 was 69,828. 
 
 Benniiigton, Vt. 
 
 One of the chief towns of Ben- 
 nington county. It lies 120 miles 
 S. W. by S. from Montpelier, 25 S. 
 from Manchester, and 30 east from 
 Troy, N. Y. Population, 1830, 
 3,419. Present population, about 
 4,200. First settled,1761. The town 
 is situated high above the great riv- 
 ers and the ocean, yet we find it of 
 good alluvial soil, delightfully en- 
 circled by ever-green mountains. It 
 abounds in iroa ore, manganese, 
 ochre and marble. The streams 
 are numerous and afford excellent 
 mill sites. The products of the 
 soil consist of all the varieties com- 
 mon to New England. Great at- 
 tention is paid to the rearing of 
 sheep : about 7000 of those useful 
 animals feed on the hills and valleys. 
 There are in Bennington, 6 cotton 
 and 3 woollen factories, a very ex- 
 tensive iron foundry, 2 furnaces, a 
 paper mill, flouring mills, &c. The 
 public schools justly sustain an ele- 
 vated rank. Bennington is finely 
 located for the muses. On the bor- 
 der of this town, about 6 miles W. 
 of the court house, the gallant 
 Stark, with a small band of " Green 
 Mountain Boys," celebrated for 
 their bravery, gained an important 
 victory over the British, August 16, 
 1777. The fame of that battle is 
 as imperishable as the mountains 
 which overshadow the ground. 
 Shame to the country : there is 
 not a stone to mark the spot ! 
 4 
 
 Benson, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. This town, on Lake 
 Champlain, was first settled in 1783. 
 Population, 1830, 1,493. It lies 84 
 miles E. from Montpelier, 20 W. 
 N. W. from Rutland, and opposite 
 to Putnam, N. Y. The lake at this 
 place is about a mile in width. The 
 town has some streams affording 
 mill sites, but none of great im- 
 portance. The waters are generally 
 brackish and unpleasant. A stream 
 issues from a swamp in this town, 
 and after running a short distance, 
 passes through the base of a high 
 hill, a distance of more than half a 
 mile. Benson has good pine, ma- 
 ple, walnut, oak and beech timber, 
 and a bog of marl resembling ful- 
 ler's earth. There are about 14,000 
 sheep in this town. 
 
 Berkley, Mass. 
 
 Bristol co. Berkley lies 37 miles 
 S. from Boston, 18 E. from Provi- 
 dence, and 5 S. from Taunton. Pop- 
 ulation, in 1837, 878. Taken from 
 Dighton in 1735, from which it is 
 separated by Taunton river. Some 
 coasting vessels belong to this place, 
 and some ship building is carried on. 
 Assonet milage, on Taunton river, 
 is the principal place of business. 
 The soil is light and sandy. 
 
 Berkshire County, Mass. 
 
 Lenox is the chief town. Thia 
 county was incorporated in 1770. 
 Population, 1820, 35,66s ; 1830,37- 
 825, and in 1837, 39,101 ; area, 860 
 square miles. Bounded N.by Ben- 
 nington county, Vt., W. by Rensse- 
 laer and Columbia counties, N. Y., 
 S. by Litchfield county, Ct., and 
 E. by Franklin, Hampshire and 
 Hampden counties. This county 
 is rough and hilly in many parts, 
 but it affords considerable very fine 
 land, and produces much wool, 
 all sorts of grain, and exports great 
 quantities of beef, pork, butter, &c. 
 The number of sheep in this coun- 
 ty in 1837, was 130,962. Berkshire
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 is the most elevated county in the 
 state. The Green and Taughkannic 
 Mountains cross it from N. to S.; 
 the average height of which is about 
 1,200 feet above the level of the 
 sea. The. Housatonick and Hoo- 
 sick are its chief rivers. The for- 
 mer empties into Long Island Sound; 
 the latter into the Hudson : 29 
 towns ; 45 inhabitants to a square 
 mile. " This county possesses, in 
 rich and inexhaustible abundance, 
 three of the most important articles 
 of the commerce of the world, Iron, 
 Marble and Lime, and its wood and 
 water power are fully sufficient to 
 enable it to fit them for the pur- 
 poses of life." The tonnage of this 
 county to its marts of trade, princi- 
 pally on the Hudson, amounted, in 
 1834, to no less than 34,075 tons. 
 At the present time it probably ex- 
 ceeds 40,000 tons. The enterprize 
 of a railroad from Boston to Albany 
 will soon be accomplished, and can- 
 not fail of being exceedingly benefi- 
 cial, not only to this county, but to 
 the commonwealth at large. 
 
 Berkshire, Vt. 
 
 Franklin co. Elihu M. Royce, 
 son of Stephen Royce, was the first 
 child born in this town. That event 
 occurred in 1793. On Missisque 
 and Trout rivers, which water this 
 town, is some fine intervale land. 
 Pike river, from Canada, affords 
 Berkshire a great water power. 
 This town lies 50 miles N. W. from 
 Montpelier, 22 N. E. by E. from 
 St. Albans, and 31 N. E. by N. 
 from Burlington. Population, 1830, 
 1,308. About 3,000 sheep. 
 Berlin, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This town is bounded 
 E. by Phillips, S. by Weld and W. 
 by Byron. It lies 100 miles N. 
 from Portland, 45 N. W. from Au- 
 gusta, and about 40 N. from Paris. 
 Population, 1837, 470. Wheat crop, 
 same year, 2,175 bushels. 
 Berlin, N. II. 
 
 Coos co. This town, from 1771 
 
 to 1829,was called Maynesborough. 
 The Androscoggin and Amonoo- 
 suck rivers pass through it. It is 
 about 20 miles E. from Lancaster, 
 and 125 N. from Concord. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 73. 
 
 Berlin, Vt. 
 
 This is a pleasant town in Wash- 
 ington county, watered by Onion and 
 Dog rivers, Stevens' branch, and a 
 number of ponds, furnishing good 
 mill sites, and excellent fishing. 
 The land is somewhat broken, but 
 of strong soil and good for tillage. 
 Considerable manufactures are pro- 
 duced in this town, and about 6,000 
 sheep. There is a mineral spring 
 here of little note. First settled in 
 1786. Population, 1830, 1,664. 
 Berlin is bounded N. by Montpe- 
 lier and E. by Barre. 
 
 Berlin, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. Taken from Bol- 
 ton, in 1784. Population, 1837, 
 724. It lies 15 miles N. E. from 
 Worcester, 31 W. by N. from Bos- 
 ton, and 7 S. E. from Lancaster. 
 A branch of the Assabet affords 
 this town good water privileges. 
 Large quantities of hops are pro- 
 duced here ; some wool, and some 
 baskets. 
 
 Berlin, ft. 
 
 Hartford co. Taken from Far- 
 mington,in 1785. Population, 1830, 
 3,047. This town lies 11 mi!es S. 
 from Hartford, and 23 N. from New 
 Haven. The surface of Berlin 
 is hilly, hut productive of grass, 
 grain and fruits. There are in the 
 town about 2,000 sheep. The vil- 
 lages of Worthington and New 
 Britain are very pleasant, and the 
 manufactures of brass, tin and oth- 
 er wares, there pursued, are very 
 extensive and flourishing. The first 
 manufacture of tin ware in this 
 country was commenced at this 
 place, in about the year 1770, by 
 Edward Patterson, a native of Ire- 
 land. Mr. Patterson peddled hit
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ware about the country, on foot, in 
 baskets ; his successors in the man- 
 ufacture did the same, until the uses 
 and value of the article becoming 
 known, and the demand increasing, 
 horses and wagons were employed ; 
 and thus this important manufac- 
 ture of New England was trans- 
 ported to all parts of the country. 
 
 Bemardston, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. This is a township 
 of superior land for agricultural 
 purposes, considerably elevated, be- 
 tween Fall and Connecticut rivers. 
 It was formerly called Fall Town. 
 There was a fort here in 1746, 
 when this part of the county was 
 peopled mostly by Indians. It was 
 incorporated, by its present name, 
 in 1764. It lies 96 miles W. by N. 
 from Boston, and 7 N. from Green- 
 field. Population, 1837, 878. Bald 
 and West mountains afford delight- 
 ful scenery : the former is 630 feet 
 above the waters of the Connecti- 
 cut. Here are springs containing 
 magnesia, sulphur and iron. Ber- 
 nardston produced, in one year, 
 16,000 bushels of corn and rye, and 
 5,000 barrels of cider. There are 
 3,022 sheep in this town, and some 
 manufactures of shoes,leather,palm- 
 leaf hats, and scythe snaiths. 
 
 Berwick, Me. 
 
 York co. This town lies on the 
 E. side of Salmon river, about 14 
 miles S. S. W. from Alfred, 45 S. 
 W. from Portland, and 98 S. W. 
 from Augusta. Berwick has con- 
 siderable trade in lumber. Incor- 
 porated, 1713. Population, 1837, 
 1,799 
 
 Bethany, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. Taken from 
 Woodbridge, in 1832. It lies 10 
 miles N. by W. from New Ha- 
 ven. Some portions of this town 
 is good land and well cultivated, 
 but a large part of it is mountain- 
 ous, and fit only for the growth of 
 wood. Beacon mountain, between 
 
 Bethany and Naugatuck river, pre- 
 sents some wild and picturesque 
 
 features. 
 
 Bethel, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. Incorporated in 1796. 
 Population, 1837, 1,864. Bethel 
 lies 18 miles N. W. from Paris, 61 
 N. W. from Portland, and 63 W. 
 from Augusta. This town is bound- 
 ed N. and W. by Androscoggin riv- 
 er, and S. by Greenwood. This is 
 a- fine farming town, and produced 
 5,214 bushels of wheat in 1837. 
 
 Bethel, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. This town was first 
 settled in 1780, and was the first 
 town chartered by the government 
 of Vermont. It lies 31 miles S. by 
 W. from Montpelier, and 30 N. W. 
 from Windsor. Population, 1830, 
 1,240. Bethel is watered by 
 branches of White river, and pos- 
 sesses good mill sites. Soap stone 
 is found here in great quantities 
 and of good quality : much of it is 
 sawed and transported. Garnet in 
 small, but perfect crystals, is also 
 common. The surface of Bethel is 
 broken and mountainous, but the 
 soil is warm and good for grazing. 
 It has about 8,000 sheep. Consid- 
 erable business is done at both vil- 
 lages, East and West ; the latter 
 is the largest. 
 
 Bethel, Ct. 
 
 Fairfield co. This is a pleasant 
 and flourishing village, in the town, 
 of Danbury, and about 3 miles N. 
 W. from the centre of that town. 
 There are about fifty dwelling hous- 
 es in the village, and about thirty 
 work shops or factories. The man- 
 ufacture of hats and combs is the 
 principal business of the place, and 
 large quantities of both are annu- 
 ally transported to Boston, New 
 York and other places. 
 
 Bethlehem, Iff. II., 
 
 Grafton co., is bounded N. by 
 Whitefield and Dalton, E. by Car-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 roll and ungranted land, S. by Fran- 
 conia and Lisbon, and N. W. by 
 Littleton. It is watered by Great 
 Amonoosuck river. The soil pro- 
 duces good crops of grass and grain. 
 There is plenty of pine timber and 
 eu gar maple. Iron ore, both of the 
 mountain and bog kind, has been oc- 
 casionally found. Two mineral 
 springs have been discovered. 
 Bethlehem was settled in 1790. 
 It was incorporated Dec. 27, 1799. 
 Population, 1S30, 665. 
 
 Bethlehem, Ct. 
 
 Litchfieldco. This town is 38 
 miles W. S. W. from Hartford, 32 
 N. W. by W. from New Haven, 
 and S S. from Litchfield. It was 
 taken from Woodbury in 1787. It 
 is hilly, with a gravelly loam, and 
 fit for grazing and the growth of 
 rye. It has 2,000 sheep. Popu- 
 lation, 1S30, 906. The town is wa- 
 tered by Pomperaug river, a branch 
 of the Housatonick. 
 
 Beverly, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. This town lies N. of 
 Salem, and is united to it by abridge 
 across the North river, built in 1788, 
 1,500 feet in length. The people 
 of this town are noted for their en- 
 terprise in commerce and the fish- 
 eries. There are some merchant 
 vessels belonging to this place, 
 about 50 sail of fishermen, and 20 
 coasters. The annual value of the 
 fisheries at Beverly is about $100,- 
 000. The manufactures, consisting 
 of Brittania ware, tin and cabinet 
 wares, chairs, hats, boots, hair, mus- 
 tard and bricks, amounted in one 
 year to about $120,000. The pros- 
 perity of this town has not suffered 
 by the growth of luxury or excess of 
 trade ; its fisheries and manufactur- 
 ing concerns are steady and pro- 
 gressive. First settled, 1626. In- 
 corporated, 1688. Population, 1830, 
 4,0791837, 4,609. Among many 
 distinguished men who have lived 
 and died at Beverly, was Captain 
 Thomas Lothrop, who commanded 
 
 the " Flower of Essex," a compa- 
 ny of young men from this county, 
 and who were, with their leader, 
 almost wholly cut off by the In- 
 dians, at Bloody Brook, in 1675. 
 
 Biddeford, Ale. 
 
 York co. On the S. side of Saco 
 river, and connected with the town 
 of Saco by a bridge. The town 
 extends down the river to the sea, 
 and includes a point of land called 
 " Fletcher's Neck," off which are 
 several small islands; on one of 
 which, Wood Island, is a revolving 
 light. This is a good township for 
 agricultural pursuits, the coasting 
 trade, ship building, and the fish- 
 ery. It lies 38 miles N. E. from 
 York, 15 S. W. from Portland, and 
 69 S. W. from Augusta. First 
 permanently settled, 1630. Incor- 
 porated, 1718. Population, 1837, 
 2,278. See -Saco. 
 
 Billerica, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This town is wa- 
 tered by the Concord and Shaw- 
 sheen rivers, and has a pleasant vil- 
 lage, on high ground, near the cen- 
 tre. Its soil is good and well im- 
 proved. The Middlesex canal and 
 the Boston and Lowell rail road pass 
 through the easterly part of the 
 town. First settled, 1653. Incor- 
 porated, 1655. Population, 1837, 
 1 ,498. Here are some manufactures 
 of woolen cloth, boots, leather, 
 wooden ware, straw bonnets, shav- 
 ing and splitting knives, bed bind- 
 ing, soft soap, and spirits. Billerica 
 lies 18 miles N. W. from Boston, 
 7 S. S. E. from Lowell, and 7 N. E. 
 by N. from Concord. 
 
 Blngham, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. On the eastern 
 bank of Kennebec river, opposite 
 to Concord, 26 miles N. from Nor- 
 ridgewock, 118 N. N. E. from Port- 
 land, and 55 N. from Augusta. In- 
 corporated, 1812. Population, 1837, 
 701. In 1837, 2,548 bushels of 
 wheat was raised in this town.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Black Rivers. 
 
 Black river, m Windsor county, 
 Vt. is 35 miles in length. It rises 
 in Plymouth, passes Ludlow, Cav- 
 endish and Weathersfield, and falls 
 into the Connecticut at Springfield. 
 This river passes through many nat- 
 ural ponds, and affords a great num- 
 ber of mill seats. 
 
 Black river, in Orleans county, 
 Vt. is about 30 miles in length. It 
 rises in some ponds in Craftsbury, 
 and passing through Albany, Iras- 
 burg, and Coventry, it falls into 
 Memphremagog lake at Salem. 
 
 Black river, in Somerset county, 
 Me. is one of the head branches of 
 the Walloostook. 
 
 Blackstoue River, Mass. 
 
 The most inland branch of this 
 river rises between Paxton and Hoi- 
 den. It passes Worcester, and the 
 ponds in Shrewsbury pay it the tri- 
 bute of their waters. After pass- 
 ing Auburn, Grafton, Mill"bury, 
 Sutton, Northbridge, Uxbridge and 
 Mendon, it passes into the state of 
 Rhode Island, where it changes its 
 name to Pawtucket, and meets the 
 tide waters in Providence river. 
 
 Biackirater River, 3f. H. 
 
 Blackwater river, N. H. so called 
 from its dark appearance, is formed 
 by two small streams, one of which 
 rises in Danbury, and the other is- 
 sues from Pleasant pond, in New 
 London. These branches unite 
 soon after crossing the W. line of 
 Andover, and form the Blackwater, 
 which passes through the S. W. part 
 of that town ; from thence through 
 the W. part of the towns of Salisbu- 
 ry and Boscawen into Hopkinton, 
 where it empties into Contoocook 
 river. 
 
 Blaiichard, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. This town lies 116 
 miles from Augusta. In 1837, 795 
 bushels of wheat was raised here. 
 Population, same year, 261. See 
 Barnard, Me. 
 
 4* 
 
 Blandford, Mass. 
 
 Hampden co. Branches of West- 
 field river rise in this town and give 
 it a good water power. Blandford 
 was incorporated in 1741. It was 
 originally settled by a company from 
 the north of Ireland. It lies 114 
 miles W. by S. from Boston, and 15 
 W. by N. from Springfield. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 1,443. The manufac- 
 tures of the place consist of woolen 
 cloth, paper and leather. Annual 
 amount, $50,500. The agricultu- 
 ral products sent to market in 1836, 
 amounted to 22,340. There were 
 in the town 1,535 cows and 1,822 
 merino sheep. 
 
 Block Island, R. I. 
 
 See JVew Shoreham. 
 
 Bloody Brook, Mass. 
 See Deerfield. 
 
 Eloomfield, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. This town was in- 
 corporated in 1814, and lies on Ken- 
 nebec river, 33 miles N. from Au- 
 gusta and 7 below Norridgewock, 
 opposite to Skowhesran. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 1,053. Bloomfield is a 
 fine township of land, and produced 
 in 1837 5,080 bushels of wheat. 
 
 Bloomfield, Vt . 
 
 Essex co. Bloomfield lies on the 
 W. side of Connecticut river, and is 
 also watered by branches of the 
 Nulhegan. Population, 1830, 150. 
 It is about 20 miles N. from Guild- 
 hall, and 60 N. . from Montpelier. 
 
 Bloomfield, Ct. 
 
 Hartford co. This was formerly 
 a parish in Windsor, called Winton- 
 bury. It derived its name from the 
 circumstance of the parish being 
 formed from Windsor, Farmington 
 and Simsbury ; the name Win-ton- 
 bury being a part of the name of 
 each of those towns. It was incor- 
 porated into a town in 1835. The 
 inhabitants enjoy a fine soil, and cul- 
 tivate it with great industry, pro-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEE. 
 
 ducing large crops of grass and 
 grain, with an abundance of choice 
 Fruit. It lies about six miles N. 
 from Hartford. Population, about 
 1,400. 
 
 Blue Hill and Bay, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. The town lies at 
 the head of a large bay, of the same 
 name, 12 miles E. from Castine, 
 and 78 E. from Augusta. There 
 are several large ponds in Blue Hill, 
 and a hill of 960 feet in height, from 
 which delightful marine scenery is 
 presented. Incorporated 1789. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 1,808. The bay has 
 Long and other islands inside ; and 
 outside, Burntcoat, and a group of 
 smaller islands. Blue Hill bay is 
 connected with Penobscot bay and 
 river by a passage between the 
 islands and main land, of about 12 
 miles. It lies about 16 miles W. 
 from Frenchman's bay. 
 
 Blue Hills. 
 
 The first range of mountains on 
 the eastern coast of New Hamp- 
 shire and Maine ; and the elevated 
 lands in Milton, Mass, are thus de- 
 nominated, in consequence of their 
 blue or cloud-like appearance, at a 
 distance, on the ocean. 
 
 Boar's Head, HT. H. 
 
 See Hampton. 
 
 Bolton, Vt. 
 
 Chittenden co. Population, 1830, 
 452. 17 miles S. E. from Burling- 
 ton, and 17 N. W. from Montpelier. 
 Incorporated, 1763. Bolton lies on 
 the western side of the Green 
 Mountains. Onion river passes 
 through the town, on the banks of 
 which most of the inhabitants re- 
 side. 
 
 Bolton, Mas*. 
 
 A good farming town in the coun- 
 ty of Worcester, 31 miles W. by N. 
 from Boston, and 15 N. N. E. from 
 Worcester. Incorporated, 1738. 
 Population, 1837, 1 ,185. It lies be- 
 
 tween Concord and Nashua rivers. 
 Here are good limestone, and small 
 manufactures of boots, shoes, leath- 
 er and combs. 
 
 Bolton, Ct. 
 
 Tolland co. This town lies 14 
 miles E. from Hartford, and 10 mile? 
 S. by W. from Tolland. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 744. The soil is a coarse, 
 hard, gravelly loam, fit only for 
 grazing. It is within the granite 
 region of the eastern section of the 
 state. The Bolton Stone Quarry is 
 quite noted. " The stone is a spe- 
 cies of slate, of a brilliant light 
 gray color, composed of mica and 
 quartz, and is excellent for flagging 
 and other purposes. It is extensive- 
 ly used in the principal cities of the 
 United States. For strength it ex- 
 ceeds any other known in this coun- 
 try, and the demand for it is rapidly 
 increasing." The supply is inex- 
 haustible. 
 
 Boon Island, Me., 
 
 A ledge of rocks, with a light- 
 house thereon; about 9 miles E. 
 from Kittery. Near this island the 
 steamboat New England, on her 
 passage from Boston to Gardiner, 
 met a fatal disaster, by coming in 
 contact with a loaded coaster, on the 
 night of the 31st of May, 1SS8, by 
 which many valuable lives were 
 jeopardized. 
 
 Boothbay, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This town is bound- 
 ed W. by the mouth of Sheepscot 
 river, N. by Edgecomb, E. by 
 Damariscotta river, and S. by the 
 ocean. It is nearly surrounded by 
 water, and is noted for its excellent 
 harbor. Its maritime situation ren- 
 ders it a place of considerable busi- 
 ness in the coasting trade and fish- 
 eries. This town lies 39 miles S. S. 
 E. from Augusta, 12 E. N. E. from 
 Wiscasset, 60 E. N. E. from Port- 
 land, and about 40 miles S. W. by 
 W. from Owl's Head, by water. 
 Boothbay is a fine watering place,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 and many visit it, in summer months, 
 for health or pleasure. Here may 
 be found all the enjoyments of sea 
 air and bathing; fishing and fowl- 
 ing ; ocean and island scenery ; for 
 which JVahant, in Massachusetts 
 bay, is justly celebrated. Incorpo- 
 rated, 1764. Population, 1837, 2,562. 
 
 Koscaiven, IV. II. . 
 
 Merrimack co. Boscawen is sit- 
 uated between Concord and Salis- 
 bury, on the W. side of Merrimack 
 river. Boscawen is 8 miles N. W. 
 from Concord. Besides the Merri- 
 mack, the west part of this town is 
 watered by Blackwater river, run- 
 ning nearly parallel with the for- 
 mer, through the whole extent of 
 the town, and about five miles dis- 
 tant from it. It is not a large stream, 
 but very important, both on account 
 of the fertile fields of champaign 
 on its borders, and the numerous wa- 
 ter privileges it affords. There are 
 two ponds of some note. Great pond, 
 near the centre of the town, Long 
 pond, in the west part, and mill seats 
 at the outlet of each. Boscawen is 
 of a deep, productive soil, affording 
 many excellent farms delightfully 
 situated. The surface, when view- 
 ed from its highest parts, appears 
 uncommonly level. From the nu- 
 merous streams of living water, and 
 from the peculiar direction of the 
 swells of the hills, this town prob- 
 ably derives that pure air and uni- 
 form temperature which are so con- 
 ducive to health. The principal 
 village is in the east section of the 
 town. It is situated on a spacious 
 street nearly two miles in length, 
 very straight and level. Here the 
 
 eye of the traveller is attracted and 
 delighted by the fertile intervales 
 and windings of the river Merri- 
 mack. There is another village on 
 a pleasant eminence near the west 
 meeting house. Boscawen was 
 granted by Massachusetts in 1733. 
 The proprietors gave to it the name 
 of Contoocook, after the Indian 
 name of the river. It received its 
 present name when it was incorpo- 
 rated, April 22, 1760, from Edward 
 Boscawen, a celebrated English ad 
 miral then on the American station. 
 The first settlement commenced 
 early in the season of 1734. Abi- 
 gail Danforth was the first child 
 born in the town. The Indians 
 made frequent predatory incursions 
 on the inhabitants. See Duston's 
 Island. 
 
 Among the deceased citizens of 
 this place entitled to respectful no- 
 tice, are, George Jackman, Esq., 
 the first town clerk, who continued 
 in office 36 years. He was appoint- 
 ed a justice of the peace under 
 Geo. II. and continued in that office 
 during all successive changes down 
 to 1318. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Wood, D. D., for 
 more than half a century the min- 
 ister of Boscawen, was distinguish- 
 ed for his learning and piety. 
 
 Hon. Ezekiel Webster^ a native 
 of Salisbury, resided here many 
 years. He was an eminent barris- 
 ter at law, of extraordinary talents, 
 and great private worth. He died 
 in the court house, at Concord, 
 April 10, 1829, aged 49, beloved 
 and lamented by all who knew his 
 character. Population, 1830, 2,093.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 BOSTON. 
 
 County of Suffolk. The ancient city of BOSTON, the capital of Mas- 
 sachusetts, and of New England, and the birth 1 place of American Free- 
 dom, is naturally divided into three sections Old Boston, South Boston, 
 and East Boston, situated at the western extremity of Massachusetts 
 Bay. The peninsula on which Old Boston is built, extends from Roxbu- 
 ry, on the south, to Winnesimet Ferry, on the north, and is nearly sur- 
 rounded by the waters of Boston harbor on the east, and Charles river 
 on the north and west. Its length is nearly three miles, and its average 
 breadth about one mile. It originally contained about 700 acres, but its 
 territory has been greatly extended, by filling up around its borders. Its 
 surface is quite uneven. It has numerous eminences, rising from 50 to 
 110 feet above the sea, affording admirable sites for building, and giving 
 to it a peculiarly romantic appearance. It is in north Lat. 42 21' 23" 
 and west Lon. 71 4' 9". It lies 163 miles S. S. W. from Augusta, Me. ; 
 63 S. S. E. from Concord, N. H. ; 160 S. E. by S. from Montpelier, Vt. ; 
 158 E. (19' S.) from Albany, N. Y. ; 40 N. N. E. from Providence, R. I. ; 
 97 E. N. E. from Hartford, Ct. ; 207 N. E. by E. from New York, and 
 432 miles N. E. by E. from Washington. Its Indian name was Shaw- 
 mut. It was called by the first settlers Tramount, Tremont, or Tri- 
 mountain, from three hills nearly in its centre. It took its present name 
 on the 7th of Sept., 1630, in honor of the Rev. John Cotton, second min- 
 ister of the first church, who came from Boston, in England. The orig- 
 inal proprietor of this territory was John Blackstone, who, soon after its 
 settlement by Winthrop and others, removed to Rhode Island. Boston 
 was incorporated as a city, February 23, 1822. 
 
 South Boston. 
 
 This part of Boston was set off from Dorchester, by legislative enact- 
 ment, March the 6th, 1804. It is bounded south by Dorchester Bay, 
 and spreads about two miles on the south side of the harbor, above the 
 forts. It contains about 600 acres, and is laid out into regular streets and 
 squares. The surface of this part of Boston is exceedingly picturesque. 
 In about the centre of this tract, and about two miles from the City Hall, 
 the memorable " Dorchester Heights" rear their heads 130 feet above 
 the sea, from which is presented a splendid view of Boston, its harbor, 
 and the surrounding country. It is connected with Old Boston by two 
 bridges. This part of Boston is rapidly increasing in population and 
 wealth. The Washington House, near the "Heights," is a noble 
 building, and a delightful residence
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 East Boston. 
 
 This section of the city, until recently, had been called Noddle's Isl- 
 and. It lies about 660 yards N. E. from Old Boston, and about the same 
 distance from Charlestown. It is divided from Chelsea by Chelsea Creek, 
 600 feet wide, over which is a bridge, and from which is an excellent 
 road to the Salem turnpike. The Eastern rail-road, to Salem, Newbu- 
 ryport, &c., commences at East Boston. The island contains about 660 
 acres of land, and a large body of flats. It was purchased by a compa- 
 ny of enterprizing gentlemen in 1832. They were incorporated in March, 
 1833, and the first house was commenced in October of the same year. 
 A steam-boat ferry is established between this place and Old Boston, 
 starting from each side every five minutes. The time occupied in cross- 
 ing is about three minutes. A ferry is about being established between 
 this island and Charlestown. The surface of the island is pleasingly va- 
 riegated, and affords delightful sites for dwelling houses and gardens 
 at moderate prices. This place is well located for manufactories of vari- 
 ous kinds ; particularly for ship building, and all those branches of me- 
 chanics connected with navigation. 
 
 The Maverick Hotel is a large and splendid building, occupying a 
 commodious site. This house is named in honor of Samuel Maverick, 
 who owned the island and resided there in 1630, and who is said to have 
 made " some figure in the history of after times a man of very loving 
 and courteous behavior, and very ready to entertain strangers." 
 
 Boston Harbor, 
 
 Extends across Light House Channel and Broad Sound, from Point Al- 
 derton on Nantasket, to Point Shirley in Chelsea, a distance, between the 
 islands, of about 4 miles. It is safe, and of ample capacity for the larg- 
 est navy. The most important part of this harbor is entered by a narrow 
 pass, between two and three miles below the city and Navy Yard ; and is 
 well protected by two powerful forts Independence and Warren. The 
 outer harbor, below these forts, will shortly be protected by a very pow- 
 erful fortress now erecting on George's Island, at a great expense, by the 
 government of the United States. Boston harbor contains many islands 
 of great beauty, and is the reservoir of the Mystic, Charles, JVeponset, 
 Manatiquot and other rivers. Its borders are environed by the towns 
 of Hull, Hingham, Weymouth, Braintree, Quincy, Dorchester, Roxbu- 
 ry, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, and Chelsea ; and the numerous 
 small bays, coves and inlets, indenting their shores, give great variety, 
 and add much to the scenery of this delightful harbor. 
 
 Owing to the almost insular situation of Boston, and its limited extent, 
 its population appears small. But it must be considered that the neigh-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 boring towns of Quincy, Dorchester, Milton, Roxbury, Brookline, Brigh- 
 ton, Watertown, Cambridge, Charlestown, Medford, Maiden, and Chel- 
 ea, although not included in the city charter, are component parts of the 
 city, and are as much associated with it in all its commercial, manufac- 
 turing, literary, and social relations and feelings, as Greenwich, Man- 
 hattanville, and Harlem are with the city of New York ; or Southwark 
 and the Northern Liberties with Philadelphia. 
 
 The population of Boston in 1700, was 7,0001722, 10,5671765, 
 15,5201790, 18,0381800, 24,9371810, 33,2501820, 43,2981830, 
 61,391, and in 1837, 80,325. 
 
 Avenues. 
 
 The peninsular situation of Boston requires many artificial avenues to 
 and from the surrounding country. Until 1786, the " Neck," between 
 Boston and Roxbury, one mile and 117 feet in length, was the only pas- 
 sage to it by land. On the 17th June, of that year, the Charles River 
 Bridge, leading from Boston to Charlestown, was opened for travel. It 
 was incorporated, March 9, 1785. This bridge is 1,503 feet in length, 42 
 in breadth, and cost $50,000. Net revenue in 1834, $9,383. This 
 bridge by its charter becomes state property in 1856. 
 
 West Boston Bridge, leading to Cambridge, was opened on the 23d 
 of November, 1793. It was incorporated March 9, 1792. Length of 
 the bridge, 2,758 feet abutment and causeway, 3,432 total length, 
 6,190 feet. Cost, $76,667. Net revenue in 1834, $12,928. This bridge 
 will become state property in 1879. 
 
 South Boston Bridge, leading from Boston Neck to South Boston, was 
 incorporated March 6, 1804, and opened for travel in July, 1805. Length, 
 1,550 feet width, 40. It cost the proprietors about $50,000. It is now- 
 city property free. 
 
 Canal Bridge, from Boston to Lechmere Point, in East Cambridge, 
 was incorporated February 27, 1807, and opened for travel in August, 
 1809. Length, 2,796 feet width, 40. A lateral bridge extends from 
 this to Prison Point, Charlestown. Length, 1,820 width, 35 feet 
 Net receipts in 1834, $3,173. This bridge will become state property in 
 1879. 
 
 The Western JIvenue, leading from Beacon street to SetvelVs Point, 
 in Brookline, was incorporated June 14, 1814, and commenced ^n 1818. 
 It was opened for travel, July 2, 1821. This avenue is a substantial dam 
 across Charles river bay, about a mile and a half in length, and from 60 
 to 100 feet in width. This dam encloses about 600 acres of flats, over 
 which the tide formerly flowed from 7 to 10 feet. A partition dam di- 
 vides this enclosure, and forms, by the aid of flood and ebb gates, a full
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 and receiving basin ; thereby producing, at all times, a great hydraulic 
 power. The cross dam also forms an excellent avenue from the main 
 dam to Roxbury. Cost, about $700,000. Net receipts in 1834, $6,133. 
 The proprietors of this avenue claim a perpetual franchise. 
 
 Boston Free Bridge, from Sea street to South Boston. Incorporated, 
 March 4, 1826 completed, 1828. Length, 500 width, 38 feet. Built 
 by proprietors of lands in the vicinity. City property. 
 
 Warren Bridge, leading to Charlestown. Length, 1,390 feet width, 
 44. Incorporated March 12, 1828, and opened on the December follow- 
 ing. It is now state property. The net receipts of this bridge in 1834, 
 were $16,427. 
 
 All the above avenues are lighted with lamps, when necessary, and 
 make a beautiful appearance. 
 
 Public Buildings. 
 
 Some of those of the most prominent character only can be mentioned. 
 
 The City Hall, or " the Old State House," on State and Washington 
 streets, now occupied by the city government, Post-Office, Reading-Room, 
 &c., is 110 feet in length, 38 in breadth, and 3 stories high. Two build- 
 ings on this spot have been destroyed by tire. The first was built in 1659, 
 the second in 1714, and the present in 1748. Until the erection of the 
 present State House, this building had ever been used for governmental 
 purposes, both colonial and state. 
 
 Faneuil Hall, or the " Cradle of Liberty," in Dock Square, is three 
 stories high, 100 feet by 80, and was the gift of Peter Faneuil, Esq. to 
 the town, in 1742. The building was enlarged in 1805, and until the 
 new Market was built the lower part of it was used for meat stalls. It is 
 now improved for stores. The Hall is 76 feet square, 28 feet high, and 
 has deep galleries on three sides. It is adorned with superb paintings of 
 patriots, warriors and statesmen. The third story is improved for armo- 
 ries. 
 
 State House. This building is on an open square, on Beacon-street, 
 fronting the malls and common. Its foundation is 110 feet above the lev- 
 el of the sea. It was commence' 1 , in 1795, and completed and occupied 
 in 1798. Cost, $133,333. Length, 173 feet breadth, 61. On the area 
 of the lower hall stands the beautiful Statue of Washington, by Chan- 
 try. From the top of the dome on this building, 52 feet in diameter, and 
 230 feet above the level of the harbor, the 'vhole city appears beneath, 
 with all its crooked streets, its extended avenues, its splendid buildings, 
 and the malls and common, crossed with romantic walks, and shaded by 
 centurian elms. On the north and west the county of Middlesex pre- 
 sents its numerous villas, and a rich array of agricultural taste and beau-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ty. Here are viewed the hallowed halls of Harvard, and the sacred 
 field of Bunker. On the south the county of Norfolk appears, with its 
 granite hills and luxuriant vales, chequered With a thousand farm houses* 
 cottages, and splendid mansions. On the east, the city, with its lofty 
 spires, the harbor and the ocean, all conspire to render this the most en- 
 chanting scene west of the Bay of Naples. 
 
 The Massachusetts Hospital is on an open plot of ground of 4 acres, 
 at the western part of the city, on the banks of Charles river. It is 168 
 feet in length, and 54 in breadth. Commenced in 1818, completed in 
 1821. This building is of granite, and is a beautiful monument of taste 
 and beneficence. 
 
 Faneuil Hall Market. The corner stone of this superb granite 
 building was laid on the 27th of April 1825, and completed in 1827. Cost, 
 $15.0,000, exclusive of land. It extends east of Faneuil Hall, on Dock 
 square, 536 feet, and is 50 feet in width. The centre part of the build- 
 ing, 74 by 55, projects two or three feet on the north and south, and rises 
 77 feet from the ground, to a beautiful dome. The wings are 31 feet, 
 and two stories high. The lower floor is exclusively appropriated as a 
 meat, fish apd vegetable market. The upper story is one vast hall, ar- 
 ranged to be divided into compartments for ware-rooms and large sales. 
 On the sides of this building are North Market street, 65, and South 
 Market street, 102 feet in width ; on each of which is a range of spa- 
 cious ware-houses, with granite fronts. On the east, across Commercial 
 street, is a commodious wharf, belonging to the city. The hall, in the 
 centre of the building is called Quincy Hall, in honor of Josiah Quincy, 
 L.L. D., the late indefatigable mayor of the city, and now president of 
 Harvard University. 
 
 Tremont House. This superb hotel, on Tremont and Beacon streets, 
 was commenced on the 4th of July, 1828, and completed 16th of October, 
 1829. Its granite front on Tremont street is 160 feet, and 3 stories high. 
 The wings are four stories high ; that on Beacon street is 84 by 34 feet; 
 and that on the south, fronting an open square, is 110 by 40 feet. This 
 building contains 180 rooms. The dining hall is 70 by 31, and 14 feet 
 high. Cost, $68,000, without the land. 
 
 JVew Court House. The corner stone of this building, in Court 
 square, between Court and School streets, for the accommodation of all 
 the courts of law for the county, city, and the United States, offices of 
 record, &c., was laid Sept. 28, 1833. It is of cut, or hewn granite, from 
 the Quincy quarry. Its length is 175 feet 10 inches; width, 53 feet 
 10 inches, and height 57 feet 3 inches. A portico of nearly the same 
 model of the Dodc portico at Athens, adorns its north and south fronts. 
 There are four columns of fluted granite at each of these porticos, meas-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 uring 25 feet 4 inches in length, and 4 feet 5 inches in diameter. They 
 weigh 25 tons each. TJie interior contains four court rooms, 50 feet hy 
 40, and large and commodious offices for all the respective departments. 
 Houses of Industry, Correction, and Reformation. These houses are 
 delightfully situated on a plot of ground of about 61 acres, situated at 
 South Boston, on the margin of the harbor, and near the brow of Dor- 
 chester Heights. 
 
 Trinity Church, in Summer street, St. Paul's Church and the Ma- 
 sonic Temple, in Tremont street, the Washington Bank, in Washing- 
 ton street, the granite building lately erected by the Suffolk Bank, the 
 United States Sank, in State street, and the Steeple of Park street 
 Church, are some of the best specimens of architecture in Boston. 
 Schools and Institutions. 
 
 The first settlers of New England were exceedingly tenacious of their 
 civil and religious rights, and they well knew that knowledge was an 
 all-powerful engine to preserve those rights, and transmit them to their 
 posterity. They therefore very early laid the foundation of those free 
 schools, of which all the sons and daughters of New England are justly 
 proud. Exclusive of Infant and Sabbath school scholars, about a quar- 
 ter part of the population of Boston is kept at school throughout the 
 year, at an annual expense of about $200,000. Boston is not only cele- 
 brated for its schools, but for its munificent donations in support of its 
 institutions 'for moral, religious, and literary purposes. Since the year 
 1800, not less than two millions of dollars have thus been appropriated 
 by the citizens of Boston. ^ 
 
 New England Institution for the Education of the Blind. 
 
 This Institution was incorporated in 1829; but, little was accomplished 
 until 1832, when Dr. Howe returned from Europe accompanied by a 
 blind teacher; manifesting that zeal in the cause of the blind which had 
 distinguished his philanthropic labors, in another sphere, in a distant 
 land. He opened a school with six blind young scholars. The progress 
 of those children was so great, and the value of an Institution of the 
 kind so apparent, that legislatures and citizens, generally, became 
 much interested. By public and private donations, particularly by the 
 influence of ladies in several parts of New England, and by the munifi- 
 cent gift of a splendid building in Pearl street, by the Hon. Thomas H. 
 Perkins, the Institution has increased, both in reputation and funds, with 
 unparalleled success. The scholars are instructed in all those branches 
 common in other schools, and some of them in the higher branches of 
 literature. Music is the study of all. Mechanical labors are taught 
 and enjoyed by the pupils. Musical instruments of all kinds, and other 
 5
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 implements are provided for their convenience and use. A printing 
 press is established, and several books have been printed in embossed 
 letters, which are superior to any in Europe. It is exceedingly delight- 
 ful to see these interesting youth, whose lives once seemed a dreary 
 waste, and to witness their improvement in acquiring useful knowledge, 
 partaking of all those recreations, natural and proper for their age, sex, 
 and condition, and fitting themselves for useful stations in society. The 
 Institution is managed by a board of trustees, and is patronized by the 
 governments of all the New England States. 
 
 Eye and Ear Infirmary. 
 
 This Institution was commenced in Boston, by Drs. Jeffries and Rey- 
 nolds, in 1824, from a conviction of its utility and importance, derived 
 from what they had seen and known of similar establishments in Europe. 
 Those gentlemen conducted the establishment at their own expense for 
 some time, during which large numbers received the most important 
 benefits. In 1827, by the philanthropic exertions of those, and other 
 gentlemen, an act of incorporation was obtained, and some funds were 
 raised. As early as 1828, 2,610 cases were treated at the Infirmary, of 
 which about five-sixths were cured. Of these cases about one-sixth 
 were for diseases of the ear. Since that time the number of applicants 
 has increased annually; and this Institution, whose merits are not sur- 
 passed by any other in the city, has now a beautiful and commodious 
 building in Bowdoin square for the reception of patients. 
 
 Theatres. 
 
 The Boston Theatre, on Federal and Franklin streets, was first open- 
 ed February 3, 1794. It was burnt, February 2, 1798 ; it was re-built, 
 and re-opened on the 29th of October, the same year. It is of brick, 152 
 feet long, 61 wide, and 40 high. This building is now denominated 
 " The Odeon," and is consecrated to the worship of God. A huge wood- 
 en building was erected on Tremont street, and opened as the " Hay- 
 Market Theatre," December 26, 1796. The citizens in its neighbor- 
 hood being fearful of its conflagration, caused its demolition, by subscrip- 
 tion, and the block of elegant brick dwelling-houses, near, and north of 
 Boylston street, now occupy the spot. 
 
 The Tremont Theatre, on Tremont street, is a very neat building, 
 with a granite front 135 feet by 79. It was commenced in July, and 
 opened September 24, 1827. Cost, about $120,000. 
 
 The National Theatre, at the junction of Portland and Traverse 
 streets, near the Warren bridge, was constructed in 1831. This build- 
 ing was first used for equestrian performances.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Boston Common. 
 
 This is considered one of the most delightful promenades in the world. 
 It comprises about 75 acres of land, of variegated surface, beautifully 
 shaded by trees of various kinds, particularly in the malls, or walks 
 which surround it. Some of those trees were planted more than a hun- 
 dred years ago. The malls are wide, beveled, graveled, and smooth ; 
 the waters of Charles river, and the romantic scenery beyond it, are in 
 prospect. The whole is enclosed by an iron fence, on the outside of 
 which are wide streets and beautiful buildings. The distance around 
 the malls and common is about a mile. This plot of ground is so held 
 by the city, that it can never be appropriated to any other than its pres- 
 ent healthful and pleasing purposes. 
 
 The foundation of a large and splendid BOTANIC G Ann EN was 
 laid in 1837, by the subscription of funds for that purpose. It is located 
 on the city lands, on the west side of the Common. This will be a 
 great ornament to the city, and an honor to the taste and judgment of its 
 projectors. 
 
 Finances. 
 
 The public debt of the city of Boston on the 1st of May, 1837, was 
 $1,497,200. The receipts, during the financial year, from the 30th of 
 April, 1836, to 30th April, 1837, was $926,350 the expenditures, 
 $904,065. Besides the public property in public buildings, city and other 
 wharves, &c. &c., both improved for city purposes, and rented, the city 
 has about 7,000,000 square feet of land on the Neck, exclusive of streets, 
 public squares, and malls, and a very large property in other lands in 
 various parts of the city, which are rapidly increasing in value. The 
 amount of this property cannot be stated, but it is known greatly to ex- 
 ceed the city debt, exclusive of that part which is wanted for the uses 
 of the city. 
 
 Commerce. 
 
 The citizens of Boston have ever sustained a high rank for their com- 
 mercial enterprise. After whitening every sea with their canvass, and 
 extending their commerce with all nations of the globe, they are now 
 looking westward and northward, and constructing new and artificial 
 channels, to enable them not only to compete with other Atlantic cities 
 for the already immense commerce of the western world, but to inter- 
 cept it on its passage down the St. Lawrence. 
 
 The number of vessels entered at this port the year ending September 
 30, 1837, was 1,544 tonnage, 242,277 tons crews, 11,503 : cleared, 
 1,367, tonnage, 184,373 tons crews, 9,177. The registered, enrolled and 
 licensed tonnage of this port, the same year, was 201,005 tons. A large 
 amount of tonnage, owned at Boston, is registered at southern ports.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Commercial Accommodations. 
 
 There is probably no place in the world better accommodated for com- 
 mercial operations than Boston. The whole length of the harbor on the 
 east and north is lined with about 200 docks and wharves. A few of 
 them only can be noticed. 
 
 Ind*a Wharf, at the foot of Fort Hill, was constructed in 1805. It 
 extends into the harbor 980 feet, and is 246 to 280 feet in width. In the 
 centre is a range of 39 stores, 22 by 80, and 4 stories in height. 
 
 Central Wfiarf, between India and Long wharves, was built in 1816. 
 In the centre are 54 ware-houses, 23 by 50, 4 stories high. It is 1,379 
 feet in length, and 150 in width. Over a spacious hall in the centre of 
 this range of stores, is one of the best observatories in the United States. 
 
 North of this is Long Wharf, at the foot of State street, commenced 
 in 1710. This wharf extends into the harbor 1,800 feet, is 200 feet in 
 width, and has 76 spacious ware-houses. About the centre of th. s wharf 
 is a well of fresh water, 90 feet in depth. 
 
 Passing the City wharf on the north, we come to Commercial Wliarf, 
 1,100 feet in length, and 160 in width. On the centre of this wharf is 
 a range of 34 granite ware-houses, 25 by 60 feet, and are unequallri by 
 any thing of the kind in the United States for convenience or grandeur. 
 Cost, $500,000. 
 
 On the west, and in front of this tier of wharves, which run into the 
 harbor nearly parallel to each other, are India and Commercial streets, 
 having the east end of Faneuil Hall Market nearly in the centre. These 
 streets are wide ; they serve as wharves, and their west sides are cover- 
 ed with large and convenient stores. It is contemplated to extend India 
 street, on the south, to the Free Bridge on Sea street; and Commercial 
 street, on the north, to Winnesimet Ferry. (See Kale's. Map of Bostou.) 
 
 The Marine Raihoays, established in 1826, at the north part of the 
 city, afford great accommodations to those engaged in navigation. A 
 new and splendid Custom Kouse is now erecting on India street, between 
 Long and Central wharves. An Exchange, for the accommodation of 
 merchants, and a new City Hall, are contemplated. 
 Manufactures* 
 
 Although Boston has never been considered a manufacturing: city, 
 yet, since the general peace in Europe, in 1815, and the passage of the 
 present tariff laws, in 1833, its manufacturing interests have considerably 
 increased. 
 
 The following are the manufactures of Boston for the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, with the value of each, the number of hands employed, 
 and the amount of capital invested, so far as can be ascertained. 
 
 It may be proper to observe, that the following account is doubtless
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 accurate, as far it extends, but it is known that in some towns in Massa- 
 chusetts the whole amount of their manufactures has not been stated by 
 the assessors. 
 
 ARTICLES. 
 
 V 7 -ihiP Hands employ'd 
 lue ' j Males. iFemales. 
 
 Capital In- 
 vested. 
 
 Boots and Shoes, 
 
 $102,641 
 
 304 
 
 55 
 
 
 Leather, 
 
 228,000 
 
 50 
 
 
 $60,000 
 
 Hats, 
 
 194,673 
 
 95 
 
 68 
 
 
 Iron Castings, 
 
 372,000 
 
 289 
 
 
 665,000 
 
 Axes, 
 
 7,500 
 
 8 
 
 
 2,000 
 
 Glass, 
 
 48,000 
 
 77 
 
 
 47,000 
 
 Chairs and Cabinet Ware, 
 
 148,100 
 
 164 
 
 
 
 Combs, 
 
 41,000 
 
 25 
 
 16 
 
 121,000 
 
 Tin Ware, 
 
 112,032 
 
 116 
 
 
 
 Spirits, 
 
 926,656 
 
 19 
 
 
 
 Straw Bonnets, 
 
 182,450 
 
 
 438 
 
 
 Vessels, (average for 5 years,) 
 
 124,400 
 
 17 
 
 
 
 Axletrees, 
 
 10,000 
 
 6 
 
 
 6,000 
 
 Beer, 
 
 12,000 
 
 8 
 
 
 30,000 
 
 Soap and Candles, 
 
 93,000 
 
 29 
 
 
 125,000 
 
 Whale Oil, 
 
 135,000 
 
 16 
 
 
 100,000 
 
 Copper and Brass, 
 
 756,754 
 
 200 
 
 
 316,300 
 
 Organs and Piano-fortes, 
 
 302,700 
 
 220 
 
 
 163,500 
 
 Brushes, 
 
 93,000 
 
 79 
 
 59 
 
 38,000 
 
 Gold and Silver Leaf, 
 
 43,000 
 
 22 
 
 14 
 
 11,200 
 
 Carriages and Harnesses, 
 
 . 318,805 
 
 298 
 
 
 82,200 
 
 Refined Sugar, 
 
 976,454 
 
 92 
 
 
 303,653 
 
 Silver Ware and Jewelry, 
 
 228,100 
 
 88 
 
 
 111,050 
 
 Chain Cables, 
 
 60,000 
 
 20 
 
 
 75,000 
 
 Umbrellas, 
 
 65,000 
 
 37 
 
 26 
 
 36,500 
 
 Saddles, Trunks and Whips, 
 
 177,000 
 
 120 
 
 17 
 
 83,000 
 
 Granite, Marble, Sec. 
 
 336,000 
 
 400 
 
 
 165,500 
 
 Machinery, 
 
 326,000 
 
 287 
 
 
 183,775 
 
 Blank Books and Stationary, 
 
 78,000 
 
 43 
 
 7 
 
 49,000 
 
 Gas, 
 
 100,000 
 
 40 
 
 
 375,000 
 
 Looking Glasses and Frames, 
 
 147,500 
 
 42 
 
 
 55,600 
 
 Lasts, 
 
 40,000 
 
 29 
 
 
 18,000 
 
 Neck Stocks, &c. 
 
 122,000 
 
 21 
 
 435 
 
 58,200 
 
 Types and Stereotypes, 
 
 157,000 
 
 185 
 
 30 
 
 140,000 
 
 Printed Books, 
 
 925,000 
 
 500 
 
 400 
 
 850,000 
 
 Clothing, 
 
 1,887,666 
 
 542 
 
 2402 
 
 769,094 
 
 Hard Ware, 
 
 40,000 
 
 29 
 
 
 18,000 
 
 Baskets, &c. 
 
 93,000 
 
 138 
 
 
 38,000 
 
 Totals, 
 
 $10,010,631 
 
 4,655 
 
 3,967 
 
 
 fisheries. 
 
 The city of Boston is so limited, in regard to territory, as to be exclud- 
 ed, in a great measure, from participating in the fisheries. Much capi- 
 tal of the Bostonians is, however, invested, at the out ports, in this im- 
 portant branch of the resources of the wealth of New England. During 
 
 5*
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the year ending April 1, 1837, there were belonging to this city four ves- 
 els engaged in the whale fishery, and 152 in the cod and mackerel fish- 
 eries, employing 1,919 hands. Total tonnage, 11,253 tons. Total pro- 
 ceeds, $824,898. Capital employed, $748,200. 
 
 Health. 
 
 To judge of the health of a city we must compare its bills of mortality, 
 for a series of years, with those of some other city. We have ever believed 
 that the climate of Boston, and of New England generally, was as con- 
 ductive to health as any portion of our country ; but having heard it 
 often asserted that the climate of Boston was more favorable to some 
 diseases, particularly those of a pulmonary character, or what is com- 
 monly called consumption, than that of our sister city New York,. we 
 have examined with great care the authenticated bills of mortality of 
 each city for five successive years, (1830 1834, inclusive.) The popu- 
 lation of Boston, in 1830, was 61,391 of New York, 202,589 a frac- 
 tion less than 3 1-3 in New York to 1 in Boston. From 1820 to 1830, the 
 average increase of the population of Boston was a fraction less than 4 
 per cent, per annum that of New York a fraction less than 6 1-3 per 
 cent, per annum. The aggregate number of deaths in Boston during those 
 five years, was 7,340 New York, 35,087 : a fraction more than 4 2-3 in 
 New York to 1 in Boston. In that period, the aggregate number of deaths 
 in Boston, by consumption, was 1,128 in New York 6,124 : more 
 than 5 1-3 in New York to 1 in Boston. 
 
 Fires. 
 
 Boston, in common with all large towns which are chiefly built of 
 wood, has suffered very much by fire. Fifty years ago the buildings in 
 the town were principally of that material ; but by efficient measures 
 adopted by the citizens, particularly the law of 1803, prohibiting the con- 
 struction of wooden buildings of a greater height than 10 feet, a large por- 
 tion of the old buildings have been taken down, and their places, with 
 thousands of others on new sites, now present to that destructive element 
 solid walls of brick and stone. A few of the most memorable fires are 
 here given. In October 1711, a fire broke out in Williams' Court and 
 destroyed most of the buildings on both sides of Cornhill, now Washing- 
 ton street, from School street to Market square. On the 20th of March 
 1760, 174 dwelling-houses, 175 ware-houses, shops, &c. were burnt. 
 This fire was in the centre of the town, (Cornhill, State and Congress 
 streets to Fort Hill,) and the amount of property consumed, was estimated 
 at 100,000 sterling. April 24, 1787, a fire commenced in Beach street, 
 and extending south, destroyed about 60 dwelling-houses, 40 other build- 
 ings, and the church in Hollis street. July 30, 1794. Seven rope-walks, 
 between Pearl and Atkinson streets, and about 90 other buildings in that
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 neighborhood were destroyed. Loss estimated at more than $200,000. 
 
 On the 3d of November, 1818, the Boston Exchange Coffee- House, 
 in Congress-square, was destroyed by fire. This building covered 12,- 
 753 feet of land. It was 7 stories high, and from the floor to the top of 
 the dome was 83 feet. It contained 210 apartments, and cost about half 
 a million of dollars. The conflagration occurred in the evening, and the 
 sight was awfully sublime. 
 
 On the 7th of July, 1824, at noon, (the wind blowing almost a gale,) 
 15 costly dwelling-houses were burnt, on Beacon, Charles and Chesnut 
 streets. 
 
 A very destructive fire commenced on Doane street, April 7th, 1824, 
 when 53 large ware-houses, in that part of the city, with a great amount 
 of merchandize, were destroyed. 
 
 A number of buildings, containing about 35 lawyers' offices, and 20 
 stores and shops, on Court street, were burnt, Nov. 10, 1825. 
 
 During five years, 1830 1834, inclusive, there were 226 fires the 
 amount of property destroyed was $274,278 : of which 0140,943 was 
 insured. The most destructive fires were in 1833. In that year 71 fires 
 occurred, $89,970 value of property was destroyed, of which $57,040 
 was insured. 
 
 The present Fire Department was organized in 1826, It is always in 
 the most perfect state of preparation for service. Attached to this de- 
 partment are 24 engines, and 16,000 feet of hose. 4y the most powerful 
 of these engines, with 250 feet of hose, water can be thrown over the 
 grasshopper, on the cupola of Faneuil Hall, 84 feet above the pavement 
 
 Water. 
 
 The subject of pure water for all the various uses of life has ever been 
 one of the first and most important considerations with settlers in all coun- 
 tries. It frequently happens that those places most suitable for com- 
 merce are the least favorable to the ready acquirement of that indispens- 
 able element ; consequently the ingenuity and skill of man have devised 
 and executed those stupendous aqueducts, and tanks or reservoirs, both in 
 ancient and modern times, which have made some of the most desolate 
 parts of the globe the greatest marts of trade and most splendid cities. 
 Governor Winthrop and his associates located themselves at Charlestown, 
 and would have continued there had not the waters of Shawmut been 
 more agreable to their tastes. Their change of situation, on that account, 
 is no compliment to their chemical knowledge, for the waters of Charles- 
 town are decidedly the best. Possibly " the magic of a name" might have 
 influenced them ; for Shawmut, in the Indian language, is said to mean 
 " springs of living waters." 
 
 The city council, in 1834, took the long neglected subject of introduc -
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ing soft and pure water in'o the city, into consideration. By analyses of 
 the wafers of Boston, one of the best wells in the city was found to contain 
 3.6 grains of the salts of sulphate of lime, muriate of soda and muriate of 
 lime, to the pound of water. The well is 30 feet deep, and is situate high 
 on the side of a hill. Some wells were found to contain 7.5 grains of the 
 above salts, and many others a much greater quantity of noxious matter. 
 An able en^iieer stated that in October 1834, there were 2,767 wells in 
 the city; of which number 2,085 were drinkable, and 682 bad; and that 
 only 7 of the whole number were occasionally used for washing. The 
 engineer also stated that " all the dug or Artesian wells of Boston, are 
 in strata of different materials in very irregular position, so that whatever 
 may be the success in making one well, no certain result can be predica- 
 ted upon another trial at a short distance from the first. The wells in 
 town are polluted by the dirty water at the surface being absorbed, set- 
 tling and mingling with the veins below ; or are adulterated by mixture 
 with little streams of sea-water." 
 
 The Boston Aqueduct Corporation commenced operations for convey- 
 ing water into the city from Jamaica pond, in Roxbury, in 1795. The 
 distance from Boston to the pond is four miles, and the number of feet of 
 logs laid in the city is 72,000, or about 18 miles. The greatest quantity 
 of water that can be supplied from this source is 50,000 gallons daily, and 
 the greatest height it can be raised in the city is 49 feet above tide-water. 
 According to the estimates of the quantity of water used in London and 
 Philadelphia, about 28 gallons daily would be required for every person 
 in the city. This includes all that is commonly used for stables, wash- 
 ing streets, the extinguishment of fires, for manufacturing, and all other 
 purposes. The quantity of water necessary for the present population 
 is therefore about 2,500,000 gallons, daily. Spot pond in Stoneham, 8 
 miles from the city ; Mystic pond in Charlestown and Medford, 7 miles ; 
 Long pond, in Natick, 16 miles ; or the waters of Charles river, taken at 
 Watertown, 7 miles from the city, would almost inundate the misnamed 
 Shawmut with soft and pure water, at an expense of about a million of 
 dollars. Philadelphia, by her incomparable water works, has added a 
 lustre to her bright name ; New York is following her noble example, 
 by bringing the Croton river, 45 miles, to the centre of the city, at an 
 expense of five millions of dollars ; and Boston cannot much longer re- 
 main insensible of the value of pure water, to the health and comfort of 
 its people. 
 
 Antiquities. 
 
 Boston was described by Johnson in his " Wonder Working Provi- 
 dence," about the year 1663, in the following words : 
 
 " Invironed it is with brinish floods, saving one small Istmos, which
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 gives free access to the neighboring towns by land, on the south side, on 
 the northwest and northeast. Two constant fairs are kept for daily 
 trafique thereunto. The form of this town is like a heart, naturally sit- 
 uated for fortifications, having two hills on the frontier part thereji imxt 
 the sea, the one well fortified on the superficies thereof, with store of 
 great artillery well mounted. The other hath a very strong battery built 
 of whole timber, and filled with earth ; at the descent of the hill, in the 
 extreme poynt thereof betwixt these two strong arms lies a cove or bay, 
 on which the chief part of this town is built, overtopped with a third 
 hill ; all these like overtopping towers, keep a constant watch to see the 
 approach of foreign dangers, being furnished with a beacon and loud 
 babbling guns to give notice by their redoubled echo to all the sister 
 towns. The chief edifice of this city-like town is crowded on the sea- 
 banks, and wharfed out with great labour and cost ; the buildings beau- 
 tiful and large, some fairly set forth with brick tile, stone and slate, and 
 orderly placed with semely streets, whose continual enlargement pre- 
 sageth some sumptuous city. But now behold the admirable acts of 
 Christ, at this his people's landing ; the hideous thickets in this place 
 were such that wolves and bears nurst up their young from the eyes of 
 all beholders, in those very places where the streets are full of girls and 
 boys, sporting up and down with continued concourse of people. Good 
 store of shipping is here yearly built, and some very fair ones. This 
 town is the very mart of the land; Dutch, French, and Portugal Is come 
 here to trafique." 
 
 Present condition of Boston. 
 
 Perhaps at no period since the settlement of Boston has its prosperity 
 been so flattering as for the last seven years. It is true that Boston in- 
 creased in population and wealth with great rapidity during the wars in 
 Europe, from 1794 to 1807. But that growth was unnatural and contin- 
 gent ; it depended solely on the caprice of the belligerent powers, who 
 viewed us rather as servants to their necessities, than with respect. 
 
 The present state of things is altogether different. The world is at 
 peace. We look for no besieged city to supply with bread, neither do we 
 seek to run the gauntlet of a blockading squadron to furnish a starving 
 country with the growth and produce of its own colonies. We now rely 
 on our own resources agriculture, manufactures, the fisheries, and com- 
 merce with all nations with whom we can exchange our commodities at 
 fair prices. So long as we are blessed with union, good schools, good 
 laws, and with all those moral, religious and charitable institutions, which 
 tend to make mankind wiser and better, our city, under Providence, will 
 continue on in the forward path to prosperity and happiness. 
 The location of Boston always gave it the command of a greater coast-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ing trade than any other port in the United States ; but the great arteries 
 to an immense, wide-spread and rapidly increasing interior commerce 
 were never opened until the rail-roads to the north, the west, the south, 
 and the east were constructed and in operation. By these devices of hu- 
 man wisdom, and by the continuance of the two former crossing the wa- 
 ters of our own Connecticut to the noble Hudson, and piercing the cen- 
 tre of a large and fertile country, to the outlet of the great western 
 oceans on the banks of the St. Lawrence, Boston, with its enterprize and 
 wealth, located 160 miles nearer the British capital than New York, can- 
 not fail of sustaining a fair and successful competition for this trade with 
 any city on the American continent. 
 
 Motto of the City. 
 
 Sicut patribus sit Deus nobis. 
 
 As GOD WAS WITH OUR FATHERS, SO MAY HI BE 
 WITH US. 
 
 Bow, W. II., 
 
 Merrimack co., was originally 
 laid out nine miles square, compre- 
 hending a great portion of the ter- 
 ritory now constituting Pembroke 
 and Concord. It is bounded N. E. 
 by Merrimack river, which divides 
 it from Pembroke, S. E. by Hook- 
 sett, S. W. by Dunbarton, N. W. 
 by Concord and a part of Hopkin- 
 ton. The soil is very uneven and 
 hard, but productive when well 
 managed. There is but one pond 
 of any size, called Turee pond. 
 Turkey river empties into the Mer- 
 rimack at Turkey falls, near the N. 
 E. part of Bow. About a mile be- 
 low are Garven's falls, now passable 
 by locks on Bow side. Bow canal 
 is situated on the Merrimack, 3 
 miles below Concord ; the perpen- 
 dicular measurement around which 
 it is carried is 25 feet its length 
 1-3 of a mile. It passes through 
 a ledge of granite, and is for the 
 most part imperishable. Its cost 
 was $13,860 ; and about $2,000 of 
 its first income were appropriated 
 towards clearing channels through 
 Turkey falls, &.c. Pop. 1830, 1,065. 
 
 Samuel Welch, the oldest native 
 citizen of New Hampshire, died in 
 Bow on the 5th of April, 1823, at 
 the age of 113 years. He was born 
 at Kingston, Sept. 1st, 1710, where 
 he spent the early part of his life ; 
 he lived subsequently a while at 
 Pembroke ; but for 50 years preced- 
 ing his death he resided at Bow, 
 in an obscure' corner, and steadily 
 cultivated his little farm, till the 
 frosts of a century had whitened 
 his locks, and the chills of a hun- 
 dred winters had benumbed his 
 frame. His life was marked by no 
 extraordinary vicissitude he was 
 never in battle, or in any public 
 service ; he was a man of industry 
 and temperance. 
 
 Bowback Mountain. 
 
 See Stratford, JV. H. 
 Bowdoln, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This agricultural 
 township is bounded on the S. E. 
 by Bowdoinham, and S. by Tops- 
 ham. It was incorporated in 1788, 
 and lies 17 miles W. from Wiscas- 
 set, 37 N. N. E. from Portland, and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 20 S. S. W. from Augusta. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 2,173. 
 
 Bowdoinham, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. A pleasant town 
 on the west side of Kennebec river, 
 and north of Topsham. Here is 
 considerable business in the lum- 
 ber trade and ship building. Twen- 
 ty miles S. by W. from Augusta, 
 and 12 N. from Bath. Population, 
 1837, 2,218. Incorporated, 1762. 
 
 Boxborough, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. Incorporated, 1783. 
 Population, 1837, 433. Some shoes, 
 palm-leaf hats and straw bonnets 
 are manufactured in this town, and 
 large quantities of hops are grown. 
 It iies 25 miles N. W. by W. from 
 Boston, and 9 W. by N. from Con- 
 cord. Good lime-stone is found 
 here. 
 
 Boxford, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. This town lies 26 
 miles N. from Boston, 13 S. W. 
 from Newburyport, and 10 W. by 
 N. from Ipswich. The annual 
 amount of manufactures of cotton 
 wicking, boots, shoes and ploughs 
 is about $100,000. Population, 
 1837, 964. Incorporated, 1685. 
 
 Boylston, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. Incorporated, 1786. 
 Population, 1837,821. It lies 40 
 miles W. from Boston, and 8 N. by 
 E. from Worcester. Boylston is 
 watered by Nashua river, and has 
 iron ore and a ledge of crystalized 
 quartz. Here are some manufac- 
 tures of combs, palm-leaf hats, 
 boots and shoes ; several ponds 
 and fine fish. 
 
 Bozrali, Ct. 
 
 New London co. This town was 
 taken from Norwich in 1786. It 
 was formerly called New Concord. 
 It lies 33 miles E. S. E. from Hart- 
 ford, and 5 W. from Norwich. The 
 soil is a gravelly loam, rich and fer- 
 tile. It is watered by Yantic river, 
 
 on which are two pleasant and 
 nourishing villages, Dozrahville 
 and Fitchville, at both of which 
 are manufactories for cotton. 
 
 This town experienced a terrible 
 hail storm on the 15th of July, 1799, 
 by which much property was lost 
 and many cattle injured. The hail 
 fell in immense quantities, some 
 particles of which measured six 
 inches in circumference. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 1,073. 
 
 Bradford, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This town lies 
 87 miles from Augusta. 4,944 bush- 
 els of wheat was raised here in 
 1837, with a population of 770. 
 See Barnard, Me. 
 
 Bradford, HT. II. 
 
 Merrimack co. Situated about mid- 
 way between the Merrimack and 
 Connecticut rivers, bounded N. by 
 Newbury and Sutton.E. by Warner, 
 S. by Henniker and Hillsborough, 
 W. by Washington ; is 31 miles from 
 Amherst, 25 from Concord, and 80 
 from Boston. This town is watered 
 by small streams, which principally 
 issue from ponds, of which the 
 largest is Todd's pond, lying in 
 Bradford and Newbury. This pond 
 is supplied with water from the 
 hills and mountains in Newbury. 
 In it are a number of floating 
 islands, which are deemed objects 
 of curiosity. Its outlet forms the 
 northern branch of Warner river. 
 Pleasant, or Bradford pond, is on 
 the E. side of the town. It is about 
 550 rods long and 150 wide. It 
 communicates with Warner river 
 by an outlet at the N. end of it. 
 In this pond are several islands, 
 which, with the rugged declivities 
 on the E. bank, the waters below, 
 and the cottages and cultivated 
 fields on the west bank, present to 
 view, in the summer season, a wild 
 and variegated landscape. Many 
 parts of Bradford are hilly. A large 
 proportion of the town, however, 
 lies in a valley, about three mile*
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 in width. Near the Sunapee moun- j 
 tains, on the N. W.,is an extensive 
 plain, more than a mile long and 
 about half a mile wide. The soil 
 differs in quality. It is light, loamy 
 or rough. In the easterly part are 
 valuable stone quarries. Bradford 
 was granted to John Peirce and 
 George Jaffrey, in 1765. Its first 
 settlement was made in 1771, by 
 Dea. William Presbury and his 
 family. They were soon followed 
 by several inhabitants from Brad- 
 ford in Mass., from which circum- 
 stance it derived its name. It was 
 incorporated Sept. 27, 1787, and is 
 mentioned in the act as including 
 New Bradford, Washington Gore, 
 and part of Washington. Popula- 
 tion in 1830, 1,235. 
 
 Bradford, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. This town lies on 
 the W. side of Connecticut river, 
 25 miles S. E. from Montpelier, 7 
 S. from Newbury, and 15 E. N. E 
 from Chelsea. Population, 1830 
 1,507. Bradford is a pleasant farm- 
 ing town, of good soil, and is well 
 watered by Wait's river. Ahout 
 4,500 sheep. 
 
 Bradford, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. This is a very pleasant 
 town on the south side of Merrimack 
 river, and united to Haverhill by a 
 bridge of 650 feet in length. The 
 surface of the town is uneven and 
 the soil various ; but much of the 
 land is of a superior quality. Sev- 
 eral of the hills exhibit beautiful 
 scenery. Bradford is celebrated for 
 its excellent schools and seminaries 
 of learning. Here are several ponds, 
 good fishing, and a pleasant stream 
 of water. Some bricks are made 
 here, and considerable leather tan- 
 ned; but the principal manufacture 
 of the place is of boots and shoes, of 
 which,during the year ending April 
 1, 1337, the value of $331,748 was 
 made. Total amount of manufactures 
 that year,394,448. Hands employ- 
 ed, 1,096. Incorporated, 1675. Pop- 
 
 ulation, 1337, 2275. This town lies 
 23 miles N. from Boston, 10 W. S. 
 W. from Newburyport, 18 N. by W. 
 rom Salem, and about IS miles N. 
 E. from Lowell. A branch of the 
 Boston and Lowell rail-road passes 
 through Bradford to Haverhill. 
 
 Bradley, Ale. 
 
 Penohscot co. First settled, 1796. 
 Incorporated. 1835. Population, 
 1837, 338. See Barnard, Me. 
 
 Bradlejnrale, Vt., 
 
 An unincorporated township in 
 Caledonia county, chartered in 1791, 
 containing about 4000 acres. Moose 
 river passes through it. It is hound- 
 ed on the west by Kirby. Most of 
 the land is on a mountain. It never 
 had more than 21 inhabitants. 
 
 Braintree, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. This is a good farm- 
 ing town,and produces considerable 
 butter, cheese, beef and pork. It 
 lies 21 miles S. from Montpelier, 
 and 14 W. by S. from Chelsea. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1209. Branches of 
 White river pass through the town. 
 
 Braintree, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. This town formerly 
 
 included Quincy and Randolph, and 
 was first called Mount Wollaston. 
 It is celehrated for the antiquity of 
 its settlement, (1625) and for the 
 eminent men it has produced, both 
 in church and state. The surface 
 of the town is variegated by hill 
 and dale, presenting many delight- 
 ful views of Boston, its harbor and 
 the adjacent country. The soil is. 
 a strong gravelly loam, and very 
 prodttctive. ' Excellent granite 
 abounds here, of which large quan- 
 tities are annually quarried and 
 transported ; and some of the best 
 merchant ships are built of native 
 white oak and cedar. The holley 
 tree (Ilex aquifolium) is indigenous. 
 Indications of coal have been so 
 strong as to warrant an attempt at 
 mining. The Manatiquot river,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 which rises in Randolph, after 
 meandering through this town and 
 receiving the waters of Great and 
 Little pouds, meets the tide waters 
 of Boston harbor, at Braintree land- 
 ing, on Weymouth Fore river, 11 
 miles from Boston. At this place 
 there is considerable trade in lum- 
 ber and bread stuffs, and some navi- 
 gation is employed in the coasting 
 trade and fisheries. The manufac- 
 tures of Braintree consist of boots, 
 shoes, cotton and woolen goods, pa- 
 per, leather, nails, axes, cotton 
 ginns, chocolate, carriages, gran- 
 ite, straw bonnets, tin ware, and 
 vessels. The value of these arti- 
 cles of manufacture, for the year 
 ending April 1, 1837, amounted to 
 $371,937. The value of boots and 
 shoes amounted to $202,363, and 
 gave employment to 850 persons. 
 The Manatiquot affords this town 
 excellent mill sites ; some of which 
 lie near ship navigation, and are 
 very valuable. Braintree was in- 
 corporated in 1640. It lies 10 miles 
 S. by E. from Boston, and 12 S. E. 
 from Dedham. Population, 1830, 
 1,752; 1837, 2,237. 
 
 Brandon, Vt. 
 
 This is a nourishing town in Rut- 
 land county, 40 miles S. W. from 
 Montpelier, 16 N.hy W. from Rut- 
 land, and 16 S. from Middlebury. 
 It was first settled in 1775, and or- 
 ganized in 1784. Population, 1S30, 
 l,9i(). Brandon is finely watered 
 by Otter creek, Mill river, and 
 Spring pond ; on which streams are 
 good mill seats. Some of the land 
 is level, with rather a light soil, but 
 that on Otter creek is the best allu- 
 vial. Bog iron ore, of an excellent 
 quality, is found here ; copperas and 
 marble are also found. There are 
 two curious caverns in this town. 
 The largest contains two apart- 
 ments, each from 16 to 20 feet 
 square. It is entered by descend- 
 ing from the surface about 20 feet. 
 They are formed of limestone. 
 6 
 
 Brauford, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. An uneven 
 township, of strong soil, on Long 
 Island Sound, about 7 miles E. from 
 New Haven. Thimble islands and 
 Indian islands lie within the limits 
 of the town. Here are fish of va- 
 rious kinds, a small stream of wa- 
 ter, a harbor, and some vessels en- 
 gaged in the fishery. The town 
 was settled in 1644. Population, 
 1830, 2,332. A beautiful pond, 
 called Saltonstall's lake, lies be- 
 tween Branford and East Haven. 
 
 Brattleborough, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. This town is situ- 
 ated in the southeasterly quarter of 
 the state and county ; is bounded 
 E. by Connecticut river, S.by Ver- 
 non and Guilford, W. by Marlboro', 
 and N. by Dummerston. At the 
 N. E. section of the town is the 
 site of the once famous military 
 post, Fort Summer, nothing of 
 which is now retained but the 
 name, Dummer Meadows. At 
 the mouth of Whetstone brook is a 
 commodious landing place for river 
 craft. Brattleborough is connected 
 with Hinsdale and Chesterfield by 
 a handsome covered bridge, span- 
 ning the Connecticut, and terminat- 
 ing at its western abutment in the 
 east village, where the north, the 
 south, the east, and the west lines 
 of mail stages concentrate. The 
 town and vicinity are noticed for 
 their salubrious air, pure water, 
 and fine mountain scenery. It is 
 watered on the east by the Connec- 
 ticut, and is intersected by West 
 river, Whetstone brook, and nume- 
 rous smaller streams. There are 
 many sites for water power on the 
 larger streams, unoccupied, and in- 
 viting to enterprize. The east vil- 
 lage is the general business mart 
 for the surrounding towns. Of its 
 own internal business and industry, 
 one instance is given of many of 
 less amount. "The Brattleboro'
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Typographic Co." was incorporated 
 Oct. 26, 1336. Capital, $150,000. 
 The Company is extensively en- 
 gaged in the manufacture of paper 
 and books. Their paper mill is fur- 
 nished with the best machinery, 
 and is capable of turning out from 
 40 to 50 reams of the largest print- 
 ing paper, or from 150 to 200 reams 
 of letter paper per day. Their 
 printing office contains eight power 
 presses. There are employed in 
 the establishment from 60 to 70 
 male and female operatives. So 
 great are their facilities, that they 
 have taken rags and manufactured 
 them into paper, and printed it, on 
 the same day. Probably there is no 
 establishment in the country which 
 combines so many facilities for car- 
 rying on the book business as this. 
 The Company publish a variety of 
 bibles and other valuable works. 
 The value of business done at this 
 establishment, in 1836, is stated to 
 have amounted to $500,000. 
 
 It is presumed that this village, 
 according to its size, is second to 
 none in the state for business or 
 wealth. The surface of the town 
 is diversified by hills, vales, and 
 plains ; is of good soil, and gene- 
 rally well improved. It is 12 miles 
 S. E. from Newfane, 96 S. from 
 Montpelier, 90 W. of Boston, and 
 76 E. N. E. from Albany. Popu- 
 lation, 1820, 2,0171830, 2,141. 
 
 Bremen, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This town was for- 
 merly a part of Bristol. It is bound- 
 ed N. by Nobleborough, west by 
 Bristol, south by Pemniaquid point 
 in Bristol, and east by Muscongus 
 island in Muscongus bay. It lies 
 about 40 miles S. E. from Augusta, 
 and 15 E. S. E. from Wiscasset, and 
 possesses great navigable privi- 
 leges. Population, 1837, 773. 
 
 Brentwood. N. H. 
 
 Rockingham co. Brentwood is 
 bounded E. by Exeter, N. by Ep- 
 ping. W. by Poplin, and S. by 
 
 Kingston. The soil is better adapt- 
 ed to grass than grain, although 
 some improvements have been 
 made in its qualities. Exeter river 
 passes nearly through the centre 
 of the town, and there are other 
 streams of less magnitude connect- 
 ing with it. Pick-pocket falls, on 
 Exeter river, are in this town, and 
 near them are situated an exten- 
 sive cotton factory, and a number 
 of mills. A card factory has been 
 established here, which promises 
 to be of great utility ; and also an 
 iron furnace for casting machinery. 
 Quantities of iron ore have been 
 found, and it was formerly worked 
 with success. Vitriol, combined 
 in masses with sulphur, has also 
 been found here. Brentwood was 
 incorporated June 26, 1742. Popu- 
 lation, in 1830, 891. 
 
 Brewer, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. Brewer lies on 
 the Penobscot river, opposite to the 
 city of Bangor. It was taken from 
 Orington in 1812. Population, in 
 1837, 1,622. It is watered by the 
 Segeunkedunk, on which are mills 
 of various kinds. Considerable 
 quantities of lumber, hay, potatoes, 
 tanners' bark and wood, are annu- 
 ally exported from this town. The 
 town was named in compliment to 
 Col. John Brewer, one of the first 
 settlers, from Worcester, Mass. 
 The navigable privileges at this 
 place are equal to those at Bangor. 
 
 Brewster, Haas. 
 
 Barnstable co. This town was 
 the Indian Sawkatucket. It was 
 taken from Harwich, in 1830, and 
 took its name from Elder Brewster, 
 one of the first settlers of Ply- 
 mouth ; a man of great learning and 
 piety, who died,' 1644. In com- 
 mon with all the towns on Cape 
 Cod, a large number of ship-mas- 
 ters, sailing to foreign ports, belong 
 here. From three ponds in this 
 town, covering about 1,000 acres, a 
 never-failing stream of water is pro-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 duced, on which are a cotton mill, 
 carding mill, machine shop and oth- 
 er small mills. The value of the 
 manufactures of cotton goods, boots, 
 shoes, leather, axes, chairs, cabinet 
 and tin wares, lampblack, Epsom 
 and common salts, amounted, in one 
 year, to $52,072. Product of the 
 cod and mackerel fishery, $9,050. 
 Brewster lies on the north side of 
 the Cape, 16 miles E. by N. from 
 Barnstable, and 6 N. N. W. from 
 Chatham. Population, 1837, 1,534. 
 Here are about 1,000 sheep. 
 
 Bridgeport, Ct. 
 
 Fairfield co. The town of Bridge- 
 port was formerly a part of Strat- 
 ford, and was incorporated by its 
 present name in 1821. It contains 
 about 10 square miles, of a strong 
 and fertile soil, under excellent cul- 
 tivation. That purt of Bridgeport 
 where the city now stands was 
 called the village of Newfield, un- 
 til 1800, when it was incorporated 
 as a borough by its present name. 
 In 1836 it became a city. This is 
 one of those beautiful and flourish- 
 ing places in New England, the 
 pride of Yankees and the admira- 
 tion of strangers. It is InrateJ on 
 an elevated plain, on the west side 
 of an arm of Long Island Sound, 
 and commands extended views of 
 Long Island and the surrounding 
 country. The city is built in a style 
 of great neatness and some ele- 
 gance. The harbor is safe, but the 
 navigation for large vessels is im- 
 peded by a bar at its mouth, of 
 about 18 feet draught of water at 
 high tides. A large business is 
 done here in the coasting trade ; 
 some in foreign commerce, and 
 some in the whale and other fish- 
 eries. The city is watered by the 
 Pequanock, affording some water 
 power. There is a commodious 
 bridge across the harbor, 412 yards 
 in length, with a draw for the 
 passage of vessels. This is an im- 
 portant manufacturing city, par- 
 ticularly of saddlery and carriages, 
 
 of which a very large amount ia an- 
 nually made and transported. A 
 rail-road from this place is in con- 
 templation, to pass up the Housa- 
 tonick river, and meet the Boston 
 and Albany rail-road at West Stock- 
 bridge, in Mass. The population 
 of the borough of Bridgeport, in 
 1830, was 1,800. The present pop- 
 ulation of the city exceeds 4,000. 
 Bridgeport lies 62 miles N. E. 
 from New York, 17 S. W. from 
 New Haven, and 4 E. by N. from 
 Fairfield. The distance from this 
 place to Setauket, on Long Island, 
 across the Sound, is about 18 miles. 
 
 Bridgeton, Me., 
 
 Cumberland co., is pleasantly 
 situated on the border of Long pond, 
 and near the head of navigation to 
 Portland, by the Cumberland and 
 Oxford canal. The distance from 
 this place to Portland, by navigable 
 waters, is about 50 miles. The soil 
 of Bridge ton is good, and produced 
 in 1837 4,000 bushels of wheat. 
 Its location affords it great facilities 
 for inland trade. Long pond is 
 about 10 miles iu length and 1 in 
 breadth. It empties into Crooked 
 river, which passes into Sebago 
 pond. This town lies 74 miles S. 
 W. by W. from Augusta, and 40 
 N. W. from Portland, by the road. 
 Population, 1837, 1,863. 
 
 Bridge-water, N. H. 
 
 Grafton co. Originally part of 
 New Chester; now Hill, was incor- 
 porated, 1788. It is bounded N. 
 by Plymouth and Hebron, on the E. 
 by Pemigewasset river, dividing it 
 from part of Holderness and New 
 Hampton, on the S. by Bristol, and 
 on the W. by Newfound pond, 
 which separates it from Alexandria. 
 The soil is well adapted to graz- 
 ing, and few townships in this vi- 
 cinity exceed it in this respect. 
 The Mayhew turnpike passes 
 through the W. part, near New- 
 found pond, and the main road from 
 Concord to Plymouth through the
 
 ENGLAND GA/ETTEEK. 
 
 E. part near Pemigewasset river. 
 The first settlement was made in 
 1766, by Thomas Crawford, Esq., 
 when the tract comprised the whole 
 of New Chester, Bridgewater, and 
 Bristol. Population, in 1830, 783. 
 
 Bridge-water, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. This town is bound- 
 ed E. by Woodstock, and lies 45 
 miles S. from Montpelier, 17 N. 
 W. from Windsor, and 60 N. E. 
 from Bennington. Population, 1820, 
 1,125; 1830, 2,320. The settle- 
 ment of the town commenced in 
 1780. In 1785 the town was or- 
 ganized. There are many good 
 mill seats in this town, on Water- 
 queechy river, and considerable 
 fine intervale lies on the borders of 
 that stream. The high lands are 
 good, and produce valuable crops. 
 It feeds about 6,000 sheep. Here 
 are found iron ore, garnets, rock 
 crystal, mica slate, gneiss, lime- 
 stone, quartz, and excellent soap- 
 stone. In 1822, a living frog was 
 taken from 26 feet below the sur- 
 face of the ground, about 30 rods 
 from the river. 
 
 Bridge-water, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. This township 
 was formerly very large. It is now 
 divided into four distinct towns. 
 Not content with attaching the car- 
 dinal points of the compass to the 
 names of three divisions of this 
 ancient and respectable town, this 
 remnant of the old territory is often 
 improperly called South Bridgewa- 
 ter. The Indian name of this town- 
 ship was JVunketest. Bridgewa- 
 ter contains some very good land, 
 and is well watered by branches of 
 Taunton river. It lies 27 miles 8. 
 by E. from Boston, 20 S. S. W. 
 from Plymouth, and 17 S. from 
 Weymouth landing. Population, 
 1S30, 1,865; 1837, 2,092. This 
 town was first settled in 1651, and 
 incorporated in 1656. The settle- 
 ments were nearly all destroyed by 
 
 the Indians, in 1676. Manufactur 
 ing operations commenced here at 
 an early period. Hugh Orr, an 
 eminent Scotchman, carried on the 
 manufacture of cannon and small 
 arms during the revolutionary war. 
 The present manufactures consist 
 of boots, shoes, hats, paper, anchors, 
 bar iron (from native ore,) iron 
 castings, nails, tacks, axes, cotton 
 ginns, straw bonnets, &c. The 
 value of these manufactures, in 
 one year, amounted to about $250,- 
 000, and gave employment to 400 
 hands. 
 
 Bridport, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. Bridport was first 
 settled in 1768, and organized as a 
 town in 1785. It is bounded on the 
 W. by lake Champlain, and is op- 
 posite to Crown Point, in the state 
 of New York. It is 12 miles W. 
 by S. from Middlebury, 37 S. from 
 Burlington, and 45 S. W. from 
 Montpelier. Population,1830, 1,774. 
 The surface is nearly level, with 
 a loamy soil and sandstone. The 
 water is bad to the taste, and con- 
 tains Epsom salts. It has a harbor 
 on the lake, and the business of the 
 
 town ia considerable. .Across the 
 
 lake to Crown Point is about 2 
 miles. A visit to the ruins of this 
 ancient fortress, so renowned in the 
 annals of the revolutionary war, and 
 elevated 47 feet above the level of 
 the lake, is a great treat to the 
 contemplative traveller, or the lover 
 of splendid scenery. From these 
 warlike ruins to those of Ticondero- 
 ga, is 15 miles, S. 
 
 Brighton, Me. 
 
 This town is situated in the 
 county of Somerset and bound- 
 ed by Athens on the S. It was in- 
 corporated in 1816, and is 120 miles 
 N. N. W. from Portland, 50 N. 
 from Augusta, and about 30 W. 
 from Dover. Population, 1837, 
 798. The same year it produced 
 5,203 bushels of wheat.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Brighton, Vt. 
 
 A town in Essex county. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 105. See Barnard. Me. 
 
 Brighton, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This was former- 
 ly a part of Cambridge, and called 
 " Little Cambridge" until its incor- 
 poration in 1807. It lies 5 miles 
 S. VV. from Boston, 13 S. E. from 
 Concord, 35 E. from Worcester, 8 
 N. by E. from Dedham, and 15 N. 
 W. by N. from Weymouth landing. 
 Population, 1830, 972; 1837,1,337. 
 The western and northern bounda- 
 ries of this town are washed by 
 Charles river. The soil is excel- 
 lent and highly cultivated, and, in 
 common with all the towns in the 
 vicinity of Boston, Brighton has be- 
 come the residence ol many peo- 
 ple of wealth and taste, who possess 
 beautiful country seats and splen- 
 did gardens. Winship's garden 
 is noted throughout the country for 
 its nursery of fruit-trees and shrub- 
 bery, and for its grand display of 
 plants and flowers of every variety. 
 Brighton is the largest cattle market 
 in New England. Monday is the 
 market day, when sellers and buyers 
 meet in throngs to traffic in live 
 stock, both for slaughter and domes- 
 tic use. The sales in 1830 and 1837 
 are here given. 
 
 1830. JVo. Value. 
 
 Beef cattle, 37,767, $977,990. 
 Store do. 13,685, 154,564. 
 
 Sheep, 132,697, 215,618. 
 
 Swine, 19,639, 70,971. 
 
 203,788, $1,419,143. 
 
 1837. JVo. 
 
 Beef cattle, 32,664, 
 Store do. 16,210, 
 Sheep, 110,206, 
 Swine, 17,052, 
 
 Value. 
 $1,567,872. 
 486,480. 
 275,515. 
 119,364. 
 
 176,132, $2,449,231. 
 
 Brimfleld, Mass. ' 
 
 Hampden co. This town lies 19 
 6* 
 
 miles E. by N. from Springfield, 50 
 W. N. W. from Providence, R. I., 
 and 70 W. by S. from Boston. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 1,599. First settled, 
 1714. Incorporated, 1731. This is 
 a fine farming town, with a good 
 soil, and is well watered by Chick- 
 opee and Quinebaugh rivers. The 
 articles manufactured in this town, 
 in one year, amounted to $105,262. 
 The manufactures consisted of cot- 
 ton goods, boots, shoes, leather, 
 palm-leaf hats, chairs and cabinet 
 ware. The value of wool grown, 
 in one year, was $4,067. 
 
 Bristol County, Mass. 
 
 Taunton and New Bedford are 
 the county towns. 
 
 The surface of this county is 
 somewhat broken, but generally 
 level. Its soil in many parts is of 
 an inferior quality. There are 12,- 
 468 sheep. Area, 600 square miles. 
 It has a maritime coast of consid- 
 erable extent, and its people are ex- 
 tensively engaged in navigation. 
 The tonnage of the two districts 
 in this county (New Bedford and 
 Dighton) is 94,163 tons. This coun- 
 ty gives rise to many important 
 streams that fall into Massachusetts 
 and Narraganset bays, and its wa- 
 ter power is abundant in almost ev- 
 ery town. It abounds in excellent 
 iron ore, and in no section of our 
 country, of its extent, are more ex- 
 tensive manufactures of that mate- 
 rial, for almost all the uses of man. 
 This county is bounded N. by Nor- 
 folk co., E. by Plymouth co., S. E. 
 by Buzzard's bay, and W. by the 
 counties of Providence, Bristol, 
 and Newport, R. I. In king Phi- 
 lip's time this part of the country 
 was called Pawcunnawcutt. It 
 was incorporated in 1685. Popula- 
 tion, in 1820, 40,908 ; 1830, 49,474 ; 
 and in 1837, 58,152 : 97 inhabitants 
 to a square mile. Value of the man- 
 ufactures, for the year ending April 
 1 , 1837, $7,929,479. Product of the 
 fishery, $2,188,656. The Taunton 
 and Pawtucket are it* chief riven.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Bristol County, K. I. 
 
 Bristol is the chief town. 
 
 The 
 
 territory of this smallest county in 
 New England, except the county 
 of Suffolk, in Massachusetts, be- 
 longed to the colony of Massachu- 
 setts until 1746. It is bounded on 
 the N. by Bristol county, Mass., 
 E. by Mount Hope bay, and S. and 
 W. by the upper waters of Narra- 
 
 | tion, 1837, 2,788. This town was 
 incorporated in 1765. There was 
 a temporary settlement here as ear- 
 ly as 1625. In an old fort, on the 
 banks of the Pemmaquid.once call- 
 ed William Henry, and afterwards 
 Frederick George, built of stone, in 
 1692, and taken by the French in 
 i96, " are found grave stones of a 
 ery early date, and streets regu- 
 
 ganset bay. Area, 25 square miles. 
 The location of this county, on the 
 beautiful waters of Mount Hope 
 and Narragansetbays, affords it un- 
 rivalled facilities for navigation. 
 The soil is generally a deep gravelly 
 loam and very fertile, producing va- 
 rious kinds of grain and fruits ; and 
 has about 4,000 sheep. The rocks 
 are mostly granite. Bristol county 
 affords some of the best scenery in 
 New England, and is otherwise in- 
 teresting as being, for many years 
 the residence of the brave and cruel 
 Philip. Population, 1830, 5,466 
 218 inhabitants to a square mile. 
 
 Bristol, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This town is hound- 
 ed N. by Nobleborough and Bre- 
 men, W.by Damariscotta river, S 
 by the sea, and E. by Muscongus 
 bay. " Bristol Mills/' so called, is 
 the centre of the town, or the chiei 
 place of business. The town 
 finely watered by the Damariscotta 
 and Pemmaquid, and possesses grea 
 hydraulic power and navigable fa 
 cilities. There are a number o! 
 islands in the waters around Bristol 
 which make a beautiful appearance 
 some of them are quite large, am 
 inhabited. The surface of Bristo 
 is not mountainous, but elevatet 
 with a good soil. A number o 
 
 square rigged vessels belong to th 
 town ; about 20 sail are engaged i 
 the coasting trade, and a great num 
 bpr of smaller vessels are employ 
 ed in the bank and shore fisherie 
 Bristol lies 15 mile* S. E. from Wi 
 russet, 60 N. E. from Portland, am 
 33 S. E. from Augusta. Popula 
 
 arJy laid out and paved, in the vi- 
 nity of the fort. On the side of 
 ic river, opposite to the fort, tan 
 >its have been discovered, the plank 
 emaining in a state of preserva- 
 ion. In other places coffins have 
 >een dug up, which bear indubi- 
 able evidence of a remote antiqui- 
 r." "A considerable portion of 
 ic inhabitants of Bristol are of 
 rish extraction, a small part of 
 cotch, a few of German and Eng- 
 sh. The predominant character- 
 sties of the inhabitants are frank- 
 ness and hospitality, a generous lib- 
 rality of sentiment, and an ardent 
 ove of liberty and independence, 
 ^here are few of that class of men 
 vho are esteemed opulent. The 
 most wealthy are those who labor, 
 laily with their hands, and raise by 
 heir own individual exertions the 
 >read they consume. On the othei 
 land, the population of the miser- 
 ably poor is very small, and the 
 town is burthened with but few 
 jaupers." Bristol was the resi- 
 ience of Commodore Samuel Tuck- 
 er, distinguished for his bravery in 
 the revolutionary war. 
 
 Bristol, W. II. 
 
 Bristol, in the S. E. part of Graf- 
 ton county, is bounded N. by Bridge- 
 water, E. by Pemigewasset river, 
 and W.by Hill. It is 16 miles S. from 
 
 Plymouth, and SON. from Concord. 
 The land is hilly, but has, in gen- 
 eral, a good soil. Newfound pond, 
 about 6 miles in length and from 
 2 to 3 miles in width, lies in this 
 town and in Hebron. Its waters 
 are discharged through Newfound 
 river, a stream about 2 miks long
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 and 100 feet wide, into Pemigewas- 
 set river. At the confluence of 
 these rivers is a pleasant village, 
 a cotton factory, and a number of 
 valuable mill seats. Bristol was 
 taken from Bridgewater and New 
 Chester, and incorporated June 24, 
 1819. The first settlement was 
 made in 1770. Population, in 1830, 
 799. 
 
 Bristol, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. It is 25 miles S. W. 
 from Montpelier, 11 N. from Mid- 
 dlebury, and 25 S. E. from Burling- 
 ton. The town is mountainous ; 
 some parts of it, about the " Hog's 
 Back" and " South Mountain," are 
 unfit for cultivation. On the west 
 side of the mountains is some fine 
 land. About 2,200 sheep are kept 
 here. Bristol is watered by New 
 Haven river, Baldwin and Lewis' 
 creek, and some beautiful natural 
 ponds. Here is a good water pow- 
 er, and some manufactures. Pop- 
 ulation, in 1830, 1,247. 
 
 Bristol, R. I. 
 
 This is the chief town of Bristol 
 county ; the Pocanocket of the In- 
 dians. It is delightfully situated 
 on the waters of Narraganset and 
 Mount Hope bays, in lat. 41 39' 
 53" N., Ion. 71 19' W. It lies 15 
 miles S. from Providence, 15 N. 
 from Newport, and 56 S. S. W. 
 from Boston. Its navigable advan- 
 tages are unrivalled. The com- 
 merce of this place is not so exten- 
 sive as formerly; still there is con- 
 siderable maritime trade. It has 
 18 vessels engaged in the whale 
 fishery, 15 or 20 sail in the mer- 
 chant service, and a large number 
 in the coasting trade. The amount 
 of tonnage in this district in 1837, 
 was 16,627 tons. Much of the cap- 
 ital of this town is employed in man- 
 ufacturing concerns at other places. 
 The town comprises an area of 
 about 12 square miles, including 
 Mount Hope, once the residence of 
 the celebrated king Philip. The 
 
 soil is a deep, gravelly loam, very 
 fertile and productive. Great quan- 
 tities of onions are produced here ; 
 the cultivation of which gives a 
 lucrative employment to a great 
 number of the inhabitants. Popu- 
 lation, in 1830, 3,054. 
 
 Mount Hope lies about 2 miles 
 N. E. of the court house. It is of 
 a conical form, and though not moro 
 than 300 feet above tide water, pre- 
 sents a view of great interest and 
 beauty. 
 
 Mount Hope bay is an arm of 
 Narraganset bay : it extends N. E. 
 from Bristol to Fall river and Som- 
 erset, and receives the waters of 
 Taunton river. 
 
 Bristol, Ct. 
 
 Hartford co. This town was ta- 
 ken from Farmington in 1785. It 
 is watered by some streams which 
 flow into Farmington river, and 
 there are found within its limits 
 iron and copper ores, and granite. 
 The copper mine is very rich and 
 productive, and will probably be- 
 come a source of great wealth. 
 " The surface of the town is une- 
 ven and hilly, and the soil is a grav- 
 elly loam, and considerably fertile, 
 producing all kinds of grain, grass 
 and fruit, common to this region. 
 This is a manufacturing town, and 
 the inhabitants are distinguished 
 for their enterprize and industry. 
 There are at present sixteen clock 
 factories, in which nearly 100,000 
 brass and wooden clocks have been 
 manufactured in a single year. 
 The manufacture of buttons is also 
 carried on in this place." Bristol 
 is 16 miles W. by S. from Hartford, 
 arid 28 N. from New Haven. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,707; 1837, about 
 2,500. 
 
 Brookfield, IV. II. 
 
 Strafford co. It is 45 miles from 
 Concord, and 90 from Boston ; was 
 originally a part of Middleton, from 
 which it was separated and incor- 
 porated Dec. 30, 1794. The soil is
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 good. Cook's pond is the source 
 of the W. branch of Salmon-Fall 
 river. There is also another small 
 pond, covering about 15 acres, di- 
 rectly on the top of Moose moun- 
 tain, which has always about the 
 same quantity of water, and a va- 
 riety of fish in it. Population, in 
 1830, 679. 
 
 Brookfield, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. On the high lands 
 between Onion and White rivers ; 
 40 miles N. by W. from Windsor, 
 16 S. from Montpelier, and bounded 
 by Chelsea on the S. E. It is wa- 
 tered by a number of ponds and 
 springs, but has no important mill 
 privileges. This is a fine grazing 
 town, and feeds about 10,000 sheep. 
 The products of the dairy are con- 
 siderable. Here are some manu- 
 factures, and an inexhaustible bed 
 of marl, from which lime is made. 
 The town was first settled in 1779, 
 and organized in 1781. Population, 
 1830, 1,677. 
 
 Brookfield, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. The Indian Qua- 
 boag, a large, fertile and beautiful 
 township, in two parishes, well wa- 
 tered by several large ponds, which 
 give rise to a principal branch of 
 Chickopee river. For about forty 
 years after its first settlement, in 
 1660, this town suffered exceeding- 
 ly by the Indians. The ponds af- 
 ford fine fish of various kinds, and 
 in this town is a mineral spring of 
 some celebrity. It lies 58 miles 
 W. from Boston, 18 W. from Wor- 
 cester, and 7 E. from Ware. In- 
 corporated, 1673. Population, 1830, 
 2,342 ; 1837, 2,514. The agricul- 
 tural products of this town are but- 
 ter, cheese, wool, and fine beef cat- 
 tle. The manufactures consist of 
 boots, shoes, leather, iron castings, 
 ploughs, chairs, cabinet ware, palm- 
 leat hats, silver plate, shoe ma- 
 kers rolling and shingle machines, 
 fleighs, carpenters' hammers, coach 
 wrenches, sewing silk, and wooden 
 
 legs. These manufactures, for the 
 year ending April 1, 1837, amount* 
 ed to $248,502, exclusive of the 
 silk. 
 
 Brookfleld, Ct. 
 
 Fairfield co. This town lies 33 
 miles S. W. from New Haven, 24 
 N. by W. from Fairfield, and 6 N. 
 by E. from Danbury. It was taken 
 from New Milford, Danbury, and 
 Newtown, in 1788, and named af- 
 ter the first minister, Rev. Thomas 
 Brooks, who was ordained when 
 the church was organized, in 1758. 
 The surface of the town is some- 
 what broken, but the soil is strong, 
 and well adapted to the culture 
 of grain. The rocks in many parts 
 of the town are limestone, and af- 
 ford marble. The N. E. boundary 
 is washed by the Housatonick riv- 
 er, over which is a bridge to Mil- 
 ford ; and Still river passes nearly 
 through its centre. Fish, particu- 
 larly shad, are taken in its waters. 
 Population, 1830, 1,261. 
 
 Brooltline, X. II. 
 
 Hillsborough co. On the S. line 
 of the state. It is 7 miles from Am- 
 herst, 35 from Concord, and 43 from 
 Boston. Nisitissit is the only river 
 in Brookline. It rises in the N. E. 
 part of Mason ; passes through the 
 S. part of Milford into Brookline, 
 pursuing a S. E. course to Potanipo 
 pond. From the pond it runs S. E. 
 to Hollis, passing through the S. W. 
 corner of that town into Pepperell, 
 where it empties into Nashua river. 
 Potanipo, or Tanapus pond, is situ- 
 ated near the meeting house. It is 
 about a mile long and one third of a 
 mile wide. Brookline formerly be- 
 longed to Massachusetts. It was 
 incorporated March 30, 1769, by 
 the name of Raby. In Nov. 1798, 
 the name was altered by an act of 
 the legislature to Brookline. Pop- 
 ulation, in 1830, 627. 
 
 Brookline, Vt. 
 Windham co. Set off from Put-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ney and Athens in 1794. The east- 
 erly part of the town is elevated 
 and unproductive. A deep valley 
 runs through the town, in which 
 is some good land. Its principal 
 stream is Grassy brook, a branch of 
 West river. An extensive bed of 
 porcelain clay is found here. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 376. 35 miles S. 
 from Windsor, 10 N. E. from New- 
 fane, and 18 N. from Brattlebo- 
 rough. 
 
 Brookliue, Masa. 
 
 Norfolk co. This delightful town 
 is connected with Boston by the 
 mill-dam across Charles river bay; 
 one of the most beautiful and ex- 
 pensive avenues leading to the city. 
 It is distant from Boston about 5 
 miles S. W., and from Dedham 5 
 miles N. N. E. Incorporated, 1705. 
 Population, 1837, 1,083. This town 
 is remarkable for its varied surface, 
 high state of cultivation, elegant 
 country seats and gardens, excel- 
 lent roads, and for its rich and pic- 
 turesque scenery. Many gentle- 
 men of taste and fortune make this 
 their residence. 
 
 Brooklyn, Ct. 
 
 Shire town of Windham co. This 
 town is finely watered by Quinne- 
 baug river, and Blackwell's stream. 
 It was taken from Pomfret and Can- 
 terbury in 1786. The land is une- 
 ven, and somewhat stony ; but the 
 soil is strong, producing in abund- 
 ance all the varieties common to 
 a fertile grazing country. This 
 town lies 30 miles E. from Hart- 
 ford, 44 W. from Providence, R. I., 
 and about 20 N. by E. from Nor- 
 wich. Population, 1830, 1,451. 
 Good landscapes are obtained from 
 the Gray Mare and Tetnuck hills. 
 Here is a cave called the Lion's 
 Sen, and a mineral spring of some 
 notoriety. The celebrated hero, 
 General Israel Putnam, lived many 
 years and died in this town. He 
 was born at Salem, Mass., Jan. 7, 
 1718. He died May 29, 1790. 
 
 Speaking of this brave man, Dr. 
 Dwight observes, " During the gay- 
 st and most thoughtless period of 
 nis life, he regarded religion with 
 profound reverence, and read the 
 scriptures with the greatest atten- 
 tion." 
 
 Brooks, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. This town is 11 miles 
 N. N. W. from Belfast, and 45 N. 
 E. from Augusta. It produced in 
 1837, 3, 475 bushels of wheat. From 
 Paasaggassawakeag pond issues a 
 stream of the same name, which 
 passes into Belfast bay. First set- 
 tled, 1798. Incorporated, 1816. 
 Population, 1837, 800. 
 
 Brooksville, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. On the E. side of 
 Penobscot bay, opposite to Islesbo- 
 rough and Castine. It is bounded 
 on the N. by an arm of that bay, 
 and includes cape Rosico. This 
 town is well located for navigation 
 and the fisheries. It lies 80 miles E. 
 from Augusta, and about 25 S. E. 
 from Ellsworth. Population, 1837, 
 1,192. Incorporated, 1817. 
 
 Brotviificld, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. Bounded E. by Sacc 
 river, and contains several ponds 
 and streams ; 81 miles S. E. from 
 Augusta, and 30 S. W T . from Paris. 
 Incorporated, 1802. Population, 
 1837, 1,178. 
 
 Browttington, V t. 
 
 Orleans co. Willoughby river, a 
 branch of Barton river, furnishes 
 this town with a good mill stream. 
 It lies 45 miles N. N. E. from Mont- 
 pelier, and 57 N. E. from Burling- 
 ton. Chartered, 1790. Population, 
 1830, 412. It is divided from Iras- 
 burg, on the W., by Barton river. . 
 In this town are about 1,500 sheep. 
 
 Browiiville, Me. 
 
 Piscataquis co. Bounded on the 
 N. and E. by Pleasant river, S. by 
 Williamsburgh, and W. by Vaug-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 han. Incorporated, 1824. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 532. It lies about 20 
 miles N. from Dover, 97 N. N. E. 
 from Augusta, and 171 N. N. E. 
 from Portland. This is a good town- 
 ship of land, and produced, in 1837, 
 3,252 bushels of wheat. 
 
 Brunswick, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. This town is on 
 the S. side of Androscoggin river, 
 and connected with Topsham by a 
 substantial bridge. Itis27milesN. 
 E. from Portland, 30 S. of Augusta, 
 and 8 W. from Bath. Population, in 
 1830,3,747; and in 1837, 4,136. It 
 lies at the head of the tide waters, 
 where vessels of 400 tons are built. 
 Vast quantities of timber and logs 
 descend the Androscoggin to this 
 place, and lumber of all kinds is 
 sent to Bath in gondolas, or trans- 
 ported by land to the sea board. A 
 rail-road, of about 4 miles in length, 
 is contemplated, for the transporta- 
 tion of lumber. There are 30 board 
 saw mills at this place, exclusive of 
 those in Topsham. Two cotton and 
 woolen factories were erected here ; 
 but they were both burnt in 1824. 
 Another factory was built in 1834, 
 calculated for 4,000 spindles. It is 
 of stone, five stories high, and 174 
 by 45 feet. Other factories are con- 
 templated. This place, possessing 
 such an exhaustless water power, 
 and situated on navigable waters, 
 and on a large and beautiful river, 
 extending 140 miles into the heart 
 of a fertile and healthy country, 
 cannot fail of very soon becoming 
 one of our largest manufacturing 
 towns. 
 
 Brunswick was first settled in 
 1627, and incorporated in 1739. It 
 has been the scene of much savage 
 aggression. See Register. 
 
 Brunswick, V t. 
 
 Essex co. This town was first 
 settled in 1780. Population, 1830, 
 160. It lies on the W. side of 
 Connecticut river, and has some 
 excellent mill sites on the waters 
 
 of Nulhegan river, and Wheeler 
 and Paul's streams. There are 
 some beautiful ponds in town, and 
 a mineral spring said to contain me* 
 dicinal virtues. It is 55 miles N. E. 
 from Montpelier, 14 N. from Guild- 
 hall, and opposite to Stratford, 
 N. H. 
 
 Buckfleld, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This town is finely 
 watered by a branch of Androscog- 
 gin river. It is bounded on the W. 
 by Paris, and is 34 miles W. by S. 
 from Augusta, and 50 N. by W. 
 from Portland. Population, 1837, 
 1,618. The soil of this town is very 
 good. Among its agricultural pro- 
 ducts,in 1837, it yielded 5,613 bush- 
 els of wheat. 
 
 Buckland, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. This is a pleasant 
 town and is separated from Charle- 
 mont by Deerfield river. It lies 
 102 miles W. by N. from Boston, 
 10 W. from Greenfield, and 20 E. 
 S. E. from Adams. Incorporated, 
 1779, Population, 1837, 1,051. 
 This is a good farming town, and 
 produces a considerable quantity of 
 wool. 
 
 Bucksport, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. This town lies on 
 the E. side of Penobscot river, 15 
 miles below Bangor, 61 N. E. by 
 E. from Augusta, and about 18 W. 
 by N. from Ellsworth. It has, a 
 fine harbor for vessels of the larg- 
 est class, and which is seldom ob- 
 structed by ice. The soil is good, 
 and the town is watered by a num- 
 ber of ponds and streams. Consid- 
 erable shipping belong to this place, 
 and the trade is quite extensive, 
 particularly in the lumber business. 
 It has some manufactures. From 
 1792 to 1816, Bucksport was called 
 Buckstown. Ths is a very beauti- 
 ful town, elevated, healthy, and 
 flourishing. It is situated just 
 above the head of Orphan's island,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 on which a fort is to be erected. 
 Population. 1830, 2,237; 1837,2,825. 
 
 Burke, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. A mountain, 3,500 
 feet in height, divides this town 
 from Victory, on the E. Branches 
 of Passumpsic river pass through it, 
 and afford a good water power. 
 This is a place of some manufac- 
 tures,particularly of oil stones. This 
 stone (novaculite) is found on an 
 island in Memphremagog lake. 
 The stones are brought in their 
 rough state, and their quality is 
 said to equal those from Turkey. 
 The soil of the town is good, and 
 abounds with hard-wood and ever- 
 greens. A large number of sheep 
 are kept here. Burke was first set- 
 tled in 1780. Population, 1830, 
 866. It lies 40 miles N. E. from 
 Montpelier, and 19 N. E. from Dan- 
 ville. 
 
 Burlington, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. The number of 
 inhabitants in this town in 1837, 
 was 277. They produced the same 
 year 2,106 bushels of wheat. See 
 Barnard, Me. 
 
 Burlington, Vt. 
 
 This is the chief town in the 
 county of Chittenden. It is de- 
 lightfully situated upon the tongue 
 of land formed by the confluence 
 of the Winooski,or Onion river, with 
 lake Champlain. This is the most 
 important town in Vermont. It 
 lies in lat. 44 27' N. and in Ion. 
 73 15' W. It is 38 miles W. N. 
 W. from Montpelier, 62 S. by E. 
 from St. Johns, L. C., 80 S. S. E. 
 from Montreal, 70 N. from White- 
 hall, 22 S. E. from Plattsburgh, 10 
 miles across the lake to Port Kent, 
 N. Y. and 440 from Washington. 
 
 Although some beginnings were 
 made before that event, no perma- 
 nent settlement was effected in this 
 township till about the close of the 
 revolution in 1783. The town was 
 organized by the election of town 
 
 officers about the year 178(5. The 
 surface of the township is agreea- 
 bly diversified, and is so much ele- 
 vated above the lake that the air is 
 pure and wholesome. 
 
 This town is not surpassed in 
 beauty of location by any one in 
 New England. It lies on the east 
 shore of Burlington bay, and occu- 
 pies a gentle declivity, descending 
 towards the west and terminated by 
 the waters of the lake. The prin- 
 cipal streets, running east and west 
 are one mile in length, and these 
 are intersected at right angles by 
 streets running north and south, 
 and cutting the whole village into 
 regular squares. A large share of 
 the business on lake Champlain 
 centres at this place, and the town 
 is rapidly increasing in wealth and 
 consequence. There are regular 
 daily lines of steam-boats between 
 this place and Whitehall, between 
 this and St. Johns and between this 
 and Plattsburgh, besides numerous 
 arrivals of irregular boats, sloops, 
 &c. Three extensive wharves, 
 with store-houses, have been con- 
 structed and most of the merchan- 
 dize designed for the north-eastern 
 section of Vermont is landed here. 
 The trade is principally .with the 
 city of New York, although Mont- 
 real and Troy have a share. For 
 the safety of the navigation, a light- 
 house has been erected on Juniper 
 island, at the entrance of Burling- 
 ton bay, and for the security of the 
 harbor, a breakwater has been com- 
 menced here at the expense of the 
 general government. There are 
 four lines of mail stages which ar- 
 rive and depart daily, besides three 
 or four others which come in and 
 go out twice or thrice a week. 
 
 The public buildings are six 
 churches, the University of Ver- 
 mont, the Episcopal Institute, the 
 court house, two banks, the Acad- 
 emy and two female seminaries. 
 The University consists of four 
 spacious edifices, located upon the 
 summit at the eastern extremity of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the village, more than 250 feet 
 above the level of the lake,and com- 
 mands one of the finest prospects 
 in the United States. The village, 
 the lake, with its bays and islands 
 its steam-boats and sloops, the 
 Winooski river, dashing through 
 frightful chasms and then winding 
 among the beautiful meadows, and 
 the distant and lofty mountains 
 which form the great outline, 
 render the view from the dome of 
 the University one of the most va- 
 riegated and interesting to be met 
 with in our country. 
 
 As a part of Burlington may be 
 mentioned the village called "Win- 
 ooski City." It is situated on both 
 sides of the Winooski river, partly 
 in Burlington and partly in Col- 
 chester, and is one mile from the 
 village of Burlington. The water 
 power here is sufficient for propel- 
 ling almost any amount of machine- 
 ry, and is beginning to be employed 
 to some purpose. Besides two saw 
 mills, a large grist mill, a machine 
 shop and numerous smaller works, 
 there is a large satinet factory and 
 in extensive block factory now in 
 successful operation, and a woolen 
 factory of the first class is to com- 
 mence running the present season. 
 A substantial covered bridge con- 
 nects the two sides of the river ; a 
 handsome church, and several stores 
 have been erected, and '.Winooski 
 City' bids fair to become a place of 
 business and importance. See Reg- 
 ister. 
 
 Burlington, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This town is wa- 
 tered by Vine brook, a branch of 
 the Shawsheen nver. It lies 11 
 miles S. E. from Lowell, 10 N. E 
 from Concord, and 13 N. W. by N 
 from Boston. Population, 1837 
 522. Some shoes are made here 
 The soil is light, and suitable for 
 the growth of rye and hops. 
 
 Burlington, Ct. 
 
 Hartford co. An agricultura 
 
 ownship, with a soil of gravelly 
 oam, pleasantly diversified by hills 
 nd vales, 17 miles W. from Hart- 
 ord, and 36 N. from New Haven, 
 'opulation, 1830, 1,301. It is water 
 d by Farmington river,and was tak- 
 n from Bristol in 1806. This town 
 as some manufactures, and has 
 >een noted for the equality of its 
 nhabitants, in regard to property. 
 
 Buniham, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. It lies 37 miles N. 
 5. from Augusta, and about 30 N. 
 W. from Belfast. It is bounded S. 
 iV. by Sebasticook river, and E. by 
 Troy. Incorporated, 1824. Popu- 
 ation, 1837, 602. It produced 
 2,297 bushels of wheat in 1837. 
 
 Buriiliam- s River, N. H. 
 See Lyman, A*. H. 
 
 Burnt Coat Island, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. A large island, sur- 
 rounded by others of a smaller 
 size, lying off Blue Hill bay, E. by 
 S. from Deer island about 13 miles, 
 and about 6 miles S. by W. from 
 the town of Mount Desert. It has 
 a light-house and good harbors, and 
 is a fine location for the shore fish- 
 ery. 
 
 IJurrilville, R. I. 
 
 Providence co. This town was 
 taken from Gloucester in 1806. It 
 is finely watered by Branch river, 
 with many branches ; one branch 
 of which rises in Allum pond, part- 
 ly in this town and partly in Doug- 
 las, Mass. This river is an im- 
 portant tributary to the Blackstone. 
 Manufacturing villages are scatter- 
 ed over this large town in almost 
 every direction, and a vast amount 
 of manufactures of various kinds is 
 annually produced. The face of 
 the town is rough, but the soil is 
 adapted to grazing, and produces 
 large quantities of beef, pork, but- 
 ter, cheese, &.c. Herring and Ed- 
 dy's ponds are pleasant sheets of 
 water. Burrilville lies 24 miles
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTRCR. 
 
 N. W. from Providence, and 27 S. 
 by E. from Worcester. Population, 
 1830, 2,196. 
 
 Buxton, Me. 
 
 York co. This town is bounded 
 on the S. W. by Saco river. At 
 this place the Saco falls about 80 
 feet, and produces a great hydrau- 
 lic power, which is partly improv- 
 ed for manufacturing establish- 
 ments. It lies 8 miles N. W. from 
 Saco, 16 N. E. from Alfred, 18 W. 
 from Portland, and 71 S. W. from 
 Augusta. Incorporated, 1772. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 2,88S. 
 
 Buzzard's Bay, Mass. 
 
 This bay lies N. W. from Dukes 
 county, W. from Barnstable county, 
 and S. by E. from the counties of 
 Plymouth and Bristol. The length 
 of the bay is about 30 miles from 
 N. E. to-S. W., and its average 
 breadth about 7 miles. From the 
 head of this bay, across Cape Cod 
 to Massachusetts bay, (the place 
 proposed for a canal,) is 5 miles. 
 
 Byfleld, Mass. 
 
 See Newhury. 
 
 Byrom River. 
 
 See Greenwich, Ct. 
 Byron, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. See Barnard, Me. 
 
 Cabot, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. On the height of 
 land between Onion and Connecti- 
 cut rivers. " The Plain" is delight- 
 fully situated, having the Green 
 and White mountains in prospect. 
 Several branches of the Onion riv- 
 er water this town, and afford it 
 some water power. Here is Jo 
 and Molly's pond, and a sulphur 
 spring. The surface is broken and 
 hard, but good for sheep, of which 
 about 6,000 are reared. The town 
 was first settled in 1785. The first 
 females who came here came on 
 snow-shoes. This is the birth place 
 of Zerah Colburn, the celebrated 
 7 
 
 mathematician. Cabot lies 12 miles 
 N. E. from Montpelier, and bound- 
 ed E. by Danville. Population, 
 1830, 1,304. 
 
 Washington co. At the head of 
 navigation on the Schoodic, or St. 
 Croix river, nearly opposite to St. 
 Andrews, N. B. The Upper vil- 
 lage, or Mill Town, is about two 
 miles from tide water. At the 
 Lower village, below the falls, is a 
 bridge to the British side. Calais 
 lies 28 miles above Eastport, about 
 35 N. by E. from Machias, and 204 
 E. N. E. from Augusta. This is a 
 great mart for lumber of all kinds. 
 About 40 saw mills and other ma- 
 chinery are in operation by the 
 great fall of the river. The tide 
 rises here about 20 feet, and large 
 vessels ascend to the lower village. 
 A rail-road is in operation between 
 the two villages ; it is to extend to 
 Baring. Incorporated, 1809. Pop- 
 ulation, 1S30, 1,686; 1837, 3,027. 
 
 Calais, Vt. 
 
 Washington co. Abijah Whee- 
 lock and others first settled this 
 town in 1787. It lies 36 miles E. 
 by S. from Burlington, and 12 N. E. 
 from Montpelier. Population, 1830, 
 1,539. Calais has a number of 
 streams, branches of Onion river, 
 arid several fine ponds. Two thou- 
 sand pounds ef trout have been tak- 
 en in a season. There is some man- 
 ufacturing carried on in the town, 
 and it feeds about 6,000 slicep. 
 
 Caledonia County, ,Vt. 
 
 Danville is the chief town. 
 Bounded E. by Connecticut river 
 and Essex county ; S. by Orange 
 county ; W. by Washington coun- 
 ty, and N. by the county of Orleans. 
 It contains about 700 square miles. 
 Population, 1820, 16,669; 1830, 
 19,943. Inhabitants to a square 
 mile, 28. Incorporated, 1792. The 
 eastern range of the Green moun- 
 tains extends through the western
 
 NEW ENGEAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 part of the county. It is watered 
 by many fine streams, but the Con- 
 necticut and Passumpsic are its 
 chief rivers. A large part of the 
 county is high and good land ; that 
 along the rivers is excellent. It 
 produces wheat and other grain, 
 beef cattle, horses, and about 60,- 
 000 sheep. There are some sul- 
 phur springs in this county ; lime- 
 stone and granite are abundant. 
 
 Cambridge, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. In the year 1837 
 the town had a population of 431, 
 and raised, the same year, 2,890 
 bushels of wheat. See Barnard, 
 Me. 
 
 Cambridge, N. H., 
 
 Coos co., is an uninhabited town- 
 ship, of 23,160 acres, granted May 
 19, 1773, to Nathaniel Rogers and 
 others. It is bounded N. by the 
 township of Errol and Umbagog 
 lake, E. by the state of Maine, S. 
 by Success and Milan, and W. by 
 Dummer. This tract has an une- 
 ven surface, but might be advanta- 
 geously cultivated. Several streams 
 rise here, and fall into the Ameris- 
 coggin, which passes through the 
 N. W. part of the town. 
 
 Cambridge, Vt. 
 
 Lamoille co. It lies 30 miles N. 
 W. from Montpelier, and about 16 
 W. from Hydepark. Population 
 1830, 1,613. First settled, 17S3 
 The Lamoille and other streami 
 afford this town a good water pow- 
 er. There is some good intervale 
 in the town, but the land is rough 
 and chiefly valuable for grazing 
 it feeds about 7,000 sheep. 
 
 Cambridge, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This town maj 
 be divided into three parts : Oh 
 Cambridge, the seat of the mos 
 ancient and best endowed college 
 in the United States, is 3 miles from 
 West Boston bridge, which divide 
 Cambridge from Boston. Cam 
 
 idge-Port is a compact, flourish- 
 g village, about midway between 
 ie University and the bridge. East 
 'ambridge is of newer growth, and 
 
 a very flourishing place. It is 
 ie seat of the county courts, and 
 
 immediately connected with Bos- 
 m by Canal bridge and the viaduct 
 f the Boston and Lowell rail-road, 
 ver Charles river. This town was 
 ncorporated by the name of New- 
 on in 1630. It took the name of 
 ambridge in 1638. The first print- 
 ng press in America was establish- 
 d here, by Stephen Day, in 1639. 
 he first work printed was the 
 
 Freeman's Oath." In this town 
 re various and extensive manu- 
 actories. They consist of glass, 
 lats, leather, boots and shoes, shoe 
 lacking, tin ware, chairs and cabi- 
 iet ware, rail-road cars, chaises, 
 caches, and other carriages ; iron 
 ixletrees, harnesses, organs, car- 
 >enters' tools, clothing, pumps and 
 >locks, cigars, brass and britannia 
 ware, bricks, ropes and twine, soap, 
 >rushes, varnish, confectionary, 
 stamped and stained paper, stoves, 
 sheet iron, glue, pocket books, and 
 medicine. The value of these man- 
 ufactures the year ending April 1, 
 1837, amounted to $930,066. The 
 amount of glass, which is consid- 
 ered of admirable quality, exceed- 
 ed $450,000. Cambridge is very 
 pleasant, although not so elevated 
 as some of the neighboring towns. 
 Besides the buildings of the Uni- 
 versity, it contains the United 
 States' arsenal, other handsome pub- 
 lic buildings, and many very ele- 
 gant private residences. Pop. 1830, 
 1,072 ; 1837, 7,631. See Register. 
 
 Mount Auburn Cemetery, lies 
 about a mile W. of the Univer- 
 sity, in the towns of Cambridge and 
 Watertown. It contains about 100 
 acres of land, and is laid out with 
 gravelled walks, and planted and 
 embellished with all the varieties 
 of trees, shrubbery, and flowers. 
 Lots of ground, of 300 square feet,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 at suitable distances along the I there breaths a solemn calm, as if 
 
 winding passages, are appropriated 
 as family burial places, with the 
 perpetual right to purchasers of 
 enclosing, decorating, and using 
 them for that purpose. Numerous 
 monuments of exquisite workman- 
 ship are already erected, which 
 add, if possible, to the melancholy 
 grandeur of the scene. It is an en- 
 chanting spot ; a magnificent rest- 
 ing place of the dead. This ceme- 
 tery was dedicated Sept. 24, 1831. 
 We cannot deny ourselves the 
 gratification of quoting a few lines 
 from the descriptive part of Judge 
 Story's admirable address on that 
 occasion. 
 
 : A rural cemetery seems to com- 
 
 we were in the bosom of a wilder- 
 ness, broken only by the breeze as 
 it murmurs through the tops of the 
 forest, or by the notes of the warb- 
 ler, pouring forth his matin or his 
 evening song. 
 
 " Ascend but a few steps, and 
 what a change of scenery to sur- 
 prise and delight us. We seem, as 
 it were, in an instant, to pass from 
 the confines of death to the bright 
 and balmy regions of life. Below us 
 flows tfee winding Charles, with its 
 rippling current, like the stream of 
 time hastening to the ocean of eter- 
 nity. In the distance, the city, 
 at once the object of our admiration 
 and our love, rears its proud emi- 
 
 bine in itself all the advantages \ nences, its glittering spires, its lofty 
 which can be proposed to gratify towers, its graceful mansions, its 
 human feelings, or tranquilize hu- I curling smoke, its crowded haunts 
 man fears ; to secure the best re- of business and pleasure, which 
 ligious influences, and to cherish i speak to the eye, and yet leave a 
 all those associations which cast a i noiseless loneliness on the ear. 
 
 cheerful light over the darkness of 
 the grave. 
 
 " And what spot can be more ap- 
 
 Again we turn, and the walls of 
 our venerable University rise be- 
 fore us, with many a recollection 
 
 propriate than this, for such a pur- [ of happy days passed there in the 
 pose ? Nature seems to point it out ' interchange of study and friend- 
 
 with significant energy, as the fa- 
 vorite retirement for the dead. 
 There are around us all the varied 
 features of her beauty and gran- 
 deur the forest-crowned height; 
 the abrupt acclivity ; the sheltered 
 valley ; the deep glen ; the grassy 
 glade, and the silent grove. Here 
 are the lofty oak, the beech, that 
 ' wreaths its old fantastic roots so 
 high,' the rustling pine, and the 
 drooping willow, the tree, that 
 sheds its pale leaves with every 
 autumn, a fit emblem of our own 
 transitory bloom ; and the ever- 
 green, with its perennial shoots, in- 
 structing us, that the wintry blast 
 of death kills not the buds of vir- 
 tue.' Here is the thick shrubbery, 
 to protect and conceal the new- 
 made grave ; and there is the wild- 
 flower creeping along the narrow 
 path, and planting its seeds in the 
 upturned earth. All around us 
 
 ship, and many a grateful thought 
 of the affluence of its learning, 
 which has adorned and nourished 
 the literature of our country. 
 Again we turn, and the cultivated 
 farm, the neat cottage, the village 
 church, the sparkling lake, the rich 
 valley, and the distant hills, are be- 
 fore us through opening vistas; and 
 we breathe amidst the fresh and 
 varied labors of man. 
 
 "There is, therefore, within our 
 reach, every variety of natural and 
 artificial scenery, which is fitted to 
 awaken emotions of the highest and 
 most affecting character. We stand, 
 as it were, upon the borders of two 
 worlds ; and as the mood of our 
 minds may be, we may gather les- 
 sons of profound wisdom by con- 
 trasting the one with the other, or 
 indulge in the dreams of hope and 
 ambition, or solace our hearts by 
 melancholy meditations."
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Camden, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. This sea-port is fine- 
 ly located for navigation, with two 
 beautiful harbors, on the W. side of 
 Penobscot bay, 10 miles N. from 
 Thomaston, 17 S. from Belfast, and 
 40 E. S. E. from Augusta. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 2,991. this place has 
 some navigation engaged in the 
 coasting trade and fisheries, and 
 considerable ship building is carri- 
 ed on ; but the principal business 
 is the manufacture of lime from in- 
 exhaustible quarries of marble, or 
 lime stone. About 200,000 casks 
 of lime is annually shipped from 
 this place to all parts of the United 
 States. This lime is noted for mak- 
 ing a cement of a superior quality. 
 The Megunticook river waters a 
 part of the town, and gives it a 
 great water power, which might 
 be well applied to manufacturing 
 purposes. From a mountain in the 
 rear of the town a beautiful pros- 
 pect is presented,of Penobscot bay 
 and its numerous islands. Camden 
 is a pleasant retreat in summer 
 months. 
 
 Camel's Back Mountain, Vt. 
 
 This most elevated summit of the 
 Green mountains lies in Hunting- 
 ton, 17 miles W. from Montpelier, 
 25 N. E. from Middlebury, and 20 
 S. E. from Burlington. It is 4,138 
 feet above the sea. 
 
 Camp to 11, X. II., 
 
 Grafton co., Is bounded N. by 
 Thornton, E. by Sandwich, S. by 
 Holderness and Plymouth, W. by 
 Rumney ; is 50 miles from Con- 
 cord, and 75 from Portsmouth. Its 
 surface is broken and uneven, 
 abounding with rocky ledges, and 
 having several mountainous tracts. 
 Besides Pemigewasset river, run- 
 ning N. and S. through nearly the 
 centre of the town, it is watered by 
 Mad and Beebe's rivers, which fall 
 into the Pemigewasset on the E., 
 and by West Branch river and Bog 
 
 brook on the W. The land in the 
 valleys is generally good, and there 
 is gome good intervale. The high 
 land is good for grazing. The for- 
 est trees are mostly deciduous. No 
 white oak or pitch pine is found N. 
 of the centre of the town. Iron 
 ore of an inferior quality is found 
 in some places. The towns of 
 Campton and Rumney were both 
 granted in Oct. 1761, to Capt. Jabez 
 Spencer, of East Haddam, Conn., 
 but he dying before a settlement 
 was effected, his heirs, in conjunc- 
 tion with others, obtained a new 
 charter, Jan. 5, 1767. The first 
 settlement was made in 1765, by 
 two families of the names of Fox 
 and Taylor. The proprietors held 
 their first meeting Nov. 2, 1769, 
 and the inhabitants theirs, Dec. 16, 
 1771. From the circumstance of 
 the first proprietors building a camp 
 when they went to survey Camp- 
 ton and Rumney, this town derives 
 its name. In the revolutionary 
 war, this town, though in its infan- 
 cy, furnished nine or ten soldiers, 
 five of whom died in the service, 
 and three were living in 1822. Pop- 
 ulation, in 1830, 1,318. 
 
 Canaan, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. This town was first 
 settled in 1774, and incorporated in 
 1788. It formerly embraced the 
 territory of Skowhegan and Bloom- 
 field. It is a good farming town, 
 and produced, in 1837, 5,444 bushels 
 of wheat. It lies on the east side 
 of Kennebec river, 13 miles E. from 
 Norridgewock, and 34 N. from Au- 
 gusta. Population, 1837, 1,347. 
 
 Canaan, ST. II. 
 
 Grafton co. Bounded N. by 
 Dame's gore, which separates it 
 from Dorchester, E. by Orange, S. 
 by Enfield, and W. by Hanover, 
 and is situated on the height of land 
 between the rivers Connecticut and 
 Merrimack. It is 16 miles E. from 
 Dartmouth college, 30 S. E. from 
 Haverhill, 25 S. W. from Plymouth,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 and 40 N. W. from Concord. The j ada, and E. by Stewartstown, N. 
 only stream of consequence is the 
 Mascomy, which rises in the N.W. 
 part of Dorchester, and after a me- 
 andering course of 8 or 10 miles, 
 falls into Mascomy pond in Eniield. 
 Indian stream river rises in the S. 
 E. corner of Dorchester, and run- 
 ning about 8 miles, mingles with 
 the waters of Mascomy, near the 
 centre of the town. Heart pond, 
 so called from its figure, is situated 
 in the centre of the town, and upon 
 a swell of land so elevated that 
 at a distance it presents the appear- 
 ance of a sheet of water on a hill. 
 
 It is about 500 rods in length and 
 200 in width, and the only natural 
 curiosity of any note, is the mound, 
 or bank of earth, which nearly sur- 
 rounds this pond. It is from 4 to 
 5 feet high, and from its uniform 
 height and regular construction 
 would seem to be the work of art ; 
 but from frequent annual observa- 
 tion, it is found to have been pro- 
 duced by the drifting of the ice 
 when breaking up in the spring. 
 Besides this, there are Goose, 
 Clark's, Mud and Bear ponds. The 
 land is not so broken as in some of 
 the adjoining towns. There is but 
 little not capable of cultivation. 
 The soil is tolerably fertile, and 
 produces wheat, rye, com, flax, &.c. 
 Canaan was granted by charter, 
 July 9, 1761, to 62 persons, all of 
 whom except ten belonged to Con- 
 necticut. It derived its name from 
 Canaan in that state. The first per- 
 manent settlement was made in the 
 winter, in 1766 or 7, by John Sco- 
 field, who conveyed what effects 
 he possessed the distance of 14 miles 
 over a crust of snow upon a hand- 
 sled. Among others of the first 
 settlers, were George Harris, Tho- 
 mas Miner, Joshua Harris, and 
 Samuel Jones. The first proprie- 
 tors' meeting was held July 19, 
 1768. Population, in 1830, 1,428. 
 
 Canaan, Vt. 
 
 Essex co. Bounded N. by Can- 
 7* 
 
 H.; 31 miles N. from Guildhall, 
 and 112 N. E. from Montpelier. 
 First settled, 1785. Population, 
 1830, 373. The land in this town 
 is broken and cold. Leed's pond 
 produces an abundance of fish. 
 Canaan produces more fish than 
 grain. 
 
 Canaan, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield co. First settled in 
 1738. Incorporated, 1739. Canaan 
 lies 41 miles N. W. from Hartford, 
 and IS N. N. W. from Litchfield. 
 Population, 1830, 2,301. The town 
 lies on the E. side of Housatonick 
 river, opposite to Salisbury. A 
 ledge of limestone rocks crosses the 
 river at this place, about 30 rods in 
 length, causing a perpendicular fall 
 of 60 feet. The river is rapid, both 
 above and below this beautiful cata- 
 ract. The whole descent of the 
 river, in Canaan, is about 130 feet, 
 " nobly arranged and distributed, 
 and comprehending a remarkable 
 variety of beauty and grandeur." 
 The township is mountainous, with 
 some arable land along the streams. 
 About 4,000 sheep are kept here. 
 This section of country is noted for 
 its excellent mutton. Limestone 
 and iron ore are abundant ; the lat- 
 ter is of a very fine quality. Iron 
 works, on an extensive scale, are 
 established here ; a satinet factory 
 and other machinery. 
 
 Canals in New England. 
 See Register, 
 
 Candia, N. H., 
 
 Rockingham co., Was detached 
 from the N. part of Chester and in- 
 corporated, 1763. The soil is natu- 
 rally hard of cultivation ; but the 
 industry of the inhabitants has made 
 it fruitful. It was originally cover- 
 ed with a thick growth of oak, ash, 
 maple, birch, &c. The site of this 
 town is elevated, and commands 
 an extensive view of the rich scene- 
 ry of th adjacent country the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 White HiMs, the Wachusett, and 
 other mountains, the lights on Plum 
 island, and the ocean being visible. 
 In the W. part of the town is a 
 ridge of land extending from N. to 
 S., which is the highest elevation 
 between Merrimack river and the 
 ocean. On the E. side of this ridge, 
 two branches of Lamprey river 
 take their rise. Candia lies 15 
 miles from Concord. This town 
 among others contributed largely 
 to the attainment of independence ; 
 and the names of 69 soldiers of the 
 revolution are found on its records. 
 The inhabitants are mostly indus- 
 trious farmers, many of whom are 
 wealthy. Population, 1830, 1,362. 
 
 Canterbury, BT. H. 
 
 Merrimack co. Canterbury, 
 though an uneven township, is not 
 mountainous. The soil is generally 
 good ; the more uneven parts af- 
 fording excellent pasturage. There 
 are no large streams in this town ; 
 but several ponds give rise to smal- 
 ler streams, furnishing good mill 
 sites, and near which are cut great 
 quantities of hay. Two bridges over 
 the Merrimack connect this town 
 with Boscawen. The town was set- 
 tled about 1727, and for a long time 
 the inhabitants were exposed to the 
 inroads of the savages. The hus- 
 bandman cleared and tilled his land 
 under the protection of a guard, 
 uncertain whether the seed he com- 
 mitted to the ground might not be 
 watered by his blood, or that of an 
 enemy. Canterbury lies 8 miles 
 N. from Concord. Population, 
 1836, 1663. 
 
 The Hon. ABIKL FOSTER de- 
 serves a particular notice. He pos- 
 sessed in a great degree the esteem 
 and confidence of the people ; and 
 soon after he left the pastoral care 
 of the church, he was called to ar- 
 duous duties as a magistrate and 
 legislator. In 1783, he was elected 
 to Congress; and for three years 
 was a member of that body under 
 the old confederation. He was suc- 
 
 cessively returned a member for 
 nearly all the time until 1804; 
 when he retired to private life and 
 domestic traquillity. He was an 
 ardent lover of his country, and 
 faithfully served his constituents- 
 by whom his memory will long be 
 cherished. He died in Feb., 1806. 
 Canterbury, from its elevated situa- 
 tion, has ever been a healthy town. 
 IB the S. E. part of this town, 
 on an elevated and beautiful site-, is 
 the village of the " SHAKERS." At 
 present it consists of more than two 
 hundred members. They have a 
 meeting-house open at all times of 
 public worship, where any discreet 
 and decent spectator is allowed to 
 attend. They have a " Trustees' 
 Office," where all their public busi- 
 ness is transacted, and where stran- 
 gers are at first received on their vis- 
 its to the society. They have also 
 neat dwelling-houses, of two and 
 three stories, and several work- 
 shops both for men and women. 
 Their mills and various kinds of 
 machinery are moved by water on 
 an artificial stream. They manu- 
 facture many articles for sale, 
 which are remarkable for neatness 
 and durability. Their gardens are 
 .perhaps the most productive of any 
 in the country ; and indeed all their 
 improved lands exhibit the pleasing 
 effects of industry and rural econ- 
 omy. They cultivate garden seeds 
 and take much pains to pro- 
 pagate those of the best kind. 
 They occupy more than 1,500 acres 
 of land, lying principally in a body, 
 which they have ' consecrated to 
 the Lord,' and which they enjoy 
 in common. They cheerfully pay 
 their proportion of public taxes, 
 and share all the burthens of gov- 
 ernment, except the bearing of 
 arms, which they deem to be con- 
 trary to the gospel ; and in return 
 they claim from government only 
 that protection and support guaran- 
 tied to other citizens. The income 
 of their manufactures, together 
 with their agricultural products,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 yields their temporal support ; and 
 "what they become possessed of 
 more than is necessary to their 
 wants, they devote to charitable 
 purposes, agreeably to their church 
 covenant. ' It should be mentioned 
 es a practice highly creditable 
 to this sect, that the members 
 of their societies never make use 
 of ardent spirits, except in cases of 
 sickness, being aware of the evils 
 intemperance brings upon society. 
 Another practice not unworthy of 
 imitation is, they refuse to be trust- 
 ed even in the smallest sum. They 
 transact their secular concerns with 
 great uprightness ; and though they 
 may have suffered reproach from 
 their singularity of life and man- 
 ners, they have become a proverb for 
 industry, justice and benevolence. 
 For a particular account of the re- 
 ligious tenets of this singular peo- 
 ple, see Religious Creeds and Sta- 
 tistics. 
 
 Canterbury, Ct. 
 
 Windham co. The first settlers 
 of this town were principally from 
 Dorchester, Mass, and its neighbor- 
 hood. They came here about the 
 year 1690. The soil of the town is 
 a gravelly loam, generally fertile 
 and productive. It lies 40 miles 
 E. by S. from Hartford, and 6 S. 
 from Brooklyn. Population, 1830, 
 1,881. The Quinnebaug is here 
 a large and beautiful stream. It 
 annually overflows its banks, and 
 fertilizes a large tract upon its bor- 
 ders. There is fine fishing in Bates' 
 pond. Considerable excitement 
 manifested itself in this town, in 
 1832, in consequence of a Miss 
 Crandall proposing to open a school 
 foi^ the instruction of " Young la- 
 dies and little misses of color." 
 Although no one seemed to question 
 the purity of Miss Crandall's mo- 
 tives, yet the people doubted the 
 expediency of the measure. 
 
 Canton, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. Incorporated, 1821. 
 
 Population, 1837, 827. It lies on 
 both sides of the Androscoggin riv- 
 er, 32 miles W. N. W. from Au- 
 gusta, and 24 N. E. from Paris. 
 Canton produced, in 1837, 3,114 
 bushels of wheat. 
 
 Canton, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. Neponset river and 
 several large ponds give this town 
 a great water power. It lies 15 
 miles S. W. from Boston, and 5 S. 
 by E. from Dedham. Incorporated, 
 1797. Population, 1830, 1,517; 
 1837, 2,185. The manufactures of 
 Canton the year ending 1st of 
 April, 1837, amounted to $695,- 
 180. They consisted of cotton and 
 woolen goods, shoes, palm-leaf hats, 
 copper, wicking, thread, candle- 
 sticks, hoes, iron castings, trying 
 squares, and " shapes/' The bells 
 manufactured at this place are of 
 superior metal and sound. This 
 place is easily approached from the 
 capital by the Boston and Provi- 
 dence rail-road. The viaduct, or 
 bridge, on that road at this place, 
 cost the company about $80,000. 
 It is of massive hewn granite, 600 
 feet in length ; 63 feet above the 
 foundation, on 6 arches, with a suc- 
 cession of arches at top. , It is an 
 admirable piece of workmanship. 
 
 Canton, Ct. 
 
 Hartford co. First settled, 1740. 
 Incorporated, 1806. Population, 
 1830, 1,437. Collinsville is the 
 principal village in the town, at 
 which a large amount of axes, of a 
 superior quality, are annually made. 
 It lies 16 miles N. W. by W. from 
 Hartford, and 16 N. E. from Litch- 
 field. This village presents a beau- 
 tiful appearance, and is a noble 
 specimen of individual enterprize. 
 The soil of Canton is coarse and 
 stony, and the surface hilly. Farm- 
 ington river passes through its S. 
 W. corner. 
 
 Carlisle, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. Thia town lie*
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 20 miles N. W. from Boston, and 5 
 N. from Concord. Incorporated, 
 1805. Population, 1837, 596. It 
 is bounded S. E. by Concord river. 
 This is a poor town, and its manu- 
 factures are very trifling. 
 
 Carmcl, Me. 
 
 Penobscotco. Population, 1837, 
 610. Growth of wheat, same year, 
 1,890 bushels. 71 miles from Au- 
 gusta. See Sowadabscook Stream. 
 
 Carroll, N. II. 
 
 A township in Coos county, ly- 
 ing at the base of the White Moun- 
 tains, on the N. W., having Jeffer- 
 son and Whitefield N., Whitefield 
 and Bethlehem W.,and the ungrant- 
 ed lands, and Nash and Sawyer's 
 Location on the S. It was granted 
 Feb. 8, 1772, to Sir Thomas Went- 
 worth, Bart., Rev. Samuel Langdon, 
 and 81 others. Its surface is un- 
 even, and its appearance dreary. 
 Population, in 1830, 108. 
 
 Carthage, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. Incorporated, 1826. 
 Population, 1837, 455. 46 miles 
 from Augusta, and 73 from Port- 
 land. See Barnard, Me. 
 
 Carver, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. Set off from Ply- 
 mouth in 1790. Population, 1837, 
 990. 38 miles S. E. from Boston, 
 and 8 S. W. by S. from Plymouth. 
 There are a number of pleasant 
 ponds in this town. The soil is not 
 very productive. The manufac- 
 tures of Carver consist of iron cast- 
 ings, boots, shoes, boxes, and wil- 
 low baskets ; annual amount about 
 
 Casco Bay, Me. 
 
 This is one of the finest bays on 
 the American coast. Its western 
 boundary is Cape Elizabeth ; its 
 eastern, Cape Small Point. The 
 distance between those capes is 
 about 20 miles. Its indentation does 
 not exceed 15 miles. Within it are 
 
 some of the best harbors in the 
 world. It is said that Casco bay 
 contains as many islands as there 
 are days in the year ; however that 
 may be, we know that they are 
 very numerous, some very large, 
 fertile, and well cultivated ; and 
 that a survey of them from the high 
 grounds in Portland, Falmouth, 
 Cumberland, or Yarmouth, affords a 
 treat of island and ocean scenery 
 of transcendent beauty. 
 
 Castiue, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. Castine derived its 
 name from a French baron of that 
 name, who resided here upwards of 
 twenty years after 1667. This 
 peninsula, jutting out into Belfast 
 bay, at the mouth of Penobscot 
 river, was formerly called " Major 
 Biguyduce," pronounced, aga- 
 duce. The peninsula embraces 
 2,500 acres of land, and was first 
 settled by the English, in 1760. 
 The British occupied this place in 
 both of the wars with the U. S. It 
 was the shire, or chief town, of the 
 county from 1789 to 1838, when 
 the courts were removed to Ells- 
 worth. Castine possesses an excel- 
 lent maritime position, but its trade 
 from the country is limited, being 
 cut off by the more inland towns. 
 Its trade, however, is considerable. 
 The lumber and coasting trade, 
 with the fisheries, give active em- 
 ployment to its people. 78 miles 
 E. from Augusta, and about 25 S. 
 W. from Ellsworth. Population, 
 1830, 1,155; 1837, 1,168. 
 
 Castleton, Vt. 
 
 Rutland, co. This is a flourish- 
 ing town, watered by a river of the 
 same name ; 11 miles W. from Rut- 
 land, 72 S. W. from Montpelier, 
 and 14 E. from Whitehall. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 1,783. First settled, 
 1770. The surface of the town is 
 rough and hilly, but there is some 
 rich land. It feeds about 9,000 
 sheep. Mill stn'iims abound in 
 Castleton, ou which are a woolen
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 and other manufacturing establish- 
 ments. Lake Bombazine, 7 miles 
 in length and 2 in breadth, is chief- 
 ly in this town. It is stored with 
 fish, and has an island near its cen- 
 tre of exquisite beauty. The vil- 
 lage of Castleton is elevated, neat- 
 ly built, and presents a great vari- 
 ety of rich and beautiful scenery. 
 
 Cavendish, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. There are two flour- 
 ishing villages in Cavendish, Dut- 
 ton's village and Proctorsville. It 
 is watered by Black river and Twen- 
 ty Mile Stream, which afford a good 
 hydraulic power. Here are in op- 
 eration 4 large woolen factories, 
 iron works, manufactures of tin, 
 and many other branches of me- 
 chanics. Along the streams the 
 soil is excellent; the high land is 
 good, but best adapted to grazing. 
 Here are about 6,000 sheep. The 
 channel of Black river, at the falls, 
 has been worn down 100 feet. The 
 effects of the water, at this place, 
 are very curious. Hawk's moun- 
 tain separates this town from Balti- 
 more. Cavendish, in common with 
 most of the towns in Vermont, pre- 
 sents a great variety of mountain 
 scenery. It lies 10 miles S. W. 
 from Windsor, and 60 S. from Mont- 
 pelier. First settled, 1769. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,498. 
 
 Centre-Harbor, X. II., 
 
 Strafford co., is pleasantly situa- 
 ted between Winnepisiogee and 
 Squam lakes ; distant from Concord, 
 39 miles, Portsmouth 60, Boston 
 104. Measley pond is partly in this 
 town. Squam lake furnishes fine 
 trout, and has several islands valu- 
 able for grazing. The soil is very 
 good, mostly a rich loam. Centre 
 Harbor is a delightful resting place, 
 during the warm season, of tourists, 
 to the White Mountains, and the 
 great resort of those, visiting the 
 Winnepisiogee lake and the great 
 natural curiosities in the adjoining 
 town of Moultonborough. The 
 
 first settlements were made by Eb- 
 enezer Chamberlain, in 1765, and 
 Col. Joseph Senter, in 1767. Pop- 
 ulation, in 1830, 577. 
 
 Champlain Lake. 
 
 This delightful expanse of water 
 is the boundary line between New 
 York and Vermont. Vermont em- 
 braces about two thirds of its sur- 
 face. New York is on the W. side, 
 and the counties of Franklin, Chit- 
 tenden, Addison, and apart of Rut- 
 land, in the state of Vermont, lie 
 on the E. At the N. it extends a 
 few miles into Lower Canada, and 
 receives the waters of Pike river. 
 It discharges into the St. Lawrence 
 by the Richelieu, Sorel, or Chambly 
 river. Among its tributaries from 
 Vermont are the Missisque, Lam- 
 oille, Onion, Otter, and Pawlet riv- 
 ers. From New York it receives 
 the waters of the Chazy, Saranac, 
 Sable, Bouquet, and Wood rivers, 
 and of Lake George. Its length is 
 about 130 miles : its breadth varies 
 from 1 to 12 miles : average breadth 
 about 3 miles. It abounds with 
 salmon, trout, pickerel and other 
 fish. It is navigable for vessels 
 of 90 tons burthen, and splen- 
 did steamboats are continually ply- 
 ing, in the season of navigation, 
 from Whitehall, along its beautiful 
 shores, to St. John's in Canada. 
 This lake contains about 60 islands, 
 is remarkable for its splendid scene- 
 ry, and renowned in ancient and 
 modern stories for its scenes of war- 
 like achievements. Lake Cham- 
 plain is a great resort, both for bu- 
 siness and pleasure. 
 
 In the Register, under Burling- 
 ton, may be found some notes for 
 travellers. 
 
 Chaplin, Ct. 
 
 Windham co. Taken from Mans- 
 field, Hampton and Windham, in 
 1832. It is watered by Natchaug 
 river, which passes nearly through 
 its centre. The town is small, but 
 the soil is good, and populated by
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 industrious farmers, who, by their 
 practice of keeping a large number 
 of sheep, seem to be convinced of 
 the fact that wool is one of the most 
 important staples of New England. 
 It lies 10 miles W. by N. from 
 Brooklyn, and 30 E. by N. from 
 Hartford. 
 
 I'harlrmout, "Inss. 
 
 Franklin co. Deerfield river me- 
 anders through this town, and gives 
 it a good water power. Garrisons 
 were erected here hi 1754, against 
 the savage French and Indians. 
 Their remains are now visible. In- 
 corporated, 1765. Population, 1837, 
 994. It lies 110 miles W. N. W. 
 from Boston, and 14 W". by N. from 
 Greenfield. Although this is a 
 mountainous township, it contains 
 much valuable land. It maintains 
 about 5,000 merino and other sheep. 
 Its manufactures consist of boots, 
 shoes, leather, iron castings, axes, 
 hoes, palm-leaf ,hats, saddlery, 
 scythe snaiths, and lather boxes. 
 
 Charles Rivers. 
 
 Charles rivCr, in Massachusetts, 
 is the Quinobequin of the Indians. 
 This river rises on the borders of 
 Hopkinton and Milford, and after 
 meandering through Bellingham, 
 Franklin, Medway, Medfield.Sher- 
 burne, Dover, Dedham, Need- 
 ham, Natick, Newton, Waltham 
 and Watertown, it meets the tide 
 waters, and forms a part of Boston 
 harbor. It is navigable to Water- 
 town, 7 miles W. from Boston. 
 
 Charles river, in R. I., has its 
 source in Warden's pond, in South 
 Kingston, and empties into the 
 Pawcatuck, at Westerly. 
 
 Charleston, Ale. 
 
 Penobscot co. At the source of 
 Pushaw lake. Bounded W. by Gar- 
 land. It lies 25 miles S. W. from 
 Belfast, and 73 N. W. from Augus- 
 ta. This township is fine wheat 
 land; it yielded, in 1837, 7,606 
 
 bushels. Incorporated, 1811. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 1,140. 
 
 Charleston, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. Echo pond, the out- 
 let of lake Seymour, waters this 
 town. Lake Seymour is a large 
 sheet of water, and passes N. into 
 lake Memphremagog. Charleston 
 lies about 35 miles N.E. from Hyde- 
 park, 55 N. N: E. from Montpelier, 
 and 15 S. of Canada line. Popula- 
 tion, 1S30, 564. 
 
 Charlestown, N. II., 
 
 Sullivan co., is situated on Con- 
 necticut river, 51 miles from Con- 
 cord, 100 from Boston, 100 from 
 Albany, 110 from Hartford, Conn., 
 and 18 miles from Windsor, Vt. 
 The only rivers in Charlestown 
 are the Connecticut and Little Su- 
 gar rivers. In the former, there 
 are three islands within the limits 
 of this town, the largest of which 
 contains about ten acres, and is call- 
 ed SartwelFs island. The others 
 contain about six acres each, and 
 have a rich loamy soil. Sartwell's 
 island is under a high cultivation 
 There are no falls in this river with- 
 in the limits of Charlestown which 
 interrupt the boat navigation, al- , 
 though some little inconvenience ' 
 is experienced in low water from 
 what are called " Sugar river bars." 
 Little Sugar river waters the north 
 part of Charlestown, and empties 
 into Connecticut river about two 
 miles south of the S. line of Clare- 
 iiiont. This town has but few fac- 
 tory or mill privileges. The soil 
 is extremely various. West of 
 the great road leading from Wai- 
 pole to Claremont, are not less than 
 1,500 acres of fine intervale land, 
 generally of a deep, rich and loamy 
 soil, and favorable for the culture 
 and growth of most of the various 
 kinds of grass and grain. In the 
 E. and N. E. parts of the town, the 
 soil of the upland is good the nat- 
 ural growth of wood, consisting
 
 NEW ENGLAND GA7,ETTEER. 
 
 principally of beech, birch, oak, 
 maple and hemlock. There is a 
 ridge of hard, broken, and in some 
 parts stony, land, east of the river 
 road, extending almost the whole 
 length of the town, and which is 
 considered unfit for settlements. 
 The south part of the town appears 
 to have a different soil, and is favor- 
 able for yielding the lighter grains. 
 Charlestown contains two parishes, 
 which are divided by a line run- 
 ning from Cheshire bridge S. 87 
 E., to the corner of Acworth and 
 Unity. In the south parish, there 
 is a handsome village, delightfully 
 situated, at the distance of about 
 half a mile from Connecticut river, 
 and parallel with it. In the north 
 parish is a meeting-house and a 
 small village. Cheshire bridge, 
 about 2 miles N. of the S. meeting- 
 house, connects this town with 
 Springfield, Vt. From this bridge 
 Cheshire turnpike leads southerly 
 through the principal village, to 
 Keene. Charlestown was granted 
 by Massachusetts, Dec. 31, 1735, 
 by the name of Number 4, which 
 is sometimes applied to it at the 
 present day. 
 
 On the 2d July, 1753, No. 4 was 
 incorporated by the name of Charles- 
 ; town. The charter was granted by 
 Gov. Benning Wentworth to Jo- 
 seph Wells, Phinehas Stevens and 
 others, who were purchasers under 
 the old grantees. In 1754, the French 
 war commenced and the inhabit- 
 ants were obliged to take up their 
 residence in the fort. The first set- 
 tlers of Charlestown, like the first 
 inhabitants of almost every frontier 
 town in New England, were, prior 
 to 1760, the victims of savage cru- 
 elty. For twenty years after the 
 first settlement, their neighbors on 
 the N. were the French in Canada, 
 on the W. the Dutch, near the 
 Hudson, on the E. the settlements 
 on Merrimack river, and on the S. 
 few were found until arrived at 
 Northfield, in Massachusetts, a dis- 
 tance of more than 40 miles. The 
 
 Indians were at peace but a small 
 portion of that time. From their 
 infancy, the settlers had been fa- 
 miliar with danger, and had acquir- 
 ed a hardihood unknown to poster- 
 ity. When they attended public 
 worship, or cultivated their lands, 
 they sallied from the fort prepared 
 for battle, and worshipped or labor- 
 ed under the protection of a senti- 
 nel. In their warfare, the Indians 
 preferred prisoners to scalps, and 
 lew were killed but those who at- 
 tempted to escape, or appeared too 
 formidable to be encountered with 
 success. The first child born in 
 Charlestown was Elizabeth, the 
 daughter of Isaac Parker. She was 
 born 1744, and died in 1806. 
 Charlestown has been favored with 
 a number of eminent men, only 
 one of which we have room to men- 
 tion. Capt. PHINEHAS STEVENS 
 was one of the first settlers. The 
 town when in its infancy was pro- 
 tected by his intrepidity. He was 
 a native of Sudbury, Mass., from 
 whence his father removed to Rut- 
 land. At the age of 16, while his 
 father was making hay, he, with 
 three little brothers, followed him 
 to the meadows. They were am- 
 bushed by the Indians, who killed 
 two of his brothers, took him pris- 
 oner, and were preparing to kill his 
 youngest brother, a child four years 
 old. He, by signs to the Indians, 
 made them understand if they 
 would spare him, he would carry 
 him on his back and he carried 
 him to Canada. They were redeem- 
 ed and both returned. He receiv- 
 ed several commissions from Gov. 
 Shirley, and rendered important 
 services in protecting the frontiers. 
 In 1747, when Charlestown was 
 abandoned by the inhabitants, he 
 was ordered to occupy the fort with 
 30 men. On the 4th of April, he 
 was attacked by 400 French and In- 
 dians, under Mons. Debeline. The 
 assault lasted three days. Indian 
 stratagem and French skill, with 
 fire applied to every combustible
 
 bout the fort, hd not the desired 
 effect. The heroic band were not 
 appalled. They refused to capitu- 
 late. At length an interview be- 
 tween the commanders took place. 
 The Frenchman shewed his forces, 
 and described the horrid massacre 
 thut must ensue unless the fort was 
 surrendered. " My men are not 
 afraid to die," was the answer made 
 by Capt. Stevens. The attack con- 
 tinued with increased fury until 
 the end of the third day, when the 
 enemy returned to Canada, and left 
 Capt. Stevens in possession of the 
 fort. Capt. Stevens, for his gallant- 
 ry on this occasion, was presented 
 by Sir Charles Knowles with an el- 
 egant sword; and from this circum- 
 stance the township, when it was 
 incorporated, in 1753, took the name 
 of Charlestown. Population, in 
 1830, 1,778. 
 
 Chariest oivii, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. The Indian name 
 of this town was Mishawun. First 
 settled, 1628. Incorporated, 1629. 
 Population, 1820, 6,591 ; 1830, 
 8,787 ; 1837, 10,101. Charlestown 
 is a peninsula, formed by Charles 
 and Mystic rivers, and is united 
 to Boston by Charles and Warren 
 bridges. It is also united to Boston 
 as a port of entry, and in its various 
 commercial and manufacturing pur- 
 suits. This town is noted for its 
 sacrifices in the cause of liberty ; 
 and its soil will ever be dear to the 
 patriot's bosom. The town is not 
 so regularly laid out as Philadel- 
 phia, yet it is neatly built, and con- 
 tains many elegant public and pri- 
 vate edifices. The streets are wide 
 and airy, and many of them have 
 recently been planted with trees 
 for shade. Considerable shipping 
 is owned here, engaged in foreign 
 and domestic commerce. The an- 
 nual value of the cod and mackerel 
 fisheries is about $40,000. The 
 value of the manufactures, in 
 Charlestown, the year ending April 
 1, 1837, exclusive of a large amount 
 
 of leather, was $390,000. The ar 
 tides manufactured were as fol- 
 lows: soap, candles, boots, shoes, 
 hats, morocco, chairs, cabinet ware, 
 vessels, combs, tin ware, and spirits. 
 
 The United States' Navy Yard 
 was first established in this town 
 about the year 1798. The yard is 
 situated on the N. side of Charles 
 river, on a plot of ground of about 
 60 acres. It is enclosed by a high 
 wall of durable masonry, and con- 
 tains several ware-houses, dwell- 
 ing-houses for the officers, and a 
 large amount of naval stores, live 
 oak and other timber. It also con- 
 tains three large ship-houses, in 
 which are the Vermont and Caro- 
 lina of 74, and the Cumberland 
 frigate of 44 guns. These ships 
 can be launched and ready for sea 
 in a very short time. 
 
 The dry dock at this place is of 
 hewn granite, and of unrivalled 
 masonry. It is 341 feet in length, 
 80 in width, and 30 in depth. It 
 cost $670,089. This dock was com- 
 pleted and received the Constitu- 
 tion on the 24th of June, 1833. 
 Connected with this establishment 
 are a naval hospital and maga/ine, 
 at Chelsea, and a large ropewalk in 
 the yard ; other additions are con- 
 templated. This is considered one 
 of the best naval depots in the Uni- 
 ted States. 
 
 McLean Jlsylum. This estab- 
 lishment is located on a beautiful 
 rise of ground, in Charlestown, near 
 East Cambridge, and about a mile 
 and a half from the City Hall, in 
 Boston. The buildings are large, 
 and exceedingly well adapted to 
 their philanthropic design. They 
 cost about $186,000. This House 
 was opened for patients on the 6th 
 of October, 1818. 
 
 Belonging to, and surrounding 
 this Asylum, are about 15 acres of 
 land.appropriated to courts and gar- 
 dens. These are laid out with grav- 
 elled walks. The former are furnish-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ed with summer houses, and the 
 latter are ornamented with groves 
 of fruit and ornamental trees, shrub- 
 bery and flowers. Surrounding the 
 lower garden and within the enclo- 
 sure, is a carriage path, where pa- 
 tients are taken to ride. . In the 
 centre is a small fresh water pond, 
 containing several hundred gold and 
 silver fish, and immediately contig- 
 uous is a summer house, where the 
 patients at times resort for games 
 and amusements. 
 
 The system of moral treatment 
 adopted and pursued, is founded up- 
 on principles of elevated benevo- 
 lence and philanthropy, and an ac- 
 quaintance with human nature and 
 the capabilities and wants of the 
 insane. The previous tastes, hab- 
 its and pursuits, and the present in- 
 clinations and feelings of each in- 
 dividual, are habitually consulted. 
 A library for the use of the patients 
 has been purchased, and those of 
 them who are disposed to read, are 
 permitted at stated periods to send 
 in their names and the number of 
 the book desired ; the list is exam- 
 ined and approved by the physician, 
 and the books are distributed by the 
 librarian. In the same way, writ- 
 ing materials are distributed, and 
 patients are engaged in keeping 
 journals writing sketches of their 
 lives poetry addressing letters to 
 their friends, drawing, &c. Some 
 engage in games, as bowling 
 throwing the ring battledore gra- 
 ces jumping the rope chess 
 draughts back gammon, &c., or 
 are occupied in walking p.nd riding 
 into the country, or in niHdng fish- 
 ing excursions in the company of 
 their attendants ; while others are 
 working on the farm and in the 
 garden. The female patients, be- 
 sides being employed in various 
 kinds of needle and ornamental 
 work, are engaged in various do- 
 mestic labors. The quiet and con- 
 valescent patients regularly attend 
 the religious exercises of the fam- 
 ily, and a portion of them join in 
 
 the vocal and instrumental music 
 of the occasion ; a part of this num- 
 ber also attend church on the Sab- 
 bath, in company with the nurses 
 and attendants, and dine with the 
 family. A regulated intercourse 
 with the family and society is re- 
 garded as an important auxiliary in 
 the means of cure, and on suitable 
 occasions they are invited into the 
 house, where parties are made for 
 their special amusement and bene- 
 fit. 
 
 JOHN MCL.LEAN, Esq., late of 
 Boston, an eminent merchant, be- 
 queathed a large amount of prop- 
 erty to this institution ; hence its 
 name. 
 
 Bunker Hill Monument. On the 
 17th of June, 1825, the corner stone 
 of an Obelisk was laid on the heights 
 in this town, by the illustrious La 
 Fayette, to commemorate the battle 
 between the Americans and Brit- 
 ish on the 17th of June, 1775. In 
 that battle, 449 Americans and 
 1,055 Britons were slain. Charles- 
 town was burnt by the British the 
 same day. The site of the Monu- 
 ment is 62 feet above the level of 
 the sea. It is of hewn granite, 
 and, when completed, will be 30 
 feet square at the base, 15 feet 
 square at the top, and 220 feet in 
 height. It is now raised about 60 
 feet, and will probably be complet- 
 ed in one or two years. The cost 
 of it will be about $100,000. 
 
 The State Prison. This institu- 
 tion was founded in 1800, and soon 
 after located on a point of land in 
 this town, near East Cambridge, 
 and which is connected with Canal 
 bridge by a lateral bridge of 1,820 
 feet in length. After having strug- 
 gled with many and great difficul- 
 ties attendant on the establishment 
 of an institution so entirely new, 
 the state, by the agency of suitable 
 men, have so placed it as to effect 
 all the objects proposed, without 
 any expense to the commonwealth.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 < h<trlfito\vii, R. I. 
 
 Washington co. Charlestown lies 
 on the sea, opposite to Block Island. 
 It has five large ponds, which cov- 
 er an area of 7 square miles. 
 Charlestown and Conaquetogue 
 ponds are salt water, and Posquis- 
 ett,Watchaug and Cochumpaug are 
 fresh water. These waters afford a 
 great variety of fish. Near the 
 sea, the land is arable, but the inte- 
 rior of the town is more fit for the 
 growth of wood. This town con- 
 tains the graves of the remnant of 
 the tribe of the once powerful and 
 dreaded Naraganset Indians. They 
 possessed a considerable tract of 
 land in this town, but owing to 
 a dislike to agricultural pursuits, 
 and by intermarriages with the 
 whites and negroes, their race as a 
 distinct people has long since be- 
 come extinct. Charles river pas- 
 sea through the town, and gives it 
 mill privileges. Charlestown lies 
 about 8 miles W. S. W. from South 
 Kingston, and 40 S. W. from Provi- 
 dence. Population, 1830, 1,284. 
 
 Charlotte, Me. 
 
 Washington co. Incorporated, 
 1825. Population, 1837, 612. About 
 25 miles N. W. from Machias, and 
 184 E. by N. from Augusta. Char- 
 lotte contains a pond, the waters 
 of which pass through Dennysville 
 and empty in Cobscook bay. 
 
 Charlotte, Vt. 
 
 This is a pleasant town, in Chit- 
 tenden county, on lake Cham- 
 plain, and opposite to Essex, N. 
 Y. In Essex, about 3 miles across 
 the lake, is Split Rock, a great nat- 
 ural curiosity. Charlotte lies 49 
 miles W. of Montpelier, 11 S. of 
 Burlington and 21 N. W. of Mid- 
 dlebury. A part of this town grad- 
 ually slopes toward the lake, and 
 is very productive. Its trade is 
 chiefly with Canada. From the 
 principal village, " The Four Cor- 
 
 ners," the lake, and the mountains 
 :hat skirt its borders, present a very 
 
 romantic appearance. Population, 
 n 1830, 1,702. 
 
 Charlton, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. Charlton was set 
 off from Oxford, 1754. It lies 53 
 miles S. W. from Boston, and 12 
 W. N. W. from Worcester. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 2,469. There is a 
 cotton mill in this town, and some 
 manufactures of leather and shoes. 
 
 Chatham, N. H., 
 
 Strafford co., is situated on the 
 E. side of the White Mountains, 
 and adjoining the line which divides 
 this state from Maine. It has Con- 
 way on the S., Bartlett and Jackson 
 on the W., Mount Royse on the 
 N. Chatham was granted to Peter 
 Livius and others, Feb. 7, 1767. 
 There are several ponds in Chat- 
 ham, and some considerable streams. 
 The surface is mountainous and 
 rocky, and can never sustain a 
 great population. Between Chat- 
 ham and Jackson, Carter's moun- 
 tain rises so high as to prevent the 
 opening a road between the two 
 towns ; so that in holding an inter- 
 course with the rest of the county, 
 the inhabitants are obliged to pass 
 through part of the state of Maine. 
 Population, in 1830, 419. 
 
 Chatham, Mass., 
 
 Barnstable co., lies on the el- 
 bow of Cape Cod, south side. Pleas- 
 ant bay, inside of Chatham beach, 
 forms a good harbor. Chatham is 
 20 miles 'E. from Barnstable, and 
 32 S. S. E. from Provincetown. 
 Incorporated, 1712. Population, 
 1837, 2,271. The value of the cod 
 and mackerel fisheries, for the year 
 ending April 1, 1837, was $56,- 
 100; value of salt made, $8,220; 
 value of boots and shoes made, 
 $1,500. There are, belonging to 
 this place, about 20 sail of fisher- 
 men and 30 coasters.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Chatham, Ct. 
 
 Middlesex co. The township of 
 Chatham embraces Chatham par- 
 ish, (formerly East Middletown,) 
 the greater part of Middle Haddam 
 parish, the parish of East Hampton 
 and a part of the parish of West 
 Chester. It lies 16 miles S. from 
 Hartford, and opposite to Middle- 
 town, from which it was taken in 
 1767. Population, 1830, 3,646. 
 Chatham is watered by Salmon and 
 Pine brooks and several ponds. 
 Job's pond, about 2 miles in cir- 
 cumference, has no outlet. It rises 
 and falls about 15 feet. It rises for 
 six or twelve months, and then falls 
 about the same period. It is high- 
 est in the driest season of the year, 
 and lowest when there is most rain. 
 It is from 40 to 60 feet deep. Chat- 
 ham is noted for its valuable quar- 
 ries of freestone. " For forty years 
 past it has been extensively improv- 
 ed, and the stone, to the depth of 
 thirty feet from the surface, are now 
 removed over an area of an acre 
 and a half, back from the river. 
 The Stone in this quarry is covered 
 in some places with four or five 
 feet of earth, and in others with 
 four or five feet more of shelly rock. 
 It is not perfectly solid, but lies in 
 blocks, eight or ten feet thick, and 
 fifty and sixty feet long. The seams 
 and joints facilitate the process of 
 removing these from their beds; 
 and when removed, they are reduc- 
 ed by the wedge and chisel to any 
 size or form which is wished. In 
 this quarry thirty hands have been 
 employed for several years, eight 
 months in the year, and from four 
 to six teams. The quantity of stone 
 prepared for market, and sold to the 
 inhabitants of this and the neigh- 
 boring towns, and exported to dis- 
 tant parts of the country, has been 
 very great; and has yielded a hand- 
 some profit. Fifty rods south of 
 this quarry an opening was made 
 about 1783, now spreading over 
 half an acre. Here the stone is 
 
 covered with about ten feet of 
 earth. In this opening as many as 
 twelve hands have been sometimes 
 employed. Vessels come to this 
 and the above quarry, and load from 
 the bank. The bed of stone in 
 which these and the smaller open- 
 ings in the neighborhood have been 
 made is immense, and lies at differ- 
 ent depths from the surface in dif- 
 ferent places. It has been discov- 
 ered in sinking wells, for half a 
 mile in northern and southern di- 
 rections, and has been opened at a 
 greater distance eastward. Where- 
 ever found, the stone possesses the 
 same general properties, but varies, 
 like the freestone in Middletown, 
 in the fineness of its texture." 
 
 Cheimsford, Slags. 
 
 Middlesex co. On the south side 
 of Merrimack river, and connect- 
 ed with Dracut by a bridge. 
 First settled, 1753. Incorporated, 
 1655. Population, 1837, 1,613. It 
 lies 25 miles N. W. from Boston, 
 and 4 S. W. from Lowell. Cheims- 
 ford abounds in limestone and gran- 
 ite; considerable of the latter is 
 transported to Boston by the Mid- 
 dlesex canal, which passes through 
 the town. The manufactures of 
 this town, during the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, amounted to about 
 $100,000 ; principally of glass and 
 iron. 
 
 Chelsea, Vt. 
 
 County town of Orange county. 
 First settled, 1785. Chelsea is a 
 township of good land, with a pleas- 
 ant village in the centre. It is wa- 
 tered by the head branches of White 
 river and has a good hydraulic pow- 
 er. Its manufactures consist of 
 cassimere, satinet, leather, iron, &c. 
 Chelsea produces all the various 
 commodities common to the climate, 
 and feeds about 6,000 sheep. It lies 
 20 miles S. by E. from Montpelier. 
 Population, 1830, 1,958.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Chelsea, Maa. 
 
 Suffolk co. This town was for- 
 merly a ward of Boston. Incor- 
 porated, 1788. Population, 1837, 
 1,659. The centre of the town lies 
 from Boston about 3 miles N. E., 
 across Charles river, and 3 miles 
 E. of Charlestown. The manufac- 
 tures of Chelsea consist of uphol- 
 stery, stone ware, snuff, segars, 
 wood and copper engravings, car- 
 riages, bricks, vessels, salt, boots, 
 shoes, &.c. ; annual value, about 
 $90,000. 
 
 The United States Marine Hos- 
 pital in this town, is on a large plot 
 of ground, in a delightful and airy 
 situation, and affords a comfortable 
 retreat for sick and disabled seamen. 
 Point Shirley, extending southeast- 
 erly.forms the northern part of Bos- 
 ton harbor. Winnesimet Ferry Read- 
 ing from the foot of Hanover street, 
 in Boston, to this town, is probably 
 the oldest establishment of the kind 
 in America. The first grant was 
 given to Thomas Williams, in 1631. 
 The distance across Charles river is 
 about a mile and a half. Neat and 
 commodious steam-boats are con- 
 tinually running across this delight- 
 ful stream, making the Winnesi- 
 met of the Indians the Hoboken of 
 Boston. 
 
 Chcrryflcld, Me. 
 
 Washington co. At the head of 
 tide water, on both sides of Narra- 
 guagus river, with a handsome vil- 
 lage, and considerable trade. Incor- 
 porated, 1815. Population, 1837, 
 1,000. 116 miles E. by N. from 
 Augusta, and about 85 W. from 
 Machias. 
 
 Cheshire County, TS. II. 
 
 Cheshire is one of the western 
 counties in this state. Its length 
 is 31 miles: its greatest breadth 26 
 miles : and its least breadth 16. It 
 Is bounded N. by the county of 
 Sullivan, E. by Hillsborough coun 
 ty, S. by the state of Massachu 
 
 setts, and W. by Vermont. This 
 county contains 727 square miles. 
 Throughout the whole extent on 
 the west, it is watered by the Con- 
 necticut, the western bank of which 
 forms the boundary line between 
 New Hampshire and Vermont. 
 Ashuelot river is a considerable 
 stream, and is tributary to Connec- 
 icut river. It has its source from 
 a pond in Washington, and after re- 
 ceiving two branches in Keene and 
 Swanzey, and several smaller 
 streams in Winchester, empties 
 into Connecticut river at Hinsdale. 
 Spafford's Lake, a beautiful collec- 
 tion of water, of about 8 miles in 
 circumference, is situated in Ches- 
 erfield. There is a pleasant island 
 in the lake, containing about eight 
 acres. The Grand Monadnock, in 
 Dublin and JaffVey, is the highest 
 mountain, its attitude having been 
 repeatedly found to be more than 
 3,000 feet above the level of the 
 
 .. Bellows' Falls' in Connecti- 
 cut river, at Walpole, have been 
 regarded as one of the greatest nat- 
 ural curiosities in this county. 
 
 The earliest settlement in this 
 county was made about the year 
 1732, at Hinsdale, then a part of 
 Northfield, and under the govern- 
 ment of Massachusetts. The coun- 
 ty was formed March 19, 1771, and 
 it probably received its name from 
 Cheshire, one of the western coun- 
 ties in England. The population 
 of Cheshire county in 1790, was 
 19,665, in 1800, 24,288, in 1810, 
 24,673, in 1820, 26,843, in 1830, 
 27,016. It has 22 towns: 39 in- 
 habitants to a square mile. Keene, 
 the chief town, is nearly in the 
 centre of the county, and lies in 
 N. lat. 42 57'. 
 
 Cheshire. Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. Cheshire has ren- 
 dered itself worthy of its name by 
 its production of cheese of fine fla- 
 vor and quality. In 1801, the good 
 people of this place sent a cheese 
 to Mr. Jefferson, weighing about
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 1200 pounds. The value of wool, 
 the growth of 1836, sold for $5,522. 
 The Hoosack river passes through 
 the town. Although a mountain- 
 ous township, the soil has been 
 rendered productive by the industry 
 of the people. It has some manu- 
 factures of leather and shoes. 125 
 miles W. N. W. from Boston, and 
 16 N. by E. from Lenox. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 924. Incorporated, 1793. 
 
 Cheshire , Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. Taken from 
 Wallingford in 1780. It lies 14 
 miles N. from New Haven, and 25 
 S. E. from Hartford. Population, 
 1S30, 1,780. The Quinnipiac river 
 and Farmington canal pass through 
 the town. Cheshire has an un- 
 even, but good soil, with a very 
 pleasant village, and an Episcopal 
 academy, 54 by 34 feet; a brick 
 building of considerable taste. Ag- 
 riculture is the chief occupation of 
 the inhabitants. 
 
 Chester, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. Incorporated, 1834. 
 Population, 1837, 323. See Bar- 
 nard, Me. 
 
 Chester, ST. II., 
 
 Rockingham co., is 17 miles W. S. 
 W. from Exeter, 30 W. S. W. from 
 Portsmouth, 17 N. W. from Haver- 
 hill, and 23 S. E. from Concord. 
 A branch of Exeter river, called 
 " The Branch," flows through the 
 N. E. part of Chester, beside which 
 there is no stream deserving men- 
 tion. Massabesick pond is the larg- 
 est body of fresh water in the coun- 
 ty, and contains about 1,500 acres. 
 The line between this town and 
 Manchester passes more than 2 
 miles through the westerly part of 
 this pond. The Indians had a set- 
 tlement of 10 or 12 wigwams on an 
 island in this pond, vestiges of 
 which, it is said, may still be seen. 
 A considerable portion of the town 
 possesses a good soil, and many of 
 the large swells yield in fertility to 
 8* 
 
 none in the state. There are sever- 
 al large and valuable meadows. In 
 this town are two caves, sometimes 
 visited by strangers. That which 
 was earliest noticed, is situated in 
 Mine hill, near the east side of 
 Massabesick pond. The entrance 
 is about 5 feet high and 2 1-2 wide. 
 The cavern extends into the hill, in 
 a northern direction, about 80 feet, 
 of sufficient dimensions to admit a 
 person to pass. Its form is very ir- 
 regular, and its height and breadth 
 various, from 2 to 12 feet. The oth- 
 er is in the westerly side of Rattle- 
 snake hill, in the S. W. part of the 
 town, in a ledge of coarse granite, 
 nearly 40 feet high. It has two 
 entrances. The north entrance is 
 about 11 feet high and 4 broad. 
 Native sulphur is found in this town 
 in small quantities, imbedded in 
 tremolite. Granite and gneiss are 
 the prevailing rocks, and handsome 
 specimens of graphic granite are 
 sometimes found. The village in 
 this town is pleasant, and stands 
 chiefly on a long street. It is the 
 principal place of business in this 
 part of the county, and is situated 
 on an elevated rise, commanding 
 one of the most extensive prospects 
 in New England. From, this hill, 
 the ocean, though more than 20 
 miles distant, may, in a clear day, 
 be distinctly seen. Population, 
 1830,2,039. Incorporated, 1722. 
 
 Chester, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. First settled, 1764. 
 Population, 1830, 2,320. Three 
 considerable streams form William's 
 river and give Chester a good water 
 power. The land is uneven, but 
 fertile and productive. This is a 
 very pleasant town, with two hand- 
 some villages, manufactures of va- 
 rious kinds, and about 10,000 sheep. 
 This is a great thoroughfare for trav- 
 ellers from the eastern part of New 
 England to the Hudson river, near 
 Troy, N. Y. The passage over the 
 Green Mountains, from Chester to 
 Manchester, is considered the best
 
 ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 in this part of the state. Chester 
 lies 16 miles S. S. W. from Wind- 
 sor, 79 S. from Montpelier, and 
 about 30 E. N. E. from Manchester. 
 
 Chester, Maa*. 
 
 Hampden co. ThU is a moun- 
 tainous township, but ^ood for graz- 
 ing. In 1837, it had 3,720 sheep ; 
 their wool weighed 10,325 pounds, 
 and sold for $5,818. There are 
 2 cotton mills in Chester, 3 tanne- 
 ries, and a window blind factory. ! 
 Total amount of manufactures, in 
 one year, $47,975. Branches of 
 Westfield river pass through the 
 town. Incorporated, 1765. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 1,290. 115 miles W. 
 by S. from Boston, and 20 N. W. 
 from Springfield. 
 
 Chesterfield, S. H., 
 
 Cheshire co., is 11 miles S. W. 
 from Keene, and 65 S. W. from 
 Concord. Few towns on Connec- 
 ticut river have so little intervale 
 land. For the whole six miles that 
 it lies upon the river, the hills ap- 
 proach near the river's side. There 
 is much good upland, well adapted 
 for grazing and the production of 
 Indian corn. The chief articles 
 carried to market are beef, pork, 
 butter ao^l cheese. Cat's Bane 
 brook is a* stream of great import- 
 ance, as it furnishes many mill seats. 
 Spafford's lake is a beautiful collec- 
 tion of water, situated about one 
 mile N. from the meeting-house. 
 it contains a surface of about 526 
 acres. It is fed by springs in its 
 bosom. Its waters are remarkably 
 clear and pure, its bed being a white 
 and. In this lake there is an isl- 
 and of about six acres, which forms 
 a delightful retreat. On its E. side 
 issues a stream called Partridge's 
 brook, sufficiently large to carry 
 the machinery of a cotton factory, 
 saw-mills, &c. West river moun- 
 tain lies in this town and Hinsdale. 
 It is supposed to have been once 
 ubject to a volcanic eruption, and 
 
 there is at present a considerable 
 quantity of lava near its crater. It 
 is said by those who live near the 
 mountain, that it frequently trem- 
 bles, and a rumbling noise is heard 
 in its bowels. Chesterfield has 3 
 villages. The principal one, lead- 
 ing from Hartford to Hanover, is sit- 
 uated near the centre of the town, 
 and 3 miles E. from Connecticut riv- 
 er. Here are several dwelling- 
 houses, the meeting-house and a 
 flourishing academy, which was 
 opened Aug. 14, 1794. The first 
 settlement was made Nov. 25, 1761, 
 on the banks of the Connecticut, by 
 Moses Smith and William Thomas, 
 with their families. At that peri- 
 od, the river afforded abundance of 
 shad and salmon, and the forests 
 were well stocked with deer, bears 
 and other game, so that the inhab- 
 itants did not experience those pri- 
 vations so common in new settle- 
 ments. Population, 1830, 2,040. 
 
 Chesterfield, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. A township of 
 rough, elevated land, 97 miles W. 
 from Boston, and 11 W. N. W. from 
 Northampton ; watered by a branch 
 of Westfield river. It has a good 
 water power, 1 woolen mill, 2 tan- 
 neries, some curious minerals, and 
 a water course, worn very deep 
 through solid rock. Population, 
 1837, 1,158. There were sheared 
 in Chesterfield, in 1837, 7,100 
 sheep, producing 20,800 pounds of 
 wool, valued at $12,480. A noble 
 example. 
 
 t hesterville, Me. 
 
 
 
 Franklin co. Wilson's stream 
 passes through this town, and emp- 
 ties below the falls of Sandy river. 
 First settled, 1782. Incorporated, 
 1802. Population, 1837, 1,040. 
 This is an excellent township of 
 land. It yielded, in 1837, 4,046 
 bushels of wheat. It lies about 24 
 miles N. E. from Augusta, and 12 
 N. E. from Farmington.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Chesuncook Lake, Me., 
 
 In the county of Piscataquis, is 
 a large sheet of water through 
 which the Penobscot river passes. 
 It also receives the Kahkoguamook 
 and Umbazookskus rivers. This 
 lake is about 25 miles long and 3 
 miles wide. The country around 
 this fine lake is very fertile, and as 
 well adapted to the growing of wool 
 and wheat as any portion of the 
 globe. Its central point is about 
 130 miles W. N. W. from Augusta. 
 
 Chicheater, N. H., 
 
 Merrimack co., is situated 3 miles 
 E. from Concord. It was granted 
 May 20, 1727, to Nathaniel Gookin 
 and others ; but the settlement was 
 not commenced until 1758, when 
 Paul Morrill settled in the woods. 
 The soil is good, and richly repays 
 the cultivator. There is little waste 
 land, nor are there any considerable 
 elevations. The east part of the 
 town is watered by the Suncook 
 river, which affords its mill seats 
 and some productive intervale. 
 Population, 1830, 1,084. In vari- 
 ous parts of the town are still to be 
 seen traces of Indian settlements ; 
 and implements of stone, chisels, 
 axes, &c., have frequently been 
 found. The vicinity was once the 
 residence of a powerful tribe, the 
 Penacooks, and their plantations of 
 corn, Sic., were made on the banks 
 of the Suncook. 
 
 CHickopce River", Mass. 
 
 This river rises in Spencer, Lei- 
 cester and Paxton, and receives the 
 waters of Quaboag pond, in Brook- 
 field. It passes through Warren. 
 At Palmer it receives the waters 
 of Ware and Swift rivers, and en- 
 ters the Connecticut, at the N. part 
 of Springfield, 7 miles S. from South 
 Hadley. 
 
 Cliilmarlt, Mass. 
 
 Dukes co. This town lies on the 
 S. and W. part of Martha's Vine- 
 
 yard. Gay Head, in this town, 
 is the south point of the island ; it 
 is 150 feet above the sea, and is 
 crowned with one of the five light- 
 houses in this county. 
 
 Gay Head is about 60 miles E 
 N. E. of Montauk, on Long Island, 
 and bears marks of having been 
 subject to volcanic eruptions. The 
 place abounds in specimens of min- 
 erals worthy the notice of geolo- 
 gists. This part of the island is in- 
 habited by some descendants of the 
 native Indians, who own part of the 
 lands. There is some salt manufac- 
 tured at this place, and about 7,000 
 sheep are kept. Chilmark was in- 
 corporated in 1714. Population, 
 1837, 700. It lies 92 miles S. E. 
 from Boston, 33 W. from Nantucket, 
 23 S. E. by S. from New Bedford, 
 and 12 S. W. by S. from Edgarton. 
 
 China, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. This is a town- 
 ship of excellent land, which pro- 
 duced, in 1837, 12,953 bushels of 
 wheat. China is watered by a lake, 
 or " Twelve Mile Pond," a fine 
 miniature of the beautiful Skane- 
 ateles, in the state of New York. 
 At the outlet of this pond, into the 
 Kennebec, are excellent mill priv- 
 ileges. On the bank of the pond 
 is a very flourishing village, a steam 
 saw-mill, and an academy. A vis- 
 it to this place, Albion, Clinton, 
 Dixmont, and the neighboring 
 towns, where wheat is worth a dol- 
 lar and a half a bushel in the barn, 
 is a good specific against the west- 
 ern fever. A trip from Boston to 
 China and back again may be per* 
 formed in the same number of hours 
 that it takes to go up either of the 
 canals 100 miles, towards an un- 
 seen country. China lies 20 miles 
 N. E. from Augusta, 48 S. W. from 
 Bangor, and 138 from Boston. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 2,641. 
 
 Chittenden County, Vt. 
 
 Burlington is the chief town. 
 This county is bounded N. by
 
 NEW ENULAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 FrankKn county, E. by Washing- 
 ton county, 8. by Addison county, 
 and W. by Cbamplain lake. Area, 
 600 square miles. Population, 1820, 
 16,055; 1830, 21,765. Population 
 to a square mile, about 44. A 
 few settlements commenced in this 
 county before the revolution, but 
 they were all abandoned during the 
 war. Incorporated, 1782. Its soil 
 varies from rich alluvial meadows 
 to light and sandy plains. The 
 beautiful Champlain washing its 
 western boundary gives it great fa- 
 cHities for trade to New York and 
 Canada. Its agricultural and man- 
 ufacturing products are consider- 
 able. In 1837 there were in this 
 county about 80,000 sheep. La- 
 moille river passes through its N. W. 
 corner, and Onion river pierces its 
 centre. These streams, with sever- 
 al others of smaller size, afford the 
 county a good water power. 
 
 t hittemleii, Vt. 
 
 .Rutland co. Most of the lands 
 in this town lie on the Green moun- 
 tains. Some of the branches of 
 White river pass through it. Near 
 the head of the Philadelphia branch, 
 so called, is a mineral spring, said 
 to contain some good qualities. 
 Manganese of an excellent quality 
 is found here. In 1837 there were 
 in Chittenden about 700 people, and 
 3,000 sheep. About 12 miles N. 
 by E. from Rutland, and 40 N. by 
 . from Montpelier. 
 
 C larcmont , N. 11., 
 
 Sullivan co., is 12 miles N. from 
 Charlestown, 8 W. from Newport, 
 47 N. N. W. from Concord, and 97 
 W. N. W. from Portsmouth. This 
 town is watered by Connecticut and 
 Sugar rivers, besides numerous 
 D rooks and rivulets. Claremont is 
 a fine undulating tract of territory, 
 covered with a rich gravelly loam, 
 converted into the best meadows 
 and pastures. The hills are sloping 
 acclivities, crowned with elegant 
 summit*. The intervales on the 
 
 rivers are rich and luxuriant. The 
 agricultural products are large and 
 valuable. The houses and build- 
 ings present a very favorable ap- 
 pearance, and indicate the wealth 
 and prosperity of the town. In this 
 town are a number of manufacto- 
 ries of cloth, paper, leather, &c. 
 Claremont was granted in 1764. 
 In this town are fine beds of iron 
 ore and limestone. It received 
 its name from the country seat of 
 Lord Clive, an English general. 
 The first settlement was made in 
 1762, by Moses Spafford and David 
 Lynde. Many eminent men have 
 resided in this town. The Hon. Ca- 
 leb Ellis came to reside in Clare- 
 mont about 1800. In 1804, he was 
 chosen a member of congress from 
 this state ; in 1809 and 1810, a mem- 
 ber of the executive council : in 
 1812, an elector of president and 
 vice-president of the 17. S. In 1813, 
 he was appointed judge of the su- 
 perior court, in which office he re- 
 mained till his death, May 9, 1816, 
 aged 49. Population, 1830, 2,526. 
 
 Clarenden, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. Otter creek, Mill 
 and Cold rivers and several brooks 
 give this town good mill privileges. 
 Here are good marble, a mineral 
 spring, and a curious cave. The 
 soil is a gravelly loam, with con- 
 siderable alluvial meadow along its 
 streams. There are some manu- 
 facturing establishments in Claren- 
 den, and about 13,000 sheep. Pop- 
 ulation, LS30, 1,585. It lies 55 miles 
 S. from Montpelier, and 7 S. from 
 Rutland. 
 
 Clarksburgli, 3Iass. 
 
 Berkshire co. A branch of Hoo- 
 sick river passes through this moun 
 tainous township. It lies 125 miles 
 W. by N. from Boston, and 27 N. 
 by E. from Lenox. Incorpora- 
 ted, 1798. Population, 1837, 386. 
 Clarksburgh has a small cotton mill, 
 5 saw mills, and 256 sheep.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Clarksville, If. H. >*--. 
 
 This town was incorporated in 
 1S32. It had before that time borne 
 the name of the First College 
 Grant. It was granted to the trus- 
 tees of Dartmouth College, Feb. 5, 
 1789. It contains 40,960 acres, and 
 is situated on Connecticut river, in 
 Coos county, N. of Stewartstown. 
 Its population, in 1830, was 88. 
 
 Clinton, Me. 
 
 Kennehec co. This fine town- 
 ship is hounded on the E. by Ken- 
 nebec river. The Sebasticook pass- 
 es through the town, and, at the 
 falls on that river, affords it a great 
 hydraulic power. It has a neat and 
 pleasant village on the bank of the 
 Sebasticook, some manufactures, 
 and large agricultural products. In 
 1837 this town produced a consid- 
 erable quantity of wool, and 10,807 
 bushels of wheat. Incorporated, 
 1795. Population, 1837, 2,642. 
 Clinton lies 24 miles N. by E. from 
 Augusta, and about 12 S. by E. 
 from Skowhegan. 
 
 Coljbessecontee Waters, Me. 
 
 The pond is a fine sheet of wa- 
 ter, lying W. of Hallowell, and 
 connected with smaller ponds in 
 Monmouth, Winthrop, Readfield, 
 and Mount Vernon. The outlet 
 of the pond is a river of the same 
 name, which passes into a beauti- 
 ful pond we see on the stage road in 
 Richmond, and empties into the 
 Kennebec at Gardiner. These wa- 
 ters afford a great hydraulic power, 
 an abundance of fish, and much de- 
 lightful scenery. 
 
 Cobscook Bay, Me. 
 
 A large bay, the recipient of a 
 number of large ponds, on the S. 
 W. side of Eastport, in Passama- 
 quoddy bay. See Eastport. 
 
 Cod, Cape and Bay. 
 
 Having briefly described this 
 cape, under Barnstable county, we 
 
 have only to add that Cape Cod light 
 is in N. lat. 42 2' 22" ; W. Ion. 
 70 4' 22". 
 
 Cape Cod bay is in Massachu- 
 setts bay, and is formed by the half 
 extended arm of the cape. See 
 Barnstable county. 
 
 C'oliasset, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. A town on Massa- 
 chusetts bay, noted for its rocky 
 coast and numerous shipwrecks. 6 
 miles E. from Hingham, 20 E. by 
 S. from Dedham, and about 16 S. 
 E. from Boston, by water. Incor- 
 porated, 1770. Population, 1837, 
 1,331. This place has about 40 sail 
 of merchant, coasting and fishing 
 vessels, and a large tide-water pow- 
 er. Cob asset has become a great 
 resort for citizens and strangers, in 
 summer months, to enjoy the ma- 
 rine scenery, exhilarating air, and 
 all those pleasures for which Na- 
 hant is celebrated. The value of 
 the fisheries, for the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, was $75,536. The 
 value of salt, vessels, boots, shoes, 
 and wooden ware manufactured, 
 was $35,920. 
 
 Colchester, Vt., 
 
 Chittenden co., is pleasantly sit- 
 uated at the head of a bay on the 
 E. side of lake Champlain, 36 miles 
 N. W. from Montpelier, and 6 N. 
 from Burlington. This town is well 
 watered by Onion river, and some 
 smaller streams. Colchester haa 
 some good and some poor land, some 
 trade on the lake, and about 4,000 
 sheep. First settled by Gen. Ira 
 Allen, in 1774. Population, 1830, 
 1,439. 
 
 Colchester, Ct. 
 
 New London co. This is a plea- 
 sant town ; the site of Bacon acad- 
 emy. It lies 20 miles N. W. from 
 New London, and 23 S. E. from 
 Hartford. First settled, 1701. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 2,068. The surface 
 of the town is uneven, with a strong
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 gravelly soil. Excellent iron ore 
 it found here. 
 
 Rev. John Bulkley, a grandson 
 of president Chauncy, was the first 
 settled minister in this place. Mr. 
 Bulkley was a very distinguished 
 scholar. He died in 1731. He 
 published a curious treatise, in 
 which he contended that the In- 
 dians had no just claims to any lands 
 but such as they had subdued and 
 improved by their own labor. The 
 following story is told in an old book. 
 
 " The Rev. Mr. Bulkley of Col- 
 chester, Conn., was famous in his 
 day as a casuist and sage counsel- 
 lor. A church in his neighborhood 
 had fallen into unhappy divisions 
 and contentions, which they were 
 unable to adjust among themselves. 
 They deputed one of their number 
 to the venerable Bulkley, for his 
 services, with a request that he 
 would send it to them in writing. 
 The matters were taken into serious 
 consideration, and the advice, with 
 much deliberation, committed to 
 writing. It so happened, that Mr. 
 Bulkley had a farm in an extreme 
 part of the town, upon which he 
 entrusted a tenant. In superscrib- 
 ing the two letters, the one for the 
 church was directed to the tenant, 
 and the one for the tenant to the 
 church. The church was conven- 
 ed to hear the advice which was to 
 settle all their disputes. The mod- 
 erator read as follows : You will 'see 
 to the repair of the fences, that they 
 be built high and strong, and you 
 will take special care of the old 
 black bull. This mystical advice 
 puzzled the church at first, but an 
 interpreter among the more dis- 
 cerning ones was soon found, who 
 said, Brethren, this is the very ad- 
 vice we most need ; the directions 
 to repair the fences is to admonish 
 us to take good heed in the admis- 
 sion and government of our mem- 
 bers : we must guard the church 
 by our Master's laws, and keep out 
 strange cattle from the fold. And 
 we must in a particular manner set 
 
 a watchful guard over the Devil, 
 the old black bull, who has done so 
 much hurt of late. All perceived 
 the wisdom and fitness of Mr. Bulk- 
 ley's advice, and resolved to be gov- 
 erned by it. The consequence was, 
 all the animosities subsided, and 
 harmony was restored to the long 
 afflicted church." 
 
 Colcbrook, N. H., 
 
 Coos co., on Connecticut river, 
 about 35 miles N. of Lancaster. It 
 is watered by the Mohawk river 
 and Beaver brook. The soil here 
 is rich, and capable of culture. In- 
 tervales of good quality stretch 
 along the Connecticut. Colebrook 
 was originally granted to Sir George 
 Colebrook and others, and was in- 
 corporated Dec. 1, 1790. There is 
 an academy in this town, incorpo- 
 rated in 1833. Population, 1830, 
 542. 
 
 Colebrook, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield co. An elevated town- 
 ship of a hard gravelly soil and un- 
 even surface, on the line of Mas- 
 sachusetts ; 31 miles N. W. from 
 Hartford, and 18 N. E. from Litch- 
 field. The eastern part of the town 
 is watered by Farmington river. 
 Here are a number of good mill 
 seats, and a manufactory of broad- 
 cloth. The village is very plea- 
 sant, having Mount Pisgah in the 
 rear. First settled, 1765. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 1,332. 
 
 Coleraine, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. This town was first 
 settled by a colony from the north 
 of Ireland, about the year 1736. It 
 lies 105 miles N. W. from Boston, 
 and 9 N. W. from Greenfield. It 
 is watered by a branch of Deerfield 
 river, which produces a water pow- 
 er for 3 cotton mills and several 
 other manufactories. The manu- 
 factures consist of cotton goods, iron 
 castings, leather, hate, chairs, cab- 
 inet ware, ploughs, spades, shovels, 
 forks, and hoes ; total value, in one
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 year, $91,000. This is a fine graz- 
 ing township, and produced, in 
 1837, 16,123 pounds of wool, valu- 
 ed at $9,133, the fleeces of 5,754 
 sheep. Population, 1837, 1,998. 
 
 Colleges iii New England. 
 
 See Register. 
 
 Columbia, Me. 
 
 Washington co. At the head of 
 tide water, on the W. side of Plea- 
 sant river. It is a very large town- 
 ship, well provided with mill seats, 
 and was settled soon after the rev- 
 olutionary war. It lies 15 miles W. 
 from Machias, and 120 E. by N. 
 from Augusta. Columbia has con- 
 siderable trade, particularly in lum- 
 ber. Population, 1837, 793. 
 
 Columbia, X. II., 
 
 In the county of Coos, lies on the 
 E. bank of Connecticut river, 30 
 miles N. of Lancaster, and 147 N. 
 of Concord. The surface of the 
 town is quite uneven, the moun- 
 tains of Stratford lying along the 
 S. FrOm these a number of streams 
 descend north-westerly into the 
 Connecticut, furnishing many fine 
 mill seats. There are also several 
 small ponds in town. On the bor- 
 ders of one, called Lime pond, vat 
 quantities of shells are found, from 
 which a species of lime is made 
 that answers for some uses. It 
 was incorporated 1797. Population, 
 1830, 442. 
 
 Tolland co. Taken from Leba- 
 non, in 1800. It is 22 miles E. from 
 Hartford, and about 14 S. by E. 
 from Tolland. Population, 1830, 
 962. Columbia is watered by a 
 branch of the Willimantic, and has 
 a satinet factory, and other ope- 
 rations by water. The surface is 
 uneven ; the soil hard and gravelly, 
 but excellent for grazing. In this 
 place, about the year 1741, the Rev. 
 Dr. Eleazar Wheelock, the first 
 president of Dartmouth College, 
 
 opened a school for the instruction 
 of Indian youth. He removed his 
 Family and .pupils to Hanover, N. 
 H., in the autumn of 1770. The 
 snow was very deep, and Hanover 
 was a wilderness. " Sometimes 
 standing in the open air, at the head 
 of his numerous family, Dr. Whee- 
 lock presented to God their morn- 
 ing and evening prayers : the sur- 
 rounding forests, for the first time, 
 reverberated the solemn sounds of 
 supplication and praise." This good 
 man died in 1779, aged 69. 
 
 Concord, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. Incorporated in 
 1821. Population, 1837, 524. Con- 
 cord lies on the W. side of Kenne- 
 bec river, 55 miles N. from Augus- 
 ta, and about 20 N. from Norridge- 
 wock. This is a good township, 
 and produced, in 1837, 3,121 bush- 
 els of wheat. 
 
 Concord, N. H., 
 
 The capitolof the state, and shire 
 town of the county of Merrimack. 
 It lies on both sides of the Merri- 
 mack river, in N. lat. 43 12' 29", 
 and W. Ion. 71 29'; and is 146 
 miles S. W. from Augusta, Me. ; 
 97 S. E. from Montpelier, ,Vt.; 153 
 N. E. from Albany, N. Y. ; 65 N. 
 N. W. from Boston, Mass.; 103 N. 
 from Providence, R. I. ; 139 N. N. 
 E. from Hartford, Conn., and 474 
 N.' E. by E. from Washington. 
 There are five ponds in Concord, 
 the largest of which are Turkey, in 
 the S. W., and Long pond in the 
 N. W. parts of the town, on the 
 streams passing from which are 
 some valuable mills and privileges. 
 The Contoocook river enters the W. 
 corner of the town, and uniting 
 with the Merrimack on the N. W. 
 line, forms at its junction the cel- 
 ebrated Duston's Island. On the 
 borders of the Merrimack, which 
 is the principal river of this region, 
 are rich intervale lands, highly val- 
 ued by the inhabitants, and well 
 cultivated. Soon after entering
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Concord, the river passes over Sew- 
 all's falls, or rapids, below which is 
 Sewall's island. From thence the 
 river has no natural obstruction un- 
 til it reaches the falls at the S. E. 
 extremity of the town, where is a 
 water power, now owned by the 
 Amoskeag Manufacturing Compa- 
 ny, almost sufficient to move the 
 machinery of another Lowell. 
 Locks are here constructed, and 
 navigation by boats has been open 
 since 1816 during the boating sea- 
 son, adding much to the business and 
 importance of the place. The riv- 
 er is about 100 yards wide opposite 
 the town; but during the great 
 freshets which sometimes occur 
 here, the river rises 20 feet above 
 the ordinary level, presenting to 
 the eye a body of water a mile in 
 width. There are two handsome 
 bridges thrown across the river. 
 
 The principal village, and seat 
 of most of the business of the town, 
 is on the western side of the river, 
 extending nearly two miles between 
 the two bridges ; and is one of the 
 most healthy and pleasantly situa- 
 ted villages in New England. The 
 fctate house, state prison and court 
 house, and five very commodious 
 and handsome structures for public 
 worship, are in this village. The 
 state house occupies a beautiful site 
 in the centre of the village, and is 
 constructed of hewn granite. It is 
 126 feet in length, 49 in width, 50 
 feet oi the centre of the building 
 having a projection of 4 feet on 
 each front. It rises two stories 
 above the basement. The height 
 from the ground to the eagle on the 
 top of the cupola is 120 feet. The 
 cost of the building and appenda- 
 ges, $80,000. The state prison is 
 also a solid structure of massive 
 granite. On the east side of the 
 river is the second principal village, 
 where the Sewall's Falls Locks and 
 Canal Company, recently chartered, 
 have commenced their works, 
 which, by taking the waters of the 
 river in a canal from Sewall's falls, 
 
 will create a vast and valuable wa- 
 ter power at this village, that must 
 ultimately prove of immense im- 
 portance to the town. Another 
 handsome village has grown up in 
 the west part of the town. The 
 intercourse with Lowell and Boston, 
 by way of the canal on the Merri- 
 mack, has been open since 1815, 
 and a very large amount of busi- 
 ness in freights has been done on 
 the river. The Concord rail-road, 
 to connect with the Lowell rail- 
 road, has also been surveyed, and 
 will doubtless soon be put in pro- 
 gress. This is a link in the great 
 chain of northern railways, which 
 must ultimately extend from Boston 
 to connect with the western waters 
 at the outlet of lake Ontario. The 
 importance of extending the rail- 
 road to the heart of New Hamp- 
 shire has by no means been fully 
 estimated by the public. Concord 
 is the great thoroughfare for trav- 
 ellers from the north, and the freight 
 by horses and baggage wagons is 
 immense. 
 
 The soil of this town is general- 
 ly good, and the intervales very 
 productive. Large masses of gran- 
 ite suitable for the purposes of build- 
 ing exist here, the most important of 
 which is The New Hampshire 
 Ledge, a name by which in an act of 
 incorporation an immense mass of 
 granite in the N. W. part of the town 
 has been designated. This ledge is 
 situated about 1 1-2 miles N. AV . of 
 the state house, and about 200 rods 
 distant from Merrimack river,\vhich 
 is navigable to this place with boats. 
 The course of the ledge is from N. 
 E. to S. W. and its rise about 45 
 from a plane of the horizon, and its 
 height about 350 feet. It presents 
 a surface of massive primitive 
 granite, of more than 4,500 square 
 rods. The rift of this stone is very 
 perfect, smooth and regular; splits 
 are easily made to the depth of 12 
 to 20 feet, and of almost any re- 
 quired length. And unlike much 
 of the building stone now in the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 market, it has been ascertained by 
 a recent examination (made by Mr. 
 A. H. Hayes, of Roxbury, Mass., 
 and other eminent chemists and 
 geologists,) that the stone from this 
 quarry is perfectly free from those 
 oxides, or other mineral substances, 
 which on exposure to the atmos- 
 phere, mar the beauty of much of 
 the New England granite. This 
 stone quarries easily; the great ele- 
 vation and dip of the ledge, and its 
 proximity to the river, giving it facil- 
 ities of working and transportation, 
 it is believed unequalled. From the 
 base of the ledge to the bank of the 
 Merrimack, a rail-way is contem- 
 plated, the proprietors of the ledge 
 having already obtained a charter 
 for that purpose. As the great fa- 
 cility of transportation by way of 
 the river to the markets, becomes 
 known, together with the fact, that 
 the upward freight would, during a 
 great portion of the year, go far 
 towards remunerating the cost of 
 transportation of this stone to the 
 seaboard the situation, extent, and 
 value of this quarry will be seen 
 and appreciated. On several large 
 perpendicular faces of the ledge, 
 protected by shelving rocks from 
 vegetable stains, but exposed for 
 ages perhaps to the atmosphere, the 
 stone is found to be entirely free 
 from any coloring or stain, preserv- 
 ing its natural color. The amount 
 of the whole mass, when wrought, 
 can scarcely be estimated. This 
 representation is derived from gen- 
 tlemen of Concord not at nil in- 
 terested in the quarry, and is here 
 given, with the sole quaJification, 
 that if the quality of the stone is as 
 pure as is stated, there is no danger 
 of over-estimating the value of the 
 quarry. A specimen of this granite 
 is with the editor for examination. 
 Concord, originally called Pena- 
 cook, was granted by Massachu- 
 setts to a company of settlers, 17th 
 Jan., 1725, and the settlement began 
 the year following. In 1733, the 
 plantation was incorporated by the 
 9 
 
 name of Rumford, which name 
 it retained until 7th June, 1765, 
 when the town was incorporated 
 by its present name. This town 
 suffered much from incursions of 
 the savages. Several of the inhab- 
 itants were killed, and others taken 
 into captivity, between the years 
 1740 and 1750. The manufactures 
 of Concord are numerous and val- 
 uable. They consist of books, fur- 
 niture of all kinds, boots, shoes, 
 granite, lumber, and a variety ot 
 other articles. The manufacture 
 of books is very extensive, and an- 
 nually increasing. 
 
 Population in 1775, 1,052 ; in 1790, 
 1,747; in 1800, 2,052; in 1810, 
 2,393 ; in 1820, 2,838 ; and in 1830, 
 3,727. The present population is 
 between 4 and 5 thousand. 
 
 Among the early inhabitants and 
 distinguished citizens of this town, 
 may be mentioned the following : 
 
 Hon. TIMOTHY WALKER, son 
 of the first minister of Concord, an 
 active patriot during the revolution, 
 member of the convention of 1784, 
 a legislator, and judge of the com- 
 mon pleas. He died May 5, 1822, 
 aged 85. 
 
 Dr. PHILIP CARRIGAIN, an 
 eminent physician, who died iu 
 1S06. 
 
 Hon. THOMAS W. THOMPSON, 
 a distinguished lawyer and politi- 
 cian, who died 1 Oct., 1821, aged 
 57. 
 
 Sir BENJAMIN THOMPSON 
 (known to the world as COUNT 
 RUMFO'RD) settled and married 
 here in early life. 
 
 JOHN FARMER, ESQ., an emin- 
 ent antiquary and genealogist, re- 
 sided here for the last seventeen 
 years of his life, and died 13 Aug., 
 18.38, aged 49. Mr. Farmer's health 
 was always exceedingly delicate : 
 he therefore, partly of necessity and 
 partly of choice, adopted a very 
 sedentary mode of life. He col- 
 lected around him books of ancient 
 date gathered together early rec- 
 ords of towns notices of the first
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 settlers of the country inquired 
 into the names, ages, characters, 
 and deaths of distinguished men of 
 every profession entered into ex- 
 tensive correspondence with men 
 who might be able to furnish him 
 with facts relative to the subjects of 
 his inquiry. In short, Mr. Farmer 
 soon became known as an ANTI- 
 QUARIAN, distinguished far beyond 
 all his fellow citizens, for exact 
 knowledge of facts and events rel- 
 ative to the history of New Eng- 
 land. His mind was a wonderful 
 repository of names and dates and 
 particular incidents, not stored up 
 indeed for private gratification, but 
 always open for the benefit of oth- 
 en. So general and well establish- 
 ed was his reputation for accuracy, 
 that his authority was relied on, as 
 decisive in historical and genealog- 
 ical facts. 
 
 Feelings of personal attachment 
 and obligations for numerous inval- 
 uable tokens of friendship, received 
 by the editor, would seem to require 
 a full length portrait of the charac- 
 ter of this distinguished man and 
 estimable Christian even in a work 
 of this kind ; and it should be giv- 
 en, had not an abler pen performed 
 that act of justice. See American 
 Quarterly Register. 
 
 Concord, '-.'.. 
 
 Essex co. First settled, 1788. 
 Population, 1830, 1,031. On the 
 W. side of Connecticut river: 38 
 miles E. by N. from Montpelier, 
 and 18 S. W. from Guildhall. Moose 
 river, a branch of the Passumpsic, 
 waters the north part of the town. 
 Hall's and Mile ponds are beau- 
 tiful sheets of water, and afford a 
 variety of fish. The soil of the town 
 is pretty good, and keeps about 3,000 
 sheep. 
 
 Concord, Magg. 
 One of the chief towns of Mid- 
 
 dlesex county. This town is situ- 
 ated on the river of the same name, 
 17 miles W. N. W. from Boston, 
 14 S. S. W. from Lowell, and 30 E. 
 N. E. from Worcester. Incorpo- 
 rated, 1635. Population, 1820, 
 1,788; 1837,2,023. This town was 
 the first inland settlement in the 
 colony of Massachusetts Bay. The 
 township was originally six miles 
 square, and derives its name from 
 the harmony in which it was pur- 
 chased of the natives. Its Indian 
 title was Musketaquid. It took an 
 active part in the prosecution of the 
 war against king Philip, in 1675-6, 
 and in April of the latter year, 10 
 or 12 of its citizens were killed, in 
 the attack made by the Indians on 
 the neighboring town of Sudbury. 
 The general court has frequently 
 held its sessions in this town, ami 
 in the year 1774 the provincial con- 
 gress selected it as their place of 
 meeting. On the 19th of April, 
 1775, a detachment of British troops, 
 sent out by Gen. Gage for the pur- 
 pose of seizing a quantity of mili- 
 tary stores which were deposited 
 here by the province, were met at 
 the North bridge by the citizens of 
 Concord and the neighboring towns, 
 and forcibly repulsed. It was at 
 this spot that the first regular ami 
 effectual resistance was made, and 
 the first British life was taken, in 
 the war of the revolution. The 
 graves of two of the British soldiers, 
 who were killed at this place, are 
 still marked, and a suitable monu- 
 ment is erected near the site of the 
 bridge, to commemorate the event. 
 The monument is of granite, in the 
 form of an obelisk; its height about 
 25 feet; the base, which is square, 
 is a large block 51-2 feet broad, 
 and about 3 in height. On the west 
 side of the next block, is inlaid a 
 slab of white Italian marble, on 
 which is engraved the following in- 
 scription :
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Here, 
 On the 19th of April, 
 
 1775, 
 
 Was made 
 The first forcible resistance 
 
 To British aggression. 
 
 On the opposite Bank, 
 
 Stood the American Militia. 
 
 Here stood the invading Army, 
 
 And on this spot 
 
 The first of the enemy fell 
 
 In the War of that Revolution 
 
 Which gave 
 
 Independence 
 
 To these United States. 
 
 In gratitude to God, 
 
 And 
 
 In the love of freedom, 
 
 This Monument 
 
 Was erected 
 
 A. D. 183(5. 
 
 The manufactures of Concord 
 
 consist of cotton goods, satinet and 
 flannel, boots, shoes, hats, ploughs, 
 lead pipe, chairs and cabinet ware. 
 The whole value, in one year, ex- 
 clusive of cotton goods, amounted to 
 $156,012. 
 
 Concord River. 
 
 This river is formed by the union 
 of Assabet and Sudbury rivers at 
 Concord : after passing through the 
 towns of Bedford, Billerica, and 
 Chelmsford, it falls into the Mer- 
 rimack between Lowell and Tewks- 
 bury. This river furnishes the Mid- 
 dlesex canal with most of its wa- 
 ters. 
 
 Coniiaiiieut Island* 
 See Jamestown, R. I. 
 
 CONNECTICUT. 
 
 This state is bounded N. by Massachusetts, E. by Rhode Island, 
 S. by Long Island Sound, and \V. by New York. Situated between 
 40 58' and 42 1' N. lat. and 72 37' and 71 43' W. Ion.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The territory of Connecticut was formerly two colonies Connecticut 
 and JVew Haven. The colony of Connecticut was planted by citizens 
 of Massachusetts, at Windsor, in 1633, and at Hartford and Wethersfield, 
 in 1635 and 1636. The colony of New Haven was settled by English- 
 men, in 1638. In 1665, the two colonies were united by a charter 
 granted by Charles the Second. This charter was the basis of the gov- 
 ernment till 1818, when the present constitution was formed. 
 
 The executive power of this State is vested in a Governor, and a Lieu- 
 tenant-Governor, who is also President of the Senate. 
 
 The legislative power is vested in a Senate and a House of Represen- 
 tatives, which together are called Tlie General Assembly. The Senate 
 consists of not less than 18 and not more than 24 members. Most of the 
 towns may choose two Representatives ; the others one each. All the 
 above are elected annually by the people on the first Monday of April. 
 The General Assembly has one stated session in each year, commencing 
 on the first Wednesday in May. These sessions are held alternately, in 
 the years of even numbers at New Haven, and in the years of odd num- 
 bers at Hartford. 
 
 The electors are all the white male citizens, of twenty-one years of 
 age, who have resided in the town in which they vote six months next 
 preceding, and have a freehold estate of the value of seven dollars; or 
 who have performed regular military duty in said town (or one year next 
 previous to the voting ; or who shall have paid a tax within a year of his 
 voting. Those entitled to be electors, before voting must be qualified by 
 taking the oath prescribed by law. 
 
 No person is obliged to join any religious society ; but having joined 
 one he is liable by law to pay his proportion of the charges for its sup- 
 port. He may separate himself from such society by leaving with the 
 clerk thereof notice of his determination to close his connextion with 
 them. 
 
 The judicial department of the government embraces the Supreme 
 Court of Errors, the Superior Court, a County Court in each county, a 
 City Court in each city, a Court of Probate in each probate district, and 
 as in other states in Near England, an indefinite number of Justices of 
 the Peace in each county. 
 
 The Supreme Court of Errors consists of five Judges, who are ap- 
 pointed by the General Assembly, and hold their offices during good 
 behavior, but not after seventy years of age. They are subject to re- 
 moval by impeachment, and by the Governor, on the address of two thirds 
 of the members of each House of the General Assembly. This court 
 has final and exclusive jurisdiction of writs of error, brought to revise 
 the judgment on decrees of the Superior Court, in law or equity, wherein
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the errors complained of appear from the files and records. It holds one 
 term in each county annually. Though this body, as a court, has cog- 
 nizance only of writs of error, yet, as all the members are Judges of the 
 Superior Court, a convenient opportunity is afforded, while they are 
 thus assembled, for hearing arguments on motions for new trials and cases 
 stated. These, of course, occupy a considerable portion of the term 
 The opinions of the Judges upon them are given by way of advice to 
 the Superior Court, in which the cases are respectively pending. This 
 advice is always followed, it being understood as settling the law. 
 
 A Judge of the Superior Court of Errors, designated by that court 
 for the purpose, constitutes the Superior Court; two terms of which are 
 held in each county annually. This court has cognizance of civil actions 
 at law brought by appeal from the County, City, and Probate Courts, 
 and of suits for relief in chancery, wherein the value of the matter in 
 demand exceeds $335. In criminal causes it has exclusive jurisdiction 
 of offences punishable with death or imprisonment for life ; and, concur- 
 rent with the County Courts, of all other offences not committed to the 
 jurisdiction of the Justices of the Peace. It has also cognizance of 
 writs of error brought to revise the decisions of inferior tribunals ; of 
 petitions for divorce, and of writs of scire facias, audita querela, and 
 petitions for new trials relative to matters. in or issuing from the court. 
 In capital cases, the Judge holding the court is to call to his assistance 
 one or more of the other Judges. 
 
 The County Courts consist of one Chief Judge and two Associate 
 Judges, who are appointed annually by the General Assembly. This 
 court has original jurisdiction of all civil actions at law, wherein the 
 value of the matter in demand exceeds $35, and appellate jurisdiction 
 of all such actions wherein the value in demand exceeds <jj;7. It has 
 also original and f\nal jurisdiction of suits for relief in equity, wherein 
 the value in demand does not exceed $335, except suits for relief against 
 a judgment rendered on a cause depending at law in the Superior 
 Court. 
 
 In criminal jurisdiction, it has cognizance of all offences above the 
 jurisdiction of a Justice of the Peace, and not exclusively within that 
 of the Superior Court, It is also vested with powers relative to the 
 laying out of roads, granting licences, the appointment of survey- 
 ors, &c. 
 
 Justices of the Peace have cognizance of all actions at law of a civil 
 nature, wherein the value in demand does not exceed $35, and of all 
 offences and crimes punishable by fine not exceeding $7, or by impris- 
 onment not exceeding thirty days, or both. 
 
 In each of the six cities Hartford, New Haven, New London, Nor- 
 9*
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 wich, Middletown, and Bridgeport there is a City Court, consisting of 
 the Mayor and two senior Aldermen, having cognizance of all civil 
 actions wherein the title of land is not concerned. 
 
 Succession of Governors since the Union of the Colonies under 
 the Charter in 1665. 
 
 John Winthrop, 16651676. William Leet, 16761683. Robert 
 Treat, 16831693. Fitz-John Winthrop, 169S 1707. Gurdon Sal- 
 tonstall, 17081724. Joseph Talcott, 17251741. Jonathan Law, 
 17421751. Roger Wolcott, 17511754. Thomas Fitch, 17541766. 
 William Pitkin, 17661769. Jonathan Trumbull, 17691784. Mat- 
 thew Griswold, 17841786. Samuel Huntington, 1786 1795. Oliver 
 Wolcott, 1796, 1797. Jonathan Trumbull, 17981809. John Treadwell, 
 18091811. Roger Griswold, 1811, 1812. John Cotton Smith, 1813 
 1817. Oliver Wolcott, 18171827. Gideon Tomlinson, 18271831. 
 John S. Peters, 18311833. Henry W. Edwards, 1833, 1834. Samuel 
 A. Foot, 18341836. Henry W. Edwards, 1836 
 
 Succession of Chief Justices. 
 
 Richard Law, 17851789. Eliphalet Dyer, 17891793. Andrew 
 Adams, 17931797. Jesse Root, 17981807. Stephen M. Mitchell, 
 18071814. Tapping Reeve, 1814, 1815. Zephaniah Swift, 1815 
 1819. Stephen T. Hosmer, 18191833. David Daggett, 18331835. 
 Thomas S. Williams, 1835 
 
 Connecticut is divided into the eight following counties Hartford, 
 New Haven, New London, Fairfield, Windham, Litchfield, Middlesex, 
 and Tolland. The face of the state is greatly diversified by hills and 
 valleys. In general it is so exceeding undulating or uneven, as to pre- 
 sent an everchanging variety of objects. The ranges of mountains from 
 the north, which terminate near New Haven, are not remarkable for their 
 elevation in this state. Connecticut is finely watered by the noble river 
 from which it derives its name, by the Thames, Housatonick, Nauga- 
 tuck, and other smaller streams. The soil varies from a gravelly loam 
 on the hills, to a rich and exceedingly fertile alluvial in the valleys. The 
 former is more particularly adapted to grazing, the latter to tillage. These 
 lands, in possession of an industrious class of freemen, yield, in great 
 abundance, all the varieties of products common to a northern climate. 
 The mineral resources of the state are not yet fully developed ; but 
 iron and copper ores of excellent qualities are found ; also, lead, cobalt, 
 marble and freestone. The mineral waters at Stafford are the most 
 celebrated. Manufacturing establishments are scattered over the state,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 on its numerous delightful streams ; and foreign commerce, the coasting 
 trade, and fisheries, enjoy an enviable position on the waters of Long 
 Island Sound. 
 
 Blessed with a salubrious climate and fertile country, the people 
 of Connecticut probably enjoy as much happiness as is allotted to 
 any part of the human family. Her population is always full, and although 
 her domain is not extensive, no Atlantic state has sent so many of her 
 children, or so large a share of intellectual wealth, to the western 
 country, as Connecticut. 
 
 If the love of liberty, literature and the arts, of social feeling and 
 moral worth has an asylum on earth, Connecticut may boast that it is 
 to be found within her bosom. See Register. 
 
 Connecticut River. 
 
 This beautiful river, the Quonek- 
 tacut of the Indians, and the pride 
 of the Yankees, has it sources in 
 New Hampshire and the moun- 
 tainous tracts in Lower Canada. Its 
 name in the Indian language is said 
 to signify Long River, or, as some 
 render it, River of Pines. Its 
 general course is north and south. 
 After forming the boundary line 
 between New Hampshire and Ver- 
 mont, it crosses the western part of 
 Massachusetts, passes the state of 
 Connecticut, nearly in its centre ; 
 and, after a fall of 1,600 feet, from 
 its head, north of latitude 45, it falls 
 into Long Island Sound, in latitude 
 41 16'. The breadth of this river, 
 at its entrance into Vermont, is 
 about 150 feet, and in its course of 
 60 miles it increases to about 390 
 feet. In Massachusetts and Con- 
 necticut, its breadth may be esti- 
 mated from 450 to 1,050 feet. It is 
 navigable to Hartford, 45 miles, for 
 vessels of considerable burthen, and 
 to Middletown, 30 miles from the 
 sea, for vessels drawing 12 feet of 
 water. By means of canals and oth- 
 er improvements, it has been made 
 navigable for boats to Fifteen Mile 
 Falls, nearly 250 miles above Hart- 
 ford. The most considerable rapids 
 in this river, are Bellows' Falls, the 
 
 falls of Queechy, just below the 
 mouth of Waterqueechy river ; the 
 White river falls, below Hanover, 
 and the Fifteen Mile Falls, in N. H. 
 and Vt.; the falls at Montague and 
 South Hadley, in Mass., and the 
 falls at Enfield, in Ct., where it 
 meets the tide water. The perpen- 
 dicular height of the falls which 
 have been overcome by dams and 
 locks between Springfield, in Mass., 
 and Hanover, in N. H., a distance 
 of 130 miles, is 240 feet. Bars of 
 sand and gravel extend across this 
 river in various places 1 , over which 
 boats with difficulty pass in low 
 water. The most important tribu- 
 taries to the Connecticut, in New 
 Hampshire, are Upper and Lower 
 Amonoosuck, Israel's, John's, Mas- 
 corny, Sugar, and Ashuelot rivers : 
 in Vermont, Nulhegan,Passumpsic, 
 Wells, Wait's, Ompomponoosuck, 
 White, Waterqueechy, Black, Wil- 
 liams, Sexton's, and West rivers : 
 in Massachusetts, Miller's, Deer- 
 field, Agawam, Chickopee, and 
 Westfield rivers ; and the Farming- 
 ton, in Connecticut. 
 
 The intervales are generally 
 spread upon one or both sides of the 
 river, nearly on a level with its 
 banks, and extending from half a 
 mile to five miles in breadth ; but 
 its borders are in some places high,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 rocky and precipitous. In the 
 spring it overflows its banks, and, 
 through its winding course of nearly 
 400 miles, forms and fertilizes a 
 vast tract of rich meadow. In point 
 of length, utility, and beauty, this 
 river forms a distinguished feature 
 of New England. 
 
 Large quantities of shad are taken 
 in this river, but the salmon, which 
 formerly were very plenty, have 
 entirely disappeared. Connecticut 
 river passes through a basin or val- 
 ley of about 12,000 square miles ; 
 it is decorated, on each side, with 
 towns and villages of superior 
 beauty, and presents to the eye a 
 wonderful variety of enchanting 
 scenery. 
 
 Connecticut Lake, 
 
 The source of one of the princi- 
 pal branches of Connecticut river, 
 is situated in latitude 45 2' ; and is 
 5 1-2 miles in length, and 2 1-2 in 
 width. It is supplied by several 
 small streams, rising in the high- 
 lands north of the lake. 
 
 Coutoocook River, IV. H., 
 
 A stream of considerable length 
 and importance, waters most of the 
 towns in the W. part of the county 
 of Hillsborough. It has its origin 
 from several ponds in Jaffrey and 
 Rindge, and in its course north re- 
 ceives numerous streams from Dub- 
 lin, Peterborough, Sharon, Nel- 
 son, Stoddard, Washington, Antrim, 
 Deering, and Hillsborough. In 
 Hillsborough it takes a N. E. and 
 easterly direction, and proceeds 
 through Henniker to Hopkinton, 
 where it receives Warnerand Black- 
 water rivers. From Hopkinton, 
 it pursues a meandering course 
 through Concord, and discharges 
 itself into the Merrimack between 
 Concord and Boscawen. Near the 
 mouth of this river is Duston's 
 Island, celebrated as the spot where 
 Mrs. Duston destroyed several In- 
 dians, in 1698. 
 
 Conway, .\. H., 
 
 Straffbrd co., on Saco river, is 72 
 miles N. N. E. from Concord, 61 
 N. by W. from Dover,and 57 N. W. 
 from Portland, Me. Swift river, ; 
 considerable and very rapid stream, 
 Pequawkett river, and a stream tak- 
 ing its rise in Walker's. pond, the 
 two last affording mill privileges, 
 discharge themselves into Saco riv- 
 er in this town. Saco river here is 
 from 10 to 12 rods wide, and about 
 2 feet deep ; its current rapid and 
 broken by falls. This river has 
 been known to rise 27 and even 
 30 feet in the course of 24 hours. 
 The largest collections of water in 
 Conway are a part of Walker's 
 pond, and Little Pequawkett pond, 
 which lie in the south part of the 
 town. There is a detached block 
 of granite on the southern side of 
 Pine hill, the largest perhaps in the 
 state. A spring near the centre of 
 the town,on the bank of Cold brook, 
 strongly impregnated with sulphur, 
 has been visited frequently by the 
 infirm, and in many instances found 
 beneficial. There are also in this 
 town large quantities of magnesia 
 and fuller's earth. The intervale 
 along the river is from 50 to 220 
 rods wide. The plain, when prop- 
 erly cultivated, produces large 
 crops of corn and rye. Conway is 
 quite a resort for travellers from the 
 east and south to the White Moun- 
 tains. From Conway village to 
 Crawford's house, at the Notch, is 
 34 miles N. W. Daniel Foster, in 
 1765, obtained a grant of this town- 
 ship, containing 21,040 acres, on 
 condition that each grantee should 
 pay a rent of one ear of Indian corn 
 annually for the space of ten years, 
 if demanded. Pop. 1830, 1,601. 
 
 Con-way, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. This town is divid- 
 ed from Shelburne, on the north, 
 by Deerfield river. It lies 100 miles 
 W. by N. from Boston, and 7 S. W. 
 from Greenfield. Incorporated,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 1767. Population, 1837, 1,4-15. A 
 tributary of Deerfield river passes 
 its northern border. The manu- 
 factures of Conway consist of cotton 
 and woolen goods, leather, boots, 
 shoes, hats, chairs and cabinet 
 ware. Total amount, year ending 
 April 1, 1837, $22,475. The value 
 of wool grown, the same year, was 
 $5,072, comprising 4,830 fleeces, 
 weighing 14,490 pounds. 
 
 Cooper, Me. 
 
 Washington co. Denny's river, 
 emptying into Meddybemps lake, 
 and both discharging into the river 
 St. Croix at Baring, water the north 
 part of this town. It lies 164 miles 
 E. N. E. from Augusta, and about 
 3i> miles N. from Machias. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 571. 
 
 Coos County, N. H. 
 
 Coos is the largest county in New 
 Hampshire, and within its limit? 
 are situated the contested Indian 
 Stream territory and the greater 
 part of the ungranted lands. Large 
 portions of this county are exceed- 
 ingly mountainous, cannot be culti- 
 vated, and will probably never be 
 settled. This county extends from 
 lat. 43 58' to the extreme north 
 part of the state being 76 miles in 
 length, and having a mean width 
 of about 20 miles. The area of 
 this county is estimated to contain 
 1600 square miles, or, in round 
 numbers, 1,000,000 of acres. It is 
 bounded N. by Lower Canada, E. 
 by Maine, S. by the county of 
 Strafford, W. by Grafton county 
 and the state of Vermont. Besides 
 the stupendous pile of the White 
 Mountains, which distinguishes this 
 county, there are several other 
 mountains of no inconsiderable 
 height. Those in Shelburne, Jack- 
 son and Chatham, on the east side 
 of the White Mountains, are bold 
 and abrupt. The Peak and Bow- 
 back mountains in Stratford ; the 
 elevations in Dixville, Columbia 
 
 and Kilkenny; Pilot and Mill moun- 
 tains in Stark ; Cape Horn in North- 
 umberland, and Pondicherry, S. W. 
 of Jefferson, are all of considerable 
 magnitude, and partake of the gran- 
 deur of the White Hills. In the 
 neighborhood of high mountains are 
 enerally found the sources of our 
 reater rivers. Three of the prin- 
 cipal rivers of New England, the 
 Connecticut, Androscoggin and Sa- 
 co, take their rise in this county. 
 There are numerous other streams 
 which become tributary to these 
 rivers, the principal of which are 
 the Mohawk, Amonoosuck, Israel's 
 and John's rivers. The Margalla- 
 way, after receiving the waters of 
 Dead and Diamond rivers, unites 
 with the Androscoggin, near Um- 
 bagog lake. This lake lies princi- 
 pally in Maine. Lake Connecti- 
 cut is situated north of the 45th de- 
 gree of latitude, and is one of the 
 sources of Connecticut river. The 
 largest pond in this county lies N. 
 cf lake Connecticut, and is connect- 
 ed with it by an outlet. 
 
 The first settlement in the coun- 
 ty was made at Lancaster in 1763. 
 The county was incorporated Dec. 
 24, 1803, and the name is of Indian 
 origin, although the same name oc- 
 curs in the New Testament. The 
 population in 1820 was 5,549 ; and 
 in 1830, 8,390. Coos contains 23 
 towns, and five inhabitants to a 
 square mile. Lancaster, Shiretown. 
 
 Coriima, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. Situated 53 miles 
 W. N. W. from Augusta, and about 
 35 N. W. from Norridgewock. In- 
 corporated, 1816. Population, 1837, 
 1,513. In 1837, 8,864 bushels of 
 wheat were raised in this valuable 
 township. 
 
 Corinth, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This delightful 
 township lies 81 miles N. W. by W. 
 from Augusta, and about 25 S. W. 
 from Bangor. It is watered by
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Kenduskeag stream, and produced, 
 in 1837, 9,017 bushels of wheat. 
 Population, same year, 1,232. 
 
 Corinth, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. Two branches of 
 Wait's river water this town. It is 
 20 miles S. E. from Montpelier, and 
 10 N. E. from Chelsea. First set- 
 tled, 1777. Population, 1830, 1,953. 
 Corinth is pleasant, with a rough, 
 strong soil, and very healthy ; it 
 has some water power and keeps 
 about 7,000 sheep. 
 
 Cornish, Me. 
 
 York co. Bounded N. by the Saco 
 and Great O.ssipee rivers. 83 miles 
 S. W. from Augusta, 32 W. by N. 
 from Portland, and 25 N. from Al- 
 fred. Incorporated, 1794. Popula- 
 tion, 1337, 1,180. Cornish produces 
 good crops of wheat and some wool. 
 
 Cornish, N. II., 
 
 Sullivan co., is 17 miles N. 
 from Charlestown, 50 N. W. by W. 
 from Concord, and 12 N. W. from 
 Newport. Connecticut river waters 
 the west part of this town, and by 
 means of a bridge connects Cornish 
 with Windsor, Vt. The soil is gen- 
 erally fertile. The town is hilly, 
 with the exception of that part 
 which lies on the river. Blow-me- 
 down and Bryant's brooks are the 
 only streams of any magnitude 
 these afford good mill privileges, 
 which are improved for a woolen 
 factory, a large number of saw, and 
 other mills. The agricultural pro- 
 ducts of this town are very consid- 
 erable. Cornish was granted June 
 21, 1763, to Rev. Samuel McClin- 
 tock, of Greenland, and 69 others. 
 The town was settled in 1765. 
 Population, 1830, 1,687. 
 
 < oi-n villr. Me. 
 
 Somerset co. This town is well 
 watered by the Wessaransett river, 
 a branch of the Kennebec. There 
 is much choice land in Cornville. A 
 few of the inhabitants, in 1837, by 
 
 way of experiment, raised 7000 
 bushels of wheat. Incorporated, 
 1798. Population, 1837, 2,112. 
 Bounded S. by Skowhegan: 38 miles 
 N. from Augusta, and about 13 N. 
 E. from Norridgewock. 
 
 Cornwall, Vt. 
 
 Addisonco. This is a level town- 
 ship of excellent land, watered by 
 Otter creek and Lemonfair river, but 
 without any good mill sites. Not- 
 withstanding there is a very large 
 swamp in this town, the people are 
 healthy, and many live to a very 
 great age. Very beautiful calca- 
 reous spar, in rhomboidal crystals, is 
 found here. The population of 
 Cornwall, in 1830, was 1,264. The 
 number of sheep, in 1837, was about 
 16,000. It lies 60 miles S. W. from 
 Montpelier, and bounded N. E. by 
 Middlebury. First settled, 1774. 
 
 Cornwall, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield co. This mountainous 
 township lies on the east side of 
 Housatonick river, 38 miles W. 
 from Hartford, 48 N. from New Ha- 
 ven, and 13 N. by W. from Litch- 
 field. First settled, 1740. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 1,714. The scenery 
 about the south village is very beau- 
 tiful. " The cheerful appearance 
 of the church and the little cluster 
 of white buildings surrounding it, 
 at the bottom of a deep valley, is 
 uncommonly pleasing. The moun- 
 tains and lofty hills which rise im- 
 mediately on almost every side, 
 shutting out, in a sense, the most of 
 the world from this apparently re- 
 tired spot, present a bold and most 
 striking feature in the landscape." 
 This village is the place where a 
 Foreign Mission School was estab- 
 lished in 1818. "This school had 
 its rise from the attempt to qualify 
 Obookiah, a pious Owyheean youth, 
 and others, for missionaries to their 
 native lands. Obookiah was brought 
 to this country in 1808, and came to 
 New Haven. While here, Samuel 
 J. Mills, a student in Yale Col-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 lege, and other pious persons, com- 
 miserating his condition, instructed 
 him in the Christian religion. 
 Obookiah soon became hopefully 
 pious, and strongly advocated a mis- 
 sion to his countrymen. Other na- 
 tives of his island were found, and 
 a school was established for their 
 benefit at Cornwall. In 1S20, the 
 number of pupils in this school was 
 29, of whom 19 were American In- 
 dians, and 6 from the islands of the 
 Pacific ocean. Obookiah sickened 
 and died in Cornwall in 1S18. The 
 following is the inscription on his 
 monument in the village grave 
 yard. 
 
 "In memory of Henry Obookiah, 
 & native of Owyhee. His arrival in 
 this country gave rise to the For- 
 eign Mission School, of which he 
 was a worthy member. He was 
 once an Idolater, and was designed 
 for a Pagan Priest ; but by the grace 
 of God, and by the prayers and in- 
 structions of pious friends, he became 
 a Christian. He was eminent for 
 piety and missionary zeal. When 
 almost prepared to return to his na- 
 tive isle to preach the gospel, God 
 took him to himself. In his last 
 sickness he wept and prayed for 
 Owyhee, but was submissive. He 
 died without fear, with a heavenly 
 smile on his countenance and glory 
 in his soul, Feb. 17th, 1818, aged 
 26." 
 
 Coventry, X. II., 
 
 Grafton co., is 70 miles N. N. 
 \V. from Concord, and 12 E. S. E. 
 from Haverhill. This town is wa- 
 tered by branches of Oliverian brook 
 and Wild Amonoosuck rivers. In 
 the S. E. part of Coventry is Moose- 
 hillock mountain. Owl-head moun- 
 tain lies in the W. part of this town. 
 Coventry presents a rough and 
 mountainous aspect, and the soil in 
 several parts is not capable of cul- 
 tivation. This town was granted 
 Jan. 31, 1764, to Theophilus Fitch 
 and others, and was settled after the 
 
 commencement of the revolutionary 
 war. Population, 1830, 441. 
 
 Coventry, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. This is a good town- 
 ship of land, and is watered by Bar- 
 ton's and Black rivers, two good 
 mill streams, running north into 
 Memphremagog lake. First set- 
 tled, 1800. Population, 1830, 728. 
 The south part of the lake lies in 
 Coventry, and gives i-t some trade 
 to Canada. Here are about 2,500 
 sheep. Coventry lies 47 miles N. 
 by E. from Montpelier, and has Iras- 
 burgh on the south. 
 
 Coventry, It. I. 
 
 Kent co. This is a very large 
 township, extending to the north 
 line of Connecticut, and admirably 
 watered by numerous ponds and by 
 Flat river, an important branch of 
 the Pawtucket. Coventry has long 
 been noted for the number and va- 
 riety of its manufactures, particu- 
 larly of cotton and wool. The soil 
 of the town is well adapted to agri- 
 cultural pursuits : it is well improv- 
 ed, and a large amount of the pro- 
 ducts of the dairy, &.C., is annually 
 produced. There are a number of 
 pleasant villages in Coventry, all 
 of which are flourishing, both in 
 manufacturing and trade. This 
 town was distinguished for its pat- 
 riotism during the revolutionary 
 contest. Coventry was incorpora- 
 ted in 1742. It lies 10 miles S. W. 
 from Providence, and 8 N. W. from 
 East Greenwich. Population, 1830, 
 8,851. 
 
 Coventry, Ct. 
 
 Tolland co. The Wangombog, a 
 beautiful pond, and the Skungamug, 
 Hop and Willimantic rivers, give 
 Coventry a good water power. In 
 the south part of the town are two 
 cotton and two woolen manufacto- 
 ries, a machine shop and other im- 
 portant mechanical operations by 
 water. This town was the gift of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Mohcgan Sachem, and was first set- 
 tled in 1700. The surface is un- 
 even, and the soil a gravelly loam. 
 Coventry lies 18 miles E. from 
 Hartford, and bounded N. by Tol- 
 land. Population, 1830,2,119. This 
 town is celebrated as the birth place 
 of Capt. NATHAN HALE, who vol- 
 unteered his services to Washington 
 to discover the position of the ene- 
 my on Long Island. He fell a mar- 
 tyr to American liberty, Sept. 22, 
 1776, aged 22. 
 
 LOHENZO Dow, an itinerant 
 preacher, celebrated for his eccen- 
 tricity was born in Coventry, Octo- 
 ber, 16, 1777. It is said that during 
 the 38 yearsof his ministry he travel- 
 led in this and foreign countries two 
 hundred thousand miles. He died at 
 Georgetown, D. C., Feb. 2, 1834. 
 
 Craftsbury, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. Col. Ebenezer Crafts 
 was the father of this little repub- 
 lic. He died, much honored, in 
 1810, aged 70. Craftsbury was 
 settled in 1789. It lies 25 miles S. 
 of the Canada line, 25 miles N. from 
 Montpelier, and about 15 S. S. W. 
 from Irasburgh. Population, 1830, 
 982. This town is finely watered 
 by Black river, Wild Branch, and 
 5 large natural ponds well stored 
 with trout. The village in the cen- 
 tre of the town is elevated, com- 
 manding a delightful prospect. 
 
 Cranberry Island*. 
 
 Hancock co. These islands were 
 attached to the town of Mount 
 Desert until 1830, when they were 
 Incorporated. They lie a few miles 
 E. by S. from Mount Desert, and 
 embrace Great and Little Cranber- 
 ry, Sutton's and Baker's islands. 
 These islands afford good harbors, 
 and are well located for the shore 
 fishery. Population, 1837, 183. 
 
 Cranston, H. I. 
 
 Providence co. The soil of this 
 town is more favorable for the pro- 
 
 duction of fruits and vegetables 
 than for grain. Some parts of the 
 town are very fertile, but considera- 
 ble of the land is rough and uneven. 
 Providence market is supplied with 
 a considerable amount of the pro- 
 ducts of the town. The manufac- 
 ture of cotton is very extensively 
 pursued. The water power of the 
 Pawtuxet and Powchasset are con- 
 stant and abundant. Cranston is a 
 very pleasant town, and its proxim- 
 ity to Providence, (only five miles 
 south west) gives it peculiar privi- 
 leges. Population, 1830, 2,653. 
 
 Crawford, Me. 
 
 Washington co. Incorporated, 
 1828. This is a good township of 
 land, and was formerly called Ad- 
 ams. A large pond in Crawford 
 and a part of another are the sour- 
 ces of a branch of East Machias 
 river. Population, 1837, 311. Lo- 
 cated about 30 miles N. from Ma- 
 chias and 140 E. N. E. from Au- 
 gusta. 
 
 Crooked River, Me., 
 
 Rises in ponds in Oxford county; 
 passes through Harrison, Otisfield, 
 and Raymond, and joins the outlet 
 of Long pond into Sebago lake. 
 
 Cross Island, Me. 
 
 A large island, off Machias bay, 
 attached to the town of Cutler. 
 
 Croydon, If. II., 
 
 Sullivan co., is 44 miles N. N. 
 W. from Concord, and 8 N. from 
 Newport. The N. branch of Su- 
 gar river waters this town. On this 
 stream is a woolen factory and other 
 mills. Croydon mountain is of con- 
 siderable elevation, on which are 
 two small ponds. The soil of Croy- 
 don is moist and rocky, and produ- 
 ces valuable crops. Croydon was 
 granted by charter to Samuel Chase, 
 and others, May 31, 1763. It was 
 settled in 1766. Population, 1830, 
 1,057.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Cumberland County, Me. 
 
 Portland, chief town. Bounded 
 N. by Oxford county, E. by Lin- 
 coln county, S. by the Atlantic 
 ocean, and W. by York county and 
 a part of Oxford. Area about 990 
 square miles. Population, 1820, 
 49,445; 1830,60,113; 1837,67,619. 
 This is an excellent county of land, 
 and under good cultivation. The 
 commerce and manufactures of 
 Portland and neighboring towns 
 is very extensive. Casco bay is 
 within the county, and affords it 
 unrivalled privileges for navigation 
 and the fisheries. It is watered by 
 several large mill streams ; and the 
 Cumberland and Oxford canal to 
 Sebago lake, within the county, 
 gives" to its chief town considerable 
 inland trade. In 1837 there were 
 37,803 bushels of wheat raised in 
 the county, and it contained 71,000 
 sheep. 
 
 Cumberland, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. Set off from the 
 westerly part of North Yarmouth 
 in 1821. Population, 1837, 1,525. 
 54 miles S. W. from Augusta, and 
 10 N. from Portland. Cumberland 
 is pleasantly situated on Casco bay, 
 and enjoys many navigable facili- 
 ties. 
 
 Cumberland, R. J:. 
 
 Providence co. The manufac- 
 ture of cotton and boat building is 
 extensively pursued in this town. 
 Pawtucket, Mill and Peter's rivers, 
 and Abbot's run, afford the town 
 a good hydraulic power. There is 
 some good land in Cumberland, 
 producing a variety of articles for 
 Providence market ; from which it 
 is distant 8 miles N. Population, 
 1S30, 3,675. See Smithfidd. 
 
 Cnmmiugton, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. Located 110 miles 
 W. from Boston, and 20 W. N. W. 
 from Northampton. Incorporated, 
 1779. Population, 1837, 1,204. In 
 this town are good mill seats on 
 10 
 
 Westneld river. It is a mountain- 
 ous township but excellent for graz- 
 ing. It produced, in 1837, 12,486 
 pounds of merino wool, the weight 
 of 4,162 fleeces, valued at $7,492. 
 The manufactures of Cummington 
 consist of cotton and woolen goods, 
 leather, palm-leaf hats, and scythe 
 snaiths. Total value, in one year, 
 $98,000. Iron ore and soapstone. 
 
 Cusliiug, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. Situated on Saint 
 George's river, opposite to the town 
 of St. George; 45 miles N. E. from 
 Augusta, and about 12 miles S. from 
 Warren. This place was settled by 
 emigrants from Ireland, as early as 
 1733. Here was the celebrated 
 stone fort, erected by Maj. Burton. 
 Incorporated, 1789. Population, 
 1S37, 732. 
 
 Cutler, Me. 
 
 Washington co. Bounded S. by 
 the Atlantic Ocean, and about 20 
 miles S. W. from W. Quoddy Head. 
 It contains Little Machias bay and 
 Little river, and is bounded W. by 
 Machias bay. Cutler has a good 
 harbor, and a population of 667 
 164 miles E. by N. from Augusta, 
 and 10 S. E. from Machias,. 
 
 Daltoii, IV. H., 
 
 Coos co., lies .between Lancas- 
 ter and Littleton, on Connecticut 
 river, and is 110 miles N. by W. 
 from Concord. The Great, or Fif- 
 teen Mile Falls, on Connecticut 
 river, commence in Dalton, and 
 rush tumultuously along its north- 
 west boundary. The town is also 
 watered by John's river and sever- 
 al large brooks. The western and 
 southern parts of thfa town arc hilly. 
 Along the borders of John's river 
 the majestic white pine abounds. 
 The soil on the highlands is deep, 
 and well adapted to grazftig is 
 generally good, and in some parts 
 easy of cultivation. Blake's pond, 
 the only one in town, lies at the S. 
 E. corner. Moses Blake and Wai-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ter Bloss were the first settlers of 
 Dalton, and, with their families, for 
 a long time the only inhabitants. 
 Dalton was incorporated Nov. 4, 
 1784. Population, 1830, 532. 
 
 Blake was a famous hunter, and 
 the moose which frequented the 
 pond caljed by his name often fell 
 by the accuracy of his shots. Blake 
 and Capt. Bucknam, (one of the 
 first settlers of Lancaster,) on a 
 hunting excursion, fired at a mark, 
 on a small bet. Bucknam fired first, 
 and cut, at the distance of twenty 
 rods, near the centre of a mark 
 not larger than a dollar. Blake 
 then fired, and on going to the tree 
 on which the mark was made, no 
 trace of the ball could be discover- 
 ed. Bucknam exulted : " Cut out 
 your ball," said Blake, "and you'll 
 find mine o'top on't." The opera- 
 tion being performed, the two balls 
 were found, the one safely lodged 
 upon the other. 
 
 Dalton, Mas*. 
 
 Berkshire co. Dalton lies 120 
 miles W. from Boston, and 13 N. 
 by E. from Lenox. Incorporated, 
 1784. Population, 1837, 830. It 
 is watered by the E. branch of Hou- 
 satonick river. Its manufactures 
 consist of woolen cloth, iron cast- 
 ings, paper, ($37,500,) leather, 
 boots and shoes. Total amount in 
 one year, $47,815. In 1837, the 
 product of 4,238 sheep was 11,852 
 pounds of wool, valued at $5,725. 
 
 DamarUcotta River, Me. 
 
 Thi* river has its source in ponds 
 in Jefferson and Nobleborough ; its 
 general course is southerly between 
 Newcastle, Edgecomb and Booth- 
 hay, on the west, and Bristol on the 
 east. It is navigable for vessels of 
 any burthen 16 miles, to the bridge 
 which crosses it between New- 
 castle and Nobleborough. Large 
 quantities of lumber descend, and 
 many merchant ships are built on 
 this broad and navigable arm of the 
 
 Dana, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. Dana lies 65 miles 
 W. from Boston, and 27 W. N. W. 
 from Worcester. A branch of Swift 
 river passes through the town. 
 Some leather is tanned in Dana; 
 and 70,000 palm-leaf hats were 
 made in 1836, valued at $10,500. 
 Incorporated, 1781. Population, 
 1837, 660. 
 
 Danlrary, X. H., 
 
 Is in the S. part of Grafton county, 
 and lies in the form of a diamond. 
 It is 16 miles S. by W. from Ply- 
 mouth, and 30 N. W. from Concord. 
 This town is generally hilly, al- 
 though there are some intervales. 
 In the N. E. part is a large hill. 
 The eastern section is watered by 
 Smith's river. The first settle- 
 ment was made in Nov. 1771, and 
 incorporated June 18, 1795. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 786. 
 
 Daulmry, Ct. 
 
 One of the shire towns of Fair- 
 field county. Danbury, the PaA- 
 quioque of the Indians, was first 
 settled in 1684. The soil of the 
 town is good, and agreeably diver- 
 sified by hills and valleys. The 
 borough or village is very pleasant- 
 ly situated in a valley, and is me- 
 morable for its sacrifices in the 
 revolutionary war. It was nearly 
 destroyed by the British, with a 
 large amount of continental stores, 
 April, 1777. It lies 22 miles N. 
 from Norwalk, 36 S. S. W. from 
 Litchfield, and 55 S. W. by W. 
 from Hartford. 
 
 ROBERT SAJTDEMAN, the foun- 
 der of a religious sect.died at Danbu- 
 ry in 1771, aged 53. See Bethel, Ct. 
 
 Danby, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. Situated near the 
 head waters of Otter creek, 17 miles 
 S. from Rutland, and 68 S. S. W. 
 from Montpelifr. First settled, 
 1768. Population, 1830, 1,362. 
 The surface of the town is rough
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 and mountainous, but productive 
 of extraordinary feed for cattle. 
 Some of the best dairies in the 
 country are in Danby. Large quan- 
 tities of butter and cheese, of supe- 
 rior quality, are annually sent to 
 market. There are some curious 
 caverns in this town, one of great 
 depth. 
 
 Danvers, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. This flourishing town 
 lies 2 miles N. W. from Salem, to 
 which it was attached until 1757, 
 and called " Salem Village." It is 
 very pleasant, and has some mill and 
 navigable privileges. The manu- 
 factures, for the year ending April 
 1, 1837, amounted to $854,300. 
 The articles manufactured were 
 boots and shoes ($435,900,) leather, 
 ($264,400,) nails, bricks, pottery 
 ware, glue, lasts, morocco, choco- 
 late, shoe pegs, shoe and soap boxes, 
 soap and candles. Population, 1830, 
 4,228; 1837,4,804. 
 
 Danville, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. This town, for- 
 merly called Pejepsco, was set off 
 from the westerly part of North 
 Yarmouth, in 1802. Population, 
 1837,1,282. It lies 32 miles S. W. 
 from Augusta, and 29 N. from Port- 
 land. Farming is the principal 
 business of the inhabitants ; they 
 raised, in 1837, 1,218 bushels of 
 wheat. 
 
 Danville, N. H. 
 
 Rockingham co. It was incorpo- 
 rated February 22, 1760 ; formerly 
 a part, of Kingston, and until re- 
 cently known by the name of 
 Hawke. The soil is uneven, but in 
 some parts good. Acchusnut river 
 passes over the north west corner. 
 Long pond lies in the east part, and 
 Cub pond on the west side. The 
 first settlements were made by Jon- 
 athan Sanborn, Jacob Hook, and 
 others, between 1735 and 1739. 
 Danville lies 33 miles S. E. of Con- 
 
 cord , and 1 S . W. of Exeter. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 528. 
 
 Danville, Vt. 
 
 Chief town of Caledonia county. 
 Danville village is very pleasantly 
 situated near the centre of the town, 
 and is surrounded by a beautiful 
 farming country : first settled, 1784. 
 Charles Hacket brought the first 
 woman into town, in 1785. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 2,631. It lies 23 miles 
 N. E. from Montpelier. Here is a 
 medicinal spring ; and Jo's pond, 
 covering 1,000 acres, lies mostly 
 in the town. Several tributaries of 
 the Passumpsic give the town a good 
 water power. This is a place of 
 considerable manufactures and do- 
 mestic trade. 
 
 Fairfield co. Until 1820, Darien 
 was a parish in the town of Stam- 
 ford. The soil is excellent, and well 
 adapted to tillage and grazing. It 
 lies 5 miles W. from Norwalk, and 
 42 S. W. from New Haven. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,201. 
 
 During divine service, on Sun- 
 day, 22d of July, 1731, a party of 
 British troops surrounded the meet- 
 ing house at this place, land made 
 the whole congregation prisoners. 
 The males were tied, two and two, 
 and the Rev. Moses Mather, D. D., 
 a man distinguished for his learning 
 and piety, placed at their head. 
 They were marched to the shore, 
 taken to Long Island, and after- 
 wards to New York, where they 
 suffered a cruel imprisonment. 
 Some of them never returned. 
 
 Dartmouth, Mass. 
 
 Bristol co. The Jlpcniganset of 
 the Indians. A sea-port on Buz- 
 zard's bay, on the W. side of Ac- 
 cushriet river, 56 miles S. from Bos- 
 ton, and 3 W. from New Bedford. 
 Incorporated, 1664. Population, 
 1837, 3,958. There are 5 vessels 
 belonging to this place engaged in
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the whaling business, and a num- 
 ber in coasting, and other fisheries. 
 The product of the whale, cod and 
 mackerel fisheries the year end- 
 ing April 1, 1837, amounted to 
 giKMOS. The value of wool grown 
 was $2,110. The value of salt 
 manufactured, of vessels built, of 
 leather tanned, and of boots and 
 shoes made, was $27,910. 
 
 Dead Rlverg. 
 
 Dead river, in Maine, is an im- 
 portant tributary to the Kennebec. 
 It rises on the border of Lower 
 Canada, in the county of Franklin. 
 It passes in a S. . direction 40 or 
 50 miles; then N. about 10; it then 
 changes to the E., and after passing 
 about 15 miles it falls into the Ken- 
 nebec, about 20 miles below Moose 
 Head lake. The lands on Dead 
 river and its numerous tributaries 
 are very fertile and heavily wooded. 
 
 Dead Stream, in Maine, is a con- 
 siderable tributary to the Penob- 
 scot, from the west. It empties at 
 Orono, opposite to the Indian vil- 
 lage. 
 
 Dead river, in New Hampshire, 
 rises in the N. W. corner of the 
 state, in Coos county, and after re- 
 ceiving several tributaries it falls 
 into the Margallaway. 
 
 Deanfleld, Me. 
 
 Located at the N. W. corner 
 of Hancock county, between Pa- 
 saduiukeag river and Olammon 
 stream. See Barnard, Me. 
 
 Dearborn, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. The soil of this 
 town is excellent, particularly 
 around Great pond, which covers 
 a large portion of the surface, and 
 has a number of islands of great 
 beauty. This pond is connected 
 with other large sheets of water 
 in Belgrade, Mount Vernon, and 
 Rome, which render this part of 
 the county highly picturesque 
 Dearborn was incorporated in 1812 
 
 Population, 1837, 799. 15 miles 
 N. from Augusta. 
 
 UetlHam, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. Incorporated, 1837. 
 It is bounded on the W. by Ells- 
 worth. Union river passes through 
 its N. W. corner. In 1837 it had 
 a population of 427, and produced 
 1,550 bushels of wheat. 
 
 Dedham, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. County town. This 
 town is on Charles river, with a good 
 water power. It is 10 miles S. W. 
 from Boston, 35 E. from Worcester, 
 35 N. W. from Plymouth, 26 N. by 
 W. from Taunton, and 30 N. E. 
 from Providence. It has a beauti- 
 ful court house of hewn granite. 
 Its Indian name was Tiot. A rail- 
 road from the centre of the town 
 meets the Boston and Providence 
 rail-road, about two miles at the 
 eastward. The manufactures of 
 Dedham the year ending April 1, 
 1837, amounted to $510,755. They 
 consisted of cotton and woolen goods, 
 leather, boots, shoes, paper, mar- 
 bled paper, iron castings, chairs, 
 cabinet wares, straw bonnets, palm- 
 leaf hats, and silk goods. The val- 
 ue of silk goods manufactured was 
 $10,000. Dedham village is very 
 pleasant, and possesses every in- 
 ducement to render it a desirable 
 residence for the mechanic or man 
 of leisure. Population, 1837, 3,532. 
 
 Deerfield, N. H., 
 
 Rockingham co., is 18 miles E. 
 S. E. from Concord, and 30 W. by 
 N. from Portsmouth. This town 
 has a number of very pleasant ponds 
 which afford fish of various kinds. 
 Moultou's pond is situated at the 
 W. part of the town. This pond, 
 although small, is noted on account 
 of its having no visible inlet, and 
 therefore is supposed to be supplied 
 by a subterraneous passage, as the 
 water is always of nearly an equal 
 depth. The outlets of the pond run
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 in opposite directions. This pond 
 is also remarkable on account of 
 having been often sounded with- 
 out discovering any bottom. A 
 branch of Lamprey river passes S. 
 and S. E. through Deerfield. The 
 surface of this town is uneven, the 
 soil durable and fertile, although 
 hard to cultivate. The Tuckaway, 
 between Deerfield and Notting- 
 ham, the Saddlcback,between Deer- 
 field and Northwood, and Fort 
 mountain on the W., are the prin- 
 cipal elevations. In the W. part 
 of this town, on the southerly sid^ 
 of a ridge of rocks which extpfld 
 3-4 of a mile, is a natural formation 
 in the rock, for sixty years /esig- 
 nated as the " Indian Camp/" Its 
 sides are irregular, and tfie top is 
 covered by a canopy of granite 
 projecting about 14 feet, affording 
 a shelter from the sun and rain. 
 On the E. side of this camp is a 
 natural flight of steps, or stones 
 resembling steps, by which per- 
 sons may easily ascend to the top 
 of the rock. Deerfield was once 
 a place of favorite resort for deer, 
 great numbers of which were tak- 
 en. While the petition tor the 
 town was pending, a Mr. Batchel- 
 der killed a deer, and presenting it 
 to Gov. Wentworth, obtained the 
 act under the name of Deer-field. 
 The town was settled in 1756 and 
 1758, by John Robertson, Benja- 
 min Eatchelder and others. Dur- 
 ing the Indian wars the inhabitants 
 lived in garrisons, but no serious 
 mischiefs were experienced. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 2,086. 
 
 Deerfield, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. At the junction of 
 Connecticut and Deerfield rivers, 
 on the west side of the former, and 
 on both sides of the latter. The 
 Pocumtuck of the Indians. It is 
 95 miles W. by N. from Boston, 4 
 S. from Greenfield, and 17 N. from 
 Northampton. First settled, 1668. 
 Incorporated, 1682. Population, in 
 1837, 1,952. A very pleasant town, 
 10* 
 
 and a place of considerable com- 
 merce. The manufactures of this 
 place, for one year, amounted to 
 $147,190. They consisted of leath- 
 er, boots, shoes, cutlery, ($100,000) 
 chairs, cabinet ware, palm-leaf hats, 
 lead pipe, haircloth and beds, wag- 
 ons and carriages, pocket books, 
 wallets, and corn-brooms. The val- 
 ue of wool grown, the same year, 
 (1836) was $2,708. From the 
 mountains in this vicinity, delight- 
 ful views are obtained. Deerfield 
 Mountain is 700 feet above the 
 plain. Sugar Loaf Mount ain rears 
 its conical peak of red sandstone 500 
 feet above the river, and overlooks 
 the ground of many sanguinary 
 battles between the whites and In- 
 dians. This is a place of great in- 
 terest. While the traveller lingers 
 here, enjoying the beautiful scene- 
 ry, and hospitality of the people of 
 this quiet town, he cannot fail of 
 contrasting the present scenes with 
 those of former years ; particularly 
 with that at Bloody Brook, in 1675, 
 when a company of 90 young men 
 from the county of Essex were slain 
 by ruthless savages. A monument, 
 commemorating this event, was 
 erected in 1838. 
 
 Deerfield River. 
 
 This beautiful and important In- 
 dian stream joins the Connecti- 
 cut between Greenfield and Deer- 
 field. It rises in the high grounds 
 of Windham county, near Strat*- 
 ton, Dover and Somerset, Ver- 
 mont ; and proceeding in a S. E. 
 course, it passes through Monroe, 
 Florida, Rowe, Charlemont, Haw- 
 ley, Buckland, Shelburne and Con- 
 way. The most important tributa- 
 ries to this stream are Cold river; 
 a river from Heath and Coleraine ; 
 one from Leyden, via Greenfield, 
 and a river from Conway. Its whole 
 length is about 50 miles. In some 
 places Deerfield river is rapid, and 
 its banks very precipitous. Its pas- 
 sage through the mountains is very 
 curious and romantic.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Peering, X. "., 
 
 Hillsborough co., 23 miles S. W. 
 from Concord, and 22 N. W. from 
 Amheret. It is diversified with 
 hills and valleys ; is well watered, 
 and its soil is favorable to the sere- 
 ral purposes of agriculture. There 
 are three ponds, Dudley, Pecker's, 
 and Fulton's. The two former are 
 sources of the N. branch of Piscat- 
 aquog river. There arc some man- 
 ufactures in this town, and bricks 
 are made in a considerable quanti- 
 ty. Deering was incorporated Jan. 
 17, 1774. The name was given by 
 Gov. John V.~entworth, in honor of 
 his wife, whose maiden name was 
 Dering. The first permanent set- 
 tlement was made in 1765,byAlex- 
 ander Robinson. Population, 1830, 
 1,227. 
 
 Deer Isle, 3Ie. 
 
 Hancock co. This town is con- 
 stituted of three principal Islands 
 Deer Island, Little Deer Island, 
 and the Isle- of Haut. They com- 
 prise about 17,000 acres, and were 
 inhabited before the revolutionary 
 war. Incorporated, 178D. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 2,473. The principal 
 island lies about 2 miles S. W. from 
 Sedgewick harbor, and 95 miles E. 
 by S. from Augusta. These islands 
 have good harbors, and arc well lo- 
 cated for the shore fishery. Al- 
 though they are situated near the 
 sea they produce good crops and 
 wheat. 
 
 Deer IsI&ntU, jr. II. 
 
 In Connecticut river, between 
 Lyman and Barnet, Vt., are five 
 in number. The largest contains 
 88 acres. 
 
 Denmark, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. Incorporated, 1807 
 Population, 1837, 1,082. It lies 85 
 miles S. W. by W. from Augusta, 
 about 28 S. W. from Paris, and 47 
 N. W. from Portland. Denmark is 
 finely watered by Saco river and 
 
 several beautiful ponds. The prin- 
 cipal business of the inhabitants is 
 agricultural, for which they have 
 a fertile soil, and which produced, 
 n 1837, 2,560 bushels of wheat. 
 
 Dennis, Mass. 
 
 Barnstable co. This town crosses 
 the cape, and was taken from Yar- 
 mouth in 1793. Population, 1837, 
 2,750. It lies 8 miles E. by N. 
 from Barnstable, and 7 W. from 
 Harwich. The first salt produced 
 by solar evaporation in this country 
 vas made * in this town, by John 
 Stars and others, in 1776. About 
 7,OtO tons of shipping belong to this 
 town, principally engaged in fish- 
 ing ant coasting., and all manned by 
 natives af the town. Bass river, 
 rising from a pond, affords a small 
 water power. 150 ship-masters be- 
 long to this to'vn, sailing from va- 
 rious ports in the Union. The pro- 
 ducts of the cod and mackerel fish- 
 ing, in one year, amounted to $50,- 
 899. The manufacture of com- 
 mon salt, Epsom salts, vessels, and 
 lampblack, amounted to $25,975. 
 
 Denny sville, Me. 
 
 Washington co. This town is 
 bounded on the S. by Cobscook 
 bay, and watered by a river of the 
 same name. It lies 172 miles E. 
 N. E. from Augusta, and 22 N. E. 
 from Machias. Population, 1837, 
 349. 
 
 Derby, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. First settled, 1795. 
 It is bounded on the N. by Lower 
 Canada, and on the W. by Mem- 
 phremagog lake. Clyde river, the 
 outlet of Salem pond, affords it a 
 good water power. This town is 
 very pleasant, level and fertile ; 
 it has some manufactures; the 
 farmers are industrious and rear a 
 large number of sheep. Derby is 
 50 miles N. N. E. from Montpe- 
 lier, and 15 N. N.E. from Irasburgh. 
 Population, 1830, 1,469.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Derby, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. The Indian 
 name of this town was Paugasset. 
 It was purchased of the Indians, 
 and incorporated in 1675. The sur- 
 face of the town is uneven, with 
 some fertile meadow on the banks of 
 the rivers. Derby is watered by the 
 Housatonick and Naugatuck rivers. 
 Derby Landing, Smithville and 
 Humphreysville, are the principal 
 places of business. 
 
 The Landing is on the east side 
 of the Housatonick, just below the 
 junction of that river with the 
 Naugatuck, and is 8 miles N. W. 
 from New Haven, and 14 from the 
 mouth of the river at Stratford, on 
 Long Island Sound. Vessels of 10 
 feet draught of water can pass to 
 the Landing, from which wood and 
 other commodities are transported 
 by water. 
 
 Smithville is located in view of 
 the Landing, and commands a beau- 
 tiful prospect. It has extensive 
 manufactures of copper, in sheets 
 and wire, augurs, carriage springs 
 and^axletrees, nails and tacks, flan- 
 nels, satinets, and other operations 
 by the waters of the Naugatuck, 
 passing through a canal of about 
 a mile in length. This village was 
 commenced in 1834, and is very 
 flourishing. 
 
 Humphreysville is located in a 
 small valley, on the Naugatuck 
 river, about 4 miles from the Land- 
 ing. The Humphreysville Manu- 
 facturing Company was incorpora- 
 ted in 1810. The'building is 4 sto- 
 ries high and 100 feet long. In this 
 village and around it is some of the 
 most beautiful and romantic scene- 
 ry in New England. This village 
 derived its name from the Hon. 
 DAVID HUMPHREYS, a native of 
 Derby, a poet, an aid to Washing- 
 ton, and a minister to Spain. He 
 died at New Haven, February 21, 
 1818, aged 66. 
 
 Derry, W. H. 
 
 Rockingham co. A fine grazing 
 
 township, taken from Londonderry 
 in 1828. The principal manufac- 
 tures are linen thread and cloth, 
 palm-leaf hats and shoes. The 
 village is very handsome, and a 
 great thoroughfare for travellers. 
 The soil is very productive, and the 
 inhabitants are remarkable for their 
 industry, general wealth and lon- 
 gevity. Derry lies 18 miles W. 
 S. W. from Exeter, and 25 S. E. 
 from Concord. Population, 1830, 
 2,176. 
 
 Dexter, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This town was 
 first settled in 1801. Incorporated, 
 1815. It lies 67 miles N. E. from 
 Augusta, and 35 N. W. from Ban- 
 gor. Population, 1837, 1,401. Dex- 
 ter is a valuable township of land. 
 The farmers reap a rich reward for 
 their labors. In 1837, 7000 bushels 
 of wheat was raised. In this town 
 is a pond covering 500 acres, at 
 the outlet of which are mills and a 
 beautiful village. 
 
 Diamond River, ST. H. 
 
 Diamond river has its principal 
 source in Diamond pond, in Stew- 
 artstown. From thence it passes 
 through Dixville, and after receiv- 
 ing several tributaries, falls into the 
 Dead river near its junction with 
 the Margallaway. 
 
 Diglitoii, Mass. 
 
 Bristol co. A port of entry, on 
 the west side of Taunton river, oppo- 
 site to Berkley. Population, 1837, 
 1,453. 40 miles S. from Boston, 8 
 S. from Taunton, and 20 N. W. by 
 W. from New Bedford. There are 
 in this place three cotton factories, 
 a woolen mill, a furnace, and other 
 iron works. Tonnage of the dis- 
 trict, 9,032 tons. The noted " Digh- 
 ton Rock," so called, on which are 
 inscriptions difficult to decypher, 
 in fact lies on the Berkley side of 
 the river. The value of cotton and 
 woolen goods, boots and shoes, 
 pig iron and wooden ware manu-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 factured, and vessels built in Digh- 
 ton, in one year, was $30,000. 
 Dlxfield, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This is a good farming 
 town on the north bank of ths An- 
 droscoggin river, 42 miles N. W. 
 by W. from Augusta, and 25 N. by 
 E. from Paris. Incorporated, 1803, 
 Population, 1837, 1,148. In 1837, 
 5,522 bushels of wheat was raised 
 in Dixfield. 
 
 Dlxmont, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This town deriv- 
 ed its name from Dr. Elijah Dix, 
 late of Boston, one of the original 
 proprietors, and from a hill or moun- 
 tain in the town, beautifully wood- 
 ed to its summit. It is on the height 
 of land between the Kennebec and 
 Penobscot. The surface of the 
 town is undulating ; the soil excel- 
 lent and of easy cultivation. It an- 
 nually produces large quantities of 
 hay, some corn, rye and wool. 
 In 1837, a bounty of $649 40 was 
 obtained for raising 932 1-2 bushels 
 of wheat. There is a pond in the 
 town and some mill privileges. 
 Dixmont lies 44 miles N. E. from 
 Augusta, and 24 S. W. from Ban- 
 gor. Incorporated, 1807. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 1,323. 
 
 . Dixville, N. I .. 
 
 Coos co., was granted in 1805, 
 to the late Col. Timothy Dix, 
 jr., of Boscawen. It comprises 
 31,023 acres of uneven land. Nu- 
 merous streams meander through 
 this town from the surrounding 
 heights. Dixville lies about 40 
 miles N. N. E. from Lancaster. 
 In 1810 it had a population of 12 ; 
 and in 1830, of only 2. 
 
 Uorclicster, X. I'.. 
 
 Grafton co., is situated on the 
 highlands between Connecticut 
 and Merrimack rivers, 12 miles 
 from the former, and 8 from the 
 latter. It is 23 miles S. by E. 
 from Haverhill, 50 N. W. from 
 
 Concord, and 90 N. W. by W. from 
 Portsmouth. The principal streams 
 are the S. branch of Baker's river, 
 a branch of Mascomy, and Rocky 
 branch. There are two considera- 
 ble ponds, both in the W. part of 
 the town. The soil in scrme parts 
 is very fertile ; particularly the in- 
 tervales on the branch of Baker's 
 river. The highlands are very un- 
 even, and the greater part rocky. 
 First settled about the year 1772. 
 Population, 1830, 702. 
 
 Dorchester, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. This ancient and 
 respectable town lies on Dorches- 
 ter bay, in Boston harbor, 5 miles S. 
 from Boston, and 7 N. E. from Ded- 
 ham. Population, 1837, 4,564. It 
 was first settled by a party of Puri- 
 tans from England. These pilgrims 
 landed from the ship Mary and 
 John, at Nantasket, on the llth of 
 June, 1630, and on the 17th day of 
 that month they located themselves 
 at the Indian Mattapan, and called 
 it Dorchester, in honor of their pi- 
 ous and learned friend, the Rev. 
 John White, of Dorchester, 120 
 miles W. from London. The town 
 was incorporated on the 7th of 
 September following, and included 
 most of the territory of the towns 
 of Milton, Canton, Stoughton, Sha- 
 ron, and that part of Boston on which 
 stand " Dorchester Heights," me- 
 morable for their sudden conversion 
 into a fortress, for the protection of 
 Boston harbor, by order of Wash- 
 ington, on the night of March 4, 
 1776. These lands were obtained 
 from the Indians by purchase, not 
 by combat. The present limits of 
 the town are about 6 by 3 1-2 
 miles. Dorchester furnished pio- 
 neers for the settlement of many 
 parts of the country. A party from 
 this town crossed the trackless wil- 
 derness in 14 days.and settled Hart- 
 ford, on Connecticut river, in 1635. 
 In 1695, another party emigrated 
 from this place, and settled Dor- 
 chester, in South Carolina, and af-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 terwardsMedway, in Georgia. The 
 soil of Dorchester is rocky, but ve- 
 ry fertile and under a high state of 
 cultivation. It is exceedingly pro- 
 ductive, particularly of vegetables, 
 fruits and flowers. Its surface is 
 greatly variegated, presenting a 
 continual succession of picturesque 
 and delightful views of the coun- 
 try, city, and sea. Its hill-tops and 
 valleys are decked with farm hou- 
 ses and tasteful villas, and no where 
 can be found the union of town and 
 country enjoyments more complete. 
 The beautiful Neponset washes the 
 whole of the southern border of 
 the town, and besides its navigable 
 privileges, affords it a large and val- 
 uable water power. The first wa- 
 ter mill in America was erected in 
 this town, in 1633 ; and here, about 
 the same time, the cod fishery, the 
 boast of New England, was first 
 commenced. There are now 4 ves- 
 sels employed in the whale, and 16 
 in the cod and other fisheries. To- 
 tal tonnage, 2,210 tons. Capital 
 invested, $190,000. Product, in 
 one year, $138,349. The manu- 
 factures of Dorchester consist of 
 cotton goods, boots, shoes, hats, pa- 
 per, cabinet ware, block tin, tin 
 ware, leather, wearing apparel, 
 soap, candles, chocolate, and play- 
 ing cards; the aggregate amount of 
 which, in one year, was 457,400. 
 The first settlers of Dorchester 
 came a regularly organized church, 
 with its pastor and officers. They 
 soon erected a house of public wor- 
 ship ; but it is a singular fact that 
 " none can tell the precise spot 
 where the first meeting-house was 
 located, nor does a single stone re- 
 main to designate the site of the 
 original burying ground." There 
 are, however, some mementos of 
 olden times. The earliest date in 
 the present ancient cemetery that 
 can be distinctly traced, is 1644. We 
 copy the following from among ma- 
 ny singular effusions, found on the 
 grave- stones in that cemetery, in 
 commemoration of the dead. 
 
 " Here lies our Captain and Major of 
 Suffolk was withal, 
 
 A Godly Magistrate was he and Ma- 
 jor General, 
 
 Two troops of horse with him here 
 came, such worth his love did crave, 
 
 Ten companies of foot also, mourning 
 marched to his grave. 
 
 Let all that read be sure to keep the 
 faith as he lias done ; 
 
 With Christ he lives now crowned, his 
 name was Humphrey Atherton." 
 
 On the grave of three brothers, by 
 the name of Clarke. 
 
 " Here lies three Clarks, their accounts 
 are even, 
 
 Entered on earth, carried up to heav- 
 en." 
 
 Johnson, in his " Wonder Work- 
 ing Providence," thus speaks of 
 Dorchester in 1654. 
 
 " The forme of this Towne is al- 
 most like a Serpent turning her 
 head to the Northward ; over 
 against Tompson's Island, and the 
 Castle, her body and wings being 
 chiefly built on, are filled some- 
 what thick of Houses, onely that 
 one of her Wings is clift, her Tayle 
 being of such large extent that 
 Shee can hardly draw it after her. 
 Her houses for dwelling are about 
 one hundred and forty ; Orchards 
 and Gardens, full of Fruit-trees, 
 plenty of Corne Land, although 
 much of it hath been long in tillage, 
 yet hath it ordinarily good crops ; 
 the number of trees are near upon 
 1500. Cowes and other Cattell of 
 that kinde about 450. Thus hath 
 the Lord been pleased to increase 
 his poore dispersed people, whose 
 number in this Flock are near about 
 150. Their first Pastor called to 
 feede them was the Reverend and 
 godly Mr. Maveruck." 
 
 Among the first settlers of Dor- 
 chester was George Minot, a rul- 
 ing elder of the church for thirty 
 years. He erected a dwelling-house 
 in that part of Dorchester where 
 the pleasant village of Neponset 
 now stands. That house is now 
 standing, and is doubtless one of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the oldest houses in the country. 
 It is in good repair, and has ever 
 remained in possession of Mr. Mi- 
 aot's lineal descendants. Mr. Mi- 
 not died December 24, 1671, aged 
 78. Thid'house is more celebrated 
 for the female heroism displayed 
 within its walls, than for its anti- 
 quity. A party of Narraganset In- 
 dians, hunting on the borders of Ne- 
 ponset river, stopped at elder Mi- 
 not's house and demanded food and 
 drink. On being refused they 
 threatened vengeance, and the sa- 
 chem, or chief of the party, left an 
 Indian in ambush to watch an op- 
 portunity to effect it. Soon after, 
 in the absence of all the family, 
 except a young woman and two 
 small children, the Indian attacked 
 the house and fired at the young 
 woman, but missed his mark. The 
 girl placed the children under two 
 brass kettles -and bade them be si- 
 lent. She then loaded Mr. Minot's 
 gun and shot the Indian in the 
 shoulder. He again attacked the 
 house, and in attempting to enter 
 the window, the girl threw a shovel 
 full of live coals into his face and 
 lodged them in his blanket. On 
 this the Indian fled. The next day 
 he was found dead in the woods. 
 The Indian's name was Chicka- 
 taubut, but not the Narraganset sa- 
 chem of that name. The govern- 
 ment of Massachusetts bay present- 
 ed this brave young woman with a 
 silver wristband, on which her name 
 was engraved, with this motto, 
 " She slew the Narrhagantet hun- 
 ter." 
 
 Dorset, V t . 
 
 Bennington co. This town was 
 first settled in 1768, and organized 
 the following year. Paulet and 
 Battenkill rivers rise in this town, 
 and, with the waters of Otter creek, 
 which pass the northern part, afford 
 some mill privileges, which are used 
 for manufacturing purposes. There 
 are two mountains partly in this 
 town, the Dorset and Equinox 
 
 There is a cavern in the south part 
 of the town of some note. It is 
 entered by an aperture nearly 10 
 feet square, " which opens into a 
 spacious room nine rods in length 
 and four wide. At the further end 
 of this apartment are two openings 
 which are about 30 feet apart. The 
 one on the right is three feet from 
 the floor, and is about 20 inches by 
 six feet in length. It leads to an 
 apartment 20 feet long, 12 wide and 
 12 high. From this room there is 
 an opening sufficient to admit a man 
 to pass through sideways about 20 
 feet, when it opens into a large hall 
 80 feet long and 30 wide. The 
 other aperture from the first room 
 is about as large as a common door, 
 and leads to an apartment 12 feet 
 square, out of which is a passage to 
 another considerable room, in which 
 is a spring of water. This cavern 
 is said to have been explored 40 or 
 50 rods without arriving at the end." 
 Dorset lies 26 miles N. from Ben- 
 niugton and 91 S. S. W. from Mont- 
 pelier. Population, 1830, 1,507. 
 
 Douglas, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This town lies 
 47 miles W. S. W. from Boston, 17 
 S. E. from Worcester, and 21 N. 
 W. from Providence. Population, 
 1830, 1,742. Here is good mead- 
 ow land, iron ore, and valuable 
 water privileges on Mumford river. 
 In this town was manufactured, in 
 1836, $55,000 value of cotton goods ; 
 boots and shoes, $5,250 ; leather, 
 $1,500 ; and $116,400 of axes and 
 hatchets; besides large quantities 
 of hatchet handles and shoe lasts. 
 Incorporated, 1731. 
 
 Dover, Me. 
 
 Piscataquis co. Bounded N. by 
 Piscataquis river, S. by Garland, 
 W. by Sangerville and E. by Atkin- 
 son. It lies 77 miles N. by E. from 
 Augusta, and about 35 miles N. W. 
 from Bangor. Incorporated, 1822. 
 Population, 1837, 1,042. Dover is 
 the shire town of this new county.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 and remarkable for its beauty. It 
 produced, in 1837, 10,290 bushels 
 of wheat. 
 
 Dover, N. H. 
 
 This is one of the most interest- 
 ing and important towns in New 
 Hampshire. It is one of the county 
 towns of Straffbrd county, and lies 
 40 miles E. from Concord, 12 N. 
 W. by N. from Portsmouth, and 45 
 S. W. from Portland. Population, 
 1830, 5,549. The principal streams 
 of Dover, are the Cocheco, and 
 Bellamy Bank, or Back river. They 
 take a S. E. course through the 
 town, and unite with other waters 
 to form the Piscataqua. 
 
 Cocheco, or Quochecho river, 
 has its rise from several small 
 streams in New Durham, which 
 unite in Farmington, whence the 
 river meanders through Rochester, 
 there receiving the Isinglass, a trib- 
 utary, and thence passes through 
 Dover into the Newichwannock,or 
 Salmon Fall river, the principal 
 branch of the Piscataqua. The 
 Cocheco is a beautiful river, and 
 very important to the inhabitants of 
 Rochester and Dover. Passing over 
 this town in any direction, the trav- 
 eller finds no rugged mountains, nor 
 extensive barren plains, but occa- 
 sionally ascends gentle swells of 
 land, from the height of which the 
 eye meets some delightful object; 
 a winding stream, a well cultivated 
 farm, or a distant village. In the 
 S. part of the town is a neck of 
 land about 2 miles long and half a 
 mile broad, having Piscataqua on 
 one side, and Back river on the 
 other. From the road on either 
 hand, the land gradually descends 
 to the rivers. It commands a very 
 delightful, variegated, and exten- 
 sive prospect of bays, adjacent 
 shores, and distant mountains. On 
 this neck the first settlement of 
 the town was made, in 1623, by a 
 company in England, whose design 
 it was to plant a colony, and estab- 
 
 lish a fishery around the Piscata- 
 qua ; for which purpose they sent 
 over, with several others, Edward 
 and William Hilton, fishmongers, 
 of London. These men commenced 
 their operations on the Neck at a 
 place by the Indians called Wini- 
 chahanat ,which they called JVorth- 
 am, and afterwards Dover. For 
 several years, this spot embraced 
 the principal part of the population 
 of the town ; here was erected the 
 first meeting-house, afterwards sur- 
 rounded with an entrenchment, and 
 flankarts, the remains of which are 
 still visible ; here the people as- 
 sembled to worship, and to transact 
 their public business. In process 
 of time, the business and popula- 
 tion of the town began to centre 
 around Cocheco falls, about 4 miles 
 N. W. from the neck. These falls 
 are in the river whose name they 
 bear, and give to the water that pas- 
 ses over them a sudden descent of 
 32 1-2 feet. Situate at the head of 
 navigation, about 12 miles from the 
 ocean, having a fertile country on 
 the north, west, and south, they are 
 considered among the most valu- 
 able in New -England. Around 
 these falls the beautiful village of 
 Dover is situated, containing many 
 handsome buildings. 
 
 The Dover "Cotton Factory Com- 
 pany," at Cocheco falls, was incor- 
 porated in 1820. They have one 
 brick mill of 420 feet by 45, 7 stories 
 high, and two other mills of the 
 same material, 154 by 43 feet, one 
 5 and the other 6 stories high. 
 These mills contain 25,040 spindles 
 and 763 looms, and manufacture an- 
 nually 5,000,000 yards of cotton 
 cloth ; the principal part of which 
 is bleached, and printed into calico 
 by the company. This company 
 employ a capital of more than a 
 million of dollars, and about 1,000 
 persons. There are other manu- 
 facturing establishments at Dover, 
 but this is the principal. 
 
 A society of Friends was estab-
 
 1SEW KNGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 liahed here at an early period, and 
 formerly comprised about one third 
 of the population. 
 
 A congregational church was or- 
 ganized in 1688. A Mr. Leverich, 
 a worthy puritan, was their first 
 minister, and probably the first or- 
 dained minister that preached the 
 gospel in New Hampshire. Mr. 
 Leverich soon removed, and until 
 the settlement of the pious Daniel 
 Maud, in 1642, the church was 
 much oppressed by the bad charac- 
 ter of their ministers. 
 
 The Rev. JEREMY BELKNAP, 
 D. D. the celebrated historian of 
 New Hampshire, was ordained in 
 this town in 1767. He removed to 
 Boston, and was settled there April 
 4, 1787. He died in Boston, June 
 20, 1798, aged 54. 
 
 This town in its early years was 
 greatly frequented by the Indians ;. 
 and experienced many sufferings 
 in their repeated attacks upon the 
 inhabitants. In 1675, Maj. Wal- 
 dron by a stratagem secured about 
 200 Indians at Dover, who had at 
 times exhibited signs of hostility. 
 Seven or eight of them, who had 
 been guilty of some atrocities, were 
 immediately hanged, and the rest 
 sold into slavery. The Indians 
 abroad regarded this act of Waldron 
 as a breach of faith, and swore 
 against him implacable revenge. 
 In 1C89, after a lapse of 13 years, 
 they determined to execute their 
 project. Previous to the fatal night 
 (27th of June) some hints had been 
 thrown out by the squaws, but they 
 were either misunderstood or dis- 
 regarded ; and the people suffered 
 them to sleep in their garrisons as 
 usual. In the stillness of night the 
 doors of the garrisons were opened, 
 and the Indians, at a concerted sig- 
 nal, rose from their lurking places, 
 and rushed upon the defenceless in- 
 habitants. Waldron,though 80 years 
 of age, made a gallant defence, but 
 was overwhelmed by the superior 
 numbers of his adversaries, who 
 literally cut him to pieces. In this 
 
 affair, 28 persons we-c killed, and 
 29 made prisoners. The Indians 
 were soon overtaken and nearly the 
 whole party destroyed. 
 
 Dover, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. This town was a 
 part of Wardsborough, until 1810. 
 It lies 12 miles N. W. from Brattle- 
 borough, 17 N. E. from Benning- 
 ton, and 120 S. by W. from.Mont- 
 pelier. The land in Dover is high 
 and uneven ; more fit for pastur- 
 age than tillage. It is the source 
 of several branches of West, and a 
 branch of Deerfield river. Ser- 
 pentine and chlorite slate are found 
 here. Population, 1830, 831. 
 
 Dover, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. Dover lies 5 miles 
 W. from Dedham, and 14 S. S. W. 
 from Boston. It was taken from 
 Dedham in 1784. This town is 
 bounded northerly by Charles river, 
 and in it are manufactures of nails, 
 iron hoops and rods, ploughs, brush- 
 es, boots and shoes. Total amount 
 of manufactures in 1836, $99,558. 
 The surface of Dover is uneven, 
 and a large part of it covered wit.i 
 wood. Population, 1837, 518. 
 
 Down East, lUe. 
 
 We crave the -favor of a letter 
 from our friends "Down East." 
 See Barnard, Me. 
 
 Dractit, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. Dracut is united 
 to Lowell by a bridge over Merri- 
 mack river. The town is pleasant- 
 ly situated on the N. side, on the 
 Hne of N. H., with a tolerable soil 
 and some water power, by Beaver 
 river. It lies 27 miles N. from Bos- 
 ton, and 16 N. by E. from Concord. 
 Incorporated, 1701. Population, 
 1837, 1,898. The manufactures of 
 Dracut consist of woolen goods, 
 leather, cutlery, boots and shoes. 
 Annual amount, exclusive of wool- 
 en goods, about $25,000.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Dresden, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. On the E. bank of 
 Kennebec river, near the head of 
 Swan Island, 9 miles N. W. from 
 Wiscasset, 14 S. from Augusta, and 
 59 N. E. from Portland. This is a 
 large agricultural township, with 
 some trade on the river. Previous 
 to the division of the county, in 
 1789, Dresden was the shire town 
 or place where all the courts in 
 Maine were holden, E. of Kenne- 
 bec river. Dresden was incorpo- 
 rated as a town in 1794. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 1,570. 
 
 Drewsville, N. H. 
 
 See Walpole. 
 
 Dublin, N. H. 
 
 Cheshire co. It is 10 miles E. 
 by S. from Keene, and 50 S. W. 
 from Concord. Dublin is situated 
 on the height of land between Con- 
 necticut and Merrimack rivers. Its 
 streams are small ; those on the W. 
 side run into the Ashuelot, those on 
 the E. into Contoocook river. The 
 rain which falls on the roof of the 
 church is shared by the rivers. 
 There is a pond near the middle of 
 the town called Centre pond, one 
 mile in length and about the same 
 in breadth. A large portion of the 
 Grand Monadnock lies in the N. W. 
 part of Dublin, and near the cen- 
 tre of the town is Breed's moun- 
 tain. Monadnock was formerly co- 
 vered with a growth of small tim- 
 ber and shrubbery, but fires hav- 
 ing run over it at different times, 
 it presents little more than ragged 
 rocks. Between the rocks, how- 
 ever, there are low whortleberry 
 bushes, which produce great quan- 
 tities of fruit of a very rich flavor. 
 The season for ripening is the lat- 
 ter part of August, and to those 
 who ascend the summit at this sea- 
 son they are peculiarly grateful. 
 This mountain is not difficult of ac- 
 cess. The view from its summit 
 is sublime. Its height is 3,718 feet 
 above the level of the sea. The 
 11 
 
 land in general is much better for 
 grazing than tillage. The late Rev. 
 Edward Sprague bequeathed near- 
 ly 8,000 dollars for the support of 
 public schools, the annual interest 
 of which is to be applied to this ob- 
 ject. He also left the town $5,000, 
 the interest of which, paid quarter- 
 ly, is to be applied to the support 
 of an ordained congregational min- 
 ister, who shall statedly preach in 
 Dublin. The first settlements were 
 in 1762, by John Alexander, and 
 others. Population, 1830, 1,218. 
 
 Dudley, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This good farm- 
 ing town was called by the Indians 
 Chabanakongkomuin. It is finely 
 watered by the Quinnebaug and 
 other streams, and possesses excel- 
 lent mill privileges. During the 
 year ending April 1, 1837, the val- 
 ue of the manufactures of Dudley 
 amounted to $34o,826. The arti- 
 cles manufactured were woolen 
 goods,leathcr, shoos, scythe snaiths, 
 chairs, and cabinet ware. The val- 
 ue of wool grown was ^1,585. 
 
 Dudley lies 55 miles S. W. from 
 Boston, 18 S. from Worcester, and 
 34 N. W. from Providence. Incorpo- 
 rated, 1731. Population, 1837, 1,415. 
 
 Duke's County, Mass. 
 
 Edgarton is the county town. 
 This county is formed of the islands 
 of Martha's Vineyard, Chappequid- 
 dic, Elizabeth Islands, and No 
 Man's Land the latter of which 
 is the southern extremity of Mas- 
 sachusetts. These islands lie off 
 and S. of Barnstable county and 
 Buzzard's bay, and contain about 
 120 square miles. The principal 
 island, Martha's Vineyard, the In- 
 dian Nope, or Capawock, was first 
 settled by the whites, at Edgarton, 
 in 1641, and is 21 miles in length 
 and 6 in breadth. Although a large 
 portion of this county is woodland, 
 and many of the people engaged 
 in the fisheries and coasting trade, 
 yet considerable exports are annu-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ally made of wool, woolen cloth, 
 alt and grain. This county suffer- 
 ed much during the revolutionary 
 war. In 1778, the people were 
 compelled to surrender their fire 
 arms and 2,300 head of cattle to the 
 British. Incorporated, 1695. Pop- 
 ulation, 1820, 3,292; 1830,3,518; 
 1837, 3,785: 32 inhabitants to a 
 square mile. There were on these 
 islands, in 1837, 11,281 sheep. 
 
 Duminer, X. II., 
 
 Coos co., is bounded N by Mills- 
 field and Errol, and comprises 23,- 
 040 acres. It was granted March 
 8, 1773, and is watered by the Am- 
 monoosuck and Androscoggin. 
 Population, 1830, 65. 
 
 Graniucrgton, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. West river passes 
 through this town and gives it a 
 good water power. The surface is 
 rough and hilly, but adapted to graz- 
 ing. Black mountain, near the cen- 
 tre, is a vast body of granite. Good 
 slate for buildings, and primitive 
 limestone are found. There are in 
 Dummerston some manufacturing 
 concerns.and a considerable number 
 of sheep. Population, 1830, 1,592: 
 90 miles S. from Montpeiier, and 8 
 S. . from New fane. 
 
 Dunbarton, W. II. 
 
 Merrimack co. This town lies 
 9 miles S. W. from Concord, and 7 
 S. E^from Hopkinton. Population, 
 1830, 1,067. The situation of the 
 town is somewhat elevated, though 
 there are but few hills, nor any 
 mountains. The air is clear, the 
 water is good, and the health of its 
 inhabitants is seldom interrupted by 
 sickness. The soil is good, pecu- 
 liarly suited for corn, wheat and or- 
 charding.- Almost every lot in town 
 is capable of making a good farm. 
 The farmers here have good build- 
 ings and are excellent husbandmen. 
 The advantages in point of water 
 privileges are not great. The in- 
 habitants are principally descend- 
 
 ants of Scotch Irish, so called, from 
 the North of Ireland. Their pos- 
 terity still retain many traits of 
 character peculiar to that people. 
 Dunbarton was granted in 1751, to 
 Archibald Stark and others. Its 
 present name is derived from jDu/- 
 barton,m Scotland, from whence 
 Stark emigrated. The first settle- 
 ment was made about 1749. Wil- 
 liam Stinson, born in Ireland, came 
 to Londonderry with his father. He 
 was much respected and was a use- 
 ful man. James Rogers was from 
 Ireland, and father to Major Robert 
 Rogers. He was shot in the woods, 
 being mistaken for a bear. 
 
 Duiimore Lake, Vt. 
 See Salisbury. 
 
 Dunstable, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. Nashua river wa- 
 ters the N. W. part of the town, 
 and passes into Nashua, N. H. The 
 surface of the town is level ; some 
 part of it is good land, but general- 
 ly it is light and sandy. It has no 
 manufactures, and only 315 sheep. 
 Population, 1837, 570. Incorpora- 
 ted, 1683. Dunstable lies 27 miles 
 N. W. from Boston, 18 N. by W. 
 from Concord, and 6 S. from Nashua. 
 
 Durham, Die. 
 
 Cumberland co. Located on the 
 S. side of Androscoggin river, and 
 united with Lisbon by a bridge. 
 This is a township of -good land, and 
 farming is the principal occupation 
 of the inhabitants. Durham lies 
 25 miles N. from Portland and 31 
 S. W. from Augusta. Population, 
 1837, 1,832. Incorporated, 1789. 
 
 Durham, N. H., 
 
 Straffbrd co., is 32 miles E. by 
 S. from Concord, 11 W. N. W.from 
 Portsmouth, and 7 S. from Dover. 
 Population, 1830, 1,606. The situ- 
 ation of this town, upon the Piscat- 
 aqua and its branches, is very favor- 
 able both as to water power and 
 transportation. Oyster river, one of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the branches of the Piscataqua, is- 
 sues from Wheelwright's pond, in 
 Lee, and after running nearly its 
 whole course in Durham, furnishing 
 in its progress several convenient 
 mill seats, falls into the main river 
 near Piscataqua bridge. This bridge 
 is 2,600 feet in length and 40 in 
 width. It cost $65,400. The tide 
 fiows in this branch of the river up 
 to the falls near the meeting-house 
 in the village, where business to a 
 large amount is annually transacted. 
 This village is a very central depot 
 for the lumber and produce of the 
 adjacent country. Lamprey river, 
 another branch of the Piscataqua, 
 runs through the westerly part of 
 this town, over several falls remark- 
 ably well adapted for mill seats, into 
 the town of New Market, where it 
 falls into the Great Bay. Upon both 
 sides of Oyster river, a deep argil- 
 laceous loam prevails, which is pe- 
 culiarly favorable to the production 
 of the grasses, of which very heavy 
 crops are cut, and hay is an article 
 of considerable export. Extensive 
 ledges of excellent granite, with 
 which this town abounds,have been 
 the source of much profitable em- 
 ployment to the inhabitants. A 
 large block of detached granite in 
 the southeast part of this town was 
 formerly placed in a very singular 
 situation. Its weight was 60 or 70 
 tons, and it was poised so exactly 
 upon two other stones as to be visi- 
 bly moved by the wind. It was 
 some years since dislodged from 
 this extraordinary position by the 
 barbarous curiosity of some visit- 
 ors. Durham was originally a part 
 of Dover ; but soon after its settle- 
 ment was formed into a distinct par- 
 ish by the name of Oyster river, 
 from the stream which passes 
 through it. From the abundance 
 of excellent oysters found in its 
 waters, this river probably derived 
 its name, and it was a famous ren- 
 dezvous of the Indians. For many 
 years this place suffered exceeding- 
 ly by Indian depredations and mur- 
 
 ders. In 1694, when a large part 
 of the inhabitants had marched to 
 the westward, the Indians, who 
 were dispersed in the woods about 
 Oyster river, having diligently ob- 
 served the number of men in one 
 of the garrisons, rushed upon eigh- 
 teen 6Y them, as they were going 
 to their morning devotions, and hav- 
 ing cut oft" their retreat to the house, 
 put them all to death except one, 
 who fortunately escaped. They 
 then attacked the house, in which 
 there were only two boys, beside 
 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 and even then the boys would 
 not surrender till the Indians had 
 promised to spare their lives. The 
 latter, however, perfidiously mur- 
 dered three or four children, one 
 of whom they fixed upon a sharp 
 stake in the view of its mother. 
 The next spring the Indians nar- 
 rowly watched the frontiers, to de- 
 termine the safest and most vul- 
 nerable points of attack. The 
 settlement at Oyster river was se- 
 lected for destruction. Here were 
 twelve garrisoned houses, amply 
 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 garrisons 
 were indifferently prepared for a 
 siege, as they were destitute of 
 powder. The enemy approached 
 the place undiscovered and halted 
 near the falls. One John Dean, 
 whose house stood near the falls, 
 happening to rise very early for a 
 journey before the dawn of day, 
 was shot as he came out of his 
 door. The attack now commenced 
 on all points where the enemy was 
 ready. The enemy entered the 
 house of a Mr. Adams without 
 resistance, where they murdered 
 fourteen persons, whose graves can 
 still be traced. The house of John 
 Buss, the minister, was destroyed
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 together with his valuable library 
 He was absent at the time, and his 
 wife and family fled to the woods. 
 Many other cruelties were perpe- 
 trated, when the Indians, fearing 
 that the inhabitants from the neigh- 
 boring settlements would collect 
 against them, retreated,* having 
 killed or captured between 90 and 
 100 persons, and destroyed 20 
 houses, 5 of which were garrisoned. 
 Minute accounts of these disasters 
 are given in Bclknap's valuable His- 
 tory of New Hampshire, to which 
 the reader is referred. The first 
 preacher who statedly officiated in 
 Durham was John Buss; but he 
 sever was ordained. He died 1736, 
 at the age of 10S. Rev. Hugh 
 Adams settled March 26, 1718. 
 
 Maj. Gen. JOHN SULLIVAN, of 
 the revolutionary army, was a res- 
 ident of this town, and died here 
 Jan. 23, 1795. He was a native of 
 Berwick, Me. ; was a distinguished 
 commander during the war; was 
 president of the state three years, 
 and afterwards district judge of 
 New Hampshire. On all occasions 
 he proved himself the firm support- 
 er of the rights of the country. 
 
 Durham, ft. 
 
 Middlesex co. This town was 
 first settled in 1698. Its Indian 
 name was Coginchaug. It lies 7 
 miles S. by W. from Middletown, 
 and 20 S. from Hartford. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 1,116. Agriculture is 
 the principal employment of the 
 people of Durham, for which they 
 have rather an uneven but fertile 
 soil. " This town has been distin- 
 guished many years for a very fine 
 breed of cattle. Two oxen, pre- 
 sented by some of the inhabitants to 
 General Washington, furnished a 
 dinner for all the officers of the 
 American army at Valley Forge, 
 and all their servants. These oxen 
 were driven almost five hundred 
 miles, through a country nearly ex- 
 hausted of its forage ; yet one of 
 them, a steer, five years old, weigh- 
 
 ed two thousand two hundred and 
 seventy pounds." 
 
 Capt. Israel Camp, a noted psalm- 
 odist died in Durham, in 1778. 
 
 Dust oil's Island, A". H. 
 
 This small island in the Merrimack 
 at the mouth of Contoocook river, 
 between Concord and Boscawen, 
 has become celebrated on account 
 of an exploit of a lady whose name 
 it bears. On the 15th March, 1698, 
 the Indians made a descent on Ha- 
 verhill, Mass, where they took Mrs. 
 Hannah Duston, who was confined 
 to her bed with an infant only six 
 days old, and attended by her nurse, 
 Mary Niff. The Indians took Mrs. 
 Duston from her bed and carried 
 her away with the nurse and infant. 
 They soon despatched the latter by 
 dashing its head against a tree. 
 When they had proceeded as far as 
 this island, which has been justly 
 called Duston's island, on their way 
 to an Indian town situate a consid- 
 erable distance above, the Indians 
 informed the women that they must 
 be stripped and run the gauntlet 
 through the village on their arrival. 
 Mrs. Duston and her nurse had 
 been assigned to a family consist- 
 ing of two stout men, three women, 
 and seven children, or young In- 
 dians, besides an English boy who 
 had been taken from Worcester. 
 Mrs'. Duston, aware of the cruel- 
 ties that awaited her, formed the 
 design of exterminating the whole 
 family, and prevailed upon the 
 nurse and the boy to assist her in 
 their destruction. A little before 
 day, finding the whole company in 
 a sound sleep, she awoke her con- 
 federates, and with the Indian 
 hatchets despatched ten of the 
 twelve. One of the women whom 
 they thought they had killed made 
 her escape, and a favorite boy they 
 designedly left. Mrs. Duston and 
 her companions arrived safe home 
 with the scalps, though their dan- 
 ger from the enemy and from fam- 
 ine in travelling so far, must have
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 been great. The general court of 
 Massachusetts made her a grant of 
 50, and she received many other 
 valuable presents. 
 
 Duxbury, Vt. 
 
 Washington co. This town lies 
 on the S. side of Onion river, and is 
 watered by several of its branches. 
 The land along Onion river is good, 
 but the greater part of the township 
 is mountainous and unfit for culti- 
 vation. Duxbury lies 12 miles W. 
 from Montpelier. First settled, 
 1786. Population, 1830, 651. 
 
 Duxbnry, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. This town lies on 
 Massachusetts bay in Plymouth har- 
 bor. It is 29 miles S. E. from Bos- 
 ton and 6 N. from Plymouth. Dux- 
 bury affords some good land, a good 
 water power and a great variety of 
 scenery. Its Indian name was Mat- 
 akeeset. Ship building, the coasting 
 trade and fisheries is the chief busi- 
 ness of the place. In 1837, it had 
 46 vessels employed in the cod and 
 mackerel fishery, the product of 
 which amounted to $69,548. Val- 
 ue of vessels built, 169,048. The 
 value of woolen cloth, leather,boots, 
 shoes, salt, iron, brass castings and 
 tinware manufactured, amounted to 
 $105,787. Some attention is paid 
 here to rearing sheep, and the man- 
 ufacture of cordage. 
 
 There is in Duxbury an apple tree 
 noted for its age, size and fruitful- 
 ness. It is upwards of a hundred 
 years old. It is forty feet in height, 
 and its circumference, eight inches 
 from the ground, is 16 feet. Its 
 fruit, in one year, has made 10 bar- 
 rels of cider, besides 30 bushels for 
 the cellar. Population, 1837,2,789. 
 
 Dyer's Bay, Me. 
 
 See Steuben. 
 
 Eagle Lake, Me. 
 
 This large lake is in the county 
 of Penobscot, between the Aroos- 
 took and St. John's rivers. It is 
 11* 
 
 connected with some lakes of smal- 
 ler size. The general outlet is north 
 by Chipquedopskook river, about 14 
 miles in length, into the river St. 
 John. Great quantities of logs are 
 taken to this outlet, sawed and sent 
 to New Brunswick. 
 
 East Bridgewater, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. This town lies on 
 a branch of Taunton river, and was, 
 until 1823, a part of the ancient 
 Bridgewater. It is 24 miles S. by 
 E. from Boston and 17 S. W. from! 
 Plymouth. Population, 1830, 1,653 
 1837, 1,927. East Bridgewater 
 has a good water power, and man- 
 ufactured the year ending April 1, 
 1837, $414,044 value of goods. The 
 articles consisted of cotton goods, 
 boots, shoes, leather, bar iron, nails, 
 tacks, lead pipe, chaises, window 
 blinds, sashes and shoe boxes. 
 
 Eastbrook, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. Incorporated, 1837. 
 See " Down East." 
 
 East Greenwich, R. I. 
 
 Shire town of Kent co. Thi8 
 town was incorporated in 1677, and 
 is pleasantly located on Narragan- 
 set bay, 13 miles S. froto Provi- 
 dence, and comprises an excellent 
 harbor for ships of 500 tons burthen. 
 A number of vessels are owned 
 here, and the coasting trade and 
 fisheries give employment to many 
 of the inhabitants. The town is 
 watered by Maskachug and Hunt's 
 rivers, on which are cotton mills 
 and other manufactories. The soil 
 of the town is rather rough and 
 stony, but it yields good crops of 
 corn, barley and potatoes. East 
 Greenwich is noted for excellent 
 fruit and cider. 
 
 The " Kentish Guards" was es- 
 tablished here in 1774, and proved 
 a nursery of distinguished officers, 
 of which the celebrated General 
 Nathaniel Greene was one. Across 
 the bay, to Bristol, is about 8 miles. 
 Population, 1830, 1,591.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Eat Haddam, Ct. , 
 
 Middlesex co. A town of con- 
 siderable trade and manufacturing 
 enterprise, on the cast side of the 
 Connecticut, and at the outlet of 
 Salmon river. It lies 18 miles above 
 the mouth of Connecticut river, 14 
 below Middletown, and 30 S. S. E. 
 from Hartford. The soil is hilly and 
 rocky, and more fit for grazing than 
 tillage. Considerable business is 
 done here in the shad fishery. It is 
 supposed that more leather is made 
 in this than in any other town in the 
 state. This place has fine water 
 privileges, both for navigation and 
 manufactures. A short distance from 
 the centre of the town is a pond 
 covering 1,000 acres. On the river 
 formed by the outlet of this pond, 
 the water is precipitated over rocks 
 nearly 70 feet perpendicular. The 
 scenery around these falls is beau- 
 tiful, and worthy of particular no- 
 tice. 
 
 There are 6 cotton mills in East 
 Iladdam, two of which manufac- 
 ture twine. 
 
 Leesville, on Salmon river, and 
 Mechanicsville, on Moodus river, 
 a branch of Salmon river, are very 
 flourishing settlements. 
 
 This place, the Indian Macki- 
 moodus, is remarkable for frequent 
 slight shocks of earthquakes, pro- 
 ducing singular noises, which the 
 Indians attributed to the anger of 
 their gods towards the white men. 
 It is said that some valuable geolo- 
 gical discoveries have recently been 
 made in this quarter. The town 
 was first settled in 1685, but not in- 
 corporated until 1724. Population, 
 in 1835, about 3,000. This is the 
 birth place of many distinguished 
 men. The venerable Nathaniel 
 Emmons, D. D., of Franklin, Mass. 
 was born here. 
 
 Kantliam, 
 
 Barnstable co., on a narrow part 
 of the cape, 23 miles E. by N. from 
 Barnstable. Population in 1837, 
 
 1,059. First settled, 1644. Incor- 
 porated, 1646. The product of the 
 cod and mackerel fishery in 1836, 
 was $30,900. The value of salt, 
 boots, shoes and palm-leaf hats man- 
 ufactured, was 10,561. 
 
 Eastliampton, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. This is a pleas- 
 ant town on the W. side of Connec- 
 ticut river. The Hampshire and 
 Hampden canal passes through it. 
 In the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 $40,000 worth of lasting buttons 
 were manufactured ; also cotton 
 goods, leather, boots and shoes, to 
 the amount of $15,300 : 5 miles S. 
 from Northampton. Pop. 1837, 793 . 
 
 East Hartford, Ct. 
 
 Hartford co. This town is situa- 
 ted opposite to Hartford, and con- 
 nected with it by a bridge across 
 Connecticut river. The soil of the 
 town is generally fertile, but the 
 alluvial meadows on the border of 
 the river, of which there is a large 
 tract, is of a superior quality. The 
 agricultural products of this town 
 are very considerable. Hackanum 
 river furnishes the town with a 
 good water power,on which are val- 
 uable manufacturing establishments 
 particularly of paper. East Hart- 
 ford is noted for its manufactures in 
 former years. The first powder 
 mill in this country, it is said, was 
 erected here in 1775. Anchors, 
 mill screws, nail rods, gunpowder, 
 paper, snuff and glass were manu- 
 factured here in 1784. The early 
 settlers found the ferocious and war- 
 like tribe of Podunk Indians in this 
 neighborhood. One sachem com- 
 manded two hundred bowmen. This 
 is a very pleasant town. The main 
 street, which is very long and wide, 
 is delightfully shaded by stately 
 elms. East Hartford was taken 
 from Hartford in 1784. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 3,537. 
 
 East Haven, Vt. 
 
 Essex co. Moose river rises in
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the easterly part of this town and 
 the Passumpsic passes through the 
 westerly part. The land is moun- 
 tainous and most of it unfit for cul- 
 tivation. It lies 45 miles N. from 
 Montpelier First settled, 1790. 
 Population, 1830, 33. 
 
 East Haven, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. This town was 
 taken from New Haven, in 1785, and 
 is connected with New Haven by 
 a bridge. Population, 1830, 1,229. 
 It has good navigable privileges, 
 and is watered by Quinnipiac river. 
 It has some trade, but the principal 
 employment of the inhabitants is 
 agriculture and fishing. 
 
 This was a great resort for the 
 Indians in former years. On Grav e 
 Hill was an Indian fort and ceme- 
 tery. Bones of Indians of a large 
 size, and domestic and warlike im- 
 plements for savage use, have been 
 found here. The Indian Well, in a 
 granite rock> on an island in Stony 
 river, is a curiosity. It is about 30 
 inches in diameter, very smooth at 
 the bottom. It is now about 5 feet 
 in depth, but formerly it was deep- 
 er. It was evidently formed by 
 the attrition of sand and pebbles 
 which passed over this rock, it being 
 at some former period, the bed of 
 the river. East Haven is pleasant- 
 ly located, and commands a fine 
 prospect of Long Island Sound. 
 
 East Kingston, N. II. 
 
 Rockingham co. Its soil is of an 
 excellent quality, and well adapted 
 to the cultivation of grain and grass. 
 Povvow river crosses the S. W. part 
 of this town, having its sources in 
 the ponds of Kingston. The town 
 was incorporated Nov. 17, 1738. 
 Rev. Peter Coffin was settled here 
 in 1739. Population, 1S30, 442. It 
 lies 40 miles S. E. by E. from Con- 
 cord, and 20 S. S. W. from Ports- 
 mouth. 
 
 East Machias, Me. 
 
 Washington co. This is a flour- 
 
 ishing town on navigable waters. 
 It was incorporated in 1826, and is 
 the eastern part of Old Machias. 
 It lies on both sides of East Machi- 
 as river, 149 miles E. by N. from 
 Augusta. Population, 1837, 1,282. 
 East Machias has a great water 
 power, a large number of mills, and 
 a very pleasant village. It is ex- 
 tensively engaged in the lumber 
 trade. 
 
 Eastoii, Mass. 
 
 Bristol co. Two branches of Taun- 
 ton river water this town, on which 
 are a woolen and 4 cotton mills, 
 and various iron works. The man- 
 ufactures consist of cotton and wool- 
 en goods, pig iron, iron castings, 
 wire, boots, shoes, shovels, spades, 
 forks, hoes, cutlery, palm-leaf hats, 
 straw bonnets, surveyors' instru- 
 ments and shoe pegs : the value 
 of which in one year (exclusive of 
 woolen cloth, boots and shoes,) 
 amounted to 207,100. The manu- 
 facture of shovels, spades, forks and 
 hoes, amounted to $108,000. Eas- 
 ton lies 22 miles S. from Boston and 
 10 N. by W. from Taunton. In- 
 corporated, 1725. Population, 1837, 
 1,976. 
 
 Eastport, Me. 
 
 Washington co. The township 
 of Eastport embraces and is consti- 
 tuted of Moose, Dudley's, Frede- 
 rick and Patmos islands, the chief 
 of which, whereon the village of 
 Eastport stands, is Moose island, in 
 sight of, and but a short distance 
 from, Indian and Campo Bello isl- 
 ands, belonging to the British. East- 
 port is a beautiful harbor in Passa- 
 maquoddy bay, on the eastern boun- 
 dary of the United States, and no- 
 ted for smuggling adventures by 
 strangers visiting the place dur- 
 ing the embargo and war. It is 
 about 7 miles N. by W. from West 
 Quoddy Head, 176 E. by N. from 
 Augusta, and about 30 E.N. E. from 
 Machius. The tide is very rapid, 
 and rises 25 feet. There are two
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 long bridges connecting Moose isl- 
 and with Dennysville and Perry ; 
 each cost $10,000. Eastport and 
 Lubec are the chief towns in Pas- 
 samaquoddy bay, and are extensive- 
 ly engaged in the fisheries, and the 
 trade of the extensive waters of the 
 river St. Croix and Bay of Fundy. 
 Tonnage of Passamaquoddy bay, 
 10,712. Cobscook Bay and its trib- 
 utary waters, on the west, give to 
 Eastport a large trade in lumber. 
 Moose Island contains 2,150 acres 
 of rough land. It was first settled 
 in 1780. In 1790 it contained only 
 244 inhabitants. There are now on 
 the Island a handsome village, con- 
 taining 60 wharves, 80 stores, 5 
 meeting-houses, ar United States 
 garrison, and 5,000 inhabitants. 
 
 East Windsor, Ct. 
 
 Hartford co. First settled 1680. 
 Taken from Windsor, 1768. This 
 is an excellent township of land. 
 Its extensive meadows on the east 
 side of Connecticut river are of 
 uncommon fertility and beauty. 
 Among the various agricultural pro- 
 ducts with which this town abounds, 
 tobacco hay been cultivated with 
 success, and manufactured. It is 
 said that 70,000 bushels of rye has 
 been raised in a season. Scantic 
 river, a considerable mill stream, 
 passes through the north part of 
 the town, and gives it the name of 
 Scantic. The village of. Wapping 
 is in the S. E. section of the town. 
 The principal street, about a mile 
 back of the river, is the village, 
 running the whole length of the 
 town, wide, neatly built and beauti- 
 fully shaded. East Windsor lies 8 
 miles N. from Hartford. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 2,129. 
 
 Baton, IV. II., 
 
 Strafford co., lies 60 miles N. 
 E. from Concord and 55 N. N. E. 
 from Dover, and is bounded E. by 
 Maine. Population, 1830, 1,432. 
 The soil of the uplands, which are 
 quite uneven, is moderately good, 
 
 and the plains furnish excellent 
 pine timber. There are several 
 small ponds in this town. Eaton 
 was granted Nov. 7, 1776, to Clem- 
 ent March and 65 others. 
 
 E titling ton, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This town lies on 
 the east side of Penobscot river, 6 
 miles above, and N. N. E. from 
 Bangor, and 70 N. E. by E. from 
 Augusta. The village is pleasantly 
 situated at the " Bend " of the river. 
 The soil of the town is good and well 
 wooded. It produced, in 1837, 2,414 
 bushels of wheat. Population, 1837 
 558. 
 
 Eden, Me., 
 
 Hancock co., situated on the north 
 part of the island of Mount Desert, 
 and taken from the town of Mount 
 Desert (which formerly comprised 
 the whole island) 1795. First set- 
 tled, 1763. Eden lies 92 miles E. 
 from Augusta, and about 18 S. by E. 
 from Ellsworth. Population, 1837, 
 1,024. The town has a good soil, 
 good harbors, and possesses great 
 advantages for the shore fishery. 
 It is said that 500 bushels of cran- 
 berries have been picked in Eden 
 in a season. Cranberry isles lie 
 on the coast, about 3 miles south. 
 
 Eden, Vt. 
 
 Lamoille co. This township was 
 granted to " Col. Seth Warner and 
 his associates, o\ir worthy friends, 
 the officers and soldiers of his regi- 
 ment in the line of the continental 
 army,*' August 28, 1781. " Our 
 friends," for their patriotic services, 
 certainly deserved a better town- 
 ship than this, for it is mountainous, 
 rocky and cold ; it is however good 
 for grazing, and produces some fine 
 beef cattle and sheep. It is water- 
 ed by Green river and Wild Branch. 
 Several ponds in the town afford 
 good fishing. Eden lies 30 miles 
 N. from Montpelier, and is bound- 
 ed S. by Hydepark. Population, 
 1830, 461.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Edgnrlovvii, Mass. 
 
 Dukes co. County town and 
 port of entry on the island of Mar- 
 tha's Vineyard 91 miles S. E. from 
 Boston, 20 N. W. by W. from Nan- 
 tucket, 28 S. E. by E. from New 
 Bedford, 20 S. from Falmouth, and 
 495 from Washington. First set- 
 tled, 1641. Incorporated, 1671. 
 Population, 1837, 1,625. Edgartown 
 (Old Town) harbor is on the east 
 side of the town, in lat. 41 25' N.; 
 Ion. 70 25' W. This township in- 
 cludes the fertile island of Chappe- 
 quiddick, on the southeast, on which 
 are some Indians. This island is 5 
 miles in length and 2 1-2 in breadth. 
 It is very pleasant and forms Old 
 Town harbor. Eight whale ships 
 belong to this place, and a number 
 of coasting vessels. This is said to 
 be the only place in the state where 
 grouse are native. The value of 
 sperm oil imported, in the year end- 
 ing April 1, 1837, was $65,598. 
 The value of salt, oil casks, boats 
 and hats manufactured the same 
 year, was $7,260. The value of 
 wool, the product of 2,150 sheep, 
 was $1,590. 
 
 Edgecomb, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This town is bound- 
 ed by Damariscotta river on the E. 
 and Sheepscot river on the W., and 
 lies nearly opposite to Wiscasset 
 across the latter river. 26 miles S. 
 S. E. from Augusta. Population, 
 1837, 1,282. This town enjoys 
 great facilities for navigation, the 
 fisheries, ship building and the lum- 
 ber business. It is a place of con- 
 siderable trade. First settled, 1744. 
 
 Edinburgh, Me. 
 
 Penobscotco. Incorporated,1835. 
 Population, 1837,89. See "Down 
 East." 
 
 Edmonds, Me., 
 
 Washington co., situated between 
 Cobscook bay and East Machias. 
 
 Population, 1837, 205. See " Down 
 East." 
 
 Effingliain, Iff. H. 
 
 Strafford co. There are several 
 mountains of considerable elevation 
 in this town. The Ossipee river 
 passes through the town, over which 
 is a toll-bridge. Province pond lies 
 between Effingham and Wakeneld. 
 Effingham was settled a few years 
 prior to the revolution. It was 
 then known by the name of Lea- 
 vitt's Town. Incorporated, Aug. 
 18, 177S. Effingham borders W. 
 on Ossipee lake and E. on Maine. 
 It lies 58 miles N. E. from Concord 
 and 25 N. E. by E. from Gilford. 
 Population, 1830, 1,911. 
 
 Egremont, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. A mountainous 
 township, watered by branches of 
 Housatonick river. Incorporated, 
 1760. 140 miles W. from Boston 
 and 15 S. S. W. from Lenox. Pop- 
 ulation, 1S37, 968. The manufac- 
 tures of Egremont consist of wheat 
 flour, leather, boots, shoes, harness- 
 es, stone, (sawed,) chairs and cab- 
 inet ware. Total amount in one 
 year, $29,100. Value of 1,790 
 fleeces of wool, $2,770. 
 
 Elizabeth, Cape, Me. 
 
 This celebrated cape lies in the 
 town of Cape Elizabeth, and forms 
 the western limits of Casco bay. 
 Near the point of the cape is a 
 light-house, 50 feet in height, in 
 N. lat. 43 33', W. Ion. 70 11'. 
 For the town of CAPE ELIZA- 
 BETH, see Register. 
 
 Elizabeth Islands, Mass. 
 
 These islands are attached to 
 Dukes county, and lie between 
 Buzzard's bay and Vineyard sound. 
 They are 16 in number. The larg- 
 est, Nashawn and Nashawenna, are 
 inhabited. Gosnold, the discoverer 
 of Cape Cod, spent the winter of 
 1602-3, on one of these islands.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Ellington, Ct. 
 
 Tolland co. Ellington was taken 
 from East Windsor in 1786, and was 
 that part of East Windsor called the 
 Great Marsh. The soil is light 
 and dry, but considerably fertile. 
 It is generally level, but the east- 
 ern part is hilly and mountainous. 
 Formerly the lands in this 'town 
 were held in low estimation, but by 
 the industry of the people in their 
 cultivation they have risen in char- 
 acter and value. " The scenery in 
 this town embraces considerable va- 
 riety and is uncommonly interesting 
 and beautiful." The " Ellington 
 School" for boys, situated in a very 
 neat village, is in high repute. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,455. Ellington lies 
 12 miles N. E. from Hartford, and 
 is bounded S. E. by Tolland. 
 
 Elliot, Me. 
 
 York co. This town lies on (he 
 N. W. of Kittery of which it con- 
 stituted a part until 1810. It ad- 
 joins Salmon Fall river on the S. 
 W. by which it is separated from 
 New Hampshire and is bounded 
 N. by South Berwick, and E. by 
 York. It is a good farming town 
 and probably contains as great a 
 proportion of valuable tillage land 
 as any in the county according to 
 its size. Population, 1837, 1,859. 
 Elliot is 108 miles S. W. from Au- 
 gusta. 
 
 KlliotavUle, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. This place is 81 
 miles from Augusta. See " Down 
 East." 
 
 Ellis' River*. 
 
 Ellis' river, in Maine, is a tribu- 
 tary to the Androscoggin. It rises 
 N. of Rumford, in the county of 
 Oxford, and passes through that 
 town. Ellis' river, in New Hamp- 
 thire, rises on the E. side of the 
 White mountains, in several small 
 streams, near the sources of Pea- 
 body river, and separating into two 
 
 streams which again unite, it falls 
 into the Saco at Bartlett. 
 
 Elllgo Pond, Vt. 
 
 This beautiful sheet of water, 
 two miles in length and half a mile 
 in breadth, lies partly in Craftsbury 
 and partly in Greensborough, Or- 
 leans county. Its northern outlet 
 passes to Black river ; its southern 
 to the Lamoille. There are two 
 small islands in the lake. This was 
 a favorite resort for the Indians, and 
 now attracts numerous lovers of fine 
 trout and delightful scenery to its 
 borders. 
 
 Ellsworth, Me. 
 
 Chief town of Hancock co. This 
 is a pleasant and flourishing town 
 on boch sides of Union river, at the 
 head of navigation. The village is 
 principally on the E. side, where 
 there is a good bridge across the 
 river, 3 miles above the entrance 
 of the river into the waters con- 
 nected with Blue Hill bay. The 
 tide rises at the bridge 10 or 12 feet, 
 and Ellsworth possesses an enviable* 
 position for maritime and inland 
 trade. The location of the courts 
 for this county was changed from 
 Castine to this place in 1838. The 
 court house is eligibly situated on 
 the W. side of the river. Ellsworth 
 is quite an agricultural township. 
 It has a good soil, and considerable 
 attention is given to the growth of 
 wheat and wool. It lies 81 miles 
 E. by N. from Augusta, and 30 N. 
 E. by E. from Bangor. Population, 
 1830, 1,3851837, 2,195. 
 
 Ellsworth, N. II., 
 
 Grafton co., is 52 miles N. N.W. 
 from Concord and 20 S. E. from 
 Haverhill. Population, 1830, 234. 
 It is a mountainous tract of territo- 
 ry. The most prominent elevation 
 is Carr's mountain. A small stream 
 issues from West Branch pond and 
 runs into the Pemigewasset at 
 Campton. The soil, though in some 
 parts sterile, produces wheat, rye
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 and corn. Maple sugar is made 
 here, and clover seed is raised in 
 considerable quantities. This town, 
 formerly called Trecothick, was 
 granted May 1, 1769, to Barlow 
 Trecothick. 
 
 Elmore, Vt. 
 
 Lamoille co. First settled, 1790. 
 Elmore lies 16 miles N. from Mont- 
 pelier and 10 S. from Hydepark. 
 Population, 1830, 442. There are 
 five ponds in this town, the waters 
 of which, the town being very high, 
 descend partly to Lamoille and part- 
 ly to Onion rivers. Some cattle and 
 some wool are sent to market. 
 
 Emlxlen, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. A fine township 
 of land with two pleasant villages, 
 on the W. side of Kennebec river. 
 Seven Mile brook passes through 
 the S. W. corner of the town. 
 Embden produced, in 1837, 6,400 
 bushels of wheat and considerable 
 wool. Incorporated, 1804. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 1,048. It is 46 miles 
 N. N. W. from Augusta and about 
 18 miles N. by W. from Norridge- 
 wock. 
 
 Enfield, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. Incorporated, 
 1835. See " Down East." 
 
 JEufielil, If. II. 
 
 Grafton co. Enfield comprises 
 24,060 acres, of which about 2,500 
 acres are water. It is 10 miles S. 
 E. from Dartmouth College and 40 
 N. W. from Concord. Its surface 
 is diversified with hills and valleys, 
 and watered by a variety of ponds 
 and streams, stored with fish of ev- 
 ery species common to the country. 
 Mascomy pond, which has acquir- 
 ed from travellers the appellation 
 of Pleasant pond, is a beautiful col- 
 lection of water, 4 miles in length 
 and of various breadth, interspersed 
 with islands and checkered with 
 inlets. Its eastern banks are cov- 
 ered with trees ; the hills gradually 
 
 rise one above another for some dis- 
 tance. Along the western bank, 
 between the pond and Mont Calm, 
 within a few rods of the water, ex- 
 tends the turnpike road, the whole 
 distance through a beautiful vil- 
 lage, shaded to the N. on either 
 side by a growth of trees. Masco- 
 my river empties into this pond in 
 the N. W. part. This pond is sup- 
 posed to have once been much high- 
 er than it now is, and the plain and 
 villages to the south are supposed 
 to have been the bed of it. This 
 fact is sufficiently evident from the 
 ancient shore still remaining round 
 the pond, about 30 feet above high 
 water, and from logs having been 
 frequently found 12 feet below the 
 surface of the plain once flowed. 
 On the W. bank, near the southern 
 extremity, is the Shakers' settle- 
 ment, situated on a fertile plain. 
 The structure of the buildings, tho' 
 not lofty, are neat and convenient. 
 They occupy about 1,000 acres of 
 land, and their number consists of 
 about 240. They are agricultural- 
 ists and mechanics. Garden seeds 
 are grown, and wooden ware,whips, 
 corn brooms, leather, and various 
 other articles, are manufactured by 
 them with peculiar neatness. See 
 Canterbury. 
 
 Mountain pond, on the summit of 
 Mont Calm, is 200 rods long, and 
 100 wide. At the outlets of the 
 ponds are mills of various kinds. 
 The town was formerly called Rel- 
 han, and was incorporated by char- 
 ter, granted to Jedediah Dana and 
 others, July 4th, 1761. Population, 
 1830, 1,492. 
 
 Enfieltl, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. Swift river pass- 
 es through this town, and adds much 
 to its beauty and importance. 
 The manufactures of this place, the 
 year ending April 1, 1837, amount- 
 ed to $182,669. The articles con- 
 sisted of cotton and woolen goods, 
 leather, boots, shoes, hats, hoes, 
 shingle machines, palm-leaf hats,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 wool cards, cotton batting and wick- 
 ing. The value of wool grown 
 was $1,090. Enfield lies 71 miles 
 W. from Boston, and 15 E. from 
 Northampton. Population, 1837, 
 1,058. 
 
 Enfield, ( t. 
 
 Hartford co. This town was first 
 settled, 1631, by emigrants from Sa- 
 lem, Mass. : it formerly belonged 
 to Mass, and was a part of Spring- 
 field. The first bridge across Con- 
 necticut river was built in 1808, 
 connecting Enfield with Suffield. 
 The surface is generally level and 
 the soil moist and fertile. The 
 street, where most of the inhabit- 
 ants reside, is very pleasant, wide 
 and well shaded. The village near 
 the river was commenced ^about 
 1831, at which the manufacture of 
 carpeting is extensively pursued. 
 About 120 looms are employed, 
 making about 800 yards daily. The 
 manufacture of ploughs is also an 
 important pursuit in Enfield. It is 
 watered by Scantick river. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 2,129. It is 18 miles 
 N. from Hartford, and 8 S. from 
 Springfield, Mass. 
 
 Englishman's Bay, Me. 
 
 This bay is a few miles W. of 
 Machias bay, in Washington coun- 
 ty. It receives the waters of Chand- 
 ler's river, a considerable stream : 
 it contains a number of islands, and 
 furnishes many fine harbors Head 
 harbor, an island off Jonesborough, 
 is its western limits. 
 
 Enosburgh, Vt. 
 
 Franklin co. Missisque, Trout 
 and other streams give this town 
 excellent water privileges, and 
 manufacturing establishments flour- 
 ish. The surface of the town is 
 pleasantly diversified by hills and 
 valleys, and well adapted for graz- 
 ing. The products of the town are 
 cattle, butter, cheese and wool. 
 First settled, 1797. Population, 
 1830, 1,560. Enosburgh lies 43 
 
 miles N. by E. from Montpelier, 
 and 20 N. E. from St. Albans. 
 
 Epping, N. H., 
 
 Rockingham co., lies 29 miles S. 
 E. from Concord, 20 W. from Ports- 
 mouth, and 8 N. W. from Exeter. 
 It was formerly a part of Exeter, 
 and was incorporated Feb. 12, 1741. 
 The town contains 12,760 acres, 
 being nearly 20 square miles. The 
 soil, in general, is very good, and 
 well suited to raise the various pro- 
 ductions that grow in the state. 
 Lamprey river, at the west, receives 
 the Patuckaway, and runs through 
 the whole length of the town. 
 Another river runs through the N. 
 part of the town, and from that cir- 
 cumstance is called North river. 
 By observations taken at 6 in the 
 forenoon, at 1 and 9 o'clock in the 
 afternoon, from Fahrenheit's ther- 
 mometer placed in the open air, 13 
 feet from the ground, and where 
 the sun does not shine on the ther- 
 mometer, the annual average of 
 heat for 10 years in succession, was 
 44 1-12. During that period the 
 annual average of rain that fell, was 
 2 feet 10 inches, and of snow, 6 feet 
 7 inches. 
 
 WILLIAM PLTTMER, one of its 
 most distinguished and estimable 
 citizens, resides in this town. A 
 considerable portion of his life has 
 been employed in the service of the 
 people, in the several stations of 
 representative and senator in the 
 legislature, president of the senate, 
 speaker of the house of representa- 
 tives, representative and senator in 
 congress, and for four years as chief- 
 magistrate of the state. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 1,268. 
 
 Epsom, X. II. 
 
 Merrimack co. This town lies 
 12 miles E. from Concord. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 1,418. The surface of 
 the town is generally uneven. The 
 principal eminences are called 
 M'Coy's, Fort, Nat's, and Notting- 
 ham mountains. The soil is in gen-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 eral good, and well adapted for graz- 
 ing or grain. Great and Little Sun- 
 cook are the only streams deserving 
 the name of rivers. Here are three 
 ponds, Chesnut, Round, and Odi- 
 orne's. Brown oxide, and sulphu- 
 ret of iron are found, the lattermost 
 frequently in its decomposed state.' 
 Varieties of quartz, feldspar and 
 schorl are also found. An alluvial 
 deposite has been discovered, which 
 has been ascertained to be terra de 
 senna; it constitutes a very hand- 
 some and durable paint for cabinet 
 work. Epsom was granted May 
 18, 1727, to Theodore Atkinson and 
 others. Like all other frontier 
 towns, Epsom was exposed, in its 
 early settlement, to the Indians. ' 
 
 Maj. ANDREW M'CLARY, a na- 
 tive of this town, fell at the battle 
 of Breed's Hill, June 17, 1775. 
 Like the illustrious Roman, he left 
 his plough on the news of the mas- 
 sacre at Lexington, and in the ac- 
 tion when he lost his life displayed 
 great coolness and bravery. 
 
 L'.i rol, X. I. 
 
 Coos co. This town is situated 
 on the W. of Umbagog lake. It 
 contains about 35,000 acres,of which 
 2,500 are water. Several consider- 
 able streams here unite with the 
 Androscoggin. Errol was granted 
 Feb. 28, 1774, to Timothy Ruggles 
 and others. Population, 1830, 82. 
 It lies about 30 miles N. N. E. from 
 Lancaster. 
 
 Erving, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. This township re- 
 mained unincorporated until April 
 17, 1838. Previously it had been 
 known by the name of " Erving's 
 Grant." It is bounded S. by Mil- 
 ler's and W. by Connecticut rivers. 
 Erving contains some excellent 
 land, and a great water power. The 
 year previous to its incorporation, 
 the manufactures of the town, con- 
 sisting of satinet, boots, shoes, pahn- 
 leaf hats, &c., amounted to $35,- 
 185. Population, 1837, 292. Er- 
 
 12 
 
 ving lies 95 miles N. *N. W. from 
 Boston, and 10 E. from Greenfield. 
 
 Essex County, Vt. 
 
 Guildhall is the county town. 
 This county is bounded N. by Low- 
 er Canada, W. by the counties of 
 Orleans and Caledonia, and S. and 
 E. by Connecticut river. Area 
 680 square miles. This is consid- 
 ered the poorest county in the state ; 
 but although much of the land is 
 hilly and mountainous, there is con- 
 siderable good soil, and a large por- 
 tion of it is well adapted for grazing. 
 There were, in 1836, about 8,000 
 sheep in the county, and a consid- 
 erable number of beef cattle and 
 horses were sent to market. The 
 principal streams are the Nulhegan, 
 which is exclusively in Essex coun- 
 ty ; the Passumpsic, Moose and 
 Clyde. Incorporated, 1792. Pop- 
 ulation, 1820,3,334; 1830, 3J981. 
 About 6 inhabitants to a square 
 mile. 
 
 Essex County, Mass. 
 
 Salem, Ipstmch, and Newbury- 
 port are the shire towns. This . 
 county is bounded N. W. by Rock- 
 ingham county, New Hampshire, 
 S. W. by Middlesex county, E. and 
 N. E. by the Atlantic ocean, and 
 S. E. by Massachusetts bay. There 
 is much good land in this county, 
 but its surface is rocky and uneven. 
 It has an extensive sea coast, in- 
 dented with numerous bays, inlets, 
 and capacious harbors. It is more 
 densely populated than any county 
 of its size in the United States. It 
 "has great wealth, and its commerce 
 and fisheries are unrivalled by any 
 section of country, of its extent, on 
 the globe. Population, 1820, 73,930; 
 1830, 82,887, and in 1837, 93,689. 
 This county comprises an area of 
 360 square miles ; the number of 
 inhabitants to a square mile is 260. 
 Essex county, although of stubborn 
 soil, has many very delightful farms, 
 and furnishes great quantities of 
 hay and vegetables for market. It
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 has many beautiful ponds and com- 
 manding elevations, and its sea- 
 board is the delight of every be- 
 holder. However fruitful the cit- 
 izens may have rendered the soil 
 by their industry, this county is es- 
 sentially a commercial and manu- 
 facturing section of New England. 
 The tonnage of the five districts, in 
 1837, was 85,933 tons. The amount 
 of manufactures, for the year end- 
 ing April 1, 1837, was $10,216,300 ; 
 and the amount of the whale, cod 
 and mackerel fisheries, amounted 
 to $1,378,144. The principal riv- 
 ers in Essex county are the Merri- 
 mack and Shawsheen. Essex coun- 
 ty was incorporated in 1643, and has 
 given birth to some of the most dis- 
 tinguished merchants in the United 
 States. Among many others may 
 be mentioned WILLIAM GRAY, 
 ISRAEL THORNDIKE, and WIL- 
 LIAM PARSONS. 
 
 Essex, Vt. 
 
 Chittenden co. This town is fine- 
 ly watered by Onion river on the 
 S. and Brown's river, a branch of 
 the Lamoille, on the N. It is also 
 watered by other smaller streams. 
 At HubbelPs falls, on Onion river, 
 are admirable mill sites, at which 
 are manufactures of some extent. 
 The surface of the town is level; 
 a considerable portion of the soil is 
 dry and somewhat sandy, but pro- 
 duces good crops of corn and rye. 
 Along Onion river are some tracts 
 of beautiful intervale. Essex was 
 first settled in 1783. It lies 31 miles 
 N. W. from Montpelier, and 8 N. 
 N. E. from Burlington. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 1,664. 
 
 Essex, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. This town lies at the 
 head of Chebacco river, running in- 
 to Squam bay, 13 miles N. E. from 
 Boston, and 5 miles S. E. from Ips- 
 wich, from which it was taken in 
 1819. Many vessels of 50 to 120 
 tons are built in this town, and ma- 
 ay small vessels are employed in the 
 
 coasting trade and the fisheries. 
 The manufactures of vessels, leath- 
 er, boots, shoes, bar iron, barrels, 
 cordage, pumps and blocks, in the 
 year ending April 1, 1837, amount- 
 ed to $102,271. The tonnage em- 
 ployed in the cod and mackerel fish- 
 ery was 878 tons. Population, 1837, 
 1,402. Essex is a pleasant and 
 flourishing town. 
 
 Etna, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This is an excel 
 lent farming town with no import- 
 ant streams. It lies 63 miles N. E. 
 from Augusta, 17 W. from Bangor, 
 and bounded by Dixmont on the 
 S. Incorporated, 1820. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 3621837, 626. Etna 
 is fine wheat land : it produced, in 
 1837, 2,421 bushels. 
 
 Exeter, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. Exeter is 65 miles 
 N. N. E.from Augusta, and 25 S.W. 
 from Bangor. It was incorporated in 
 1811. Population, 1830, 1,438 
 1837, 1,920. At the "Four Cor- 
 ners," in the northerly part of the 
 town, is a pleasant village with con- 
 siderable trade and some mills. The 
 people of Exeter in 1837, with a 
 soil not above mediocrity, proved 
 without effort, by raising 12,058 
 bushels of wheat, that the state of 
 Maine is abundantly able, by means 
 within itself, to supply the whole 
 family of Yankees with bread stuffs, 
 and have some to spare to their 
 western brethren. 
 
 Exeter, 3V. H. 
 
 Rockingham co. This beautiful 
 town lies "40 miles S. E. by E. from 
 Concord and 14 S. W. from Ports- 
 mouth. The compact part of the 
 town lies about the falls, which sep- 
 arate the fresh from the tide water 
 of a branch of the Piscataqua, call- 
 ed by the natives Swamscot, and 
 now known by the name of Exeter 
 river. Above the falls this stream 
 assumes the name of Great river, 
 to distinguish it from one of its
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 smaller branches, called Little riv- 
 er. Great river has its source in 
 Chester, whence it runs through 
 several towns before it meets the 
 tide water in the centre of Exeter. 
 On this river are many valuable 
 mill privileges. 
 
 The Exeter Cotton Manufactur- 
 ing Company commenced opera- 
 tions April 1, 1830. Their princi- 
 pal building is of brick, 175 feet by 
 45. They have 5,000 spindles, em- 
 ploy 212 girls and 40 men and boys. 
 They manufacture annually about 
 1,400,000 yards of sheeting. They 
 consume about 1,200 bales of cot- 
 ton, 300 cords of wood and 22,500 
 pounds of potatoe starch annually. 
 They have a steam engine, 40 horse 
 power, to operate when the water 
 power fails. This probably con- 
 sumes annually about 150 chaldrons 
 of Sidney coal. The capital invest- 
 ed in lands, buildings, machinery, 
 &c. is about $210,000. 
 
 A powder mill has been in ope- 
 ration about two years, and will 
 manufacture from 130 to 150 tons 
 of powder annually. 
 
 The manufacture of potatoe starch 
 was commenced in 1824. The es- 
 tablishment has been twice burnt, 
 but is rebuilt with brick, and starch 
 is now manufactured from wheat as 
 well as from potatoes. The amount 
 of sales of starch and gum is about 
 $10,000 annually. 
 
 In the westerly part of the town 
 is a paper mill, which manufactures 
 paper to the value of $20,000 an- 
 nually. The manufacture of books, 
 blank books, &c. in Exeter, is very 
 extensive. About $100,000 value 
 of shoes and boots are made annu- 
 ally, and a large amount of leather. 
 There are also establishments for 
 the manufacture of morocco leath- 
 er, carriages, of various kinds, 
 brushes, tin and pottery wares. 
 The soil of Exeter is in general 
 good, though comprehending every 
 variety, from that of the best quali- 
 ty to the least productive. Like 
 most towns in the state, it is essen- 
 
 tially agricultural, and the improve- 
 ment in the style o-f husbandry 
 has been very great. The number 
 of industrious and enterprising me- 
 chanics, to whom Exeter is indebt- 
 ed for her prosperity, is very rapid- 
 ly increasing. See Register. 
 
 Phillips' academy, in Exeter, was 
 founded by the liberal donations of 
 John Phillips, LL. D.,in 1781, who 
 at his death, in 1795, bequeathed to 
 the institution a large portion of his 
 estate. 
 
 BENJAMIN ABBOTT, LL. D. 
 has discharged the duties of princi- 
 pal with distinguished ability for 
 more than fifty years. The build- 
 ing stands on a plain, near the cen- 
 tre of the town, and is well provid- 
 ed with accommodations for the 
 different branches of instruction, 
 and a large hall for declamation and 
 the annual exhibitions. 
 
 The settlement of Exeter com- 
 menced in 1638, by John Wheel- 
 wright and others,who formed them- 
 selves into a body politic, chose their 
 magistrates, and bound the people to 
 obedience. Their laws were made 
 in popular assemblies ; and the com- 
 bination thus entered into subsisted 
 about three years. From 1675 to 
 1712, Exeter, like most of the early 
 settlements, suffered from the at- 
 tacks of the Indians. 
 
 Hon. SAMUEL TENNEY, M . D 
 was an original member of the N. 
 H. Medical Society, its vice pre- 
 sident several years, and a mem- 
 ber of congress in 1800 and 1804. 
 
 Gen. NATHANIEL PEABODY 
 was an original member of the N. 
 H. medical society; was a member 
 of the old congress ; a senator of 
 the N. H. legislature in 1792 ; and 
 speaker of the house in 1793. 
 
 Hon. NICHOLAS GILMAN was 
 a member of the old congress, and 
 a senator in congress from 1805 to 
 his death in 1814. 
 
 Gen. NATHANIEL FOLSOM was 
 a member of the old congress, and 
 a valuable revolutionary officer. 
 
 Hon. JEREMIAH SMITH, a na-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 tive of Peterborough, was one of 
 the first representatives to congress 
 under the Federal government, was 
 appointed Judge of S. C. of N. H. 
 in 1802, was chief justice, and con- 
 tinued such till 1809, when he was 
 elected governor. He was appoint- 
 ed chief justice of S. J. C. in 1813. 
 Hon. JOHN TAYLOR OILMAN, 
 a descendant of one of the princi- 
 pal settlers at Exeter, was an active 
 supporter of the revolution ; a mem- 
 ber of the old congress ; filled at 
 times the offices of representative 
 and state treasurer; and for four- 
 teen years, between 1794 and 1816, 
 wss governor of the state. 
 
 Exeter has at all periods of its 
 history possessed eminent and use- 
 ful men ; and some of the first law- 
 yers and jurists, antiquarians and 
 scholars, have received their early 
 education at its literary institution. 
 Population, 1830, 2,759. 
 
 Exeter, R. I. 
 
 Washington co. This is an agri- 
 cultural and manufacturing town, 
 situated 24 miles S. W. from Provi- 
 dence, and from its centre about 10 
 miles N. W. from South Kingston. 
 The town is very large, being 12 by 
 6 miles. The surface is much di- 
 versified by hills and valleys; the 
 soil is a gravelly loam, and very 
 productive of all the varieties com- 
 mon to the climate. The products 
 of the dairy are considerable. 
 Branches of Wood river give this 
 town a good water power, which 
 is well improved by cotton mills and 
 other manufactories. Exeter was 
 incorporated in 1743. Population, 
 1830, 2,383. 
 
 Fairfax, Vt. 
 
 Franklin co. Bounded S. by La- 
 .noille river: 37 miles N. W. from 
 Montpelier, and 12 S. E. from St. 
 Albans. First settled, 1763. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,729. By Parme- 
 lee's and Stone's brooks, Brown's 
 river, and the Lamoille, this town 
 enjoys a good water power. The 
 
 falls on Lamoille river, at this place, 
 are singular and worthy of the tra 
 veller's notice. The land is gene- 
 rally level and of a good quality. 
 A considerable amount of agricul- 
 tural products is sent to market, and 
 about 6,000 sheep are reared. There 
 are some manufactures at the falls. 
 Fairfax is a place of considerable 
 business. 
 
 Fairfleld, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. This beautiful town- 
 ship is located on the W. side of 
 Kennebec river, and S. of Bloom- 
 field. Fairfield is the most south- 
 ern township in the county. It is 
 watered by a small stream running 
 into the Kennebec, and by a branch 
 of Waterville river. This town is 
 favored with a fine soil, and naviga- 
 ble privileges to Augusta. It has 
 a pleasant village, considerable 
 trade, and, in 1837, produced 11,- 
 531 bushels of wheat, and a large 
 quantity of wool. Population, 1837, 
 2,203. Distant from Augusta, 26 
 miles N., and from Norridgewock, 
 10 S. E. Incorporated, 1788. 
 
 Fairfleld, Vt. 
 
 Franklin co. This town was first 
 settled in 1789. It is well watered 
 by Smithfield pond, Fairfield river, 
 Black creek, and branches of Mis- 
 sisque river, and abounds in mill 
 sites. Fairfield has a good strong 
 soil and generally suitable for cul- 
 tivation. It is a pleasant place, with 
 some trade and considerable manu- 
 factures. It produces good beef 
 cattle and horses, and pastures about 
 7,000 sheep. Population, 1830, 2,- 
 270. Fairfield lies 45 miles JV. W. 
 from Montpelier, 27 N. N. E. from 
 Burlington, and is bounded W. by 
 St. Albans. 
 
 Fairfield County, C't. 
 
 Fairfield and Danbvry are the 
 shire towns. This county is bound- 
 ed N.'by Litchfield county, N. E. 
 and E. by Housatonick river, S. E. 
 and S. by Long Island Sound, and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 W. by the state of New York. This 
 is a tine farming section of coun- 
 try, agreeably diversified in regard 
 to surface, with a strong fertile soil, 
 and possesses great natural agricul- 
 tural resources. Fairfieid county 
 extends nearly 40 miles on Long 
 Island Sound, and enjoys great fa- 
 cilities for navigation and the fish- 
 eries. The beautiful Housatonick 
 washes its northeastern boundary, 
 and the Saugatuck, Norwalk, Mill, 
 Pequonuck and other rivers afford 
 it an ample water power. The man- 
 ufacturing interests of the county 
 are valuable and increasing. It 
 contains many villages of superior 
 beauty, and abounds in scenery of 
 an interesting character. First set- 
 tled, 1639. Area, 630 square miles. 
 Population, 1820, 42,739; 1830, 
 46,950 : 75 inhabitants to a square 
 mile. In 1837 there were in this 
 county about 22,000 sheep. 
 
 Fall-field, Ct. 
 
 Shire town, Fairfieid co. This 
 ancient and patriotic town compris- 
 es three parishes, Fairfieid, the 
 seat of justice, Green's Farms and 
 Greenfield. Fairfieid lies 21 miles 
 S. W. from New Haven, and 58 N. 
 E. from New York. Population, 
 1830, 4,246. Its Indian name was 
 Unquowa. The surface of the 
 town is undulating and very plea- 
 sant. The soil is fertile, well cul- 
 tivated and productive of wheat and 
 rye, and a great variety of fruits 
 and vegetables for New York mar- 
 ket. Black Rock harbor is safe and 
 easy of entrance for vessels draw- 
 ing 19 feet of water at common tides. 
 The tide usually rises in Long Isl- 
 and Sound about 5 feet. There is 
 but little water power in Fairfieid, 
 except that produced by the tide. 
 The tonnage of Fairfieid district, 
 in 1837, was 1 1 ,988 tons. The prin- 
 cipal business in navigation is the 
 coasting trade. 
 
 In the year 1637, the tract of 
 country which now forms the town 
 of Fairfieid was discovered by cap- 
 12* 
 
 tain Mason and the troops of Mas- 
 sachusetts and Connecticut under 
 his command, when they pursued 
 the Pequots to the swamp in this 
 town, bearing the name of " Pequot 
 Swamp." This is the spot made 
 memorable by the great fight that 
 took place there, between those 
 troops and the Pequots, terminating 
 in the almost entire destruction of 
 that once powerful and warlike na- 
 tion of savages. There are no In- 
 dian marks left by which this 
 swamp can be traced as the place 
 of their extermination, except a 
 mound of earth in the centre of it, 
 considered as a place of safety, evi- 
 dently the effect of art, with a rais- 
 ed foot path leading from it to the 
 surrounding high grounds. In that 
 expedition this region attracted the 
 notice of adventurers. In the year 
 1639 a few families removed hither 
 from "Windsor, commenced a settle- 
 ment, and, in a short period after- 
 wards, were joined by several per- 
 sons from Watertown and Concord, 
 Mass. After Connecticut obtained 
 her charter, the general assembly 
 granted these people a patent, then 
 including the towns now Reading 
 and Weston. 
 
 Fairfieid is distinguished for its 
 ardent attachment to American lib- 
 erty, and for its sacrifices during the 
 contest for independence. In 1779, 
 when Tryon, a British governor, de- 
 manded a surrender of the town, 
 under a threat of its destruction, 
 the answer of the inhabitants was, 
 " We will never voluntarily lay 
 down our arms till we have obtained 
 the object for which they have been 
 taken up. The village is in your 
 power; plunder and burn it if you 
 will, and take along with your plun- 
 der the infamy of which it cannot 
 be divested." 
 
 " On the 7th July, 1779, gover- 
 ernor Tryon, with a large and 
 vengeful army, sailed from New 
 Haven to Fairfieid; and the next 
 morning disembarked upon the 
 beach. A few militia assembled to
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 oppose them ; and, in a desultory, 
 scattered manner,- fought with great 
 intrepidity through most of the day. 
 They killed some ; took several pri- 
 soners; and wounded more. But 
 the expedition was so sudden and 
 unexpected, that the efforts, made 
 in this manner, were necessarily 
 fruitless. The town was plunder- 
 ed ; a great part of the houses, to- 
 gether with the two churches, the 
 court house, jail, and school houses, 
 were burnt. The harns had been 
 just filled with wheat, and other 
 produce. The inhabitants, there- 
 fore, were turned out into the world, 
 almost literally destitute. 
 
 " While the town was in flames, 
 a thunder storm overspread the hea- 
 vens, just as night came on. The 
 conflagration of near two hundred 
 houses illumined the earth, the 
 skirts of the clouds, and the waves 
 of the Sound, with an union of 
 gloom and grandeur, at once inex- 
 pressibly awful and magnificent. 
 The sky speedily was hung with 
 the deepest darkness, wherever the 
 clouds were not tinged by the mel- 
 ancholy lustre of the flames. At 
 intervals the lightnings blazed with 
 a livid and terrible splendor. The 
 thunder rolled above. Beneath, 
 the roaring of the fires filled up the 
 intervals with a deep and hollow 
 sound, which seemed to be the pro- 
 tracted murmur of the thunder, re- 
 verberated from one end of heaven 
 to the other. Add to this convul- 
 sion of the elements, and these 
 dreadful effects of vindictive and 
 wanton devastation, the trembling 
 of the earth ; the sharp sound of 
 muskets, occasionally discharged ; 
 the groans, here and there, of the 
 wounded and dying ; and the shouts 
 of triumph : then place before your 
 eyes crowds of the miserable suf- 
 ferers, mingled with bodies of the 
 militia, and from the neighboring 
 hills taking a farewell prospect of 
 their property and their dwellings, 
 their happiness and their hopes; 
 and you will form a just but imper- 
 
 fect picture of the burning of Fair- 
 field. It needed no great effort of 
 imagination to believe that the final 
 day had arrived ; and that amid 
 this funeral darkness, the morning 
 would speedily dawn, to which no 
 night would ever succeed ; the 
 raves yield up their inhabitants ; 
 and the trial commence, at which 
 was to be finally settled the destiny 
 of man. 
 
 ' The next morning the troops 
 re-embarked ; and, proceeding to 
 Green's Farms, set fire to the 
 church, and consumed it ; together 
 with fifteen dwelling houses, elev- 
 en barns, and several stores." 
 
 Fairhaven, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. First settled, 1779. 
 Population, 1830, 675. The soil is 
 generally productive, particularly 
 along the banks of the streams. It 
 is watered by Castleton and Poult- 
 ney rivers, the former of which re- 
 ceives the waters of lake Bomba- 
 zine, a large pond between Fair- 
 haven and Castleton. On these 
 streams are considerable falls, and 
 mill sites. Fairhaven lies 16 miles 
 W. from Rutland, and 9 N. E. from 
 Whitehall, N. Y. 
 
 Fairhaven, Mass. 
 
 Bristol co. This pleasant town 
 was taken from New Bedford, in 
 1812. It lies across Acushnett 
 river, about a mile east of New 
 Bedford. It is united to New Bed- 
 ford by a bridge 3,960 feet in length, 
 and is associated with it in many of 
 its enterprises. First settled, 1764. 
 Population, 1830, 3,034; 1837, 
 3,649. There are 37 vessels be- 
 longing to this place engaged in 
 the whale fishery, the tonnage of 
 which is 11,564 tons. The value 
 of whale oil and bone imported in- 
 to this place the year ending April 
 1, 1837, was $322,272. The num- 
 ber of hands employed in the fish- 
 ery was 945. Capital invested, 
 $957,000. The Acushnett produ- 
 ces some water power,on which are
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 two cotton mills, a paper mill, and 
 other operations by water. The 
 value of cotton goods, leather, boots, 
 shoes, tin ware, vessels, salt, wood- 
 en ware, chairs and cabinet ware 
 manufactured,amounted to $40,363. 
 
 Fairlee, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. A rough and moun- 
 tainous township, with very little 
 productive land, on the west side of 
 Connecticut river, and connected 
 with Orford, N. H. by a bridge 
 across that river. First settled, 
 1768. Population, 1830, 656. This 
 town lies about 17 miles E. S. E. 
 from Chelsea, and 31 S. E. from 
 Montpelier. 
 
 Fairlee pond is two miles in length 
 and about three fourths of a mile 
 wide. It formerly had no fish. 
 Some years ago a gentleman placed 
 some pickerel in it, and the legisla- 
 ture passed a law protecting the 
 fish from molestation for two years. 
 Since that time the pond has had 
 an abundance of pickerel of good 
 size and quality. 
 
 Fall River, Mass. 
 
 Bristol co. This town took the 
 name of Troy, in 1803. It was for- 
 merly a part of Freetown. In 1834, 
 the name was changed to that of 
 the river within its borders, at the 
 union of which and Taunton river 
 the town is very pleasantly situa- 
 ted. This town is without a paral- 
 lel on the continent of America, in 
 regard to the union of hydraulic 
 powers and navigable facilities. 
 Fall river rises in Wattuppa ponds; 
 oae of which is 11 miles in length 
 and 1 in breadth. These ponds are 
 produced by perpetual springs, and 
 lie about two miles east of the town. 
 The descent of this river is 136 
 feet. The volume of water is con- 
 stant, not liable to excess, and of 
 sufficient power for the largest man- 
 ufactories. 
 
 The harbor on Taunton river is 
 safe and easy of access, and of suf- 
 ficient depth of water for the larg- 
 
 est ships. Six ships from this port 
 are engaged in the whale fishery. 
 It has also some merchant and coast- 
 ing vessels. A marine rail-way was 
 constructed here in 1834. 
 
 This town has an abundance of 
 fine granite, equal to the Quincy. 
 A rail -road is in progress to meet the 
 Boston and Providence, at Seekonk, 
 13 miles. 
 
 The Pocasset Hotel, belonging 
 to a company of gentlemen, is a 
 splendid building, constructed in 
 1833. No house in the country af- 
 fords better accommodations. A 
 regular steamboat line is establish- 
 ed between this place and Provi- 
 dence : distance, by water, 28 
 miles. 
 
 The value of the manufactures 
 of Fall River for the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, amounted to $2,863,- 
 378, exclusive of large manufac- 
 tures of machinery, iron hoops and 
 rods, stoves, brass, copper, and tin 
 wares. The ten cotton mills pro- 
 duced 7,767,614 yards of cloth, val- 
 ued at $668,028. The woolen mill 
 produced 150,000 yards of cloth, 
 valued at $180,000. The other ar- 
 ticles manufactured consisted of 
 leather, boots, shoes, iron castings, 
 hats, nails, chairs, cabinet ware 
 and vessels. The two print works 
 printed twelve million yards of cal- 
 ico. The number of hands em- 
 ployed in all the factories was 1,819. 
 The product of the whale fishery, 
 the same year, was $68,700. Hands 
 employed in the fishery, 120. 
 
 Fall River lies 49 miles S. from 
 Boston, 17 S. from Taunton, 14 W. 
 from New Bedford, 18 S. E. from 
 Providence, R. I. and 190 E. from 
 New York. Population, in 1820, 
 1,594; 1830, 4,159; 1837, 6,352. 
 The surface of Fall River is eleva- 
 ted, rough and uneven, and consid- 
 ered a healthy location for a manu- 
 facturing town. 
 
 Falmoutli, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. This is a pleas- 
 ant town at the bead of Casco bay,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 6 miles N. from Portland, and 47 S. 
 W. from Augusta. It is watered 
 by Presumscut river,and has a num- 
 ber of vessels employed in coasting- 
 and fishing. The soil on the whole 
 coast of Maine is not so fertile as in 
 the interior parts of the state, yet 
 Falmouth comprises a considerable 
 quantity of .good land. The town 
 was incorporated as early as 1718, 
 and included the territory of the 
 city of Portland until 1786. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 2,068. 
 
 Falmoul h, Mass. 
 
 Barnstable co. A pleasant town on 
 Vineyard Sound. There are belong- 
 ing to this town 9 whale-ships, and 
 about 40 sail in the coasting trade and 
 fishery. Two streams afford a wa- 
 ter power, on which are two wool- 
 en mills and other manufactories. 
 There are about 40 ponds in this 
 town, some salt and some fresh : 
 these, with the views of the islands 
 in the Sound, form a variety of 
 agreeable scenery. "Wood's Hole" 
 harbor, at the S. W. extremity of 
 the town, is a good harbor and 
 much frequented by vessels, and by 
 invalids in search of health. The 
 value of oil imported into Falmouth, 
 the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 amounted to $146,600. The value 
 of vessels, salt, woolen goods, boots, 
 shoes and leather, manufactured the 
 same year, was $58,657. Falmouth 
 lies 71 miles S. E. by E. from Bos- 
 ton, and 22 S. W. from Barnstable. 
 " Woods' Hole " is 4 miles W. from 
 the centre of the town ; and 
 " Holmes' Hole" harbor, on Mar- 
 tha's Vineyard, is 6 miles S. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 2,580. Incorporated, 
 
 1686. 
 
 Farming ton, Me. 
 
 County town of Franklin co. This 
 very beautiful town lies 29 miles 
 N. W. from Augusta, and is water- 
 ed by Sandy and Little Norridge- 
 wock rivers. At the union of these 
 rivers are excellent mill privileges, 
 and a delightful village, the seal 
 
 of justice. Farther up the Sandy, 
 about 5 miles, is another beautiful 
 village, the seat of a flourishing 
 academy. The soil of Farrnington 
 being of a superior quality, the 
 inhabitants are induced to devote 
 much attention to agricultural pur- 
 suits ; yet it is a place of some man- 
 ufactures, and considerable trade in 
 lumber and other merchandize. 
 The agricultural products of Farin- 
 ington are various and valuable. 
 In 1837 it produced 12,40G bushels 
 of as good wheat as ever grew on 
 the banks of the Ohio. Incorporat- 
 d, 1794. Population, 1837, 2,507. 
 
 Farmiiigton, N. II., 
 
 Strafford co., was formerly a part 
 of Rochester, but was incorporated 
 as a distinct town, Dec. 1, 1798. 
 It lies 36 miles E. N. E. from Con- 
 cord, and 17 N. W. by N. from 
 Dover. The Cocheco meanders 
 through the N. E. part of the town. 
 The Blue hills or Frost mountains 
 extend nearly through the town 
 under different names. From the 
 summit of the ridge in the S. E. 
 part, ships may be seen by the na- 
 ked eye off Portsmouth harbor ; 
 while to the N. and W. the White 
 Hills and the Monadnock, with hun- 
 dreds of smaller mountains, meet 
 the eye of the beholder. There is, 
 not far- from the village in Farm- 
 ington, a rock supposed to weigh 
 from 60 to 80 tons, so exactly pois- 
 ed on other rocks, that it may be 
 caused to vibrate several inches by 
 the hand. At the bank of the Co- 
 checo, a little more than a mile S. 
 E. from the principal village, is a 
 place called the Dock, so named 
 from the circumstance that the first 
 settlers usually deposited their lum- 
 ber here to be floated down the riv- 
 er. This name is some times igno- 
 rantly applied to the village. 
 
 Hon. AARON WINGATE, for ma- 
 ny years a member of the legisla- 
 ture, a counsellor from 1797 to 1803, 
 and for sometime chief-justice of 
 the common pleas in Strafford, died
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 here in 1822, aged 78 years. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,465. 
 
 Farmiugtoii. Ct. 
 
 HartforJ co. The first settlers 
 of this town were from Hartford, 
 being emigrants from the neighbor- 
 hood of Boston, Mass. They loca- 
 ted themselves, in 1640, on the lux- 
 uriant meadows of the Tunxis, or 
 Farmington river, 10 miles W. from 
 Hartford. The township was pur- 
 chased of the Tunxis Indians, a nu- 
 merous and warlike tribe. At iis 
 incorporation, in 1645, the township 
 comprised fifteen miles square ; 
 since which the pleasant towns of 
 Southington, Berlin, Bristol, Bur- 
 lington and Avon have been taken 
 from the original territory of Farm- 
 ington. 
 
 Farmington river rises in the high 
 lands in the N. part of Litchfield 
 county, and after meandering de- 
 lightfully through the towns of 
 New Hartford and Burlington, in a 
 S. E. direction, it changes its course 
 at Farmington to the N., and pass- 
 ing Avon and Simsbury to the bor- 
 der of Granby, it again turns ab- 
 ruptly to the E. and meets the Con- 
 necticut at Windsor. This is a 
 beautiful and fertilizing stream, and 
 gives to the towns through which 
 it passes, but particularly to Farm- 
 ington, large tracts of rich alluvial 
 meadows. 
 
 Farmington village is a delight- 
 ful place, on an elevated plain, sur- 
 rounded by high hills. The street 
 is about two miles in length, beau- 
 tifully shaded, and contains, be- 
 sides two churches and an acade- 
 my, about 100 neat dwelling houses, 
 some of which are tasteful and ele- 
 gant. The Farmington canal pass- 
 es through the village. 
 
 Hound Hill, in the meadows, 
 near the village, is a natural curi- 
 osity. It rises abruptly, to the 
 height of 60 feet, is nearly circular 
 in its form and covers 12 acres. It 
 is thought that this hill was former- 
 ly an island in the centre of a lake, 
 
 which covered the whole of the 
 present meadows. The population 
 of Farmington has varied but little 
 from 2,000 within the last 30 years. 
 
 Fayette, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. This town con- 
 tains some beautiful ponds and is 
 the source of a branch of Sandy 
 river. It lies 17 miles W. N. W. 
 from Augusta, and is bounded E. by 
 Readfield. Incorporated, 1795. 
 Population, 1837, 1,006. This is a 
 good township of land ; it produced, 
 in 1837, 4,438 bushels of wheat and 
 some wool. 
 
 Fayston, Vt. 
 
 Washington co. Fayston is gen- 
 erally too mountainous to be much 
 cultivated. Along the borders of 
 some of the branches of Mad river, 
 which rise here, is some arable 
 land. It lies 16 miles W. S. W. 
 from Montpelier, and 25 S. E. from 
 Burlington. First settled, 1798. 
 Population, 1830, 458. 
 
 Ferdinand, Vt. 
 
 Essex co. This town was char- 
 tered in 1761, and contains 23 
 square miles ; it is bounded S. 
 E. by Maidstone. Paul's stream 
 affords it a good water power, but 
 the land is o mountainous, rocky, 
 cold and swampy that people do not 
 choose to cultivate it. 
 
 Ferrigfourgh, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. This township pos- 
 sesses a good soil, an excellent wa- 
 ter power by Otter, Little Otter 
 and Lewis creeks; and navigable 
 privileges on the waters of the out- 
 lets of those creeks and lake Cham- 
 plain. Basin Harbor in this town 
 is deep and well protected from 
 winds, and is a place of consider- 
 able navigation and commercial im- 
 portance. Across the lake to Essex, 
 N. Y. is about two miles. Large 
 crops of grain are produced here, 
 and Ferrisburgh is noted for its fine 
 butter, cheese, pork, and fat cattle.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 There are some woolen and other 
 manufactures on its streams, and 
 about 10,000 sheep graze in its pas- 
 tures. Large quantities of fish are 
 annually taken in the season of 
 spring. First settled, 1784. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,822. Ferrisburgh 
 lies 19 miles S. from Burlington, 
 16 N. W. from Middlebury, and 34 
 W. from Montpelier. 
 
 Fltchburgh, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This township 
 was first granted by " the Great 
 and General Court of His Majesty's 
 Province of Massachusetts Bay, 
 Nov. 4, 1719." The township thus 
 granted included the territory of 
 some of the neighboring towns. 
 The town was incorporated in 1764. 
 A large branch of the Nashua and 
 two smaller streams pass through 
 the town, and afford it an extensive 
 and constant water power. Over 
 the Nashua, in the distance of two 
 miles, are eleven dams for the ac- 
 commodation of manufactories. This 
 is a very flourishing town, and ex- 
 hibits in a striking manner the ef- 
 fect of water power on the increase, 
 wealth and respectability of many 
 of our interior towns. There are 
 many valuable mill sites at this 
 place still unimproved. In the 
 immediate vicinity of the principal 
 village is an immense quarry of ex- 
 cellent granite. This town lies 47 
 miles W. N. W. from Boston, 24 N. 
 from Worcester, 30 W. by S. from 
 Lowell, and 60 N. E. from Spring- 
 field. There are in Fitchburgh 4 
 cotton, 3 woolen, and 2 paper mills. 
 The manufactures for the year end- 
 ing April 1, 1837, amounted to 
 $429,640. The manufactures con- 
 sisted of cotton and woolen goods, 
 paper, leather, boots, shoes, hats, 
 scythes, bellows, palm-leaf hats, 
 straw bonnets, chairs, tin and cab- 
 inet wares. The surface of the 
 town is hilly, but the soil is strong 
 and productive. Population, 1830, 
 2,169; 1837,2,662. 
 
 Fitztvilliam, X. H. 
 
 Cheshire co. Fitzwilliam lies 13 
 miles S. E. from Keene, 60 S. W. 
 from Concord, and 65 N. W. from 
 Boston. Camp and Priest brooks, 
 running in a S. direction, are the 
 principal streams. South pond, 230 
 rods long and of various width , 
 Sip's pond, 200 rods long and 100 
 wide ; Rockwood's pond and Col- 
 lin's pond, are the only natural col- 
 lections of water. The surface of 
 this town is hilly : the soil is rocky. 
 There is a considerable quantity of 
 very productive and highly valua- 
 ble meadow land. The soil is suit- 
 able for grazing and tillage. Beef, 
 pork, butter and cheese are the sta- 
 ples. The farmers have of late turn- 
 ed their attention to the raising of 
 sheep. Near the centre of the town 
 is a large hill, remarkable for the 
 beautifully romantic prospect it af- 
 fords. Gap mountain, which at a 
 distance, appears to be a part of the 
 Monadnock, and on which are found 
 various kinds of stones suitable for 
 whetstones, lies partly in Troy and 
 partly in the N. E. part of Fitz- 
 william. Population, 1830, 1,229. 
 
 Fletcher, Vt. 
 
 Franklin co. There are some 
 small streams in this town and some 
 manufacturing operations. The soil 
 is broken, hard, and not very pro- 
 ductive. It lies 22 miles N. N. E 
 from Montpelier.and about 18 S. E 
 from St. Albans. Population, 1830, 
 793. 
 
 Florida, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. A mountainous 
 township, 125 miles W. by N. from 
 Boston, 27 N. N. E. from Lenox, 
 and 7 E. from Adams. Florida is 
 watered by Deerfield river, and ex- 
 hibits some fine Alpine scenery. 
 Population, 1837, 457. Inc. }805. 
 
 Foster, R. I. 
 
 Providence co. This is a large ag- 
 ricultural and manufacturing town,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 finely watered by Hemlock brook, 
 Ponongansett and Moosup rivers. 
 The surface of the town, in many 
 parts, is rough and uneven, but the 
 soil is well calculated for the pro- 
 ductions of the dairy. In the west- 
 ern part are extensive forests of val- 
 uable timber. There are a number 
 of pleasant villages on the borders 
 of the numerous streams, most of 
 which are largely engaged in manu- 
 facturing operations, particularly of 
 cotton. Foster was tirst settled in 
 1717; incorporated in 1781, and 
 named in compliment to the Hon. 
 THEODORE FOSTER, formerly a 
 senator of the United States. It lies 
 15 miles W. by S. from Providence, 
 and 50 E. from Hartford, Ct. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 2,672. 
 
 Foxborougli, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. This town was tak- 
 en from Dorchester in 1778. It is 
 watered by Rumford and Cocasset 
 rivers, branches of the Taunton, on 
 which are mills of various kinds. 
 The manufactures of Foxborough 
 the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 amounted to $231,136: they con- 
 sisted of cotton and woolen goods, 
 boots, shoes, leather, iron castings, 
 straw bonnets, shovels, spades, hoes 
 and forks. Foxborough lies 24 
 miles S. S. W. from Boston, 15 S. from 
 Dedham, and 18 E. N. E. from 
 Providence, R. I. Population, 1830, 
 1,099; 1837,1,416. 
 
 Foxcroft, Me. 
 
 Piscataquis co. This town is sit- 
 uated on the north side of Piscata- 
 quis river, opposite to Dover. The 
 soil of the town is capable of pro- 
 ducing all the varieties common to 
 the climate. A part of Sebec pond 
 lies in the north past of the town. 
 In 1837, 5,574 bushels of wheat was 
 raised. This is a fine section of 
 country for the growth of beef and 
 wool. Foxcroft was first settled in 
 1305, and was named in compliment 
 to the Hon. Joseph E. Foxcroft. 
 The village, with an academy, is 
 
 very pleasantly located on the bank 
 of the river, and has the appearance 
 of prosperity. Foxcroft lies 77 
 miles N. N. E. from Augusta. 
 Population, 1830, 677; 1837,907. 
 Incorporated, 1812. 
 
 Fox Islands, Me. 
 
 See Vinalhaven. 
 
 Framingham, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. A large and floifr- 
 ishing manufacturing town, with a 
 fine soil, and pleasant ponds: 20 
 miles W.S. W. from Boston, and 13 
 S. S. W. from Concord. The ponds 
 and Sudbury river give this town a 
 good water power. The value of 
 the manufactures, the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, amounted to $421,- 
 111. The articles manufactured 
 were 268,640 yards of woolen cloth, 
 valued at $311,800; boots, shoes, 
 leather, hats, paper,($46,000) straw 
 bonnets, chairs, tin and cabinet 
 wares. Framingham is a delight- 
 ful town, and approached by the 
 rail-road with great ease. It has 
 become an agreeable resort for fish- 
 ing, fowling and other rural sports. 
 Incorporated, 1700. Population, in 
 1830, 2,313 ; 1837, 2,881. 
 
 Francestown, ]V. H. 
 
 Hillsborough co. It is 12 miles 
 N. W. from Amherst, and 27 S. W. 
 from Concord. The two S. branches 
 of the Piscataquog rise in this town ; 
 the largest branch from Pleasant 
 pond, the other from Haunted pond. 
 The former branch passes near the 
 village in Francestown. Pleasant 
 and Haunted ponds are considerable 
 collections of water. The land is 
 uneven, and in many parts stony, 
 but the qualities of the soil are 
 warm and moist. There are some 
 small intervales, which are very 
 productive. About 7,000 sheep 
 are kept here. The streams of wa- 
 ter are not large, and almost every 
 mill is situated on rivers that take 
 their rise from hills and ponds with- 
 in the limits of the town. The
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 highest land is Crotched mountain, 
 the summit of which is more than 
 600 feet above the level of the 
 common in the centre of the town. 
 One of the summits of this moun- 
 tain is covered with wood ; the other 
 is almost a solid ledge of rocks, af- 
 fording a very extensive prospect to 
 the S. W. There is in the easter- 
 ly part of this town a. very exten- 
 sive and valuable quarry of free- 
 stone. It is of a dark greyish col- 
 or, and when polished strongly re- 
 sembles the variegated marble of 
 Vermont. In the N. part of this 
 town black lead has been found of 
 a good quality and in the S. part 
 some beautiful specimens of rock 
 crystal. The common garnet is 
 met with in various places. On 
 the N. side of Haunted pond, there 
 is a bar of 20 rods in length, 6 feet 
 high, and 3 or 4 feet through ; but 
 for what purpose or by what means 
 this barrier was raised, is a matter 
 of conjecture only. The local sit- 
 uation of this town is very eligible 
 for business, being near the centre 
 of the county, and on the great 
 thoroughfare from Windsor to Bos- 
 ton, and on a leading road from the 
 S. W. part of the state to Concord. 
 The village is very pleasant, neatly 
 built and flourishing. Francestown 
 derived its name from .Frances, the 
 wife of the last Gov. Wentworth. 
 The first settlement was made about 
 1760, by John Carson, a Scotch- 
 man. 
 
 Mr. JAMES WOODBTJRY, who 
 died March 3, 1823, at the age of 
 85, closed his life in this town. He 
 was an active soldier in the old 
 French war, and engaged by the 
 side of Gen. Wolfe, when he wa 
 killed at the memorable siege of 
 Quebec. He was one of the truly 
 invincible rangers under the im- 
 mortal Stark, and discharged every 
 duty in a prompt and courageous 
 manner. Population, 1830, 1541. 
 
 Fraiicouia, N. H. 
 
 Grafton co. It is 28 miles N. E. 
 
 from Haverhill, and 74 N. from 
 Concord. A large proportion of 
 this town is mountainous. Its 
 streams are branches of the Lower 
 Amonoosuck river, and rise on the 
 mountainous tracts to the east. 
 Here are several ponds: one of 
 which, called Ferrin's pond, is the 
 source of the middle branch of Pem- 
 igewasset river. The mountains 
 adjoining the Notch, through which 
 the road passes, are most conspicu- 
 ous. These are called Mounts La 
 Fayette and Jackson. On the lat- 
 ter is the celebrated " Profile," or 
 " Old Man of the Mountain." It is 
 situated on a peak of solid rock, 
 1,000 feet in height and almost per- 
 pendicular. On this peak, nature, 
 in her wildest mood, exhibits the 
 profile of the human face, of which 
 every feature is delineated with 
 wonderful exactness. The Fran- 
 conia mountain pass presents to the 
 traveller some of the wildest scene- 
 ry in our country, and must ever re- 
 main a great thoroughfare between 
 the upper waters of the Connecti- 
 cut river and the ocean. 
 
 There are two iron establish- 
 ments in this town. The lower 
 works are situated on the S. branch 
 of Amonoosuck river, and are own- 
 ed by the New Hampshire Iron 
 Factory Company ; incorporated, 
 Dec. 18, 1805, which was composed 
 principally of gentlemen in Salem 
 and Boston. Their establishment 
 is very extensive, consisting of a 
 blast furnace, erected in 1808, an 
 air furnace, a forge and trip-ham- 
 mer shop. There are also near, or 
 connected with the establishment, 
 grain and saw-mills, a large store, 
 several shops, and other buildings, 
 which make a small village. The 
 ore is obtained from a mountain in 
 the east part of Lisbon, N. H., three 
 miles from the furnace, and is con- 
 sidered the richest in the United 
 States, yielding from 56 to 63 per 
 cent ; and the mine is said to be in- 
 exhaustible. First settled, 1774. 
 Population,1830, 44T.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Frankfort, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. This excellent town- 
 ship of land is situated on the W. 
 side of Penobscot river, 57 miles 
 N. E. by E. from Augusta, 12 S. 
 from Bangor, and IS N. from Bel- 
 fast. It is well watered by Marsh 
 river, on which are two beautiful 
 villages. The largest village is 
 near the Penobscot, on Marsh bay. 
 The other village is at the head of 
 the tide, on Marsh river, about 4 
 miles S. W. from the Penobscot, and 
 is accommodated with excellent 
 mill privileges. The location of 
 Frankfort is exceeding favorable to 
 the navigation and trade of Penob- 
 scot river, particularly so in the 
 winter season, as it is the highest 
 point on the river to which vessels 
 can ascend during the icy season of 
 the year. The prospects of Frank- 
 fort in its commercial and agricul- 
 tural pursuits are very promising : 
 indeed it bids fair to become an' im- 
 portant depot on one of our largest 
 rivers. Among the, agricultural 
 products of this town, in 1837, was 
 9,330 bushels of wheat. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 2,487; 1837,3,223. In- 
 corporated, 178.9. 
 
 Franklin County, Die. 
 
 Farmington is the county town. 
 This county was incorporated March 
 20, 1838. 
 
 The following is the legislative 
 description of its territory : 
 
 " The towns of New Sharon, 
 Chesterville, Wilton, Temple and 
 Farmington in the county of Ken- 
 nebec ; and Jay, Carthage, Weld, 
 Berlin, Madrid, townships number- 
 ed six, letter E. and D. in the coun- 
 ty of Oxford, thence extending 
 northerly from the north-west cor- 
 ner of letter D. on the line be- 
 twixt townships numbered three 
 and four, through the several rang- 
 es of townships to Canada line, so 
 as to include three tiers of town- 
 ships west of the west line of the 
 Bingham Purchase in said county 
 13 
 
 of Oxford ; and Industry, New Vine- 
 yard, Strong, Avon, Phillips, Free- 
 man, Salem, Kingfield, townships 
 numbered four in the first range 
 west of Kingfield, three and four 
 in the second range, and the south 
 half of township numbered four in 
 the third range of the Bingham 
 Purchase, in the county of Somer- 
 set, be and hereby are, &c." 
 
 This county is therefore bounded 
 N. by Lower Canada, E. by the 
 county of Somerset, S. by Kenne- 
 bec arid Oxford counties, and W. by 
 Oxford county. This county has 
 no navigable waters, but is inter- 
 spersed with numerous ponds and 
 mill streams. Its surface is gen- 
 erally undulating,with some moun- 
 tainous tracts. Its soil, for the most 
 part, is excellent, and cannot fail 
 in remunerating the industrious f^- 
 mer by its products of wheat, beef, 
 and wool. 
 
 Franklin County, Vt. 
 
 St. Jllbans, county town. This 
 county is bounded N. by Lower 
 Canada, E. by Orleans county, S. 
 E. and S. by Lamoille county, S. 
 by Chittenden county, and W. 
 by lake Champlain. Incorporated, 
 1792. Population, 1830, 22,034. 
 The Missisque river passes through 
 the northern part of the county, 
 and the Lamoille its most southern 
 section. The principal part of the 
 trade of this county goes to Canada, 
 by lake Champlain, which affords 
 it many facilities in transportation. 
 Although the surface is somewhat 
 broken and in some parts mountain- 
 ous, yet the soil is productive of 
 wheat and grass. Many cattle are 
 annually taken from this county to 
 market, and in 1837 it had 63,000 
 sheep. In this county, marble and 
 iron ore of excellent qualities are 
 found. 
 
 Franklin County, Mass. 
 
 Greenfield, county town. Bound- 
 ed N. by Windham county, Vt.,and 
 a part of Cheshire county, N. H.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 E. by Worcester county, S. by 
 Hampshire county, and W. by Berk- 
 shire county. Area, 650 square 
 miles. The Connecticut river pass- 
 es nearly through the centre of this 
 county. It produces, in great abund- 
 ance, all sorts of grain, fruits and 
 vegetables common to its climate ; 
 and exports considerable quantities 
 of beef, pork, and products of the 
 dairy. Manufactures are increas- 
 ing in value and importance ; and 
 this county yields to no other in the 
 state in the extent of its hydraulic 
 powers, or in the richness and vari- 
 ety of its scenery. There are 44 
 inhabitants to a square mile. Chief 
 rivers, Connecticut, Deerfield, and 
 Miller's. Taken from Hampshire 
 county in 1811. Population, 1820, 
 29,268; 1830, 29,344; 1837,28,655. 
 Th value of the manufactures of 
 this county, for the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, was $787,900. The 
 value of wool grown, the product 
 of 55,713 fleeces, was $70,513. 
 
 Franklin, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. Franklin lies at the 
 head of Taunton bay, the most 
 northerly waters of Frenchman's 
 bay. It is bounded S. by Sullivan, 
 and contains several large ponds 
 and good mill sites. Franklin is 
 about 15 miles E. from Ellsworth. 
 Population, 1837, 474. Incorporat- 
 ed, 1825. 
 
 Franklin, X. II. 
 
 Merrimack co. This town was 
 incorporated in 1828, from parts of 
 the towns of Salisbury, Andover, 
 Sanbornton, and Northfield : is 18 
 miles from Concord, 63 from Ports- 
 mouth, and 78 from Boston. Frank- 
 lin is a place of considerable and 
 increasing business; has a cotton 
 factory, two paper nulls, an iron 
 foundry, and other manufacturing 
 establishments. The junction of 
 *he ^'innepisiogee and Pemigewas- 
 et>ivers, in this town, form the 
 noble Merrimack, creating on both 
 
 streams an extensive and valuable 
 water power. It is probable that 
 within a few years the river will 
 be rendered navigable, by means 
 of locks and canals, as far up as 
 Franklin, in which event it would 
 become one of the most flourishing 
 interior towns in New Hampshire. 
 Population, in 1830, 1,370. 
 
 Franklin, Vt. 
 
 Franklin co. This town was for- 
 merly called Huntsburgh, and was 
 first settled in 1789. It lies 50 
 miles N. W. from Montpelier, 17 
 N. N. E. from St. Albans, and 
 bounded N. by Canada. The sur- 
 face of the town is rough, but the 
 soil is tolerably well adapted for 
 sheep, of which about 3,500 are 
 kept. Population, 1830, 1,129. 
 
 Franklin, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. Charles river and 
 its branches afford Franklin a good 
 wateh power. It was taken from 
 Wrentham in 1778. There are five 
 cotton mills in the town, and man- 
 ufactures of straw bonnets, shoes, 
 boots, boxes and boats ; total amount 
 of manufactures in one year, $210,- 
 472, of which $160,186 were for 
 straw bonnets, for which this town 
 is celebrated. Franklin lies 27 miles 
 S. W. by S. from Boston, and 17 S. 
 S. W. from Dedham. Population, 
 1837, 1,696. 
 
 Franklin, Ct. 
 
 New London co. Shetucket riv- 
 er separates this town from Lisbon. 
 The surface of Franklin is uneven; 
 the soil a gravelly loam, more fit 
 for grazing than tillage. There is- 
 a woolen factory on Beaver brook, 
 a branch of the Shetucket, but the 
 chief business of the people is rear- 
 ing sheep, and other agricultural 
 pursuits. Population, 1830, 1,194. 
 It lies 34 miles E. S. E. from Hart- 
 ford, and 7 N. by W. from Norwich. 
 Franklin was taken from Norwich 
 iu 1786. 
 
 'A
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Freedom, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. Previous to its incor- 
 poration, in 1313, the territory of 
 Freedom was called " Beaver Hill." 
 It was first settled in 1794. It is a 
 good township of land, and bound- 
 ed W. by Albion, and E. by Knox. 
 It is about 20 miles E. S. E. from 
 Belfast, and 25 N. E. from Augus- 
 ta. Freedom, in 1837, with a pop- 
 ulation of 1,058, produced 6,084 
 bushels of wheat. 
 
 .Freedom, AT. I-I. 
 
 Strafford co. This town, former- 
 ly North Effingham, was incorpo- 
 rated by its present name, Dec. 6, 
 1832. It is an uneven township, 
 but has some good farms. It is 
 bounded in part by the Ossipee lake, 
 and river, which discharge east- 
 wardly into the Saco. Distant 60 
 miles N. N.E. from Concord. Pop- 
 ulation, in 1833, about 900. 
 
 Freeman, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. This small town 
 of only 17,000 acres, most of which 
 is woodland, with a population 
 of 805, produced 6,485 bushels of 
 wheat in 1837. Freeman is the 
 source of a small branch of Sandy 
 river. It lies 62 miles N. W. from 
 Augusta, and 15 N. from Farming- 
 ton. 
 
 Freeport, file. 
 
 Cumberland co. This is a respect- 
 able town with a pleasant village, 
 and small harbor at the head of Cas- 
 co bay, on the road from Portland 
 to Brunswick, 18 miles N. by E. 
 from the former, 9 S. W. from the 
 latter, and 36 S. S. W. from Augus- 
 ta. Freeport was taken from North 
 Yarmouth in 1789, and was former- 
 ly called the Harraseeket Settle- 
 ment, from the name of the river 
 that passes through it. This is a 
 place of some navigation, ship build 
 ing, and agricultural enterprize. 
 Population, 1837, 2,659. 
 
 Freetown, Mass. 
 
 Bristol co. This town lies on the 
 E. side of Taunton river, 8 miles 
 S. from Taunton, 12 N. by W. from 
 New Bedford, and 40 S. from Bos- 
 ton. First settled, 1659. Incor- 
 porated, 1683. Population, 1837, 
 1,779. It is watered by a branch 
 of Taunton river, and has some nav- 
 igation. The manufactures of Free- 
 town consist of iron castings, cut- 
 lery, axes, shovels, spades, hoes, 
 forks, nails, leather, boots, shoes, 
 vessels, chairs, and cabinet ware. 
 Total amount, in one year, $43,820. 
 The soil is light, and keeps, among 
 other cattle, about 1,000 sheep. 
 
 French River. 
 
 This river rises in Leicester, Mass. 
 It passes through Auburn, Oxford, 
 and Dudley ; it then enters the state 
 of Connecticut and joins the Quin- 
 ebaugh at Thompson. Some French 
 protestants settled on this river in 
 1685. 
 
 Frenchman's Bay, Me. 
 
 This- important bay, in the county 
 of Hancock, containing a number 
 of excellent harbors and beautiful 
 islands, is bounded W. by Baker's 
 island, one of the Cranberry islands, 
 and E. by a peninsula in Goldsbo- 
 rough, on the W. side of which is 
 Musquito harbor. The distance 
 across this bay, from Baker's island 
 to Goldsborough point, is 10 miles. 
 This bay juts in from the Atlantic 
 ocean about 20 miles, and' is envi- 
 roned by the towns of Eden, Tren- 
 ton, Hancock, Franklin, Sullivan, 
 and Goldsborough, and is the recip- 
 ient of many valuable streams. It 
 is easy of access, never obstructed 
 by ice, and is one of the best retreats 
 in a storm on the American coast. 
 
 Friendship, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This is an Atlantic 
 town, containing several islands, at 
 the head of Muscongus bay. It- 
 was formerly called the Meduncook
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Settlement, as lying between a riv- 
 er of that name and the Muscongus. 
 Friendship i a place of consider- 
 able navigation and trade. It lies 
 48 miles S. E. from Augusta, and 
 10 miles S. W. from Warren. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 662. 
 
 Fryelmrgli, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This interesting and 
 pleasant town lies on both sides of 
 Saco river, on the line of New 
 Hampshire. The uplands are not 
 remarkable for their fertility, but 
 the intervales on the Saco are of the 
 choicest kind. Fryeb'urgh is only 6 
 miles square, yet the Saco here is 
 so fantastic in its course that it winds 
 itself between 30 and 40 miles with- 
 in its limits. This town, the Indian 
 Pequawket, lies 76 miles W. N. W. 
 from Augusta, 47 N. W. from Port- 
 land, and 23 S. W. from Paris. 
 Population, 1837, 1,444. Incorpo- 
 rated, 1777. The principal village 
 is situated on a plain, surrounded by 
 lofty hills, and watered by the Sa- 
 co : it bears evident marks of anti- 
 quity, and has an academy " with 
 a cabinet of rare curiosities, col- 
 lected with much diligence." 
 Love well's pond lies a short distance 
 from the village. This beautiful 
 sheet of water, now the resort for 
 innocent amusements, was once the 
 scene of bloody combat, and of the 
 overthrow of a powerful Indian 
 tribe. 
 
 The story of Lovewell's Fight 
 has been told thousands of times, 
 but as it is identified with the town 
 of which we treat, we quote a brief 
 notice of the event from the North 
 American Review. 
 
 " It was on the 18th of April, 
 1725, that Capt. John Lovewell, of 
 Dunstable, Massachusetts, with 34 
 men, fought a famous Indian chief, 
 named Paugus, at the head of about 
 80 savages, near the shores of a 
 pond in Pequawket. Lovewell's 
 men were determined to conquer 
 or die, although out-numbered by 
 the Indians more than one half. 
 
 They fought till Lovewell and Pau- 
 gus were killed, and all LovewelPs 
 men but nine were either killed or 
 wounded dangerously. The sava- 
 ges having lost, as was supposed, 
 60 of their number out of 80, and 
 being convinced of the fierce and 
 determined resolution of their foes, 
 at length retreated and left them 
 masters of the ground. The scene 
 of this desperate and bloody action, 
 which took place in the town which 
 is now called Fryeburgh, is often 
 visited with interest to this day, 
 and the names of those who fell, 
 and those who survived, are yet re- 
 peated with emotions of grateful 
 exultation." 
 
 Fmitly, Bay of. 
 
 This bay washes a part of the 
 eastern shore of Maine ; and as it 
 is an important channel of com- 
 merce between the United States 
 and the British provinces of New 
 Brunswick and Nova Scotia, it may 
 be useful to notice it. This large 
 and important bay sets up N. E. 
 round cape Sable, the most south- 
 ern point of Nova Scotia, in N. lat. 
 43 24', W. Ion. 65 39', and cross- 
 es to the shore of Maine a Jittle W. 
 of Frenchman's bay. From the 
 mouth of Frenchman's bay to Cape 
 Sable is about 160 miles ; from 
 Eastport to St. John's, N. B. is 60 
 miles ; from St. John's to Annapo- 
 lis, in a bay of that name, on the 
 Nova Scotia side, is 40 miles ; from 
 thence to Halifax, by land, is 80* 
 miles. From Eastport direct to 
 Annapolis, across the bay, is about 
 70 miles. The Bay of Fundy is 
 divided near its head by cape Chig- 
 necto. The N. W. part is called 
 Chignecto bay ; the S. E. part the 
 Basin of Mines. From Eastport to 
 Cumberland, at the head of Chig- 
 necto bay, is about 170 miles ; to 
 Windsor, at the head of the Basin 
 of Mines, is about 150. From 
 Windsor to Halifax in N. lat. 44 
 39' 20", W. Ion. 63 36' 40", is 46 
 miles.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The commerce on this bay with 
 our friends and neighbors, the Eng- 
 lish, is very considerable. While 
 they receive bread stuffs and other 
 productions of our soil, we are in- 
 debted to them for vast quantities 
 of grindstones and gypsum to sharp- 
 en our tools and renovate the soil. 
 The gypsum is principally from the 
 Basin of Mines ; it lies embedded 
 in elevated masses along the shores 
 of the bay ; it is easily quarried 
 and taken on board of vessels by 
 the sides of the cliffs. This gypsum 
 is of a fine quality, and it is doubtful 
 whether any has been discovered 
 in our own country as good. 
 
 The grindstones from Cumber- 
 land, or Chignecto bay, are every 
 where celebrated. The source is 
 inexhaustible, and the manufacture 
 immense. 
 
 The tides in the bay of Fundy 
 are supposed to rise to a greater 
 height than in any other part of the 
 world. Their elevation increases 
 as you ascend the bay. At East- 
 port they rise 25 feet; at St. John's 
 30 ; at Cape Split, 55 ; at Windsor, 
 60, and at Cumberland, at the head 
 of Chignecto bay, they rise to the 
 enormous height of 71 feet. These 
 tides announce themselves some 
 time before their approach, by a 
 sound resembling that of a rushing 
 wind in a forest : they dash against 
 the shore with a reddish hue, the 
 color of the clay bottom over which 
 they pass, with frightful violence ; 
 at first, to the height of from 8 to 
 10 feet, overwhelming all within 
 their reach. 
 
 There are but few islands with- 
 in this bay. Grand Menan, and a 
 cluster of small islands round it, off 
 West Quoddy Head, and Campo Bel- 
 lo, near Eastport, are the principal. 
 They belong to the British. A 
 small island about 5 miles off the 
 S. W. part of cape Chignecto, call- 
 ed Isle de Haut, contains beauti- 
 ful specimens of asbestos. 
 
 The rapidity of the tides within 
 this bay, the fogs which frequently 
 
 I prevail, and the absence of good 
 harbors between Eastport and St. 
 John's, and from St. John's to cape 
 Chignecto, render the navigation 
 difficult and often dangerous. 
 
 The harbor of St. John's is easy 
 of access, safe, and of sufficient ex- 
 panse for a large fleet of any draught 
 of water. The city of St. John's 
 contains about' 15,000 inhabitants. 
 It is located at the outlet of the 
 great river whose name it bears, in 
 N. lat. 45 20', W. Ion. 66. This 
 city is a very flourishing place. It 
 is the largest resource for timber and 
 lumber that Queen Victoria has in 
 her possessions. 
 
 St. John's river rises in Canada 
 and the northern part of Maine. It 
 receives the Madawaska, St. Fran- 
 cis, Aroostook, and many other val- 
 uable tributaries, from Maine ; it 
 waters a large portion of its north- 
 ern territory, and bears many valu- 
 able productions of that state to its 
 mouth. " This river is 350 miles 
 long ; the tide flows up about 80 
 miles ; it is navigable for boats 200 
 miles, and for sloops of 50 tons 80 
 miles. This river and its branches 
 water a large tract of excellent 
 country. About 30 miles from its 
 mouth commences a fine level coun- 
 try of rich meadow lands, well cloth- 
 ed with timber. The river furnish- 
 es a great quantity of salmon, bass 
 and sturgeon. About a mile above 
 the city of St. John's is the only 
 entrance into this river. It is about 
 80 or 100 yards wide, 400 yards 
 long, called the falls of the river. 
 It being narrow, and a ridge of rocks 
 running across the bottom of the 
 channel, on which there are not 
 above 17 feet of water, it is not suf- 
 ficiently spacious to discharge the 
 fresh waters of the river above. 
 The common tides here rising above 
 20 feet, the waters of the river at 
 low water are about 20 feet higher 
 than the waters of the sea ; at high 
 water the waters of the sea are 
 about 5 feet higher than those of 
 the river : so that at eve^ry tide there
 
 NEW ENGLAND (GAZETTEER. 
 
 we two falls, one outwards and one 
 inwards. The only time of pass- 
 ing with safety is when the waters 
 of the river and of the sea are lev- 
 el, which is twice in a tide, and 
 continues only about 20 minutes 
 each time." 
 
 Frederickton, the capital of New 
 Brunswick, lies on this river, 80 
 miles from its mouth, in N. lat. 46 
 3', W. Ion. 66 45'. 
 
 Gardiner, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. Gardiner was for- 
 merly a part of Pittston, and lies 
 on the W. side of Kennebec river, 
 6 miles S. from Augusta, and 4 be- 
 low Hallowell. It is located at the 
 head of large navigation, and in re- 
 gard to its commerce, manufactur- 
 ing and agricultural interests, it is 
 considered one'of the most flourish- 
 ing towns in Maine. It was incor- 
 porated in 1803, and was named in 
 honor of Dr. SYLVESTER GARDI- 
 NER, one of the proprietors of the 
 old Plymouth patent. 
 
 The Cobbessecontee waters meet 
 the Kennebec river at this place, 
 and produce a water power of great 
 usefulness and extent. Here are 
 mills for sawing lumber of all di- 
 mensions, and here are vessels of 
 from 80 to 120 tons burthen, lading 
 it for transportation to its various 
 markets. Here are also manufac- 
 tures of various other kinds. This 
 town, Hallowell and Augusta,lie in 
 a most favored section of our coun- 
 try. What we have said in regard 
 to the location of Hallowell and 
 Augusta, may be applied to Gard- 
 iner. These towns are on the same 
 side of a noble river, united by the 
 same interests and feelings, and will 
 soon be connected by a rail-road 
 passing between them. The vil- 
 lage of Gardiner is very pleasant. 
 The business part lying on the riv- 
 er, is full of activity and enterprise. 
 The buildings, on a gentle rise from 
 the river, are beautifully located. 
 They command a delightful pros- 
 pect, and^ some of them are of 
 
 superior architecture. Population, 
 1837, 3,709. The present popula- 
 tion is about 5,000. 
 
 Gardner, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. Otter river, a con- 
 siderable stream, a branch of Mil- 
 er's river, rises partly in this- town, 
 and affords good mill seats. On this 
 river is some good intervale land ; 
 ;he high lands are rough, but good 
 "or grazing. The value of palm- 
 ,eaf hats, straw bonnets, chairs, 
 cabinet and wooden wares, leath- 
 er, boots and shoes, manufactured 
 in one year, amounted to $132,- 
 272. The cabinet ware and chairs 
 amounted to $109,000. Gardner 
 was incorporated in 1785, and lies 
 54 miles N. W. by W. from Boston, 
 and 23 N. W. by N. from Worces- 
 ter. Population, 1837, 1,276. 
 
 A church was formed here in 
 1786, and the Rev. Jonathan O.sgood 
 was ordained. He died in 1825, af- 
 ter sustaining the vocations of pas- 
 tor, physician and school master, 30 
 years. 
 
 Garland, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. Garland is water- 
 ed by some of the head branches 
 of Kenduskeag stream. It lies 74 
 miles N. E. by N. from Augusta, 
 and 27 N. W. from Bangor. Incor- 
 porated, 1811. Population, 1830, 
 621 ; 1837, 932. This is an excel- 
 lent township of land ; it produced, 
 in 1837, 6,521 bushels of wheat. 
 
 Gay Head, Mass. 
 
 See Chilmark. 
 
 Georgetown, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. Georgetown is con- 
 stituted of two considerable islands 
 lying at the mouth of Kennebec 
 river. These islands have Kenne- 
 bec river on the W., Sheepscot riv- 
 er on the E., and separated from 
 Woolwich on the N. by a naviga- 
 ble passage between those two riv- 
 ers. It is a little below Bath, on 
 the opposite shore. This is one
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 of the most ancient settlements in 
 Maine. The town was incorporat- 
 ed in 1716. Population, 1837, 1,355. 
 It lies 46 miles S. from Augusta, 
 and 12 S. W. from Wiscasset. This 
 town has excellent harbors, and pos- 
 sesses peculiar privileges for all oc- 
 cupations connected with naviga- 
 tion and the fisheries. 
 
 Georgetown, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. Georgetown was the 
 W. part of Rowley. It was called 
 New Rowley for some years, un- 
 til its incorporation as a separate 
 town, in 1838. Georgetown is wa- 
 tered by a branch of Parker's riv- 
 er, and is almost entirely engaged 
 in manufactures and the mechanic 
 arts. It is a pleasant town and high- 
 ly flourishing. Population, about 
 1,500. It lies 30 miles N. from 
 Boston, and 10 S. W. from Newbu- 
 ryport. The people of Georgetown 
 are probably more extensively en- 
 gaged in the manufacture of boots 
 and shoes than at any other place, 
 of its population, in America. The 
 value of boots and shoes manufac- 
 tured, and leather tanned, is said to 
 exceed $500,000 annually. 
 
 Georgia, Vt. 
 
 Franklin co. Population, 1830, 
 1,897. Georgia lies 40 miles N. 
 W. from Montpelier, and 8 S. from 
 St. Albans. First settled, 1784. 
 The soil of Georgia is various but 
 generally fertile. It feeds about 
 11,000 sheep. The Lamoille pass- 
 es through the S. E. corner of the 
 town, which, with other streams, 
 give it an ample water power. This 
 is a place of considerable trade and 
 some manufactures. Over Stone 
 ridge brook is a stone bridge, 
 a curious piece of nature's mechan- 
 ism. Georgia is washed on the W. 
 by Lake Champlain : the village is 
 pleasantly located, and commands 
 some very pretty lake and moun- 
 tain scenery. 
 
 Gilead, 3Ie. 
 
 Oxford co. Between two moun- 
 tains on both sides of Androscoggin 
 river. There is some good land on 
 the river, but the chief part of the 
 township is fit only for grazing. 
 The expense of transportation of 
 fuel down the mountains, in a slip- 
 pery time, is very trifling. Gilead 
 lies 71 miles W. from Augusta, and 
 25 S. S. W. from Paris. Incorpora- 
 ted, 1804. Population, 1837, 374. 
 
 Gilford, Iff. H., 
 
 One of the four shire towns for 
 Strafford county, is situated on the 
 S. side of Winnepisiogee lake. 
 This town lies 26 miles N. N. E. 
 from Concord, and 48 N. W. from 
 Portsmouth. The soil is generally 
 productive. There are two ponds 
 in this town, Little and Chattlebo- 
 rough. Gunstock and Mile's rivers, 
 rising in Suncook mountains and 
 flowing N. into the lake, are the 
 principal streams. The N. source 
 of the Suncook river is on the S. 
 of these mountains, which extend 
 in a lofty pile over the E. part of 
 the town, from Gilmanton line near- 
 ly to the lake. There are seven isl- 
 ands in the lake, belonging to Gil- 
 ford, one of which has been con- 
 nected to the main land by abridge 
 30 rods in length. This town, 
 which was formerly a part of Gil- 
 manton, was incorporated June 16, 
 1812. It was settled in 1778. 
 Here are manufactories of cotton 
 goods, besides other useful mills 
 and machinery. Four bridges 
 across the Winnepisiogee connect 
 the town with Meredith. The vil- 
 lage at this place is thriving and 
 pleasant. Population, 1830, 1,872. 
 
 Gill, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. A mountainous 
 township on the W. side of Con- 
 necticut river ; 86 miles W. by N. 
 from Boston, and 5 E. N. E. from 
 Greenfield. Gill contains a fine
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 tract of rich intervale on a bend 
 of the Connecticut. The people 
 are generally engaged in farming. 
 The town is divided from Greenfield 
 by Fall river. It has some manu- 
 factures of combs, wooden ware, 
 leather and palm-leaf hats. The 
 fleeces of 1,809 sheep weighed 
 5,627 pounds, and were valued, in 
 1837, at $2,214. Population, 1837, 
 809. Taken from Deertield in 
 1793. 
 
 Oilman toil, N. H. 
 
 One of the shire towns in Straf- 
 ford county, 17 miles N. N. E. from 
 Concord, and 45 W. N. W. from 
 Portsmouth. It is bounded N. and 
 N. E. by Gilford and Alton. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 3,816. Beside the 
 Winnepisiogee, this town is water- 
 ed by the Suncook and Soucook 
 rivers, which have their sources in 
 Gilmanton. The Suncook rises in a 
 pond near the top of one of the 
 Suncook mountains, elevated 900 
 feet above its base. The water of 
 this pond falls into another at the 
 foot of the mountain, of 1 mile in 
 length and 1-2 mile wide. Passing 
 from this, it falls into another, cov- 
 ering about 500 acres, from which 
 it meanders through the town, re- 
 ceiving several streams in its course. 
 The Soucook rises from Loon, 
 Rocky and Shellcamp ponds, in the 
 S. part of the town. This town is 
 very hilly and rocky. The soil is 
 hard, but fruitful, when properly 
 cultivated. The geology of this 
 town presents many varieties. 
 There are several springs in Gilman- 
 ton, termed mineral; one of which 
 has proved efficacious in cutaneous 
 and bilious affections. This town 
 was granted May 20, 1727, to 24 
 persons of the name of Gilman, and 
 152 others. In Dec. 1761, Benja- 
 min and John Mudgett, with their 
 families, settled here. Dorothy 
 Weed, the first child, was born here 
 Oct. 13, 1762. An academy was 
 founded here in 1764. Its produc- 
 tive funds are about $11,000. The 
 
 theological seminary at this place 
 is connected with the academy, and 
 is a flourishing institution. 
 
 Gilsum, N. H. 
 
 A small township in Cheshire 
 county, situated about 10 miles E. 
 from the Connecticut. The soil is, 
 in many parts, fertile, and produces 
 good crops of grass and grain. 
 Ashuelot river runs through this 
 town and affords a good supply of 
 water for mills, which is improv- 
 ed for cotton and other manufac- 
 tures. Gilsum was granted July 
 13, 1763, to Messrs. Gilbert, Sum- 
 ner and others. From the com- 
 bination of the first syllables of the 
 names of these men, it derives the 
 name of Gil-sum. The first settle- 
 ment was made in 1764. Gilsum 
 lies 55 miles S. W. by W. from 
 Concord, and about 9 N. from 
 Keene. Population, 1830, 642. 
 
 Glentmra, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This territory 
 was -called Dutton, from 1822 to 
 1837. It lies 76 miles N. E. from 
 Augusta, and 10 N. N. W. from 
 Bangor. Population, 1837, 717. 
 Glenburn is situated on both sides 
 of the great bend of Kenduskeag 
 stream. It has a water power, but 
 the inhabitants are mostly farmers. 
 The soil is good, and considerable 
 wheat is raised. 
 
 Glastenlrary, Vt. 
 
 Bennington co. This is a town- 
 ship of 40 square miles of moun- 
 tainous land, more fit for the resi- 
 dence of wild beasts than human 
 beings. It is 9 miles N. E. from 
 Bennington. Population, 1830, 59. 
 
 Glastenbury, Ct. 
 
 Hartford co. This town, pre- 
 vious to its incorporation in 1690, 
 had been attached to Wethersfield. 
 It lies on the east side of Connecti- 
 cut river opposite to Wethersfield, 
 8 miles S. from Hartford. It ha
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 some fine land on Connecticut riv- 
 er. The face of the uplands is rough 
 but generally productive. About 
 a mile and a half from Connecticut 
 river, and 8 miles from Chatham 
 freestone quarry, in a romantic spot 
 between the hills, is a beautiful vil- 
 lage connected with the Hartford 
 Manufacturing Company. Roar- 
 ing brook, at this place, passes 
 through a very narrow defile, afford- 
 ing a great and constant water pow- 
 er. Cotton is manufactured here 
 to a considerable extent, and the 
 village is very flourishing. From 
 the hills around this village a great 
 variety of delightful scenery is ob- 
 servable. Population, 1830, 2,980. 
 " In the eastern part of the town 
 there is a pond of about a mile in 
 circumference, called 'Diamond 
 pond,' from the circumstance of 
 there being small pebbles or stones 
 around its margin, having a pe- 
 culiar brilliancy. Near the cen- 
 tre of the town there is a mineral 
 spring, which, though it has acquir- 
 ed no celebrity abroad, has been 
 thought by men of science who 
 have examined it, to possess valua- 
 ble medicinal qualities ; and for 
 more than one hundred years has 
 been known by the name of the 
 ' Pool of Neipseic.' " 
 
 Gloucester, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. This is a maritim^ 
 township, comprising the whole of 
 Cape Ann, and celebrated for the 
 enterprise of its people in the fish- 
 eries and commercial pursuits. ' It 
 is one of the oldest fishing estab- 
 lishments in the state. This cape 
 extends about 8 miles into the sea, 
 and forms the northern boundary of 
 Massachusetts bay. Its harbor is 
 capacious, easy of access at any 
 season, and of sufficient water for 
 ships of great burthen. Gloucester 
 harbor and the chief settlements 
 are on the south side. Sandy and 
 Squam bays lie on the north side, 
 about 4 miles from the south har- 
 bor, and afford harbors for small 
 
 vessels. The lights on Thatcher's 
 island bear about northeast 6 miles 
 from East Point, the eastern boun- 
 dary of Gloucester harbor. As 
 early as 1794 the exports from this 
 place, in one year, amounted to 
 $230,000. Here are immense quar- 
 ries of light and grayish granite, 
 which is split with great ease, and 
 in large regularly formed blocks. 
 This stone is of a fine grain, is easi- 
 ly dressed, and can be put on board 
 of vessels with little expense. The 
 demand for this stone is rapidly in- 
 creasing, and the quarrying, ham- 
 mering, and transporting it gives 
 employment to many men and ves- 
 sels. The canal across the neck 
 of the cape has failed of that suc- 
 cess which was anticipated. The 
 manufacture of palm-leaf hats, 
 boots, shoes, hats, vessels, chairs, 
 tin and cabinet wares, in the year 
 ending April 1, 1837, amounted to 
 $46,726. In that year there were 
 221 vessels employed in the cod 
 and mackerel fishery, the tonnage 
 of which was 9,824 tons. They 
 took 55,181 quintals of cod fish, and 
 43,934 barrels of mackerel : 113,- 
 760 bushels of salt was used, and 
 1,580 hands employed. The value 
 of the cod and mackerel .taken was 
 $522,082. There are belonging to 
 this place a great number of vessels 
 engaged in foreign and domestic 
 trade. The total tonnage of the 
 district in 1837 was 18,802 tons. 
 This town lies in N. lat. 42 36', 
 W. Ion. 70 40', and was incorpora- 
 ted in 1639. Population, 1820, 
 6,384; 1830, 7,513; 1837, 8,822. 
 It lies 29 miles N. E. from Boston, 
 and 16 N. E. by E. from Salem. 
 Gloucester is a very pleasant town, 
 and a delightful retreat in summer 
 months. 
 
 Gloucester, II. I. 
 
 Providence co. This large and 
 respectable manufacturing town 
 lies 16 miles W. S. W. from Provi- 
 dence, and 50 E. by N. from Hart- 
 ford. First settled, 1700. Incorpo-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 rated, 1730. The surface of the 
 town is somewhat broken by hills, 
 but the soil is well adapted to agri- 
 cultural purposes, particularly to 
 grazing. Gloucester furnishes large 
 supplies of various products lor 
 market. There are fine forests in 
 several parts of the town, and large 
 quantities of ship and other timber 
 are conveyed to Providence and 
 other places. The Chepachet and 
 some smaller streams give Glou- 
 cester a good water power. Man- 
 ufacturing establishments are very 
 numerous, and Gloucester yields to 
 but few towns in New England in 
 the value of this branch of indus- 
 try, particularly in the manufac- 
 ture of cotton. Population, 1830, 
 2,522. 
 
 Glover, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. Glover was first set- 
 tled in 1797. It lies 33 miles N. 
 N. E. from Montpelier, and 12 S. 
 by E. from Irasburgh. The town 
 is hilly, and the soil is more fit for 
 grazing than tillage. There are 
 about 3,200 sheep in the town. 
 There are in the town branches of 
 Barton's, Passumpsic,Lamoille, and 
 Black rivers, and several ponds. 
 On these streams are some manu- 
 factures, but none of any great 
 importance. Population, 1830,902. 
 We copy an account of the run- 
 ning off of Long Pond, from 
 Thompson's valuable Gazetteer of 
 Vermont. 
 
 " Long pond was situated partly 
 in this township and partly in 
 Greensborough. This pond was 
 one and a half miles long, and abou 
 half a mile wide, and discharged its 
 waters to the south, forming one of 
 the head branches of the river La- 
 moille. On the 6th of June, 1810 
 about 60 persons went to this pone 
 for the purpose of opening an out 
 let to the north into Barton river 
 that the mills, on that stream, migh 
 receive an occasional supply of wa 
 ter. A small channel was excava 
 ted, and the water commenced run 
 
 ling in a northerly direction. It 
 iappened that the northern barrier 
 f the pond consisted entirely of 
 [uicksand, except an encrusting of 
 lay next the water. The sand 
 was immediately removed by the 
 urrent.and a large channel formed, 
 'he basin formed by the encrusting 
 f clay was incapable of sustaining 
 he incumbent mass of waters, and 
 t brake. The whole pond imme- 
 diately took a northerly course, and, 
 n fifteen minutes from this time, its 
 >ed was left entirely bare. It was 
 discharged so suddenly that the 
 country below was instantly inun- 
 dated. The deluge advanced like 
 a wall of waters, 60 or 70 feet in 
 icight, and 20 rods in width, level- 
 ng the forests and the hills, and 
 illing up the valleys, and sweeping 
 off mills, houses, barns, fences, cat- 
 le, horses and sheep as it passed, 
 or the distance of more than ten 
 miles, and barely giving the inhab- 
 tants sufficient notice of its ap- 
 proach to escape with their lives in- 
 to the mountains. A rock, suppos- 
 ed to weigh more than 100 tons, 
 was removed half a mile from its 
 bed. The waters removed so rap- 
 idly as to reach Memphremagog 
 lake, distance 27 miles, in about 
 six hours from the time they left 
 the pond. Nothing now remains 
 of the pond but its bed, a part of 
 which is cultivated and a part over- 
 grown with bushes and wild grass, 
 with a small brook running through 
 it, which is now the head branch 
 of Barton river. The channel 
 through which the waters escaped 
 is 127 feet in depth and several 
 rods in width. A pond, some dis- 
 tance below, was, at first, entirely 
 filled with sand, which has since 
 settled down,' and it is now about 
 one half its former dimensions. 
 Marks of the ravages are still to he 
 seen through nearly the whole 
 course of Barton river." 
 
 Goffistown, JT. H., 
 
 Hillsborough co., is 12 miles N.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 by E. from Amherst, and 16 S. from 
 Concord. Piscataquog river, the 
 tributary branches of which unite 
 near the W. line of the town, runs 
 through its centre in an E. direc- 
 tion, and falls into Merrimack riv- 
 er at Piscataquog village in Bed- 
 ford. Large quantities of lumber 
 are annually floated down this riv- 
 er to th Merrimack, and most of 
 the mill privileges are derived from 
 this valuable stream. There are 
 two considerable elevations in the 
 S. W. part of the town, which ob- 
 tained from the Indians the name 
 of Un-can-nu-nuc. On the rivers 
 are considerable tracts of valuable 
 intervale. Back from the rivers 
 commence extensive plains, easy of 
 cultivation, and producing abun- 
 dant cropof Indian corn and rye. 
 From these plains the land rises 
 on each side of Piscataquog river 
 into large swells. In this town 
 there is an extensive cotton factory. 
 The Goffstown Manufacturing Com- 
 pany are erecting a large woolen 
 factory at a flourishing village, in 
 the W. part of the town, on Piscat- 
 aquog river. Population, 1830, 
 2,213. 
 
 Dr. JONATHAN GOVE, a man 
 distinguished for his urbanity, his 
 talents and professional skill, resid- 
 ed in this town. He was one of 
 the oldest practitioners of medicine 
 in the county. He was many years 
 an active member of the legisla- 
 ture. 
 
 Goldsborough, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. This is a large 
 township, on the Atlantic ocean, 
 containing a number of excellent 
 harbors, and nearly surrounded by 
 water. It is admirably located for 
 all the various pursuits in naviga- 
 tion. Goldsborough harbor, on the 
 E. side of the town, is capacious and 
 easy of approach by almost any 
 wind. Frenchman's bay extends 
 on the W. side of the town and af- 
 fords it many commercial advanta- 
 ges. It lies 99 miles E. from Au- 
 
 gusta, 27 S. E. from Ellsworth, and 
 is bounded by Sullivan on the N. 
 Incorporated, 1789. Population, 
 1830,880; 1837, 1,047. 
 
 Grorham, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. This town u 
 watered on the N. E. side by Pre- 
 sumpscut river,and the Cumberland 
 and Oxford canal. It is 9 miles W. 
 N. W. from Portland, and 63 S. W. 
 from Augusta. Gorham was first 
 settled in 1736, by John Phinney 
 and others from Barnstable county, 
 Mass. Maine was at that time 
 almost a wilderness. Portland, Sa- 
 co and Scarborough were very fee- 
 ble in consequence of the depreda- 
 tions of the Indians. These peo- 
 ple endured great privations, and 
 for many years were in constant 
 apprehension of attack by the sav- 
 ages. " The wives and daugh- 
 ters of the first settlers of Gorham 
 shared in all the toils and wants of 
 their husbands and father* ; they 
 used to labor in the field, carry bur- 
 dens, go to mill, and aid in defence 
 of their property. One time when 
 most of the men were away, the 
 Indians attacked the fort, and the 
 wife of Hugh McLellan rallied the 
 women in the garrison, shut the 
 gates, mounted the walls, fired up- 
 on the Indians, and by her courage 
 and activity baffled the enemy till 
 succor arrived." 
 
 Rev. Solomon Lombard, a native 
 of Truro, Mass., was the first set- 
 tled minister. His annual salary 
 was 53, 6s. 8d. He was ordained 
 Dec. 26, 1750. One hundred and 
 twenty dollars were raised to defray 
 the expenses of the ordination. 
 We copy the following from the 
 list of supplies for that occasion, to 
 show the prices of some articles at 
 that period. 
 
 1 barrel of flour, 14 7s. 6d. 
 3 bushels of apples, 280 
 
 2 barrels of cider, 900 
 2 gallons of brandy, 500 
 
 1 bottle of vinegar, 050 
 
 2 cheeses r 6d. per Ib.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 54$ lb. of pork, Id. per Ib. 
 6 candles, Is. Od. 
 
 1 oz. of nutmegs, 010 
 8 fowls, 1 16 
 
 29 Ibs. sugar, 8 14 
 
 1 teapot, 1 10 
 4 gallons of rum, 540 
 
 2 bushels cranberries, 200 
 1 Ib. of tea, 10 
 1 Ib. of ginger, 020 
 6 gals, molasses, 2*. Sd. per gal. 
 4 oz. of pepper, 006 
 
 Gorham is very pleasantly loca- 
 ted : its soil is of a superior quali- 
 ty : it has a flourishing academy, on 
 a solid foundation : it is a place of 
 considerable trade, and of exten- 
 sive manufactures of cotton, wool, 
 leather, starch, and gunpowder. 
 Gorham has produced many men of 
 talents, among which were eminent 
 jurists and statesmen. It is noted 
 for. its attachment to the principles 
 of the revolution. 
 
 From*1807 to 1834, twenty per- 
 sons died in Gorham, whose aver- 
 age age was 94 years. Population, 
 1837, 3,022. 
 
 Gorham, N. II., 
 
 Coos co., is a rough and unpro- 
 ductive township lying on the north- 
 erly base of the White mountains, 
 and bounded E. by Shelburne, N. 
 by Berlin, and W. by Randolph, 
 and is 96 miles N. from Concord. 
 Several streams descend from the 
 mountains through this town into 
 the Androscoggin. It was former- 
 ly called Shelburne Addition, but 
 was incorporated by its present 
 name June 18, 1836. Population 
 in 1830, 111. 
 
 Goshen, N. II., 
 
 Sullivan co., is bounded N. by 
 Newport and Wendell, E. by New- 
 bury, S. by Washington, and W. by 
 Lempster and Unity. It is 42 miles 
 W. by N. from Concord. Croydon 
 turnpike passes through Goshen. 
 From Sunapee mountain, lying in 
 the E. part of this town, spring ma- 
 
 ny small streams, which unite in 
 forming Sugar river. Rand's pond 
 is in the N. E. part of the town. 
 The soil is particularly calculated 
 for the production of grass. It was 
 incorporated Dec. 27, 1791. The 
 first settlement was made about the 
 year 1769, by Capt. Benjamin Rand, 
 William Lang, and Daniel Grindle, 
 whose sufferings and hardships were 
 very great. The crops of the first 
 settlers were greatly injured, and 
 sometimes entirely destroyed by 
 early frosts. In such cases they 
 procured grain from Walpole and 
 other places. At a certain time of 
 scarcity, Capt. Rand went to that 
 place after grain, and being detain- 
 ed by a violent snow storm, his 
 family was obliged to live without 
 provision for six days, during which 
 time Mrs. Rand sustained one of 
 his children, 5 years old, by the milk 
 from her breast, having a short time 
 before buried her infant child. Pop- 
 ulation in 1830, 772. 
 
 G oslicii, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. First settled, 1800. 
 Population, 1830, 555. Goshen lies 
 30 miles S. W. from Montpelier, 
 and 15 S. E. from Middlebury. Lei- 
 cester and Philadelphia rivers sup- 
 ply the town with mill privileges. 
 The lands along the rivers are very 
 good, but in general they are too 
 mountainous for profitable cultiva- 
 tion. Some minerals are found in 
 this town. 
 
 GosUcn, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. A mountainous 
 town, 103 miles W. by N. from Bos- 
 Ion, and 12 N. W. from Northamp- 
 ton. Some valuable minerals are 
 found here, such as emeralds, lead, 
 and tin. The manufactures of Go- 
 shen are small, chiefly of boots and 
 shoes. The value of 3,048 fleeces 
 of wool, produced in 1837, was sold 
 for $4,500. Population, 1837, 560. 
 
 Goshen, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield co. First settled, 1738.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Incorporated, 1749. Population, 
 1830, 1,734. Goshen lies 6 miles 
 N. from Litchfield, 42 N. N. W. 
 from New Haven, and 32 W. from 
 Hartford. Great attention is paid 
 in this town to the education of 
 youth. Ivy mountain, in Goshen, 
 is considered the most elevated point 
 of land in the state ; its summit pre- 
 sents an extensive and delightful 
 prospect. " Goshen is the most ele- 
 vated township in the state, but not 
 generally mountainous ; the surface 
 being undulating, affording an in- 
 teresting diversity of hills and vales. 
 The soil is a gravelly loam, deep, 
 strong and fertile, admirably adapt- 
 ed for grazing. This is one of the 
 best towns for the dairy business in 
 the state. Large quantities of cheese 
 are annually made, the fame of 
 which is widely and justly celebrat- 
 ed, and the inhabitants are general- 
 ly in prosperous circumstances. In 
 neatness, in and about their dwell- 
 ings, and in the 'appearance of gen- 
 eral comfort and prosperity, they 
 are not exceeded, if equalled, by 
 any town in the state." 
 
 Gosport, N. H. 
 
 See Isles of Shoals. 
 
 Grafton County, ST. H. 
 
 Haverhill and Plymouth are the 
 county towns. 
 
 This coutJty extends from lat. 43 
 27' to 44 22' N. It is 58 miles in 
 length, and its greatest breadth is 
 30 miles. It contains 828,623 acres, 
 besides a large tract of ungranted 
 land. It is bounded N. by the coun- 
 ty of Coos, E. by Strafford, S. by 
 Merrimack, and W. by the state 
 of Vermont. Grafton county is wa- 
 tered by Connecticut river, on 
 which are several pleasant and 
 flourishing towns; by Pemigewas- 
 set, and Lower Amonoosuck rivers, 
 and by many smaller streams. 
 Squam and Newfound lakes are the 
 largest collections of water. The 
 former, of which a considerable 
 part lies in Strafford county, has 
 14 
 
 been much celebrated for its pic- 
 turesque beauties. Its numerous 
 angular projections, the variety of 
 its islands covered with wood, and 
 the vicinity of lofty mountains, ren- 
 der it an object peculiarly interest- 
 ing. There are numerous eleva- 
 tions which come under the name 
 of mountains. Those of the most 
 importance are Gardner's in Ly- 
 man, Peaked in Bethlehem, Moose- 
 hillock in Coventry, Cushman's and 
 the Blue mount in Peeling, Carr's 
 in Warren and Ellsworth, Moose in 
 Hanover, and Cardigan in Orange. 
 
 A large portion of Grafton county 
 is mountainous and hilly, but this 
 circumstance does not prevent its 
 productiveness. It presents fine 
 tracts for pasturage, a large propor- 
 tion of arable land, and on the riv- 
 ers, extensive and fertile intervales. 
 
 This county is emphatically a 
 wool growing county, and there 
 were, in 1837, more than 120,000 
 sheep within its borders. 
 
 The first settlement in this county 
 was made at Lebanon, and this was 
 the first settlement on Connecticut 
 river north of Charlestown. It was 
 constituted a county, March 19, 
 1771, and received its name in 
 honor of Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 
 Duke of Grafton. Population in 
 1775, 3,597; in 1790, 12,449; in 
 1800, 20,171; in 1810,28,462; in 
 1820, 32,989; and in 1830, 38,691. 
 
 Grafton, 3V. H., 
 
 Grafton co., is bounded N. E. by 
 Orange, S. E. by Danbury, S. W. 
 by Springfield, and N. W. by En- 
 field. It is 36 miles N. W. from 
 Concord, and 13 .3. E. from Dart- 
 mouth college. It is watered by 
 branches of Smith's and Mascomy 
 rivers. Heard's river, a small trib- 
 utary to Smith's river, waters the 
 S. E. part. There are 5 ponds. 
 The largest, containing from 200 to 
 300 acres, is called Grafton pond. 
 Two are named Mud ponds. The 
 surface of Grafton is very hilly, in 
 some parts very mountainous; and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the soil is so rocky as, in many 
 places, to be unfit for cultivation. 
 There are, however, some good 
 tracts of land. The Grafton turn- 
 pike, leading from Andover to Or- 
 ford bridge, passes through the E. 
 part, and the 4th N. H. turnpike, 
 from Concord to Hanover, through 
 the W. part. In this town there is 
 a remarkable ledge, called the Pin- 
 nacle, on the S. side of which the 
 ground rises by a gradual ascent to 
 the summit; but on the N. side, it 
 falls nearly 150 feet, within the dis- 
 tance of 6 or 8 feet. Isinglass, as 
 it is commonly called, is found in a 
 state of great purity in Glass Hill 
 mountain. It adheres in the form 
 of lamina to rocks of white and yel- 
 low quartz. The usual size of these 
 lamina is about 6 inches square, but 
 some have been found much larger. 
 It requires much labor to obtain 
 this glass, which, when prepared, 
 is transported to Boston, and from 
 thence exported to England. ' It is 
 found on the E. side of the moun- 
 tain, which is 200 feet high. Graf- 
 ton was granted Aug. 14, 1761, 
 to Ephraitn Sherman and others. 
 The first permanent settlement was 
 made in May, 1772, by Capt. Jo- 
 seph Hoyt, from Poplin. Capt. 
 Alexander Pixley and wife were 
 the second family who settled here. 
 Incorporated in 1773. Population 
 in 1830, 1,207. 
 
 Grafton, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. Grafton is finely 
 watered by Sexton's river,which is 
 formed in. the town by the union of 
 several streams ; and by a branch 
 of Williams' river. On these streams 
 are manufactures of woolen and 
 other goods. Soap-stone of an ex- 
 cellent quality is very abundant in 
 this place. It is manufactured by 
 water power for various uses to a 
 great extent : it is bored for aque- 
 ducts and sold at a very low price. 
 This town contains two pleasant 
 and flourishing villages, and a great 
 
 variety of mineral treasure. Its 
 surface is uneven with a strong and 
 productive soil. Grafton was first 
 settled, 1780. Population, 1830, 
 1,439. It lies 90 miles S. from 
 Montpelier, and 18 N. from New- 
 fane. 
 
 Grafton, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This important 
 manufacturing town, the Hassana- 
 misco of the Indians, was incorpo- 
 rated in 1735. It lies 36 miles S. 
 W. by W. from Boston, and 9 S. E. 
 from Worcester. Population, 1830, 
 1,889; 183-7, 2,910. Blackstone riv- 
 er and several large ponds give this 
 town a constant and valuable water 
 power. There are 5 cotton and 1 
 woolen mills. The total amount of 
 the manufactures of Grafton,the year 
 ending April 1, 1837, was $1,052, 
 448. The manufactures consisted 
 of cotton and woolen goods, boots, 
 shoes, leather, scythes, chairs, tin, 
 cabinet and wooden wares, shoe 
 tools and bricks. The manufac- 
 ture of boots and shoes amounted 
 to $614,141, employing 1,392 males 
 and females. Grafton has a fine 
 soil, is beautifully located, and ex- 
 ceedingly flourishing. 
 
 Granby, VC. 
 
 Essex co. This town is nearly 
 allied to Ferdinand, both in loca- 
 tion and the character of the soil. 
 Granby lies the next town S. of it, 
 and 97 people, it is said, reside with- 
 in the limits of Granby. 
 
 Granby, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. This town liea 
 90 miles W. by S. from Boston, and 
 9 S. E. from Northampton. Incor- 
 porated, 1768. It has good fish 
 ponds and two small streams. There 
 are two woolen mills in the town 
 and 2,067 sheep. The wool, in 
 1837, sold for $3,670. Population, 
 1837, 922. It is said that copper 
 ore of a good quality is found in 
 Granby.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Grauby, Ct. 
 
 Hartford co. This town was in- 
 corporated in 1786, and was that 
 part of Simsbury which contains 
 the famous Simsbury mines ; the old 
 state prison of Connecticut. The 
 cavern, once occupied as a prison, 
 is now worked, as formerly, as a 
 copper mine. This odious place, 
 unfit for the residence of the worst 
 of criminals, is 16 miles N. N. 
 W. from Hartford. The pit or cav- 
 ern is more than 50 feet in depth, 
 dark, damp and dismal. The worst 
 stigma that can be cast on the good 
 people of Connecticut is, that this 
 infernal region was suffered to re- 
 main nearly 40 years the abode 
 of their fellow beings. There are 
 some hills in Granby of considera- 
 ble elevation. Barn door hills rise 
 between four and five hundred feet 
 
 bounded on all sides by Lake Cham- 
 plain except on the S., where it is 
 bounded by South Hero, from which 
 it was taken in 1809. It lies 50 
 miles N. W. from Montpelier, and 
 18 N. by W. from Burlington. 
 First settled, 1783. Population, 
 1830, 643. The soil of the town is 
 very fertile ; it produces fine crops 
 of grain and an abundance of fruit 
 and cider. Marble, lime-stone, rock 
 crystals, &.C., are found here, and 
 Grand Isle contains the only water 
 mill in the county. This is a fine 
 place for fishing and fowling. 
 
 Grand Lake. 
 
 This is a large collection of wa- 
 ter, lying partly in the county of 
 Washington, Me., and partly in 
 New Brunswick. It contains a large 
 number of islands : it receives the 
 waters of many small lakes and 
 
 f u waters ot many small laues anu 
 and have the appearance ot having , rivergjand is the chief source of the 
 
 V.n A.n aj-irtlnnf af\ K\f Onm f* POT! Vll 1>1OI1 . s-t T , t* _1 A. A/\ 
 
 been separated by some convulsion 
 of nature. Turkey hills and Sal- 
 mon brook are pleasant villages, and 
 have the appearance of prosperity. 
 Farmiugtou river waters the for- 
 mer, and a branch of that river, the 
 latter. Population, 1830, 2,722. 
 
 Grand Isle County, Vt . 
 
 North Hero is the county town. 
 This county comprises a group of 
 islands in Lake Champlain, and a 
 
 river St. Croix. It lies about 90 
 miles N. E. from Bangor. 
 
 Grautham, X. II., 
 
 Sullivan co., is bounded N. by 
 Enfield, E. by Springfield, S. by 
 Croydon, and W. by Plainfield, 
 which separates it from Connecticut 
 river. It is 12 miles S. E. from 
 Dartmouth college, and 45 N. W. 
 from Concord. There are 7 or 8 
 ponds, the largest of which lies in 
 
 point of land jutting into the N. the S. E. part of the town and is 
 part of that lake on the S. side of called Eastman's pond, containing 
 the Canada line, on which Alburgh nearly 300 acres. Another, lying 
 
 is situated. This county contains 
 about 80 square miles : most of the 
 land is level and excellent for graz- 
 ing and tillage. This county has 
 no considerable streams, but its nav- 
 igable facilities are very great. It 
 was first settled about the close of 
 the revolutionary war. Incorpora- 
 ted, 1802. It contained, in 1837, 
 about 16,000 sheep. Population, 
 1820,3,527; 1830,3,696. Popula- 
 tion to a square mile, 46. 
 
 Grand Isle, Vt. 
 
 Grand Isle co. This town is 
 
 near the centre of the town, con- 
 tains nearly 200 acres. Croydon 
 mountain extends through the west- 
 erly part of Grantham in a direc- 
 tion from S. W. to N. E. The soil 
 is productive, especially on the W. 
 of the mountain. It seems to be 
 more favorable for wheat than any 
 other species of grain. The moun- 
 tain affords good pasturage, and the 
 lower land yields grass in abund- 
 ance. On the E. side of the moun- 
 tain is a spring supposed to possess 
 medicinal qualities, visited by hun- 
 dreds of valetudinarians in the sum-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 mer season. On the summit of 
 Croydon mountain is a natural pond, 
 containing about 50 acres. This 
 town was first granted July 11, 
 1761, but tbe proprietors not fulfill- 
 ing the conditions of the charter, it 
 was forfeited. In 1767, it was re- 
 granted to Col. William Symmesand 
 63 others, by the name of Gran- 
 tham. Incorporated in 17C1. Pop- 
 ulation, in 1830, 1,079. 
 
 Granville, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. See Barnard, Me. 
 Grauville, Mass. 
 
 Hampden co. This is a moun- 
 tainous township, 110 miles W. S. 
 W. from Boston, and 14 W. from 
 Springfield. It contains good soap- 
 stone and 1,500 sheep. The wool 
 sold in 1837 for $2,572. There are 
 some manufactures in Granville of 
 pocket books, boots, shoes, leather, 
 and silver ware. Although the 
 land is high, the soil in many parts 
 is very good and productive. The 
 village is very pleasant. Incorpora- 
 ted, 1754. Population, 1837, 1,439. 
 
 Gray, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. This is a fine farm- 
 ing town, watered by branches of 
 North Yarmouth and Presumpscot 
 rivers, and containing a large part of 
 Little Scbago pond. It lies 17 miles 
 N. by W. from Portland and 44 S. 
 W. from Augusta. Incorporated, 
 1778. Population, 1837, 1,671. 
 . Gray is a pleasant town and a place 
 of considerable trade and some man- 
 ufactures. 
 
 Great Harrington, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. A veny pleasant 
 town in the valley of Housatonick 
 river, 125 miles W. by S. from Bos- 
 ton, and 14 S. from Lenox. Incor- 
 porated, 1761. Population, 1837, 
 2,440. Monument mountain, in 
 this town, is quite lofty : it presents 
 some wild and picturesque scenery. 
 Here are good iron ore, beautifully 
 
 variegated marble, and a good mill 
 stream. The soil on the banks of 
 the Housatonick is fertile and the 
 uplands are well adapted for graz- 
 ing. The manufactures consist of 
 cotton and woolen goods, boots, 
 shoes, leather, hats, pig iron, lasts, 
 tin ware, bevils and guages. To- 
 tal amount of manufactures in one 
 year, $122,369. This town the 
 same year (1837) produced 2,657 
 fleeces of merino wool, valued at 
 $3,321. 
 
 Great-Bays, N. H. 
 
 The largest is that lying E. from 
 New Market, formed by the united 
 waters of Swamscot, Winnicut, and 
 Lamprey rivers. It is 4 miles wide, 
 and at some seasons is picturesque 
 as connected with the surrounding 
 scenery. This bay has Newington 
 on the E., Greenland and Strathain 
 on the S., and New Market and 
 Durham W. : its waters pass N. E. 
 through Little bay, where Oyster 
 river unites with the current which 
 passes into the Piscataqua. 
 
 Great-Bay, between Sanbornton 
 and Meredith, is ar body of wa- 
 ter, connected with Winnepisiogee 
 lake, and discharging its waters in- 
 to Winnepisiogee river. Round and 
 Long bays are situated between the 
 lake and Great Bay, and there are 
 two small bays on the river below 
 
 Great Island, K". H. 
 See JYew Castle. 
 Great Works Stream, Me. 
 
 This stream has a number of trib- 
 utaries, and is an important branch 
 of the Penobscot. It has many sites 
 for mills, and falls into the Penob- 
 scot, on the E. side, opposite to the 
 Indian settlement at Oldtown. At 
 its confluence with the Penobscot 
 there is a considerable village. 
 
 There is another stream of this 
 name, which rises in York county, 
 and passes to Salmon Fall river, at 
 South Berwick.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Greene, Me. 
 
 Kehnebecco. Greene has several 
 ponds, but no good mill privileges. 
 It lies on the E. side of Androscog- 
 gin river, 6 miles above Lewiston, 
 and 22 S. W. from Augusta. It is 
 an excellent farming town, and 
 produced, in 1837, 3,278 bushels of 
 wheat. Incorporated, 1788. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 1,366. 
 
 Grcenlmsli, Me. 
 
 Penobscotco. This territory was 
 called the Olammon Plantation, 
 until its incorporation in 1834. 
 Olammon stream, one of the most 
 beautiful tributaries of the Penob- 
 scot, joins that river, on the E. side, 
 in Greenbush, affording an exten- 
 sive hydraulic power. Greenbush 
 is a flourishing place, and lies about 
 25 miles N. by E. from Bangor. 
 Population, 1830, 333; 1837, 666. 
 
 Greenfield, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. This town was in- 
 corporated in 1834. It was No. 38 
 on the Bingham Purchase. See 
 " Dawn East." 
 
 Greenfield, X. II., 
 
 Hillsborough co., is bounded N. 
 liy Francestown and Society-Land, 
 E. by Francestown and Lyndebo- 
 rough, S. by Lyndeborough and 
 Temple, and W. by Peterborough 
 and Hancock. It is 14 miles W. 
 N. W. from Amherst, and 38 S. W. 
 from Concord. Contoocook river 
 forms part of the W. boundary, and 
 separates this town from Hancock. 
 The soil is generally fertile. The 
 hills afford excellent pasturage ; the 
 valleys and plains are favorable for 
 grain. Hops are raised in great 
 abundance. A part of Crotched 
 mountain rises from the N. part, 
 and part of Lyndeborough mountain 
 from the S. and E. sections of this 
 town. There are some valuable 
 meadows ; in one of them have 
 been found many Indian relics, from 
 which it is conjectured that it was 
 14* 
 
 a favorite spot of the sons of the 
 forest. There are five ponds ; the 
 largest about one mile in length, 
 and one third of its length in width. 
 The first settlement commenced in 
 1771, by Capt. Alexander Park- 
 er, Major A. Whittemore, Simeon 
 Fletcher, and others. It was incor- 
 porated June 15, 1791. Population, 
 in 1830, 946. 
 
 Greenfield, Mass. 
 
 County town, Franklin co. This 
 town lies on the W. side of Connec- 
 ticut river, and is washed by Green 
 river, an excellent mill stream, a 
 branch of the Deerfield. The vil- 
 lage is situated about 2 miles from 
 Connecticut river, and is very beau- 
 tiful and flourishing. There is a 
 woolen mill in Greenfield with four 
 sets of machinery ; and manufac- 
 tures of boots, shoes, leather, hats, 
 iron castings, chairs, cabinet and 
 tin wares, saddles, harnesses,trunks, 
 stove and lead aqueduct pipe, iron 
 work, guns, pistols, rifles, coach- 
 es, wagons, books, &c. The total 
 amount of manufactures, for the 
 year ending April 1, 1837, was 
 $164,844. The value of wool, the 
 product of 2,153 fleeces, sheared in 
 1837, was $3,404. There is an 
 academy for young ladies in this 
 town, a farming school for young 
 men, and some iron and copper ores. 
 Greenfield lies 95 miles W. by N. 
 from Boston, and 22 N. from North- 
 ampton. Incorporated, 1753. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,540; 1837, 1,840 
 
 Greenland, N. II., 
 
 Rockingham co., is situated five 
 miles W.S. W. from Portsmouth, and 
 45 E.S.E. from Concord : it is bound- 
 ed N. by the Great-Bay and New- 
 ington, E. by Portsmouth and Rye, 
 S. by North-Hampton, and W. by 
 Stratham. The soil is remarkably 
 good. The orchards and gardens 
 of this town are valuable, and yield 
 annual profits to the farmers. 
 Greenland, originally a part of Ports- 
 mouth, was incorporated as a dis-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 tinct town in 1703. Settlements 
 commenced early, and in 1705 there 
 were 320 inhabitants. 
 
 Rev. SAMUEL M'CLINTOCK, 
 D. D., who died in the 48th year 
 of his ministry, was born at Med- 
 ford, Mass., May 1, 1732; gradua- 
 ted at the New Jersey college in 
 1751; ordained in 1756; and died 
 April 27, 1804, aged 72. His fa- 
 ther was a native of Ireland. Dr. 
 M'Clintock was a sound divine, em- 
 inent as a preacher, and distinguish- 
 ed for his attachment to the cause 
 of his country. He served as a 
 chaplain in the army of the revolu- 
 tion. Population in 1S30, 681. 
 
 Green Mountains. 
 
 This range of mountains rises in 
 Lower Canada. They pass nearly 
 through the centre of Vermont, 
 from N. to S., and the westerly 
 parts of the states of Massachusetts 
 and Connecticut, and terminate near 
 New Haven, on Long Island Sound. 
 From their green appearance they 
 give the name to Vermont, and de- 
 crease in height as they approach 
 the south. The north peak, in Mans- 
 field, Vt, is the greatest elevation, 
 being 4,279 feet above the surface 
 of lake Charaplain. 
 
 Green Rivers. 
 
 Green, or Quodotchquoik river, 
 in the N. E. part of Penobscot coun- 
 ty, Maine, is an important branch 
 of the St. John's, and joins that riv- 
 er about 24 miles W. from the line 
 o"f New Brunswick. 
 
 Green river, in Massachusetts, 
 rises in the high lands at the N. W. 
 corner of Berkshire county ; it pas- 
 Res N. W. through Williamstown, 
 and the S. W. corner of Vermont, 
 and joins the Hoosick in N. Y. 
 
 There are several smaller streams 
 in New England of the same name. 
 
 Greensborough, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. William Scott Shep- 
 rd, born March 25, 1789, was the 
 first white child brought forth in 
 
 this town. For his good fortune in 
 this respect, the proprietors of the 
 township gave him 100 acres of 
 land. " Beautiful lake " and seve- 
 ral other lakes and ponds in this 
 town, form a part of the head wa- 
 ters of the river Lamoille. This 
 town is well timbered : the sur- 
 face is not very elevated ; the soil 
 in general is good, particularly for 
 grazing. It produces some fine cat- 
 tle, and keeps about 4,000 sheep. 
 Population, 1830, 784. 
 
 Greenville, Me. 
 
 Piscataquis co. The " Haskell 
 Plantation," incorporated in 1836. 
 109 miles from Augusta. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 132. See " Down East." 
 
 Greenwich, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. There are a num- 
 ber of ponds in this town, by which, 
 and Swift river passing through it, 
 a good water power is acquired. 
 There is a woolen mill in the town, 
 and manufactures of shoes, boots, 
 palm-leaf hats, and scythes. In- 
 corporated, 1754. Population, 1837, 
 842. Greenwich lies 75 miles W. 
 from Boston, and 17 N. E. from 
 Northampton. 
 
 Greenwich, Ct. 
 
 Fairfield co. The settlement of 
 this town commenced in 1640, and 
 was incorporated by Stuyvesant, 
 the Dutch governor at New York, 
 in 1665. Greenwich comprises three 
 parishes or villages, West Green- 
 wich, Greenwich on the E. and 
 Stanwich on the N. West Green- 
 wich, on Horse Neck, so called 
 from a peninsula on the Sound for- 
 merly used as a horse pasture, is the 
 largest and most important part of 
 the town. Greenwich is watered 
 by By ran river, the boundary line 
 between the town and state of New 
 York, and the most southern part of 
 New England. At the outlet of 
 By ran river, on the New York side, 
 is a place called Sawpits, a noted 
 landing place on the Sound, 28 miles
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 N. E Irom New York. Miannus 
 creek and other smaller streams 
 water the town. 
 
 A great battle took place between 
 the Dutch and Indians at Horse 
 Neck, in 1646. The action was 
 long and severe, both parties fight- 
 ing with much obstinacy. The 
 Dutch with much difficulty kept 
 the field, and the Indians with- 
 drew. Great numbers were slain 
 on both sides, and the graves of the 
 dead, for a century or more, appear- 
 ed like a number of small hills. 
 
 " Putnam's Hill is situated in 
 West Greenwich, about five miles 
 TV", from Stamford, on the main road 
 to New York. This place is cele- 
 brated for the daring exploit of Gen- 
 eral Putnam, who descended this 
 precipice when pursued by the Brit- 
 ish dragoons." 
 
 Greenwich is a rough and uneven 
 township, with a productive soil. 
 It presents some wild scenery along 
 the road, and many beautiful views 
 of Long Island Sound. It lies 48 
 miles W. S. W. from New Haven, 
 and 20 W. S. W. from Fairfield. 
 Population, 1830, 3,805. 
 
 Greenwood, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. Incorporated, 1815. 
 Population, 1837, 754. It lies 58 
 miles W. bv S. from Augusta, and 
 7 N. W. from Paris. This is a 
 township of excellent land. The 
 inhabitants are generally engaged 
 in agricultural pursuits. 
 
 Griswold, Ct. 
 
 New London co. This town 
 was taken from Preston in 1815, 
 and is separated from Lisbon by 
 Quennebaugh river. The Pochaug, 
 a sluggish stream, passes through 
 the town. The principal village, 
 which is very neat and pretty, con- 
 taining about 900 inhabitants, is 
 called Jewett City. The city lies 
 on the east side of the Quennebaug, 
 at this place a very powerful stream, 
 and contains three extensive cotton 
 factories, a church, bank, and a 
 
 number of handsoms buildings. 
 This little city is said to be very 
 prosperous in its manufacturing and 
 commercial concerns. It lies 8 
 miles N. E. from Norwich, and 46 
 E. S. E. from Hartford. There are 
 other manufactories of cotton in 
 this town, and some of wool. The 
 surface of Griswold is hilly ; its soil 
 a gravelly loam : some produce is 
 sent to market, and about 3,000 
 sheep are kept. Population, 1830, 
 2,212. 
 
 Groton, IS. II., 
 
 Graft on co., is bound N.byRum- 
 ney, E. by Hebron, S. by Orange, 
 and W. by Dorchester. It is 10 
 miles S. W. from Plymouth, 45 N. 
 W. from Concord, and 15 S. E. from 
 Hanover. The north part is wa- 
 tered by a branch of Baker's river, 
 and the southerly part has sev- 
 eral small streams, which fall into 
 Newfound lake. There is but one 
 pond of any consequence lying whol- 
 ly in this town, and that is situated 
 about a mile N. E. of the meeting- 
 house. Groton was granted July 
 S, 1761, to George Abbot and others 
 by the name of Cockermouth. It 
 was re-granted, about five years af- 
 terwards, to Col. John Hale and oth- 
 ers, and the first settlement was 
 commenced in 1770. Incorporated 
 by the name of Groton, Dec. 1796. 
 Population, in 1830, 689. 
 
 Groton, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. First settled, 1787. 
 Wells river and its branches afford 
 this town a good water power. 
 There are a number of ponds in 
 Groton, well stored with excellent 
 fish, some of which are large and 
 handsome. The soil of the town is 
 generally hard, but there is some 
 choice land along the streams, and 
 good timber. 
 
 The wife of a Mr. Page, of this 
 town, in the year 1819, produced 
 four lusty " green mountain boys" 
 at a birth. When domestic manu- 
 factures of this description and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 amount, are adduced as evidence 
 of the prosperity of a town, it is 
 useless to talk about water power, 
 cotton factories, or wool growing. 
 
 Graton lies 16 miles E. by S. from 
 Montpelier, and 15 S. by W. from 
 Danville. Population, 1830, 836. 
 
 Groton, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This is a delight- 
 ful town.with an extraordinary good 
 soil; 32 miles N. W. from Boston, 
 and 13 W. by S. from Lowell. 
 
 Groton was settled soon after 
 Concord. It was for some years a 
 frontier settlement, and much ex- 
 posed to the Indians. In 1676, the 
 town was attacked by 400 Indians, 
 and all the buildings plundered and 
 burnt, except four garrison houses. 
 
 The town is finely watered by 
 the Nashua and Squanecook rivers 
 and a number of beautiful ponds. 
 The buildings are in a style of 
 great neatness and taste, and some 
 of elegance. This town has a fe- 
 male seminary of high reputation, 
 and a number of moral and reli- 
 gious institutions. The local beau- 
 ties of Groton and its facilities for 
 education are so great as to induce 
 many wealthy families to made it 
 their residence. The manufactures 
 of Groton consist of paper, axle- 
 trees, soap-stone pump?, mathemat- 
 ical instruments, clothing, palm- 
 leaf hats, chairs, cabinet ware, 
 leather, boots and shoes. Incor- 
 porated, 1655. Population, 1830, 
 2,057. 
 
 Groton, Ct. 
 
 New London co. Groton lies at 
 the mouth of the river Thames, in 
 the harbor of New London, and op- 
 posite to that city, on the E. The 
 lands are generally hilly and rocky, 
 with some fertile tracts on the mar- 
 gin of the Thames. There are sev- 
 eral villages, Groton Bank, oppo- 
 site New London, Portersville, on 
 Mystic river, and Pequonnuck. 
 The Pequonnuck and Mystic riv- 
 ers pass through the town, and emp- 
 
 ty into Long Island Sound. A num- 
 ber of whale ships and coasting ves- 
 sels are owned in this town. This 
 is a place of some trade, and consid- 
 erable quantities of the produce of 
 the county is shipped to New York 
 market. Ship building is carried 
 on to a considerable extent, on 
 the Mystic, which is navigable for 
 large vessels about two miles from 
 the Sound. About 300 men and 
 boys are employed in navigation. 
 
 Previous to its incorporation, in 
 1705, Groton was a part of New- 
 London. Population, 1830, 4,705. 
 
 " Grotou will ever be memora- 
 ble as the theatre of the most im- 
 portant and interesting military 
 transactions which have taken place 
 in the state. In the early settle- 
 ment of the country, the fate of 
 Connecticut was decided by the 
 sword on Pequot hill, within the 
 limits of this town, and the Pequots, 
 the most haughty and warlike tribe 
 of savages in New England, effec- 
 tually crushed by a single blow, 
 and their existence as a nation an- 
 nihilated. In the war of the revo- 
 lution, another of the ' high places 
 of Groton became an Aceldama', 
 and the flower of her sons were sa- 
 crificed to the vengeance of an in- 
 furl'ated enemy. 
 
 " On the 6th of September, 1781, 
 a body of British troops, about 800 
 in number, under the command 
 of Lieut. Col. Eyre, landed on the 
 Groton side, opposite the light- 
 house, and having found a lame boy 
 collecting cattle, compelled him to 
 show them the cart path to the fort. 
 They landed about 9 o'clock in the 
 morning of a most delightful day, 
 clear and still. Fort Griswold was 
 under the command of Lieut. Col. 
 William Ledyard, brother of the 
 celebrated traveller of the same 
 name. He resided on Groton bank, 
 opposite New London, and was 
 much beloved and respected by his 
 neighbors. On the advance of the 
 enemy, Col. Ledyard, having but 
 about 150 men with him in the fort,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 sent out an officer to get assistance, 
 as there were a number of hundreds 
 of people collected in the vicinity : 
 this officer, by drinking too much, 
 became intoxicated, and no rein- 
 forcement was obtained. On the 
 rejection of a summons to surren- 
 der, the British extended their lines, 
 so that they were scattered over the 
 fields, and rushed on to the attack 
 with trailed arms, under the fire of 
 the Americans, to the assault of 
 the fort on three sides. Having 
 effected a lodgment in the ditch, 
 they cut away the pickets, and hav- 
 ing scaling ladders, they entered 
 the fort and knocked away the gate 
 on the inside. While the British 
 were in the ditch, they hr.d cold 
 shot thrown on them, and as they 
 were entering the embrazures, the 
 garrison changed their weapons and 
 fought desperately with spears or 
 pikes, 15 or 16 feet in length, which 
 did considerable execution. Unfor- 
 tunately they had lent the greater 
 part of the 'pikes belonging to the 
 fort to a privateer a few days before. 
 Major Montgomery was hoisted up 
 on the walls of the fort by his sol- 
 diers. As he was flourishing his 
 sword on his entrance, he was mor- 
 tally wounded by Jordan Freeman, 
 a colored man, who pierced him 
 through with a spear. Another of- 
 ficer was killed by a musket ball, 
 while in the fort. As he fell, he ex- 
 claimed : ' Put every one to death, 
 don't spare one.' Col. Ledyard, 
 finding further resistance useless, 
 presented his sword to an officer, 
 who asked him who commanded the 
 fort. ' I did,' said Col. Ledyard, 
 but you do now.' The officer 
 (Capt. Bloomfield) took his sword 
 and plunged it into his bosom. Col. 
 Ledyard fell on his face and instant- 
 ly expired. An indiscriminate mas- 
 sacre now took place, till a British 
 officer exclaimed : ' My soul can- 
 not bear such destruction,' and or- 
 dered a parley to be beat. Such 
 had been the butchery in the fort, 
 that it was over shoet in blood in 
 
 some parts of the parade ground. 
 Soon after the surrender, a wagon 
 was loaded with wounded Ameri- 
 cans, and set off down the hill; it 
 struck an apple tree with great force, 
 and knocked several of these bleed- 
 ing men out, and caused their in- 
 stant death. One of these distress- 
 ed men having been thrown out of 
 the wagon, and while crawling to- 
 wards the fence on his hands and 
 knees, was brutally knocked on the 
 head by the butt end of a musket, 
 by one of the refugees who were 
 attached to the British army. The 
 British embarked at the foot of the 
 hill, near the ferry, and took off a 
 number of prisoners with them. 
 As they left the fort, they set fire 
 to a train, intending to blow up the 
 magazine, in which were about 100 
 barrels of powder. Fortunately it 
 was extinguished by our people, 
 who entered the fort soon after the 
 enemy left it. It is stated that the 
 enemy lost in the attack on the for* 
 54 killed and 143 wounded, several 
 of' whom afterwards died of their 
 wounds. The killed of the enemy 
 were buried by their comrades at 
 the gate of the fort, and were so 
 slightly covered that many of their 
 legs and arms remained above 
 ground. Our people who were kill- 
 ed at the fort, were stripped, and so 
 disfigured, covered with blood and 
 dust, that with the exception of 
 two or three, they could not be re- 
 cognized by their friends, except 
 by some particular marks on their 
 persons." 
 
 The monument on Groton Heights, 
 in commemoration of the destruction 
 of Groton and New London by the 
 traitor Arnold, " has its foundation 
 stone at an elevation of about 130 
 feet above tide water : the monu- 
 ment itself is one hundred and twen- 
 ty seven feet in height. The pe- 
 destal rises about eighteen or twen- 
 ty feet, and is twenty three feet 
 square : on the pedestal rises an 
 obelisk square, ninety two feet in 
 height, twenty two feet square at its
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 base, and eleven feet at the top. 
 It i? ascended by one hundred and 
 sixty five stone steps, inserted into 
 the outer wall, rising in a circular 
 form, their inner ends supported by 
 an iron rail and bannister. The mon- 
 ument is constructed of granite, of 
 which there is an abundance in the 
 vicinity. The expense of its erec- 
 tion was eleven thousand dollars; 
 this amount was raised by a lottery, 
 granted by the state for this pur- 
 pose. 
 
 The following is the inscription, 
 on marble, placed over the entrance 
 of the monument. 
 
 " This Monument 
 was erected under the patronage 
 
 of the 
 State of Connecticut, 
 
 A. D. 1830, 
 
 and in the 55th year of the Independ- 
 ence of the U. S. A. 
 In memory of the brave Patriots 
 
 who fell 
 in the massacre at Fort Griswold, 
 
 near this spot, 
 on the Cth of September, A. D. 1761, 
 
 when the 
 
 British, under the command 
 of the traitor, Benedict Arnold, 
 
 burnt the towns of 
 
 New London and Groton, 
 
 and spread desolation and woe 
 
 throughout this region." 
 
 Guildhall, Vt. 
 
 County town of Essex co. Guild- 
 hall is situated on the W. side of 
 Connecticut river, and is united to 
 Lancaster, N. H., by two bridges 
 across the river. The town is wa- 
 tered by several small streams. 
 The soil of the town is quite uneven 
 and stony, except a tract of inter- 
 vale on the river. Cow and Burn- 
 side mountains are considerable ele- 
 vations, and afford excellent views 
 of the meauderings of the Connec- 
 ticut. Guildhall lies 50 miles N. 
 E. from Montpelier, and 90 N. by 
 E. from Windsor. First settled, 
 1789. Population, 1830, 481. 
 
 Guilford, Me. 
 
 Piscataquis co. This town is fine- 
 ly watered by the Piscataquis and 
 some of its upper branches. It is 
 of fine soil, and produced in 1837, 
 4,965 bushels of wheat. It has a 
 pleasant village, a number of mills, 
 and considerable trade. Guilford 
 is 71 miles N. by E. from Augusta, 
 45 N. W. from Bangor, and 12 N. 
 W. from Dover. Incorporated, 1816. 
 Population, 1837, 799. 
 
 Guilford, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. This town was first 
 permanently settled in 1760. It lies 
 125 miles S. from Montpelier, 15 
 S. by E. from Newfane, and 30 E. 
 from Bennington. Population, 1830, 
 1,760. The people of this town 
 took an active part in defending the 
 rights of Vermont against the claims 
 of jurisdiction set up by the state 
 of New York, about the years 
 1783-4. Guilford produced a num- 
 ber of patriots in this as also in the 
 revolutionary cause. The soil of 
 the town is warm and fertile, ex- 
 ceedingly productive of grain,fruits, 
 maple sugar, butter, cheese, pork, 
 sheep, horses, and beef cattle. It 
 has good mill seats on Green river 
 and branches of Broad brook, a 
 number of manufactories, a medi- 
 cinal spring, and various kinds of 
 minerals. 
 
 Gnilford, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. This town, the 
 Menunkatuc of the Indians, was 
 first settled in 1639. The town was 
 settled by a party of Non-Conform- 
 ists from England, at the head of 
 which was the Rev. Henry Whit- 
 field. Mr. Whitfield's house, built 
 of stone, in 1640, is now standing, 
 occupied, and in good repair. The 
 cement used in building it, is said 
 to be harder than the stone itself. 
 This building was used by the first 
 settlers as a fort and place of refuge 
 against the attacks of the natives.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The first marriage in the town was i 
 solemnized in this building. The 
 treat on the occasion was pork and 
 peas. Guilford borough was incor- 
 porated in 1815. It is handsomely 
 located two miles from Long Island 
 Sound, on a tract of alluvial plain, 
 and near a small stream called the 
 Menunkatuc. The buildings in the 
 borough are neat, but somewhat 
 antiquated in their appearance. 
 Guilford is a place of resort for sea 
 air and bathing. The accommoda- 
 tions are very good. The scenery 
 in the vicinity of Sachem's Head 
 is wild and picturesque. The soil 
 of Guilfo.-d is well adapted to agri- 
 cultural pursuits, to which, and some 
 coasting trade, the principal part of 
 the inhabitants are devoted. It lies 
 16 miles E. from New Haven, and 
 36 S. from Hartford. Population, 
 1830, 2,344. 
 
 Haddam, Ct. 
 
 One of the county towns of Mid- 
 dlesex co. Incorporated, 1668. This 
 town lies on both sides of Connec- 
 ticut river. Haddam Society, on 
 the W. side, is the largest part of 
 the town, and the seat of justice. 
 That part of Haddam on the E. side 
 is called Haddam Neck. There 
 is but little alluvial land in Had- 
 dam. The principal part of the 
 township is hilly and stony, with 
 considerable forests. There are 
 valuable quarries of granite on both 
 sides of the river. About 150 men 
 are annually employed in quarry- 
 ing it, and about $70,000 worth of 
 stone is annually exported. There 
 are many vessels built at Haddam. 
 The timber in this quarter of the 
 county is well adapted for that pur- 
 pose. The village of Haddam is 
 pleasant, and has a good prospect 
 of the river. It lies 23 miles S. 
 from Hartford, and 8 S. E. from 
 Middletown. Population, 1830, 2,- 
 830. 
 
 DAVID BRAINERD, the devoted 
 missionary among the Indians, first 
 drew his breath in Haddam. 
 
 " If the greatness of a character 
 is to be estimated by the object it 
 pursues, the danger it braves, the 
 difficulties it encounters, and the 
 purity and energy of its motives, 
 David Brainerd is one of the great- 
 est characters that ever appeared 
 in the world. Compared with this 
 standard of greatness, what little 
 things are the Alexanders, the Ca?- 
 sars, the conquerors of the whole 
 earth. A nobler object no human 
 or angelic mind could ever propose 
 to itself than to promote the glory 
 of the great Governor of the Uni- 
 verse, in studying and laboring to 
 diffuse purity and happiness among 
 his unholy and miserable creatures. 
 
 " ' His life and diary among the 
 Indians,' says a celebrated English 
 divine, ' exhibits a perfect pattern 
 of the qualities which should dis- 
 tinguish the instructor of rude and 
 barbarous tribes ; the most invinci- 
 ble patience and self denial, the 
 profoundest humility, exquisite pru- 
 dence, indefatigable industry, and 
 such a devotedness to God, or rath- 
 er such an absorption of the whole 
 soul in zeal for the divine glory 
 and the salvation of men, as is 
 scarcely paralleled since the age of 
 the aposttes.' " 
 
 This faithful servant of Christ 
 died at the house of the Rev. Jona- 
 than Edwards, at Northampton, 
 Mass., October 10, 1747, aged 30. 
 
 Hadley, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. This is a plea- 
 sant town on the E. bank of Con- 
 necticut river, and unites with 
 Northampton by a beautiful bridge, 
 1,080 feet in length. It was first 
 settled in 1647. Incorporated, 1661. 
 Population, 1837, 1,805. It lies 88 
 miles W. from Boston. Two small 
 streams afford the town some water 
 power. Hadley contains a large and 
 fertile tract of alluvial meadow. 
 The village, situated on the river, 
 is pleasant, and contains many neat 
 and valuable buildings. 
 
 Hadley was a retreat of the cele-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 brated Gofle and Whalley, two of 
 the judges who condemned Charles 
 I. for execution. They remained 
 secluded here more than fifteen 
 years, when Whalley died. Goffe 
 died and was buried at New Ha- 
 ven, Ct., some years after. 
 
 The manufactures of Hadley con- 
 sist of leather, boots, shoes, hats, 
 glue, palm-leaf hats, wire, chairs, 
 cabinet ware, brooms, and brushes. 
 Total value the year ending April 
 1, 1837, $117,850. This town is 
 celebrated for raising broom corn. 
 The value of brooms manufactured 
 was $89,248. A considerable quan- 
 tity of the unmanufactured materi- 
 al was sent to other places. 
 
 Halifax, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. This township is 
 rather elevated, but of good soil, 
 finely adapted for grazing. It is 
 a place of considerable trade, and 
 of manufactures on its numerous 
 streams. Its principal streams are 
 Green river and a branch of the 
 Deerfield. There are some hand- 
 some falls of water in Halifax, and 
 a curious cave called Dun's Den. 
 The productions of the town are 
 butter, cheese, pork, sheep and oth- 
 er cattle. The cause of education 
 flourishes here, and the people are 
 generally independent cultivators 
 of the soil. Halifax lies 125 miles 
 S. from Montpelier, and 15 S. from 
 Newfane. First settled, 1761. 
 Population, 1830, 1,562. 
 
 Halifax, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. The Indian name 
 of this place was Monponset. It 
 lies 23 miles S. S. E. from Boston, 
 and 12 W. by S. from Plymouth. 
 The surface of the town is gener- 
 ally level, with considerable good 
 soil. Monponset and other ponds 
 are large collections of water, and 
 the sources of valuable mill privi- 
 leges. There are a cotton and wool- 
 en mill in the town, and manufac- 
 tures of shoes and straw braid ; 
 total annual amount of manufactures 
 
 about $150,000. Halifax was in- 
 corporated in 1734. Population, 
 1837, 781. 
 
 Hallow. 11, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. Hallowell is de- 
 Ightfully situated on both sides of 
 Kennebec river, between Augusta 
 and Gardiner, two miles below the 
 "ormer and four miles above the lat- 
 :er. The principal village is on the 
 W. side of the river. The streets 
 run parallel with the river, and the 
 ground ascends 200 feet from the 
 ower street, or business part of the 
 village. On this street are 60 com- 
 modious stores, constructed princi- 
 sally of brick. Most of the dwell- 
 ng houses are on the back or ele- 
 vated streets: they are built, as are 
 the churches, with great taste, and 
 being surrounded by beautiful 
 groves, make a fine appearance. 
 The varied views of the river, the 
 neighboring tow^is, and of a fer- 
 tile country of hills and vales, pre- 
 sented from the high grounds on 
 each side of the village, form an ex- 
 hibition of scenery of uncommon 
 excellence. Hallowell is about 3 
 miles in width, and extends back on 
 each side of the river 5 miles. It 
 was incorporated in 1771, and in- 
 cluded all the territory of Augusta 
 and a part of Gardiner. From this 
 place the brave but traitorous Ar- 
 nold marched on an expedition 
 against Canada, in 1776. 
 
 There is one water mill in the 
 town ; two saw mills, an iron foun- 
 dry and machine shop, worked by 
 steam. Steam boats ply from this 
 place to Portland and Boston, dur- 
 ing the season of navigation. There 
 is considerable tonnage at this place: 
 a number of vessels are engaged in 
 the freighting business, and others 
 run as packets to various places. 
 
 The principal exports are lumber, 
 granite, and all the common pro- 
 ductions of a fertile northern cli- 
 mate. The granite quarries at 
 Hallowell have been worked for 
 fifteen years with great success.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The granite is of a light color and 
 easily wrought: in some years 
 $100,000 worth of it has heen trans- 
 ported. Vessels drawing 9 feet of 
 water can come to the wharves in 
 the centre of the village. 
 
 As Hallowell and Augusta are 
 so closely united in all their vari- 
 ous interests and pursuits, a repeti- 
 tion of what we have said of the 
 favorable position of Augusta, and 
 of its future prospects, is unneces- 
 sary. With common success in our 
 national affairs, and with a contin- 
 uation of that spirit of enterprize, 
 every day manifested on the banks 
 of the Kennebec, it requires no 
 Mormon spectacles to foresee that 
 within a very few years there will 
 be a continuous village from the 
 Kennebec dam to the mouth of the 
 Cobbessecontee. Population. 1820, 
 2,919 ; 1830, 3,964. The present 
 population is about 5,000. 
 
 Hallowell was, for many years, 
 the residence of BENJAMIN VAUG- 
 HAN, LL. D. a gentleman highly 
 distinguished for his learning, pub- 
 lic benefactions and private virtues. 
 
 Hall's Stream, N. II., 
 
 Rises in the highlands which sep- 
 arate that state from the British do- 
 minions, and forms the N. W. boun- 
 dary between New Hampshire and 
 Lower Canada, from its source to 
 its junction with the Connecticut at 
 Stewartstown. 
 
 I-Iomdeu, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. This town was 
 taken from New Haven in 1786, 
 from which it lies about 6 miles N. 
 It is situated between the East and 
 West Rock ranges of mountains, 
 the southern terminus of the Green 
 mountain range. The soil in many 
 parts is easy of cultivation, but in 
 general it is more adapted to graz- 
 ing than tillage. Minerals are 
 found here, among whicli are spe- 
 cimens of very pure copper. Mill 
 river affords numerous sites for wa- 
 ter works. 
 
 15 
 
 WTiitneysville, about two miles 
 from New Haven, is admirably lo- 
 cated for manufacturing opperations. 
 The manufactures at the Carmel 
 works, consist of paper, carriages, 
 coach and eliptic springs, steps, 
 axletrees, brass work, &c. Mount 
 Carmel, a noted elevation, 8 miles 
 N. from New Haven, exhibits an 
 extensive prospect. Population, 
 1830, 1,669. 
 
 Hamilton, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. This is a beautiful 
 farming town, and most of the in- 
 habitants are employed in cultivat- 
 ing it. There are some vessels 
 built here, and some manufactures 
 of leather, boots, and shoes. The 
 town is quite small. Population, 
 1837, 827. Taken from Ipswich in 
 1793. It lies 8 miles N. by E. from 
 Salem. 
 
 Hampden, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. Hampden lies on 
 the west side of Penobscot, below 
 and adjoining Bangor. It is also 
 watered by the Sowadabscook riv- 
 er, a large and valuable mill stream. 
 This is an important township in its 
 commerce on the Penobscot, its 
 manufacture of lumber, and its ag- 
 ricultural productions. It is one 
 of the most flourishing towns on the 
 river. The quantity of wheat pro- 
 duced by the farmers, in 1837, was 
 5,664 bushels. Population, 1830, 
 2,020 ; 1837, 2,520. Hampden is 
 6 miles S. from Bangor, and 62 E. 
 N. E. from Augusta. 
 
 Hampden County, Mass. 
 
 Springfield is the chief town. 
 This county is very fertile and well 
 cultivated, and in common with all 
 the counties on Connecticut river, 
 it presents a rich array of delightful 
 scenery. Its rivers afford an abun- 
 dant water power; and this county 
 has become noted for its various and 
 extensive manufactures. Much 
 inland trade is brought to the banks 
 of the Connecticut,and large exports
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 are made from this county, the pro- 
 duct both of the soil and mechani- 
 cal labor. This county was taken 
 from Hampshire county in 1812. 
 Population, 1820,23,021 ; 1830,31,- 
 640 ; 1837, 33,627. Area, 585 square 
 miles. Bounded S. by Tolland and 
 Hartford counties, Connecticut ; W. 
 by Berkshire county ; N. by Hamp- 
 shire county, and E. by Worcester 
 county : 57 inhabitants to a square 
 mile. The Connecticut, Westfield, 
 Chickopee, and Quinebaugh are its 
 chief rivers. 
 
 The value of the manufactures 
 of this county, the year ending 
 April 1,1837, was $3,056,302. The 
 value of wool, the product of 29,950 
 sheep, was $44,786. 
 
 Hampshire County, Mass. 
 
 Northampton is the chief town. 
 This ancient county, although its 
 limits have been greatly reduced by 
 the production of Franklin and 
 Hampden counties, is still increas- 
 ing in agricultural, commercial and 
 manufacturing strength. Located 
 In the centre of the alluvial basin 
 of the noble Connecticut ; blessed 
 with a rich and variegated soil, and 
 great water power, this must ever 
 remain one of the most independ- 
 ent counties in New England. 
 Area, 532 square miles. Popula- 
 tion, 1820, 26,447 ; 1830, 30,210 ; 
 1837, 30,413. Incorporated, 1662. 
 This county is bounded S. by Hamp- 
 den, W. by Berkshire, N. by Frank- 
 lin, and E. by Worcester counties : 
 57 inhabitants to a square mile. 
 The Connecticut, Westfield, and 
 Swift, are its chief rivers. The 
 manufactures of this county, the 
 year ending April 1, 1837, amount- 
 ed to $2,335,652. The value of 
 wool, the fleeces of 64,274 sheep, 
 amounted to $103,751. 
 
 I lamps tend, BT. II., 
 
 Rockingham co., lies partly on 
 the height of land between Merri- 
 mack and Piscataqua rivers. Most 
 of the waters descend S W. into 
 
 the Merrimack through Spiggot riv- 
 er, which flows from Wash pond, 
 near the centre of the town. An- 
 glypond is in the N. E. part of the 
 town, the waters of which pass into 
 Powow river. Island pond, in the 
 S. W. part of the town, contains a 
 valuable farm of 300 acres. The 
 town was granted by Gov. Benning 
 Wentworth, January 19, 1749, and 
 named by him after a pleasant vil- 
 lage five miles N. of London, Eng- 
 land. He reserved the island be- 
 fore mentioned for' his own farm. 
 Population in 1830, 913. 
 
 Hampton, Me. 
 
 See " Down East." 
 
 Hampton, Bf. II., 
 
 Rockingham co., lies on the sea- 
 coast, bounded N. E. by North- 
 Hampton, S. E. by the Atlantic, S. 
 W. by Hampton Falls, N. W. by 
 Hampton Falls and part of Exeter 
 Distant 13 miles S. W. from Ports- 
 mouth, 7 S. E. from Exeter, and 50 
 S. E. from Concord. The soil is 
 well adapted to tillage and mowing, 
 and about one fifth of the territory 
 is a salt marsh. Hampton is pleas- 
 antly situated ; many eminences in 
 the town affording romantic views 
 of the ocean, Isles of Shoals, and 
 sea-coast from Cape Ann to Ports- 
 mouth. Its beaches have long been 
 the resort of invalids and parties of 
 pleasure, and are little inferior to the 
 famous Nahant beach near Boston. 
 
 .Boar's Head is an abrupt emi- 
 nence extending into the sea, and di- 
 viding the beaches about halfway 
 between the river's mouth and the 
 N. E. corner of the town. On the 
 N. beach are numerous fish-houses, 
 from which the winter and summer 
 fisheries have been carried on with 
 much success. Great quantities of 
 the winter fish are carried frozen 
 into the interior, and to Vermont 
 and Canada. 
 
 The Indian name of this town 
 was Winnicumet ; it was first set- 
 tled in 1638, by emigrants from the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 county of Norfolk, England. The 
 first house was erected in 1635, by 
 Nicholas Easton, and was called the 
 Bound-house. The town was in- 
 corporated in 1636, and then inclu- 
 ded within its limits what now con- 
 stitutes the towns of North Hamp- 
 ton, Hampton Falls, Kensington and 
 Seabrook. 
 
 This town was formerly the scene 
 of Indian depredations. On the 17th 
 Aug. 1703, a party of Indians kill- 
 ed 5 persons in Hampton, among 
 whom was a widow Mussey, cele- 
 brated as a preacher among the 
 Friends. 
 
 The Hon. CHRISTOPHER TOP- 
 PAN died here in Feb., 1819, aged 
 84 : he was a very useful and dis- 
 tinguished citizen. Population in 
 1830, 1,103. 
 
 Hampton, Ct. 
 
 Windham co. This town was 
 taken from Windham and Pomfret 
 in 1786. The people are generally 
 agriculturalists, with a good strong 
 soil of an uneven surface. The 
 village is pleasantly situated on high 
 ground, 35 miles E. from Hartford 
 and 6 from Brooklyn. Hampton 
 has good mill seats on a branch of 
 Shetucket river. Population, 1830, 
 1,101. 
 
 Hampton Falls, IV. II., 
 
 Rockingham co., is situated 45 
 miles S. E. from Concord, and 16 
 S. W. from Portsmouth. The soil 
 is generally good. Hampton Falls 
 was originally a part of Hampton, 
 from which it was separated and 
 incorporated, in 1712. Population, 
 1830, 582. 
 
 Hancock County, Me. 
 
 Ellsworth is the chief town. This 
 county is bounded N. by Penobscot 
 munty, E. by Washington county, 
 S. by the Atlantic ocean, and W. 
 by Penobscot bay and river, and a 
 part by Penobscot county. Its ex- 
 tent on the ocean is between 50 and 
 60 miles : it comprises numerous 
 
 slands of great beauty, some of 
 which are large, fertile and well 
 cultivated ; it comprises also nu- 
 merous bays, and a vast number of 
 
 oves, inlets and spacious harbors. 
 Perhaps there is no district of its 
 
 :xtent on the American coast, that 
 offers greater facilities for naviga- 
 tion, in all its various branches, than 
 the county of Hancock. The ton- 
 nage of Frenchman's bay, in this 
 county, in 1837, was 13,184 tons. 
 The soil of the county is generally 
 of an excellent quality, particularly 
 
 n the interior. There are a great 
 number of ponds in the county : ev- 
 
 ry section of it is watered by mill 
 streams, and Union river, nearly 
 
 n its centre, affords the interior 
 part great facilities for transporta- 
 tion. This county contains an area 
 of about 1,850 square miles. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 24,347; 1837, 28,120. 
 Population to a square mile, 15. 
 This county produced, in 1837, 21,- 
 446 bushels of wheat, and contain- 
 ed 38,870 sheep. 
 
 Hancock, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. This town was tak- 
 en from Sullivan and Trenton in 
 1828. It is situated between those 
 towns, and is nearly surrounded by 
 the head waters of Frenchman's 
 bay. It is a place of some naviga- 
 tion ; 85 miles E. from Augusta, 
 and bounded easterly by Ellsworth. 
 Population, 1837, 653. 
 
 Hancock, N. H. 
 
 Hillsborough co. It is 35 milea 
 from Concord, 22 from Amherst, 
 and 19 from Keene. The W. part 
 of the town is mountainous, but af- 
 fords excellent pasturing and many 
 good farms. The other parts of the 
 town are agreeably diversified with 
 plains, hills and valleys. On the 
 Contoocook, and some of its trib- 
 utary streams, there are several 
 tracts of excellent intervale. There 
 are two considerable ponds, one of 
 which is in the centre, a few rods 
 N. of the meeting-house. There
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 is a cotton factory, a paper mill, and 
 several other manufacturing estab- 
 lishments here ; also a flourishing 
 academy. Hancock was incorpora- 
 ted Nov. 5, 1779. It was named 
 after Gov. Hancock, of Boston, who 
 was one of the original proprietors. 
 The first settlement was begun in 
 1764. Population, 1830, 1,316. 
 
 Hancock, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. Several branches 
 of Otter creek rise in this town. 
 Hancock is wholly on the moun- 
 tains, and most of the land fit only 
 for grazing. First settled, 1778. 
 Population, 1830, 472. It lies 30 
 miles S. W. from Montpelier, and 
 15 S. E. from Middlebury. 
 
 Hancock, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. This is a moun- 
 tainous township, on the line of the 
 state of New York, the source of 
 the Housatonick, and the residence 
 of a family of " Shakers." It lies 
 129 miles W. from Boston, 15 N. 
 by W. from Lenox, and 5 E. from 
 New Lebanon, New York. Incor- 
 porated, 1776. Population, 1837, 
 975. 
 
 There are one cotton and three 
 woolen mills in the town, and some 
 manufactures of leather, boots, 
 shoes, iron castings, and wooden 
 ware. The value of 5,445 fleeces 
 of wool, sheared in 1837, amounted 
 to $11,544. 
 
 As we are so near the lovely val- 
 ley of New Lebanon, its tepid 
 springs, and a large family of our 
 friends, the SHAKERS, we must be 
 permitted to cross the line a mo- 
 ment, "just to take a look." 
 
 JVeto Lebanon, New York, is in 
 the county of Columbia, and sit- 
 uated in a delightful valley, sur- 
 rounded by cultivated hills, which 
 present scenery greatly variegated 
 and peculiarly pleasing. 
 
 A community of Shakers, of be- 
 tween 500 and 600, own about 3,000 
 acres of excellent land in this town- 
 
 ship, which is highly improved by 
 this industrious, hospitable, and cu- 
 rious people. Their village is about 
 two miles southeast of the springs. 
 The Springs are on the side of a 
 
 nil, and are so abundant as to sup- 
 a small water power. The wa- 
 :ers are tasteless, pure as crystal, 
 and appear to differ in no respect 
 from other pure mountain waters, 
 
 xcept in temperature, which is 
 always at 72 of Fahrenheit. 
 
 This Is a great resort for visitors 
 from all directions : some to enjoy 
 the romantic scenery with which 
 :his region abounds, and others the 
 senign influence of the waters. The 
 jublic resorts are well located, and 
 afford excellent accommodations. 
 New Lebanon is 134 miles W. from 
 Boston, 24 E. from Albany, 25 N. 
 E. from Hudson, 7 W. from Pitts- 
 field, 23 S. by W. from Williams- 
 town, 156 N. by E. from New 
 York, and 68 N. W. by W. from 
 Hartford. Ct. 
 
 Hanover, N. H. 
 
 Grafton co. The Connecticut 
 river separates it from Norwich, 
 Vermont. It is 53 miles N. W. 
 from Concord, and 102 from Ports- 
 mouth. In this town there is no 
 river nor any considerable stream 
 besides the Connecticut. Mink 
 brook, running in aS. W. direction, 
 Slate brook in a W. course, and 
 Goose-Pond brook in the N. E. part 
 of the town, are among the princi- 
 pal streams. Neither of them is 
 large enough for permanent mill 
 privileges. There are several small 
 islands in Connecticut river within 
 the limits of Hanover, the largest 
 of which is Parker's island, contain- 
 ing about 20 acres. There are no 
 natural ponds. The surface of 
 Hanover is agreeably diversified 
 with hills and valleys, and the great- 
 est part is suitable for farms. There 
 is but a small proportion of waste 
 land; less, perhaps, than in any other 
 town in Grafton county. It is es- 
 timated that nearly one half is un-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 der improvement. Moose moun- 
 tain is a considerable elevation, ex- 
 tending across the town from N. 
 to S., at the distance of about five 
 miles from Connecticut river. A 
 handsome bridge connects the S. 
 W. part of the town with Norwich. 
 The principal village is in the S. 
 W. corner of the town, on a beau- 
 tiful and extensive plain, half a 
 mile from Connecticut river, and 
 180 feet above the level of its wa- 
 ters. Vegetable substances are 
 found in different parts of this plain 
 at a depth of from 50 to 80 feet. 
 The principal houses are erected 
 round a square, level area, of 12 
 acres. The remainder stand on 
 different streets, leading from the 
 green in all directions. 
 
 In this pleasant village is located 
 Dartmouth College. 
 
 See Register. 
 
 Among the worthy men who 
 have finished their earthly career 
 in this place, may be mentioned 
 the following: 
 
 Rev. ELEAZAR WHEEL,OCK,D. 
 D., who died April 24, 1779, aged 
 69. 
 
 Hon. JOHN WHEELOCK, LL. D., 
 president of the college 35 years, 
 who died April 4, 1817, aged 63. 
 
 Hon. BEZAL.EEL, WOODWARD, 
 who died Aug. 1804. 
 
 Rev. J/JHN SMITH, D. D., who 
 died April, 1S09. 
 
 Hon. JOHN HUBBARD, who died 
 in Sept. 1810. 
 
 Rev. FRANCIS BROWN, D. D., 
 who died July 27, 1820, aged 36. 
 These gentlemen were all connect- 
 ed with the college. Population, 
 1830, 2,361. 
 
 Hanover, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. Hanover is bound- 
 ed S. by North river, which fur- 
 nishes good mill sites. It was in- 
 corporated in 1727. It lies 23 miles 
 S. E. from Boston, and 12 N. W. 
 from Plymouth. The manufactures 
 of Hanover consist of bar iron, iron 
 castings, anchors, ploughs, vessels, 
 15* 
 
 tacks, leather, boots, shoes, and 
 woolen cloth : total annual amount, 
 about $75,000. Pop. 1837, 1,435. 
 
 Hanson, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. This town is wa- 
 tered by a branch of North river 
 and several ponds. It was taken 
 from Pembroke in 1820, and lies in 
 the vicinity of large beds of excel- 
 lent iron ore. The manufactures 
 of Hanson consist of ship anchors 
 and knees, nails, carriage springs, 
 iron castings, leather, shoes, sawed 
 boxes and shingles : total annual 
 amount, about $70,000. Population, 
 1837, 1,058. It lies 24 miles S. S. 
 E. from Boston, and 15 N. N. W. 
 from Plymouth. 
 
 Hardwiclc, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. Hardwick is fine- 
 ly watered by Lamoille river, which 
 gives the town valuable mill sites, 
 and which are well improved for 
 manufacturing purposes. The soil 
 of the town is generally very good, 
 and produces a variety of exports. 
 Between six and seven thousand 
 sheep, and many other cattle, are 
 kept in the town, a large amount 
 of which are annually fattened and 
 sent to market. 
 
 Among the first settlers of the 
 town, in 1790, was Mr. Gideon Sa- 
 bin, whose wife became the mother 
 of 26 children. Population, 1830, 
 1,216. Hardwick lies 20 miles N. 
 N. E. from Montpelier, and 13 N. 
 W. from Danville. 
 
 Hardwick, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. Ware river and a 
 smaller stream pass through the 
 S. part of this town, and furnish 
 good mill privileges. It lies 62 
 miles W. from Boston and 22 W. by 
 N. from Worcester. Incorporated, 
 1738. Population, 1837, 1,818. 
 There are 2 paper mills in the town, 
 and manufactures of straw bonnets, 
 palm-leaf hats, boots,shoes, ploughs, 
 leather, chairs and cabinet ware : 
 annual amount about $50,000.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Hardwick is a pleasant town, of 
 good soil, with a fine fish pond. 
 
 Harmony, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. This town has an 
 excellent soil,and is well watered by 
 a large and beautiful pond, and by 
 other sources of Sebasticook river. 
 In 1837 it had a population of 1,048, 
 and produced 6,836 bushels of 
 wheat. It was incorporated in 
 1803, and lies 53 miles N. by E. 
 from Augusta, and 23 N. E. from 
 Norridgewock. 
 
 Harpswell, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. This township 
 comprises a promontory in Casco 
 bay, formerly Merryeoneag, and 
 several islands surrounding it, the 
 largest of which is called Sebascod- 
 egan. The waters which enclose 
 this territory are so situated, at the 
 northern and eastern extremity of 
 Casco bay, that a canal of about a 
 mile in length would unite them 
 with Kennebec river, near Bath. 
 The soil of Harpswell is very fer- 
 tile, and the location delightful in 
 summer. It is a resort for invalids 
 and parties of pleasure. The peo- 
 ple are principally engaged in farm- 
 ing and fishing. It lies 22 miles 
 N. E. from Portland by water, and 
 4 miles S. E. from Brunswick. In- 
 corporated, 1758. Population, 1837, 
 1,344. 
 
 Harrington, Me. 
 
 Washington co. This town is 
 bounded on the S. and E. by the 
 waters of Narraguagus bay, and W. 
 by the river of that name. It has 
 good mill privileges, excellent har- 
 bors, considerable navigation and 
 trade. Incorporated, 1797. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 1,118; 1837,1,854. 
 Harrington lies 118 miles E. from 
 Augusta, and 25 W. S. W. from 
 Machias. 
 
 Harrison, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. Crooked river 
 passes the E. side of this town, and 
 
 the waters of Long pond are its 
 western boundary. This is a good 
 township of land, and produced, in 
 1837, 3,180 bushels of wheat. In 
 corporated, 1805. Population, 1837, 
 1,161. Harrison has Otistield on 
 the E., and is 75 jniles W. S. W. 
 from Augusta, and 45 N. W. from 
 Portland. 
 
 Hartford, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This excellent town- 
 ship is watered by ponds and small 
 streams, and produced, in 1837, 9,- 
 318 'bushels of wheat. It lies 31 
 miles W. from Augusta, and 15 N. 
 E. from Paris. Population, 1830, 
 1,453. Incorporated, 1798. 
 
 Hartford, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. This town is on the 
 west side of the Connecticut, and is 
 otherwise finely watered by White 
 and Waterqueechy rivers. It lies 
 42 miles S. S. E. from Montpelier, 
 and 14 N. from Windsor. First set- 
 tled, 1764. Population, 1830, 2,044. 
 The surface of the town is uneven, 
 but the soil is rich, warm, and very 
 productive. The two principal vil- 
 lages are pleasantly located on the 
 banks of the rivers that meet the 
 Connecticut at this place, both of 
 which are flourishing in manufac- 
 tures and trade. Many cattle,beside 
 pork, butter, cheese, &c., are sent 
 to market from Hartford. In 1837 
 it had 13,207 sheep. 
 
 Hartford County, Ct. 
 
 Hartford is the chief town. This 
 county is bounded N.by Hampden 
 county, Mass., E. by Tolland coun- 
 ty, S. by the counties of Middlesex 
 and New Haven, and W. by the 
 county of Litchfield. This is con- 
 sidered the most important and val- 
 uable county in the state, in re- 
 gard to the variety and richness of 
 its soil, and the high state of cul- 
 ture it has attained. It was con- 
 stituted in 16C6, since which, Tol- 
 land county and parts of Middle- 
 sex, Windhain, Litchfield, and New
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 London have been detached. Its 
 present limits comprise an area of 
 about 727 square miles. Besides 
 the Connecticut, which traverses 
 its whole length, the Farmington, 
 Hackanum, Podunk, Scantic, and 
 other streams, water the county in 
 almost every direction. On these 
 streams important manufacturing 
 establishments have sprung up, and 
 unite with the agricultural interest 
 and river trade in rendering this 
 county the centre of a large and 
 flourishing business. In 1837 there 
 were in the county 29,576 sheep. 
 Population, 1820, 47,261 ; 1830, 
 51,141: 70 inhabitants to a square 
 .Hiile. 
 
 Hartford, Ct. 
 
 Tht first English settlement in 
 Hartfon? was commenced in 1635, 
 by Mr. John Steel and his associates 
 from Newtown, (now Cambridge)in 
 Massachusetts. The main body of 
 the first settlers, with Mr. Hooker 
 at their head, did not arrive till the 
 following year. 
 
 " About the beginning of June, 
 (says Dr. Trumbull,) Mr. Hooker, 
 Mr. Stone, and about one hundred 
 men, women and children, took 
 their departure from Cambridge, 
 and traveled more than a hundred 
 miles, through a hideous and track- 
 less wilderness, to Hartford. They 
 had no guide but their compass, 
 and made their way over mountains, 
 through swamps, thickets and riv- 
 ers, which were not passable but 
 with great difficulty. They had no 
 cover but the heavens, nor any 
 lodgings but those that simple na- 
 ture afforded them. They drove 
 with them a hundred and sixty head 
 of cattle, and by the way subsisted 
 on the milk of their cows. Mrs. 
 Hooker was borne through the wil- 
 derness upon a litter. The people 
 carried their packs, arms, and some 
 utensils. They were nearly a fort- 
 night on their journey. This ad- 
 venture was the more remarkable, 
 as many of the company were per- 
 
 sons of figure, who had lived in 
 England, in honor, affluence and 
 delicacy, and were entire strangers 
 to fatigue and danger." 
 
 The Indian name of Hartford was 
 Suckiag. A deed appears to have 
 been given by Sunckquasson, the 
 sachem of the place, about 1636, to 
 Samuel Stone and William Good- 
 win, who appear to have acted in 
 behalf of the first settlers. 
 
 The town of Hartford is bounded 
 N. by Windsor and Bloomfield, E. 
 by Connecticut river, S. by Weth- 
 ersfield, and W. by Farmington and 
 Avon. It is about six miles in 
 length from north to south, and ave- 
 rages about five in breadth. The 
 western part of the town has a soil 
 of red gravelly earth, very rich and 
 productive. That part near the 
 river is covered with a strong clay, 
 or a rich black mould. The latter 
 is principally in the valuable tract 
 of meadow adjacent to Connecticut 
 
 HARTFORD CITY, incorporated 
 in 1784, is over a mile in length 
 upon the river, and about three 
 fourths of a mile in breadth. The 
 alluvial flat upon the river is nar- 
 row, being from 40 to 100 rods, and 
 is connected with the upland by a 
 very gradual elevation. It is situ- 
 ated on the west side of Connecti- 
 cut river, 45 miles from its mouth. 
 It is in N. lat. 41 45' 59", W. 
 Ion. 72 40'. It is 260 miles S. 
 W. from Augusta, Maine ; 139 S. 
 S. W. from Concord, New Hamp- 
 shire ; 205 S. from Montpelier, Ver- 
 mont; 97 W. S. W. from Boston, 
 Massachusetts ; 64 W. from Provi- 
 dence, Rhode Island; 110 N. E. 
 from the city of New York, and 
 335 E. from Washington. 
 
 The legislature of the state as- 
 sembles alternately at Hartford and 
 New Haven, the odd years at Hart- 
 ford. The city is rather irregular- 
 ly laid out, and is divided at the S. 
 part by Mill, or Little river. Across 
 this stream a fine bridge of free-)
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 tone has been thrown, which con- 
 nects the two parts of the city. 
 This structure is 100 feet wide, 
 supported by a single arch, 7 feet 
 in thickness at the base, and 3 feet 
 3 inches at the centre, the chord or 
 span of which is 104 feet; eleva- 
 vation from the bed of the river to 
 the top of the arch, 30 feet 9 inch- 
 es. Another bridge, across Con- 
 necticut river, 1,000 feet long, and 
 which cost over $100,000, unites the 
 city with East Hartford. Hartford 
 is very advantageously situated for 
 business, is surrounded by an ex- 
 tensive and wealthy district, and 
 communicates with the towns and 
 villages on the Connecticut above 
 by small steam-boats, two of which, 
 for passengers, ply daily between 
 Hartford and Springfield. The re- 
 mainder are employed in towing flat 
 bottomed boats, of 15 to 30 tons 
 burthen, as far as Wells' river, 220 
 miles above the city. The coast- 
 ing trade is very considerable, and 
 there is some foreign trade carried 
 on. A daily line of steam-boats pass 
 between Hartford and New York. 
 The manufactures of this city ex- 
 ceed $900,000 per annum ; among 
 these are various manufactures of 
 tin, copper, and sheet iron ; block 
 tin and pewter ware ; printing press- 
 es and ink ; a manufactory of iron 
 machinery ; iron foundries, saddle- 
 ry, carriages, joiners' tools, paper- 
 hangings, looking-glasses, umbrel- 
 las, stone ware, a brewery, a web 
 manufactory, cabinet furniture, 
 boots and shoes, hats, clothing for 
 exportation, soap and candles, man- 
 ufactories of machine and other 
 wire cards, operated by dogs, &,c. 
 More than twice as many books, it 
 is stated, are published here, annu- 
 ally, as are manufactured in any 
 other place of equal population in 
 the United States. 
 
 The city is well built, and con- 
 tains many elegant public and pri- 
 te edifices. The state-house, in 
 'ch are the public offices of the 
 is surmounted by a cupola, 
 
 and is a very handsome and spa- 
 cious building. The city hall, built 
 for city purposes, is also spacious 
 and elegant ; it has two fronts, with 
 porticos, supported each by six 
 massive columns. The American 
 Asylum for the deaf and dumb, the 
 Retreat for the insane, and Wash- 
 ington College, are all beautifully 
 located, in the immediate vicinity 
 of the city. The population with- 
 in the city limits, in September, 
 1835, was nine thousand and eight 
 hundred. 
 
 " The American Asylum for the 
 education and instruction of deaf 
 and dumb persons, was founded by 
 an association of gentlemen in Hart- 
 ford, Conn., in 1815. Their atten- 
 tion was called to this important 
 charity by a case of deafness in the 
 family of one of their number. 
 An interesting child of the late Dr. 
 Cogswell, who had lost her hearing 
 at the age of two years, and her 
 speech soon after, was, under Prov- 
 idence, the cause of its establish- 
 ment. Her father, ever ready to 
 sympathize with the afflicted, and 
 prompt to relieve human suffering, 
 embraced in his plans for the edu- 
 cation of his own daughter, all who 
 might be similarly unfortunate. 
 The co-operation of the benevolent 
 was easily securec}, and measures 
 were taken to obtain from Europe 
 a knowledge of the difficult art, 
 unknown in this country, of teach- 
 ing written language through the 
 medium of signs, to the deaf and 
 dumb. For this purpose, the Rev. 
 Thomas H. Gallaudet visited Eng- 
 land and Scotland, and applied at 
 the institutions in those countries 
 for instruction in their' system ; but 
 meeting with unexpected difficul- 
 ties, he repaired to France, and ob- 
 tained, at the Royal Institution at 
 Paris, those qualifications for an 
 instructor of the deaf and dumb, 
 which a selfish and mistaken poli- 
 cy had refused him in Great Brit- 
 ain. Accompanied by Mr. Laurent
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Clerc, himself deaf and dumb, and 
 for several years a successful teach- 
 er under the Abbe Sicard, Mr. Gal- 
 laudet returned to this country in 
 August, 1816. The Asylum had, 
 in May preceding, been incorpora- 
 ted by the state legislature. Some 
 months were spent by Messrs. Gal- 
 laudet and Clerc in obtaining funds 
 for the benefit of the institution, 
 and in the spring of 1817 the Asy- 
 lum was opened for the reception of 
 those for whom it was designed, and 
 the course of instruction commenced 
 with seven pupils. 
 
 "As the knowledge of the in- 
 stitution extended, and the facili- 
 ties for obtaining its advantages 
 were multiplied, the number of pu- 
 pils increased from seven to one 
 hundred and forty, which for seve- 
 ral years past has not been much 
 above the average number ; and 
 since its commencement, in 1817, to 
 1837, instruction has been imparted 
 to four hundred and seventy-seven 
 deaf and dumb persons. 
 " In 1819, Congress granted the in- 
 stitution a township of land in Ala- 
 bama, the proceeds of which have 
 been invested as a permanent fund. 
 The principal building was erected 
 in 1820, and the pupils removed to 
 it in the spring of the following 
 year. It is one hundred and thirty 
 feet long, fifty feet wide, and, in- 
 cluding the basement, four stories 
 high. Other buildings have been 
 subsequently erected, as the in- 
 creasing number of pupils made it 
 necessary ; the principal of which 
 is a dining hall and workshops for 
 the male pupils. Attached to the 
 institution are eight or ten acres of 
 land, which afford ample room for 
 exercise, and the cultivation of veg- 
 etables and fruits for the pupils. 
 
 " The system of instruction adopt- 
 ed at this institution is substantially 
 the same as that of the French 
 school at Paris. It has, however, 
 been materially improved and mod- 
 ified by Mr. Gallaudet and his as- 
 sociates. This system, and indeed 
 
 every other rational system of 
 teaching the deaf and dumb, is bas- 
 ed upon the natural language of 
 signs. By this we mean those ges- 
 tures which a deaf and dumb per- 
 son will naturally use to express his 
 ideas, and to make known his wants 
 previous to instruction. These 
 gestures and signs are rather picto- 
 rial, that is, an exact outline of the 
 object, delineated by the hands in 
 the air ; or descriptive, giving an 
 idea of an object by presenting 
 some of its prominent and striking 
 features ; or conventional, such as 
 may have been agreed upon by a 
 deaf and dumb person and his as- 
 sociates. As there are very few 
 objects which can be expressed 
 with sufficient clearness by the de- 
 lineation of its outline alone, a de- 
 scriptive sign is usually connected 
 with it. Thus, in making a sign 
 for a book, the outline is first delin- 
 eated by the fore finger of both 
 hands. To this is added the descrip- 
 tive signs of opening a book, plac- 
 ing it before the eyes, and moving 
 the lips as in reading. It may 
 therefore simplify the classification 
 of natural signs if the first two di- 
 visions be united ; and it will be 
 sufficiently accurate to say that all 
 the signs used by the deaf and dumb 
 are either descriptive or conven- 
 tional. By far the greater part of 
 these signs belong to the former 
 class ; as it includes the signs for 
 most common objects, actions and 
 emotions. A deaf and dumb child 
 constructs his language upon the 
 same principle as the child who can 
 hear ; that of imitation. 
 
 " In the school- room, the instruc- 
 tor makes use of natural signs to 
 communicate ideas to his pupils, of 
 systematic signs to enable them to 
 translate their own into written lan- 
 guage ; of the manual alphabet, 
 or signs of the hand, corresponding 
 to the letters of the alphabet ; and 
 of written symbols to express the 
 grammatical relations of words. 
 
 " The pupils usually remain at
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the Asylum four or five years, in 
 which time an intelligent child will 
 acquire a knowledge of the common 
 operations of arithmetic, of geogra- 
 phy, grammar, history, biography, 
 and of written language, so as to 
 enable him to understand the Scrip- 
 tures, and books written in a famil- 
 iar style. He will of course be able 
 to converse with others by writing, 
 and to manage his own affairs as a 
 farmer or mechanic. There are 
 workshops connected with the in- 
 stitution, in which the boys have 
 the opportunity of learning a trade, 
 and many of them, by devoting four 
 hours each day to this object, be- 
 come skillful workmen,- and when 
 they leave the Asylum find no dif- 
 ficulty in supporting themselves. 
 The annual charge to each pupil is 
 one hundred dollars. 
 
 " The department of instruction 
 is under the control of the principal 
 of the institution, who has also a 
 general oversight of the other de- 
 partments. The pupils are distrib- 
 uted into eight or nine classes, the 
 immediate care of which is com- 
 mitted to the same number of as- 
 sistant instructors. When out of 
 school, the pupils are under the care 
 of a steward and matron." 
 
 Retreat for the Insane. " This 
 institution is situated on a command- 
 ing eminence, at the distance of a 
 mile and a quarter, in a southwest- 
 erly direction, from the State House 
 in Hartford. It was opened April 
 1, 1824. The elevation overlooks 
 an ample range of fertile country, 
 presenting on every side a most in- 
 teresting landscape, adorned with 
 every beauty of rural scenery, 
 that can be found in rich and culti- 
 vated fields, and meadows of unri- 
 valled verdure ; in extensive groves 
 and picturesque groups of forest, 
 fruit and ornamental trees; and 
 above all, in the charming diversi- 
 ty of level, sloping and undulating 
 surfaces, terminating by distant 
 bills, and more distant mountains. 
 
 " This site was selected as one 
 pre-eminently calculated to attract 
 and engage the attention, and soothe 
 and appease the morbid fancies and 
 feelings of the patient whose fac- 
 ulties are not sunk below or raised 
 above the sphere of re fattens that 
 originally existed. And if he is 
 not beyond the reach of genial sen- 
 sations, connected with external 
 objects, he will undoubtedly feel the 
 conscious evidence that this situa 
 tion most happily unites the tran- 
 quilizing influence of seclusion and 
 retirement, with the cheering effect 
 of an animated picture of active 
 life, continually passing in review 
 before his eyes, while himself is 
 remote, and secure from the annoy- 
 ance of its bustle and noise. 
 
 " The edifice for the accommoda- 
 tion of the patients, and those who 
 have the care of them, is construct- 
 ed of unhewn free-stone, covered 
 with a smooth, white, water-proof 
 cement. Its style of architecture 
 is perfectly plain and simple, and 
 interests only by its symmetrical 
 beauty, and perhaps by the idea it 
 impresses of durability and strength, 
 derived from the massy solidity of 
 its materials. Yet notwithstanding 
 these, its general aspect is remark- 
 ably airy and cheerful, from the 
 amplitude of its lights, and the bril- 
 liant whiteness of its exterior. The 
 whole building is divided into com- 
 modious and spacious apartments, 
 adapted to various descriptions of 
 cases, according to their sex, nature 
 and disease, habits of life, and the 
 wishes of their friends. The male 
 and female apartments are entire- 
 ly separated, and either sex is com- 
 pletely secluded from the view of 
 the other. Rooms are provided in 
 both male and female apartments 
 for the accommodation of the sick, 
 where they are removed from any 
 annoyance, and can continually re- 
 ceive the kind attentions of their 
 immediate relations and friends. 
 Attached to the building are about 
 seventeen acres of excellent land,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the principal part of which is laid 
 out in walks, ornamental grounds 
 and extensive gardens. With each 
 wing and block of the building is 
 connected a court-yard, encompass- 
 ed by high fences, and handsomely 
 laid out, designed to afford the ben- 
 efit of exercise, pastime and fresh 
 air, to those who cannot safely be 
 allowed to range abroad." 
 
 The mode of treatment at this 
 institution is similar to that adopted 
 at the McLean Asylum, Charles- 
 town, Mass. 
 
 " Washington College. This in- 
 stitution was founded in 1826 It 
 has two edifices of free stone ; one 
 143 feet long by 43 wide, and 4 sto- 
 ries high, containing 43 rooms ; the 
 other 87 feet by 55, and 3 stories 
 high, containing the chapel, libra- 
 ry, mineralogical cabinet, philo- 
 sophical chamber, laboratory and 
 recitation rooms. See Register. 
 
 Tfie Charter Oak. This tree 
 stands on the beautiful elevation 
 which rises above the south mead- 
 ows, a few rods north of the ancient 
 seat of the Wyllys family. The 
 tree is still in a vigorous state, and 
 may flourish for another century. 
 
 " That venerable tree, which 
 concealed the charter of our rights," 
 says a daughter of Secretary Wyl- 
 lys, "stands at the foot of Wyllys 
 hill. The first inhabitant of that 
 name found it standing in the height 
 of its glory. Age seems to have 
 curtailed its branches, yet it is not 
 exceeded in the height of its color- 
 ing, or richness of its foliage. The 
 trunk measures twenty one feet in 
 circumference, and near seven in 
 diameter. The cavity, which was 
 the asylum of our charter, was near 
 the roots, and large enough to ad- 
 mit a child. Within the space of 
 eight years, that cavity has closed, 
 as if it had fulfilled the divine pur- 
 pose for which it had been reared." 
 
 The story of the " Charter Oak" 
 is thus told by Mr. Barber. 
 
 " Sir Edmund Andros being ap- 
 pointed the first governor-general 
 over New England, arrived in Bos- 
 ton in Dec. 1686. From this place 
 he wrote to the colony of Connecti- 
 cut to resign their charter, but with- 
 out success. " ' The assembly met 
 as usual, in October, and the gov- 
 ernment continued according to 
 charter, until the last of the month. 
 About this time, Sir Edmund, with 
 his suite and more than sixty regu- 
 lar troops, came to Hartford when 
 the assembly were sitting, and de- 
 manded the charter, and declared 
 the government under it to be dis- 
 solved. The assembly were ex- 
 tremely reluctant and slow with re- 
 spect to any resolve to surrender 
 the charter, or with respect to any 
 motion to bring it forth. The tra- 
 dition is, that governor Treat strong- 
 ly represented the great expense 
 and hardships of the colonists in 
 planting the country ; the blood 
 and treasure which they had ex- 
 pended in defending it, both against 
 the savages and foreigners ; to what 
 hardships he himself had been ex- 
 posed for that purpose ; and that it 
 was like giving up his life, now to 
 surrender the patent and privileges 
 so dearly bought and so long enjoy- 
 ed. The important affair was de- 
 bated and kept in suspense until the 
 evening, when the charter was 
 brought and laid upon the table 
 where the assembly were sitting. 
 By this time great numbers of peo- 
 ple were assembled, and men suffi- 
 ciently bold to enterprise whatever 
 might he necessary or expedient. 
 The lights were instantly extin- 
 guished, and one Capt. Wadsworth, 
 of Hartford, in the most silent and 
 secret manner, carried off the char- 
 ter, and secreted it in a large hol- 
 low tree, fronting the house of Hon. 
 Samuel Wyllys, then one of (he 
 magistrates of the colony. The 
 people all appeared peaceable and 
 orderly. The candles were offi- 
 ciously re-lighted, but the patent 
 was gone, and no discovery could
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 be made of it, or the persons who 
 carried it away.' " 
 
 West Hartford, or, as it was 
 formerly called, West Division, is 
 a fine tract of land. The inhabit- 
 ants are mostly substantial farmers, 
 and the general appearance of the 
 place denotes an unusual share of 
 equalized wealth and prosperity. 
 
 The venerable NATHAN PER- 
 KINS, D. D., still continues his la- 
 bors in the ministry in this place. 
 In 1833, his sixtieth anniversary 
 sermon was published. In that ser- 
 mon he says, " I am now the oldest 
 officiating minister of the gospel in 
 this state, and, as far as I can learn, 
 in the United States. And I can- 
 not learn, from the history of church- 
 es in Connecticut, that there has 
 ever been an instance of one of its 
 ministers preaching for sixty years 
 uninterruptedly to the same con- 
 gregation." 
 
 Dr. Perkins stated, as we are in- 
 formed, that from the commence- 
 ment of his ministry, that in his 
 church there had been one thou- 
 sand deaths and one thousand bap- 
 tisms that he had delivered four 
 thousand written sermons, and three 
 thousand extemporaneous ones, on 
 other occasions of worship that he 
 had attended sixty ordinations and 
 installations, and had preached 20 
 ordination sermons, twelve of which 
 had been published by request ; that 
 he had attended one hundred eccle- 
 siastical councils, to heal difficulties 
 in the churches, and that he had 
 fitted for college one hundred and 
 fifty students, and more than thirty 
 for the gospel ministry. 
 
 Ilartlaiitl, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. This excellent 
 township is watered on its eastern 
 boundary by one of the principal 
 branches of Sebasticook river. The 
 inhabitants are principally engaged 
 in agricultural pursuits, and the soil 
 richly rewards them for their indus- 
 try. Hartland produced 4,836 
 
 bushels of wheat in 1837, some 
 wool and other valuable commodi- 
 ties. It was incorporated in 1820. 
 Population, 1837, 890. It lies 42 
 miles N. by E. from Augusta, and 
 18 N. E. from Norridgewock. 
 
 Hartland, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. Timothy Lull was 
 the father of this flourishing re- 
 public. He took his family from 
 Dummerston, up Connecticut river 
 about 50 miles, in a log canoe, in 
 1763. He landed at the mouth of 
 a beautiful stream, called Lull's 
 Brook. His nearest neighbors were 
 more than 20 miles distant. He 
 commenced a settlement on Lull's 
 Brook, and, after acquiring a hand- 
 some property, died there at the 
 age of 81. Timothy Lull, jr., was 
 the first child born in the town. 
 On the occasion of his birth, a mid- 
 wife was drawn 23 miles on a hand 
 sled. 
 
 This is a rich farming town, pleas- 
 antly diversified by hills and val- 
 leys. Hartland produces many cat- 
 tle : ten thousand sheep graze in 
 its pastures. It lies on the west 
 bank of Connecticut river. Water- 
 queechy river, at the N. part of the 
 town, and Lull's Brook, at the S., 
 give it a water power of great val- 
 ue. On these streams are neat vil- 
 lages and flourishing manufactur- 
 ing establishments. Hartland lies 
 50 miles S. S. E. from Montpelier 
 and 9 N. from Windsor. Popula 
 tion, 1830, 2,503. 
 
 Hartland, Ct. 
 
 Hartford co. This town is 22 
 miles N. W. from Hartford. It lies 
 in a mountainous part of the state : 
 most of the land is cold and fit only 
 for grazing. A branch of Farm- 
 ington river passes through the 
 town, and forms what is called 
 Hartland hollow, a deep ravine, 
 presenting some bold and pictur- 
 esque scenery. Hartland was in- 
 corporated in 1761. First settled, 
 1753. Population, 1830, 1,221.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Harvard, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This town was 
 taken from Stow, Groton and Lan- 
 caster, in 1732. It is washed on 
 the W. side by Nashua river. It 
 lies 30 miles N. W. from Boston, 
 20 N. E. from Worcester, and 13 
 W. from Concord. Here are two 
 large ponds with fine fish, and quar- 
 ries of slate used for monuments. 
 
 About 200 of that industrious sect, 
 called shakers, reside here, and own 
 a considerable tract of excellent 
 land. They live about 3 miles N. 
 E. from the centre of the town, and 
 supply the market with a great va- 
 riety of wares, fruits, seeds, herbs, 
 &c. &c., the product of their me- 
 chanical ingenuity and horticultu- 
 ral skill. 
 
 There are three paper mills in 
 Harvard, and manufactures of palm-- 
 leaf hats, boots, shoes, leather and 
 grave stones : annual value about 
 040,000. Large quantities of hops 
 have been raised in this place. 
 Population, 1837, 1,566. 
 
 Harwich, Mass., 
 
 Barnstable co., on the S. side of 
 Cape Cod, 14 miles E. from Barn- 
 stable. Incorporated, 1694. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 2,464; 1837,2,771. 
 On Herring river, the outlet of 
 Long pond, are cotton and other 
 mills. Some vessels are built here 
 and some salt manufactured. The 
 product of the cod and mackerel 
 fishery the year ending April 1, 
 1837, was $33,000. Harwich is a 
 pleasant town : the village make? 
 a good appearance from the sea. 
 
 Harwinton, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield co. Har-win-ton de- 
 rived its name from three syllables 
 taken from the names of Hartford, 
 Windsor and Farraington. It was 
 first settled in 1731; incorporated, 
 1737. Population, 1830,1,516. It 
 lies 23 miles W. from Hartford, 40 
 N. by W. from New Haven, and 8 
 E. from Litchfield. Harwinton is 
 
 16 
 
 situated on high ground, abounding 
 with granite rocks and more fit for 
 grazing than tillage. 
 
 Hatficld, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. This is a weal- 
 thy agricultural township, noted 
 for its good soil and fine beef cattle. 
 It lies on the W. side of Connecti- 
 cut river, 5 miles N. from North- 
 ampton, and 95 W. from Boston. 
 Incorporated, 1670. Population, 
 1837, 937. The manufactures of 
 the town consist of corn brooms, 
 boots, shoes, palm-leaf hats, and car- 
 riages ; annual value about f 50,000. 
 
 There is an elm tree in Hatfield 
 which is said to measure, two feet 
 from the ground, thirty four feet in 
 circumference. 
 
 HaverlUll, 3V. H., 
 
 Grafton co., is one of the shire 
 towns. It lies 31 miles N. W. from 
 Plymouth, and 70 N. N. W. from 
 Concord. It is watered by Olive- 
 rian and Hazen brooks. Haverhill 
 is a pleasant town. The soil is suit- 
 ed to every species 'of cultivation. 
 There is a quarry of granite suita- 
 ble for mill stones and buildings, 
 and a bed of iron ore, on the W. 
 side of Coventry, bordering this 
 town. 
 
 The principal village is at the S. 
 W. angte of the town, and known 
 by the" name of Haverhill Corner. 
 There is a beautiful common in this 
 viJ/age, laid out in an oblong square, 
 pround which the buildings regu- 
 larly stand. The site is a handsome 
 elevation, overlooking the adjacent 
 country many miles N. and S., and 
 not less than 6 or 7 miles E. and W. 
 From the street, the ground slopes 
 with unusual elegance to the W., 
 and is succeeded by broad inter- 
 vales. The prospect here is de- 
 lightful. There is another village 
 at the N. W. angle of the town, on 
 a street nearly a mile in length, 
 straight and very level. 
 
 Haverhill was granted, 1764. Its 
 first settlement was made in 1764,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 by Capt. John Hazen, who settled 
 on the Little Ox Bow, near where 
 there had formerly been an Indian 
 fort and burying ground, and where 
 many Indian skulls and relics have 
 been found. Several of the early 
 settlers were from Newbury and 
 Haverhill, Mass., and from the last 
 place, this town derived its name. 
 Its former name was Lower Coos. 
 
 Hon. MOSES Dow was one of the 
 most distinguished citizens of this 
 place. 
 
 Hon. CHARLES JOHNSTON, who 
 died March 5, 1813, aged 76, resid- 
 ed here. He was a valuable offi- 
 cer in the revolution, and was ma- 
 ny years judge of probate in Graf- 
 ton county. 
 
 Hon. James Woodward and Hon. 
 Ezekiel Ladd were among the early 
 settlers, and were judges of the old 
 county court. Population, in 1830, 
 2,153. 
 
 Havcrhill, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. This ancient, respect- 
 able and flourishing manufacturing 
 town, lies ot, the N. side of the 
 Merrimack river, at the head of 
 navigation,and united to Bradford by 
 two beautiful bridges. It is 30 miles 
 N. from Boston, 31 N. N. W. from 
 Salem, 12 W. by S. from Newbu- 
 ryport, 18 N. E. from Lowell, 30 
 S. W. from Portsmouth, N. H. and 
 40 S. E. from Concord, N. H. Lit- 
 tle river passing through the l ,own 
 affords a good hydraulic power, on 
 which are manufacturing establish- 
 ments of various kinds. The man- 
 ufactures consist of woolen goods, 
 leather, boots, shoes, hats, shovels, 
 spades, forks, hoes, chairs, cabinet 
 ware, combs, ploughs, tin ware, 
 vessels, palm-leaf hats, shoe lasts, 
 spirits, morocco leather, chaises and 
 harnesses: total amount the year 
 ending April 1, 1837, $1,357,526. 
 
 Haverhill is delightfully located, 
 handsomely built, and has been the 
 birth place and residence of many 
 of the most valuable and distin- 
 guished citizens of New England. 
 
 Haverhill is so situated as to com- 
 mand an extensive inland trade : it 
 is easily approached from Boston 
 by the Andover and Wilmington 
 rail-road, which is extending to Ex- 
 eter, N. H., and from thence to 
 Maine. 
 
 Haverhill, the Indian Pentuck- 
 ett, was first settled in 1641 : it was 
 a frontier settlement for nearly half 
 a century and suffered great calam- 
 ities by savage depredations. 
 
 It was incorporated in 1645. 
 Population, 1820, 3,070; 1830, 3,- 
 896 ; 1837, 4,726. 
 
 Hawley, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. Hawley is on el- 
 evated ground, and watered by 
 branches of Deerfield river. The 
 soil is good for grazing, and feeds 
 about 3,000 sheep. A consider- 
 able quantity of leather is tanned 
 in this town. Incorporated, 1792. 
 Population, 1837, 995. Hawley 
 has good iron ore and some iron 
 works. It lies 107 miles W. by N. 
 from Boston, and 14 W. by S. from 
 Greenfield. 
 
 Hayiiesville, Me. 
 
 Washington county. See " Down 
 East." 
 
 Heath, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. A mountainous 
 township good for grazing sheep, of 
 which 2,312 were kept in 1837. 
 There are in Heath some manufac- 
 tures of leather, boots, shoes and 
 palm-leaf hats. Incorporated, 1785. 
 Population, 1S37, 953. It lies 125 
 miles W. N. W. from Boston, and 
 13 W. N. W. from Greenfield. 
 
 Hebron, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This is a good farm- 
 ing town, lying S. E. from Paris 
 about 7 miles, and 42 W. S. W. 
 from Augusta. Incorporated, 1792. 
 Population, 1837, 972. 
 
 Hebron, N. H., 
 
 Grafton co., lies 9 miles S. W
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 from Plymouth, and 40 N. W. from 
 Concord. A considerable part of 
 Newfound lake lies in the S. E. 
 part of this town. It has no river, 
 nor any important streams. Near- 
 ly one half of this town was inclu- 
 ded in the grant of Cockermouth, 
 now Groton. The remaining part 
 was taken from Plymouth. It was 
 incorporated, 1792. Population in 
 1830, 538. 
 
 Hebron, Ct. 
 
 Tolland co. Hop river, a branch 
 of the WillimantiCjWaters this town. 
 The village of Hebron, with its 
 Gothic church, 20 miles S. E. from 
 Hartford, and 14 S. from Tolland, 
 is pleasant and commands a good 
 prospect. There are in the town 2 
 cotton, 1 woolen, and 1 paper, mills ; 
 a large iron furnace and other man- 
 ufactories. The surface of the 
 town is hilly, but fertile. North 
 pond in the S. part of the town is a 
 handsome sheet of water. Hebron 
 was first settled, 1704. Incorpora- 
 ted, 1707. Population, 1830, 1,939. 
 
 IIcuii iker, K. II. 
 
 Merrimack co. It is 23 miles N. 
 W. from Amherst, and 15 W. from 
 Concord. Contoocook river passes 
 easterly through its centre, and di- 
 vides the town into nearly equal 
 portions of territory and population. 
 Its course is rather circuitous, and 
 in many places presents scenes of 
 considerable interest and beauty. 
 Few places afford better prospects 
 for the successful operation of wa- 
 ter machinery than this. There 
 are several ponds of considerable 
 size. Long pond is the largest, be- 
 ing between 1 and 2 miles in length, 
 and from 40 to 80 rods wide situa- 
 ted 1 mile N.of the centre village. 
 Craney hill is the principal eleva- 
 tion, and embraces a large portion 
 of territory on the S. of the town. 
 It is mostly in a state of cultivation. 
 The soil of the hills is favorable for 
 wheat the valleys produce good 
 crops of corn. 
 
 Henniker was granted in 1752, 
 under the name of Number 6. Its 
 settlement commenced in 1761. It 
 was incorporated in 1768, when it 
 received its present name from Gov. 
 Wentworth, in honor of his friend 
 Henniker, probably John Henni- 
 ker, Esq. , a merchant in London and 
 a member of the British parliament 
 at that time. Population, in 1S30, 
 1,725. 
 
 Htrmoii, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. A good township 
 of land, 7 miles W. from Bangor. A 
 large pond and the Sowadabscook 
 river water its S. W. corner. In 
 1837, 1,870 bushel of wheat was 
 raised. Incorporated, 1814. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 535. 
 
 Highgate, Vt. 
 
 Franklin co. This town lies on 
 the E. side of Lake Champlain, at 
 the N. W. corner of New Eng- 
 land, and of the United States. It 
 is 60 miles N. W. from Montpe- 
 lier, and 12 N. from St. Albans. 
 First settled, about 1784. The soil 
 is generally sandy, in some parts 
 swampy. Bog iron ore, of a good 
 quality, is found here. There are 
 many mill privileges in. Highgate, 
 particularly at a fall of the river 
 Missisque, where are iron works, 
 and other manufactories. The 
 scenery at this place is quite wild 
 and picturesque. Population, 1830, 
 2,038. Highgate is a place of con- 
 siderable trade with Canada, and 
 down the lake. 
 
 Hill, N. H. 
 
 Grafton co. This town is 24 miles 
 N. N. W. from Concord, and 44 S. 
 S. E. from Haverhill. It is watered 
 by Pemigewasset and Smith's 
 rivers, and several small streams. 
 Eagle pond is the only one of note. 
 Ragged mountain is a considerable 
 elevation, and but little inferior to 
 Kearsarge. Viewed from the sum- 
 mit of the neighboring hills, this 
 town appears very uneven, yet
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 there are many fine tracts converted 
 into productive farms. The soil in 
 some parts is rich and fertile it is 
 generally good. There is at the S. 
 E. section of the town, a flourish- 
 ing village, situated on a spacious 
 street 1 mile in length. 
 
 This town was granted Sept. 14, 
 1753, to 87 proprietors, who held 
 their first meeting at Chester, and as 
 the greater part of the inhabitants 
 belonged to that place, it was called 
 New Chester; which name it retain- 
 ed until Jan. 1837, when it was 
 changed to the name of HIL.L, in 
 compliment to the then governor 
 Hill. The first settlement was in 
 1768. 
 
 In Dec. 1820, six children of Mr. 
 William Follansbee were consum- 
 ed in the flames of his house, while 
 he and his wife were absent. In- 
 corporated, 1778. Population, 1830, 
 1,090. 
 
 H illsborongh Cottnty, BT. H. 
 
 Jlmhent is the shire town. Hills- 
 borough has Merrimack county on 
 the N., Rockingham on the E., the 
 state of Massachusetts on the S., 
 and Cheshire county on the W. 
 The surface of this county is gen- 
 arally uneven, though there are but 
 few lofty mountains. Lyndebo- 
 rough mountain, in the township of 
 Lyndeborough, the Unconoonock, 
 in Goflstown, Crotched, in Frances- 
 town and Society Land, are of con- 
 siderable altitude. 
 
 This section of New Hampshire 
 is well watered. The noble and ma- 
 jestic Merrimack passes its south- 
 eastern border. At Nashua, the 
 Nashua, a beautiful stream from 
 Massachusetts, discharges its wa- 
 ters into the Merrimack. North of 
 the Nashua, the Souhegan and Pis- 
 cataquog,streams of much value and 
 consequence to the manufacturing 
 interests, discharge themselves in- 
 to the Merrimack; the former in 
 the township of Merrimack, the 
 latter in Bedford. Part of a large 
 collection of water, denominated a 
 
 lake, the Massabesick, on the E. 
 boundary of Manchester. Besides 
 these there are numerous ponds, 
 interspersed through the whole ex- 
 tent of territory. Some of the 
 largest of these are Gregg's p<ind, 
 in Antrim, Pleasant pond, in Fran- 
 cestown, Babboosuck pond, in Am- 
 herst, and Potanipo, in Brookline. 
 There are several mineral springs 
 which have been found serviceable 
 in cutaneous affections, but no one 
 has yet acquired general celebrity. 
 Minerals have been found in vari- 
 ous places, but not in great abun- 
 dance. 
 
 This county possesses many advan- 
 tages for manufacturing establish- 
 ments, and it is gratifying to find 
 that many of its citizens are turn- 
 ing their attention to this branch of 
 national and individual wealth. 
 
 The settlement of this county 
 was made at Nashua, lately Dun- 
 stable, some years before the war 
 with king Philip, in 1675. It was 
 constituted a county by an act of 
 the General Assembly, 19 March. 
 1771. It received its name from 
 the Earl of Hillsborough, one of 
 the privy council of George III. 
 The population, in 1775, was 13,- 
 132 ; in 1790, 24,536 ; in 1SOO, 31,- 
 260; in 1810, 34,410; in 1820, 
 35,761; and in 1830, 37,762. In 
 1837, there were 45,511 sheep in 
 this county. 
 
 IlUIsborougli, X. H. 
 
 Hillsborough co. It is 23 miles 
 N. W. from Amherst, 24 W. S. W. 
 from Concord. This town is well 
 watered. Contoocook river passes 
 through the S. E. corner, and affords 
 several excellent water privileges. 
 Hillsborough river has its source 
 from ponds in Washington ; runs in a 
 S. E. course through the whole ex- 
 tent of Hillsborough, receiving the 
 outlets of several ponds on the E., 
 and forms a junction with the Con- 
 toocook, on the S. line of this town. 
 The land here is uneven, but it af- 
 fords many good farms. There is
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 a pleasant village on the 2d New 
 Hampshire turnpike, which passes 
 N. W. through this town, contain- 
 ing a number of dwelling houses 
 stores, mills, and a cotton and wool- 
 en factory. 
 
 Hillsborough was formerly known 
 by the name of Number 7 of fron- 
 tier towns. The first settlement 
 was made in 1741. The first chil- 
 dren born in Hillsborough were 
 John M'Calley and Mary Gibson 
 who intermarried, and received as 
 a gift a tract of land, from the prin- 
 cipal proprietor. It was incorpo- 
 rated in 1772. Population, 1830, 
 1,792. 
 
 Hiiicslmrgli, Vt. 
 
 Chittenden co. Platt river and 
 Lewis creek water this town. A 
 part of the town is mountainous, 
 but the soil is generally very good, 
 particularly for grazing. About 
 9,000 sheep are kept here, and 
 some products of the farms are ex- 
 ported. Hinesburgh contains a 
 pleasant village, and numerous 
 manufacturing operations are found 
 on its streams. First settled about 
 1785. Population, 1830, 1,669. It 
 lies 13 miles S. S. E. from Burling- 
 ton, and 26 W. from Montpelier. 
 
 Hiiigliam, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. A pleasant town 
 on Boston harbor, and an agreeable 
 resort for citizens and strangers. 
 It lies 11 miles S. E. from Boston, 
 by water, and 14 by land. Hing- 
 ham cove is" 5 miles S. W. from 
 Nantasket beach, about 6 W. from 
 Cohasset harbor, and 24 N. N. W. 
 from Plymouth. First settled, 1633. 
 Incorporated, 1635. Population, in 
 1830, 3,357 ; 1837, 3,445. 
 
 Major-general BENJAMIN LIN- 
 COLN, was born in this town, Jan. 
 23, 1733 ; he died May 9, 1810. 
 
 This town is remarkable for its 
 healthiness and longevity. Dur- 
 ing 50 years, 8 persons died in one 
 house, whose average age was 84 
 years. 
 
 16* 
 
 About 80 sail of vessels belong to 
 this place, which are engaged in 
 the cod and mackerel fishery, and 
 coasting trade ; aggregate tonnage 
 about 5,000 tons. 
 
 In this town is an iron foundry, 
 considerable ship building, a steam 
 bucket factory ; and large quanti- 
 ties of other wooden wares are 
 manufactured, and some salt. 
 
 The amount of manufactures of 
 Hingham, for the year ending April 
 1, 1837, was $237,078. They con- 
 sisted of leather, boots, shoes, iron 
 castings, hats, ploughs, cabinet, tin 
 and wooden wares, silk, salt, ves- 
 sels, umbrellas, spars and blocks, 
 cordage, carriages, hammers, and 
 hatchets. The product of the cod 
 and mackerel fishery, the same 
 year, was $113,700. Total amount 
 of the fishery and manufactures 
 $350,778. 
 
 Derby Academy, a free school, 
 and the Willard Private Academy, 
 are highly respectable seminaries, 
 and promise great privileges to pa- 
 rents. 
 
 A commodious steam-boat plies 
 between this and Boston, in sum- 
 mer months, two or three times a 
 day. The hotels are large, and 
 furnish excellent accommodations. 
 Baker's Hill presents extensive and 
 delightful views of Boston harbor. 
 An excursion to Hingham is very 
 pleasant. 
 
 Hinsdale, IS. H. 
 
 Cheshire co. It is 75 miles S. 
 W. by W. from Concord. It is well 
 watered with springs and rivulets 
 of the purest water. The Connec- 
 ticut washes its western border; 
 and the Ashuelot runs through the 
 centre, forming a junction with the 
 Connecticut, a little below the great 
 bend, called Cooper's point. Kil- 
 iurn brook rises in Pisgah moun- 
 iain, runs S. and falls into Ashuelot 
 river. Ash-swamp brook rises in 
 West river mountain, runs a S. W. 
 ;ourse, and falls into the Connecti- 
 cut, near the side of Hinsdale's fort.
 
 NKW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 There are several islands in the Con- 
 necticut in this town. On the N. 
 line of Hinsdale, is West river 
 mountain, which extends from the 
 banks of the Connecticut, E. across 
 the whole width of the town. Its 
 greatest elevation is at the W. end. 
 President Dwight states the height 
 above low water mark to be from 
 800 to 900 feet. In this mountain is 
 found iron ore, and some other min- 
 erals and fossils. South of Ashue- 
 lot, is Stebbins' hill, a tract of ex- 
 cellent land, and principally in a 
 high state of cultivation. The in- 
 tervales here are extensive, and 
 of an excellent quality. On the 
 point of a hill, not far from Con- 
 necticut river, there is to be seen 
 the remains of an Indian fortifica- 
 tion, constructed prior to the set- 
 tlement of the town. There is a 
 deep trench drawn across the hill, 
 to separate it from the plain back, 
 and is continued to the river. 
 
 Hinsdale was incorporated in 
 1753. It was originally a part of 
 Northfield, and was settled as early 
 as 1683. The former name of this 
 place was Fort Dummer an'd Bridg- 
 man's Fort. This town encoun- 
 tered all the difficulties of the In- 
 dian wars, and struggled with oth- 
 er hardships incident to frontier 
 settlements, begun in the wilder- 
 ness and remote from cultivated 
 lands. Population, 1830, 937. 
 
 Htnsdale, Mass. 
 
 BerksUre co. Hinsdale is the 
 source of i branch of Housatonick 
 river. It is an elevated township, 
 and well adapted for grazing. 
 There are two woolen mills in 
 Hinsdale, and manufactures of 
 boots, shoes, leather, hats, chairs, 
 and cabinet ware : total amount in 
 one year $86,550. The value of 
 11,020 fleeces of wool, sheared in 
 Hinsdale in 1837, weighing 32,116 
 pounds, was $19,266. This town 
 was incorporated in 1804. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 832. It lies 125 miles 
 
 W. from Boston, and 15 N. N. W. 
 from Lenox. 
 
 Hiram, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This town lies on 
 both sides of a branch of Saco riv- 
 er, 86 miles W. S. W. from Augus- 
 ta, and 40 S. W. from Paris. The 
 township is fertile and productive 
 of wool and wheat. Incorporated, 
 1807. Population, 1830, 1,148. 
 
 Hodgdon, Me. 
 
 Washington co. Incorporated, 
 1832 : 179 miles from Augusta. In 
 1837, with a population of 552, it 
 produced 3,184 bushels of wheat. 
 See " Down East." 
 
 Holdcn, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This town is fine- 
 ly watered by branches of Black- 
 stone and Nashua rivers. It has a 
 valuable water power on Quinipox- 
 et river. It has some good mead- 
 ow land on the horders of the 
 streams. There are 5 cotton and 
 2 woolen mills in the town, and 
 manufactures of leather,boots,shbes, 
 straw bonnets, and palm-leaf hats ; 
 total amount of the manufactures 
 for the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 $201,960. Holden is 48 miles W. 
 from Boston, and 6 N. W. from 
 Worcester. Incorporated, 1740. 
 Population, 1837, 1,789. 
 
 Holdemess, N. H. 
 
 Grafton co. It is 65 miles N. W. 
 from Portsmouth, and 40 N. from 
 Concord. The soil is hard and not 
 easily cultivated, but when sub- 
 dued is tolerably productive. From 
 the sap of the sugar maple, a con- 
 siderable quantity of sugar is made. 
 The Pemigewasset imparts a por- 
 tion of its benefits to this place, and 
 there are various other streams 
 which serve to fertilize the soil, and 
 to furnish mill seats. Squam river, 
 the outlet of Squam ponds, runs in 
 a S. W. direction and empties into 
 the Pemigewasset near the S. W.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 angle of the town. This stream 
 affords excellent mill privileges, 
 having on it 2 paper mills and oth- 
 er machinery. There are 3 ponds 
 or lakes. 
 
 The road from Plymouth through 
 this place to Winnepisiogee lake, 
 and along the horders of that lake 
 to Wolfeborough is highly interest- 
 ing ; displaying scenery which is 
 scarcely equalled in this part of 
 our country. Holderness was first 
 granted in 1751. The first settle- 
 ment was made about the year 
 1763. Population, 1830, 1,429. 
 
 Holland, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. This is an excellent 
 township of land, producing in great 
 abundance all the varieties common 
 to the climate. Previous to the 
 year 1800, it was a wilderness. It 
 is bounded N. by Canada : 56 miles 
 N. N. E. from Montpelier and 20 
 N. E. from Irasburgh. Population, 
 1830, 432. 
 
 Holland, Mass. 
 
 Hampden co. Holland was tak- 
 en from Brimfield in 1785. It lies 
 70 miles S. W. by W. from Boston, 
 and 20 E. by S. from Springfield. 
 Population, 1837, 495. Holland 
 has several ponds, and is otherwise 
 watered by Quinnebaugh river. 
 There is a cotton mill in the town, 
 and 658 sheep. 
 
 Hollis, Me. 
 
 York co. This town lies on the 
 W. bank of Saco river, and contains 
 numerous mill sites. Incorporated, 
 1812. Population, 1837, 2,374. It 
 lies 72 miles S. W. from Augusta, 
 and 30 N. from York. 
 
 Hollis, Iff. H. 
 
 Hillsborough co. It is 8 miles 
 S. from Amherst, and 36 S. from 
 Concord. Nashua river waters the 
 S. E. part, and Nisitissit crosses 
 the S. W. extremity. There are 4 
 ponds, known by the name of 
 Flint's, Penichook, Long and Rocky 
 
 ponds. There is a pleasant village 
 near the centre of the town, on a 
 site somewhat elevated. The ori- 
 ginal name of Hollis was JVisitis- 
 sit, its Indian name. The first 
 settlement was made in 1731. It 
 was incorporated in April, 1746. 
 The name is either derived from 
 Thomas Hollis, a distinguished ben- 
 efactor of Harvard college, or from 
 the Duke of New Castle. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 1,501. 
 
 Holliston, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. First settled, 1710. 
 Incorporated, 1724. Population in 
 1837, 1,775. It lies 24 miles S. W. 
 by W. from Boston, and 21 S. from 
 Concord. There is a woolen mill 
 in the town, and some manufactures 
 of boots, shoes, leather, chairs and 
 cabinet ware, combs, ploughs, straw 
 bonnets, books, clothing, wagons 
 and harnesses : total value in one 
 year $335,948. The value of boots 
 and shoes amounted to $241,626, 
 employing 461 hands. Holliston 
 is watered by a small branch of 
 Charles river. 
 
 Holmes' Hole, Maas. 
 
 See Tisbnry. 
 
 Hooksctt, X. H. 
 
 Merrimack co. It lies nine miles 
 S. S. E. from Concord. The river 
 Merrimack, whose course here is 
 nearly N. and S., passes through 
 this town a little W. of the centre. 
 Here are those beautiful falls,known 
 by the name of Hooksett Falls. 
 The descent of water is about 16 
 feet perpendicular in 80 rods. A 
 high rock divides the stream, and a 
 smaller rock lies between that and 
 the western shore. There is a 
 pleasant village on the W. side of 
 the ri-yer. There is a strong and 
 well built bridge over Merrimack 
 river. Hooksett canal is in this 
 town. It is 1-4 of a mile long the 
 fall is 16 feet perpendicular. Hook- 
 sett was detached from Chester, 
 Goffstown and Dunbarton, and in-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 corporated as a separate town in 
 June, 1822. On the E. side of the 
 river is au extensive cotton factory, 
 owned by the Amoskeag Company. 
 Population, 1830, 880. 
 
 Hoosack River and Mountain. 
 
 Two branches of the Hoosack, 
 Hosick, or Hoosick river, rise in 
 New England : one in the high 
 lands in the county of Berkshire, 
 Mass. ; the other in the mountain- 
 ous tracts of Bennington county, 
 Vt. These branches unite near 
 Hoosack Falls, in the state of New 
 York, about 3 miles W. of the cel- 
 ebrated Bennington battle ground. 
 Hoosack river meets the Hudson 
 at Schagthicoke, 15 miles N. of 
 Troy, N. Y. This stream, in many 
 places, is exceedingly rapid in its 
 course, and affords a great number 
 of mill sites. 
 
 Hoosack mountain lies princi- 
 pally in Clarksburgh and Berkshire, 
 Mass., and is the source of a 'branch 
 of Hoosack river. Its elevation is 
 from 1,500 to 2,000 feet from its 
 base. 
 
 Hope, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. Hope is a township 
 of choice land, having Camden and 
 Megunticook lake on its south-east- 1 
 era border. It lies 44 miles E. S. 
 E. from Augusta, and 16 S. by W. 
 from Belfast. Hope produced in 
 1837, 3,142 bushels of wheat. Pop- 
 ulation, same year, 1,733. Incor- 
 porated, 1804. 
 
 Hopklnton, X. H. 
 
 Merrimack co. It is 28 miles N. 
 from Amherst, 7 W. from Concord, 
 46 N. E. from Keene, 30 S. E. from 
 Newport, 50 W. from Portsmouth, 
 and65N.N.W. from Boston. Con- 
 toocook river flows from Henniker 
 into the south-westerly part of this 
 town, and meanders in a N. E. <li. 
 rection. In its course it receives 
 Warner and Blackwater rivers, and 
 several large brooks, and empties 
 
 into Merrimack river at Concord. 
 On these streams are some valuable 
 tracts of intervale and meadow land* 
 The principal village in Hopkinton 
 is 7 miles from the state-house in 
 Concord. In this town the county 
 jail is located. In the W. part of 
 the town is a thriving village on 
 the Contoocook river, known as 
 HilVs Bridge, or Contoocookville, 
 where is a valuable water power, 
 and several mills. Hopkinton was 
 granted Jan. 16, 1735, to John Jones 
 and others, and was called Number 
 5, and afterwards New-Hopkinton. 
 The first settlement was made about 
 1740, by emigrants from Hopkinton, 
 Mass. This town suffered from In- 
 dian depredations. Population in 
 1830, 2,474. 
 
 Hopkinton, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex county. Branches of 
 Charles and Mill rivers rise in this 
 town, on which are manufacturing 
 establishments. There are 3 cot- 
 ton mills in Hopkinton, and manu- 
 factures of boots and shoes, ($152,- 
 300,) leather, ploughs, and straw 
 bonnets : total value, the year end- 
 ing April 1, 1837, $217,550. The 
 town was incorporated in 1715. 
 Population, 1830, 1,809 ; 1837, 
 2,166. 
 
 The mineral spring in this town 
 has become celebrated. It con- 
 tains carbonic acid, and carbonate 
 of lime and iron. It is situated near 
 White Hall pond, which abounds 
 in fine fish of various kinds. The 
 Boston and Worcester rail road 
 passes within 3 1-2 miles of it, at 
 Westborough, and it is 7 miles from 
 the Blackstone canal, at North- 
 bridge. It is 30 miles W. S. W. 
 from Boston, 14 E. by S. from Wor- 
 cester, and 30 N. by W. from Pro- 
 vidence, R. I. There is a large and 
 convenient hotel at this place, at 
 which visitors for health or plea- 
 sure are kindly entertained. A trip 
 to Hopkinton springs is both plea- 
 sant and fashionable.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Ilopkiiitou, B,. I. 
 
 Washington co. Wood river, a 
 valuable mill stream, passes through 
 this town, on which are cotton and 
 woolen mills, iron works, and vari- 
 ous other manufactories. The soil 
 of the town is generally well adapt- 
 ed for grazing, and the cultivation 
 of grain. It produces large quanti- 
 ties of fruit and excellent cider. 
 Shad and alewives are taken in 
 Pawcatuck river. There are seve- 
 ral ponds within the town. Con- 
 siderable wood and timber are sent 
 to market from this place. 
 
 Hopkinton City, at the south 
 part of the town, on the Tomma- 
 quaag branch of Charles river, is 
 very pleasant and flourishing. It 
 lies 35 miles S. W. from Provi- 
 dence, and 15 W. from South 
 Kingston. Hopkinton was first set- 
 tled in 1660. Incorporated, 1757. 
 Population, 1830, 1,777. 
 
 Houlton, Me. 
 
 Washington co. This town is 
 situated on the east line of the state 
 and of the United States, on the 
 border of the Province of New 
 Brunswick. It lies 120 miles N. 
 N. E. from Bangor, and about 75 
 W. N. W. from Frederickton, the 
 capital of New Brunswick. The 
 town was first settled in 1808, and 
 for twenty years it was entirely cut 
 off from all communication with the 
 western part of the state by a dense 
 wilderness of nearly 100 miles in 
 extent. 
 
 In 1829, a military post, the "Han- 
 cock Barracks," was established 
 here by the U. S. government, and 
 in 1834 the military and state roads 
 between Bangor and Houlton were 
 completed and opened for travel. 
 The great thoroughfare between 
 the United States and the British 
 Province of New Brunswick is 
 through th.'s town. The roads be- 
 tween Bangor and Houlton are ex- 
 cellent : stages pass and repass from 
 Bangor through Houlton to Frede- 
 
 rickton, three times a week. Fred- 
 erickton is SO miles N. N. W. from 
 St. Johns. A good road between 
 Houlton and Calais, on the river 
 St. Croix, about 90 miles distant, is 
 now open for travel. This town is 
 well watered by branches of Me- 
 duxnekeag river, which empties 
 into the St. John's. The garrison is 
 located about a mile north of the 
 village, and has generally contain- 
 ed four companies of infantry. In 
 this town the courts of probate are 
 held, and the office of registry of 
 deeds kept for the northern district 
 of Washington county. 
 
 The soil of Houlton and its vicin- 
 ity is of a superior quality. Twen- 
 ty-five bushels of wheat to the acre 
 is an average crop : 40 bushels to 
 the acre is frequently obtained. 
 Houlton, with a population of 667, 
 raised 5,869 bushels of wheat in the 
 year 1837. 
 
 We have heard it is said, that per- 
 sons might go so far " down east" 
 as to "jump off." If Houlton is 
 the jumping off plhce, we advise 
 some of our western brethren to go 
 and view the precipice. 
 
 Housatoiiicli River. 
 
 The sources of this river are in 
 the towns of Lanesborough and 
 Windsor, Berkshire county, Mass. 
 The two branches meet at Pitts- 
 field, where the river forms; it then 
 passes south, through Berkshire 
 county, and enters the state of Con- 
 necticut. After meandering through 
 the county of Litchfield, in that 
 state, it separates- the counties of 
 New Haven and Fairfield, and 
 meets the tide water at Derby, 14 
 miles above its entrance into Long 
 Island Sound. The source of this 
 mountain stream is more than 1,000 
 feet above the ocean ; and in its 
 course, of nearly 150 miles, it af- 
 fords numerous mill sites, and pre- 
 sents many pleasant and well cul- 
 tivated towns. The volume of wa- 
 ter of this river is not very large 
 except in seasons of freshet, when
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the rain? from the mountains that 
 environ its borders, inundate the 
 valleys and greatly fertilize the soil. 
 The scenery on the Housatonick 
 i exceedingly beautiful ; in some 
 places it is enchanting. The roman- 
 tic cataract at Canaan, Conn., of 60 
 feet perpendicular, is well worthy 
 the notice of travellers. The In- 
 dian name of this river, signifies 
 over the mountains. A vocabula- 
 ry of Indian names, so beautiful and 
 expressive, would be not only cu- 
 rious but valuable. 
 
 Howland, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This is a large 
 township of good land, in which the 
 Piscataquis' and Seboois rivers form 
 a junction : at the mouth of the for- 
 mer, about 50 rods from the Penob- 
 scot, are several saw mills. The 
 banks of the river are low and ve- 
 ry beautiful. Howland was incor- 
 porated in 1S26. It lies 117 miles 
 N. E. from Augusta, and 34 N. from 
 Bangor. Population, 1830, 329; 
 1837, 507. 
 
 HuhhartUton, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. Elizabeth Hickok, 
 the daughter of Elizabeth and Uriah 
 Hickok, was the first white child 
 born in this town. This event oc- 
 curred in 1774. The face of the 
 town is uneven, and in some parts 
 mountainous. It is watered by se- 
 veral ponds, the largest of which, 
 lying partly in Sudbury, is Grego- 
 ry'* pond, the outlet of which is 
 called Hubbardston river. This 
 river empties into Lake Champlain 
 mt West Haven, and is an excellent 
 mill stream. The village at the 
 northwesterly part of the town is 
 pleasant and flourishing: it con- 
 tains mills for the manufacture of 
 various articles. 
 
 Hubbardston lies 50 miles S. W. 
 from Montpelier, and 10 N. W. from 
 Rutland. Population, 1830, 865. 
 
 1 1 iililm r<t t on . 
 
 Worcester co. Hubbardston is 
 
 on elevated ground, and the source 
 of several branches of Ware river. 
 There is much unimproved water 
 power in the town. There are con- 
 siderable tracts of valuable mead- 
 ow land, and the uplands are good 
 for grazing. It was incorporated 
 in 1767. Population, 1837, 1,780. 
 The manufactures of the town con- 
 sist of copperas, leather, boots.shoes, 
 palm-leaf hats, chairs, cabinet and 
 wooden wares. Hubbardston lies 
 54 miles W. from Boston, and 22 
 S. from Worcester. 
 
 Hudson, -V. H. 
 
 Hillsborough co. This town lies 
 17 miles S. E. from Amherst, and 
 38 S. from Concord. The land here 
 is of easy cultivation. On the river 
 are fine intervales, of a deep rich 
 soil. Distant from the river, the 
 land is hilly and somewhat broken. 
 There are two ponds, known by the 
 name of Little Massabesick, and 
 Otternick ponds. This town was 
 included in the grant of Dunstable, 
 and was settled as early as 1710. 
 The first settlements were made on 
 the banks of the river, where the 
 Indians had cleared fields for culti- 
 vating corn. The first inhabitants 
 lived in garrisons. While the men 
 were abroad in the fields and forests, 
 the women and children were lodg- 
 ed in these places of security. 
 Near the Indian cornfields have 
 been found cinders of a blacksmith's 
 forge, which have led to the con- 
 jecture that they employed a smith 
 to manufacture their implements of 
 war and agriculture. Incorporated, 
 1746, by the name of Nottingham- 
 West, which it retained until July 
 1, 1830, when it was changed to 
 Hudson. Population in 1830, 1,282. 
 
 Hull, Moss. 
 
 Plymouth co. Hull was first set- 
 tled about the year 1625. Incor- 
 porated, 1644. Population, 1837, 
 180. This town comprises the pen- 
 insula of Nantasket, which forms 
 the S. E. side of Boston harbor. It
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 extends N. by W. from Cohasset, 5 
 miles, and is celebrated for its beau- 
 tiful beach, 4 miles in length, and 
 ,for its shell fish and sea fowl. The 
 town lies between two hills of fine 
 land, near point Alderton, opposite 
 Boston light-house. It lies 9 miles- 
 E. S. E. from Boston, by water, and 
 22 by land, via Hingham. On one 
 of the hills in this place, is a well 
 90 feet in depth, which is frequently 
 almost full of water. Capital in- 
 vested in the manufacture of salt, 
 $12,500. 
 
 Hull is remarkable for the una- 
 nimity which always prevails among 
 its inhabitants in their deliberative 
 assemblies, and for a spirit of com- 
 promise manifest on all occasions in 
 their selection of public servants. 
 
 Iluutington, Vt. 
 
 Chittenden co. First settled, 
 1786. Population, in 1830, 929. 
 Huntington lies 20 miles W. from 
 Montpelier, and 15 S. E. from Burl- 
 ington. Huntington river passes 
 through this town ; it is a branch 
 of Onion river, is rapid in its course, 
 affording several towns an abund- 
 ant water power. The soil of Hun- 
 tington is poor : its surface is gen- 
 erally too hilly for cultivation. 
 Camel's Back mountain lies in the 
 eastern part of the town. 
 
 Huntington, Ct. 
 
 Fairfield co. This is a township 
 of uneven surface, but well adapt- 
 ed to agricultural purposes, to which 
 the inhabitants are principally de- 
 voted. Hnntington was incorpora- 
 ted in 1789. It lies 4 miles W. 
 from Derby Landing, 12 N. E. from 
 Fairfield, and 12 W. from New 
 Haven. Population, 1830, 1,371. 
 
 Hyaunis Harbor, Mass. 
 
 See Barnstable. 
 
 Hyde Park, Vt. 
 
 Lamoille co. County town. The 
 Lamoille, Green, and other rivers 
 give this town a great water power, 
 
 some of which is advantageously 
 improved. The soil is generally of 
 a good quality and easily cultiva- 
 ted. It lies 24 miles N. from Mont- 
 pelier, and 32 N. E. from Burling- 
 ton. Population, 1830, 823. First 
 settled, 1787. 
 
 Indian Rivers. 
 
 Indian river, Me., Washington 
 county, is a small stream in the town 
 of Addison. 
 
 Indian stream, N. H., Coos coun- 
 ty, is the principal and most north- 
 erly source of Connecticut river, 
 rising in the highlands near the N. 
 limit of the state, and pursuing al- 
 most a direct S. W. course to its 
 junction with the E. branch flow- 
 ing from lake Connecticut. 
 
 Indian river, Vt., rises in Ru- 
 pert, and falls into the Pawlet. An- 
 other stream of this name, in Vt., 
 rises in Essex, and falls into Col- 
 chester bay. 
 
 Indian Stream Territory. 
 
 Is a tract in New Hampshire N 
 of lat. 45, extending to the British 
 possessions in L. Canada. It was 
 surveyed in 1805, and contains 160,- 
 363 acres. Lake Connecticut and 
 several considerable ponds are sit- 
 uated within this tract. 
 
 Industry, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. This town borders 
 N. W. on Sandy river, and is a 
 valuable tract of land. It lies 32 
 miles N. W. from Augusta, and is 
 bounded S. W. by Farmington. 
 Industry was incorporated in 1803; 
 it has a pleasant village, and raised, 
 in 1837, 6,078 bushels of wheat, 
 with a population of 1,014. 
 
 Ipswich, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. This is one of the 
 shire towns of the county, and a 
 port of entry, on a river of the 
 same name, sometimes called Jlga- 
 wam, the Indian name of the place. 
 Ipswich village is very pleasant, 
 and the country around it is well
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 cultivated, and beautifully varie- 
 gated. There is a cotton mill in 
 the town, and a number of vessels 
 are engaged in the coasting trade 
 and fishery. The manufactures 
 consist of cotton goods, hosiery, 
 vessels, leather, boots, shoes, chairs, 
 and cabinet ware : total annual 
 amount, about $120,000. Ipswich 
 is 12 miles N. by E. from Salem, 
 10 S. from Newburyport, and 26 
 N. E. by N. from Boston. First 
 settled, 1633. Incorporated, 1634. 
 Population, 1820, 2,553 : 1837, 2,- 
 855. 
 
 Ira, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. This township is 
 elevated : it contains good land for 
 rearing cattle : it has about 5,000 
 sheep. Castleton river and Ira 
 brook wash a part of the town, but 
 afford no valuable mill privileges. 
 Ira lies 60 miles S. S. W. from 
 Montpelier, and 8 S. W. from Rut- 
 land. Population, 1830, 442. 
 
 IrasburgH, Vt. 
 
 Shire town of Orleans county. 
 This township was granted to Ira 
 Allen and others, in 1781. It was 
 first settled in 1799. Population, 
 1830, 860. It lies 40 miles N. by 
 E. from Montpelier, awl 30 N. by 
 W. from Danville. The surface of 
 the town is undulating, with an 
 easy soil to cultivate, and general- 
 ly fertile. Black and Barton riv- 
 ers water the town, but move too 
 sluggishly to produce any valuable 
 power. 
 
 Isinglass River, N. H., 
 
 Takes its rise from Long pond 
 in Barrington, and Bow pond in 
 Strafford, and, after receiving the 
 waters of several other ponds, unites 
 with the Cocheco near the S. part 
 of Rochester. 
 
 Isles of Shoal*. 
 
 These islands, 8 miles from the 
 mouth of Portsmouth harbor, N. H. 
 are seven in number, viz: Hog, 
 
 Smutty Nose, Star, Duck, White, 
 Malaga, and Londonuer islands. 
 Hog contains 350 acres of rock, and 
 its greatest elevation is 57 feet above 
 high water mark. Smutty Nose* 
 contains about 250 acres of rock 
 and soil greatest elevation 45 feet. 
 Star island contains about 180 acres 
 of rock and soil, and its height is 55 
 feet. These islands, as a town, are 
 called Gosport. Star and Smutty 
 Nose are inhabited by fishermen, 
 who carry on considerable business 
 in their way ; supplying Portsmouth 
 and the neighboring towns with 
 fresh fish, and sending large quan- 
 tities of cured fish to Boston and 
 other places. The celebrated dun 
 fish are found here, which have 
 heretofore been considered a dis- 
 tinct species of the cod. They 
 differ however from the common 
 cod only in the circumstance of 
 their being caught and cured in 
 winter. Star island and Smutty 
 Nose are connected by a sea wall, 
 built at the expense of government, 
 for the purpose of breaking a strong 
 south east current passing between 
 them, and forming a safe anchor- 
 age on the north west side of it. 
 These objects have been attained, 
 and the miniature fleet of the Shoal- 
 ers, riding at anchor in this artifi- 
 cial harbor, is no unpleasant sight. 
 Smutty Nose and Malaga are con- 
 nected by a sea wall, built at the 
 expense of Air. Haley, " the King 
 of the Shoals." This wall, 14 rods 
 in length, 13 feet in height, and 
 from 20 to 30 feet in width, effec- 
 tually secures Haley's inlet and 
 wharf from the easterly storms, 
 although the waves not unfrequent- 
 ly break over it in a severe storm. 
 These islands are composed of ledges 
 of gneiss, bearing evidence of their 
 igneous origin, as they are often 
 traversed by veins of quartz, trap, 
 and iron stone. 
 
 There are a few spots of dry soil 
 upon them under cultivation. The 
 Shoals are a pleasant resort for 
 water parties, and their delightful
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 bracing air, cannot be otherwise 
 than advantageous to those who are 
 in want of pure sea breezes. The 
 present population is about 100. 
 
 These islands were discovered 
 by the celebrated John Smith, in 
 1614, and were named by him 
 Smith's Isles. The line between 
 Maine and New Hampshire passes 
 through these islands, leaving the 
 largest on the side of Maine. Up- 
 on all of them are chasms in the 
 rocks, having the appearance of 
 being caused by earthquakes. The 
 most remarkable is on Star island, 
 (Gosport) in which one Betty Moody 
 secreted herself when the Indians 
 visited the island and took away 
 many female captives ; and thence 
 called to this day " Betty Moody's 
 hole." For more than a century 
 previous to the revolution, these 
 islands were populous, containing 
 from 300 to 600 souls. They had 
 a court-house on Haley's island ; 
 a meeting-house, first on Hog isl- 
 and, and afterwards on Star island. 
 From 3 to 4 thousand quintals fish 
 were annually caught and cured 
 here, and 7 or 8 schooners, besides 
 numerous boats, were employed in 
 the business. The business has 
 since very greatly decreased. 
 
 William Pepperell and a Mr. Gib- 
 bons, from Topsham, England, were 
 among the first settlers at the Shoals; 
 the former an ancestor of the cele- 
 brated Sir William Pepperell. 
 
 A woman, of the name of Pul- 
 sey, died in Gosport, in 1795, aged 
 90. In her life time she kept two 
 cows. The hay on which they 
 fed in winter, she used to cut in 
 summer, among the rocks, with a 
 knife, with her own hands. Her 
 cows, it was said, were always in 
 good order. They were taken from 
 her, but paid for, by the British, in 
 1775, and killed, to the no small 
 grief of the good old woman. 
 
 Islesborough, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. This town comprises 
 a large and fertile island, in Penob- 
 17 
 
 scot bay, and several islands in its 
 vicinity. This island has excellent 
 harbors, and is much frequented by 
 fishermen and coasters. The inhab- 
 itants are independent farmers and 
 fishermen, who are accustomed to 
 render their insular situation a 
 place of comfort to the wayfarer, 
 or the invalid in pursuit of ocean 
 breezes. Islesborough lies 10 miles 
 S. E. from Belfast, and 56 E. from 
 Augusta. Incorporated, 1789. 
 Population, 1837, 674. 
 
 Israel's River, N. H., 
 
 Coos co., is formed by the waters 
 which descend in cataracts from the 
 summits of Mounts Adams and Jef- 
 ferson, and running N. W. it passes 
 through Randolph and Jefferson, 
 discharging itself into the Connec- 
 ticut near the centre of Lancaster. 
 It is a beautiful stream, and receiv- 
 ed its name from Israel Glines, a 
 hunter, who with his brother fre- 
 quented these regions, long before 
 the settlement of the county. 
 
 Jacitscm, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. An interior township 
 of good land that produced, in 1837, 
 4,898 bushels of as fine wheat as 
 can be raised in Tennessee. Pop- 
 ulation, same year, 523. Jackson 
 is 49 miles N. E. from Augusta, and 
 15 N. N. W. from Belfast. Incor- 
 porated, 1818. 
 
 Jackson, HT. II., 
 
 Coos co., situated on the E. side 
 of the White mountains. The sur- 
 face of the town is uneven, but the 
 soil is rich and productive. It is 
 watered principally by the two 
 branches of Ellis' river, passing 
 from the N. and uniting on the S. 
 border near Spruce mountain. 
 The principal elevations are called 
 Black, Baldface, and Thorn moun- 
 tains. Benjamin Copp was the first 
 settler ; he moved into Jackson in 
 1779, and with his family buffeted 
 the terrors of the wilderness four-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 teen years, before any other person 
 settled there. The town was in- 
 corporated December 4, 1800, by 
 the name of Adams, which name 
 it retained until 1829, when it was 
 changed to Jackson. Population, 
 in 1830, 515. 
 
 Jaffirey, X. II. 
 
 Cheshire co. This town lies 62 
 miles N. W. from Boston, and 40 S. 
 W. by S. from Concord. The Grand 
 Monadnock is situated in the N. W. 
 part of this town and in Dublin. 
 Innumerable streams of water issue 
 from the mountain. Those which 
 issue from the western side dis- 
 charge themselves into the Con- 
 necticut river ; those from the east- 
 ern form" the head waters of Con- 
 toocook river. The largest stream 
 rises about 100 rods from the sum- 
 mit, and descends in a S. E. direc- 
 tion. With this brook, the thirsty 
 and fatigued visitors of the moun- 
 tain associate the most pleasing re- 
 collections. The uneven soil of 
 Jaffrey, affording numerous mead- 
 ows, and early and rich pastures, 
 is peculiarly adapted to raising cat- 
 tle. There are several ponds in 
 this town. Out of 3, issue streams 
 sufficient to carry mills erected near 
 their outlets. In the largest, which 
 is 400 rods long, and 140 wide, is 
 an island comprising about 10 acres. 
 About 1 1-2 miles S. E. from the 
 mountain is the " Monadnock mine- 
 ral spring." The spring is slightly 
 impregnated with carbonate of iron 
 and sulphate of soda. It preserves 
 BO uniform a temperature as never 
 to have been known to freeze. 
 Where the spring issues from the 
 earth, yellow ochre is thrown out. 
 In this town are a cotton and wool- 
 en factory, and various mills. The 
 first permanent settlement was made 
 in 1758. Jaffrey was incorporated 
 in 1773, receiving its name from 
 George Jaffrey, Esq., of Portsmouth, 
 one of the original proprietors. Pop- 
 ulation in 1830, 1,354. 
 
 Jamaica, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. West river waters 
 this town, and gives good mill seats. 
 At a pleasant village near the cen- 
 tre of the town are valuable man- 
 ufacturing establishments. The sur- 
 face of the town is very uneven ; 
 in some parts mountainous, but the 
 soil is generally good and produc- 
 tive. Lime-stone of a good quality 
 is found here. Jamaica was first 
 settled in 1780. Population, 1830, 
 1,523. It lies 90 miles S. from 
 Montpelier, and 14 N. W. from 
 Newfane. 
 
 Jamestown, R. I. 
 
 Newport co. This town compris- 
 es Connanicut, a beautiful island 
 in Narraganset bay, about 8 miles 
 in length : its average breadth is 
 about a mile. The soil is a rich 
 loam, and peculiarly adapted for 
 grazing and the production of In- 
 dian corn and barley. 
 
 The inhabitants of this island are 
 remarkable for their industry and 
 agricultural skill, which, united 
 with the fertility of the soil and the 
 location of the island, renders it a 
 delightful place. The distance from 
 the town or island to Newport and 
 South Kingstou is about a mile each 
 way ; to each of those places a fer- 
 ry is established. The island was 
 purchased of the Indians in 1657. 
 Jamestown was incorporated in 
 1678. Population, -1830, 415. 
 
 Jay, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. Jay lies at a bend 
 of Androscoggin river, 29 miles W. 
 by N. from Augusta, and 12 S. S. W. 
 from Farmington. There is much 
 valuable land in Jay. The inhab- 
 itants are principally farmers, and 
 cultivate the soil with much indus- 
 try. The town produced, in 1837, 
 8,129 bushels of wheat, and con- 
 siderable wool. Population, 1830, 
 1,276; 1837, 1,685. Incorporated, 
 1795.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Jay, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. A part of this town 
 is very mountainous Jay's peak 
 lying in the S. W. part; the other 
 part is good arable land, and would 
 produce good crops if well culti- 
 vated. A number of streams issue 
 from the mountain, and produce an 
 ample water power. Jay was char- 
 tered in 1792, but it was not per- 
 manently settled until about 181G. 
 It lies 50 miles N. from Montpe- 
 lier, and 15 N. W. from Irasburgh. 
 Population, 1830, 196. 
 
 Jefferson, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This town lies at 
 the head of Damariscotta river, and 
 embraces a large body of water. 
 It is otherwise watered by several 
 ponds producing streams for mill 
 seats, which give to Jefferson great 
 facilities for sawing and transport- 
 ing lumber. This is a flourishing 
 town in its trade and agricultural 
 pursuits; it produced 3,361 bushels 
 of wheat in 1837. Incorporated, 
 1807. Population, 1837, 2,246. It 
 lies 28 miles E. S. E. from Augus- 
 ta, and 15 N. E. from Wiscasset. 
 Jefferson, N. II. 
 
 Coos co. Pondicherry pond, in 
 this town, is about 200 rods in di- 
 ameter, and is the principal source 
 of John's river. Pondicherry bay 
 is about 200 rods wide and 100 long. 
 Mount Pliny lies in the easterly 
 part of this town, and around its 
 base there is excellent grazing and 
 tillage land. On the S. W. side of 
 this mountain are several fine farms, 
 which command a most delightful 
 view of the White mountains. Is- 
 rael's river passes through Jeffer- 
 son from S. E. to N. W., and here 
 receives a considerable branch. The 
 town was first settled about the year 
 1773. Jefferson is 77 miles N. from 
 Concord, and 9 S. E. from Lancas- 
 ter. Population, 1830, 495. 
 
 Jerico, Vt. 
 
 Chittenden co. First settled, 1774. 
 
 Population, 1830, 1,654. Jerico lies 
 25 miles N. W. from Montpelier, 
 and 12 E. from Burlington. This 
 town lies on the N. side of Onion 
 river, and is otherwise finely sup- 
 plied with mill seats by Brown's 
 river and other streams. The soil 
 varies in quality, from good inter- 
 vale, on the streams, to cpmmon 
 grazing pastures, on the hills. There 
 is a pleasant village at the falls, on 
 Brown's river, and some ^manufac- 
 tories. 
 
 Johnson, Vt. 
 
 Lamoille co. Johnson was first 
 settled in 1784, by a revolutionary 
 hero, of the name of Samuel Ea- 
 ton. Mr. Eaton frequently passed 
 through this township, while scout- 
 ing between Connecticut river and 
 lake Champlain ; and several times 
 encamped on the same flat which 
 he afterwards occupied as a farm, it 
 being a beautiful tract of intervale. 
 Like many other settlers of this 
 state, he had many difficulties to 
 encounter. In indigent circumstan- 
 ces, and with a numerous family, 
 he loaded his little all upon an old 
 horse, and set out in search of that 
 favorite spot which he had selected 
 in his more youthful days. He 
 had to travel nearly 70 miles through 
 the wilderness, guided by the trees 
 which had been marked by the 
 scouts, and opening a path as he 
 passed along. He depended, for 
 some time after he arrived at John- 
 son, entirely upon hunting and fish- 
 ing for the support of himself and 
 family. 
 
 The river Lamoille enters this 
 township near the southeast cor- 
 ner, and running westerly about 
 two miles, through a rich tract of 
 intervale, falls over a ledge of rocks 
 about 15 feet in height into a basin 
 below. This is called M' Connel's 
 falls. Thence it runs northwest- 
 erly over a bed of rocks, about 100 
 rods, narrowing its channel and in- 
 creasing its velocity, when it forms 
 a whirlpool and sinks under a bar-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Her of rocks, which extends across 
 the river. The arch is of solid 
 rock, is about eight feet wide, and 
 at low water is passed over by 
 footmen with safety. The water 
 rises below through numerous aper- 
 tures, exhibiting the appearance of 
 the boiling of a pot. 
 
 The surface of this township is 
 uneven, being thrown into ridges, 
 which are covered with hemlock, 
 spruce and hard wood. The soil is 
 a dark, or yellow loam, mixed with 
 a light sand, is easily tilled, and 
 very productive. The alluvial ilats 
 are considerably extensive,but back 
 from the river the lands are, in 
 some parts rather stony. In the 
 northeastern part has been discov- 
 ered a quantity of soapstone. 
 
 The village, in Johnson, is very 
 pleasant, and contains a number of 
 mills, for the manufacture of vari- 
 ous articles. Johnson lies 28 miles 
 N. by W. from Montpelier, and 6 
 N. W. from Hyde Park. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 1,079. 
 
 Johnston, R. I. 
 
 Providence co. This town lies 
 5 miles W. from Providence, from 
 which it was taken in 1759. It is 
 pleasantly variegated by hills and 
 vales, with a soil adapted to the cul- 
 ture of corn and barley, and par- 
 ticularly to all sorts of vegetables 
 and fruits, of which large quantities 
 are annually sent to Providence 
 market. The quarries of freestone 
 in Johnston are valuable ; they sup- 
 ply the wants, not only of the city 
 and immediate vicinity, but distant 
 places, with that useful material. 
 The Wonasquatucket and Pochasset 
 rivers with their tributary streams 
 give this town agood hydraulic pow- 
 er. Beautiful manufacturing vil- 
 lages are scattered along the banks 
 of these waters, presenting to the 
 eye of the traveller the pleasant 
 union of our agricultural and man- 
 ufacturing interests. Population, 
 1S30, 2,113. 
 
 JonesborongU, Me. 
 
 Washington co. This town has 
 Chandler's river and the head of 
 Englishman's bay on the E., Jones- 
 port on the S., and the town of Ad- 
 dison on the W. Incorporated, 1809. 
 Population, 1837, 435. It lies 134 
 miles E. by N. from Augusta, and 
 12 S. W. from Machias. 
 
 Jonesport, Me. 
 
 Washington co. Taken from Jones- 
 borough in 1836, and is bounded N. 
 by Jonesborough, E. by English- 
 man's bay, S. by Mispeeky reach, 
 and W. by Addison bay and har- 
 bor. This place has an excellent 
 harbor, and is finely located for ship 
 building, the fisheries and coasting 
 trade. It lies 138 miles E. by N. 
 from Augusta, and 16 S. W. from 
 Machias. Population, 1837, 581 
 Beal and Head islands lie off S. 
 from Jonesport. 
 
 Judith Point, R. I. 
 
 A noted headland in South Kings- 
 ton, 11 miles S. S.W. from Newport, 
 in N. lat. 41 24', W. Ion. 71 35'. 
 A light-house was erected here in 
 1810, the tower of which is 35 feet 
 in height. This point opens to the 
 ocean about midway between Vine- 
 yard and Long Island Sounds. 
 When off this place, travellers un- 
 accustomed to the sea frequently 
 experience some little inconveni- 
 ence for a few miles. From this 
 light, Montauk, on Long Island, 
 bears about S. W. 30 miles, and Gay 
 Head, on Martha's Vineyard, about 
 E. by S., 35 miles. 
 
 Katahdiu Mountain, Me. 
 
 This celebrated mountain, the 
 greatest elevation in the state, lies 
 between the eastern and western 
 branches of Penobscot river, in the 
 county of Piscataquis, about eighty 
 miles N. N. W. from Bangor, and 
 120 N. N. E. from Augusta. Dr. 
 Jackson has ascertained its height
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 to be 5,300 feet above the level of 
 the sea. The Indians had a notion 
 that this mountain was the abode 
 of supernatural beings. It is steep 
 and rugged, and stands in almost 
 solitary grandeur. It may be seen 
 in a clear day from Bangor. Those 
 who have visited its summit pro- 
 nounce the scenery unrivalled in 
 sublimity. 
 
 Kearsarge Mountain, N. II.. 
 
 In the county of Merrimack, sit- 
 uated between the towns of Sutton 
 and Salisbury, extending into both 
 towns. The line between Wilmot 
 and Warner passes over the sum- 
 mit. Kearsarge is elevated 2,461 
 feet above the level of the sea, and 
 is the highest mountain in Merri- 
 mack county. Its summit is now 
 a bare mass of granite, presenting 
 an irregular and broken surface ; 
 the sides are covered with a thick 
 growth of wood. The prospect from 
 this mountain, in a clear sky, is 
 very wide and beautiful. 
 
 Kcenc, N. H., 
 
 Chief town of Cheshire co., is one 
 of the most flourishing towns in 
 N. H. It is 80 miles W. N. W. from 
 Boston, 60 S. from Dartmouth col- 
 lege, 4*3 S. S. E. from Windsor, Vt., 
 40 W. from Amherst, and 55 W. S. 
 W. from Concord. The soil is of va- 
 rious kinds and generally good. 
 
 Ashuelot river has its source in a 
 pond in Washington, and discharges 
 itself into the Connecticut, at Hins- 
 dale, 20 miles distant from Keene. 
 Keene has been called one of the 
 " prettiest villages" in New Eng- 
 land ; and president Dwight, in his 
 travels, pronounces it one of the 
 pleasantest inland towns he had 
 seen. The principal village is sit- 
 uated on a flat, E. of the Ashuelot, 
 nearly equidistant from that and the 
 upland. It is particularly entitled 
 to notice for the extent, width, and 
 uniform level of its streets. The 
 main street, extending one mile in 
 a straight line, is almost a perfect 
 
 17* 
 
 level, and is well ornamented with 
 trees. The buildings are good and 
 well arranged ; some of them are 
 elegant. Keene is a place of con- 
 siderable business. It has 2 glass 
 houses, a woolen factory, iron found- 
 ry, and many other valuable manu- 
 facturing establishments. Its* first 
 settlement commenced about the 
 year 1734, by Jeremiah Hall and 
 others. Its original name was Up-- 
 per Ashuelot. It was incorporated 
 with its present name, April 11, 
 1753, which is derived from Sir 
 Benjamin Keene, British minister 
 at Spain, and contemporary with 
 Gov. B. Wentworth. 
 
 In 1736 the settlement had so 
 increased, that a meeting-house was 
 erected and in two ye-ars after, a 
 minister was settled. But the usual 
 scourge, which attended the fron- 
 tier settlements, visited this town. 
 In 1745 the Indians killed Josiah 
 Fisher, a deacon of the church : 
 in 1746, they attacked the fort, the 
 only protection of the inhabitants. 
 They \vere, however, discovered 
 by Capt. Ephraim Dorman in sea- 
 son to prevent their taking it. 
 He was attacked by two Indians, 
 but defended himself successfully 
 against them, and reached the fort. 
 An action ensued, in which John 
 Bullard was killed ; Mrs. M'Ken- 
 ney, who being out of the fort, was 
 stabbed and died ; and Nathan Blake 
 taken prisoner, carried to Canada, 
 where he remained two years. Mr. 
 Blake afterwards returned to Keene, 
 where he lived till his death ,in 1811, 
 at the age of 99 years and 5 months. 
 When he was 94 he married a wid- 
 ow of 60. The Indians burnt all the 
 buildings in the settlement, includ- 
 ing the meeting-house. The in- 
 habitants continued in the fort un- 
 til April, 1747, when the town was 
 abandoned. In 1753 they return- 
 ed, and re-con,menced their settle- 
 ments. In 1755 the Indians again 
 attacked the fort. Their number 
 was great, and the onset violent, 
 but the vigilance and courage of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Capt. Syms successfully defended 
 it. After burning several build- 
 ings, killing cattle, &c., they wifh- 
 drew. They again invaded the 
 town, but with little success. 
 
 Col. ISAAC WYMAN, an active 
 and influential man, marched the 
 tirsfc detachment of men from this 
 town, in the war of die revolution, 
 and was present at the battle of 
 Breed's Hill. Population, in 1830, 
 2,374. 
 
 Kendnakeog Stream, Me. 
 
 This stream rises in Dexter and 
 Garland, and after meandering very 
 circuitously through Corinth, Le- 
 vant and Button, it falls into the 
 Pcnobscot river, at the centre of 
 the city of Bangor. This is a valu- 
 able mill stream ; it has numerous 
 tributaries ; its banks are fertile, 
 romantic and beautiful. *-tjv ( 
 
 Kennebec River, Ale. 
 
 The first source of this import- 
 ant river is Moose Head lake, of 
 which it is the outlet. From thence 
 it passes in a S. W. course nearly 
 20 miles, where it receives the wa- 
 ters of Dead river ; it then proceeds 
 S. to Starks, about 40 miles, where 
 it receives the waters of the Sandy : 
 here it changes its course easterly, 
 about 12 miles, passing Norridge- 
 wockandSkowhegan: it then again 
 changes its course to the S. till it 
 receives the waters of the Sebasti- 
 cook, about 15 miles : it continues 
 to descend in nearly a S. course to 
 Hallowell, about 20 miles ; here 
 it inclines to the E. a few miles, 
 and then resuming a S. course, and 
 passing through Merrymeeting bay, 
 where it receives the Androscog- 
 gin river, it passes Bath and meets 
 the ocean. The whole length of 
 this river, from Moose Head lake 
 to the sea, is about 150 miles. 
 The tributaries already uamed are 
 the most considerable ; but there 
 are many others that would be con- 
 sidered important rivers in other 
 sections of country. The whole fall 
 
 of this river is more than 1,000 feet, 
 and its hydraulic power, with that 
 of its tributaries, is incalculable. 
 
 We are enabled to state that the 
 average, or mean time, of the clos- 
 ing of this river by ice, at Hallow- 
 ell, for 45 successive years, was 
 December 12th, and of its opening, 
 April 3d. The most remarkable 
 years were, 1792, when the riv- 
 er closed November 4th, and open- 
 ed April 1st, the following year ; 
 and 1831, when it closed January 
 10th, and opened April 13th, 1832. 
 Since the year 1786 the Kennebec 
 has not been obstructed by ice in 
 any spring after the 20th of April. 
 
 Kennebec County, Me. 
 
 AUGUSTA is the shire town. This 
 county is bounded N. by Franklin, 
 Somerset, and Penobscot counties, 
 E. by Waldo and a part of Lincoln 
 counties, S. by Lincoln county, and 
 W. by Oxford county. This county 
 is watered by numerous ponds and 
 rivers, but principally by the noble 
 Kennebec, which passes nearly 
 through its centre, from which the 
 name of the county is derived. The 
 face of the county is undulating, 
 not hilly ; its soil is of a superior 
 quality, producing, in great abund- 
 ance, all the variety of grasses, 
 grains, vegetables and fruits com- 
 mon to its climate. The union of 
 hydraulic power with navigable 
 waters, which this county enjoys ; 
 its fertility, locality, and other nat- 
 ural advantages, render it a highly 
 favored section of our country. 
 Area, about 1,050 square miles. In 
 1837 this county contained 101,238 
 sheep, and produced 186,876 bush- 
 els of wheat. Population, 1837, 62,- 
 375 : 59 inhabitants to a square mile. 
 
 licimcbnnJt, Me. 
 
 York co. This town is situated 
 on the S. W. side of the Kenne- 
 bunk river, and is regarded as one 
 of the pleasantest towns in New 
 England. Population, 1837, 2,343. 
 In former years the business of the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 town was mostly of a commercial 
 character, there being a large num- 
 ber of vessels owned here, which 
 were engaged in the West India 
 trade. But this trade is now near- 
 ly abandoned, and the navigation is 
 engaged in the freighting, coasting, 
 and fishing business. Ship build- 
 ing has been carried on here to a 
 great extent, for about seventy 
 years, and some of the finest ships 
 in the country have been built in 
 this place within the last few years. 
 There is one large cotton factory in 
 operation, and other privileges for 
 large manufacturing establishments 
 on the Kennebunk, and the Mou- 
 sum, a pleasant stream which meets 
 the ocean in this town. Kenne- 
 bunk is a port of entry: tonnage of 
 the district, in 1837, 6,964 tons. 
 Incorporated, 1820. It lies 80 miles 
 8. W. from Augusta, 25 S. W. from 
 Portland, and 15 N. N. E. from 
 York. 
 
 Kcuiielmnlt Port, Me., 
 
 York co., is situated on the N. 
 E. side of the Kennebunk river. 
 This town was formerly extensive- 
 ly engaged in the West India trade, 
 but its navigation is now employed 
 n the freighting, coasting, and fish- 
 ing business. The extensive gran- 
 ite quarries here are likely to be- 
 come a source of considerable busi- 
 ness. The stone, bearing a strong 
 resemblance to the Quincy, finds 
 a ready market where granite is 
 made use of in building. Thirty 
 years ago, this town, and Kenne- 
 bunk, on the opposite side of the 
 river, were the most active and busy 
 ports in Maine ; but the tide of 
 emigration has carried off most of 
 the young men, leaving a surplus 
 of girls; so that whatever activity 
 there now is in the place, is of a 
 domestic character, not creating 
 that noise and bustle incident to the 
 operations of the other sex. Ken- 
 nebunk Port lies about 4 miles N. 
 E. from Kennebunk. This town 
 and Kennebunk are much united in 
 
 maritime pursuits, and both enjoy 
 a good harbor for shipping. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 2,730. 
 
 Kensington, X. II., 
 
 Rockingham co., is 45 miles N. 
 from Boston, 15 S. W. from Ports- 
 mouth, and 40 S. E. from Concord. 
 This town has no streams of any " 
 note ; its surface is pretty even. 
 Kensington was settled at an early 
 period, and was originally a part of 
 Hampton, from which it was de- 
 tached in 1737. Population, 1830, 
 717. 
 
 Kent County, R. I. 
 
 East Greenwich is the county 
 town. Kent county is bounded N. 
 by Providence county, E. by Pro- 
 vidence bay, S. by Washington 
 county, and W. by the state of Con- 
 necticut. The surface of the coun- 
 ty is generally rough and uneven : 
 in the eastern part are tracts of le- 
 vel land. The soil is either a gra- 
 velly or sandy loam, and very pro- 
 ductive of Indian grain, rye, fruits, 
 and vegetables. The grazing busi- 
 ness is extensively pursued in this 
 county. The Pawtuxet and Flat 
 rivers are the principal, but a num- 
 ber of large ponds produce smaller 
 streams in abundance. The manu- 
 facturing interests of this county, 
 particularly of cotton and wool, are 
 very extensive, and probably pur- 
 sued with as much spirit and suc- 
 cess as in any portion of the state. 
 Some navigation is employed on the 
 bay in the coasting trade and fish- 
 ery. Kent county comprises an 
 area of 186 square miles. Popula- 
 tion, 1820, 10,228; 1830, 12,789. 
 Population to a square rnile, 69. 
 
 Kent, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield co. First settled, 173S. 
 Incorporated, 1739. Population, 
 1830, 2,001. Kent is 50 miles W. 
 from Hartford, 50 N. W. from New 
 Haven, and 15 W. from Litchfield. 
 This is a mountainous township, 
 with some fine land on the banks
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 of the Housatonick, which passes 
 through its western border. Good 
 iron ore is found here. There are 
 three furnaces in town, but the 
 manufacture of iron is not so exten- 
 ive as formerly. The Housaton- 
 ick, calm and still, winding grace- 
 fully at the foot of a high and rug- 
 ged mountain, renders the scenery 
 from the neat and quiet village, 
 highly picturesque and beautiful. 
 
 " There is in this town," says Dr. 
 Trumbull, " convincing evidence 
 that it was a grand seat of the na- 
 tive inhabitants of this country, 
 before Indians, who more lately in- 
 habited it, had any residence in it. 
 There are arrow heads, stone pots, 
 and a sort of knives, and various 
 kinds of utensils, frequently found 
 by the English, of such curious 
 workmanship as exceeds all the 
 skill of any Indians since the Eng- 
 lish came into this country, and 
 became acquainted with them. 
 These were not only found when 
 the town was first settled, but they 
 are still found on the sides of Housa- 
 tonic river." 
 
 Kilkenny, TV. H. 
 
 Coos co. This place was granted 
 in 1774, and contained, in 1830, but 
 27 inhabitants. They are poor, and 
 for aught that appears to the contra- 
 ry, must always remain so, as they 
 may be deemed actual trespassers 
 on that part of creation destined by 
 its author for the residence of bears, 
 wolves, moose, and other animals 
 of the forest. An exception, how- 
 ever, may possibly be made in fa- 
 vor of a narrow strip of land along 
 the S. boundary of the town. Pi- 
 lot and Willard's mountains, so call- 
 ed from a dog and his master, cov- 
 er a considerable part of this town. 
 Willard, a hunter, had been lost 
 two or three days on these moun- 
 tains, on the east side of which his 
 camp was situated. Each day he 
 observed his dog Pilot left him, as 
 he supposed in pursuit of game ; 
 but towards night he would con- 
 
 stantly return. Willard being, on 
 the second or third day, nearly ex- 
 hausted with fatigue and hunger, 
 put himself under the guidance of 
 his dog, who in a short time con- 
 ducted him in safety to his camp. 
 
 Killlnglj , ft. 
 
 Windham co. This town lies 45 
 miles E. from Hartford, 25 W. from 
 Providence, R. I., and 5 N. E. from 
 Brooklyn. First settled in 1700. 
 The first white person known to 
 have been buried here was Mr. 
 Nell Alexander's great- grand- mo- 
 ther. (See Jllexander's Lake.) This 
 town is rough and hilly, but there 
 is a great deal of beauty about it, 
 and its history is full of romantic 
 stories relating to the first settlers 
 and the red men. The town is 
 wellwatered by the Quinnebaugand 
 its branches. There are three vil- 
 lages, Pleasant Valley, Daysville, 
 and Danielsonville, all pleasant and 
 flourishing manufacturing places. 
 They contain 14 cotton and 3 wool- 
 en mills, a furnace, an axe factory, 
 and other mechanical operations. 
 Killingly contains excellent quar- 
 ries of freestone, and of a slate rock 
 resembling granite, soft, and easily 
 wrought; also of a slate rock com- 
 posed of granular quartz, almost 
 white. A rich bed of porcelain 
 clay is found on Mashentuck hill, 
 aid to equal French or Chinese 
 clay. Population, 1836, 4,000. 
 
 Killington Peak, Vt. 
 
 This noted elevation of the Green 
 Mountain range, 3,924 feet above 
 the ocean, lies in Sherburne, 10 
 miles E. from Rutland. 
 
 Killinsivorth, Ct. 
 
 Middlesex co. This town, the 
 Indian Hammonnasset, was first 
 settled in 1663. The central part 
 of the town is 38 miles S. E. from 
 Hartford, 27 W. from New Lon- 
 don, and . 17 S. by E. from Mid- 
 dletown. Population, 1830, 2,484. 
 This town lies on Long Island
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Sound with a harbor for small ves- 
 sels. Many vessels are biylt at 
 this place. There is 1,000 acres 
 of good salt meadow in Killing- 
 worth, and the soil of the uplands, 
 although hard and uneven, are ren- 
 dered productive by industry and 
 skillful management. The village 
 is very pleasant, with a wide street 
 a mile and a half in length, crossed 
 about midway by Indian river, a 
 small stream which enters the har- 
 bor. This was a great resort for 
 the Indians. '' Immense masses 
 of mouldering shells still point out 
 the places where they dwelt." 
 Killingworth is a healthful, inter- 
 esting place. 
 
 Kilmarnock, Me. 
 
 Piscataquis co. This town is 
 well watered by Piscataquis river 
 and the outlet of Scootum lake. It 
 lies 103 miles N. E. from Augusta, 
 and 22 N. N. E. from Dover. In- 
 corporated, 1824. Population, 1830, 
 138 ; 1837, 313. 
 
 Kingneld, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. A fine farming 
 township, east of Mount Abraham, 
 and watered by Seven Mile brook 
 and one of its tributaries. It lies 
 55 miles N. W. by N. from Au- 
 gusta, and 25 N. from Farmington. 
 Population, 1837, 614. Incorpora- 
 ted, 1808. Wheat crop of 1837, 
 3,877 bushels. 
 
 ICingslrarjr, Me. 
 
 Incorporated, 1836. See "Down 
 
 East." 
 
 Kingston, IV. H. 
 
 Rockingham co. This town is 
 distant from Concord 37 miles S. E., 
 from Exeter 6, and from Portsmouth 
 20. There are several ponds in 
 this town. The largest is Great 
 pond, which lies on the W. of the 
 village, and contains upwards of 
 800 acres, with an island of 10 or 12 
 acres, covered with wood. There 
 are no high hills in Kingston ; those 
 
 called the Great hill and Rockri- 
 mon are the highest. The soil of 
 Kingston is generally loamy. The 
 charter of Kingston was granted, 
 1694. The grant also comprehend- 
 ed what now forms the towns of 
 East Kingston, Danville, and San- 
 down. This town suffered in com- 
 mon with others in the vicinity, from 
 Indian depredations. Many Indian 
 implements, with some ancient 
 French coin, have been ploughed 
 up in the vicinity of the ponds. 
 
 Maj. EBEITEZER STEVEJVS, one 
 of the early settlers, was a very 
 distinguished and useful citizen. 
 
 This town was also the residence 
 of the Hon. JOSIAH BARTL.ETT, 
 one of the first worthies of the state, 
 and an eminent physician. His 
 public career commenced in 1765, 
 and from that time to his death he 
 was an unwearied advocate and 
 supporter of the liberties of Amer- 
 ica. He was the first governor of 
 the state under its free constitution. 
 He died in 1795, aged 65. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 929. 
 
 Kingston, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. A mountainous town- 
 ship settled soon after the revolu- 
 tionary war. Population,1830, 403. 
 White river is formed in Kingston 
 by the union of several streams. 
 Here is a beautiful water fall of 
 100 feet, 50 of which is perpendic- 
 ular. At the bottom of the fall the 
 water has worn a hole 10 feet in 
 depth. Kingston lies 21 miles S. 
 W. from Montpelier, and 14 E. from 
 Middlebury. 
 
 Kingston, Mass-. 
 
 Plymouth co. This town lies 
 within Plymouth harbor, 4 mik-s 
 N. W. from Plymouth, and 31 S. 
 E. from Boston. Kingston has a 
 good harbor, a considerable stream 
 of water and some excellent land. 
 There are a number of vessels en- 
 gaged in the coasting trade, and 
 some in foreign commerce. Many 
 vessels are built here of the south
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ihore white oak, noted for its 
 strength and durability. During 
 the year ending April 1, 1837, there 
 were 19 vessels engaged in the cod 
 and mackerel fishery. They took 
 14,214 quintals of cod fish, and 886 
 barrels of mackerel, the value of 
 which amounted to $48,590. There 
 is a cotton mill in Kingston, and 
 manufactures of bar iron, nails, ax- 
 es, cutlery, anchors, leather, shoes, 
 palm-leaf hats, and shingles : total 
 value inone year $105,302. Monk's 
 hill presents an excellent view of 
 Plymouth harbor. Kingston was 
 incorporated in 1726. Population, 
 1837, 1,371. 
 
 ICirby, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. First settled, 1799. 
 Population, 1830, 401. There are 
 some tracts of good land in Kirby, 
 but the township is generally either 
 wet and cold, or too mountainous for 
 cultivation. It has a number of 
 springs, brooks, and a good fish 
 pond. The town lies 36 miles N. 
 E. from Montpelier, and 14 N. E. 
 from Danville. 
 
 Kirklaud, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. Kirkland is finely 
 watered by Dead stream, Pushaw 
 lake and its principal tributary riv- 
 er. It lies 83 miles N. E. from 
 Augusta, and 15 N. N. W. from 
 Bangoc. Incorporated, 1825. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 258. 
 
 Klttery, Me. 
 
 York co. A sea port town on 
 the N. E. bank of the Piscataqua 
 river, being the extreme southwest- 
 ern boundary of the state on the 
 Atlantic, adjoining York on the N. 
 E. and Elliot on the N.' W. It is 
 one of the earliest settlements in 
 the province, or state, and had its 
 share of trial and suffering with 
 others of their days, from repeated 
 incursions of the Indians. The 
 river or inlet, called Spruce creek, 
 affords a convenient harbor for ves- 
 sels usually employed in the coast- 
 
 ing trade and fishery, and formerly 
 considerable trade was carried on 
 with the West Indies from this 
 place ; but there is little or none 
 at present. 
 
 Kittery point was the residence 
 of Sir William Pepperell, who com- 
 manded the New England troops in 
 the celebrated expedition to Cape 
 Breton, in 1745, which resulted in 
 the capture of Louisburg. It is 
 divided from Portsmouth, N. H. by 
 the Piscataqua. A bridge connects 
 it with that place. Another bridge 
 connects it with Badger's island, on 
 which is the United States Navy 
 Yard. Kittery lies 103 miles S. W. 
 from Augusta, and 50 S. W. from 
 Portland. Incorporated, 1653. 
 Population, 1837, 2,322. 
 
 Kiiox, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. A beautiful farming 
 town, named in honor of, Gen. HEN- 
 RY Kivox, a patriot of the revolu- 
 tion, who died at Thomaston, 1806, 
 aged 56. This is one of the many 
 towns in Maine fast rising in wealth 
 and respectability, by the fertility of 
 the soil and industry of the people. 
 It lies 32 miles N. E. by E. from 
 Augusta, and 14 S. W. from Bel- 
 fast. Incorporated, 1819. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 815. Wheat crop, 
 same year, 4,037 bushels. 
 
 Lagrange, Me. 
 
 Population, 1837, 287. Wheat 
 crop, same year, 1,749 bushels. 
 See " Down East." 
 
 Lramoille County, Vt. 
 
 Hyde Park is the shire town. 
 This county was established in 1836. 
 It is bounded N. by Franklin and 
 Orleans counties, E. by Orleans and 
 Caledonia counties, S. by Washing- 
 ton county, and W. by Chittendeu 
 and a part of Franklin counties. 
 This county lies on the Green moun- 
 tain range, and is the source of ma- 
 ny streams. The river Lamoille 
 passes nearly through its centre, 
 and, with its tributaries, give the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 county a great hydraulic power. 
 The elevation of the county ren- 
 ders the soil more adapted for graz- 
 ing than for tillage, yet there are 
 large tracts of excellent meadow 
 bordering its streams. Manufac- 
 tures flourish, and the exports of 
 beef cattle and the products of the 
 dairy are valuable, and annually 
 increasing. In 1837, there" were 
 28,677 sheep. Population, 1830, 
 8,930. 
 
 LiuuoZIle River, Vt. 
 
 This river is formed in Greens- 
 borough. Its general course is N. 
 W. It passes through Hardwick, 
 Wolcott, Morriston, Johnston, Cam- 
 bridge, Fairfax and Georgia, and 
 falls into Lake Champlain at Mil- 
 ton, 12 miles N. from Burlington. 
 This river has numerous tributaries : 
 it has several falls, which produce 
 a valuable water power. Its banks 
 in many parts are very fertile. It 
 was discovered by Champlain in 
 1609. 
 
 Lancaster, IV. II. 
 
 Coos co. Shire town of the coun- 
 ty, and situated on the southeastern 
 bank of Connecticut river, which 
 forms and washes its N. W. bound- 
 ary, a distance of 10 miles. It lies 
 distant 110 miles W. from Portland, 
 130 N. from Portsmouth, 95 N. 
 from Concord, and 75 above Dart- 
 mouth College. Besides the Con- 
 necticut, which is deep and about 
 22 rods in width while it passes 
 through Lancaster, the town is wa- 
 tered by Israel's river, and several 
 considerable brooks. Across this 
 river a bridge and several dams are 
 thrown, forming a valuable water 
 power. There are several ponds 
 in Lancaster, the largest of which 
 is called Martin-meadow pond, from 
 Martin, a hunter. This communi- 
 cates with Little pond. 
 
 Lancaster is situated near lofty 
 mountains, but is not itself moun- 
 tainous. There are three hills in 
 the S. part of the town, called Mar- 
 
 tin meadow hills; and the land in 
 the S. E. part lies too high up the 
 mountains for cultivation. The soil 
 along the Connecticut is alluvial, 
 the meadows extending back near- 
 ly three-fourths of a mile ; and at 
 the mouth of Israel's river much 
 farther. 
 
 The village, or most compact part 
 of the town, lies on a street extend- 
 ing from the bridge across Israel's 
 river northwardly : it is pleasant, 
 and is the site of some manufactur- 
 ing establishments. Lancaster was 
 granted and settled in 1763. The 
 war of the revolution tended to re- 
 tard the settlement of the town. 
 After the war closed, the town set- 
 tled with considerable rapidity, and 
 has since gradually increased in 
 wealth and business. Population, 
 1830, 1,187. 
 
 Lancaster, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This town, the 
 JVasawogg of the Indians, is the 
 oldest town in the county ; it was 
 for many years a frontier settlement, 
 and greatly harrassed by the na- 
 tives. In 1676, the town was at- 
 tacked by 1,500 Indians ; many 
 were killed on both sides ; the town 
 was destroyed, and a number car- 
 ried into captivity, among whom 
 was the celebrated Mrs. Mary 
 Rowlandson. Lancaster lies on 
 both sides of Nashua river, and has 
 a remarkably fine, alluvial soil, in 
 a high state of cultivation. Per- 
 haps there is no inland town in New 
 England that possesses more natu- 
 ral beauties, or that strikes the eye 
 of the traveller more agreeably. 
 The village is very beautiful : it is 
 neatly built on an alluvial plain, 
 surrounded by hills, and watered by 
 a large and placid stream. There 
 are 3 cotton and 1 woolen mills in 
 the town, and manufactures of 
 leather, boots, shoes, hats, forks, 
 combs, palm-leaf hats, tenon ma- 
 chines, copper pumps, piano-fortes, 
 chairs, and cabinet ware : annual 
 value about $100,000. Some min- 

 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 eral substances are found here. 
 Lancaster was first settled, 1643. 
 Incorporated, 1653. Population, 
 1837, 1,903. It lies 35 miles W. 
 N. W. from Boston, and 15 N. N. 
 E. from Worcester. 
 
 LniiclafT. BT. H. 
 
 Grafton co. Its distance from 
 Haverhillis about 12 miles N. E., 
 and from Concord 90 N. by W. 
 Wild Amonoosuck river runs from 
 S. E. to N. W. through the S. part 
 of the town. Through the north- 
 ' westerly extremity passes the Great 
 Amonoosuck river. Landaff moun- 
 tain in the E. part, Cobble hill in 
 the centre, and Bald hill in the W., 
 are the principal elevations. The 
 soil is fertile. Landaff was granted 
 in 1764, to James Avery and others. 
 Population, in 1830, 951. 
 
 Lamlgrove, "Vt. 
 
 Bennington co. This town is on 
 elevated land at the N. E. corner 
 of the county, 33 miles N. E. from 
 Becuington, and about 30 S. W. 
 from Windsor. Some of the head 
 branches of West river have their 
 sources here. The lands are too 
 rough and high for much improve- 
 ment. First settled, 1769. Popu- 
 lation, 1830,385. 
 
 I,n.ncsborough, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. This township lies 
 on elevated ground, the sources of 
 some of the bead branches of Hons- 
 atonick and Hoosack rivers. It is 
 situated on two hills, with an inter- 
 vening valley. The lands in the 
 valley are very luxuriant, and the 
 hilly parts are admirably adapted 
 for grazing. Lanesborough is a 
 beautiful town, under good cultiva- 
 tion, and very productive. The in- 
 habitants are principally farmers, 
 who make agriculture a business, 
 and reap its rewards. In 1837 there 
 were in this town 12,333 sheep, 
 whose fleeces weighed 42,489 Ibs., 
 estimated at $26,100. Limestone 
 abounds here ; also beautiful mar- 
 
 ble, and graphic slate. There is a 
 delightful pond partly in this town 
 and partly in Pittsfield : it con? 
 tains trout and other fine fish. 
 Lanecborough was incorporated, 
 1765. Population, 1837, 1,090. It 
 lies 125 miles W. by N. from Bos- 
 ton, and 11 N. from Lenox. 
 
 Laugdon, N. H. 
 
 Sullivan co. Langdon is 18 miles 
 S. S. W. from Newport, and 50 W. 
 by S. from Concord. The princi- 
 pal village it 3 miles E. from Con- 
 necticut river, and 6 from Bellows 
 Falls. A considerable branch of 
 Cold river passes S. W. through the 
 whole extent of this town, and unites 
 with the main branch near the S. 
 line. Langdon, named in honor 
 of 'Gov. Langdon, was incorporated 
 1787. Its settlement commenced in 
 1773. Population, 1830, 667. 
 
 Lebanon, 7!t>. 
 
 York co. This town is bounded 
 W. by Salmon Fall river, on the 
 line of New Hampshire. It is a 
 large agricultural township, with 
 some trade and manufactures. It 
 lies 99 miles S. W. from Augusta, 
 50 S. W. by W. from Portland, and 
 11 S. W. from Alfred. Incorpora- 
 ted, 1767. Population, in 1S37, 
 2,240. 
 
 Lebanon, X. K. 
 
 Grafton co. This pleasant town 
 on Connecticut river, is 4 miles S. 
 from Dartmouth College, 49 N. W. 
 from Concord, and 90 N. W. from 
 Portsmouth. Besides the Connec- 
 ticut on its W. border, this town is 
 watered by Mascomy river, running 
 from E. to W. through its centre, 
 and affording many valuable mill 
 seats and a constant supply of wa- 
 ter. The soil here is alluvial, the 
 intervales on the Connecticut ex- 
 tending back from the river about 
 half a mile. There are meadows or 
 intervales on Mascomy river. The 
 principal village is situated on a 
 plain near the central part, at the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 head of the falls of Mascomy riv- 
 er. There are falls in the Connect- 
 icut in this town, which have been 
 locked and canalled by a company, 
 called the White River Company. 
 Lyman's bridge connects this town 
 with Hartford, Vt. A medicinal 
 spring has been discovered. A 
 lead mine has been opened, and 
 there has been found on Enfield line, 
 near the outlet of the Great pond, 
 a vein of iron ore. 
 
 This is a place of considerable 
 manufactures, and of extensive 
 trade. Lebanon was granted 1761. 
 It was the first town settled on Con- 
 necticut river to the N. of Charles- 
 town. The first settlers were a 
 hardy, brave people, tenacious of 
 their principles : most of them were 
 men of strong minds, good habits, 
 correct principles, and good com- 
 mon education. Population, 1830, 
 1,868. 
 
 ticl>aiion, Ct. 
 
 New London co. Lebanon lies 
 30 miles S. E. from Hartford, and 
 10 N. W. from Norwich. First 
 settled about 1700. Population, in 
 1S30, 2,554. The surface of the 
 town is uneven moderately hilly. 
 The soil is of a chocolate color ; 
 a rich deep mould, very fertile, and 
 well adapted for grass. Husbandry 
 is the principal business of the in- 
 habitants. The village is on a street 
 more than a mile in length, wide, 
 pleasant and interesting : it was the 
 residence of the TRUJIBULL fami- 
 ly, celebrated for their genius and 
 patriotism. On the family -tomb, in 
 the village, is the following inscrip- 
 tion to the memory of the first gov- 
 ernor Trumbull. 
 
 " Sacred to the memory of Jonathan 
 Trumbull, Esq. vvho, unaided by birth 
 or powerful connexions, but blessed 
 with a noble and virtuous mind, arrived 
 to the highest station in government. 
 His patriotism and firmness during oO 
 years employment in public life, and 
 particularly in the very important part 
 he acted in the American Revolution, 
 
 18 
 
 as Governor of Connecticut ; the 
 faithful page of History will record. 
 
 Full of years and honors, rich in be- 
 nevolence, and firm in the faith and 
 hopes of Christianity, he died August 
 9th, 1785, JEutis 75." 
 
 This tomb contains the ashes of two 
 governors, one commissary general, 
 and a signer of the Declaration of 
 Independence. 
 
 Ledyard, Ct. 
 
 New London co. This town was 
 taken from Groton in 1836. It was 
 formerly called North Groton. It 
 is 7 miles N. by E. from New Lon- 
 don, and 8 S. from Norwich. There 
 is a pretty village, of some thirty 
 houses, at Gale's ferry, on the 
 Thames. The population of the 
 town, in 1836, was about 2,000. 
 About twenty of the Pequot tribe 
 of Indians reside here : a miserable 
 remnant of a great and powerful 
 nation. 
 
 This town was named in honor 
 of two brothers, natives of Groton : 
 Col. LEDYARD,the brave defend- 
 er of Groton Heights, in 1781 ; 
 and JOHN LEDYARD, the celebra- 
 ted traveler, who died at Cairo, in 
 Egypt, in 1789, aged 38. JohnLed- 
 yard was probably as distinguished 
 a traveler as can be found on re- 
 cord. " Endowed with an original 
 and comprehensive genius, he be- 
 held with interest, and described 
 with energy, the scenes and objects 
 around him; and by comparing them 
 with what he had seen in other re- 
 gions of the globe, he was enabled to 
 give his narrative all the varied ef- 
 fect of contrast and resemblance." 
 
 This accurate observer of man- 
 kind pays the following tribute to 
 female character. 
 
 " I have always remarked," says 
 he, <; that women in all countries 
 are civil and obliging, tender and 
 humane : that they are ever inclin- 
 ed to be gay and cheerful, timo- 
 rous and modest ; and that they do 
 not hesitate, like men, to perform
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 & generous action. Not haughty, 
 nor arrogant, nor supercilious, they 
 are full of courtesy, and fond of 
 society ; more liable in general to 
 err than man, but in general also 
 more virtuous, and performing more 
 good actions, than he. To a wo- 
 man, whether civilized or savage, I 
 never addressed myself, in the lan- 
 guage of decency and friendship, 
 without receiving a decent and 
 friendly answer. With man it has 
 often been otherwise. In wander- 
 ing over the barren plains of in- 
 hospitable Denmark, through hon- 
 est Sweden and frozen Lapland, 
 rude and churlish Finland, unprin- 
 cipled Russia, and the wide spread 
 regions of the wandering Tartar; 
 if hungry, dry, cold, wet, or sick, 
 the women have ever been friend- 
 ly to me, and uniformly so. And 
 add to this virtue, so worthy the 
 appellation of benevolence, their 
 actions have been performed in so 
 free and kind a manner, that if I 
 was dry, I drank the sweetest 
 draught, and if nungry, I ate the 
 coarsest morsel, with a double rel- 
 ish." 
 
 Lee, Me. 
 
 Wheat crop, 1837, 8,450 bushels : 
 population, the same year, 536. It 
 lies 125 miles from Augusta. See 
 " Down East." 
 
 Lee, !tf. H. 
 
 Straflbrd co. In the N. part of 
 the town lies Wheelwright's pond, 
 containing about 165 acres, and 
 forming the principal source of Oys- 
 ter river. 
 
 This pond is memorable for the 
 battle which was fought near it in 
 1690, between a scouting party of 
 Indians, and two companies of ran- 
 gers, under Capts. Floyd and Wis- 
 wall. The engagement lasted two 
 hours. Wiswall, his lieutenant, 
 sergeant, and 12 men were killed 
 and several wounded. Floyd con- 
 tinued to fight till his men, wearied 
 and wounded, drew off and obliged 
 
 him to follow. The enemy also re- 
 treated. 
 
 Lee is 28 miles E. S. E. from 
 Concord, and 12 S. W. from Dover. 
 From the N. E. extremity of Ep- 
 ping, Lamprey river enters Lee, 
 and after a serpentine course of 
 about 7 miles, it passes into Dur- 
 ham. Other parts of the town are 
 watered by Little, North, and Oys- 
 ter rivers. Lee was originally a 
 part of Durham, and was incorpo- 
 rated, 1766. Population, in 1830, 
 1,009. 
 
 Lee, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. This is a pleasant 
 town on the Housatonick river, ad-- 
 mirably located for manufacturing 
 purposes. It contains a cotton ?.nd a 
 woolen mill, 12 paper mills, and va- 
 rious other manufactures by wa- 
 ter power. The amount of manu- 
 factured goods for the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, was $405,000. The 
 paper manufactured, amounted to 
 $274,500. The articles manufac- 
 tured, besides paper, cotton and 
 woolen goods, were leather, hats, 
 boots, shoes, bar iron, iron castings, 
 axes, shovels, spades, hoes, forks, 
 ploughs, chairs, tin, cabinet- and 
 wooden ware, carriages, chair stuff, 
 &c. The soil of the town is good, 
 particularly for grazing. The wool 
 of 2,000 sheep^ in 1837, was val- 
 ued at $4,500. There is an abund- 
 ant supply of iron ore and marble 
 of excellent qualities. Lee was 
 incorporated in 1777. It lies 130 
 miles W. from Boston, and 5 S. E. 
 from Lenox. Population, in 1830, 
 1,825; 1837,2,095. 
 
 Leeds, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. This is a large 
 and flourishing agricultural town, 
 finely watered by a large and beau- 
 tiful pond. The outlet of this pond 
 into the Androscoggin, gives the 
 town a good water power, for saw 
 mills and other manufactories. 
 
 The villages in Leeds are very 
 neat and pleasant. The soil is fer-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 tile and productive. Wheat crop, 
 1837, 5,421 bushels. Leeds was 
 incorporated in 1802. It lies 30 
 miles W. S. W. from Augusta. 
 Population, 1837, 1,743. 
 
 Leicester, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. Leicester is water 1 
 ed by a river of its own name, by 
 Otter creek, and by a part of lake 
 Dunmore. These waters are too 
 sluggish to afford the town much 
 water power. The soil is a sandy 
 loam, interspersed with some flats 
 of clay. Along the rivers the soil 
 is rich and productive. The high 
 lands are hard and fit for grazing. 
 About 4,000 sheep are kept here. 
 Leicester lies 36 miles S. W. from 
 Montpelier, and 10 S. by E. from 
 Middlebury. First settled, 1773. 
 Population, 1830, 638. 
 
 Leicester, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This town is on 
 the height of ground between Bos- 
 ton harbor and Connecticut river. 
 It lies 46 miles W. from Boston, 6 
 W. S. W. from Worcester, 42 E. S. 
 E. from Northampton, and 44 N. W. 
 from Providence. It was first set- 
 tled in 1713, and incorporated about 
 the year 1721. Its Indian name 
 was Towtaid. Population, 1837, 
 2,122. This town is well watered 
 by French river, and branches of 
 the Connecticut and Blackstone, 
 which rise here, and afford mill sites 
 for numerous manufactories. 
 
 Leicester Academy was founded 
 in 1784. It has considerable funds, 
 commodious buildings, and is highly 
 respectable. It accommodates 100 
 pupils throughout the year. 
 
 The surface of the town is uneven 
 with a strong, deep soil. There 
 are 5 woolen mills in the town, and 
 manufactures of machines, hand 
 cards, machine cards, chairs, cabi- 
 net ware, scythes, leather, boots and 
 shoes : total value the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, $531,939. 
 
 A society of Jews built a syna- 
 gogue, and resided here from 1777 to 
 
 1783. They were much esteemed. 
 The families of Denny, Earle and 
 Henshaw, have been numerous in 
 Leicester, and highly respectable. 
 
 Lemmington, "Vt. 
 
 Essex co. A mountainous town- 
 ship, on the W. side of Connecticut 
 river, with a small portion of inter- 
 vale. There are several brooks in 
 the town, and a beautiful cascade 
 of 50 feet. There is a mountain in 
 the town called " the Monadnock 
 of Vermont," from which may be 
 discovered that this town, general- 
 ly, is not fit for cultivation. It lies 
 64 miles N. E. from Montpelier, 
 and 24 N. from Guildhall. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 183. 
 
 Lempster, IV. II. 
 
 Sullivan co. It is 40 miles W. 
 from Concord. The surface is, in 
 general, uneven, and the eastern 
 part is mountainous. The soil is 
 moist, and better suited for grass 
 than grain. The town is well 
 watered, although its streams are 
 small. One branch of Sugar river, 
 and the S. and W. branches of Cold 
 river afford conveniences for water 
 machinery. Near the W. bound- 
 ary line is a pond 320 rods long 
 and 80 wide. Sand pond lies in 
 this town and Marlow. Lempster 
 was granted 1761. It was settled 
 about 1770, by emigrants from Con- 
 necticut. Population, in 1830, 999. 
 
 Lenox, Me. 
 
 See " Down East." 
 
 Lenox, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. Shire town. This 
 is an excellent township of land, 
 watered by Housatonick river, and 
 surrounded by beautiful mountain 
 scenery. It lies 130 miles W. from 
 Boston, 25 N. E. from Hudson, N. 
 Y., and 55 N. W. from Hartford, 
 Ct. Lenox is accommodated with 
 a water power, and contains mines 
 of rich iron ore, and quarries of 
 beautiful marble. There are some
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 manufactures of iron, leather, mar- 
 ble, &c., in the town, but agricul- 
 ture is the chief pursuit of the in- 
 habitants. Incorporated, 1767. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 1,277. 
 
 Leomiuster, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. A beautiful town, 
 of an excellent soil, and great wa- 
 ter power, on both sides of a prin- 
 cipal branch of Nashua river, 42 
 miles N. W. from Boston, and 20 
 N. from Worcester. This town was 
 taken from Lancaster in 1740, and 
 shared with that town in the suffer- 
 ings occasioned by Indian hostility. 
 The manufactures of Leominster, 
 for the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 exclusive of the product of 5 paper 
 mills, was $111,505. The articles 
 manufactured were leather, boots, 
 shoes, hats, axes, chairs, cabinet 
 ware, combs, tin ware, straw bon- 
 nets, palm-leaf hats, chaises, car- 
 riages, and harnesses. Population, 
 1037, 1,944. 
 
 A rich alum rock has been found 
 in this town which is said to be a 
 decomposed mica slate. It con- 
 tains an abundance of beautiful 
 plumose, or feather form alum, like 
 that of Milo, one of the Grecian 
 isles, mixed with the green crys- 
 tals of copperas, or sulphate of iron. 
 
 Levant. Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This town lies 
 principally on the S. W. side of 
 Kenduskeag stream, by which and 
 its tributaries it is well watered. 
 The soil is good and productive. 
 The wheat crop of 1837 was 3,432 
 bushels. Levant lies 78 miles N. E. 
 from Augusta, and 10 N. W. from 
 Bangor. Incorporated, 1813. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 747 ; 1837,1,081. 
 
 Iieverett, Ma.ss. 
 
 Franklin co. A good grazing 
 town, on high ground, 85 miles W. 
 N. W. from Boston, and 10 S. E. 
 from Greenfield. The town is wa- 
 tered by Roaring brook, a rapid 
 stream, on which is a cascade, and 
 
 some wild scenery, worthy of the 
 traveler's notice. Incorporated, 
 1774. Population, 1837, 902. 
 
 Lctviston, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. Lewiston lies on the 
 E. side of Androscoggin river, at 
 the falls. The waters of that river 
 descend 47 feet in the distance of 
 12 to 15 cods, and produce a valu- 
 able hydraulic power. The town 
 extends on the river about 13 miles, 
 and is connected with Minot by a 
 bridge, at the foot of the falls, of 
 1,000 feet in length. Thisisatown- 
 ship of good land, with some manu- 
 factures of woolen and cotton goods, 
 and a number of saw mills. Wheat 
 crop, 1837, 1,920 bushels. Incor- 
 porated, 1795. Population, 1830, 
 1,549; 1837, 1,737. Lewiston is 
 28 miles S. W. from Augusta, 34 
 N. by E. from Portland, and 25 N. 
 W. from Bath. 
 
 Lexington, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. This town lies 57 
 miles from Augusta. Population, 
 1837, 457. Wheat crop, same year, 
 2,346 bushels. See " Down East." 
 
 Lexington, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This pleasant town 
 lies 10 miles N. W. from Boston, 
 and 7 E. from Concord. Incorpo- 
 rated, 1712. Population, 1837, 
 1,622. There are some excellent 
 farms in this town, large tracts of 
 meadow on some of the branches 
 of the Shawsheen, which rise here, 
 and some valuable woodland. The 
 manufactures consist of boots, shoes, 
 caps, clocks, cabinet ware, and cal- 
 ico printing : annual value, about 
 $100,000. 
 
 Lexington will ever be an inter- 
 esting place, as here the first blood 
 was shed in the cause of American 
 Independence. " A detachment of 
 British soldiers were sent at day- 
 light on the morning of the 19th of 
 April, 1775, to take or destroy a 
 quantity of military stores collected 
 at Concord. They were under the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 command of Col. Smith and Maj. 
 Pitcairn. On reaching this place, 
 a militia company were exercis- 
 ing on the common. A British offi- 
 cer rode up and ordered them to 
 disperse, but not being instantly 
 obeyed, he discharged his pistol 
 and ordered his men to fire, which 
 they did, and eight of the Ameri- 
 cans fell dead on the spot ! The 
 militia retreated, and the British 
 proceeded to Concord, and in part 
 succeeded in destroying the stores, 
 but were so harassed on their re- 
 turn, that they would inevitably 
 have been cut off, had they not 
 been met at this place by a strong 
 detachment of artillery under Lord 
 Percy. The party suffered ex- 
 tremely by the fire of the Ameri- 
 cans, aimed with deadly effect from 
 the buildings, trees, and fences ; 
 and left 65 killed, and had 180 
 wounded. The Americans had 50 
 killed and 34 wounded. There is 
 a monument on the spot where the 
 first victims fell, to perpetuate the 
 memory of the slain, and of this 
 event." 
 
 Leycleii, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. Leyden is watered 
 by Green river and several small 
 streams. It is 100 miles N. W. from 
 Boston, and 7 N. by W. from Green- 
 field. It is a mountainous town- 
 ship, more fit for grazing than till- 
 age. The number of sheep in the 
 town, in 1837, was 3,142; their 
 fleeces weighed 9,326 pounds ; val- 
 ue of the wool, $5,129. The town 
 was incorporated in 1809. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 656. 
 
 There is a romantic spot in Ley- 
 den, called " the Glen," a curious 
 place, worth looking at. 
 
 Ijiberty, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. This town is 29 miles 
 E. from Augusta, and 18 W. S. W. 
 from Belfast. It is watered by 
 large ponds and small streams. The 
 soil is good and produced, in 1837, 
 2,022 bushels of wheat. Incorpo- 
 
 18* 
 
 rated, 1827. Population, 1837, 804. 
 A short time since a pine tree 
 was cut in Liberty, which measur- 
 ed 7 feet in diameter, at the stump. 
 It had three branches. The tree 
 was sound, and 10,610 feet of square 
 edged boards were made from it. 
 
 Limerick, Me. 
 
 York co. Little Ossipee river 
 waters this town. It lies 28 miles 
 W. from Portland, 85 S. W. from 
 Augusta, and 15 N. by W. from 
 Alfred. This is a good farming 
 town, with a pleasant village, and 
 an academy, incorporated in 1812. 
 The town was incorporated in 1787 
 Population, 1837, 1.484. 
 
 Liimington, Me. 
 
 York co. This town is bounded 
 on the S. by Limerick, and is wa- 
 tered by Saco river on the S. and 
 W. The town has a good soil, very 
 productive of hay, wheat and other 
 grain. It lies 89 miles S. W. from 
 Augusta, and 28 W. S. W. from 
 Portland. Incorporated, 1762. 
 Population, 1837, 2,223. 
 
 Lincoln County, Me. 
 
 Wiscasset, Topsham and War- 
 ren are the county towns. Lincoln 
 county is bounded N. by the coun- 
 ties of Kennebec and Waldo, E. 
 by Waldo county and Penobscot 
 bay, S. by the Atlantic ocean, and 
 W. by Cumberland county and Cas- 
 co bay. Area about 950 square 
 miles. This county is bounded on 
 the ocean nearly fifty miles, and 
 like the county of Hancock in this 
 state, comprises an almost innumer- 
 ahle number of bays, coves, inlets, 
 commodious harbors and fertile isl- 
 ands. The waters of the Muscon- 
 gus, Damariscotta and Sheepscot 
 pierce its centre, and the noble 
 Kennebec finds all its Atlantic har- 
 bors in the county of Lincoln. 
 
 Considerable attention is paid to 
 agriculture, for the soil is generally 
 fertile and well adapted to the pur- 
 suit ; but this county is essentially a
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 maritime section of New England, 
 possessing every requisition for for- 
 eign commerce, the coasting trade 
 and fisheries. The tonnage of the 
 three districts, Bath, Wiscasset and 
 Waldoborough, in 1837, was 93,347 
 tons. This county contained, in 
 18S7, 84,000 sheep, and raised 37,- 
 963 bushels of wheat. Population, 
 1820, 53,189 ; 1830, 57,181 ; 1837, 
 60,226 : 63 inhabitants to a square 
 mile. 
 
 Lincoln, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This is a very 
 large town, more than double the 
 common size. It lies on the E. side 
 of the Penobscot, at the mouth of 
 Matanaucook river, where is a 
 pleasant and flourishing village, 45 
 miles N. by E. from Bangor, and 
 114 N. E. from Augusta. Lincoln 
 has recently been incorporated, and 
 possesses a soil of remarkable fertil- 
 ity. Population, 1830, 414 ; 1837, 
 1,045. Wheat crop, 1837, 4,263 
 bushels. 
 
 Lincoln, j\*. II., 
 
 Grafton co., a mountainous town- 
 ship 70 miles N. from Concord. 
 The middle branch of the Pemige- 
 wasset passes through nearly the 
 centre of the town. It has its 
 source in Ferrin's pond, in the S. 
 part of Franconia. There are sev- 
 eral ponds, viz : Bog, Fish and Loon 
 ponds. There are many elevations, 
 of which Kinsman's mountain is 
 the most considerable. In the N. 
 part of the town are two large gulfs, 
 made by an extraordinary discharge 
 of water from the clouds in 1774. 
 The numerous " slips," as they are 
 called, from the mountain are wor- 
 thy of notice. They commence 
 near the summit of the mountain, 
 and proceed to its base, forcing a 
 passage through all obstructions. 
 The soil here is poor. Wild ani- 
 mals, such as bears, raccoons, foxes, 
 sables, otters, deer, &c., are very 
 numerous. Lincoln was granted in 
 1764, to James Avery and others. 
 Population, 1830, 50. 
 
 Lincoln, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. Lincoln was first 
 settled by a number of "Friends," 
 in 1790. The town is on high 
 ground with an uneven surface. It 
 lies 21 miles S. W. from Montpe- 
 lier, and 15 N. E. from Middlebury. 
 Population, 1830, 639. 
 
 Lincoln, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. Lincoln is bound- 
 ed W. by Sudbury river. It lies 
 16 miles N. W. by W. from Boston, 
 and 3 S. from Concord. Incorpora- 
 ted, 1754. Population, 1837, 694. 
 It has some good farms and a large 
 fish pond. The manufactures of 
 the town consist of clothing, leath- 
 er, straw bonnets, boots and shoes. 
 
 Lincoln-rule, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. On the W. side of 
 Penobscot bay, 10 miles S. from 
 Belfast, 7 N. from Camden, and 51 
 E. from Augusta. Incorporated, 
 1802. Population, 1837, 1,999. 
 This township has a good soil for 
 grass, grain and potatoes. Wheat 
 crop of 1837, 4,212 bushels. The 
 town is well located for any branch 
 of navigation. Duck Trap is an ex- 
 cellent harbor, and a busy place in 
 the coasting trade. 
 
 Linneus, Me. 
 
 Washington co. This town is 
 the source of a branch of the Mat- 
 tawamkeag ; and of a branch of the 
 Meduxnekeag, flowing into the St. 
 John's. It lies 8 miles S. W. from 
 Houlton. Population, 1837, 208. 
 Wheat crop same year, 2,514 bush- 
 els. Incorporated, 1836. 
 
 Lisbon, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. Lisbon lies on the 
 E. side of Androscoggin river, and 6 
 miles below Lewiston Falls. There 
 are falls in the river at this place, 
 called the " Ten mile falls." Lis- 
 bon has some manufactures of cot- 
 ton and wool, a number of saw mills, 
 and is united with Durham by a
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 bridge. Wheat crop 1337, 3,781 
 bushels. Population, same year, 
 2,660. It lies 30 miles S. S. W. 
 from Augusta, and 22 W. by N. 
 from Wiscasset. 
 
 Lisbon, N. II. 
 
 Grafton co. It is 20 miles N. E. 
 from Haverhill, and 90 from Con- 
 cord. It is watered by Amonoo- 
 suck river, running through the 
 whole extent of the town, and by 
 several smaller streams. There 
 are several ponds, the most noted 
 of which is called Mink pond, ly- 
 ing in the S. part of the town, af- 
 fording mill seats at its outlet. The 
 soil admits of three divisions; the 
 meadows or intervales on Arnonoo- 
 suck river, which are generally 
 very productive; the plain land, of 
 a light, thin soil, requiring consid- 
 erable manure to make it produc- 
 tive ; and the uplands, of a strong 
 deep soil, which afford many good 
 farms. Blueberry mountain is the 
 principal elevation. Large quan- 
 tities of iron ore and limestone are 
 found here. Maple sugar is man- 
 ufactured and clover seed is raised 
 in considerable quantities. This 
 town was called Concord until 1824. 
 Population, 1830, 1,485. 
 
 Lisbon, Ct. 
 
 New London co. This town is 7 
 miles N. from Norwich, from which 
 it was taken in 1786. It is water- 
 ed by Quinnebaug and Shetucket 
 rivers, which unite in the S. part 
 of the town. The soil is a gravel- 
 ly and sandy loam, with some allu- 
 vial meadow. This is an excellent 
 farming town : the inhabitants are 
 generally industrious and independ- 
 ent. In that part of the town call- 
 ed Hanover, is a woolen and silk 
 factory. Lisbon is 45 miles S. E. 
 from Hartford. Population, 1830, 
 1,161. 
 
 Litchfleld, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. An excellent 
 township of land, pleasantly situa- 
 
 ted 10 miles S. W. from Gardiner, 
 and the source of some of the Cob- 
 besseecontee waters. Litchfield lies 
 16 miles S. S. W. from Augusta, and 
 was formerly a part of Lincoln 
 county. Incorporated, 1795. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 2,341. Wheat crop, 
 same year, 5,123 bushels. 
 
 Idtchfield, N. If., 
 
 Hillsborough co., is a small fer- 
 tile township on the E. bank of 
 Merrimack river. It is 8 miles E. 
 from Amherst, and 30 S. by E. from 
 Concord. This town has an excel- 
 lent soil. There are two ferries, 
 Thornton's, near the meeting house, 
 on the post road from Amherst to 
 Portsmouth; and Read's, 3 miles 
 above. 
 
 Litchfield was taken from Dun- 
 stable in 1734. It was originally 
 known by the Indian name of JVat- 
 ticott, and by the English one of 
 Brenton's Farm. The settlement 
 commenced about 1720. 
 
 The Hon. WYSEMAN CLAGETT 
 closed his life in this town. He 
 was a native of England, came to 
 this country before the revolution 
 commenced, and sustained several 
 important offices. He was attorney 
 general under the provincial and 
 state governments, and filled the 
 office with dignity and honor. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 505. 
 
 Litchfield County, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield, county town. This 
 is the largest and most elevated 
 county in the state. The surface 
 is hilly and in some parts mountain- 
 ous. The soil is chiefly a gravelly 
 loam, under good cultivation, and 
 very productive of butter, cheese, 
 beef and pork. It abounds in iron 
 ore, which is extensively manufac- 
 tured. This county contains an area 
 of 885 square miles. Population, 
 1820, 41,267; 1830, 42,855; con- 
 taining 48 inhabitants to a square 
 mile. This county is watered by 
 numerous ponds ; by the beautiful 
 Housatonick, and by many rivers
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 rising in (he high grounds. The 
 streams give a valuable water pow- 
 er, and flourishing manufacturing 
 establishments are found in almost 
 every town. The number of sheep 
 in this county, in 1837, was 72,832. 
 Litchfield county was incorporated 
 in 1751. It is bounded N. by Berk- 
 shire county, Mass., E. by Hart- 
 ford and New Haven counties, S. 
 by the counties of New Haven and 
 Fairfield, and W. by the state of 
 New York. 
 
 Litchfield, ft. 
 
 Litchfield co., chief town. This 
 town, the Indian Bantam, com- 
 prising, as it was supposed, ten miles 
 square, was valued at 300 in the 
 year 1718. Bantam was first set- 
 tled in 1720, and incorporated by 
 its present name in 1724. It was 
 a frontier town for many years, and 
 during the wars between England 
 and France was much harassed by 
 the Canadians and Indians. Litch- 
 field is an elevated township, and 
 its surface presents a diversity of 
 hills and valleys. The soil is a gra- 
 velly loam, deep, strong, and admi- 
 rably adapted for grazing. Great 
 pond is a beautiful sheet of water ; 
 it comprises an area of 900 acres, 
 and ii the largest pond in the state. 
 The waters of the Naugatuck, 
 Shepung and Bantam give the town 
 a good water power, and manufac- 
 tures of cotton, wool, iron, and oth- 
 er articles are in successful opera- 
 tion on their banks. 
 
 Litchfield village, on " Litchfield 
 Hill," was incorporated in 1818. It 
 is a delightful place. It is situated 
 on an elevated plain, surrounded by 
 interesting scenery, and affords ex- 
 tensive prospects. The two prin- 
 cipal streets cross each other nearly 
 at right angles ; they are wide, well 
 shaded, and built upon with great 
 taste and elegance. It lies 30 miles 
 W. from Hartford, and 35 N. W. 
 from New Haven. Population of 
 the town, 1830, 4,458. 
 In the W. part of the town Mount 
 
 Tom rears a front of 700 feet above 
 the Naugatuck, presenting a pano- 
 ramic landscape of great beauty and 
 vast extent. Near this mountain 
 is a mineral spring " which is satu- 
 rated with iron and sulphur. The 
 water issues from the E. side of the 
 mountain inconsiderable quantities. 
 The mud from the bottom of the 
 spring burns with a blue flame, and 
 the principal part of it consumes." 
 
 A law school of great respecta- 
 bility was established in this town, 
 by the Hon. TAPPING REEVE, in 
 1784. The Hon. JAMES GOULD 
 was associated with Judge Reeve, 
 as instructor, for some years. This 
 institution continued nearly thirty 
 years, and furnished instruction to 
 many of our most eminent jurists. 
 
 OLIVER WOLCOTT, one of the 
 signers of the Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence, resided here. He was 
 the son of the Hon. Roger Wolcott. 
 He died December 1, 1797, aged 
 72. He was distinguished for in- 
 tegrity, decision of character, and 
 for his love of order and religion. 
 
 OLIVER WOLCOTT, son of the 
 preceding, was born in 1760. 
 When a lad of 17, he lent his aid to 
 the cause of his country : he was 
 present in the engagement with the 
 British at the time of their invasion 
 of Danbury. On the formation of 
 the U. S. Government, in 1789, he 
 was appointed first auditor of the 
 treasury ; and in 1794 he succeeded 
 Gen. Hamilton as secretary of the 
 treasury. In 1817 he was elected 
 governor of Connecticut, which of- 
 fice he held till 1827. He was the 
 last survivor of the administration 
 of Washington. He died in New 
 York, June 2d, 1833, aged 74. 
 
 BENJAMIN TALLMAGE, a colo- 
 nel in the revolutionary army, was a 
 resident of this town. He was an 
 ardent patriot and sincere Christian. 
 He was honored with the confidence 
 of Washington in several hazard- 
 ous and important trusts. He died 
 at Litchfield, March 7, 1835, aged 
 81.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ETHAN ALLEN, a brigadier-gen- 
 eral in the American service, dis- 
 tinguished for his daring and intre- 
 pid spirit, was a native of this town. 
 
 " While he was young, his pa- 
 rents emigrated to Vermont. At 
 the commencement of the disturb- 
 ances in this territory, about the 
 year 1770, he took a most active 
 part in favor of the Green Moun- 
 tain boys, as the settlers were then 
 called, in opposition to the govern- 
 ment of New York. An act of 
 outlawry against him was passed by 
 that state, and 500 guineas were of- 
 fered for his apprehension : but his 
 party was too numerous and faith- 
 ful to permit him to be disturbed by 
 any apprehensions for his safety. 
 In all the struggles of the day he 
 was successful ; and he not only 
 proved a valuable friend to those 
 whose cause he had espoused, but 
 he was humane and generous to- 
 wards those with whom he had to 
 contend. When called to take the 
 field, he showed himself an able 
 leader and an intrepid soldier. 
 
 " The news of the battle of Lex- 
 ington determined Col. Allen to en- 
 gage on the side of his country, and 
 inspired him with the desire of dem- 
 onstrating his attachment to liberty 
 by some bold exploit. While his 
 mind was in this state, a plan for 
 taking Ticonderoga and Crown Point 
 by surprise, which was formed by 
 several gentlemen in Connecticut, 
 was communicated to him, and he 
 readily engaged in the project. 
 Receiving directions from the gen- 
 eral assembly of Connecticut to 
 raise the Green Mountain boys, and 
 conduct the enterprise, he collected 
 230 of the hardy settlers and pro- 
 ceeded to Castleton. Here he was 
 unexpectedly joined by Col. Ar- 
 nold, who had been commissioned 
 by the Massachusetts committee to 
 raise 400 men, and effect the same 
 object, which was now about to be 
 accomplished. As he had not rais- 
 ed the men, he was admitted to act 
 as an assistant to Col. Allen. They 
 
 reached the lake opposite Ticonde- 
 roga on the evening of the 9th of 
 May, 1775. With the utmost diffi- 
 culty boats were procured, and 83 
 men were landed near the garrison. 
 The approach of day rendering it 
 dangerous to wait for the rear, it was 
 determined immediately to proceed. 
 The commander in chief now ad- 
 dressed his men, representing that 
 they had been for a number of years 
 a scourge to arbitrary power, and 
 famed for their valor, and conclud- 
 ed with saying, ' I now propose to 
 advance before you, and in person 
 conduct you through the wicket 
 gate ; and you, who will go with 
 me voluntarily in this desperate at- 
 tempt, poise your firelocks.' At 
 the head of the centre file he 
 marched instantly to the gate,where 
 a sentry snapped his gun at him, 
 and retreated through the covered 
 way : he pressed forward into the 
 fort, and formed his men on the 
 parade in such a manner as to face 
 two opposite barracks. Three huz- 
 zas awaked the garrison. A sentry, 
 who asked quarter, pointed out the 
 apartments of the commanding offi- 
 cer ; and Allen with a drawn sword 
 over the head of Capt. De la Place, 
 who was undressed, demanded the 
 surrender of the fort. ' By what 
 authority do you demand it ?' in- 
 quired the astonished commander. 
 ' I demand it (said Allen) in the 
 name of the great Jehovah and of 
 the continental congress.' The 
 summons could not be disobeyed, 
 and the fort, with its very valuable 
 stores and 49 prisoners was imme- 
 diately surrendered. Crown Point 
 was taken the same day, and the 
 capture of a sloop of war, soon af- 
 terwards, made Allen and his brave 
 party complete masters of Lake 
 Champlain." 
 
 Gen. Allen possessed strong pow- 
 ers of mind, but they never felt the 
 influence of education. Though 
 he was brave, humane and gener- 
 ous, yet his conduct does not seem 
 to have been much influenced by
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 considerations respecting that holy 
 and merciful Being, whose charac- 
 ter and whose commands are dis- 
 closed to us in the scriptures." 
 
 Gen. Allen died at Colchester, 
 Feb. 13, 1789, aged 52. 
 
 Mil It- Androscoggln River, 
 
 In Maine, has its sources in ponds 
 in the towns of Woodstock, Green- 
 wood, and Norway : it passes in a 
 southeasterly direction through Ox- 
 ford, and falls into the Androscog- 
 gin between Minot and Danville, 
 opposite to Lewiston. 
 
 Little Compton, R. I. 
 
 Newport co. This very pleasant 
 town, the Indian Seaconnet, lies on 
 the ocean, at the eastern entrance 
 into Narraganset bay, 9 miles E. by 
 N. from Newport, 30 S. S. E. from 
 Providence, and 12 S. from Fall 
 River, Mass. The soil of the town 
 is uncommonly fertile, and being 
 cultivated by an industrious class 
 of men, is very productive of corn 
 and other grain; beef, pork, but- 
 ter, cheese, and wool. 
 
 Seaconnet Rocks, at the south- 
 eastern extremity of the town, 
 where a break-water has been 
 erected by government, is well 
 known to sailors, and memorable as 
 the place where a treaty was made 
 between the English and the Queen 
 of the powerful Seaconnet tribe, in 
 1674. That tribe is now extinct: 
 Seaconnet Rocks is their only mon- 
 ument. 
 
 Little Compton is becoming cel- 
 ebrated as a place of resort, in sum- 
 mer months, for sea air and bath- 
 ing ; and very justly so, for very 
 few parts of our coast exhibit a 
 more interesting location. 
 
 Little Machia* & Little Rivers. 
 See Cutler. 
 
 Littleton, N. II. 
 
 Grafton co. On Connecticut riv- 
 er. Its extent on Connecticut river 
 is about 14 miles It is 80 miles 
 
 N. by E. from Haverhill, and 80 
 N. N. W. from Concord. Connec- 
 ticut river, in passing down the 
 rapids called Fifteen Mile Falls, 
 extending the whole length of Lit- 
 tleton, runs in foaming waves for 
 miles together, which render it im- 
 possible to ascend or descend with 
 boats in safety. There are three 
 bridges over the Connecticut in Lit- 
 tleton. Amonoosuck river waters 
 the S. part, having on its banks small 
 tracts of excellent intervale. The 
 principal village is on this river, in 
 the S. part of the town, and is called 
 Glynville. Raspberry, Black, Palm- 
 er's and Iron mountains are the 
 most prominent elevations. Near 
 Amonoosuck river, there is a min- 
 eral spring, the water of which is 
 said to be similar to the Congress 
 spring at Saratoga. The land com- 
 prehending Littleton was first grant- 
 ed in 1764, by the name of Chis- 
 wick. It was re-granted in 1770, 
 by the name of Jlpthorp. In 1784, 
 Apthorp was divided, and the towns 
 of Littleton and Dalton incorporat- 
 ed. Population, 1830, 1,435. 
 
 Littleton, Blnss. 
 
 Middlesex co. The Indians call- 
 ed this town JVashabah. It is 27 
 miles W. N. W. from Boston, and 
 10 N. W. from Concord. Incorpo- 
 rated, 1715. Population, 1837, 876. 
 There are several beautiful ponds 
 in the town, and limestone. The 
 soil is tolerably good, and adapted 
 for the growth of rye and hops. 
 There are some manufactures of 
 boots, shoes, and straw bonnets. 
 
 Livermore, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. An excellent town- 
 ship of land, on both sides of the 
 Androscoggin river, 25 miles W. 
 from Augusta, and 18 N. E. from 
 Paris. Incorporated, 1795. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 2,456; 1837, 2,631. 
 There are three pleasant villages 
 in the town, fine falls on the river, 
 saw mills and other" manufactures.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Wheat crop of 1837, 8,472 bush- 
 els. 
 
 Londonderry, X. II. 
 
 Rockingham co. Adjoining the 
 E. line of the county of Hillsbo- 
 rough. This town contains very lit- 
 tle waste land, and it is believed, 
 has as extensive a body of fertile 
 soil as any town in the E. section 
 of the state. It lies 25 miles S. S. 
 E. from Concord, and 35 S. W. from 
 Portsmouth. Population, in 1830, 
 1,469. 
 
 Londonderry, which formerly in- 
 cluded the present town of Derry, 
 was settled in 1719, by a colony of 
 presbyterians, from the vicinity of 
 the city of Londonderry, in the N. 
 of Ireland, to which place their an- 
 cestors had emigrated about a cen- 
 tury before from Scotland. They 
 were a part of 120 families, chiefly 
 from three parishes, who with their 
 religious instructors came to New 
 England in the summer of 1718. 
 In October, 1718, they applied to 
 the government of Massachusetts 
 for, the grant of a township, and 
 received assurances that a grant 
 should be made them when they 
 should select a place for its location. 
 After some time spent in viewing 
 the country, they selected the tract 
 afterwards composing the town of 
 Londonderry, at first known by the 
 name of JVutfield. In 1719, six- 
 teen families, accompanied by Rev. 
 James McGregore, one of the cler- 
 gymen who had emigrated from 
 Ireland with them, took possession 
 of the tract, and on the day of 
 their arrival attended religious ser- 
 vices and a sermon under an oak 
 on the east shore of Beaver pond. 
 The inhabitants of Londonderry in 
 1720, purchased the Indian title, 
 and although it was long a frontier 
 town, were never molested by the 
 Indians. They introduced the cul- 
 ture of the potatoe, a vegetable till 
 then unknown in New England, 
 imd the manufacture of linen cloth, 
 which, though long since declined, 
 
 was for many years a considerable 
 source of their early prosperity. 
 
 Rev. MATTHEW CLARK, sec- 
 ond minister of Londonderry, was 
 a native of Ireland, who had in 
 early life been an officer in the 
 army, and distinguished himself in 
 the defence of the city of London- 
 derry, when besieged by the army 
 of King James II. A. D., 16S3-9. 
 He afterwards relinquished a mili- 
 tary life for the clerical profession. 
 He possessed a strong mind, mark- 
 ed by a considerable degree of ec- 
 centricity. He died January 25, 
 1735, and was borne to the grave, 
 at his particular request, by his for- 
 mer companions in arms, of whom 
 there were a considerable number 
 among the early settlers of this 
 town ; several of whom had been 
 made free from taxes throughout 
 the British dominions by King Will- 
 iam, for their bravery in that mem- 
 orable siege. 
 
 A company of 70 men from this 
 town, under the command of Capt. 
 George Reid, were in the battle of 
 Breed's hill, and about the same 
 number were in that at Benning- 
 ton, in which Capt. David M'Clary, 
 one of their citizens, a distinguish- 
 ed and brave officer, was killed. 
 Major-general John Sfark and Col. 
 George Reid, officers of the army 
 of the revolution, were natives of 
 this town. 
 
 Londonderry, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. Vest river passes 
 though this town and receives sev- 
 eral tributaries in it. The land on 
 the streams is rich and fertile ; the 
 uplands are good for grazing, ex- 
 cept those parts that are mountain- 
 ous. First settled, 1774. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 1,302. It lies 28 miles 
 S. W. from Windsor, and 30 N. E. 
 from Bennington. 
 
 Long Island Sound. 
 
 This inland sea washes the whole 
 southern boundary of Connecticut, 
 and is formed by Long Island, in the
 
 NVV ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 state of New York. This island 
 extends from Moiitauk Point, off 
 Stonington, to the harbor of New 
 York. Its length is 120 miles. 
 The widest part, 20 miles, is off 
 New Haven; the narrowest parts, 
 on the border of New England, are 
 off the mouth of Connecticut river, 
 about 8 miles, and off Greenwich, 
 or Saw Pits, 7 miles. 
 
 This Sound, as far as Hurl Gate, 
 is navigable for vessels of any bur- 
 then, and the passage to and from 
 the sea round Montauk, is remark- 
 ably easy at any time of tide, and 
 in all weather. See Judith Point. 
 
 Hurl Gate, sometimes called Hell 
 Gate, but properly Horll Gatt, 
 a Dutch term, signifying a whirl- 
 pool, is a narrow strait of difficult 
 passage between Long and New 
 York Islands. At half tide the 
 current runs 7 or 8 miles an hour. 
 It contains numerous whirlpools, is 
 rocky and bears a threatening as- 
 pect; but good pilots navigate it 
 with ease when the tide is favora- 
 ble. Steam-boats press through at 
 all times of tide. Through this 
 passage a vast amount of the pro- 
 ductions of Connecticut and Rhode 
 Island pass to New York market. 
 
 A survey for a ship canal, uniting 
 these waters and Narraganset bay 
 with Boston harbor, was commenc- 
 ed by the government of the Uni- 
 ted States in 1827. From a tide 
 lock at Braintree, in Boston harbor, 
 to a tide lock at Somerset, Mass., 
 on Taunton river, the distance is 36 
 miles. The summit level is at 
 Randolph, Mass., 134 feet above 
 high water mark at Boston. A ship 
 canal in this direction s or one across 
 Cape Cod, at Sandwich, would save 
 many lives, and a vast amount of 
 property. 
 
 Some of the distances from Prov- 
 idence, and along the northern coast 
 of this Souud, to the city of New 
 York, are here given. 
 
 From Providence to Newport, 30 
 miles: to Judith Point, 11 41 : 
 to the mouth of Stoningtou har- 
 
 bor, 2768 : to the mouth of New 
 London harbor, 8--76 : to the mouth 
 of Connecticut river, 13 89 : to 
 the mouth of New Haven harbor, 
 27 116: to Stratford Point, 10 
 126 : to the mouth of Fairlield har- 
 bor, 6132 ; to Norwalk, 8140 : 
 to Greenwich, or Saw Pits, 15 
 155 : to Throg's Point, 14169 : 
 to Hurl Gate, 6 175: to New 
 York, 8 miles, making the distance 
 from Providence to New York, by 
 water, 183 miles. 
 
 As the rail-road from Boston to 
 Albany, although in good progress, 
 is not completed ; and as many of 
 our friends at the north visiting the 
 interior of the state of New York 
 find it more agreeable to pass 
 through the city of New York and 
 up the Hudson river, rather than 
 cross the country, we Jhink it may 
 be useful to give some of the dis- 
 tances on that noble river, from the 
 city of New York to the city of 
 Troy. 
 
 Note. w. denotes west side, e. 
 east side. 
 
 From New York to Hoboken,w. 
 2 miles: toManhattanville, e. 6 
 8 : to Fort Lee, v. 210 : to 
 King's Bridge, 3 13: (The Palis- 
 adoes, perpendicular cliffs of great 
 elevation, on the west bank of the 
 river, commence at Hobcken, and 
 extend 20 miles to Tappan bay) to 
 Fort Independence, e. 2 15: to 
 Tarrytovvn, e. 1227 : to Sing 
 Sing, e. 532 : to Stony Point 
 light-house, w. 8 40 : to Fort 
 Fayette, VerplanckVPoint, e. 1 
 41 : to Dunderburgh Mountain, 
 w. and Peekskill, e. 2- 13 : (Here 
 we enter the justly celebrated 
 Highlands, pronounced by every 
 honest Yankee to be equal if not 
 superior to any scenery of the kind 
 in his own country) to St. Antho- 
 ny's Nose, e. and Forts Montgome- 
 ry and Clinton, w. 3 46 : to But- 
 termilk Falls, w. 4 50 : to West 
 Point Fort Putnam, w. 2 52 : 
 to West Mountain, w. and Cold
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Spring, e. 4 56 : to Newburgh, 
 w. 5 61: to Hamburgh, e. 7 
 68 : to Poughkeepsie, e. 4 72 : 
 to Hyde Park, e. 9 SI : to Lew- 
 is' Landing, e. and Esopus, w. 5 
 86 : to Kingston Landing, w. and 
 Rhinebeck Landing, e. 4 90 : 
 to Upper Red Hook Landing, e. and 
 Ulster, w. 11101 : to Catskill 
 Landing, w. 9 110: to Hudson, 
 e. and Athens, w. 6 116: to 
 Coxsackie Landing, w. 8 124 : 
 to Kinderhook Landing, e. 3 127: 
 to Ccemans, w. 5 132 : to the 
 Overslaugh, (sand bars) 9 141 : 
 to Albany, w. 3 144 : to Troy,e. 
 6 150. The whole distance from 
 Boston to Troy, by this route, is 857 
 miles. 
 
 At Catskill Landing, visitors to 
 the Catskill mountains stop. Pine 
 Orchard Hotel, a splendid building, 
 is 12 miles distant. This Mountain 
 House is 2,274 feet above the tide 
 of the Hudson. A few years ago 
 this enchanting spot was a wilder- 
 ness. 
 
 " From this lofty eminence all 
 inequalities of surface are overlook- 
 ed. A seemingly endless succes- 
 sion of woods and waters farms 
 and villages, towns and cities, are 
 spread out as upon a boundless map. 
 Far beyond rise the Tagkannuc 
 mountains, and the highlands of 
 Connecticut and Massachusetts. To 
 the left, and at a still greater dis- 
 tance, the Green mountains of Ver- 
 mont stretch away to the north, and 
 their blue summits and the blue sky 
 mingle together. The beautiful 
 Hudson, studded with islands, ap- 
 pears narrowed in the distance, 
 with steam-boats almost constantly 
 in sigh,t; while vessels of every 
 description, spreading their white 
 canvas to the breeze, are moving 
 rapidly over its surface, or idly 
 loitering in the calm. These may 
 be traced to the distance of nearly 
 seventy miles with the naked eye; 
 and again at times all below is en- 
 veloped in dark clouds and rolling 
 19 
 
 mist, which, driven about by the 
 wind, is constantly assuming new, 
 wild, and fantastic forms. From 
 the Pine Orchard a ride or walk of 
 a mile or two brings you to the 
 Kauterskill falls. Here the outlet 
 of two small lakes leaps down a 
 perpendicular fall of 130 feet then 
 glides away through a channel 
 worn in the rock, to a second fall 
 of 80 feet. Below this it is lost in 
 the dark ravine through which it 
 finds its way to the valley of the 
 Catskill." 
 
 TROY is a beautiful city. It lies 
 on the east side of Hudson river, 
 in the county of Rensselaer, New 
 York, at the head of navigation, 
 and at the junction of the northern 
 and western canals with that noble 
 river. The city is on an elevated 
 plain, regularly laid out : the streets 
 are wide and well shaded : the 
 buildings are uniformly neat, and 
 many of them in a style of superior 
 elegance. St. Paul's church, and 
 the new Presbyterian, are splendid 
 edifices, and display great taste in 
 their construction. 
 
 The city of Troy is abundantly 
 supplied with excellent water from 
 the neighboring hills, at an expense 
 of $150,000. The source of the 
 water is 75 feet above the level of 
 the city. At the corner of every 
 street are hydrants, and a hose plac- 
 ed on these sends the water up 
 higher and with greater force than 
 a fire engine. 
 
 The squares and private gardens 
 are ornamented with perpetual wa- 
 ter fountains. 
 
 In Washington Square is an Ital- 
 ian marble fountain, chaste and clas- 
 sic in its construction, in the centre 
 of the city. It sends up the water 
 ten or fifteen feet, and in its descent 
 resembles the weeping willow. 
 This significant emblem of purity 
 gives this beautiful square an addi- 
 tional charm. 
 
 Two streams, affording immense
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 water facilities, empty into the 
 Hudson within the limits of the 
 city, and one of them rolls down a 
 beautiful cascade, a short distance 
 from Washington square ; an ob- 
 ject worthy of a visit from the curi- 
 ous traveler. These streams move 
 the machinery of numerous mills. 
 
 About a quarter of a mile from 
 the centre of the city, Mount Ida 
 rears its head three or four hundred 
 feet in height, from whose summit 
 every building in the city, the 
 windings of the canals and river, 
 the foaming of the Mohawk, and 
 the neighboring towns of Albany, 
 Waterford, and Lansingburgh, are 
 distinctly seen. 
 
 Troy was incorporated as a vil- 
 lage in 1801. 'It then had a popu- 
 lation of 2,000. Population, 1810, 
 3,895. In 1816 it became a city. 
 Population, 1820, 5,264; 1825, 
 7,875; 1830,11,405; 1836,18,000. 
 Troy has risen to its present state 
 of opulence and population by its 
 favorable position for trade, but 
 more especially the enterprizc and 
 economical habits of its people. 
 Many of the first settlers of Troy 
 came from New England in humble 
 circumstances. Some of those who 
 thus came have amassed princely 
 fortunes, and acquired a name more 
 valuable than gold. A recent 
 Mayor of the city came from the 
 east as a day laborer. The late 
 chief magistrate of the justly styled 
 " Empire State," a New Englander, 
 was found in 1822 soliciting the 
 patronage of the Trojans as an at- 
 torney at law. Troy was formerly 
 called Vanderheyden, in honor of 
 a worthy Dutchman whose farm 
 comprised the most compact part of 
 (he city. 
 
 A notice of MRS.WILLARD'S Fe 
 male Seminary must not be omittei 
 in this brief account of the "Foun- 
 tain City," aa it is an institution of 
 rare excellence, conducted by ; 
 lady of extraordinary attainments 
 This school was commenced a 
 
 Troy in 1821, since which time a 
 commodious building, on a pleas- 
 xnt site, has been erected, 130 feet 
 y 40. The number of scholars 
 aries from 200 to 275. They come 
 rom every state in the union, the 
 Panadas, the West Indies, and even 
 rom Europe, but chiefly from the 
 state of New York and New Eng- 
 and. Mrs. Willard's plan of edu- 
 cation has received the approbation 
 of some of the wisest men in Eti- 
 ope. Dr. Combe quotes it, in hi.s 
 ssay on education, with unqualifi- 
 d approbation. This institution is 
 conducted almost entirely by fe- 
 males : it is, in fact, a female col- 
 'ege, and many are the degrees of 
 usefulness conferred by its learned 
 principal on its numerous and love- 
 ly graduates. 
 
 The institution is incorporated, 
 and it cannot fail of receiving the 
 best wishes of the community. 
 May no event occur to mar its pros- 
 perity and usefulness. 
 
 The traveler will visit the "Foun- 
 tain City" again, on his way from 
 Champlain Lake. See Burlington, 
 Vt. t in the Register. 
 
 I.oujjf Meadow, Mass. 
 
 Hampden co. This is a beauti- 
 ful town with a fine soil, on the E. 
 side of Connecticut river, 97 miles 
 S. W. by W. from Boston, 5 S. from 
 Springfield, and 22 N. from Hart- 
 ford, Ct. Incorporated, 1783. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 1,251. There are 
 several tanneries in the town, and 
 some other manufactures, but the 
 inhabitants are generally engaged 
 in cultivating the soil. The Indian 
 name of the place was Massacsick. 
 
 Long Lake, Me. 
 
 This is a sheet of water at the 
 northern part of Piscataquis county, 
 about 15 miles in length and 2 in 
 width, which empties by Namjam- 
 skillecook river into Temiscouata 
 lake, the head waters of Madawas- 
 ka river. It lies about 210 miles 
 N. by E. from Augusta.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Iiong Pond, Me. 
 
 See Bridgeton. 
 
 London, X. H. 
 
 Merrimack co. Soucook river 
 passes from Gilmanton S. through 
 Loudou, furnishing valuable mill 
 privileges. There is some good in- 
 tervale on its borders. Loudon was 
 originally a part of Canterbury ; 
 was incorporated, 1773. Loudon 
 lies 7 miles N. E. from Concord. 
 Population, 1830, 1,642. 
 
 Lovell, ?Ic. 
 
 Oxford co. This town embraces 
 Kezer pond, a large sheet of water, 
 and other ponds whose outlet is into 
 the Saco, at Fryeburgh. Lovell 
 lies 10 miles N. from Fryeburgh, 
 20 W. S. W- from Paris, and 67 W. 
 S. W. from Augusta. Incorpora- 
 ted, 1800. Population, 1837, 876. 
 
 " In this town are Lovell's Falls, 
 which are an object of great natu- 
 ral curiosity. Where the water 
 makes over into the tremendous ba- 
 sin below, it falls perpendicularly 
 40 feet. Above the falls, there is 
 a chain of eight ponds, partly in 
 Lovell and partly in Waterford, con- 
 nected by small natural dams one 
 or two rods in width, through which 
 there are sluiceways, which will 
 admit the passage of a common sail 
 boat The scenery of the moun- 
 tains and ascending lands in the vi- 
 cinity is rural and beautiful." 
 
 Lowell, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. Formerly called 
 Huniressville. Incorporated by its 
 present name in 1838. " See Down 
 East" 
 
 Lowell , Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. This town was first 
 settled in 1806, and was called Kel- 
 leyvale for a number of years. It 
 lies 36 miles N. from Montpelier, 
 and 10 S. W. from Irasburgh. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 314. This township 
 is mountainous, and the fountain 
 head of Missisque river. 
 
 r.o\vcll. Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. County town. 
 This city, the American Manches- 
 ter, is remarkable for the extent of 
 its water power, its rapid growth, 
 and the height to which it has rais- 
 ed the American character, by the 
 perfection of its manufactures. 
 
 Lowell has risen to eminence by 
 the remarkable energy and skill of 
 a few individuals ; among whom 
 PATRICK T. JACKSON, ESQ. of 
 Boston, and the late KIRK BOOT, 
 ESQ. were distinguished. 
 
 It lies on the S. side of Merri- 
 mack river, below Pawtucket Falls, 
 and at the union of Concord river 
 with the Merrimack. 
 
 In 1815, the site where the city 
 stands was a wilderness, with the 
 exception of a few lonely dwell- 
 ings. In 1824, Lowell, then a part 
 of Chelmsford, was incorporated as 
 a town. In 1835, it became a city. 
 Lowell is situated 25 miles N. from 
 Boston, 14 N. N. E. from Concord, 
 37 N. E. from Worcester, and 38 S. 
 S. E. from Concord, N. H. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 6,474 ; 1837, 18,010. 
 
 The hydraulic power of this placs 
 is produced by a canal, of a mile 
 and a half in length, 60 feet in 
 width, and 8 feet in depth, extend- 
 ing from the head of Pawtucket 
 Falls to Concord river. This canal 
 has locks at its outlet into Concord 
 river ; it also serves for the passage 
 of boats up and down the Merri- 
 mack. From this canal, the water 
 is conveyed by lateral canals to va- 
 rious places where it is wanted for 
 use, and then discharged, either in- 
 to the Merrimack or Concord. 
 
 The canal is owned by The 
 Proprietors of the Locks and Canals 
 on Merrimack river." This com- 
 pany was incorporated in 1792, and 
 have a capital of $600,000. They 
 dispose of lauds and mill privileges, 
 and own the machine shop, and 
 carry on the manufacture of ma- 
 chinery. . The first cotton mill at 
 this place was erected in 1822. 
 
 The whole fall of the Merrimack
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 at this place is 30 feet, and the 
 quantity of water never falls short 
 of 2,000 cubic feet per second, 
 and is very rarely so low as that. 
 This quantity of water is estimated 
 to carry 286,000 spindles, with all 
 the preparatory machinery. There 
 is therefore an unimproved water 
 power at this place sufficient to 
 carry eleven mills of the usual size, 
 making the whole number of mills 
 39, when all the water is improved. 
 
 There are 10 corporations, with a 
 capital stock of $3,250,000 : 28 mills 
 besides machine shops, print works, 
 &c., all warmed in cold weather by 
 hot air or steam. 
 
 There are 150,404 spindles, and 
 4,861 looms. There are 51,147,200 
 yards of cloth manufactured per an- 
 num; 12,220,000 yards dyed and 
 printed, and 16,161,600 Ibs. of cot- 
 ton used annually, besides a large 
 quantity of wool. 
 
 There are annually used in these 
 manufactories, 11,000 tons of An- 
 thracite coal, 4,810 cords of wood, 
 500,000 bushels of charcoal, 63,489 
 gallons of oil, 510,000 pounds of 
 starch, and 3,800 barrels of flour 
 for starch in the print works and 
 bleachery. 
 
 The number of females employ- 
 ed in the mills, is 6,295 : number of 
 males, 2,047. Total number of 
 hands, 8,342. The average wages 
 of females per week, clear of board, 
 is $1,75; of males, 80 cents per 
 day, clear of board. The average 
 amount of wages paid per month 
 is $106,000. 
 
 The goods manufactured in these 
 mills consist of sheetings, shirtings, 
 drillings, calicoes, broadcloths, cas- 
 eimeres, carpets, rugs, negro cloth ; 
 machinery for mills, and for en- 
 gines and cars for rail-roads. The 
 quality of these goods is general- 
 ly superior to those imported. The 
 annual amount of goods manu- 
 factured by these mills is about 
 $8,000,000. 
 
 The mills are built of brick, and 
 are about 157 feet in length, 45 in 
 
 breadth, and from 4 to 7 stories in 
 height. 
 
 The Locks and Canals Machine 
 Shop, included among the 28 mills, 
 can furnish machinery complete for 
 a mill of 5,000 spindles in four 
 months, and lumber and materials 
 are always at command, with which 
 to build or rebuild a mill in that 
 time, if required. When building 
 mills, the Locks and Canals Com- 
 pany employ directly and indirect- 
 ly from a thousand to twelve hun- 
 dred hands. 
 
 There are also in Lowell 10 
 powder mills, a flour mill, glass 
 works, the Lowell bleachery, flan- 
 nel mills, and manufactories of cards, 
 whips, planing and reed machines, 
 boots, shoes ; brass, copper and tin 
 wares, carriages, harnesses, iron 
 castings, &c. &c. ; the annual pro- 
 ceeds of which amount to about 
 $500,000, employing about 200 
 hands. 
 
 Lowell is finely situated in regard 
 to health : it is surrounded by pleas- 
 ant hills and valleys, and seated on 
 a rapid stream. We are enabled to 
 state on good authority that 6 of 
 the females out of 10 enjoy better 
 health than before being employed 
 in the mills, and that one half of the 
 males derive the same advantage. 
 
 Lowell is very handsomely locat- 
 ed : it is laid out into wide streets; 
 all the buildings are of recent con- 
 struction, and in a style of neatness 
 and elegance. 
 
 With regard to the future pros- 
 perity of this interesting city, noth- 
 ing need be said to those who know 
 that it was founded, and is princi- 
 pally sustained, by the most emi- 
 nent capitalists of Boston ; a city 
 renowned for its enterprize, wealth, 
 and public spirit. 
 
 To strangers we would say visit 
 it. It is a pleasant ride of about an 
 hour from Boston, by the rail-road. 
 Foreigners view Lowell with ad- 
 miration ; and every American who 
 sees it feels proud that such a city 
 exists on this side of the Atlantic,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Lubec, Me. 
 
 Washington co. Lubec compris- 
 es a township of good land, lying 
 at the northeasterly corner of the 
 state, and contains a point of land 
 extending easterly on which West 
 Quoddy Head light-house is situa- 
 ted, at the western entrance into 
 Passamaquoddy bay. This place 
 possesses an admirable harbor for 
 vessels of any draught of water ; it 
 is easy of access and never obstruct- 
 ed by ice. There are also within 
 the town a number of bays, coves, 
 and several islands. Grand Menan 
 stretches off the mouth of the har- 
 bor on the E. 5 or 6 miles distant, 
 and Campo Ballo, another English 
 island, lies very near and protects 
 the harbor on the north. This 
 town was taken from Eastport in 
 1811, and contained 380 inhabit- 
 ants. Population, 1820, 1430 ; 1830, 
 2,081; 1837, 4,161. 
 
 Lubec, in common with Easfport, 
 enjoys a very extensive trade with 
 the Bay of Fundy and the great 
 waters of Passamaquoddy bay. 
 The village, or principal place of 
 business, is beautifully located on a 
 point of land jutting out into the 
 harbor ; it makes a fine appearance, 
 commands an active trade, and is 
 flourishing in its navigation and 
 fishery. It lies 3 miles S. from 
 Eastport, 30 E. from Machias, 173 
 E. by N. from Augusta, and 31 S. 
 E. from Calais, at the head of navi- 
 gation on the St. Croix river. 
 
 Ludlow, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. Black and Williams' 
 rivers give this town a good water 
 power. It is likewise watered by 
 a number of large ponds well stor- 
 ed with fish. Ludlow was first set- 
 tled in 1784. It lies 61 miles S. 
 from Montpelier, and 18 S. W. from 
 Windsor. Population, }830, 1,227. 
 
 The town is mountainous, but 
 contains good land for the grazing 
 of sheep and other cattle. The 
 village is very pleasant, and the 
 centre of considerable trade with 
 
 19* 
 
 the surrounding country. Some 
 valuable minerals have been discov- 
 ered here. 
 
 Imdlow, Mass. 
 
 Hampden co. This town lies N. 
 of Wilbraham, and is separated from 
 it by Chickopee river. It is 84 
 miles W. by S. from Boston, and 10 
 N. E. from Springfield. Incorpo- 
 rated, 1774. The Chickopee here 
 is a large stream, and adds much to 
 the beauty of the place. There 
 are two cotton mills in the town, 
 and manufactures of palm-leaf hats 
 and ploughs : total value, in one 
 year, $160,850. Population, 1837, 
 1,329. 
 
 Imnenburgli, Vt. 
 
 Essex co. On the west side of 
 Connecticut river, and watered by 
 Neal's branch and pond, and Cat- 
 bow branch ; good mill streams. 
 Some of the land is very good, but 
 the most of it is stony, appearently 
 of diluvial formation, consisting of 
 rounded masses of granite embed- 
 ded in clay and gravel. This is a 
 good grazing town, and produces 
 some cattle, and butter and cheese 
 for market. First settled about 
 1770. Population, in 1830, 1,054. 
 Lunenburgh lies 45 miles E. N. 
 E. from Montpelier, and 8 S. from 
 Guildhall. 
 
 Lmiieiilmrgli, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. The soil of this 
 town is good, the surface uneven 
 and watered by some branches of 
 Nashua river. Considerable amount 
 of books are printed and bound in 
 this town, and there are some man- 
 ufactures of palm-leaf hats, chairs, 
 cabinet ware, leather, boots ami 
 shoes. Lunenburgh is a very pleas- 
 ant town : 42 miles N. W. from 
 Boston, and 24 N. from Worcester. 
 Incorporated, 1728. Population, 
 1837, 1,250. 
 
 I^ymaii} Me* 
 York co. This is a pleasant
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 town, watered by several ponds 
 which empty, some into the Saco, 
 and others into the Kennebunk and 
 Mousum. It lies 87 miles S. VV. 
 from Augusta, 5 E. from Alfred and 
 6 N. N. W. from Kennebunk. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 1,528. 
 
 1 . \ m 1 1 . \ . H. 
 
 Grafton co. On Connecticut riv- 
 er. This town is 13 miles above 
 Haverhill, 90 miles N. N. W. from 
 Concord. There is one considera- 
 ble elevation, called Lyman's moun- 
 tain. The N. W. branch of Burn- 
 ham's river has its source from this 
 mountain. There are several ponds 
 in the E. part of Lyman, through 
 the largest of which Burnham's 
 river has its course. The lower bar 
 of the Fifteen Mile falls is in this 
 town. Carleton's falls are several 
 miles below, and below these is 
 Stevens' ferry, which communi- 
 cates with Barnet. Lyman was 
 granted in 1761. Population, in 
 1830, 1,321. 
 
 Iiynif, HT. H. 
 
 Grafton co. This town is 6 miles 
 S. from Orford, and 54 N. W. from 
 Concord. The soil here k similar 
 to that of other towns on Connecti- 
 cut river, with this difference, that 
 there is a less proportion of inter- 
 vale, and a less difference between 
 that directly adjoining the river and 
 the other parts of the town. There 
 are three small streams passing 
 through Lyme and emptying into 
 Connecticut river. There are two 
 small ponds, the largest of which is 
 called Ports pond. There is a moun- 
 tain, called Smart's mountain, lying 
 in the N. E. part of the town. 
 Lyme was^granted 1761. The town 
 was settle'd 1764. Population, in 
 1830, 1,804. 
 
 I.,y in?, Ct. 
 
 New London co. Lyme is situ- 
 ated at the mouth of Connecticut 
 river, on the east side, opposite to 
 Say brook. It ia a pleasant town, 
 
 generally of good soil, but greatly 
 diversified in regard to surface : 
 some parts are mountainous and 
 rocky, while others are level, with 
 large tracts of salt meadow. The 
 town is watered by several streams 
 and ponds, and the shores on the 
 sound and river are indented by 
 small bays and harbors, which af- 
 ford the town some navigable privi- 
 leges. There are several neat vil- 
 lages in the town, a cotton mill, 
 2 woolen factories, and about 6,000 
 sheep. Lym-e was first settled in 
 1664. Incorporated, 1667. It lies 
 40 miles S. E. from Hartford, and 40 
 E. from New Haven. Population, 
 1830, 4,084. Its Indian name was 
 JVehantic. 
 
 Among the first settlers was 
 MATTHEW GRISWOLD, the ances- 
 tor of two governors, and of a nu- 
 merous and highly respected family 
 in the state. 
 
 A tract of land, once an Indian 
 reservation, was for some time in 
 dispute between the towns of Lyme 
 and New London. It was finally 
 agreed to settle their respective ti- 
 tles to the land in controversy, by a 
 combat between two champions, to 
 be chosen by each for that purpose. 
 The combatants were chosen, and 
 on a day mutually appointed, the 
 champions appeared in the field, 
 and fought with their fists till vic- 
 tory declared in favor of each of the 
 Lyme combatants. Lyme then qui- 
 etly took possession of the contro- 
 verted tract, and has held it un- 
 disputed, to the present day. 
 
 Deacon Marvin, a large land 
 holder and an exemplar}' man, was 
 exceedingly eccentric in some of 
 his notions. His courtship, it is 
 said., was as follows :: Having one 
 day mounted his horse, with only a 
 sheep skin for a saddle, he rode in 
 front of the house where Betty Lee 
 lived, and without dismounting re- 
 quested Betty to come to him ; on 
 her coming, he told her that the 
 Lord had sent him there to marry 
 her. Betty, without much hesi-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 tation, replied, The Lord's will be 
 done. 
 
 The following is on the Deacon's 
 monument in the grave yard, dated, 
 October 18, 1737. 
 
 This Deacon aged 68 : 
 Is freed on earth from serving 
 May for a crown no longer wait : 
 
 Lyme's Captain REYNOLD MARVIN. 
 
 ST. II. 
 
 Hillsborough co. This town is 
 10 miles W. N. W. from Amherst, 
 and 35 S. S. W. from Concord. It 
 is an elevated township, having a 
 considerable mountain which di- 
 vides it from E. to W. There is, in 
 the N. E. part of the town, below 
 the mountain, a plain, where there 
 is a small village, pleasantly situat- 
 ed near Piscataquog river. The 
 soil of this town, though stony, is 
 deep and strong. For grazing it is, 
 perhaps, not exceeded by any town 
 in the county. The streams are 
 small, originating principally from 
 sources in the town, and running 
 N. and S. from the mountain. 
 Lyndeborough was originally grant- 
 ed in 1690. In 1753, Benjamin 
 Lynde, Esq. of Salem, purchased a 
 considerable part of the township, 
 and adjoining lands. From him, 
 the place, when it was incorporated 
 in 1764, took the name of Lyndebo- 
 rough. It was settled as early as 
 1750. On the 15th of Nov., 1809, 
 three children were burnt in a barn, 
 while their parents were attending 
 an installation at Mont Vernon. 
 Population, in 1830, 1,147. 
 
 Lyndon, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. First settled, 1788. 
 It lies 34 miles N. E. from Mont- 
 pelier, and 10 N. N. E. from Dan- 
 ville. Population, 1830, 1,822. 
 Lyndon is one of the best townships 
 in the state : its surface is undulat- 
 ing, with a soil of rich loam, free 
 from stone, easy to cultivate, and 
 very productive of wool, cattle, 
 pork, butter and cheese. It is ad- 
 mirably well watered by the Pas- 
 
 sumpsic and some of its tributaries. 
 Two important falls of that river 
 are in the town, one of 65 feet in 
 the distance of 30 rods ; the other 
 of 18 feet. These are called Great 
 and Little Falls, and afford a water 
 power of great extent. Agaric 
 mineral, used for chalk, and a good 
 substitute for Spanish white, is found 
 here. The principal village is very 
 pleasant and the seat of considera- 
 ble business. The scenery about 
 the town is picturesque and inter- 
 esting. There is probably no inte- 
 rior town in the state that contains 
 more'valuable water privileges than 
 Lyndon. 
 
 Lynn, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. Lynn is one of the 
 most flourishing and beautiful towns 
 in the state. It lies on a plain, sur- 
 rounded by rising ground, except 
 on the east, where it opens to Lynn 
 bay, embracing the romantic pen- 
 insula of JVahant, with its beauti- 
 ful beach, and Phillips' Point, both 
 highly esteemed resorts for all class- 
 es of people ; the sick, the serious, 
 and the gay. The soil of the town 
 is fertile and well cultivated. It is 
 watered by the river Saugus, the 
 Indian name of the place. The 
 town is neatly built on wide and 
 pleasant streets, and contains a pop- 
 ulation of about 10,000. It lies 9 
 miles N. E. from Boston, and 5 S. 
 W. from Salem. 
 
 Lynn has risen to wealth and 
 importance by the enterprise and 
 industry of its people, in the manu- 
 facture of shoes, particularly for 
 which, more than any other town 
 in the country, it is justly celebra- 
 ted. The manufacture of ladies' 
 shoes was commenced here before 
 the revolutionary war, and it is cu- 
 rious to observe the great changes 
 that have occurred in the fashion 
 and manufacture of that article. 
 
 " In olden times," says the New- 
 buryport Herald, " ladies' shoes 
 were made in Lynn of common 
 woolen cloth, or coarse curried
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 leather; afterwards of stuffs such 
 as cassimere, everlasting, shalloon 
 and russet; some of satin and da- 
 mask.others of sajin lasting and flor- 
 entine. They were generally cut 
 with straps, for large buckles, 
 which were worn in those days by 
 women as well as men. Ladies' 
 shoes, 70 years ago, were made 
 mostly with white and russet rands, 
 and stitched very fine on the rand 
 with white-waxed thread. Some 
 were made turn pumps and channel 
 pumps, all having wooden heels, 
 called cross-cut, common, and court 
 heels. Then the cork, plug, and 
 wedge or spring heels, came into 
 use. The sole-leather was all 
 worked with the flesh side out. 
 
 " Previous to the war of the revo- 
 lution, the market for Lynn shoes 
 was principally confined to New 
 England ; some few, however, 
 were exported to Philadelphia. 
 Many individuals with small capi- 
 tal carried on the business in their 
 own families. Fathers, sons, ap- 
 prentices, and one or two journey- 
 men, all in one small shop, with a 
 chimney in one corner, formed the 
 whole establishment. 
 "After the revolution, the business 
 assumed a different aspect. Enter- 
 prising individuals embarked in the 
 business in good earnest; hired 
 a great number of journeymen ; 
 built large shops, took apprentices, 
 and drove the business. Master 
 workmen shipped their shoes to 
 the south, so that Lynn shoes took 
 the place of English and other im- 
 ported shoes. Morocco and kid 
 leather, suitable for shoes, began 
 to be imported from England, which 
 soon took the place of stuffs. Roan 
 shoes were now little called for; 
 and the improvemeut of working 
 the sole-leather grain side out, was 
 now generally adopted, making 
 what is called duff bottoms. About 
 the year 1794, wooden heels began 
 to go out of use, by the introduc- 
 tion of leather spring heels. This 
 improvement progressed gradually, 
 
 until the heel making, which was 
 once a good business, was totally 
 ruined." 
 
 In the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 there were manufactured in Lynn 
 2,543,929 pairs of shoes, and 2,220 
 pairs of boots, valued at $1,689,793. 
 In this manufacture, 2,631 males 
 and 2,554 females were employed ; 
 total number, 5,185. During that 
 time the manufacture of vessels, 
 cordage, tin ware, oil casks, moroc- 
 co leather and shoe boxes amounted 
 to $188,409. During the same pe- 
 riod there were 5 vessels employed 
 in the whale and 14 in the cod and 
 mackerel fishery. Besides this, 
 4,608,000 pounds of cod, haddock, 
 halibut and other fish were tak- 
 en in boats and sold fresh. The to- 
 tal value of the fisheries amounted 
 to $170,320. Total value of the 
 manufactures and fisheries of Lynn, 
 in one year, $2,048,522. Lynn 
 was first settled in 1629. Incorpo- 
 rated, 1637. 
 
 I>y]inlicl<l, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. The surface of this 
 town is uneven, and the soil rather 
 hard and unproductive. It contains 
 some good farms, a number of pleas- 
 ant ponds, and is watered by Ips- 
 wich river on the north. There is 
 a woolen mill in the town, and man- 
 ufactures of bar iron, ploughs, boots 
 and shoes ; annual value about 
 $50,000. Incorporated, 1782. 
 Population, 1837, 674. Lynnfield 
 is 12 miles N. from Boston, and 9 
 W. by N. from Salem. 
 
 Macliias Rivers and Bay, Me. 
 
 The river in Washington County 
 is formed of two branches, which 
 receive their head waters from sev- 
 eral ponds, at the distance of about 
 40 miles, in a N. W. direction. 
 The eastern branch passes through 
 East Machias. These branches 
 unite near the line of Machias and 
 Machias Port, and in their course 
 produce a great and valuable hy- 
 draulic power.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Machias and Little Machias riv- 
 ers, in Penobscot county, are im- 
 portant tributaries to the Aroostook. 
 Their course is easterly, and their 
 mouths meet near each other about 
 30 miles W. N. W. from Mars Hill. 
 
 Machias Bay sets up from the 
 sea about 10 miles and meets Ma- 
 chias Port. This bay is 4 or 5 miles 
 in width at its mouth, and contains 
 in its bosom several coves, harbors, 
 and beautiful islands : Cross island 
 lying at its mouth is the largest, 
 being about 3 miles by 2. 
 
 3Iacliias, Me. 
 
 Washington co. County town. 
 This was a famous lodgement of the 
 Indians. First settled, 1762. It 
 was incorporated in 1784, and was 
 the first corporate town between 
 Penobscot and St. Croix rivers. It 
 formerly comprised East Machiss 
 and Machias Port. The village is 
 situated on the east side of the 
 west branch, and near the mouth 
 of Middle river. It contains the 
 county building, numerous saw 
 mills, and has an extensive trade, 
 particularly in lumber. Machias 
 lies 143 miles E. N. E. from Augus- 
 ta. Population, 1837, 1,239. This 
 is a pleasant and interesting town. 
 
 Machias Port, Me. 
 
 Washington co. Incorporated 
 in 1826. It is the southern part of 
 Old Machias, and extends north- 
 ward to the union of the branches 
 of Machias river. It has a great 
 number of mills, and is very exten- 
 sively engaged in the lumber trade. 
 It is a port of entry : it has an 
 excellent harbor, and considerable 
 navigation in the coasting and fish- 
 ing business. The tonnage of the 
 district in 1837, was 8,360 tons. In 
 this part of Old Machias the Ply- 
 mouth Colony established a trading 
 house in 1630. It was subsequent- 
 ly occupied by the French for sev- 
 eral years. Machias Port lies 146 
 miles E. N. E, from Augusta, ?nd 
 
 3 S. from Machias. 
 1837, 821. 
 
 Population, 
 
 Madamiscoutis River, Me., 
 
 Rises in a large pond, and emp- 
 ties, from the N. W. into Penobscot 
 river, about 45 miles above Ban- 
 gor. 
 
 Madaivnslkti River, Me. 
 
 This river is in the county of Pe- 
 nobscot, and is the outlet of Temis- 
 couata lake, and other large bodies 
 of water in the northern part of the 
 county bordering on the line of 
 Lower Canada. This river and 
 these lakes, with their numerous 
 tributaries, water a country of great 
 extent, and which is said to equal 
 any country in the world in fertili- 
 ty, even fhe luxuriant prairies of the 
 " boundless west." The course of 
 these waters is N. W. andiraverse a 
 distance of more than luO miles. 
 From the mouth of Madawaska in- 
 to the St. John's to Augusta is about 
 240 miles N. N. E. 
 
 Madawaska, Me. 
 
 Washington co. This town was 
 incorporated in 1831, and comprises 
 the territory marked F. and K. on 
 GreenleaPs map. It is bounded E. 
 by the British Province of New 
 Brunswick, N. near the passage of 
 St. John's, across the line of the 
 state ; and W. and S. by a vast and 
 fertile territory between the Aroos- 
 took and St. John's rivers ; at pres- 
 ent but thinly inhabited. This town 
 was the place where the land agents 
 of Maine were taken, by order of 
 the British government, and impris- 
 oned at Frederickton, N. B. In 
 1837, Madawaska was supposed to 
 contain a population of 2,487. It 
 lies about 220 miles N. E. by N. 
 from Augusta, and 130 N. W. from 
 Frederickton, N. B. 
 
 Madlmr j-, Iff. II. , 
 
 Strafford co., is bounded N. E. 
 by Dover, S. W. by Durham and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Lee, N. W. by Barrington. The 
 soil of this town is generally pro- 
 ductive. In some parts of the town, 
 bog iron ore has been dug up in 
 considerable quantities, and in some 
 instances red and yellow ochre. 
 Bellamay bank river is the only 
 stream of any magnitude, and Bar- 
 badoes pond the only considerable 
 body of water. This pond lies be- 
 tween Dover and Madbury, and is 
 120 rods long, 50 wide. Madbury 
 formerly constituted a part of the 
 ancient town of Dover; but was set 
 off and incorporated May 31, 1755, 
 by its present name. Population, 
 in 1830, 510. 
 
 Madison, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. This township lies 
 on the E. side of Kennebec river, 
 34 miles N. from Augusta and 
 bounded S. by Norridgewock. It 
 was incorporated in 1804. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 1,272 ; 1837, 1,608. It 
 is watered by a beautiful pond, the 
 outlet of which is at Skowhegan. 
 There are three pleasant villages in 
 the town : the people are general- 
 ly husbandmen. The best compli- 
 ment that can be paid to the soil is, 
 that it produced, without any extra- 
 ordinary effort, 10,188 bushels of 
 wheat, in 1837. 
 
 Madison, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. This town was 
 taken from Guilford in 1826. It lies 
 on Long Island Sound, and embra- 
 ces what is called Hammonasset 
 Point. This town lies 18 miles E. 
 by S. from New Haven, and 33 S. 
 from Hartford. Population, 1830, 
 1,809. The soil of the town is 
 stony, and naturally hard to culti- 
 vate ; but it is made quite produc- 
 tive of corn, rye and potatoes by the 
 use of white fish, ploughed in. 
 These fish appear in the sound about 
 the 1st of June, and continue 3 or 
 4 months. They are taken in great 
 quantities and are considered an ex- 
 cellent manure. They were first 
 thus used about the year 1798. 
 
 About 10,000 of these fish are con- 
 sidered a good dressing for an acre 
 of land. 
 
 This place has a small harbor and 
 some navigation. Ship building is 
 the most important mechanical pur- 
 suit. 
 
 The Hon. THOMAS CHITTEX- 
 DEIT, for many years governor of 
 Vermont, and his brother EBENE- 
 ZER CHITTENDEN, a gentleman 
 of great mechanical genius, were 
 natives of this town. The former 
 was born in 1730, and died in 1797. 
 
 The following is the inscription 
 on a monument in the grave yard, 
 in memory of an old sea captain. 
 
 Though Boreas' blasts and Neptune's 
 waves 
 
 Have toss'd me to and fro, 
 In spite of both by God's decree 
 
 I harbor here below, 
 Where I do at anchor ride 
 
 With many of our fleet ; 
 Yet once again I must set sail 
 
 Our Admiral, Christ, to meet. 
 
 Mad Rivers* 
 
 Mad River in JV. H., rises 
 among the mountains in the N. E. 
 part of Grafton county ; it crosses 
 the S. E. part of Thornton and falls 
 into the Pemigewasset at Camptoo. 
 Mad River, Vt. A rapid stream, 
 rises in the high lands S. of War- 
 ren, and after passing through 
 Waitsfield, it falls into Onion riv- 
 er at Moretown. 
 
 Madrid, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. This township was 
 incorporated in 1836. It is watered 
 by some of the head branches of 
 Sandy river and contains a part of 
 Saddleback mountain. The soil is 
 excellent and yielded, in 1837, 
 3,387 bushels of wheat. Popula- 
 tion same year, 351. It lies 25 
 miles N. W. from Farmington and 
 about 105 N. W. from Augusta. 
 
 MacluiikceuuU River, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. A tributary of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the Penobscot on the W. side, about 
 6 miles above the Madamiscontis. 
 
 Maidstoue, V t. 
 
 Essex co. This mountainous 
 township lies on the W. side of 
 Connecticut river : it is watered by 
 
 a pleasant pond and by Paul's 
 stream. It has some good land, but 
 most of it is poor. First settled, 
 1770. Population, 1830, 236. It 
 lies 54 miles N. E. from Montpelier, 
 and 8 N. from Guildhall 
 
 MAINE. 
 
 This State was originally granted by James I. to the Plymouth Compa- 
 ny, in 1606, by whom it was transferred to Mason and Gorges in 1624. 
 This grant comprised all the territory between Merrimack river and Sa- 
 gndahock. The territory was afterwards purchased by Massachusetts for 
 jl,250, who obtained a confirmation of the charter in 1691, with the ad- 
 dition of the residue of Maine and Nova Scotia, including what is now 
 called the Province of New Brunswick. 
 
 This state, formerly the District of Maine, became independent of 
 Massachusetts in 1820. By the Constitution, the legislative power is 
 vested in a Senate and House of Representatives, elected annually by 
 the people, on the second Monday in September. The number of Sen- 
 ators cannot be less than 20, nor more than 31. The number of Repre- 
 sentatives cannot be less than 100, nor more than 200. No town or city 
 is entitled to more than seven Representatives. 
 
 The executive power is vested in a Governor, who is choeen annually
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 by the people, on the second Monday in September : His official term 
 commences on the first Wednesday in January. 
 
 The Legislature meets at AUGUSTA, on the first Wednesday in Janu- 
 ary, annually, on which day seven Counsellors are elected, by joint bal- 
 lot of both Houses, to advise the Governor in his executive duties. 
 
 The judicial power of the state is vested in a Supreme Judicial Court, 
 and such other courts as the Legislature may, from time to time, estab- 
 lish. The Judges are appointed by the Governor and Council, and hold 
 their offices during good behavior, but not beyond the age of 70 years. 
 
 The state of Maine is bounded northwest and north by Lower Canada, 
 east by New Brunswick, south by the Atlantic ocean, and west by New 
 Hampshire. It is situated between 43 5', and 48 3' N. lat. and 70 
 65', and 66 47' W. Ion. It contains an area of about 33,000 square miles. 
 
 The surface of the state is diversified by hills and valleys. A tract on 
 the west side east of the white mountains, and a part of the north bound- 
 ary is mountainous, though not of extraordinary elevations. The high- 
 est mountains lie in detached groups, but they are not numerous. 
 {The range of high land which crosses Vermont and New Hampshire, 
 enters the northwest corner of Maine, passing round Chaudiere river 
 and the head waters of Megantic lake, in Canada, and running nearly 
 parallel with the St. Lawrence river, at the distance of about twenty 
 miles, terminates on the gulph of St. Lawrence, near Cape Rosier. 
 This is the " Height of Land" or the " North East Ridge," spoken of in 
 the treaty of 1783, between Great Britain and the United States, and 
 which was never called in question until 1814, when the British pleni- 
 potentiaries at Ghent proposed to the American Commissioners to discuss 
 and revise the boundary, so as to prevent future uncertainty and dispute. 
 They stated that they desired a direct communication between Quebe-c 
 and Halifax, and left it to the Americans to demand an equivalent. This 
 proposition was refused by the Americans, on the ground that there was 
 no question in regard to the limits of their territory. The " disputed ter- 
 ritory," so called, includes most of the country north of latitude 46, in- 
 cluding a part of New Hampshire, and most of that large and valuable 
 portion of Maine watered by the Madawaska, St. John's, Walloostook, 
 Aroostook, and other rivers. This question involves nearly a third part of 
 the territory of the state. 
 
 In the 2d article of that treaty are the following words : " And that 
 all disputes which might arise in future, on the subject of boundaries 
 of the United States, may be prevented, it is hereby agreed and declar- 
 ed that the following are, and shall be, their boundaries, viz : from the 
 northwest angle of JVova Scotia, (New Brunswick) viz : that angle 
 which is formed by a line drawn due north from the source of St. Croix
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 river to the highlands ; along the said highlands which divide those riv- 
 ers that empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence from those which 
 fall into the Atlantic ocean, to the north westernmost he ad of the Connec- 
 ticut river." 
 
 " Our commissioners at Ghent, having successfully resisted every attempt 
 for the dismemberment of Maine, agreed upon an article with the British 
 commissioners, not to revise or to change the ancient treaty boundary, 
 but to run and establish upon the ground that very boundary, without 
 any alteration, and to ascertain " the northwest angle of Nova Scotia ;" 
 its place of beginning. This article is the fifth in the treaty. Under it, 
 each party appointed a commissioner. These commissioners disagreed. 
 According to the treaty, the question was then referred to the King of the 
 Netherlands, as umpire, whose award was rejected by the United States, 
 because it did not even profess to decide the controversy according to the 
 terms of the submission, but proposed a compromise, by a division of the 
 disputed territory between the parties. Great Britian has also since an- 
 nounced her abandonment of this award; and now, at the end of more 
 than half a century after the conclusion of the treaty of 1783, the ques- 
 tion not only remains unsettled, but threatens to involve the two nations in 
 a dangerous dispute. 
 
 " The northwest angle of Nova Scotia was a well known point, capa- 
 ble of being easily ascertained, ever since the proclamation of 1763, by 
 simply running a due north line from the source of the St. Croix, to in- 
 tersect the southern line of the Province of Quebec, which consists of 
 the highlands running from the western extremity of the bay of Chaleur, 
 to the head of Connecticut river, and dividing those rivers that empty 
 themselves into the river St. Lawrence from those which fall into the 
 Atlantic ocean. It is certain as the laws of nature, that these highlands, 
 from which we know that streams do flow in opposite directions, can be 
 found on the face of the country. 
 
 " The whole argument of the British government rests upon the assump- 
 tion that the St. John's is not a river falling into the Atlantic ocean, be- 
 cause it has its mouth in the Say of Fundy. What is the Bay of Fundy, 
 if it be not a part of the Atlantic ocean ? A bay is a mere opening of 
 the main ocean into the land a mere interruption of the uniformity of 
 the sea coast by an indentation of water. These portions of the ocean 
 have received the name of bays, solely to distinguish them from the 
 remainder of the vast deep to which they belong. Would it not be the 
 merest special pleading to contend that the bay of Naples was not a por- 
 tion of the Mediterranean, or that the Bay of Biscay was not a part of 
 the Atlantic ocean ? 
 
 " Again, the description of the treaty is. " rivers which fall into tha 
 20
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZKTTEEK. 
 
 Atlantic ocean." Can it be said, with any propriety, that a river does 
 not fall into the Atlantic, because in reaching the main ocean it may 
 pass through a bay ? And yet this is the British argument. The Dela- 
 ware does not fall into the Atlantic, because it flows into it through the 
 bay of Delaware ; and, for the same reason, the St. John's does not fall 
 into the Atlantic, because it flows into it through the hay of Fundy." 
 
 It is ardently wished that this perplexing controversy may soon be ami- 
 cably settled between two friendly powers, whose interests are so closely 
 united. This will probably be the event. Maine is determined to vin- 
 dicate her rights, and the whole country stands ready to sustain them. 
 
 Maine is divided into the twelve following counties: York, Cumber- 
 land, Lincoln, Kennebec, Waldo, Hancock, Oxford, Somerset, Penobscot, 
 Washington, Franklin, and Piscataquis. 
 
 Succession of Governors. 
 
 William King, 1820. Albion K. Parris, 18211825. E. Lincoln, 
 1826 1829. Jonathan G. Hunton, 1830. Samuel E. Smith, 1831 
 1833. Robert P. Dunkp, 1834 1837. Edward Kent, 1838. John 
 Fairfield, 1839 
 
 Succession of Chief Justices. 
 
 Prentiss Mellen, 18201834. Nathan Weston, 1834 
 
 The soil of Maine is various. For some miles from the sea coast it is 
 rocky, sandy or clayey, with some fertile portions; generally this is the 
 least productive part of the state. Advancing into the interior, the soil 
 increases in fertility. The average quality of the soil is considered to be 
 equal if not superior to any other portion of New England. In some 
 parts it is not exceeded in fertility by any section of the Union. Some 
 of the most fertile parts of Maine are now almost a wilderness. 
 
 The ability of the soil of Maine to furnish an ample supply of bread 
 stuffs, was fully tested in 18.37, by the production of more than a million 
 bushels of wheat, besides vast quantities of rye and corn. 
 
 The natural productions in the state, already known to exist in ex- 
 haustless quantities, are pine and hemlock timber ; granite, slate, lime, 
 iron, and all the materials in the composition of glass. Of the first 
 report of the learned and indefatigable Dr. Jackson, on the geology of 
 Maine, the celebrated professor Silliman thus speaks : 
 
 " Maine is a country chiefly of primary rocks, with a large division 
 of those of transition, and towards New Brunswick it has an important 
 region of the lower secondary. Every where it has alluvial and diluvial 
 deposits, and vast igneous formations, not only in the interior, but form-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ing a barrier against the ocean surge along a considerable part of an im- 
 mense sea coast, indented as it is by bays and estuaries almost beyond 
 example. Among the mineral formations of Maine, are granite, gneiss, 
 mica and talcose, and other slates, including roofing slate and alum 
 slate ; also, soapstone, limestone and marble, sandstones and brecciated 
 rocks of many varieties ; jasper, including the beautiful greenstone, 
 trap and its varieties, and porphyry. The trap dykes are numerous and 
 exceedingly distinct : They out through most of the other rocks, and pro- 
 duce upon them, most distinctly, those peculiar effects, which to a de- 
 monstration prove their igneous origin. Scientific geology is greatly 
 indebted to this survey for some of the most lucid and convincing facts 
 on this head ; while the diluvial deposits, the boulders and ruins, the dilu- 
 vial furrows in the rocks, the sea shells now adhering to and inherent in 
 rocks which once formed the sea coast, although elevated twenty-six 
 feet above the sea board, a salt spring at Lubec, and many other topics 
 equally illustrate other parts of scientific geology. 
 
 Dr. Jackson is entirely master of his subject, as well as of the kindred 
 sciences of mineralogy and chemistry, and his report is remarkable for 
 its lucid clearness and its attractive style." 
 
 The sea coastof Maine, extending more than 230 miles, indented by 
 an almost countless number of bays, harbors and islands of romantic beau- 
 ty, presents facilities for navigation unrivalled by any portion of the globe. 
 The great rivers, St. Croix, Penobscot, Kennebec, Audroscoggin, and 
 Saco, with their numerous tributaries piercing the interior, give to the 
 farmer and mechanic a cheap and easy mode of transportation. These 
 rivers, and thousands of ponds and other streams, dispersed throughout 
 the state, afford a water power of vast extent and usefulness. 
 
 The celebrated John Smith made an unsuccessful attempt to settle 
 this part of the country as early as 1614. The first permanent lodgment 
 of the whites in the state was made from the Plymouth colony, at York, 
 in 1630. 
 
 The first settlers of Maine were a race of men of good minds, stout 
 hearts and strong arms. By them and their sons the stately forests were 
 converted into an article of commerce, of immense value ; thus prepar- 
 ing the soil for its ultimate staples, WHEAT, BEEF, and WOOL. See 
 Register.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Maiden, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. A bridge over 
 Mystic river, 2,420 feet in length, 
 connects this town with Charles- 
 town. It lies 5 miles N. from Bos- 
 ton, and 16 E. by S. from Concord. 
 First settled, 1648. Incorporated, 
 1649. Population, 1830, 2,010; 
 1837, 2,303. It contains a large 
 tract of salt meadow, and consider- 
 able timber. The uplands are 
 rough and uneven. The manufac- 
 tures of Maiden consist of leather, 
 boots, shoes, block tin, tin ware, 
 twine, lasts, and manufactures of 
 iron and dye-wood : total amount, 
 the year ending April 1, 1S37, 
 $351,160. 
 
 Manchester, N. II., 
 
 Hillsborough co., lies on the east 
 side of Merrimack river, by which 
 it is bounded on the W. for 8 miles ; 
 on the N. and E. it is bounded by 
 Chester, S. by Londonderry and 
 Litchfield. There are several 
 streams which have their origin in 
 this town, and which discharge 
 themselves into the Merrimack. 
 Cohass brook, issuing from Massa- 
 besick pond, is the largest. It re- 
 ceives two other small streams from 
 the S., and empties itself at the S. 
 W. angle of the town. Massabe- 
 sick is a large pond, at the E. side 
 of the town, and partly within its 
 limits. There are several smaller 
 ponds. 
 
 The soil of a considerable part of 
 the town is light and sandy. The 
 intervales on the river are easy of 
 cultivation, and productive. 
 
 The canal by Amoskeag falls is 
 in this town, and was projected and 
 constructed by the ingenuity and 
 perseverance of the late Samuel 
 Blodget, Esq. At these falls are the 
 works of the Amoskeag Manufac- 
 turing Company, where the founda- 
 tions of another Lowell are being 
 laid. The water power is im- 
 mense. 
 
 This town was formed of a part 
 
 of Londonderry, a part of Chester, 
 and a tract of land called Harry- 
 town, and incorporated Sept. 3, 
 1751, by the name of Derryfield. 
 This name it retained until 1810, 
 when it was changed to Manches- 
 ter, by an act of the legislature. 
 
 The venerable general JOHN 
 STARK had his residence in this 
 town, where he died May 8, 1822, 
 at the great age of 93 years 8 months 
 and 24 days. He was born at 
 Londonderry, August 28, 1728; 
 was tnken prisoner by the Indians, 
 while hunting near Baker's river, 
 in Rumney, April 28, 1752. In 
 1775, he was appointed a colonel of 
 one of the three regiments raised 
 in New Hampshire ; was engaged 
 on the heights of Charlestown, June 
 17, 1775 ; was at the battle of Tren- 
 ton, in 1776 \ captured Col. Baum 
 and 1,000 of the British at Benning- 
 ton, August IS, 1777. This event, 
 in the language of president Jeffer- 
 son, was " the first link in the chain 
 of successes which issued in the 
 surrender of Saratoga." He was 
 soon after appointed a brigadier- 
 general of the United States army, 
 and, at the time of his death, was 
 the only surviving American gen- 
 eral officer of the revolution. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 887. 
 
 Manchester, Vt. 
 
 Bennington co. One of the 
 county towns. Situated between 
 the Green mountains on the E., and 
 Equinox mountain on the W. The 
 latter is 3,706 feet above the sea. 
 There are two neat villages in this 
 valley ; the county buildings are 
 in the south village. The scene- 
 ry here is very beautiful. The 
 town is watered by the Battenkill 
 and its branches, and affords good 
 mill sites. The soil along the wa- 
 ter courses is good, but the princi- 
 pal part of the town is better for 
 grazing than tillage. Here are 
 large quarries of beautiful marble, 
 some manufactures, a curious cav- 
 ern, and about 6,000 sheep. Man-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Chester lies 22 miles N. hy E. from 
 Bennington, and about 40 W. from 
 Bellows Falls, across the moun- 
 tains. First settled, 1764. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 1,525. 
 
 Manchester, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. This is a flourishing 
 fishing town on Massachusetts hay, 
 26 miles N. E. from Boston, and 5 
 S. W. from Gloucester. It was 
 taken from Salem in 1645. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 1,346. There are a 
 number of vessels belonging to the 
 town employed in the fishing and 
 coasting business. The value of 
 the fishery, the year ending April 
 1, 1837, amounted to $12,800. The 
 value of the articles manufactur- 
 ed was $96,473. Those articles 
 consisted of vessels, boots, shoes, 
 leather, chairs, cabinet ware, palm- 
 leaf hats, and ships' wheels. The 
 village is very pleasant, and com- 
 mands fine prospects. Although 
 Manchester is a rocky, rough 
 township, it can boast a rare native 
 production in this climate, the 
 magnolia, a beautiful flowering 
 tree. 
 
 Manchester, Ct. 
 
 Hartford co. An important man- 
 ufacturing town on the Hockanum, 
 a valuable mill stream, 10 miles E. 
 from Hartford. The first cotton 
 mill in this state was built here in 
 1794. There are three pleasant 
 villages, six or seven paper mills, 
 two powder mills, woolen and other 
 manufactures. The face of the 
 town is uneven, but the soil, a sandy 
 and gravelly loam, is quite produc- 
 tive. It was called Orford, a par- 
 ish in East Hartford, until its incor- 
 poration, in 1823. Population, 
 1830, 1,576. 
 
 MaiiHegin Island, Me. 
 
 This island lies off Muscongus 
 bay, Lincoln county. There is a 
 light-house on it, the tower of which 
 is"30 feet high. It bears S. from 
 
 20* 
 
 the mouth of St. George's river, 
 about 12 miles. 
 
 Mansfield, Vt. 
 
 Lamoille co. There is some 
 ;ood land in this town, on Brown's 
 river and the branches of Water- 
 bury river, but in general it is too 
 mountainous even for grazing. It 
 lies 20 miles N. W. from Montpe- 
 lier, 20 E. by N. from Burlington, 
 and 13 S. W. from Hyde Park. 
 Population, 1830, 279. First set- 
 tled, 1799. 
 
 Mansfield Mountains extend 
 through the town of Mansfield from 
 N. to S. They belong to the Green 
 mountain range, and the nose and 
 chin, so called, from their resem- 
 blance to the face of a man lying 
 on his back, exhibits some of the 
 loftiest summits in the state. The 
 nose is 3,933 feet above tide water ; 
 the chin, 4,279. 
 
 Mansfield, Mass. 
 
 Bristol co. This town lies 26 
 miles S. S. W. from Boston, 18 N. 
 E. from Providence, and 11 N. N. 
 W. from Taunton. It was taken 
 from Norton in 1770, and is watered 
 by several branches of Taunton riv- 
 er. The soil is thin and the sur- 
 face level. Population, 1837, 1,444. 
 There are 6 cotton and 1 woolen 
 mills in the town, and 2 nail facto* 
 ries. The manufactures consist of 
 cotton and woolen goods, nails, 
 straw bonnets, palm-leaf hats, and 
 baskets : total annual amount, about 
 ,000. 
 
 A mine of anthracite coal was 
 discovered in this town a few years 
 since, near the Boston and Provi- 
 dence rail road, which promises to 
 be of inestimable value to the com- 
 munity. It was discovered in dig- 
 ging a well. An incorporated com- 
 pany has purchased the right of 
 mining on that and several adjoin- 
 ing farms. They sunk a shaft which 
 struck a vein five feet in thickness, 
 at the depth of 20 feet, running N.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 E. and S.W., and dipping to the N. 
 W. 52. The shaft was continued 
 44 feet further, to another vein, 
 which exceeded 5 feet in thickness, 
 and which afforded coal of a better 
 quality than that found above. 
 Subsequent operations have shown 
 that the veins are numerous, and 
 the quantity inexhaustible. The 
 coal is of an excellent quality, more 
 easily broken than the Pennsylvani- 
 an, and has less polish on its surface. 
 
 Mansfield, Ct. 
 
 Tolland co. Mansfield, the In- 
 dian Nawbesetuck, was taken from 
 Windham in 1703. It lies 27 miles 
 E. from Hartford, 12 S. E. from Tol- 
 land, and 19 N. N. W. from Nor- 
 wich. Population, 1830, 2,661. 
 The face of the town is uneven, and 
 some of the hills have considerable 
 elevation. The town is watered by 
 Willimantic river, and the Nat- 
 chaug and its tributaries Mount 
 Hope and Fenton. 
 
 A larger quantity of silk is man- 
 ufactured here than in any other 
 place in the United States. This 
 branch of industry was introduced 
 into the country by Dr. Aspinwall, 
 of this place, above seventy years 
 since, who established the raising 
 of silk worms in New Haven, Long 
 Island and Philadelphia. At this pe- 
 riod half an ounce of mulberry seed 
 was sent to every parish in Con- 
 necticut, and the legislature for a 
 time offered a bounty on mulberry 
 trees and raw silk : 265 Ibs. were 
 raised in 1793, and the quantity has 
 been increasing ever since. In 
 1830, 3,200 Ibs. were raised. Two 
 small silk factories have been es- 
 tablished in this town by an English 
 manufacturer, with swifts for wind- 
 ing hard silk ; 32 spindles for doub- 
 ling ; seven dozens of spindles for 
 throwing ; 32 spindles for soft silk 
 winding ; and 2 broad and one fringe 
 silk looms. There is machinery 
 enough to keep 30 broad silk looms 
 and fifty hands in operation. There 
 
 are in the town two cotton factories. 
 Screw augers and steelyards are 
 manufactured here. 
 
 Marblehcud, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. This is a noted fishing 
 town, on a rocky point of land ex- 
 tending into Massachusetts bay, 
 with a hardy and intrepid crew of 
 fishermen and sailors. The harbor 
 is commodious and easy of access. 
 The quantity of fish exported from 
 this place in 1794 amounted to 
 $184,532. Since that time the fish- 
 ing business has greatly increased, 
 and this place has now become one 
 of the largest fishing ports on the 
 American coast. There belong to 
 this place from 90 to 100 sail of 
 fishing, coasting and merchant ves- 
 sels. Tonnage of the district, in 
 1837, 10,037. First settled, 1631. 
 Incorporated, 1649. Population, 
 1837,5,549. It lies 14 miles N. E. 
 from Boston, and 4 S. E. from Sa- 
 lem. The value of the cod and 
 mackerel fishery the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, was $153,487; em- 
 ploying 500 hands. The manufac- 
 tures of Marblehead, the same 
 year, amounted to $398,565. The 
 articles manufactured consisted of 
 boots, shoes, bar iron, chairs, cabi- 
 net and tin wares, vessels, soap, 
 glue, cards and wheels. This is a 
 romantic place ; nearly allied to its 
 neighbor, Nahant ; only 6 miles 
 across the bay. 
 
 Margallaway River, IV. II., 
 
 Has its source among the high- 
 lands which separate Maine from 
 Lower Canada, in the N. E. ex- 
 tremity of New Hampshire, about 
 80 miles N. from Errol. After a S. 
 course of nearly 20 miles on the 
 western border of Maine, it enters 
 New Hampshire at the S. E. part 
 of the 2d grant to Dartmouth col- 
 lege, where It forms a junction with 
 the united streams of Dead and 
 Diamond rivers. Thence, after a S. 
 course of about 6 miles to Errol, it
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 receives the waters of Umbagog 
 lake. After this junction the main 
 stream is the Androscoggin river. 
 
 Mariaville, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. This is a townsnip 
 of good land, finely located on the 
 E. side of Union river, 8 miles N. by 
 E. from Ellsworth, and 89 E. N. E. 
 from Augusta. This town has an 
 extensive water power and many 
 saw mills. It was incorporated in 
 1836. Population, 1837, 257. 
 
 Marion, Me. 
 
 Washington co. This township 
 is bounded E. by Edmonds, and S. 
 by Whiting. Population, 245. 
 Incorporated, 1834. See " Down 
 East." 
 
 Marlborougli, W. If., 
 
 Cheshire co., is bounded N. by 
 Roxbury, E. by Dublin and Jaffrey, 
 S. by Troy, W. by Swanzey and 
 part of Keene. It is 6 miles S. E. 
 from Keene, and 55 S. W. from 
 Concord. There are several ponds 
 which are the sources of some of 
 the branches of Ashuelot river. > 
 The soil is rocky, but good for graz- 
 ing. Marlborough was granted, 
 1751. The first settlement com- 
 menced about 1760. Incorporated 
 Dec. 13, 1776. Population, in 1830, 
 822. 
 
 Marlborough, Vt. 
 
 Winuham co. First settled, 1763. 
 It lies 8 miles S. from Newfane, 
 and 24 E. from Bennington. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,218. Mrs. Whitte- 
 more, the wife of one of the first 
 settlers, spent the winter of 1764-5 
 In this then wilderness, alone, her 
 husband being absent in the pursuit 
 of his calling, as a tinker. During 
 this winter she saw no human be- 
 ing, except her little daughter and 
 some hunters who happened acci- 
 dentally to pass that way. She cut 
 down timber and furnished browse 
 for their cattle, and thus kept them 
 alive through the winter. Mrs. W. 
 
 was very useful to the settlers, both 
 as a nurse and a midwife. She pos- 
 sessed a vigorous constitution, and 
 frequently travelled through the 
 woods upon snow shoes from one 
 part of the town to another, both by 
 night and day, to relieve the dis- 
 tressed. She lived to the age of 87 
 years, officiated as midwife at more 
 than 2,000 births, and never lost a 
 patient. 
 
 The town is well watered by the 
 W. branch of West river, Whet- 
 stone brook, and Green river. It 
 has a good soil, and is very produc- 
 tive in wheat, rye, and other grain, 
 fruit and potatoes. Here is a pleas- 
 ant village, several fine trout ponds, 
 various kinds of minerals and me- 
 dicinal springs. Marlborough suf- 
 fered some by the Indians, and did 
 much for the cause of independ- 
 ence. 
 
 Marlborough, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This is a large 
 farming town, with a soil of great 
 fertility and undulating surface. 
 The inhabitants are principally de- 
 voted to agricultural pursuits, and 
 by their industry and skill, have ac- 
 quired a great degree of independ- 
 ence. Among the productions of 
 the town, are fat cattle, pork, fruit, 
 and all the varieties of the dairy ; a 
 large amount of which is annually 
 sent to Boston market. A branch 
 of Concord river, and a number of 
 beautiful ponds, water the town. 
 The manufactures consist of boots, 
 shoes, straw bonnets, leather, chairs 
 and cabinet ware : annual amount, 
 about $75,000. Marlborough, the 
 Indian Okamakamesit , was first 
 settled in 1654. It was taken from 
 Sudbury in 1660 ; it suffered much 
 during the Indian wars, and was 
 for many years the residence of a 
 number of Indians who had em- 
 braced the Christian religion. The 
 villages are very pleasant : the 
 richness of the soil, and surround- 
 ing scenery ; its excellent roads and 
 convenient access to Boston by th
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 rail road, renders Marlborough a 
 desirable residence. It is 23 miles 
 W. from Boston, 14 S. W. from Con- 
 cord, and 16 E. from Worcester. 
 Population, 1837, 2,089. 
 
 MarlborougH Ct. 
 
 Hartford co. Marlborough was 
 taken from three towns which be- 
 longed to three different counties, 
 in 1S03. It lies 14 miles S. E. 
 from Hartford. The surface of the 
 town is hilly and stony, and the 
 lands best adapted for grazing. It 
 has a cotton factory, a bed of black 
 lead, and a good fish pond. Dark 
 hollow, in the western part of the 
 town, presents some wild scenery 
 of more terror than beauty. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 704. 
 
 .Marlon, IV. II. 
 
 Cheshire co. It is 15 miles N. 
 from Keene, and 45 W. by S. from 
 Concord. Ashuelot river passes 
 through almost the whole length of 
 the town. There are no ponds of 
 note, nor any mountains. Marlow 
 was chartered, 1761. Population, 
 1830, 645. 
 
 Marshflelcl, Vt. 
 
 Washington co. This town, con- 
 taining 23,040 acres, was granted 
 to the Stockbridge Indians in 1782, 
 and sold by them to Isaac Marsh, 
 in 1789, for 140. A part of the 
 soil is good and a part wet and stony. 
 The town produces considerable 
 wool, and some cattle are reared 
 for market. It has a pleasant pond, 
 and Onion river passes through it. 
 It lies 12 miles N. E. from Mont- 
 pelier. First settled, 1790. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,271. 
 
 MnrsHfleld, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. A pleasant town 
 on Massachusetts bay, 25 miles S. 
 E. from Boston, and 15 N. by W. 
 from Plymouth. It is watered by 
 North and South rivers, has a toler- 
 able harbor, and some navigation. 
 Ship building is an important branch 
 
 of business in the town. Here are 
 two cotton mills, an air and cupola 
 furnace, a nail factory, and manu- 
 factures of cotton and satinet warp. 
 Peregrine White, the first Eng- 
 lish child born in New England, 
 died here in 1704, aged 83. Incor- 
 porated, 1640. Population, 1837, 
 1,660. 
 
 Mars Hill, Me. 
 
 This celebrated mountain is situ- 
 ated about a mile west from the east 
 boundary of the United States ; 
 200 miles N. N. E. from Augusta, 
 and 80 N. W. from Frederickton, 
 New Brunswick. 
 
 The British Queen seems desir- 
 ous of annexing this portion of the 
 territory of the United States to 
 her wide and fair possessions. This 
 notion of the pretty maiden is alto- 
 gether preposterous : when she has 
 maturely considered the treaty made 
 by her grandfather and the United 
 States, at Paris, in 1783, we trust 
 her good sense will deter her from 
 urging the claim. 
 
 The approach to this mountain is 
 difficult : its sides are rugged, and 
 its summit bold. It has two spurs ; 
 one of which is 1,506, the other 
 1,363 feet above the waters of 
 Goosequill river, in New Bruns- 
 wick. 
 
 Marslipee, Mass. 
 
 Barnstable co. An ancient In- 
 dian territory, and an incorporated 
 district of 10,500 acres, or about 16 
 square miles. It lies 12 miles S. 
 E. from Barnstable, 8 S. S. E. from 
 Sandwich, and 8 E. from Falmouth. 
 It is bounded on the S. by the ocean. 
 There are 350 colored inhabitants 
 on this territory, and some whites. 
 There now remain only seven in- 
 habitants, of pure blood of the fath- 
 ers of the forest. Their, land is 
 good for grain of all sorts, and is 
 well wooded. The territory is pleas- 
 ant, and some parts of it afford beau- 
 tiful scenery. The Marshpee and 
 Quashmct are considerable streams,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 which, with numerous ponds and 
 the ocean, afford an abundant sup- 
 ply of fish of various kinds. These 
 people live by agricultural pursuits, 
 the manufacture of various articles 
 of Indian ware, by the sale of their 
 wood, and by fishing, fowling, and 
 taking deer. They are docile and 
 hospitable ; they appear to relish 
 moral and religious instruction ; and, 
 under the superintendence of a hu- 
 mane and intelligent commissioner, 
 appointed by the state, they are 
 prosperous and happy. This is the 
 largest remnant of all the tribes of 
 red men west of Penobscot river, 
 w r ho, 218 years ago, were fee sim- 
 ple proprietors of the whole terri- 
 tory of New England! 
 
 IVZartHa's Vineyard, Mass. 
 
 The principal of a cluster of isl- 
 ands lying off and S. of Barnstable 
 county and Buzzard's bay, compris- 
 ing the towns of Edgarton, Tisbu- 
 ry and Chilmark. See Dukes 
 county. 
 
 Mason, X. II. 
 
 Hillsborough co. It is 15 miles 
 S W. from Amherst, 43 S. S. W. 
 
 from Concord, and 50 N. W. from 
 Boston. The surface is uneven ; 
 the hills are chiefly large swells, 
 with narrow valleys between them. 
 The streams are rapid. There are 
 no natural ponds. The principal 
 meadows were formerly beaver 
 ponds. Souhegan is the principal 
 stream, affording many fine mill 
 seats. The small streams run into 
 Nashua river, and into Tanapus, or 
 Potanipo pond, in Brookline. The 
 soil in the E. part is rather light. 
 The W. part is mostly a strong deep 
 soil, red or dark loam, but stony. 
 It is good for grass and grain. In 
 Mason village, on the Souhegan, 
 are cotton and woolen manuf'cto- 
 ries, and other machinery. Mason 
 was granted by charter, Aug. 26, 
 1768. It was formerly known by 
 the name of No. 1. The first ef- 
 fort to settle this place was in 1751, 
 and the next year a permanent set- 
 tlement was made by Enoch Law- 
 rence, from Pepperell, Mass. Pop- 
 ulation, in 1830, 1,433. 
 
 Massabesick Pond, N. II. 
 
 See Chester.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 This ancient commonwealth, the mother of New England colonies, of 
 free states, and of American liberty, was first permanently settled by 
 Europeans, at Plymouth, on the 22d of December, 1620. 
 
 The history of this state is deeply interesting ; it is interwoven with 
 every political and moral event of important occurrence in the settle- 
 ment and progress of the whole of North America, which preceded or 
 was connected with the revolution of 1775. 
 
 The name of this state probably arose from the name of a tribe of In- 
 dians formerly at Barnstable ; or from two Indian words Mos and We- 
 tuset ; the former signifying an Indian arrow's head, the latter, Hill. 
 It is stated that the Sachem who governed in this region about the time 
 of the landing of our forefathers, lived on a hill in the form of an Indian 
 Arrow's head, a few miles south of Boston, and was called by the Indians 
 Mosicetutet. 
 
 Massachusetts is bounded east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic 
 ocean. It has, exclusive of the island counties of Dukes and Nantuck- 
 et, a sea-coast of about 250 miles. It is bounded south and west by the 
 state of Rhode Island, about 68 miles ; south by the state of Connecticut, 
 87 miles ; west by the state of New York, 50 miles ; north by the state of 
 Vermont, 42 miles; and north by the state of New Hampshire, 87 miles. 
 It lies between 41 31', and 42 53' N. lat., and 69 48', and 73 17' W. Ion. 
 from Greenwich. Its area is about 7,800 square miles, or 4,992,000 acres.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The state comprises 14 counties, to wit : Barnstable, Berkshire, Bris- 
 tol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, 
 Nantucket, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester. 
 
 The legislative power of this State is vested in a Senate and House of 
 Representatives. The Senate consists of 40 members, and are chosen 
 by districts. 
 
 The executive power is vested in a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, 
 and a Council of 9 members. The Council is elected b y the joint ballot 
 of the Senators and Representatives, from the Senators ; and in case the 
 Council thus elected or any of them decline, the deficiency is supplied 
 from among the people. 
 
 By the Constitution as amended in 1837, each town or city, having 300 
 ratable polls, at the last preceding decennial census of polls, may elect 
 one representative ; and for every 450 ratable polls, in addition to the 
 first 300, one representative more. 
 
 Any town having less than 300 ratable polls, shall be represented 
 thus : The whole number of ratable polls, at the last preceding valua- 
 tion census of polls, shall be multiplied by 10, and the product divided by 
 300, and such town may elect one representative, as many years within 
 ten years, as 300 is contained in the product aforesaid. 
 
 Any city or town, having ratable polls enough to elect one or more 
 representatives, with any number of polls beyond the necessary number, 
 may he represented as to that surplus number, by multiplying such sur- 
 plus number by 10, and dividing the product by 450; and such city or 
 town may elect one additional representative, as many years within the 
 ten years, as 450 is contained in the product aforesaid. 
 
 Representation. 
 
 Number of Representatives to which each town is entitled for 10 years, 
 from 1837, according to the Constitution, as amended in 1837. 
 
 The column in the following table marked tenths, shows how many years in 10 
 the respective towns are entitled to an additional Representative. 
 
 Towns. 
 
 H 
 
 5. 
 
 ae 
 
 Towns. 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 S 
 
 Towns. 
 
 ?< 
 
 5 
 
 s 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 E-i 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 K 
 
 BARNSTABLE. 
 
 
 
 Provincetown, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Alford, 
 
 
 4 
 
 Barnstable, 
 
 2 
 
 7 
 
 Sandwich, 
 
 
 4 
 
 Becket, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Brewster, 
 
 
 1 
 
 Truro, 
 
 
 4 
 
 Cheshire, 
 
 
 7 
 
 Chatham, 
 
 
 6 
 
 Wellfleet, 
 
 
 6 
 
 Clarksburgh, 
 
 
 3 
 
 Dennis, 
 
 
 9 
 
 Yarmouth, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Dal ton, 
 
 
 1 
 
 Eastham, 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Egremont, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Falmouth, 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 14 
 
 81 
 
 Florida, 
 
 
 3 
 
 Harwich, 
 Orleans, 
 
 
 8 
 4 
 
 BERKSHIRE. 
 
 Adams, 
 
 
 
 C 
 
 G. Harrington, 
 Hancock, 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 6
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Towns. 
 
 1 
 
 | 
 
 Towns. 
 
 | 
 
 | 
 
 Towns. 
 
 | 
 
 | 
 
 Hinsdale, 
 Lanesborough, 
 
 ] 
 
 7 
 
 Danvers, 
 Essex, 
 
 1 
 
 t 
 1 
 
 Chester, 
 Granville, 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Lee, 
 
 I 
 
 t 
 
 Georgetown, 
 
 
 
 Holland, 
 
 
 4 
 
 Lenox, 
 
 1 
 
 
 Gloucester, 
 
 6 
 
 
 Longmeadow, 
 
 1 
 
 
 M't. Washington, 
 
 
 j 
 
 Hamilton, 
 
 
 G 
 
 Ludlow, 
 
 
 9 
 
 New Ashford, 
 
 
 c 
 
 Haverhill, 
 
 
 4 
 
 Monson, 
 
 \ 
 
 3 
 
 New Marlboro' 
 
 ] 
 
 1 
 
 Ipswich, 
 
 
 
 Montgomery, 
 
 
 4 
 
 Otis, 
 
 
 ( 
 
 Lynn, - 
 
 
 2 
 
 Palmer, 
 
 I 
 
 3 
 
 Peru, 
 
 
 6 
 
 Lynnfield, 
 
 
 fi 
 
 Russell, 
 
 
 5 
 
 Pittsfield, 
 
 2 
 
 
 Manchester, 
 
 
 2 
 
 Southwick, 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 Richmond, 
 
 
 "; 
 
 Marblehead, 
 
 
 i^ 
 
 Springfield, 
 
 r 
 
 7 
 
 Sandisfield, 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Methuen, 
 
 
 c 
 
 Tolland, 
 
 
 5 
 
 Savoy, 
 
 
 7 
 
 Middleton, 
 
 
 G 
 
 Wales, 
 
 
 G 
 
 Sheffield, 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Newbury, 
 
 
 4 
 
 Westfield, 
 
 c 
 
 1 
 
 Stockbridge, 
 
 1 
 
 t 
 
 Newburyport, 
 
 
 c 
 
 W. Springfield, 
 
 9 
 
 2 
 
 Tyringham, 
 Washington, 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Rowley, 
 Salem, 
 
 P 
 
 5 
 
 Wilbraham, 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 W. Stockbridge, 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 Salisbury, 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 
 lo 
 
 60 
 
 Williamstown, 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 Saugus, 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 Windsor, 
 
 
 "3 
 
 Topsfield, 
 
 1 
 
 
 HAMPSHIRE. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wepham, 
 
 
 7 
 
 Aniherst, 
 
 I 
 
 7 
 
 
 16 
 
 J34 
 
 West Newbury, 
 
 J 
 
 3 
 
 Belchertown, 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 BRISTOL. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Chesterfield, 
 
 
 7 
 
 Attleborough, 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 
 5:' 
 
 116 
 
 Cummington, 
 
 1 
 
 
 Berkley. 
 
 
 8 
 
 FRANKLIN. 
 
 
 
 Easthampton, 
 
 
 5 
 
 Dartmouth, 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 Ashfield, 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 Enfield, 
 
 1 
 
 
 Dighton, 
 
 1 
 
 
 Bernardston, 
 
 
 
 Goshen, 
 
 
 5 
 
 Easton, 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 Buckland, 
 
 
 g 
 
 Granby, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Fairhaven, 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 Charlemont, 
 
 
 9 
 
 Greenwich, 
 
 
 7 
 
 ['all River, 
 
 3 
 
 G 
 
 Coleraine, 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 Hadlev, 
 
 ] 
 
 4 
 
 r reetown, 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 Conway, 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 Hatfield, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Vlansfield, 
 
 1 
 
 
 Deerfield, 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 Middlefield, 
 
 
 G 
 
 New Bedford, 
 Vorton, 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Erving, 
 Gill, 
 
 
 5 
 
 Northampton, 
 Norwich, 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 'awtucket, 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 Greenfield, 
 
 t 
 
 3 
 
 Pelham, 
 
 
 7 
 
 3.aynham, 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Hawlcy, 
 
 
 9 
 
 Plainfield, 
 
 
 7 
 
 ^ehoboth, 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 Heath, 
 
 
 6 
 
 Prescott, 
 
 
 6 
 
 Seekonk, 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 Leverett, 
 
 
 7 
 
 S. Hadley, 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 Somerset, 
 >wanzey, 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 2 
 
 Leyden, 
 Monroe, 
 
 
 5 
 1 
 
 Southampton, 
 Ware, 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Taunton, 
 Westport, 
 
 I 
 1 
 
 9 
 8 
 
 Montague, 
 New Salem, 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 
 Westhampton, 
 Williamsburgh, 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Northfield, 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Worthington, 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 >.'! 
 
 81 
 
 Grange, 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 
 ___ 
 
 _^_ 
 
 DUKES. 
 
 
 
 Rowe, 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 11 
 
 117 
 
 ^hilmark, 
 
 
 7 
 
 Shelburne, 
 
 
 g 
 
 
 
 
 idgartown, 
 
 i 
 
 4 
 
 ishutesbury, 
 
 
 7 
 
 MIDDLESEX. 
 
 
 
 Tisoury, 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 Sunderland, 
 
 
 7 
 
 Acton, 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wanvick, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Ashby, 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 '2 
 
 12 
 
 Wendell, 
 
 
 7 
 
 Bedford, 
 
 
 8 
 
 ESSEX. 
 Amesbury, 
 Andover, 
 Jeverly, 
 Joxford, 
 Bradford, 
 
 1 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 5 
 
 Whately, 
 
 HAMFDEN. 
 Jlanford, 
 jrimfield, 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 128 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 Billerica, 
 Boxborough, 
 Brjghton, 
 Burlington, 
 Cambridge, 
 Carlisle, 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 6
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Towns. 
 
 | 
 
 Tenths. 
 
 ^ 
 
 ! 
 
 1 
 fi 
 
 Towns. 
 
 1 
 
 Tenths. \ 
 
 Charlestown, 
 
 C, 
 
 3 
 
 Milton, 
 
 i 
 
 5 
 
 Berlin, 
 
 
 6 
 
 C'helmsford, 
 
 
 4 
 
 Needham, 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 Bolton. 
 
 1 
 
 
 Concord, 
 
 
 4 
 
 Quincy, 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 Boylston, 
 
 
 7 
 
 Dracut, 
 
 
 3 
 
 Randolph, 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 Brookfield, 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 Dunstable, 
 
 
 5 
 
 Roxbury, 
 
 5 
 
 
 Charlton, 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 Framingham, 
 
 
 9 
 
 Sharon, 
 
 
 9 
 
 Dana, 
 
 
 5 
 
 Groton, 
 
 
 5 
 
 S tough ton, 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Douglas, 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 Holliston, 
 Hopkmton, 
 Lexington, 
 
 
 5 
 7 
 
 a 
 
 Walpole. 
 Weymouth, 
 Wrentham, 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 4 
 8 
 
 Dudley, 
 Fitchburgh, 
 Gardner, 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 2 
 9 
 1 
 
 Lincoln, 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 Grafton, 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 Littleton, 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 28 
 
 91 
 
 Hardwick, 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Lowell, 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 Harvard, 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Maiden, 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 NANTUCKET. 
 
 
 
 Holden, 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 Marlborough, 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 Nantucket; 
 
 6 
 
 
 Hubbardston, 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 Medford, 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 
 Lancaster, 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 Natick, 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 Leicester, 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Newton, 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 PLYMOUTH. 
 
 
 
 Leominster, 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 Pepperell, 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 Abington, 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 Lunenburgh, 
 
 
 9 
 
 Reading, 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 Bridgewater, 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Mendon, 
 
 S 
 
 5 
 
 Sherburne, 
 
 1 
 
 
 Carver, 
 
 
 9 
 
 Milford, 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 Shirley, 
 South Reading, 
 Stoneham, 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 Duxbury, 
 E. Bridgewater, 
 Halifax, 
 
 2 
 1 
 
 5 
 7 
 
 Millbury, 
 New Braintree, 
 Northborough, 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 7 
 9 
 
 Stow, - 
 
 1 
 
 
 Hanover, 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 Northbridge, 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 Sudbury, 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 Hanson, 
 
 
 8 
 
 N. Brookfield, 
 
 1 
 
 "3 
 
 Tewksbury, 
 
 
 7 
 
 Hingham, 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 Oakham, 
 
 
 C 
 
 Townsend, 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Hull, 
 
 
 1 
 
 Oxford, 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 Tyngsborough, 
 
 
 8 
 
 Kingston, 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 Paxton, 
 
 
 6 
 
 Waltham, 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Marshlield, 
 
 1 
 
 ^: 
 
 Petersham, 
 
 1 
 
 c. 
 O 
 
 Watertown, 
 Wayland, 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 7 
 
 Middleborough, 
 N. Bridgewater, 
 
 3 
 1 
 
 41 Phillipston, 
 8 'Princeton, 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 W. Cambridge, 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Pembroke, 
 
 1 
 
 
 Royalston, 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Westford, 
 
 1 
 
 
 Plymouth, 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 Rutland, 
 
 1 
 
 
 Westori, 
 
 1 
 
 
 Plympton, 
 
 
 7 
 
 Shrewsbury, 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 Wilmington, , 
 
 
 7 
 
 Rochester, 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 Southborough, 
 
 1 
 
 
 Woburn, 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 Scituate, 
 
 2 
 
 G 
 
 Southbridge, 
 
 1 
 
 A 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wareham, 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 Spencer, 
 
 ] 
 
 2 
 
 
 52 
 
 187 
 
 W. Bridgewater, 
 
 
 9 
 
 Sterling, 
 
 \ 
 
 c 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sturbridge, 
 
 \ 
 
 t 
 
 NORFOLK. 
 
 
 
 
 24 
 
 93 
 
 Sutton, 
 
 
 i 
 
 Bellinffham, 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 Templeton, 
 
 
 I 
 
 Braintree, 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 SUFFOLK. 
 
 
 
 Upton, 
 
 '. 
 
 c 
 
 Brookline, 
 
 1 
 
 
 Boston, 
 
 66 
 
 6 
 
 Uxbridge, 
 
 
 "l 
 
 Canton, 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 Chelsea, 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 Warren, 
 
 . 
 
 
 Cohasset, 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 Webster, 
 
 
 f 
 
 Dedham, 
 
 2 
 
 e 
 
 
 57 
 
 11 
 
 Westborough, 
 
 : 
 
 J 
 
 Dorchester, 
 
 2 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 
 W. Boylston, 
 
 ] 
 
 1 
 
 Dover, 
 
 
 4 
 
 WORCESTER. 
 
 
 
 Westminster, 
 
 - 
 
 ^ 
 
 Foxborough, 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 Ashburnham, 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 Winchendon, 
 
 : 
 
 c. 
 O 
 
 Franklin, 
 
 1 
 
 ;) 
 
 Athol,- 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 Worcester. 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 Medfield, 
 Medway, 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 Auburn, 
 Barre, 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 
 -). 
 
 228\ 
 
 The whole number of towns in the state may send 375 Repreientatives every 
 year, without counting the fractions. The fractions give an annual increase, 
 on an average of 10 years of 133 and 9-10ths ; making the average number of 
 Representatives for the next 10 years, 508 9-10ths. 
 
 21
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Senators, and Representatives, 
 are chosen annually by the people, on the 2d Monday of November, and 
 meet at Boston on the 1st Wednesday of January. 
 
 The Judiciary power is vested in a Supreme Court, a Court of Com- 
 mon Pleas, and such other courts as the Legislature may, from time to 
 time, establish. The Judges are appointed by the Governor and Coun- 
 cil, and hold their offices during good behavior. 
 
 Succession of Governors* 
 
 John Hancock, 17801784. James Bowdoin, 1785, 1786. John 
 Hancock, 1787 1793. Samuel Adams, 1794 1796. Increase Sumner, 
 17971799. Caleb Strong, 1800, 1806. James Sullivan, 1807, 1808. 
 Christopher Gore, 1809. Elbridge Gerry, 1810, 1811. Caleb Strong, 
 18121815. John Brooks, 18161822. William Eustis, 1823, 1824. 
 Levi Lincoln, 1825 1833. John Davis, 1834, 1835. Edward Everett, 
 1835 
 
 Succession of Chief Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court* 
 
 William Cushing, 17761789. Nathaniel Peaslee Sargent, 1739 
 1791. Francis Dana, 17911806. Theophilus Parsons, 18061814. 
 Samuel Sewall, 1814. Isaac Parker, 1814 1830. Lemuel Shaw, 
 1830 
 
 The foundation qf a school fund was laid by legislative enactment, in 
 1834, by appropriating " all moneys remaining in the treasury on the 1st 
 day of January, 1835, arising from the sale of public lands, and from pay- 
 ments made to this commonwealth by the United States, on account of the 
 claim for military services and disbursements during the late war, to- 
 gether with one half of all future proceeds of the sales of t public lands, 
 as a permanent fund for the encouragement and support of common 
 schools, which fund is never to exceed one million of dollars." 
 
 A trigonometrical and astronomical survey of the state, by order of the 
 general court, for the purpose of a new map, was commenced in 1830, 
 and will soon be completed. Surveys of the mineralogy, botany, zoolo- 
 gy, and agriculture of the state have been commenced ; some favorable 
 reports have been made, and the researches of scientific men are con- 
 tinued, and promise great public usefulness. 
 
 The surface of the state is generally undulating. The most level 
 parts are found in the counties of Plymouth, Barnstable, and Bristol. 
 The Green and Taughkannic ranges of mountains pass through the west- 
 ern counties, but in few places are they remarkable for their elevation. 
 
 The soil of the state is well adapted to the growth of all the grasses, 
 grains, fruits and vegetables common to a temperate climate. In no part
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 of our country is agriculture more honored, or better understood and re- 
 warded. 
 
 The resources of Massachusetts in its commerce, navigation, manufac- 
 tures and fisheries are immense : they are stated under the counties and 
 towns, and will be given summarily, with other statistics of New Eng- 
 land, in the Register. 
 
 Although Massachusetts cannot boast of her navigable rivers and ca- 
 nals, to facilitate the commerce of her capital ; yet she can boast of the 
 most beautiful bay on the map of the western world ; of her noble 
 streams for water power; of her luxuriant vales, of her granite hills, of 
 her ships, and the material for building them ; and of her gallant sailors 
 who traverse every sea, and who well understand the uses of the hook, 
 harpoon and cannon. 
 
 Massachusetts Bay. 
 
 The whole of this bay is within 
 the limits of Massachusetts. The 
 exterior bounds of this celebrated 
 hay are Capes Cod and Ann. The 
 former is in N. lat. 42 6', and W. 
 long. 70 7'. The latter in N. lat. 
 42 45', and W. Ion. 70 17'. Cape 
 Ann bears from Cape Cod, N. N. 
 W., about 40 miles. 
 
 The length of this bay is about 
 62 miles, from N. W. to S. E. : its 
 breadth is about 25 miles. Numer- 
 ous bays and rivers of various sizes 
 set in from this bay, and its whole 
 coast is lined with commodious 
 harbors, and pleasant commercial 
 towns. 
 
 This bay is noted for its delight- 
 ful scenery, and as containing the 
 first settlements of the Pilgrim 
 Fathers of New England. 
 
 Matawainkeag River, Me. 
 
 This is one of the most important 
 tributaries to the Penobscot. It 
 unites with that river at the Indian 
 township from the E., about 60 miles 
 N. by E. above Bangor. 
 
 Matawamkcag Plantation, on 
 this river, lies 128 miles N. E. from 
 Augusta. 
 
 Matiuicus Islands, Me. 
 
 A cluster of islands at the en- 
 
 trance of Penobscot bay. The 
 principal, or Marshall's island, is a 
 plantation attached to the county of 
 Hancock. The light on Matinicus 
 bears about S. by E. from Thomas- 
 ton, 15 miles. 
 
 Maxfield, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This town was 
 incorporated in 1824. It is water- 
 ed by Piscataquis river and Seboois 
 stream. It lies 111 miles N. N. W. 
 from. Augusta, and 25 E. by N. 
 from Dover. Population, 1837, 215. 
 Wheat crop, same year, 1,304 bush- 
 els. 
 
 Mayfield, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. On the E. side of 
 Kennebec river and about 10 miles 
 from it. It is 58 miles N. from 
 Augusta, and about 29 N. by E. 
 from Norridgewock. Incorporated, 
 
 1836. Population, 1837, 224. 
 
 Medfleld, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. This town is water- 
 ed by Charles and Stop rivers. It 
 is 17 miles S. S. W. from Boston, 
 and 8 S. by W. from Dedham. 
 
 During the year ending April 1, 
 
 1837, there were manufactured at 
 Medfield, 124,000 straw bonnets, 
 the value of which was $135,000. 
 There are also manufactures of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 boots, shoes, leather, cutlery, and 
 brushes. Medfield was taken from 
 Dedham, in 1651. 
 
 During king Philip's war, in 
 1765, the town was burnt, and ma- 
 ny of the inhabitants murdered by 
 the Narragansets. Philip rode on 
 an elegant horse, and directed the 
 massacre. Population, 1837, 899. 
 
 Mcdford, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This beautiful 
 town is situated at the head of nav- 
 igation on Mystic river, 5 miles N. 
 W. from Boston, and 14 E.by S. from 
 Concord. The Boston and Lowell 
 rail-road, and Middlesex canal pass 
 through the town. The finest ships 
 that float on the ocean, are built 
 here: during the five years preced- 
 ing April 1, 1837, sixty vessels 
 were built, the tonnage of which 
 was 24,195 tons : value $1,112,970. 
 There are also manufactures of 
 leather, spirits, linseed oil, bricks, 
 boots, shoes, ploughs, hats and hat 
 bodies. The soil of the town is 
 very fertile, and in a high state of 
 cultivation. The business of the 
 town is much associated with the 
 city, and many delightful country 
 seats are scattered over and deco- 
 rate the grounds improved as a farm 
 by Governor Winthrop in 1633. 
 
 Winter Hill, memorable as the 
 place of encampment of General 
 Burgoyne and his army, after their 
 capture at Saratoga, is in this town. 
 It is 125 feet above tide water, and 
 presents a view of great extent and 
 beauty. Medford was incorporated 
 in 1630. Population, 1830, 1,755 ; 
 1837, 2,072. 
 
 In the old burying ground, a beau- 
 tiful granite monument is erected, 
 bearing the following inscription : 
 
 Sacred to the memory of 
 
 JOHN BROOKS. 
 
 Wh6 was born in Medford, in the 
 month ot May, 1752, and educated at 
 the Town School. He took up arms 
 for his country on the 19th April, 
 1775. He commanded the regiment 
 which first entered the enemy's lines 
 
 at Saratoga, and served with honor to 
 the close of the war. He was ap 
 pointed Marshal of the District of 
 Massachusetts by President Washing- 
 ton, and after filling several important 
 civil and military offices, he was in the 
 year 1816, chosen Governor of the 
 Commonwealth ; and discharged the 
 duties of that station for seven sue 
 cessive years, to general acceptance' 
 He was a kind and skilful physician, a 
 brave and prudent officer, a wise, firm, 
 and impartial magistrate, a true patri- 
 ot, a good citizen, and a faithful friend. 
 In manners he was a gentleman, in 
 morals pure, and in profession and 
 practice a consistant Christian. He 
 departed this life in peace on the first of 
 March, 1825, aged 73. This monu- 
 ment to his honored memory was 
 erected by several of his fellew citi- 
 zens and friends in the year 1838. 
 
 Medway, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. Medway was taken 
 from Medfield, in 1713. Charles 
 river affords this town an excellent 
 water power. There are 6 cotton, 
 and 2 woolen mills in the town, 2 
 cotton wadding factories, and a bell 
 foundry. The manufactures of cot- 
 ton and woolen goods, boots, shoes, 
 scythes, chairs, cabinet ware, 
 ploughs, cotton wadding, and straw 
 bonnets, the year ending April 1, 
 1837, amounted to $330,630. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 2,050. Medway liea 
 22 miles S. W. from Boston, and 12 
 S. W. from Dedham. 
 
 Meguntlcook River and Pond. 
 
 This river rises in a pond of the 
 same name, in Lincolnville, Waldo 
 county. The pond is about 9 miles 
 in length, crooked and very hand- 
 some. It affords an excellent mill 
 stream, which falls into Penobscot 
 bay at Camden. 
 
 Memphremagog tafce, Vt. 
 
 This bake is about 30 miles in 
 length, and two or three miles in 
 width. About Seven miles of it lies 
 in the county of Orleans, the resi- 
 due in Canada. It receives the wa- 
 ters of Barton, Black, Clyde and 
 other smaller streams in Vermont,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 and discharges into the St. Francis, 
 in Canada. On an island in this 
 lake is a quarry of JVovaculite, or 
 the " Magog Oil Stone." This ma- 
 terial is transported and manufac- 
 tured. See Burke, Vt. 
 
 Menan Islands. 
 
 Grand Menan belongs to the 
 British, and lies off the mouth of 
 St. Croix river, and Passamaquoddy 
 bay. It is 16 miles in length, and 
 its average breadth is Jibout 5. On 
 the south side are a number of isl- 
 ands, and several small harbors. 
 The inhabitants are principally fish- 
 ermen. 
 
 Little Menan, or "Petit Menan," 
 in Washington county, Me. lies off 
 the harbors of Goldsborough and 
 Steuben. It has a light house, with 
 a tower 25 feet in height. It lies 
 about 3 miles S. S. E. from Golds- 
 borough harbor. 
 
 Meiidon, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. This was formerly 
 called Parkerstown,and lies 47 miles 
 S. S. W. from Montpelier, and 8 E. 
 from Rutland. There is some good 
 land in the town, but it is generally 
 too high up the Green mountains for 
 cultivation. Population, 1830, 432. 
 
 Meiidoii, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. The Indian name 
 of this town was Quanshipauge. 
 It was first settled by people from 
 Roxbury, about the year 1647. In- 
 corporated, 1667. Mendon is a 
 township of variegated surface, ex- 
 cellent soil, and in a good state of 
 cultivation. The products of the 
 dairy are large and valuable. 
 Blackstone river and canal pass its 
 southwestern border, and Mill river 
 traverses its whole extent. These 
 streams afford an excellent hydrau- 
 lic power. There are 8 cotton and 
 4 woolen mills in the town, and 
 manufactures of boots, shoes, iron 
 castings, scythes, ploughs, straw 
 bonnets, palm-leaf hats, machinery, 
 wagons and harnesses ; total value, 
 
 21* 
 
 the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 $629,282. This very pleasant and 
 flourishing town lies 32 miles S. W. 
 from Boston, 18 S. E. from Worces- 
 ter, and 22 N. from Providence. 
 Population,1830, 3,153; 1837,3,657. 
 
 Mercer, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. Mercer has a fine 
 soil, and is watered by a beautiful 
 pond. It lies 32 miles N. N. W. 
 from Augusta, and 6 S. W. from 
 Norridgewock. Incorporated, 1804. 
 The village near the pond is beau 
 tifully located. Wheat crop, 1837, 
 6,868 bushels. Population, same 
 year, 1,525. 
 
 Meredith, N. II., 
 
 Strafford co., is bounded N. by 
 Centre Harbor and Winnepisiogee 
 lake, N. E. and E. by said lake and 
 river, S. E. by Great bay, S. and S. 
 W. by Sanbornton, W. and N. W. by 
 New Hampton and Centre Harbor. 
 This town was incorporated, in 
 1767, and was first called New Sa- 
 lem. It lies 29 miles N. from Con- 
 cord, aud 8 N. W. from Gilford. 
 There is in this town a pond adjoin- 
 ing Centre Harbor, about 2 miles 
 long and one wide, emptying into 
 the lake, near the village; be- 
 sides this there are several smaller 
 ponds. There is probably no town 
 in the country more pleasantly and 
 advantageously situated, or of a bet- 
 ter soil, than Meredith. The wa- 
 ters of the Winnepisiogee washing 
 the boundaries of a great part of the 
 town, convey many heavy mercan- 
 tile articles to and from almost the 
 doors of several of the inhabitants 
 in the summer ; and in the winter, 
 the ice serves as a level and easy 
 road. Near the upper or N. W. 
 part of the town, the traveler pass- 
 ing along the road, is presented 
 with a very beautiful landscape. On 
 the E. and S. E. the placid Winne- 
 pisiogee, the largest lake in New 
 Hampshire, with its numerous isl- 
 ands, arrests the eye, and bounds 
 the circle of vision in a S. E. di-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 rection. On the N. E., Ossipee 
 mountain rises boldly to view. On 
 the N., the prospect is intercepted 
 by Red Hill, a pleasant and noted 
 eminence in Moultonborough, only 
 a few miles distant. At Meredith 
 Bridge is a handsome and flourish- 
 ing village, and the seat of much 
 business. Here are 2 cotton mills, 
 an extensive tannery, oil mill, &c., 
 in another village are also some im- 
 portant manufactures. The water 
 power of Meredith is immense. 
 It is connected with the principal 
 village of Gilford by a bridge over 
 the Winnepisiogee. 
 
 Hon. EBENEZER SMITH, moved 
 into this town at an early period of 
 its settlement, and was as a father to 
 the new settlers for many years. 
 He died Aug. 22, 1807, aged 73. 
 Population, In 1830, 2,683. 
 
 Meriden, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. This hilly and 
 somewhat mountainous township 
 has, in general, a fertile soil, and is 
 watered by Quinnepiac river. It 
 lies 17 miles S. E. from Hartford, 
 and 17 N. W. from New Haven. 
 It was formerly a part of Walling- 
 ford, and incorporated in 1806. 
 Population, 1830, 1,708. 
 
 This is one of the most flourish- 
 ing and enterprising manufacturing 
 towns in the state. There is a con- 
 siderable variety of manufactures 
 here, forming the chief employment 
 of the inhabitants. The following 
 is a list of the manufactories, viz : 
 
 2 for patent augers and auger bits, 
 
 3 for ivory combs, 6 for tin ware, 4 
 for Britannia ware, 2 iron foundries, 
 1 manufactory for coffee mills, 1 for 
 clocks, 1 for Norfolk door latches, 3 
 for block tin spoons, 1 for wood 
 combs, 1 for skates and iron rakes, 
 and 1 for gridirons. The value 
 of articles manufactured yearly, has 
 been estimated from 800,000 to 
 1,000,000 of dollars. 
 
 About thirty years since a road 
 was constructed from the north- 
 western part of Meriden to Berlin, 
 
 through a narrow and romantic 
 glen, between two ridges of the 
 Blue mountains; this pass, which 
 is more than a mile in extent, is 
 called the Cat Hole. In some parts 
 of this glen there is but barely room 
 for a path ; small angular fragments 
 of rocks rise on each side, at about 
 an angle of forty five degrees : 
 these rocks have been beaten down 
 and covered with earth, which must 
 have been brought here for the 
 purpose. A few yards south of this 
 place, elevated perpendicular rocks 
 appear on the left, one of which has 
 very much the appearance of a pro- 
 file of the human face, and it is 
 thought by some to resemble in a 
 slight degree the profile of Wash- 
 ington. Following the foot of the 
 mountain on the right, for about a 
 mile, you will find large pieces of 
 rocks lying upon each other in great 
 disorder, which have evidently fal- 
 len from the precipitous heights 
 above. Underneath these rocks ice 
 may be found in almost every month 
 in the year. A spring issues from 
 between them, called the Cold 
 Spring, and is a place of resort for 
 parties in summer. 
 
 Mt-rrimack River, N. II., 
 
 One of the principal rivers of 
 New England, is formed of two 
 branches. The N. branch called 
 Pemigewasset, rises near the Notch 
 of the White mountains, and passes 
 southwardly through the corner of 
 Franconia, Lincoln,Peeling, Thorn- 
 ton and Campton, forming the bound- 
 ary between Plymouth and Holder- 
 ness, and also the boundary line be- 
 tween the counties of Strafford and 
 Grafton from the S. corner of Hol- 
 derness to near its junction with the 
 Winnepisiogee. It receives several 
 considerable branches in its course; 
 Mad river in Campton, Baker's in 
 Plymouth ; and streams flowing 
 from Squam and Newfound lakes, 
 with numerous small tributaries. 
 The E. branch is the Winnepisio- 
 gee, through which pass the waters
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 of the lake of that name. The de- 
 scent of this branch from the lake to 
 its junction with the Pemigewasset, 
 is 232 feet. The confluent stream 
 bears the name of Merrirnack, and 
 pursues a S. course, 78 miles, to 
 Chelmsford, Mass. ; thence an E. 
 course, 35 miles, to the sea at New- 
 buryport. On the N. line of Con- 
 cord, the Contoocook discharges its 
 waters into the Merrimack. The 
 Soucook becomes a tributary in 
 Pembroke, and the Suncook be- 
 tween Pembroke and Allenstown. 
 The Piscataquog unites in Bedford ; 
 the Souhegan in Merrimack, and a 
 beautiful river called Nashua in 
 Nashua. The principal tributaries 
 are on the W. side of the river, 
 mostly rising in the highlands be- 
 tween the Connecticut and Merri- 
 mack. There are numerous falls 
 in this river, the most noted of 
 which are Garven's, in Concord, 
 the falls in Hooksett, and Amos- 
 keag in Goffstown and Manchester. 
 These falls are all rendered passa- 
 ble by locks, and boat navigation 
 has for several years been extended 
 as far as Concord. There are sev- 
 eral bridges over the Merrimack, 
 and its principal branches, besides 
 a number of ferries. The Merri- 
 mack, whose fountains are nearly 
 on a. level with the Connecticut, 
 being much shorter in its course, 
 has a far more rapid descent to the 
 sea than the latter river. Hence the 
 intervales on its borders are less ex- 
 tensive, and the scenery less beau- 
 tiful, than on the Connecticut. It 
 is, however, a majestic river ; its 
 waters are generally pure and heal- 
 thy ; and on its borders are situated 
 some of the most flourishing towns 
 in the state. The name of this riv- 
 er was originally written Mcrra- 
 tnacke and Monnomake, which in 
 the Indian language signified a 
 sturgeon. Its width varies from 50 
 to 120 rods ; and at its mouth it pre- 
 sents a beautiful sheet of half a 
 mile in width. 
 
 Merrimack County, W. H. 
 
 CONCORD is the county town. 
 The county of Merrimack is bound- 
 ed N. E. by the county of Straf- 
 ford, S. E. by the county of Rock- 
 ingham, S. W. by the county of 
 Hillsborough, and N. W. by the 
 counties of Sullivan and Grafton. 
 
 Its greatest length is 38 miles ; 
 its breadth at the broadest part is 
 26 miles. It contains an area of 
 506,000 acres. The surface is un- 
 even, and in some parts rugged 
 and mountainous; but its general 
 fertility, is perhaps equal to either 
 of the other counties in the state. 
 In the towns of Hopkinton, Henni- 
 ker, Boscawen, Salisbury, Canter- 
 bury, Concord, &c., are seen many 
 extensive and well cultivated farms. 
 The northerly part of the county is 
 rough and mountainous. Kearsarge 
 is the highest mountain, its summit 
 being 2,461 feet above the level of 
 the sea. It is composed of a range 
 of hills, running north and south 
 about six miles ; its general aspect 
 is rugged and craggy, excepting 
 when its roughness is shaded by 
 the woody covering that darkens its 
 sides. The Ragged mountains, so 
 called, from their appearance, lie 
 northeast of Kearsarge, and be- 
 tween Andover and Hill. These 
 are nearly 2,000 feet high at the 
 north points of the range. Bear's 
 Hill, in Northfield, Sunapee moun- 
 tain, in Newbury, Catamount, in 
 Pittsfield, and the peak in Hook- 
 sett, are the other most considerable 
 elevations. A part of lake Suna- 
 pee lies in Newbury ; and there 
 are numerous ponds interspersed 
 throughout the whole territory. 
 
 The Merrimack river meanders 
 through nearly the centre of the 
 county, and forms the boundary 
 some distance at the northeastern 
 part. It receives from the west the 
 Blackwater and Contoocook rivers, 
 and from the east, Soucook and Sun- 
 cook, and other smaller streams.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 This county was constituted by 
 an act of the legislature, 1 July, 
 1823 being taken from the coun- 
 ties of Rockingham and Hillsbo- 
 borough, ten towns being separated 
 from the former, and thirteen from 
 the latter. Population, 1820, 32,- 
 843; 1830, 34,619. Twenty four 
 towns, 44 inhabitants to a square 
 mile. In 1837, there were 66,152 
 sheep in this county 
 
 Slerrlmack, N. II., 
 
 Hillsborough co., is bounded N. 
 by Bedford, E. by Litchfield, S. by 
 Nashua, and W. by Amherst. 
 It is 6 miles S. E. from Amherst, 
 and 27 S. from Concord. Merri- 
 mack river waters its E. border 
 through its whole extent, opening 
 a communication by water from 
 this place to Boston. Souhegan en- 
 ters this town from Amherst, pur- 
 sues a winding course to the Mer- 
 rimack, where it discharges itself 
 one mile above Thornton's ferry. 
 There are fine water privileges on 
 this stream. Babboosuck brook, 
 issuing from Babboosuck pond in 
 Amherst, empties into Souhegan 
 river, and Penichook brook from a 
 pond in Hollis, forms the southern 
 boundary. The soil in various pla- 
 ces is very fertile, but a considera- 
 ble portion of the land is plain. 
 There are some fine intervales on 
 the Merrimack. Some of the best 
 and most extensive water privileges 
 the county affords, about 1 1-2 mile 
 from the Merrimack, on Souhegan 
 river, lie unimproved. 
 
 This town claims the first discove- 
 ry in this region of making what 
 are called leghorn bonnets. They 
 were first made several years since, 
 by the Misses Burnaps. Some of 
 their bonnets were sold at auction 
 in Boston for $50. 
 
 This town was formerly called 
 Souhegan East. It was incorpo- 
 rated, 1746, having been settled 
 about 13 years. 
 
 The first house in this town was 
 erected on the margin of the river 
 
 for a house of traffic with the In- 
 dians. For some time one Crom- 
 well carried on a lucrative trade 
 with the Indians, weighing their 
 furs with his foot, till, enraged at 
 his supposed or real deception, 
 they formed the resolution to mur- 
 der him. This intention was com- 
 municated to Cromwell, who buried 
 his wealth and made his escape. 
 Within a few hours after his flight, 
 a party of the Penacook tribe arriv- 
 ed, and not finding the object of 
 their resentment, they burnt his 
 habitation. 
 
 Hon. MATTHEW THORNTOX, 
 one of the signers of the Declara- 
 tion of American Independence, 
 resided many years in this town. 
 He died in 1803, at flie age of 89. 
 Population, 1330, 1,191. 
 
 Merry-meeting Bays. 
 
 Merry meeting Bay, in Maine, is 
 at the junction of the Androscoggin 
 with the Kennebec, about 5 miles 
 above Bath. It is a large expanse 
 of water, and contains Swan and 
 other islands. The passage through 
 this bay, of 10 or 12 miles in length, 
 is delightful. 
 
 Merrymeeting Say, in New 
 Hampshire, is an arm of Winne- 
 pisiogee lake, extending about 1,800 
 rods into the town of Alto/i, and is 
 27 miles from the navigable waters 
 of Piscataqua river. 
 
 Metlvueu, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. In this town is a beau- 
 tiful water fall of 30 feet, on Spick- 
 et river, which furnishes an excel- 
 lent hydraulic power. Methucn 
 lies on the N. bank of Merrimack 
 river, and is 25 miles N. by W. from 
 Boston, and 20 N. W. by N. from 
 Salem. It was taken from Haver- 
 hill in 1725. Population, 1830, 
 2,011 ; 1837, 2,463. There are 2 
 cotton, and 2 paper mills in the 
 town, and manufactures of leather, 
 shoes, hats, ploughs, segars, essen- 
 ces, chaises, harnesses, chairs, tin 
 and cabinet wares, and piano-forte
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 frames : value, for the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, $462,525. An ex- 
 cellent bed of peat has recently 
 been discovered. It is 14 feet in 
 depth, and very extensive. The 
 soil of Methuen is very, good, the 
 village is pleasant, and the scenery 
 around it, romantic and beautiful. 
 
 Mexico, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This town lies on the 
 north side of Androscoggin river, 
 and is watered by two of its tribu- 
 taries. It has a good soil and a good 
 water power. It lies 47 miles W. 
 N. W. from Augusta, and 20 N. 
 from Paris. Incorporated, 1818. 
 Population, 1837, 447. Wheat crop, 
 same year, 1,552 bushels. 
 
 Middleborough, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. This is the Indian 
 Namasket ; formerly thickly popu- 
 lated by the people of that tribe, 
 and governed by the noted sachem 
 Tispacan. On the rocks, in this 
 town, are the prints of naked hands 
 and feet, supposed to be the work 
 of the Indians. Here are numer- 
 ous ponds, several kinds of fish, and 
 large quantities of iron ore is found 
 in the ponds. These ponds, of which 
 the Jlssawamset and Long pond are 
 the largest, empty into Taunton 
 river, and produce an extensive wa- 
 ter power 
 
 This town lies 34 miles S. by E. 
 from Boston, 14 S. S. W. from Ply- 
 mouth, and 10 S. E. from Taunton 
 Incorporated, 1660. Population, 
 1837, 5,005. This is probably the 
 largest town in the state : it is 15 
 miles in length, and about 9 'aver- 
 age breadth : it has several pleasant 
 villages. There are 2 cotton mills, 
 2 forges, an air and cupola furnace, 
 a nail factory, and manufactures of 
 leather, shovels, spades, forks, 
 ploughs, wrought nails, chairs, cab- 
 inet ware, tacks, straw bonnets, and 
 various other articles : total value, 
 in one year, $200,000. 
 
 In 1763, Shubael Thompson found 
 a land turtle, marked on the shell 
 
 J. W., 1747. Thompson marked it 
 and let it go. Elijah Clapp found 
 it in 1773 ; William Shaw found it 
 in 1775; Jonathan Soule found it in 
 1784; Joseph Soule found it in 1790, 
 and Zenas Smith, in 1791 : each 
 marked it with his initials. Wheth- 
 er the critter is dead or gone to the 
 west, we have no account. 
 
 Middlebury, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. Chief town. This is 
 a large and flourishing town on both 
 sides of Otter creek, 31 miles S. W. 
 from Montpelier, and 33 S. S. E. 
 from Burlington. The fathers of 
 this town were Col. John Chipman 
 and the Hon. Gamaliel Painter, who 
 came here and settled in 1773. The 
 settlement advanced but slowly un- 
 til after the revolutionary war; it 
 then began to increase and is now 
 one of the most important towns in 
 the state. In 1791 it became the 
 shire town of the county, and in 
 1800 Middlebury college was found- 
 ed. The surface of the town is 
 generally level. Chipman's hill, 
 439 feet above Otter creek, is the 
 highest elevation. The soil is fer- 
 tile and productive, and furnishes 
 large quantities of wool, beef, pork, 
 butter and cheese. The town is 
 admirably watered by Otter creek 
 and Middlebury river. At the falls 
 on Otter creek, the site of the flour- 
 ishing village, are extensive manu- 
 facturing establishments ; and large 
 quantities of white and variega- 
 ted marble, with which the town 
 abounds, are sawed and polished 
 for various uses and transported to 
 market. Middlebury is a very 
 beautiful town, and the mart of a 
 large inland trade. Population, in 
 1830, 3,468. See Register. 
 
 Middlebury River rises in Han- 
 cock, and passing through Ripton 
 falls into Otter creek at Middlebury. 
 This mountain stream is about 14 
 miles in length, affords a fine wa- 
 ter power, and is very romantic in 
 its course. It passes some distance
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 along the road from Windsor to 
 Vergennes, and presents some de- 
 lightful scenery. 
 
 Middlclmry, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. The surface of 
 this town is hilly and rocky ; the 
 soil a coarse, gravelly loam, fit for 
 grazing and the growth of rye. It 
 lies 36 miles W. S. W. from Hart- 
 ford, and 22 N. W. from New Ha- 
 ven. Incorporated, 1807. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 816. The town is 
 watered by Quasepaugpond, which 
 empties into the Housatonick, and 
 furnishes a water power for a satin- 
 et factory, and other machinery. 
 
 Middlefield, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. This is an eleva- 
 ted agricultural township, watered 
 by a branch of Westfield river. It 
 lies 110 miles W. from Boston, 24 
 W. from Northampton, and 17 S. E. 
 from Pittsfield. Incorporated, 1783. 
 Population, 1S37, 710. There are 
 2 woolen mills in the town, and 2 
 tanneries. Annual value of goods 
 manufactured, about $75,000. 
 Among the productions of the soil, 
 there were, in 1837, 9,724 fleeces 
 of saxony wool, which weighed 
 26,741 pounds, value, $17,382. 
 
 Middlesex, Vt. 
 
 Washington co. Onion river and 
 other streams give this town a good 
 water power. It has numerous 
 manufacturing concerns, and a very 
 pleasant village. The soil along 
 the streams is good, and that of the 
 uplands, generally, is adapted for 
 grazing. It lies 30 miles E. S. E. 
 from Burlington, and is bounded by 
 Montpelier on the S. E. First set- 
 tled, in 1781. Population, 1830 
 1,156. 
 
 There is a curious chasm in Mid' 
 dlesex, on Onion river, near More 
 town. The river has worn a pas 
 sage through rocks 30 feet in depth 
 60 feet in width, and about 80 rod 
 in length. The walls on each sidi 
 are very smooth, over which a bridgi 
 
 s thrown. This place is worthy of 
 visit. 
 
 Middlesex County, Mags. 
 
 Concord, Cambridge, and Low- 
 II, are the shire towns. The sur- 
 ace of this county is uneven and 
 he soil various. It presents a great 
 variety for the admiration of the 
 >atriot, scholar, farmer, mechanic, 
 nd the painter. It is bounded N. 
 y New Hampshire ; N. E. by the 
 Bounty of Essex ; S. E. by Charles 
 iver, Boston harbor, and Norfolk 
 county; and W. by the county of 
 Worcester. Area, 800 square miles: 
 population, in 1820,61,476; 1830, 
 77,968; 1837,98,565. Population 
 to a square mile, 123. The princi- 
 >al rivers in this county, are the 
 VIerrimack, Charles, Mystic, Sud- 
 >ury, Concord, and Nashua. The 
 Middlesex Canal passes through 
 ts northeastern section. In 1837 
 here were 5,166 sheep in the coun- 
 ty. The value of manufactures for 
 :he year ending April 1, 1837, 
 amounted to $15,008,028. Fishery, 
 same year, $33,000. 
 
 Middlesex County, Ct. 
 
 Shire towns Middletown and 
 Haddam. This county is bounded 
 N. by Hartford county, E. by Hart- 
 ford and New London counties, S. 
 by Long Island Sound, and W. by 
 New Haven county. The general 
 surface of the county is uneven. 
 The soil is generally good, particu- 
 larly adjacent to Connecticut river. 
 There are many small streams 
 which afford mill privileges, fertil- 
 izing the soil and giving beauty to 
 the county. The waters of the 
 Connecticut afford it an important 
 business in navigation, especially 
 in the coasting trade. The tonnage 
 of the district of Middletown, in 
 1837, was 13,133 tons. There are 
 numerous manufacturing establish- 
 ments in the county ; large quanti-. 
 ties of freestone are quarried and car- 
 ried to market, and the shad fishery
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 gives employment to many of its 
 people. 
 
 Middlesex county contains an 
 area of 342 square miles. Popula- 
 tion, 1820, 22,405; 1830 r 24,845, 
 containing a population of 73 in- 
 habitants to a square mile. Con- 
 siderable amounts of the productions 
 of the soil are exported, and in 
 1837, there were in the county 
 12,401 sheep. 
 
 Middleton, If. H. 
 
 Strafford co. This is a very lev- 
 el township, having no high ground 
 except a part of Moose mountain, 
 which separates it from Brookneld. 
 There are no rivers nor ponds, and 
 the soil is rocky. It lies 25 miles 
 N. W. from Dover. Middleton was 
 incorporated in 1778. Population, 
 1830, 562. 
 
 Middleton, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. A pleasant town on 
 both sides of Ipswich river, 19 miles 
 N. from Boston, and 7 N. W. from 
 Salem. This place contains a large 
 and expensive paper mill. This is 
 the principal manufacturing con- 
 cern in the town. Incorporated, 
 1723. Population, 1837, 671. 
 
 Middlretown, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. This town lies be- 
 tween two mountains, is watered 
 by Poultney river, and has a good 
 soil for grazing. It keeps, among 
 other cattle, about 4,000 sheep. It 
 lies 14 miles S. W. from Rutland. 
 It has a neat and flourishing vil- 
 lage, a woolen factory, marble fac- 
 tory, and other manufactures. 
 Population, 1830, 919. 
 
 Middletoivn, Ct. 
 
 Chief town of Middlesex co. 
 MIDDLETOWX CITY, and port of 
 entry, lies on the W. bank of Con- 
 necticut river, 30 miles from its 
 mouth, 15 S. from Hartford, 24 N. 
 E. from New Haven, 35 N. W. 
 from New London. Lat. 41 34' 
 N., long. 72 39' W. The city is 
 
 very pleasantly situated on ground 
 rising gradually from the river. 
 The principal street, called Main 
 street, runs parallel with the river. 
 This and other streets, are inter- 
 sected by cross streets, leading to 
 the river. 
 
 The wharves are commodious for 
 shipping, there being ten feet of 
 water for all vessels that can cross 
 the bar at the mouth of the river. 
 
 Two high wharves are appropria- 
 ted for two lines of steam-boats, of a 
 large class, which afford a daily com- 
 munication with the cities of New 
 York and Hartford. 
 
 The streets and side- walks are 
 pleasantly shaded with trees, and 
 the side-walks are remarkably well 
 paved. 
 
 The population of the city, is 
 about 3,500 ; of the town, above 
 7,000. 
 
 The public edifices are a court- 
 house in the Grecian style of arch- 
 itecture, built in 1832 ; a custom- 
 house handsomely built of Chatham 
 freestone ; 2 banks, and a savings 
 bank, &c. The places of public 
 worship in the city, and the princi- 
 pal houses and stores are of brick, 
 many of which are built with great 
 taste. 
 
 The WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, 
 under the patronage of the Metho- 
 dist Episcopal church, was founded 
 in 1831, and is very rapidly acquir- 
 ing a high standing. It has now 
 160 students. Its officers are a 
 president and 5 professors. 
 
 The college buildings command 
 an extensive view of the surround- 
 ing country, as well as of the val- 
 ley of the Connecticut, so justly 
 famed for its beauty. 
 
 The college library, with those 
 belonging to the societies, comprises 
 about 10,000 volumes. It has ma- 
 ny rare and choice works, an entire 
 set of the Latin Classics, and most of 
 the Greek, a set of the Philosophical 
 Transactions, and all of the most 
 important latjr scientific works of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 France. There ia also a collection 
 of bibles and testaments in 81 lan- 
 guages and dialects, oriental, &c., 
 into which the bible has been trans- 
 lated. 
 
 The philosophical and astronomi- 
 cal apparatus, has been lately in- 
 creased at great expense. There 
 is a telescope, with a six inch object 
 glass, a splendid altitude and Azi- 
 muth instrument, so constructed as 
 to be used for meridian transits. 
 Russell's magnificent Orrery, an 
 unrivalled instrument, and the only 
 one of the kind. There is a noble 
 Plate Electrical machine, with two 
 plates 36 inches in diameter, &c. 
 
 The chemical department has a 
 
 ?jod laboratory and apparatus. 
 he cabinet of minerals is becom- 
 ing extensive. In geology, besides 
 specimens, there are several valu- 
 able charts to illustrate the different 
 states, and many districts of Eng- 
 land. 
 
 In botany, there are several of the 
 best standard works, and for the 
 preservation of the science, the 
 richness in species of the native 
 plants about Middletown, is not 
 surpassed by any location in New 
 England. The place is also remark- 
 able for the variety and- abundance 
 of its rare minerals. 
 
 The rising reputation of its uni- 
 versity, the great salubrity of its 
 atmosphere, and the activity of its 
 manufacturing capital, render Mid- 
 dletown equally attractive to the 
 traveler, the man of science, or of 
 business. There are besides in this 
 city, several fine cabinets of shells, 
 insects, minerals, &c., and an Her- 
 barium of considerable extent, of 
 North American as well as of Eu- 
 ropean plants, also several choice 
 private libraries. 
 
 The library of the Rev. Dr. Jar- 
 vis, contains 13,000 volumes of ex- 
 ceeding choice books, collected by 
 him, during a residence of sev- 
 eral years in Europe, and his gal- 
 lery of about 120 paintings, is re- 
 garded as being very valuable. 
 
 About 70 of these pictures formed 
 the gallery of the Archbishop of 
 Tarento at Naples, and are of the 
 old masters Titian, Rubens, Tin- 
 toretto, Salvator Rosa, Carlo Dolce, 
 Lueca, Giordano, Jordens, Spagno- 
 letto, &c. There is also in another 
 collection some very tine paintings 
 of the old masters, and an exqui- 
 site piece of statuary by the Cheva- 
 lier P. Marchesi of Milan, repre- 
 senting Christ when 12 years of 
 age ! This is the only work of the 
 distinguished sculptor, that has yet 
 arrived in this country. 
 
 The township from N. to S. is 
 about 9 miles long, its breadth va- 
 rying frotn 4 to 10 miles at its great- 
 est area, or about 43.520 acres. 
 The Indian name of the town was 
 Mattabesett. The town is divided 
 into 4 societies or parishes. 
 
 There is in the city a prepara- 
 tory school connected with the uni- 
 versity, as well as several flourish- 
 ing private schools. 
 
 The public record? of this town 
 commenced in 1654. The city was 
 incorporated in 1784. 
 
 The burial grounds contain many 
 curious, as well as antique monu- 
 ments of its earliest settlers. 
 
 The burial ground at the N. part 
 of the city, and by the river, was 
 laid out in 1650. 
 
 Middletow 1 meadows, north of the 
 city, contain about 640 acres. The 
 height of the base of the village is 
 160 feet above the river, and is 
 from it, five eighths of a mile. Main 
 street is from 40 to 50 feet above the 
 river. 
 
 The Connecticut river is here 
 generally closed with ice about the 
 middle of December, and opens 
 about the end of the third week in 
 March. 
 
 The manufactures in this city, 
 are 3 establishments on a large 
 scale for the manufacture of arms, 
 for the United States service ; 
 broadcloths and cotton goods, brit- 
 annia and tin wares, stoves, combs, 
 tubs, machinery, steam engines,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER 
 
 cotton machinery, paper, powder, 
 jewelry, brass ware, steel pens, 
 buttons, looking-glasses, carriages, 
 carpenter's tools and locks, besides 
 many manufactures of minor im- 
 portance. 
 
 Geology. Middletown rests on 
 secondary red sandstone : within 2 
 miles of the city, south, there is a 
 granite ridge, here known by the 
 name of the White rocks. It runs 
 N. N. E., and forms the straits of 
 the Connecticut river. This granite 
 ridge is from 400 to COO feet above 
 the tide water. Here occurs an in- 
 exhaustible quantity of the finest 
 feldspar, the material used for the 
 glaze of porcelain. This was first 
 brought into notice in 1833, at the 
 recommendation of Dr. Barrett. A 
 large quantity of it has been sent to 
 Europe, as well as being used in 
 this country, and it has been proved 
 to be of the best quality. 
 
 The feldspar is often so pure at 
 the quarry opened on the Haddam 
 road, that masses of several hun- 
 dred weight occur without any ad- 
 mixture of quartz and mica. 
 
 Middletown, R. I. 
 
 Newport co. This is the middle 
 township on the island of Rhode 
 Island. It lies 2 miles N. E. from 
 Newport, and 28 S. by E. from 
 Providence. The surface of the 
 town is undulating, and affords ma- 
 ny interesting and beautiful land- 
 scapes. The soil is a rich loam, 
 very productive and under a high 
 state of cultivation ; the lands are 
 highly valued and command a great 
 price. The inhabitants of the town 
 are principally farmers ; they are 
 distinguished for their habits of in- 
 dustry and economy, and for the 
 uniformity, plainness, and simplici- 
 ty of their manner of living. The 
 products of the town consist of 
 corn, barley, hay, and great varie- 
 ties of fruits and vegetables for 
 Newport market. Incorporated, 
 1743. Population, 1830, 915. 
 22 
 
 Milan, X. II., 
 
 Coos co., is 139 miles N. by E. 
 from Concord, and about 22 N. E, 
 from Lancaster. This tract was 
 granted in 1771, and was called 
 Paulsburgh, until 1824. The Up- 
 per Amonoosuck and Androscoggin 
 rivers pass through this town. 
 There are several ponds, and some 
 considerable mountains. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 57. 
 
 Milford, He. 
 
 Penobscot county. See " Down 
 East." 
 
 Kilford, X. II., 
 
 Hillsboroug-h co., is bounded E. 
 by Amherst, and is 31 miles S. by 
 W. from Concord. Milford lies on 
 both sides of Souhegan river, which 
 runs through the town from W. to 
 E., forming a rich meadow or inter- 
 vale, from 1-4 to 1-2 a mile wide. 
 The banks of this river are annual- 
 ly overflowed, by which means, 
 the soil, which is black and deep, is 
 much enriched. This town has ex- 
 cellent water privileges, and there 
 is a valuable factory in the village 
 Population, 1830, 1,303. 
 
 Milford, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This town, the 
 Indian JVopowage, is well watered 
 by Charles and Mill rivers. It lies 
 28 miles S.W. by W. from Boston, and 
 18 S. E. from Worcester. Incorpora- 
 ted, 1780. Population, 1837, 1,637. 
 The soil is generally fertile, and 
 the surface pleasantly diversified. 
 The manufactures of the town, for 
 the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 amounted to $257,671. They con- 
 sisted of cotton goods, leather, boots, 
 shoes, chairs, tin and cabinet wares, 
 straw bonnets, varnish, clothing, 
 shoe pegs, wagon irons, and whips. 
 
 Milford, ft. 
 
 New Haven co. This is one of 
 the towns which composed the 
 " Old Jurisdiction of New Haven."
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The settlement commenced in 1639. 
 The first purchase of land was made 
 of the Indians, for the considera- 
 tion of " 6 coats, 10 blankets, 1 
 kettle, besides a number of hoes, 
 knives, hatchets, and glasses." The 
 Indians made a reservation of 20 
 acres in the town, which was sold 
 by them, in 1661, for 6 coats, 2 
 blankets, and a pair of breeches. 
 
 Milford is bounded W. by Housa- 
 tonick river, and S. E. by Long 
 Island Sound. The Indian name 
 of the place was Wepawaug. The 
 town is generally level, and the 
 soil productive. There is a quarry 
 of beautiful serpentine marble in 
 the town, and a harbor for small 
 vessels. 
 
 Poconock or Milford point is a 
 noted place, where are a number of 
 huts on the beach, occupied by 
 persons engaged in the oyster and 
 clam business. 
 
 Milford village is very pleasant, 
 and the scenery variegated and in- 
 teresting. Population, 1837, about 
 2,800. 
 
 M ill b ur y , Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. Millbury was 
 taken from Sutton, in 1813. It lies 
 42 miles W. S. W. from Boston, 
 and 6 S.E. from Worcester. Branch- 
 es of the Blackstone river rise in 
 the town, and the Blackstone canal 
 passes through it. It is a very 
 pleasant manufacturing place, with 
 a valuable water power. There 
 are 1 paper, 6 woolen, and 1 cotton 
 mills ; and manufactures of boots, 
 hoes, leather, hats, scythes, spades, 
 forks, hoes, ploughs, muskets,trying 
 squares, levels, trowels, machinery, 
 black lead, tin ware, sashes and 
 blinds : total value, the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, $566,150. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 2,153. 
 
 Miller's Rivers. 
 
 Milter's River, in Vermont, rises 
 in Sheffield, Caledonia county, and 
 passing through a part of Wheelock 
 
 falls into the Passumpsick at Lyn- 
 don. 
 
 Jlfiller's River, in Massachusetts, 
 rises in ponds in Ashburnham, 
 and Winchendon ; it has many trib- 
 utaries, and passes through Athol, 
 Orange, and Wendell, and falls into 
 the Connecticut at Erving. This 
 is a noble mill stream. 
 
 Millinoket Lake, Me. 
 
 This is a large body of water ID 
 the county of Penobscot, the re- 
 cipient of many rivers. It is an 
 important source of the west branch 
 of Penobscot river. Its outlet is a 
 river of the same name, and unites 
 with the waters of Pemadumcook 
 lake, near the Great falls at the out- 
 let of the Pemadumcook. 
 
 Mill River, Mass. 
 
 See Springfield. 
 
 Millsfield, N. II., 
 
 Coos co., is 7 miles W. fromUm- 
 bagog lake, and about 35 N.from the 
 White mountains. Clear stream 
 waters its N. extremity, and Phil- 
 lip's river with several small 
 streams the other parts. Here are 
 several ponds, the largest is about 
 300 rods long, 140 wide. Millsfield 
 was granted in 1774, and was nam- 
 ed after Sir Thomas Mills, a gran- 
 tee. It had but 33 inhabitants iu 
 1830. 
 
 Milo, Me. 
 
 Piscataquis co. This is a beau- 
 tiful township on the fertile banks 
 of Sebec and Pleasant rivers, at 
 their union with the Piscataquis. 
 It lies 103 miles N. E. from Augus- 
 ta, and 15 N. E. from Dover. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 381 ; 1837, 640. 
 Wheat crop, 1837, 4,514 bushels. 
 Incorporated, 1823. 
 
 Milton, Hie. 
 
 Piscataquis co. Population, 1837, 
 352. Wheat crop, same year, 1,323
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 bushels. 94 miles from Augusta. 
 See " Down East." 
 
 Miltoii, Iff. IX. 
 
 Strafford co. The Salmon Fall 
 river washes its whole E. bounda- 
 ry, a distance of 13 miles ; and a 
 branch of the same river crosses 
 from the S. part of Wakefield, and 
 unites near the centre of the E. 
 boundary. Teneriffe, a bold and 
 rocky mountain, extends along the 
 E. part of Milton, near which lies 
 Milton pond, of considerable size, 
 connecting with the Salmon Fall 
 river. This town was formerly a 
 part of Rochester, from which it 
 was detached in 1802. It lies 40 
 miles N. E. from Concord, and 20 
 N. W. by N. from Dover. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 1,273. 
 
 Milton, Vt. 
 
 Chittenden co. Milton is bound- 
 ed on the W. by lake Champlain, 
 and is finely watered by the river 
 Lamoille. It lies 12 miles N. from 
 Burlington, and 40 N. W. from 
 Montpelier. Population, 1830, 2,- 
 100. The soil of the town is gen- 
 erally good, and about 9,000 sheep 
 graze in its pastures. There are 
 gome places in Milton worthy of the 
 traveller's notice. A little distance 
 from the neat and flourishing vil- 
 lage are the Great falls, on the La- 
 moille. In the course of 50 rods 
 the whole river falls 150 feet. 
 About the middle of the rapid is a 
 email island, by which the water 
 passes on each side, with great vi- 
 olence and loud roaring. The scen- 
 ery on the banks of the river is 
 wild and beautiful. There are 
 some mills on the river, and consid- 
 erable trade on the lake. 
 
 Milton, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. This interesting and 
 pleasant town, the Uncataquissit 
 of the Indians, lies 7 miles S. from 
 Boston, and <5 E. from Dedham. 
 Neponset river washes its northern 
 border and affords numerous valua- 
 
 ble mill sites. This town was taken 
 from Dorchester, in 1662. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 1 ,772. A large part of 
 the land is a gravelly loam, strong 
 and very productive. The manu- 
 factures consist of paper, granite, 
 leather, hats, chairs, cabinet ware, 
 playing cards, &c. : total annual 
 amount, about $100,000. The man- 
 ufacture of paper from beach grass 
 has recently been commenced, and 
 promises to be a good substitute for 
 rags, for the more common kinds. 
 
 The village called the " Mills," 
 comprising apart of Dorchester, at 
 the head of navigation, on the Ne- 
 ponset, is a wild, romantic place, 
 and ever since the first settlement 
 of the country, has been the seat of 
 considerable trade and manufacture. 
 
 The village at the rail-road, near 
 the granite quarry, in Quincy, 
 about a mile S. E. of the " Mills," 
 is very pleasant and flourishing. 
 By a new and beautiful bridge, 
 called the " Granite bridge," across 
 the Neponset, the distance to the 
 city is reduced to 6 miles. 
 
 Milton contains some elegant 
 country seats, and much delightful 
 scenery. The views from " Milton 
 Hill," near the head of the Ne- 
 ponset ; and " Blue Hill," a cele- 
 brated land mark for sailors, 710 
 feet above the sea, in the south part 
 of the town, 12 miles from Boston, 
 are among the most admired in our 
 country. 
 
 Minot, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. Minotis a large 
 and excellent township of land with 
 three very pleasant villages. The 
 Androscoggin passes its eastern bor- 
 der and Little Androscoggin sepa- 
 rates it from Poland, on the S. This 
 is one of the most flourishing towns 
 in the state. Although agriculture 
 is the chief business of the people of 
 Minot, yet its water power is so val- 
 uable, that manufactures of various 
 kinds are springing up with promis- 
 ing success. Minot is connected 
 with Lewiston, across the Andros-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 coggin, bj a bridge. It lies 33 
 miles S. W. from Augusta, and 35 
 N. from Portland. Population, in 
 1830, 2,908; 1837, 3,326. Incor- 
 porated, 1802. Wheat crop, 1837, 
 7,266 bushels. 
 
 Missisque River, Vt. 
 
 This crooked river is about 75 
 miles in length. It rises in Orleans 
 county, and passes N. into Canada, 
 about 5 miles ; it then returns to 
 the state at the N. E. corner of 
 Franklin county, and after mean- 
 dering through the north part of 
 that county, it falls into Missisque 
 bay at Highgate. There are sev- 
 eral falls on this river, which afford 
 numerous mill sites ; but it is gen- 
 erally sluggish in its course, and 
 being wide, is rather shallow. Its 
 waters fertilize a large portion of 
 country, and it is navigable for small 
 vessels, six miles from its mouth. 
 
 Molccliuiikamiiiik Lake, Me. 
 
 This is one of a number of large 
 lakes extending northwest from 
 Umbagog lake, and which empty 
 through the Umbagog into the An- 
 droscoggin. These lakes lie in the 
 counties of Oxford and Franklin : 
 their borders are but little settled, 
 but those who have visited them 
 report that the soil is exceedingly 
 fertile, and that the beauties of 
 these little inland seas, equal that 
 of the celebrated Winnepisiogee. 
 The Molechunkamunk lies about 80 
 miles N. by W. from Portland. 
 
 M <>l ii in u 11 s River, 
 
 A large tributary to the Mata- 
 wamkeag from the north. It unites 
 with that river about 8 miles above 
 its mouth. 
 
 Monadnock Mountain, N. H., 
 
 Usually called the Grand Mo- 
 nadnock, is situated in the towns of 
 Jaffrey and Dublin, in Cheshire 
 county, about 22 miles E. from Con- 
 necticut river, and 10 N. of the 
 southern boundary of this state. 
 
 The direction of the ridge is N. E. 
 and S. W. The mountain is about 
 5 miles long from N. to S., and 3 
 miles from E. to W. Its summit is 
 3,718 feet above the level of the sea. 
 Thirty years since, Monadnock was 
 nearly covered with evergreen 
 wood of considerable growth. By 
 the repeated ravages of fire, it now 
 presents to the distant beholder, 
 nothing but a barren and bald rock. 
 But on ascending, we find plats of 
 earth sufficient to give growth to 
 the blueberry, cranberry, mountain 
 ash, and a variety of shrubs. Some 
 caves are discovered, which excite 
 curiosity. They appear to have 
 been formed by large fissures, and 
 by extensive strata being throwo 
 from their primitive state, and form- 
 ing different angles with each other 
 and with perpendicular precipices. 
 The mountain is composed of talc, 
 mica, slate, distinctly stratified. 
 Garnet, schorl, feldspar and quartz 
 occur in various parts. On the E. 
 side, plumbago is found in large 
 quantities. Crucibles and pencils 
 have been manufactured from it, 
 but for the latter, it proves not ver j 
 good. The summit, when seen at 
 a distance of 4 or 5 miles, appears 
 rounded and destitute of those high 
 cliffs and mural precipices belong- 
 ing to granitic mountains. The, 
 prospect from the pinnacle is very 
 extensive ; thirty ponds of fresh 
 water, some of which are so large 
 as to contain islands of 8 or 10 
 acres, may be seen from it, in the 
 immediate vicinity. Near the base 
 of the mountain, in Jaffrey, is the 
 " Monadnock Mineral Spring." 
 
 Mcukton, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. This town lies 27 
 miles W. from Montpelier, 16 N. 
 from Middlebury, and 18 S. by E. 
 from Burlington. This is a good 
 farming town, and the products of 
 wool, cattle, and of the dairy are 
 considerable. Iron ore is found in 
 abundance, and a bed of porcelain, 
 earth. By mixing this earth with
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 common clay, in different propor- 
 tions, various kinds of pottery are 
 produced. This earth is very pure, 
 and it is said might be manufactur- 
 ed into the best china ware. The 
 bed is inexhaustible. The black 
 oxide of manganese is also found 
 here. There is also a curious cav- 
 ern in the town : after descending 
 about 16 feet, you arrive at a room 
 30 feet long, and 16 wide. From 
 this is a passage leading to a second 
 apartment, which is not quite so 
 large, but more pleasant. Monk- 
 ton is a pleasant town, 3 miles E. 
 from Ferrisburgh, and is frequent- 
 ly visited by the curious. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 1,38-1. 
 
 Monmouth, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. This is a fine 
 township, and beautifully watered 
 by some of the sources of the Cob- 
 bessecontee. It lies 15 miles S. 
 W. from Augusta. The village is 
 very pleasant, and is the seat of a 
 flourishing academy. Wheat crop, 
 1837, 5,256 bushels. Population, 
 same year, 1,847. Incorporated, 
 1792. 
 
 Monroe, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. This town is watered 
 by Marsh river, a branch of the Pe- 
 nobscot. It lies 59 miles N. E. from 
 Augusta, and 14 N. from Belfast. 
 Population, 1837, 1,365. Wheat 
 crop, same year, 5,897. 
 
 Monroe, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. This is an elevated 
 township, bounded E. by Deerfield 
 river. It lies 105 miles W. N. W. 
 from Boston, and 23 W. by N. from 
 Greenfield. Incorporated, 1822. 
 Population, 1837, 232. 
 
 Monroe, Ct. 
 
 Fairfield co. This town was 
 taken from Huntington in 1823. 
 The soil is good, and well adapted 
 fo* grazing, but the surface is rough 
 and stony. Agriculture is the prin- 
 cipal business of the inhabitants. 
 
 22* 
 
 There tire excellent orchards of va- 
 rious kinds of fruit in the town, a 
 pleasant village on elevated ground, 
 and a classical school. It lies 15 
 miles W. by N. from New Haven, 
 and 12 E. by S. from Danbury. 
 Population, 1830, 1,522. 
 
 A rich variety of mineral sub- 
 stances have been discovered here. 
 Among them, are tungsten, telluri- 
 um, native bismouth, native silver, 
 magnetical and common iron py- 
 rites, copper pyrites, galena, blen- 
 de, tourmaline, &,c. 
 
 Monsou, Me, 
 
 Piscataquis co. This town is 
 watered by Piscataquis river and 
 Wilson's stream. Monson compris- 
 es a fine tract of land, and is settled 
 by a worthy class of people. In- 
 corporated, 1822. Population, in 
 1837, 565. Wheat crop, same year, 
 2,267 bushels. It lies 83 miles N. 
 by E. from Augusta, and 20 N. W. 
 from Dover. A stage runs between 
 this town and Bangor, three times 
 a week. Distance from Monson to 
 Bangor, 60 miles; to Moosehead 
 lake, 15, 
 
 Monson, Mass. 
 
 Hampden co. Monson was tak- 
 en from Brimfield in 1760. It lies 
 73 miles S. W. by W. from Boston, 
 and 13 E. from Springfield. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 2,179. This is a pleas- 
 ant town of variegated surface, 
 good soil and well watered by Chick- 
 opee river. It contains a flourish- 
 ing academy. There are 3 cotton 
 mills in Monson, and other manu- 
 factures. The value of cotton goods 
 manufactured in the year ending 
 April 1, 18S7, was $67,500. 
 
 Montague, Mags. 
 
 Franklin co. This town is on 
 the E. bank of Connecticut river, 
 opposite to Deerfield, and united to 
 that town by a bridge. Turner's 
 Falls, at the northerly part of the 
 town, are more interesting than 
 any in the state, and probably as
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 much so as any in New England. 
 The canal for passing these falls, 3 
 miles in length and 75 feet lockage, 
 with an immense dam across the 
 river, greatly facilitates the naviga- 
 tion on Connecticut river. This 
 place has a great water power, and 
 promises peculiar advantages to the 
 manufacturing interest. The scene- 
 ry around this place is romantic and 
 beautiful, and to the lovers of anti- 
 quarian lore, full of interesting as- 
 sociations. 
 
 It lies 80 miles W. by N. from 
 Boston, and 7 S. E. from Greenfield. 
 Incorporated, 1753. Population, in 
 1837, 1,260. 
 
 Montgomery, Vt. 
 
 Franklin co. This town lies in a 
 mountainous country, but it has a 
 valuable tract of land on Trout riv- 
 er, a good mill stream, a branch of 
 the Missisque. It lies 42 miles N. 
 from Montpelier, and 27 E. N. E. 
 from St. Albans. First settled, in 
 1793. Population, 1830, 460. 
 
 The Rev. Joel Clapp was the first 
 child born in this town, September 
 14, 1793. He preached the first 
 fast-day sermon, the first thanks- 
 giving sermon, and the first moth- 
 er's funeral sermon, which were 
 preached in the town. 
 
 Montgomery, Mass. 
 
 Hampden co. This is a moun- 
 tainous township on the N. side of 
 Westfield river, and has a good wa- 
 ter power. It lies 100 miles W. by 
 S. from Boston, and 12 N. W. 'from 
 Springfield. Incorporated, 1780. 
 Population, 1837, 497. This is a 
 good town for grazing, and it pro- 
 duces considerable wool and some 
 beef cattle. 
 
 Montpelier, Vt. 
 
 The capital of the state and shire 
 town of the county of Washington. 
 It lies in N. lat. 44 17', and W. 
 Ion. 72 36'. It is 182 miles W. 
 from Augusta, Me. ; 97 N. N. W. 
 from Concord, N. H. ; 160 N. W. 
 
 by N. from Boston, Mass. ; 200 N. 
 by W. from Providence, R. I.; 
 205 N. from Hartford, Ct. ; 148 N. 
 E. from Albany N. Y. ; and 524 
 miles from Washington. First set- 
 tled, in 1786. Population, 1830, 
 2,985. Montpelier became the seat 
 of government in 1805, and the 
 shire town of the county, in 1811. 
 It is finely watered by Onion river 
 and by several branches of that 
 stream. These streams afford a 
 good water power, on which are 
 manufacturing establishments of va- 
 rious kinds. The surface of the 
 town is very uneven and hilly, but 
 not mountainous. The soil is very 
 good along the streams, and the 
 highlands produce excellent pas- 
 turage. The agricultural products 
 are various and valuable. In 1837 
 there were between 8,000 and 9,000 
 sheep in the town. 
 
 This township was granted Octo- 
 ber 21, 1780, and chartered to Tim- 
 othy Bigelow and others, August 
 14, 1781, containing 23,040 acres. 
 It was rechartered February 6, 
 1804. In the spring of 1786, Joel 
 Frizzle erected a log house on the 
 bank of Onion river, in the south- 
 west corner of this township, and 
 moved his family into it from Cana- 
 da. This was the first family in 
 town. Early in the month of May, 
 177, Col. Jacob and Gen. Parley 
 Davis, from Worcester county, Mas?, 
 began improvements near the place 
 where the village now stands, and 
 erected a log house, into which 
 Col. Davis removed his family the 
 winter following. 
 
 The village of Montpelier is sur- 
 rounded by hills of considerable el- 
 evation; and although it is too low 
 to command an extensive prospect, 
 is very pleasant, and quite roman- 
 tic in its appearance. It is located 
 very near the centre of the state : 
 it is a great thoroughfare from all 
 directions, and commands a large 
 and valuable interior trade. The 
 buildings are in good style ; some 
 of which are very handsome.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 We take pleasure in presenting to the public a well executed en- 
 graving of the Vermont State House, at Montpelier ; designed by A. B. 
 YOUNG, Esq., a native of New England, and executed under his imme- 
 diate superintendence. 
 
 The engraving represents a southeast front view of the building, which 
 stands on an elevated site, about 325 feet from State street, on which it 
 fronts, and is alike beautiful in design and execution. The yard and 
 grounds pertaining to it are large and spacious, and, in the manner they 
 are laid out, give great importance to the building. Through the whole 
 design, a chaste architectural character is preserved, which, combined 
 with the convenient arrangement of the interior and the stability of its 
 construction, renders this edifice equal in every respect to any in New 
 England, and probably to any in the United States. The building is in 
 the form of a cross, showing in front a centre, 72 feet wide, and two 
 wings, each 39 feet, making the whole length 150 feet. The centre, in- 
 cluding the portico, is 100 feet deep ; the wings are 50 feet deep. The 
 six columns of the portico are 6 feet diameter at their base, and 36 feet 
 high, supporting an entablature of classic proportions. The dome rises 
 36 feet above the ridge, making the whole height from the ground 100 
 feet. The order of architecture used is the Grecian Doric, and is made 
 to conform to the peculiar arrangement necessary in this building. The 
 walls, columns, cornices, &c., are of dark Barre granite, wrought in a 
 superior manner: the dome and roofs are covered with copper. 
 
 In the interior, the lower story contains an Entrance Hall, rooms for 
 the Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, and numerous Committee 
 rooms. The second or principal story, contains a Vestibule, and stair- 
 ways, a Representatives Hall, 57 by 67 feet, with a Lobby, and Galleries 
 for spectators ; a Senate Chamber, 30 by 44 feet, with Lobby and Gallery ; 
 a Governor's room, 24 by 20 feet, with an ante-room, and a room for his 
 Secretary adjoining; a Library room, 18 by 36 feet; rooms for the several 
 officers of the Senate and House of Representatives, and several com- 
 mittee rooms. The cost of this building, including all expenses, was 
 about $132,100; of which the inhabitants of Montpelier paid $15,000. 
 
 At the first session of the Legislature of Vermont, within this building, 
 in October, 1838, the following resolution was unanimously adopted : 
 
 " Resolved, by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, that 
 the thanks of this Legislature be presented to AMMI B. YOUNG, Esq., 
 as a testimonial of their approbation of the taste, ability, fidelity and 
 perseverance which he has manifested in the design and execution of the 
 new capitol of this state ; which will abide as a lasting monument of the 
 talents and taste of Mr. YOUNG as an Architect."
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 aiontville, Hie. 
 
 Waldo co. This is a beautiful 
 and flourishing town, watered by 
 some of the head branches of Sheep- 
 scot river, 26 miles E. N. E. from 
 Augusta, and 15 W. from Belfast. 
 Incorporated, 1807. Population, in 
 1830,1,243; 1837,1,987. Wheat 
 crop, 1837, 8,088 bushels. 
 
 Blontville, Ct. 
 
 New London co. Montville was 
 taken from New London in 1786. 
 The surface is hilly and stony ; the 
 soil a dry, gravelly loam, strong and 
 fertile. It lies on the W. side of 
 the river Thames, 35 miles S. E. 
 from Hartford, 8 N. from New 
 London, and 7 S. from Norwich. 
 The town has a good water power 
 and contains 3 cotton and 2 woolen 
 factories, and an oil mill. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 1,964. 
 
 This, and a large tract of country 
 lying north and east of it, formerly 
 belonged to the Mohegans, a tribe 
 of Indians once celebrated for their 
 warlike prowess and friendship to 
 the English. In Montville is a 
 tract reserved by the state, for the 
 maintenance of a remnant of that 
 tribe, " on the land of their fathers." 
 
 The Mohegan reservation consists 
 of about 2,700 acres. It was hold- 
 en by them in common till the 
 year 1790, when it was divided to 
 each family by the legislature of 
 Connecticut. The Mohegans are 
 under the care of guardians, or over- 
 seers, appointed by the legislature. 
 A part of the lands are occupied by 
 the Indians themselves, and a part 
 by white tenants, of which there 
 are as many as Mohegans living on 
 the reservation. The rents go into 
 a common fund, from which the 
 Mohegans derive, individually, a 
 small sum annually. 
 
 In 1774, when a census of the in- 
 habitants of Connecticut was taken, 
 there were in the colony 1,363 In- 
 dians. The number in the township 
 of New London was stated to be 
 
 206. Mohegan was then included 
 in the limits of that town. At the 
 same time there were in Stonington 
 237; in Groton 186; in Lyme 104; 
 in Norwich 61, and in Preston 30: 
 in all, 824. Most of these may be 
 considered as descended from those 
 who once owed some kind of alle- 
 giance to Uncas. Dr. Holmes, who 
 visited Mohegan in 1S03, says that 
 " there were not more than 80 per- 
 sons of this tribe remaining, and 
 that John Cooper, the richest man 
 in the tribe, possessing a yoke of 
 oxen and two cows, was then their 
 religious teacher." Four years af- 
 ter, they were reduced in number 
 to sixty nine, these being for the 
 most part aged persons, widows, and 
 fatherless children. 
 
 Within the course of a few years 
 past, an effort has been made to el- 
 evate and rescue the remnant of 
 this tribe from extinction. A small 
 house for divine worship has been 
 erected, and also a house for a teach- 
 er ; towards erecting this last build- 
 ing the United States government 
 appropriated 500 dollars ; they have 
 also allowed, recently, 400 dollars 
 annually for the support of a teach- 
 er. The school, consisting of up- 
 wards of 20 scholars, at this time is 
 under the care of Mr. Anson Glea- 
 son, who also officiates as a religious 
 teacher at the Mohegan Chapel. 
 Mr. Gleason commenced his labors 
 among this people in 1832, and it is 
 firmly believed that his efforts to 
 promote the welfare of this people 
 will be attended with lasting and 
 beneficial effects. Mr. Gleason 
 says, " that he can say for a certain- 
 ty, that the native children are as 
 apt to learn as any children he ever 
 taught, and bid fair for intelligent 
 men and women." He also says, 
 " This tribe had well nigh run out 
 by indulging in the use ,of ardent 
 spirits ; but of late there is a change 
 for the better, a number of refor- 
 mations having- taken place. Most 
 of the youth are opposed to strong 
 drink, and are members of the tern-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 perance reform. The greater part 
 of the working men follow the whale 
 trade, and come home only now and 
 then. . . . We are on the increase, 
 and hope in the course of a few years, 
 through the mercy of God, to rise 
 in point of virtue and respectabili- 
 ty." 
 
 The Mohegan church is between 
 three and four miles from Norwich 
 city, a few rods east of the public 
 road from Norwich to New London. 
 It is beautifully situated on an em- 
 inence commanding a fair view of 
 Norwich at the north, and New 
 London at the south. It was built 
 in 1831, at an expense of between 
 six and seven hundred dollars, con- 
 tributed for the purpose mostly by 
 benevolent ladies in the cities of 
 Norwich, Hartford and New Lon- 
 don. This house is designed for the 
 use of the Mohegans, and the white 
 inhabitants who reside on the re- 
 servation. The Mohegan school- 
 house is 40 or 50 rods south of the 
 chapel, at the foot of the hill, near 
 by which is the house for the teach- 
 er. About 100 rods west of the 
 chapel, on the summit of a com- 
 manding eminence, was situated a 
 Mohegan fort, some traces of which 
 remain ; they also had another fort 
 near the river. 
 
 " Lo ! where a savage Portress frown'd 
 Amid yon blood-cemented ground, 
 A hallowed dome, with peaceful claim, 
 Shall bear the meek Redeemer's name; 
 And forms like those that lingering stayed 
 Latest >r:eath Calvary's awful shade, 
 And eailiest pierc'd the gnther'd gloom 
 To watch the Savior's lowly tomb 
 Such gentle forms the Indian's ire 
 Have sooth'd and bade that dome aspire. 
 And now, whore rose the murderous yell, 
 The tuneful hymn to God shall swell- 
 Where vengeance spread a fatal snare, 
 Shall breathe the red man's contrite prayer." 
 
 Moose Rivers. 
 
 Moose river, in Maine, is a large 
 tributary to Moosehead lake. It 
 rises in the western part of Somer- 
 set county, and after receiving the 
 waters of several large ponds in 
 that quarter, it passes through Bras- 
 
 sua lake, 4 or 5 miles W. of the 
 Moosehead. 
 
 Moose river, in New Hampshire, 
 has its source on the N. side of the 
 White Mountains, and unites with 
 the Androscoggin in Shelburne. 
 Its source is very near that of Is- 
 rael's river, which passes W. into 
 the Connecticut. 
 
 Moose river, in Vermont, is a 
 branch of the Passumpsic ; it rises 
 in Granby and East Haven, and 
 falls into that river at St. Johnsbury. 
 This, in many places, is a rapid 
 stream, about 25 miles in length. 
 
 Moose Head Lake, Me. 
 
 This lake, the outlet of which is 
 the source of Kennebec river, lies 
 in the county of Piscataquis. Its 
 form is very irregular. Its length 
 is between 40 and 50 miles, and its 
 breadth, in the widest part, about 
 12 miles. The tributaries are nu- 
 merous, and flow from almost every 
 direction. It contains a number of 
 islands, the largest of which is Su- 
 gar island, containing 5,440 acres, 
 and Deer island, containing 2,000 
 acres. These islands are fertile, as 
 is the whole country surrounding 
 the lake, except in some places 
 where the banks are high and pre- 
 cipitous. The waters are deep and 
 abound in trout of an extraordinary 
 size. 
 
 It is remarkable that the territory 
 surrounding this inland sea, possess- 
 ing in rich abundance all the ne- 
 cessary requirements for the uses 
 and comforts of man, and within 
 three hundred miles of the capital 
 of New England, should be left a 
 wilderness garden, uninhabited and 
 almost unexplored ; while thous- 
 ands of New England men are press- 
 ing to distant regions, less health- 
 ful, and less productive, when mar- 
 kets for surplus produce are consid- 
 ered. 
 
 The only settlement, of any con- 
 sequence, on the borders of this 
 beautiful lake, is HaskelVs Planta- 
 tion, at the southern boundary.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 This place lies 15 miles N. from 
 Monson, from which town stages 
 pass to Bangor, 60 miles. A steam- 
 hoat plies up and down the lake, 
 for the purpose of transporting pas- 
 sengers, more particularly those 
 who are engaged in felling timber; 
 and for the purpose of towing the 
 timber down to the Kennebec out- 
 let. 
 
 The lumber business on this lake 
 is very extensive, and doubtless lu- 
 crative ; but the time is not very 
 distant when this and other sections 
 of Maine, will be as much valued 
 for the fruits of the soil ; and, under 
 the wise system of geological ex- 
 ploration, adopted by the legisla- 
 ture, for the quarries of slate, lime, 
 granite, marble, and even coal, as 
 they are now for their forests of 
 timber. 
 
 This lake may be divided into 
 two bays. A little above the cen- 
 tre of it, is a narrow pass of rath- 
 er less than a mile across. At 
 this place, on the western side, is 
 Mount Keneo,an elevation of five or 
 six hundred feet projecting over the 
 water. From this height a pictur- 
 esque view of the lake, its islands, 
 and a boundless wilderness, is pre- 
 sented. When the wind blows fresh 
 from the north, the waters of the 
 north bay press through this strait 
 with considerable force, and cause 
 the south bay to rise two or three 
 feet. 
 
 A dam has been erected at the 
 outlet, for the purpose of raising 
 the lake 3 or 4 feet, so as to let the 
 the water off as occasion may re- 
 quire, to facilitate the passage of 
 lumber on the river. We ^hope, 
 ior the benefit of our friends down 
 stream, that the dam is of solid ma- 
 terials and well constructed. 
 
 MoosfUilloi k Mountain, ]V. II., 
 
 Is a noble and lofty eminence 
 in the 8. E. part of Coventry, and 
 ranks among the highest mountains 
 in New England. The altitude of 
 
 the north peak above tide water, w 
 4,636 feet that of the south peak, 
 is 4,536 feet. Baker's river has its 
 source on its eastern side. 
 
 Mooselucknxaguntic 
 
 , Me. 
 
 A large sheet of water which 
 empties into the Molechunkamunk, 
 about 2 miles south. 
 
 Moretotvn, Vt. 
 
 Washington co. Mad river, a 
 branch of the Onion, waters this 
 town and gives it good mill seats. 
 The surface is mountainous, and a 
 great part of the soil unfit for culti- 
 vation. First settled, 1790. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 816. It lies 8 miles 
 S. W. from Montpelier. 
 
 Morgan, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. First settled, 1800. 
 It lies 50 miles N. E. from Montpe- 
 lier, and 15 N. N.E. from Irasburgh. 
 Population, 1830, 331. Knowlton's 
 lake, a handsome sheet of water, 
 containing a variety of fish, lies in 
 this town. It is 4 miles in length, 
 and 2 in breadth, and empties into 
 Clyde river. 
 
 Morristown, Vt. 
 
 Lamoille co. This town lies 20 
 miles N. by W. from Montpelier, 
 and 6 S. from Hyde Park. First 
 settled, 1790. Population, 1830, 
 1,315. The surface of the town is 
 diversified by hills and valleys; 
 the soil is good, particularly on the 
 banks of Lamoille river, which af- 
 fords some water power. Here is 
 a neat village, and considerable 
 business. The people are general- 
 ly farmers, and produce cattle, but- 
 ter, cheese, and a large quantity of 
 wool for market. 
 
 Moscow, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. Moscow is water- 
 ed by a pond, and by a beautiful 
 stream, a branch of the Kennebec, 
 and lies on the east side of that 
 river. It is 30 miles N. from Nor-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ridgewock, and 58 N. from Augusta. 
 This town has a good soil and a 
 pleasant village. It was incorpo- 
 rated in 1816. Population, 1837, 
 477. Wheat crop, same year, 4,273 
 bushels. 
 
 Moultoiiboi-ougli, N. 17., 
 
 Strafford co., is situated on the N. 
 W. shore of Winnepisiogee lake. 
 This interesting town lies 45 miles 
 N. from Concord, and 20 E. from Ply- 
 mouth. This town is broken by 
 mountains and ponds. Red Hill, ly- 
 ing wholly within this town, com- 
 mands notice from the east, south, 
 and west ; and extends about 3 
 miles from E. to W., between Red 
 Hill river on the N., Great Squam 
 on the W., Great Squam and Long 
 pond on the S., terminating S. E. 
 by a neck of fine land extending 
 into the Winnepisiogee. Its sum- 
 mit is covered with the uvce ursi 
 and low blueberry bush, which in 
 autumn give the hill a reddish hue, 
 from which circumstance its name 
 was probably derived. A number 
 of oval bluffs rise on its summit, 
 from each of which the prospect 
 on either hand is extensive and de- 
 lightful. The north bluff is sup- 
 posed to consist of a body of iron 
 ore. Bog ore is found in a brook 
 descending from this bluff. Ossi- 
 pee mountain extends its base into 
 this town, and is a commanding 
 elevation. On the south part of 
 this mountain, in Moultonborough, 
 is a mineral chalybeate spring, the 
 waters strongly impregnated with 
 iron and sulphur, and efficacious 
 in cutaneous eruptions. About a 
 mile north is a spring of pure cold 
 water, 16 feet in diameter, through 
 the centre of which the water, con- 
 taining a small portion of fine white 
 sand, is constantly thrown up to the 
 height of two feet the spring fur- 
 nishing water sufficient for mills. 
 On the stream nearly a mile below, 
 is a beautiful waterfall of 70 feet 
 perpendicular. Descending on the 
 left of this fall, a cave is found, con- 
 23 
 
 taining charcoal and other eviden- 
 ces of its having been a hiding 
 place for the Indians. Red Hill 
 river originates in Sandwich, and 
 passes through this town into the 
 Winnepisiogee. Long pond is a 
 beautiful sheet of water, and con- 
 nects with the lake by a channel 
 sixty rods in length. Squam and 
 Winnepisiogee lakes lie partly in 
 Moultonborough. The soil of this 
 town is fruitful, though in some 
 parts rocky. Moultonborough wa3 
 granted in 1763, to Col. Jonathan 
 Moulton and others. Settlements 
 commenced in 1764. 
 
 Many Indian implements and rel- 
 ics have been found indicating this 
 to have been once their favorite 
 residence. In 1820, on a small isl- 
 and in the Winnepisiogee,was found 
 a curious gun barrel, much worn by 
 age and rust, divested of its stock, 
 enclosed in the body of a pitch pine 
 tree 16 inches in diameter. Its butt 
 rested on a flat rock, its muzzle el- 
 evated about 30. In 1819, a small 
 dirk, 1 1-2 feet in length from the 
 point to the end of the hilt, round 
 blade, was found in a new field, one 
 foot under ground, bearing strong 
 marks of antiquity. 
 
 On the line of Tuftonborough, on 
 the shore of the lake, at the mouth 
 of Melvin river, a gigantic skeleton 
 was found about 30 years since, bu- 
 ried in a sandy soil, apparently that 
 of a man more than seven feet high 
 the jaw bones easily passing over 
 the face of a large man. A tumu- 
 lus has been discovered on a piece 
 of newly cleared land, of the length 
 and appearance of a human grave, 
 and handsomely rounded with 
 small stones, not found in this part 
 of the country ; which stones are 
 too closely placed to be separated 
 by striking an ordinary blow with 
 a crow-bar, and bear marks of being 
 a composition. The Ossipee tribe 
 of Indians once resided in this vi- 
 cinity, and some years since a tree 
 was standing in Moultonborough, 
 on which was carved in hieroglyph-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Ics the history of their expeditions. 
 Population, 1330, 1,422. 
 
 Mount Desert, Ale. 
 
 Hancock co. This town com- 
 prised the whole island of the same 
 name, lying between Frenchman's 
 bay and the waters of Blue Hill 
 bay, and Union river, until 1795, 
 when the north part was set off and 
 called Eden. It lies 110 miles E. 
 from Augusta. Incorporated, 1789. 
 Population, 1837, 1,783. 
 
 This town has an extensive coast, 
 and a number of excellent harbors. 
 The people of Mount Desert own 
 considerable navigation employed 
 in the coasting trade ; and the shore 
 fishery, is a lucrative branch of 
 business. The soil of the town is 
 good, and abundantly able to supply 
 the inhabitants with bread stuffs. 
 In 1837, the ocean towns of Mount 
 Desert and Eden, produced 674 
 bushels of good wheat. We men- 
 tion this fact, to show that there 
 must be something, other than sea 
 air, which causes that valuable 
 grain to blight on the coast of Mas- 
 sachusetts. 
 
 mount Holly, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. A pleasant town 
 lying 60 miles S. from Montpelier, 
 and 17 S. E. from Rutland. First 
 settled, 1781. Population, 1830, 
 1,318. The surface of the town is 
 elevated, and in some parts moun- 
 tainous, but the soil is well adapted 
 for grazing, and produces consider- 
 able quantities of wool, beef, but- 
 ter, and cheese. 
 
 Mounts Holyolte & Tom, Mass. 
 
 See Northampton. 
 
 Mount Hope, 
 
 And MOUNT HOPE BAY. See 
 Bristol, R. I. 
 
 Mount Tabor, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. Otter Creek rises in 
 this town, by a branch on each side 
 of a mountain. Most of the land 
 
 is unfit for cultivation, it being so 
 high on the Green mountain range. 
 It lies 66 miles S. by W. from Mont- 
 pelier, and 19 S. by E. from Rut- 
 land. Population, 1830, 210. 
 
 Mount Vernon, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. This town lies 
 W. of Belgrade, E. of Vienna, and 
 15 miles N. W. from Augusta. In- 
 corporated, 1792. Population, 1837, 
 1,503. There are three pleasant 
 villages in the town : the soil is re- 
 markably good, and is watered by 
 a number of beautiful ponds and 
 small streams. Wheat crop, 1837, 
 5,888 bushels. 
 
 Mount Vernon, N. II., 
 
 Hillsborough co., is 3 miles N. 
 W. from Amherst, and 28 S. W. 
 from Concord. There is but one 
 stream of any note, and this was 
 called by the Indians Quohquina- 
 passakessananagnog. The situa- 
 tion is elevated, and towards the E. 
 and S E. there is a considerable 
 prospect. There is a flourishing 
 village situated near the highest 
 point of elevation. This town was 
 originally a part of Amherst, from 
 which it was detached in 1803. 
 
 Dr. DANIEL, ADAMS, who com- 
 menced and conducted the Medical 
 and Agricultural Register, and is 
 author of a popular system of arith- 
 metic, school geography, and a 
 number of useful school books, has 
 his residence in this place. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 763. 
 
 Mount "Washington, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. This town lies in 
 the S. W. corner of the state, bor- 
 dering on Ct. and N. Y. It is 135 
 miles W. by S. from Boston, 22 S. 
 S. W. from Lenox, and 26 S. E. 
 from Hudson, N. Y. Incorporated, 
 1779. Population, 1837, 337. 
 
 These people seem to enjoy a 
 more elevated situation than any of 
 their neighbors : one of their hills 
 is 3,150 feet above the sea. They 
 keep 600 sheep, and manufactur'
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 about 100,000 bushels of charcoal, 
 annually. A mountain stream af- 
 fords them a water power for an axe 
 factory and forge. These people, 
 likewise, appear to be more inde- 
 pendent of the common wants of 
 mankind than other folks ; for they 
 have no minister, physician, law- 
 yer, post office, or tavern, yet they 
 are remarkably healthy ; and as far 
 as we can judge, intelligent and 
 kind. 
 
 Muscemgus River and Bay, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. Muscongus river, 
 rises in large ponds in the interior 
 of the county, and on the border of 
 Waldo county : it passes through 
 Waldoborough, and separating Bre- 
 men and Friendship, it forms the 
 head waters of Muscongus bay. 
 This bay has a number of islands 
 and lies between St. George's isl- 
 ands off the town of St. George, 
 on the E., and Pemmaquid point, 
 in Bremen, on the W. 
 
 ."Valiant, Mass. 
 
 This celebrated watering place, 
 is a part of the beautiful town of 
 Lynn. It is a peninsula, jutting 
 out about 5 miles into Massachu- 
 setts bay, and forms Lynn bay on 
 the south. From Boston to Nahant 
 hotel, on the eastern point of the 
 peninsula, by land, is 14 miles ; 
 from the centre of Lynn, 5 ; and 
 from Salem 9 miles. On the N. E. 
 side of this peninsula is a beach of 
 great length and. smoothness. It is 
 so hard that a horse's foot-steps are 
 scarcely visible ; and, from half-tide 
 to low water, it affords a ride of su- 
 perior excellence. Much may be 
 said in praise of Nahant without 
 exaggeration. Its formation, situa- 
 tion, and rugged shore, excites the 
 curiosity of all, and many thou- 
 sands annually visit it for health, or 
 pleasure. 
 
 It is only 10 miles N. E. from 
 Boston, by the steam-boats, continu- 
 ally plying in summer months : at 
 this place are good fishing and fowl- 
 
 ing, excellent accommodations : the 
 ocean scenery is exceedingly beau- 
 tiful in fair weather, and truly sub- 
 lime in a storm. 
 
 Aaiitasket, Mass. 
 See Hull. 
 Naritucket Co. Mass, and Town. 
 
 An island in the Atlantic ocean 
 town and county. It lies E. of 
 Dukes county, and about 30 miles 
 S. of Cape Cod, or Barnstable coun- 
 ty. This island is about 15 miles in 
 length, from east to west, and about 
 4 miles average breadth. It con- 
 tains 50 square miles. The town, 
 formerly called Shelburne, is in 
 about the centre of the island, on 
 the north side, in lat. 41 16' 42", 
 W. Ion., 70 7' 42". It is 100 miles 
 S. E. by S. from Boston, 55 S. E. 
 from New Bedford, 30 S. E. from 
 Falmouth, and 500 from Washing 
 ton. Population, 1337, 9,048. 
 
 Nantucket has a good harbor, 
 with 71-2 feet of water, at low tide, 
 on the bar at its mouth. This island 
 was formerly well wooded, but for 
 many years it has not had a single 
 tree of natural growth. The soil is 
 light and sandy; it however affords 
 pasturage for about 7,000 sheep, 500 
 cows, and other cattle. In 1659, 
 when this county was incorporated, 
 the island contained 3,000 Indians, 
 but now, not one. 
 
 The whale fishery commenced 
 here in 1690 ; and this place is, 
 perhaps, more celebrated than 
 any other, for the enterprize and 
 success of its people, in that spe- 
 cies of nautical adventure. Indeed 
 Nantucket is the mother of that 
 great branch of wealth in America, 
 if not in the world. In the year 
 ending April 1, 1837, Nantucket 
 employed 74 vessels in that fishery, 
 the tonnage of which was 25,875 
 tons 1,277,009 gallons of sperm 
 and whale oil was imported, the 
 value of which was $1,114,012. 
 The number of hands employed, 
 was 1,897. The capital invested,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 was $2,520,000 ; this includes the 
 ships and outfits only ; yet many of 
 the manufactories of the place, are 
 appendages of the whale fishery ; 
 altogether, employing a capital of 
 over five millions of dollars. There 
 are manufactures on the island, of 
 vessels, whale boats, bar iron, tin 
 ware, boots, shoes, oil casks, and 
 candle boxes. The whole amount 
 of the manufactures, for that year, 
 including oil and candles, was $2,- 
 524,907. Total tonnage of the dis- 
 trict of Nantucket, in 1S37, 29,960 
 tons. 
 
 Great attention is paid to educa- 
 tion on this island. The men are 
 noted for their sedateness and daring 
 spirit, and the women for their in- 
 telligence and beauty. 
 
 Nantucket Shoals is a danger- 
 ous place, where many a sailor has 
 found a watery grave. They lie 
 S. E. from the island, and cover an 
 area of about 50 by 45 miles. 
 
 Naples, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. This town was 
 formed from Otisfield and Raymond, 
 and incorporated in 1834. It is wa- 
 tered by Sebago and Songo ponds, 
 and Crooked and Muddy rivers. It 
 has good mill privileges, and a pro- 
 ductive soil. Population, 1837, 722. 
 Naples lies 63 miles W. S. W. from 
 Augusta, and 27 N. N. W. from 
 Portland. 
 
 Narragjxnset Bay, R. I. 
 
 This delightful bay lies wholly 
 within the limits of Rhode Island : 
 its entrance extends from Point Ju- 
 dith on the west, to Seaconnet 
 Rocks on the east, and terminates 
 at Bullock's point, about 6 miles 
 below the city of Providence. The 
 length of this bay is about 28 miles : 
 its breadth varies from 3 to 12 miles. 
 It receives the waters of the Taun- 
 ton, Providence, Pawtuxet, anc 
 other rivers, and on its borders are 
 Newport, Bristol, Warren, and oth- 
 er large and flourishing towns. I' 
 is decked with many islands of grea 
 
 ertility and beauty ; the principal 
 
 of which are Connanicut, Prudence, 
 Patience, Block and Hope. This 
 >ay is near the ocean ; is accessible 
 
 at all seasons ; is well protected by 
 )owerful forts, and affords some of 
 .he best harbors in the world. The 
 )oard of naval commissioners have 
 
 recently reported to Congress that 
 ;he waters of Narraganset Bay af- 
 brd greater advantages for a naval 
 
 depot, than any other unoccupied 
 position on the coast of the United 
 States. 
 
 Xarraguagus River & Bay, Hie. 
 
 Washington co. The river rises 
 n several ponds in Beddington, and 
 jassing in a southeastern direction, 
 ~alls into a bay of the same name, 
 Between Harrington and Steuben. 
 The bay contains a number of isl- 
 ands, between which is a good pas- 
 sage into Pleasant bay, on the east 
 side. 
 
 Nashawn Island, Mass., 
 
 And NASHAWEifWA. See Eliz- 
 abeth Islands. 
 
 Nashua River, 
 
 Abeautiful stream on the S.part of 
 Hillsborough co. N.H. has its source 
 in Worcester county, Massachu- 
 setts. It is formed of two branches 
 called the north and south branches. 
 The north branch is formed of two 
 streams, one from Ashburnham, the 
 other from Wachuset ponds. The 
 south branch is composed of Still 
 river, issuing from the E. side of 
 Wachuset mountain, and a small 
 stream from Quinepoxet pond in 
 Holden. These branches are uni- 
 ted in Lancaster, from which the 
 main river proceeds in a N. E. 
 course to Harvard, Shirley, Groton, 
 and Pepperell in Massachusetts ; 
 and from thence into New Hamp- 
 shire through Hollis, and nearly 
 the centre of the town of Nashua, 
 where it falls into the Merrimack
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Nashua, X. II. 
 
 Hillsborough co. This town 
 originally embraced a large extent 
 of territory, and was called Dun- 
 stable until 1836. It lies 34 miles 
 S. by E. from Concord, 12 S. E. 
 from Amherst, and 12 N. W. from 
 Lowell. The population of Dunsta- 
 ble, in 1830, was 2,414. Population 
 of Nashua, in 1836, 5,065 ; 1837, 
 5,613; 1838, 5,691. 
 
 In the N. E. part of the town, 
 on Nashua river, is the flourishing 
 Village of Nashua, the centre of 
 a considerable trade, and the seat 
 of important manufactures. This 
 village contains 8 beautiful church- 
 es, a large number of elegant dwell- 
 ing-houses, 50 stores, and 10 tav- 
 erns. 
 
 The JVashua Manufacturing 
 Company was incorporated in 1823. 
 It has three cotton mills, 155 feet in 
 length, 45 in breadth and six stories 
 in height. They con tain 22,000 spin- 
 dles, 710 looms, and manufacture 
 9,390,000 yards of cloth per annum. 
 Their canal is 3 miles long, 60 feet 
 wide, and 8 feet deep. Head and 
 fall, 33 feet. Capital, $750,000. 
 
 The Jackson Manufacturing 
 Company was incorporated in 1824. 
 Capital, $600,000. They have two 
 cotton mills, 155 feet long, 47 wide, 
 and 4 stories high. These mills 
 contain 11,500 spindles, and 388 
 looms. They manufacture 5,634,- 
 000, yards of cloth annually. Their 
 canal is half a mile in length, and 
 serves for transportation on the 
 river. Head and fall, 20 feet. 
 
 The volume of water afforded by 
 the Nashua river, at the dryest sea- 
 son of the year, is 180 cubic feet 
 per second. 
 
 The number of operatives in all 
 the mills at Nashua is 1,448: fe- 
 males, 1,288; males, 160. The 
 number of pounds of cotton used is 
 14,500 per day, or 4,538,500 Ibs. per 
 annum. 
 
 There are other valuable manu- 
 
 23* 
 
 factures on Nashua river and the 
 waters of Salmon brook. 
 
 The Nashua and Lowell rail- 
 road was opened for travel on the 
 8th of October, 1838. 
 
 The soil of Nashua has consider- 
 able variety. It is easy of culti- 
 vation, and is generally productive. 
 The east part of the town, lying on 
 the river, presents a very level sur- 
 face. The west parts are divided 
 into hills and valleys, but the whole 
 township may be considered far 
 from being hilly or mountainous. 
 It is watered by the Nashua river, 
 a fertilizing stream, which rises in 
 the state of Massachusetts, and 
 Salmon brook, a small stream which 
 originates from several ponds in 
 Groton. Both of these empty into 
 Merrimack river, the former at 
 Nashua village, the latter about one 
 and a half mile below. 
 
 This was for a long time a fron- 
 tier town, and the first settlers were 
 many times annoyed by the Indians, 
 in the successive wars in which 
 this country was engaged with 
 them. In the war with the famous 
 Narraganset sachem, this town 
 was much exposed, and some of 
 the inhabitants fled to the older set- 
 tlements. In LoveweH's war, the 
 company in this town under the 
 brave Capt. John Lovewell, acquir- 
 ed an imperishable name. Their 
 successes at first, and misfortunes 
 afterwards, have been often repeat- 
 ed and are generally known. 
 
 Dunstable belonged to Massa- 
 chusetts till the divisional line be- 
 tween the two provinces of Massa- 
 chusetts and New Hampshire was 
 settled, in 1741. It was incorpora- 
 ted by New Hampshire, April 1, 
 1746, and the name was altered to 
 Nashua in December, 1836. 
 
 Natchaug River, Ct. 
 
 This is the largest branch of the 
 Shetucket. It rises in Union and 
 Woodstock, and joins the Shetucket 
 near the line of Chaplin and Mans- 
 field.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Xatick, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. Natick is a pleas- 
 ant town, of good soil : it is watered 
 by Charles river, and contains sev- 
 eral delightful ponds, well stored 
 with fish. This was a favorite re- 
 sort of the Indians. There are 
 some moderate elevations in the 
 town : the Indians used to call it 
 " the place of hills." 
 
 Under the advice and direction 
 of the apostle Elliot, the first In- 
 dian church in New England was 
 formed here in 1660, and comprised 
 40 communicants. 
 
 The manufactures of the town 
 consist principally of shoes. Dur- 
 ing the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 250,650 pairs were made, valued at 
 $213,053 : employing 452 hands. 
 This town was incorporated in 1781. 
 Population, 1830,890; 1337,1,221. 
 It lies 16 miles W. S. W. from Bos- 
 ton, and 12 S. from Concord. 
 
 Naugatuck River, Ct. 
 
 This important mill stream is 
 about 50 miles in length. It rises 
 in the north part of Litchfield. coun- 
 ty, and after traversing a S. course 
 nearly the whole length of that 
 county, it crosses the west part of 
 New Haven county, and falls into 
 the Housatonick at Derby. 
 
 Neal's Ki-ook. and Pond, Vt. 
 
 Ncal's brook, or branch, rises in 
 Lunenburgh and the border of 
 Guildhall, and running south falls 
 into a pond of the same name. It 
 continues its course south and meets 
 the Connecticut. This is a short 
 stream, but valuable on account of 
 its water power. i 
 
 Neat's pond, a mile in length, 
 and a half mile in width, is a 
 handsome sheet of water, and con- 
 tains a variety of fish. 
 
 Needham, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. This town is nearly 
 urrounded by the waters of Charles 
 
 river. It contains numerous valua- 
 ble mill seats. There are in the 
 town 6 paper mills, a cotton facto- 
 ry, and manufactures of shoes, 
 hats, and window blind hinges : 
 annual value, about $150,000. In- 
 corporated, 1711. Population, 1837, 
 1,492. Needham lies 4 miles f*f. 
 W. from Dedham, and 12 W. S. W. 
 from Boston, by the Boston and Wor- 
 cester rail-road. 
 
 Neddock, Gape, Me. 
 
 A rocky, barren bluff, inhabited 
 by a few fishermen, about 3 miles 
 N. from York harbor. 
 
 Kelson, X. II., 
 
 Cheshire co., is situated on the 
 height of land between Connecti 
 cut and Men-imack rivers. The 
 surface is hilly, but good for graz- 
 ing. In the S. part, a branch of 
 the Ashuelot river rises ; and from 
 Long pond in this town, and Han- 
 cock, issues a branch of Contoocook 
 river. The best mill privileges are 
 furnished by streams issuing from 
 ponds in this town, of which there 
 are four, containing a surface of 
 1,800 acres. There is a cotton and 
 other manufactories. The inhabit- 
 ants are principally farmers oi in- 
 dustrious habits. It was chartered 
 Feb. 22, 1774, by the name of 
 Packersfield. In June, 1814, the 
 name was altered to Nelson. The 
 first settlements commenced in!767. 
 Nelson lies 40 miles S. W. from 
 Concord, and 8 N. E. from Keene. 
 Population, 1830, 875. 
 
 Neponset River, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. The sources of this 
 river are in Canton, Stoughton, and 
 Sharon. It receives a tributary 
 from Charles river, Mother brook, 
 so called, and meets the tide of Bos- 
 ton harbor at Milton Mills, 4 mile 
 from Dorchester bay. This is a 
 noble mill stream : on its navigable 
 waters is the depository of the Quin- 
 cy granite rail-road company, and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 at its mouth is Commercial Point, in 
 Dorchester, a beautiful place, with 
 an excellent harbor. 
 
 IVcwaggen, Cape, Me. 
 
 This cape is a part of the town of 
 Boothbay. It extends about 5 miles 
 into the sea, and forms the eastern 
 boundary of Sheepscot's bay. 
 
 Newark, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. The Passumpsic 
 river is formed in this town by a 
 collection of streams issuing prin- 
 cipally from ponds. The town is 
 not mountainous, but the soil is cold 
 and generally unproductive. It 
 Hes 44 miles N. E. from Montpe- 
 lier,and 19 N. W. from Guildhall. 
 First settled, 1800. Population, in 
 1830, 257. 
 
 New Ashford, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. This is a moun- 
 tainous township, but the soil is 
 good for grazing. In 1837, the val- 
 ue ef 2,708 fleeces of wool, pro- 
 duced in this town, weighing 7,785 
 pounds, was worth $3,893. New 
 Ashford produces fine white and 
 variegated marble, and is the source 
 of Green river. It lies 130 miles 
 W. by N. from Boston, and 18 N. 
 from Lenox. Incorporated, 1801. 
 Population, 1837, 253. 
 
 New Bedford, Mass. 
 
 This is ahalf shire town of Bristol 
 county, and port of entry, pleas- 
 antly situated on the W. side of the 
 Acushnet, a river, or more proper- 
 ly an estuary, connected with Buz- 
 zard's bay. The ground on which 
 the town stands rises rapidly from 
 the river, and affords an interesting 
 view from the opposite side. 
 
 The upper part of the town is 
 laid out Into beautiful streets, which 
 contain many costly and superb 
 dwellings. 
 
 This harbor, though not easy of 
 access, is capacious and well secur- 
 ed from winds. A wooden bridge, 
 near the centre of the town, con- 
 
 nects it with the village of Fair- 
 haven. A ferry has also been es- 
 tablished, on which it is proposed to 
 run a steam boat. 
 
 New Bedford was incorporated 
 in 1787, previous to which it con- 
 stituted a part of the town of Dart- 
 mouth. In 1812, the eastern part 
 was set off as a separate township 
 by the name of Fairhaven. 
 
 The almost exclusive business of 
 the place is the whale fishery, 
 which commenced before the war 
 of the revolution, and has gradual- 
 ly grown to its present importance. 
 The increase, however, within the 
 last 12 years has been more rapid 
 than during any former period. 
 The number of ships and brigs now 
 employed is 169. Tonnage of the 
 district, in 1837, 85,130 tons. 
 
 There are 16 oil manufactories, at 
 which a large amount of oil and can- 
 dles is made. A considerable quan- 
 tity of the oil imported is, however, 
 sold in the crude state to other pla- 
 ces. 
 
 The manufactures of the town 
 consist of leather, boots, shoes, hats, 
 iron castings, axes, chairs, tin and 
 cabinet wares, vessels, salt, cord- 
 age, soap, Prussian blue, paper 
 hangings, carriages, looking-glass 
 frames, and carpenter's tools : the 
 total value, for the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, including oil andean- 
 dies, amounted to $690,800. There 
 were imported, during that year, 
 2,472,735 gallons of oil, and 305,170 
 pounds of whale bone, the value 
 of which was $1,750,832. The 
 capital invested in the whale fish- 
 ery was $4,210,000. The num- 
 ber of hands employed was 4, 000. 
 
 Few places in Massachusetts have 
 increased in population more rapidly 
 than this. By the census of 1790, 
 the population of the village was 
 about 700. In 1830, the township 
 contained 7,592 ; in 1833, 9,200, 
 and in 1837, 14,304. 
 
 Within a few years, the inhabitants 
 of this town have manifested a com- 
 mendable liberality in providing the
 
 NEVT ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 means of education. There is a 
 flourishing academy in the town, and 
 large sums are annually appropria- 
 ted for the maintenance of public 
 and private schools. 
 
 A rail-road will-soon be construct- 
 ed from this place, to meet the Bos- 
 ton and Providence, at Seekonk, 
 by the way of Fall River ; or to 
 meet the Taunton rail-road at Taun- 
 ton. By either of those routes, a 
 trip to Boston or New York, would 
 be very pleasant. A large and 
 wealthy town, highly flourishing 
 in its commerce and manufactures 
 like this, with the neighboring isl- 
 ands of Nantucket and Martha's 
 Vineyard, seem to require it. 
 
 New Bedford lies 52 miles S. 
 from Boston, 52 N. W. from Nan- 
 tucket, 14 E. by S. from Fall River, 
 20 S. S. E. from Taunton, and 214 
 N. E. by E. from New York. 
 
 New Boston, X. II., 
 
 Hillsborough co., is 9 miles N. 
 N. W. from Amherst, and 22 S. 
 by W. from Concord. It is water- 
 ed by several streams, the largest 
 of which is the S. branch of Piscat- 
 aquog river, having its source in 
 Pleasant pond, in Francestown. 
 This town consists of fertile hills, 
 productive vales, and some valuable 
 meadows. The soil is favorable for 
 all the various productions common 
 to this section of the state, and there 
 are many excellent farms, under 
 good cultivation. In the S. part of 
 New Boston, there is a considerable 
 elevation, called Jo English hill, on 
 one side of which it is nearly per- 
 pendicular. Its height is 572 feet. 
 Beard's pond, and Jo English pond, 
 are the only ponds of note. New 
 Boston was granted, 1736, to inhab- 
 itants of Boston. It was incorpora- 
 ted, 1763. The first settlement 
 commenced about the year 1733. 
 The first minister was Rev. Solo- 
 mon Moor, from Ireland, who re- 
 ceived his education at Glasgow. 
 In Feb. 1767, he arrived at New 
 Boston, and was ordained Sept. 6, 
 
 1768 ; died May 28, 1803, aged 67. 
 Population, 1830, 1,680. 
 
 New Braintree, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. Ware river and 
 other streams water this town, and 
 afford it good mill privileges. The 
 soil of the town is good, particular- 
 ly for grazing : it has become cele- 
 brated for its good farmers, and for 
 its excellent beef cattle, butter and 
 cheese. There is a cotton mill in 
 the town, and manufactures of 
 leather, palm-leaf hats, &,c. It lies 
 60 miles W. fromjBoston, and 18 W. 
 N. W. from Worcester. Incorpo- 
 rated, 1751. Population, 1837, 780. 
 
 Newburgh, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This is a good 
 township of land, 54 miles N. E. 
 from Augusta, and 14 S. W. from 
 Bangor. Incorporated, 1819. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 626; 1837,867. Wa- 
 tered by a branch of the Sowadabs- 
 cook. Wheat crop, 1837, 5,041 
 bushels. 
 
 Xe wl>ury , N. II. 
 
 Merrimack co. This town was 
 originally called Dantzick ; it was 
 incorporated by the name of Fish- 
 ersfield, in 1778, and took its pres- 
 ent name, in 1837. It lies 40 miles 
 N. W. by W. from Amherst, and 
 30 W. by N. from Concord. The 
 S. part of Sunapee lake lies in the 
 N. W. part. Todd pond, 500 rods 
 in length, and 60 in width, affords a 
 small branch to Warner river. 
 From Chalk pond issues a small 
 stream communicating with Suna- 
 pee lake. The land is generally 
 mountainous, and the soil hard and 
 rocky. The first settlement in this 
 town was made in the year 1762, 
 by Zephaniah Clark, Esq. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 798. 
 
 Xewbtiry, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. This is a beautiful 
 town on the W. side of Connecti- 
 cut river, and supplied with mill 
 privileges by Wells river, and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Hariman'sand Hill's brooks. These 
 brooks have their sources in ponds 
 of considerable size. Newbury 
 comprises the tract commonly call- 
 ed the Great Oxbow, on a bend in 
 Connecticut river. This tract is of 
 great extent, and celebrated for its 
 luxuriance and beauty. The agri- 
 cultural productions of the town are 
 very valuable, consisting of beef 
 cattle, wool, and all the varieties of 
 the dairy. The town contains a 
 number of mineral springs, of some 
 celebrity in scrofulous and cutane- 
 ous complaints. 
 
 The villages of JVewbury and 
 Wells River are very pleasant : 
 they command a flourishing trade, 
 and contain manufacturing estab- 
 lishments of various kinds. Some 
 of the buildings are very handsome. 
 The scenery of the windings of the 
 river through this fine tract of al- 
 luvial meadow, contrasted with the 
 abrupt acclivities in the north part 
 of the town, is very striking and 
 beautiful. 
 
 The town is connected with Ha- 
 verhill, N. H., by two bridges. It 
 lies 27 miles S. E. from Montpelier, 
 and 20 N. E. from Chelsea. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 2,252. First settled, 
 1764. The first settlers endured 
 many hardships. For some years 
 they had to go to Charlestown to 
 mill, 60 miles distant, carrying their 
 grain in canoes down the river, or 
 drawing it on the ice. 
 
 General BAILEY, a patriot of the 
 revolution, distinguished himself in 
 the settlement of the town. 
 
 The state legislature held their 
 sessions in Newbury, in the years 
 1787, and 1801. 
 
 Newbury, Magg. 
 
 Essex co. This ancient and re- 
 spectable town, lies on Merrimack 
 river, opposite to Salisbury. It for- 
 merly comprised the territory of 
 Newburyport and West Newbury. 
 The soil is of an excellent quality, 
 and in a high state of cultivation. 
 Parker and Artichoke rivers are 
 
 pleasant streams ; the former falls 
 nearly 50 feet in the town, and af- 
 fords it good mill seats. A part of 
 Plum island, is attached to this town. 
 This island, about nine miles in 
 length and one in breadth, extend- 
 ing from Ipswich river to the mouth 
 of the Merrimack, is comprised of 
 sandy beach and salt meadow ; and 
 is noted for the beach plum, which 
 ripens in September. 
 
 A curious cavern, called the 
 " Devil's Den," contains specimens v 
 of asbestos, limestone, marble, ser- 
 pentine and amianthos. The scene- ' 
 ry on the high grounds is rich, va- 
 riegated and beautiful. 
 
 Dummer academy, founded in 
 1756, is a flourishing institution: it 
 is situated in the parish of " By- 
 field." 
 
 The manufactures of Newbury 
 consist of cotton goods, leather, 
 boots, shoes, carriages, cordage, 
 fishing nets, bed cords and cotton 
 lines : annual value about $75,000. 
 A large number of vessels are built 
 in the town, and some navigation 
 is owned and employed in the coast- 
 ing trade and fishery. 
 
 This town is celebrated as the 
 birth place of many distinguished 
 men. THEOPHILUS PARSONS, 
 LL. D., an eminent jurist, was born 
 in Newbury, February 24, 1750. 
 He died in Boston, October 6, 1813. 
 
 Newbury was first settled, in 
 1635. Its Indian name was Quqf- 
 cacunquen. It lies 31 miles N. by 
 E. from Boston, 17 N. from Salem, 
 and 3 S. from Newburyport. Pop 
 ulation, 1837, 3,771. 
 
 Newburyport, Mass. 
 
 One of the shire towns of Essex 
 county. Thisis considered one of the 
 most beautiful towns in New Eng- 
 land. It lies on a gentle acclivity, 
 on the south bank of the Merri- 
 mack, at the union of that river 
 with the ocean. In point of terri- 
 tory, it is the smallest town in the 
 commonwealth, being only one mile 
 square. It was taken from New-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 bury in 1764. Population, in 1837, 
 6,741. This place has been and 
 now is considerably noted for its 
 commerce and ship building. Some 
 of the old continental frigates were 
 built here ; and in 1790, the ton- 
 nage of the port was 11,870 tons. 
 Of late years the foreign commerce 
 of the place has diminished, in con- 
 sequence of a sand bar at the mouth 
 of the harbor. This place has con- 
 siderable inland and foreign com- 
 merce. It has four whale ships, 
 and a large amount of tonnage en- 
 gaged in the freighting business 
 and the cod and mackerel fisheries. 
 Tonnage of the district, in 1837, 
 22,078 tons. 
 
 The manufactures of Newbury- 
 port consist of cotton goods, boots, 
 shoes, hats, bar iron, iron castings, 
 chairs, cabinet and tin wares, combs, 
 spirits, vessels, snuff, segars, or- 
 gans, soap and candles: annual 
 amount about $350,000. The pro- 
 duct of the whale fishery, the year 
 ending April 1, 1837, was $142,982. 
 During the same period, this town 
 and Newbury had 128 vessels em- 
 ployed in the cod and mackerel 
 fishery, employing 1,000 hands: 
 product that year, $177,700. 
 
 Newburyport lies 34 miles N. by 
 E. from Boston, 20 N. from Salem, 
 24 S. by W. from Portsmouth, N. 
 H., and 2 miles S. E. from Essex 
 bridge. Lat. 42 47' N. ; Ion. 70 
 47' W. From the mouth of this 
 harbor, Plum Island, extends to the 
 mouth of Ipswich river. 
 
 The Hon. WILLIAM BARTLETT 
 and MOSES BROWN, ESQ., distin- 
 guished for their enterprise and in- 
 tegrity as merchants, were natives 
 of this town. 
 
 The celebrated GEORGE WHITE- 
 FIELD, one of the founders of the 
 sect of the Methodists, and one of 
 its most eloquent preachers, died in 
 this town, Sept. 21, 1770. 
 
 A handsome monument has been 
 erected to his memory, by the Hon. 
 WILLIAM BARTLETT, the fol- 
 lowing is a part of the inscription : 
 
 This Cenotaph 
 Is erected, with affectionate 
 
 veneration, to 
 
 The memory of the 
 
 Rev. GEORGE WHITEFIELD : 
 
 Born at Gloucester, England, 
 
 December 16, 1714. 
 Educated at Oxford University j 
 
 Ordained 1736. 
 
 In a ministry of thirty-four years, 
 He crossed the Atlantic thirteen times, 
 
 And preached more 
 Than eighteen thousand sermons. 
 
 As a Soldier of the 
 Cross, humble, devout, ardent, 
 
 He put on the 
 Whole armor of God ; Preferring 
 
 The honour of Christ 
 
 To his own interest, repose, 
 
 Reputation, and life. 
 
 New Canaan, Ct. 
 
 Fairfield co. This town was tak- 
 en from Norwalk and Stamford in 
 1801. It lies 5 miles N. W. from 
 Norwalk, 37 W. S. W. from New 
 Haven, and 50 N. E. from New 
 York. Population, 1830, 1,826. 
 The surface of the town is rough 
 and mountainous; the soil is a hard, 
 gravelly loam, but generally pro- 
 ductive. The manufacture of shoes 
 is carried on to a considerable ex- 
 tent: the annual value is about 
 $400,000. 
 
 An academy was established here 
 in 1815, and has acquired a high 
 reputation. It stands on an eleva- 
 ted and commanding situation, hav- 
 ing a fine prospect of Long Island 
 Sound and the intervening country. 
 Pestles and other Indian implements 
 have been found at the north part of 
 the town, which probably was the 
 resort of the natives. Excavations 
 in solid rock, one large enough to 
 contain eight gallons, are found : 
 these were doubtless Indian mor- 
 tars. 
 
 New Castle, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. New Castle lies on the 
 W. side of Damariscotta river, about 
 15 miles from its mouth. It is 
 36 miles S. E. from Augusta, and 
 8 N. E. from Wiscasset. Incorpo-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 rated, 1753. Population, in 183T, 
 1 ,545. This is a pleasant town, and 
 flourishing in its trade and naviga- 
 tion. 
 
 Xew Castle, BT. II., 
 
 Rockingham co., is a rough and 
 rocky island, situated in Portsmouth 
 harbor, and formerly called Great 
 Island. A handsome bridge, built 
 in 1821, connects this town with 
 Portsmouth. Here is an ancient 
 church. Rev. Samuel Moody 
 preached here previous to the com- 
 mencement of the 18th century. 
 New Castle was incorporated in 
 1693, and contains 458 acres. This 
 island was the seat of business, 
 when ancient Strawberry Bank 
 was the mere germ of the town of 
 Portsmouth. Fishing is here pur- 
 sued with success ; and the soil 
 among the rocks, being of good 
 .quality, is made to produce abund- 
 antly. Fort Constitution and the 
 light-house stand on this island. 
 Population, 1830, 850. 
 
 New Fuirfield, Ct. 
 
 Fairfieldco. This is a small town- 
 ship, rough and hilly, with a hard 
 and gravelly soil. It lies 64 miles 
 S. W. from Hartford, and 7 N. from 
 Danbury. Incorporated, in 1740. 
 Population, 1830, 940. 
 
 JVew Durham, N. H. 
 
 Strafford co. The surface of this 
 town is very uneven, a portion so 
 rocky as to be unfit for cultivation. 
 The soil is generally moist, and 
 well adapted to grazing. There 
 are 5 ponds in New Durham, the 
 largest of which is Merrymeeting 
 pond, about 10 miles in circumfer- 
 ence, from which a copious and 
 perpetual stream runs into Merry- 
 meeting bay, in Alton. Ela's river 
 flows from Coldrain pond into Farm- 
 Ington, on which is a fine waterfall. 
 The Cocheco also has its source 
 here. Mount Betty, Cropple-crown 
 and Straw's mountains are the prin- 
 cipal eminences. On the N. E. side 
 
 of the latter is a remarkable cave, 
 the entrance of which is about 8 
 feet wide and 10 feet high. The 
 outer room is 20 feet square ; the 
 inner apartments become smaller, 
 until at the distance of 50 feet they 
 are too small to be investigated. 
 The sides, both of the galleries and 
 the rooms are solid granite. They 
 bear marks of having been once 
 united, and were probably separat- 
 ed by some great convulsion of 
 nature. 
 
 There is a fountain, over which a 
 part of Ela's river passes, which is 
 regarded as a curiosity. By sinking 
 a small mouthed vessel into this 
 fountain, water may be procured 
 extremely cold and pure. Its depth 
 has not been ascertained. Near the 
 centre of the town is Rattlesnake 
 hill, the S. side of which is almost 
 100 feet high, and nearly perpen- 
 dicular. Several other hills in this 
 town contain precipices and cavi- 
 ties, some of considerable extent. 
 New Durham was granted in 1749. 
 It was incorporated Dec. 7, 1762. 
 Elder BENJAMIN RANDALL, the 
 founder of the sect of Freewill 
 Baptists, commenced his labors here 
 in 1780, and organized a church. 
 He died in 1808, aged 60.' 
 
 New Durham lies 30 miles N. E. 
 from Concord, and 32 N. W. by N. 
 from Dover. Population, in 1830, 
 1,162. 
 
 Wevrfane, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. County town. 
 Newfane lies about 100 miles S. 
 from Montpelier, and 12 N. W. 
 from Brattleborough. First settled, 
 1766. The town is watered by a 
 branch of West river, and several 
 other streams. The surface of the 
 town is diversified by hills and val- 
 leys; the soil is good, and produces 
 white oak and walnut in abundance. 
 There is but little waste land in the 
 town : the uplands are inferior to 
 none for grazing, and the intervales 
 afford excellent tillage. Newfane 
 exhibits a great variety of minerals,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 among which are some of value. 
 Perhaps no town in the state pre- 
 sents a more inviting field for the 
 mineralogist than this. 
 
 There are two pleasant villages 
 in the town. The centre village 
 contains the county buildings : it is 
 on elevated land, and commands a 
 very extensive and delightful pros- 
 pect. Population, 1830, 1,441. 
 
 Xc wfouiul Pond and River,N.H. 
 
 See Bristol. 
 
 Newfield, Me. 
 
 York co. This town is watered 
 by Little Ossipee river, and lies 99 
 miles S. W. by W. from Augusta, 
 and 15 N. W. from Alfred. It is 
 a good farming town and produces 
 considerable wheat and wool. It 
 was incorporated in 1794. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 1,322 
 
 New Gloucester, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. This is a pleasant 
 and flourishing farming town, 23 
 miles N. from Portland, and 38 S. 
 W. from Augusta. Incorporated, 
 1774. Population, 1837, 1,861. It 
 is well watered by Royal's river, 
 on which are mills of various kinds. 
 The soil of the town is very fertile, 
 containing large tracts of intervale. 
 The first settlers were compelled 
 to build a block house for their pro- 
 tection against the Indians. In this 
 building the people attended pub- 
 lic worship for a number of years. 
 This town has an abundant water 
 power, a school fund of $4,000, and 
 a society of about 300 of those neat 
 and industrious people, " whose 
 faith is one and whose practice is 
 one." See Canterbury, N. H.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 NEW HAMPSHIRE. 
 
 This state is bounded north by Lower Canada, east by Maine, south- 
 east by the Atlantic and the State of Massachusetts, south by Massa- 
 chusetts, and west and north-west by Vermont. Situated between 42 
 40' and 45 16' N. lat., and 72 27' and 70 35' W. Ion. Its length is 
 168, and its greatest breadth about 90 miles, and it comprises an area of 
 about 9,280 square miles. 
 
 The first discovery of New Hampshire was in 1614, and the first set- 
 tlements made by Europeans were at Dover and Portsmouth, in 1623; 
 only three years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. The 
 next settlements were at Exeter and Hampton, in 1638. The inhabit- 
 ants of these and all the early settlements, until after the cession of Can- 
 ada to England by France, were greatly annoyed by the Indians, who 
 existed in large and powerful bodies in this then wilderness. In the re- 
 peated and general wars with the Indians, New Hampshire suffered more 
 than any other of the colonies. This colony was twice united with that 
 of Massachusetts, and the final separation did not take place until 1741, 
 when the boundaries of the two colonies were settled. In the revolu- 
 tionary contest, New Hampshire bore a distinguished and honorable part. 
 The blood of her sons was freely shed on most of the battle fields of the 
 revolution. As early as June 15, 1776, New Hampshire made a public.. 
 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, and in December of that year, the 
 delegates of the people adopted a temporary form of Government, which 
 was continued until 1784, when the first constitution was adopted. This 
 
 24
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 being found deficient in some of its provisions, a new constitution was 
 adopted in 1792, which is now in force. 
 
 The executive power is vested in a Governor and five Counsellors, chos- 
 en annually by the people. The legislature consists of the Senate, com- 
 prising twelve members, chosen in twelve districts, and the House of 
 Representatives, chosen annually in the month of March, every town 
 having 150 rateable polls being entitled to send one, and an additional 
 representative for every 300 additional polls. The legislature assembles 
 annually at Concord, on the first Wednesday of June. 
 
 All male citizens, of 21 years and upwards, except paupers and per- 
 sons excused from taxes, have a right to vote for state officers a resi- 
 dence of at least three months within the town being required to entitle 
 the person to vote. 
 
 The judiciary power is vested in a Superior Court of Judicature, and 
 Courts of Common Pleas. The four Judges of the Superior Court, hold 
 law terms once a year in each of the counties; and Judges of the Supe- 
 rior Court are ex officio Presiding Judges in the courts of Common Pleas, 
 holden semi-annually in each county, by one of the Superior Judges 
 with the two Associate Justices of the Common Pleas for each county. 
 The Judges hold their offices during good behavior, until 70 years of age ; 
 but are subject to removal by impeachment, or by address of the two 
 houses of the legislature. 
 
 Succession of Governors. 
 
 Meshech Weare,* 1776 1784. John Langdon, 1785. John Sullivan, 
 1786, 1787. John Langdon, 1788. John Sullivan, 1789. Josiah Bart- 
 lett, 17901793. John Taylor Oilman, 17941804. John Langdon, 
 1805 1808. Jeremiah Smith, 1809. John Langdon, 1810, 1811. Wil- 
 liam Plumer, 1812. John Taylor Gilman, 1813 1815. William Plumer, 
 18161818. Samuel Bell, 18191822. Levi Woodbury, 1823. 
 David Lawrence Morril, 1824 1826. Benjamin Pierce, 1827. John 
 Bell, 1828. Benjamin Pierce, 1829. Matthew Harvey, 1830. Samuel 
 Dinsmoor, 18311833. William Badger, 1834, 1835. Isaac Hill, 1836 
 1838. John Page, 1839 
 
 Succession of Chief Justices of the Superior Court. 
 
 Meshech Weare, 17761781. Samuel Livermore, 17821789. Jo- 
 iah Bartlett, 1790. John Pickering, 17911794. Simeon Olcott, 1795 
 1801. Jeremiah Smith, 1802 1808. Arthur Livermore, 1809 1812. 
 
 ,r h ' ef r^fl stra u tes T re st * vled p r<*ident, u^til the adoption of the 
 ution of 1792, when the title of Governor was substituted.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Jeremiah Smith, 18131815. William Merchant Richardson, 1816 
 1837. Joel Parker, 1838 
 New Hampshire is divided into eight counties, as follows : 
 
 Counties. 
 
 No.qf 
 towns. 
 
 Population 
 in 1830. 
 
 Shire Towns. 
 
 Rockingham, 
 
 35 
 
 44,552 
 
 Portsmouth, Exeter. 
 
 Strafford, 
 
 33 
 
 58,916 
 
 Dover, Gilford, Rochester. 
 
 Merrimack, 
 
 24 
 
 34,619 
 
 Concord. 
 
 Hillsborough, 
 
 30 
 
 37,762 
 
 Amherst. 
 
 Cheshire, 
 
 23 
 
 27,016 
 
 Keene. 
 
 Sullivan, 
 
 15 
 
 19,687 
 
 Newport. 
 
 Grafton, 
 
 37 
 
 38,691 
 
 Haverhill, Plymouth. 
 
 Coos, 
 
 27 
 
 8,390 
 
 Lancaster. 
 
 
 224 
 
 269,633 
 
 
 New Hampshire is more mountainous than any of her sister states, yet 
 she hoasts of large quantities of luxuriant intervale. Her high lands 
 produce food for cattle of peculiar sweetness ; and no where can he found 
 the necessaries, conveniences, and luxuries of life, united, in greater 
 abundance : cattle and wool are its principal staples. This state may be 
 said to be the mother of New England rivers. The Connecticut, Me>- 
 rimack, Saco, Androscoggin and Pise ataqua, receive most of their waters 
 from the high lands of New Hampshire : while the former washes the 
 western boundary of the state 168 miles, the Merrimack pierces its cen- 
 tre, and the Piscataqua forms the beautiful harbor of Portsmouth, a depot 
 of the American navy. 
 
 These majestic rivers, with their tributary streams afford this state an 
 immense water power, of which manufacturers, with large capitals, avail 
 themselves. 
 
 The largest collection of water in the state is Lake Winnepisiogee, 
 (pronounced Win-ne-pe-sok'-e.) It is one of the most varied and beau- 
 tiful sheets of water on the American continent. Lakes Connecticut, 
 Ossipee, Umbagog, Squam, Sunapee, and Massabesick, are large collec- 
 tions of water, and abound with fish and fowl. 
 
 New Hampshire is frequently called the Granite State, from the vast 
 quantities of that rock found within its territory. The granite is of a su- 
 perior quality, and much of it is quarried and transported to other states. 
 The geological structure of the state is highly interesting. Iron and cop- 
 per ore and plumbago, of excellent qualities, are found ; and coal and 
 other valuable minerals are supposed to exist. 
 
 This state is also called the Switzerland of America, on account of 
 the salubrity of its climate ; its wild and picturesque landscapes ; its 
 lakes and rapid streams. The celebrated White Mountains, in the north-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ern part of the state, are of great elevation, and afford the grandest dis- 
 play of mountain scenery in our country. See Winnepisiogee Lake, and 
 White Mountains also Register. 
 
 New Hampton, N. II., 
 
 Strafford co., lies 30 miles N. 
 by W. from Concord, and about 20 
 N. W. from Gilmanton. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 1,904. Pemigewasset 
 river, winch washes the W. bound- 
 ary, is the only stream of magni- 
 tude; and over it is thrown the 
 bridge which unites the town with 
 Bristol. 
 
 There is a remarkable spring on 
 the W. side of Kelly's hill in tiis 
 town, from which issues a stream 
 sufficient to supply several mills. 
 This stream is never affected by 
 rains or droughts, and falls into the 
 river after running about a mile. 
 Pemigewasset pond lies on the bor- 
 der of Meredith. There are 4 other 
 ponds in this town. The soil of 
 New Hampton, though the surface 
 is broken and uneven, is remarka- 
 bly fertile, producing in abundance 
 most kinds of grain and grass. The 
 industry of the inhabitants has en- 
 abled them in years of scarcity to 
 supply the wants of other towns. 
 In the S. part of the town there is 
 a high hill of a conical form which 
 may be seen in almost any direc- 
 tion from 10 to 50 miles ; the pros- 
 pect from the summit of which is 
 very pleasant. 
 
 In 1763, Gen. Jonathan Moulton, 
 of Hampton, having an ox weigh- 
 ing 1,400 pounds, fattened for the 
 purpose, hoisted a flag upon his 
 horns and drove him to Portsmouth 
 as a present to Gov. Wentworth. 
 He refused to receive any compen- 
 sation for the ox, but requested 
 nnd received a charter of a small 
 gore of land of 19,422 acres. This 
 imall gore received the name of 
 Jew Hampton, in honor of his 
 
 native town, in the year 1777. 
 The Academical and Theologi- 
 cal Institution, in this town, is fine- 
 ly located and in a very prosperous 
 condition. The average number of 
 male and female scholars is about 
 375. This is one of the best semi- 
 naries of learning in our country. 
 See Register. 
 
 New Hartford, ft. 
 
 Litchfield co. This town was first 
 settled in 1733. It lies 20 miles N. 
 W. from Hartford, and 11 N. E. 
 from Litchfield. Population, 1830, 
 1,766. The surface of the town is 
 hilly and mountainous. The lands 
 are best adapted for grazing. It is 
 watered by Farmington river and 
 other streams, on which are several 
 mills. 
 
 In the eastern part of this town 
 there is a rough and mountainous 
 district, formerly designated Sa- 
 tan's Kingdom; and the few in- 
 habitants who lived here were in a 
 measure shutout from the rest of 
 mankind. An inhabitant of the 
 town invited one of his neighbors, 
 who lived within the limits of this 
 district, to go and hear Mr. Marsh, 
 the first minister who was settled in 
 the town. He was prevailed upon 
 to go to church in the forenoon. In 
 the course of his prayer, Mr. Marsh, 
 among other things, prayed that Sa- 
 tan's kingdom might be destroyed. 
 It appears that the inhabitant of 
 this district took the expression in 
 a literal and tangible sense, having 
 probably never heard the expres- 
 sion used but in reference to the 
 district wherein he resided. Being 
 asked to go to meeting in the after- 
 noon, he refused, stating that Mr. 
 Marsh had insulted him ; ' for blast
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 him,' said he, "when he prayed 
 for the destruction of Satan's king- 
 dom, he very well knew all my in- 
 terests lay there." 
 
 New Haven, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. The soil of this town 
 is various, consisting of marl, clay 
 and loam, and is generally produc- 
 tive. The waters of Otter creek, 
 Middlebury river, and Little Otter 
 creek give the town a good water 
 power. There are some manufac- 
 tures in the town, but agriculture 
 is the chief pursuit of the inhabi- 
 tants. New Haven lies 30 miles 
 W. S. W. from Montpelier, and 7 
 N. W. from Middlebury. First set- 
 tled, 1769. Population, 1830, 1,834. 
 
 New Haven County, Ct. 
 
 Chief town, New Haven. New 
 Haven county is bounded N. by 
 Litchfield and Hartford counties, 
 E. by Middlesex county, S. by 
 Long Island Sound, and West by 
 Litchfield county and the Housa- 
 tonic river, which separates it from 
 Fairfield county. Its average length 
 from east to west is about 26 miles, 
 and its width from north to south 21 
 miles; containing 540 square miles, 
 or 345,600 acres. This county, ly- 
 ing on Long Island Sound, has a ve- 
 ry extensive maritime border, but 
 its foreign trade is chiefly confined 
 to New Haven harbor. Its fishe- 
 ries of oysters and clams, and other 
 fish, are valuable. It is intersect- 
 ed by several streams, none of them 
 of very large size, but of some val- 
 ue for their water power and fish. 
 Of these the principal are the Pom- 
 peraug and Naugatuc, on the west; 
 Quinnipiac, Menunkatuc, West and 
 Mill rivers, on the east. The Quin- 
 nipiac is the largest, and passes 
 through extensive meadows. The 
 county is intersected centrally by 
 the New Haven and Northampton 
 canal, which passes through this 
 county from north to south. There 
 is a great variety of soil in this 
 county, as well as of native vege- 
 
 24* 
 
 table and mineral productions. The 
 range of secondary country which 
 extends along Connecticut river as 
 far as Middletown, there leaves 
 that stream, crosses into this county, 
 and terminates at New Haven. 
 This intersection of the primitive 
 formation, by a secondary ridge, af- 
 fords a great variety of minerals, 
 and materials for different soils. 
 
 The population of this county in 
 1820, was 39,616 ; 1830, 43,847 : 
 81 inhabitants to a square mile. 
 The manufacturing business is quite 
 extensive in the county, and ia 
 1837 it contained 23,895 sheep. 
 
 New Haven, Ct. 
 
 New Haven, city and town, the 
 chief town of New Haven county, 
 and the semi-capital of the state of 
 Connecticut, is 76 miles N. E. from 
 New York, and 300 from Washing- 
 ton city, in latitude (Yale College 
 Observatory) 41 18' 30" N., and 
 W. longitude 72 55'. It is situa- 
 ted on a large and pleasant plain, 
 around the head of a bay which 
 sets up four miles from Long Isl- 
 and Sound. This plain is nearly 
 level, and is partially enclosed by an 
 amphitheatre of lofty hills, and by 
 two bold eminences called East and 
 West rocks, which vary in height 
 from 330 to 370 feet. These rocks, 
 which consist of trap, terminate in 
 naked precipitous fronts, and are 
 conspicuous and beautiful objects 
 in the landscape. On the west, the 
 plain is limited by a small stream 
 called West river, and on the east 
 by the Quinnipiack, which is navi- 
 gable for several miles. Another 
 stream, called Mill river, passes 
 through the eastern part of the city 
 and enters the harbor in union with, 
 the Quinnipiack. 
 
 New Haven was planted in April, 
 1638, by a company from London, 
 under the direction of Theophilus 
 Eaton and John Davenport. These 
 two men, in the language of Ma- 
 ther, were " the Moses and Aaron" 
 of this new settlement ; and what-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ever there was of good or evil, of 
 wisdom or folly, in laying the foun- 
 dations of civilized society in this 
 part of New England, must be as- 
 cribed in a great measure to them. 
 Though the government which 
 was established was extremely pop- 
 ular in its form, these men with- 
 out doubt were looked up to for 
 devising and executing the most 
 important measures. Their " com- 
 pany," as it was called, appear to 
 have had entire confidence in their 
 sound judgment, ability and integ- 
 rity ; and they did notning to for- 
 feit the good opinion of their fol- 
 lowers. Their influence in all the 
 concerns of the colony, especially 
 in what respected the form of gov- 
 ernment, the means of education, 
 and the institutions of religion, 
 must have been constant and com- 
 manding. 
 
 In 1784, New Haven was incor- 
 porated as a city, the limits of which 
 on the northwest fall within those 
 of the town, so that Westville, a 
 settlement on the foot of West Rock, 
 is excluded from the former. About 
 one half of the village of Fair Ha- 
 ven, in the eastern portion of the 
 town, lies within the bounds of the 
 city. The area of the town is about 
 eight, and that of the city about six 
 square miles. The harbor is well 
 protected and spacious, but the wa- 
 ter is shallow. A wharf extends 
 into the harbor about three quar- 
 ters of a mile. 
 
 The original town is a square, 
 half a mile on each side, and subdi- 
 vided by streets four rods in width, 
 into nine squares, the central one 
 of which is reserved for public uses. 
 Most of the squares are further di- 
 vided by inteni.:diate streets. Al 
 the present day, this original plot 
 comprises less than half of the in- 
 habited part of the city. Streets 
 and avenues have been opened on 
 every side, and many of them have 
 become thickly settled. The streets 
 we in general, spacious and regu- 
 
 lar; very many of them adorned 
 with lofty elms, which in the sum- 
 mer season contribute much to the 
 jeauty and comfort of the place. 
 The number of shade trees through- 
 out the city is uncommonly large, 
 and they constitute one of its most 
 attractive features. Most of the 
 dwelling houses are distinguished 
 for simplicity and neatness. With- 
 in a few years the style of build- 
 ng has greatly improved, and many 
 private houses have been erected 
 and are now going up, which dis- 
 play much elegance and architectu- 
 ral taste. The houses are com- 
 monly detached, and supplied with 
 court yards and gardens ornament- 
 ed with trees and shrubbery, and 
 the eye is thus gratified with a de- 
 lightful union of the country and 
 the city. 
 
 There are two principal public 
 squares. The first, commonly call- 
 ed the Green, is in the centre of 
 the original town, and comprises 
 in all a little more than sixteen 
 acres. It is divided into two sec- 
 tions by Temple street, which Is 
 lined with ranges of stately and 
 over-arching elms, and is considered 
 one of the finest streets in the city. 
 The eastern section of the Green is 
 entirely free from buildings. On 
 the western section, facing the S.E., 
 stand 3 churches, two Congregation- 
 al, built of brick, and one Episco- 
 pal, of stone : all of these build- 
 ings are of excellent appearance. 
 In the rear of the centre church 
 stands the state house. These four 
 buildings, taken in connexion with 
 the line of college edifices on the 
 next square beyond, and with the 
 surrounding scenery, constitute a 
 group not often equalled in this 
 country. The state house is a 
 structure of great size and admira- 
 ble proportions. The porticos are 
 modelled from those of the temple 
 of Theseus, at Athens, and the 
 building, viewed at a short distance, 
 has an air of uncommon beauty
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 and majesty. On the northern 
 corner of this section stands the 
 methodist church. 
 
 Wooster Square, which lies in 
 the eastern part of the city, com- 
 prises five acres, and has recent- 
 ly been planted with a large num- 
 ber of native ornamental trees of 
 various kinds. 
 
 The Public Cemetery is situated 
 opposite the northern angle of the 
 original town plot, and encloses 
 seventeen acres and two thirds. It 
 is divided by avenues and alleys 
 into family lots, 32 feet in length 
 and 18 in breadth. There is a grave 
 and silent grandeur in this place ; 
 hut it would appear more beautiful 
 were it shaded by native trees in- 
 stead of Lombardy poplars. 
 
 The State Hospital is located at 
 New Haven. It is a large and 
 commodious building of stone, very 
 favorably situated on elevated 
 ground, in the western part of the 
 city. 
 
 One daily and four weekly news- 
 papers, and one religious weekly 
 sheet, are published here. The 
 Daily Herald was the earliest daily 
 paper issued in this state, it having 
 been commenced here November 
 26, 1832. The other periodical 
 publications of the place, are the 
 Yale Literary Magazine, edited 
 by the students of Yale College ; 
 the Quarterly Christian Spectator, 
 a work of established reputation, 
 which, began as a monthly in 1819, 
 and after ten volumes of that series 
 had been completed, adopted its 
 present form, in which it has reach- 
 ed its tenth volume ; and the 
 American Journal of Science and 
 Arts, edited by Professor Silliman. 
 This important periodical was com- 
 menced in 1819, and has arrived at 
 the 35th volume, having outlived 
 many of its early European con- 
 temporaries. It is a work which has 
 done much for the advancement of 
 science, and reflects great honor on 
 the nation and city of its birth, as 
 well as on its distinguished editor. 
 
 The population of the town, in- 
 cluding the city, was in 1820, 
 8,326; in 1830, 10,678; in Decem- 
 ber, 1833, 12,199, of whom 11,567 
 were within the city. The num- 
 ber of inhabitants in 1837, was esti- 
 mated at 14,000. 
 
 As a seat of education, New 
 Haven is justly celebrated. At a 
 moderate estimate, one thousand 
 persons from abroad are constantly 
 here for the purposes of receiving 
 instruction. 
 
 Yale College is one of the most 
 ancient and celebrated institutions 
 of learning in the country, and num- 
 bers among her academical gradu- 
 ates, 4,824 persons. 
 
 The Mineral Collection, well 
 known as the most extensive in the 
 cou-ntry, occupies a spacious and 
 well lighted apartment. 
 
 The Telescope belonging to the 
 college was made by Dolland, and 
 presented by Mr. Sheldon Clark, 
 of Oxford. It is an achromatic of 
 five inches aperture and ten feet 
 focal length, and is considered an 
 instrument of great excellence. 
 See Register. 
 
 Besides the College libraries, there 
 are in the city several libraries of 
 considerable extent and importance. 
 Among them, that belonging to Mr. 
 Ithiel Town deserves to be particu- 
 larized. This is a large and precious 
 collection of books, principally on 
 architecture and the other fine arts, 
 together with many volumes of 
 great antiquity and rarity. It is 
 the most complete architectural li- 
 brary in the United States. It is 
 placed beyond the reach of fire, in 
 an elegant building on Hillhouse 
 avenue. In 1837, there were in 
 New HaVen 43 well conducted 
 academies and private schools, 
 some of which were of an elevated 
 character for females. The public 
 schools are well sustained. The 
 annual expenditure for schools is 
 about $30,000. The whole number 
 of pupils is about 2,500. 
 
 There are in New Haven several
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 institutions for the promotion of the 
 science, industry and comfort of its 
 inhabitants. 
 
 The Connecticut Academy of Arts 
 and Sciences was incorporated in 
 1799. It has published one volume 
 of Memoirs, (8 vo. 18101813, pp. 
 412 ;) but since the establishment of 
 Prof. Silliman's Journal of Science, 
 their Memoirs have appeared in that 
 work. 
 
 The American Geological So- 
 ciety was incorporated in 1819. 
 Its collection of specimens is con- 
 nected with the mineral cabinet of 
 Yale College. 
 
 The Yale Natural History So- 
 ciety has existed four years, and 
 has a considerable collection of 
 birds, shells, minerals, plants, &c. 
 Its transactions have hitherto been 
 made public through Prof. Silli- 
 man's Journal of Science. The 
 Mutual Aid Association is an insti- 
 tution of great utility. The New 
 Haven Horticultural Society and 
 the Orphan Asylum are well sup- 
 ported and highly beneficial. 
 
 The mechanics of New Haven 
 have long been distinguished for 
 their industry, intelligence and love 
 of knowledge. As early as 1807 
 they established the Mechanics' So- 
 ciety, for the promotion of the use- 
 ful arts, and the encouragement of 
 industry and merit. The society 
 is in a prosperous condition. The 
 young mechanics have, moreover, 
 established for their mutual im- 
 provement, the Young Mechanics' 
 Institute. The plan has been pro- 
 secuted with zeal and success. 
 The Institute has a cabinet of min- 
 erals ; a collection of philosophical 
 apparatus, and several hundred vol- 
 umes of books. The manufactures 
 of New Haven are numerous; 
 among which are boots, shoes, car- 
 pets, and rugs of a superior quality, 
 stoves, locks, paper, books, hats, 
 tin and cabinet wares, muskets, 
 iron castings, machinery, sashes, 
 window blinds, &c. 
 
 The manufacturing interest of 
 
 New Haven employs an extensive 
 capital, and a large number of per- 
 sons. 
 
 The foreign commerce of New 
 Haven is principally confined to 
 the West India Islands, with which 
 a considerable trade is carried on. 
 Tonnage of the district, in 1837, 
 9,559 tons. 
 
 A line of packets plies between 
 this and New York city, and an ex- 
 cellent line of steam-boats furnish- 
 es daily communication with that 
 city. 
 
 The New Haven and Northamp- 
 ton Canal connects the waters of 
 Connecticut river at the latter place, 
 with the harbor of this city. This 
 great work, having surmounted 
 many difficulties and embarrass- 
 ments, is now in a fair way to give 
 a new impulse to the business of 
 the city. A line of packet boats 
 runs daily between Northampton 
 and New Haven, and promises to 
 be well sustained. 
 
 The New Haven and Hartford 
 Rail- Road is now in the course of 
 construction, and will probably be 
 completed during the present year. 
 When finished it must prove of 
 great importance to the interests of 
 the place. 
 
 The village of Fair Haven is 
 built on both sides the Quinnipiack, 
 and about one half of it lies within 
 the limits of the city of New Ha- 
 ven. This village has grown to its 
 present importance with great rapid- 
 ity, and now carries on an exten- 
 sive and thriving business. It has 
 two churches, and a large and pros- 
 perous high school, known as the 
 Fair Haven Institute. 
 
 The village of Westville contains 
 about 700 inhabitants. Manufac- 
 tures and agriculture constitute the 
 chief business of the place. 
 
 New Haven may justly boast of 
 many distinguished men who made 
 that city their favorite residence. 
 The names of DAVID WOOSTER, 
 of NATHAN WHITING, of ROG- 
 ER SHERMAN, of JAMES HILL-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER 
 
 HOUSE, and many others, will nev- 
 er be forgotten. 
 
 How large a part of the United 
 States is indebted for its prosperity 
 to the inventive genius of ELI 
 WHITNEY, late a citizen of New 
 Haven? "The commerce, the 
 business of the world, has been es- 
 sentially modified and increased 
 through the operation of his princi- 
 pal invention, the cotton gin; and 
 the substantial convenience and en- 
 joyment of mankind have, by the 
 same means, been extended and are 
 extending, to a degree which no 
 man can calculate." 
 
 This City of Groves is a very 
 delightful place: it probably con- 
 centrates more charms than any 
 city of its age and population in the 
 wo;'ld. 
 
 BTewingttm, N. II. 
 
 Rockingham co. The soil is gen- 
 erally sandy and unproductive ; ex- 
 cepting near the waters, where it 
 yields good crops of grain and grass. 
 At Fox point, in the N. W. part of 
 the town, Piscataqua bridge is 
 thrown over the river to Goat isl- 
 and, and thence to Durham shore. 
 The bridge was erected in 1793, is 
 2,600 feet long, and 40 wide ; cost 
 $65,401. Newington was origin- 
 ally a part of Portsmouth and Dover, 
 and was early settled. It was dis- 
 annexed, and incorporated in July, 
 1764. 
 
 Newington was among the set- 
 tlements early exposed to the rava- 
 ges of the Indians. In May, 1690, 
 a party of Indians, under a saga- 
 more of the name of Hoophood, at- 
 tacked Fox point, destroyed sever- 
 al houses, killed 14 persons, and 
 took 6 prisoners. They were im- 
 mediately pursued by the inhabit- 
 ants, who recovered some of the 
 captives and a part of the plunder, 
 after a severe action, in which 
 Hoophood was wounded. 
 
 Newington is 42 miles E. S. E. 
 from Concord, and 5 W. from Ports- 
 mouth. Population, 1830, 549. 
 
 New Ipswich, ft. II. 
 
 Hillsborough co. This town is 
 50 miles S. S. W. from Concord, 70 
 W. S. W. from Portsmouth, and 50 
 N. W. by W. from Boston. The 
 town is watered by many rivulets, 
 but principally by the Souhegan 
 river, which is formed by the junc- 
 tion of two streams; the W. issu- 
 ing from a small pond on the Pas- 
 ture mountain, so called ; the S. 
 from two ponds in Ashburnham, 
 Mass., near the base of Watatick 
 hill. Over this river is a stone 
 bridge, built in 1817. It is 156 feet 
 long, 22 feet wide and 42 feet high, 
 resting on a single arch of split 
 stone ; cost $3,500. The first cot- 
 ton factory in the state was built in 
 this town, in 1803. There are now 
 4 cotton factories, and in other re- 
 spects New Ipswich has become an 
 important manufacturing town. 
 Pratt's and Hoar's ponds contain 
 about 50 acres each. Here is fine 
 pasture land, and under cultivation, 
 Indian corn, rye, oats, barley, pota- 
 toes, beans, turnips, &c., are pro- 
 duced in abundance. 
 
 The New Ipswich academy was 
 incorporated June 18, 1789. Ite 
 funds are large. 
 
 The principal village is in the 
 centre of the town, in a pleasant 
 and fertile valley. Many of the 
 dwelling-houses are of brick, and 
 are elegant in appearance. 
 
 New Ipswich was first settled 
 prior to 1749, and was incorporated 
 by charter, Sept. 9, 1762. 
 
 The first minister was the Rev. 
 Stephen Farrar, a native of Lin- 
 coln, Mass., where he was born 
 Oct. 22, 1738. He was ordained 
 Oct. 22, 1760; died June 23, 1809, 
 aged 71. 
 
 New Ipswich has produced ma- 
 ny who have become eminent as 
 patriots, merchants, and men of 
 science. Population, 1830, 1,673. 
 
 New T'imerlck, Me. 
 
 Washington co. lu 1837, this
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 town was incorporated ; it then had 
 124 inhabitants and produced 1,780 
 bushels of wheat. See " Down 
 East." 
 
 New London, ,V. II. 
 
 Merrimack co. It is 30 miles W. 
 N. W. from Concord, and 12 E. 
 from Newport. Population, 1830, 
 913. Lake Sunapee separates this 
 town from Wendell, and is the 
 principal source of Sugar river. 
 There are three considerable ponds. 
 Little Sunapee pond, 1 1-2 miles in 
 length and 3-4 of a mile in width, 
 lies in the W. part, and empties its 
 waters into lake Sunapee. Har- 
 vey's and Messer's ponds, near the 
 centre of the town, are the princi- 
 pal sources of Warner river. They 
 are about a mile in length and 3-4 
 of a mile in breadth, and are sepa- 
 rated by a bog, many parts of which 
 rise and fall with the water. Pleas- 
 ant pond, in the N. part of New 
 London, is nearly 2 miles long and 
 1 wide. The settlements of New 
 London are formed principally on 
 three large swells of land. The 
 soil is deep and generally good. 
 In the N. part are several eleva- 
 tions. In some parts the land is 
 rocky, but there is little not capable 
 of cultivation. New London was 
 incorporated in 1779. Its first name 
 was Dantzick. 
 
 The damage sustained by the in- 
 habitants of this town, by the vio- 
 lent whirlwind of Sept. 9, 1821, was 
 estimated at $9,000. A large rock 
 lying out of the ground, 100 feet 
 long, 50 wide and 20 high, was 
 rent into two pieces, and thrown 
 about 20 feet asunder. 
 
 New London County, Ct. 
 
 JVew London and Norwich are 
 the county towns. New London 
 county is bounded N. by Windham, 
 Tolland and Hartford counties, E. 
 by Windham county and the state ol 
 Rhode Island, S. by Long Island 
 Sound, and W.by the county of Mid- 
 dlesex. Its average length from E. 
 
 ;o W. averages about 26 miles, and 
 t has a medium breadth of about 20 
 miles. This county possesses supe- 
 rior maritime advantages, having an 
 xtensive border on Long Island 
 Sound,which affords numerous bays, 
 nlets and harbors. Excepting a small 
 section, principally in the town of 
 Lyme, no portion of the county can 
 be considered as mountainous, but it 
 is generally hilly and elevated, ami 
 comprises a small proportion of allu- 
 vial. The hills and elevated tracts 
 are considerably rough and stony. 
 The lands in general are not adapted 
 to grain culture, although upon the 
 intervales and other tracts Indian 
 corn is raised to advantage, and to a 
 considerable extent. The princi- 
 pal agricultural interests depend 
 very much upon grazing. The wa- 
 ters of the county are abundant and 
 valuable. On the south it is washed 
 more than thirty miles by Long Isl- 
 and -Sound, part of its western bor- 
 der by Connecticut river, and the 
 interior of the county is watered and 
 fertilized by the Thames and its 
 branches. The fishing business is 
 more extensively carried on in this 
 county than in any other section of 
 the state, and is an important branch 
 of industry. The manufacturing 
 business is carried on to consider- 
 able extent in the northern part of 
 the county, and is increasing. 
 
 In 1837, this county contained 
 41,387 sheep. Population, in 1820, 
 35,943 ; 1830, 42,201 : 81 inhabit- 
 ants to a square mile. The tonnage 
 of the district of New London, in 
 1837, was 41,626 tons. 
 
 New London, ft. 
 
 One of the shire towns of New 
 London county. The first English 
 settlement in New London com- 
 menced in 1646. It is situated on 
 the west bank of the river Thames. 
 In its territorial limits it is much 
 the smallest of any town in the 
 state, being about 4 miles in length 
 from north to south, and averages 
 about 3-4 of a mile in breadth.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The city of New London is situated 
 3 miles from Long Island Sound, 
 and is a port of entry. It is 42 
 miles southeast from Hartford, 13 
 south from Norwich, and 53 east 
 from New Haven. Population, in 
 1830, 4,356. Lon. 72 9' W., lat. 
 41 0' 25" N. The city is princi- 
 pally built on a declivity, which 
 descends to the east and south. On 
 the summit of the high ground, 
 back of the most populous part of 
 the city, the observer has a fine 
 prospect of the surrounding coun- 
 try. The city is irregularly laid out, 
 owing to the nature of the ground 
 on which it is built, being much 
 incumbered with granite rocks. 
 The houses are not so handsome in 
 their outward appearance, as might 
 be reasonably expected, considering 
 the wealth of the inhabitants. In 
 the course of a few years past, how- 
 ever, a spirit of improvement in this 
 respect has taken place, and many 
 buildings have been erected which 
 are elegant in their appearance. 
 Some of the streets have been strait- 
 ened and leveled, by blasting the 
 franite rocks with which they were 
 isfigured. These rocks afford an 
 excellent material for the construc- 
 tion of buildings, and it is believed 
 that no city in this country has the 
 advantages of New London, in this 
 particular, where the materials for 
 erecting houses can be found in 
 their streets. The harbor is one of 
 the best in the United States, being 
 large, safe, and commodious, hav- 
 ing five fathoms of water. It is 3 
 miles long, and rarely obstructed 
 with ice. During the extreme cold 
 in January, 1835, while the navi- 
 gation of the harbor of New York 
 was closed by the ice. the harbor of 
 New London remained open and 
 unobstructed. 
 
 From the excellent maritime lo- 
 cation of New London, the naviga- 
 tion, commercial and fishing busi- 
 ness, has ever been the principal 
 pursuit of the inhabitants. Their 
 fine harbor has served in a great 
 
 degree as the port of Connecticut 
 river, the impediments in which 
 frequently prevent its being naviga- 
 ble for large vessels fully laden. The 
 whale fishery and sealing business is 
 an important branch of commerce. 
 About a million of dollars is devot- 
 ed to its prosecution. In 1834, up- 
 wards of thirty ships and 900 men 
 and boys were employed in this 
 business. 
 
 The city is defended by two forts, 
 Fort Trumbull and Fort Griswold. 
 Fort Trumbull stands on the New 
 London side of the Thames, about 
 a mile below the city. It is situa- 
 ted on the rocky extremity of a pen- 
 insula extending eastward into the 
 river. This fort is a station for 
 United States soldiers. Fort Gris- 
 wold is on the E. side of the Thames, 
 on a commanding eminence oppo- 
 site the city, in the town of Gro- 
 ton. 
 
 New London has been rendered 
 conspicuous for its sufferings during 
 the revolutionary war, and the the- 
 atre of hostile operations. On the 
 6th of September, 1781, a large 
 proportion of this town was laid in 
 ashes by Benedict Arnold. The 
 following account of this transaction 
 is taken from the Connecticut Ga- 
 zette, printed at New London, Sept. 
 7, 1781. 
 
 " About daybreak on Thursday 
 morning last, 24 sail of the enemy'3 
 shipping appeared to the westward 
 of this harbor, which by many were 
 supposed to be a plundering party 
 after stock ; alarm guns were imme- 
 diately fired, but the discharge of 
 cannon in the harbor has become so 
 frequent of late, that they answer- 
 ed little or no purpose. The defence- 
 less state of the fortifications and 
 the town are obvious to our readers; 
 a few of the inhabitants, who were 
 equipped, advanced towards the 
 place where the enemy were 
 thought likely to make their land- 
 ing, and manoeuvred on the heights 
 adjacent, until the enemy about 9 
 o'clock landed in two divisions, and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 about 800 men each, one of them 
 at Brown's farm, near the light- 
 house, the other at Groton Point : 
 the division that landed near the 
 light-house marched up the road, 
 keeping up large flanking parties, 
 who were attacked in different pla- 
 ces on their march by the inhabit- 
 ants, who had spirit and resolution 
 to oppose their progress. The 
 main body of the enemy proceeded 
 to the town, and set fire to the 
 stores on the beach, and immediate- 
 ly after to the dwelling-houses lying 
 on the Mill Cove. The scattered 
 tire of our little parties, unsupported 
 by our neighbors more distant, gall- 
 ed them so that they soon began to 
 retire, setting fire promiscuously on 
 their way. The fire from the stores 
 communicated to the shipping that 
 lay at the wharves, and a number 
 were burnt ; others swung to sin- 
 gle fast, and remained unhurt. 
 
 " At 4 oclock, they began to quit 
 the town with great precipitation, 
 and were pursued by our brave cit- 
 zens with the spirit and ardor of vet- 
 erans, and driven on board their 
 boats. Five of the enemy were 
 killed, and about twenty wounded ; 
 among the latter is a Hessian cap- 
 tain, who is a prisoner, as are seven 
 others. We lost four killed and ten 
 or twelve wounded, some mortally. 
 
 " The most valuable part of the 
 town is reduced to ashes, and all 
 the stores. Fort Trumbull, not be- 
 ing tenable on the land side, was 
 evacuated as the enemy advanced, 
 and the few men in it crossed the 
 river to Fort Griswold, on Groton 
 Hill, which was soon after invested 
 by the division that landed at the 
 point. The fort having in it only 
 about 120 men, chiefly militia hast- 
 ily collected, they defended it with 
 the greatest resolution and bravery, 
 and once repulsed the enemy : but 
 the fort being out of repair, could 
 not be defended by such a handful 
 of men, though brave and deter- 
 mined, against so superior a num- 
 ber; and after having a number of 
 
 their party killed and wounded, 
 they found that further resistance 
 would be in vain, and resigned the 
 fort." See Groton, Ct. 
 
 The following is the inscription 
 on Bishop Seabury's monument : 
 
 Here lyeth the body of SAMUEL 
 SEABURY, D. D. Bishop of Connecti- 
 cut and Rhode Island, who departed 
 from this transitory scene, February 
 2oth, Anno Domini, 1796, in the 68th 
 year of his age, and the 12th of his 
 Episcopal consecration. 
 
 Ingenious without pride, learned 
 without pedantry, good without sever- 
 ity, he was duly qualified to discharge 
 the duties of the Christian and the 
 Bishop. In the pulpit he enforced Re- 
 ligion; in his conduct he exemplified 
 it. The poor he assisted with his char- 
 ity ; the ignorant he blessed with his 
 instruction. The friend of men, he 
 ever designed their good ; the enemy 
 of vice, he ever opposed it. Chris- 
 tian ! dost thou aspire to happiness ? 
 Seabury has shown the way that leads 
 to it. 
 
 "An epitaph on Captaine Richard 
 Lord, deceased May 17, 1662. 
 JDtatis svas 51. 
 
 .... Bright starre of ovr chivallrie 
 
 lies here 
 
 To the state a covnsillovr fvll deare 
 And to ye trvth a friend of sweete 
 
 content 
 
 To Hartford towne a silver ornament 
 Who can deny to poore he was releife 
 And in composing paroxyies he was 
 
 cheife 
 To marchantes as a patterne he might 
 
 stand 
 Adventring dangers new by sea and 
 
 land." 
 
 New Market, IV. H. 
 
 Rockingham co. It lies 36 miles 
 S. E. from Concord, and 12 W. by 
 S. from Portsmouth. Population, 
 1830, 2,013. 
 
 Piscassick river passes through 
 this town into Durham. The Lam- 
 prey river washes its N. E. bound- 
 ary, as does the Swamscot the S. 
 E. The^soil is good, and agricui- 
 tural piirsuits are here crow:-.;- ' 
 with much success. There are
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 several pleasant and thriving villa- 
 ges, in which are large and valua- 
 ble manufactures. 
 
 New Market was originally a 
 part of Exeter, and was detached 
 and incorporated, 1727. 
 
 Mrs. Fanny Shute, who died in 
 this town September, 1819, was re- 
 spected not only for her excellent 
 qualities, but the adventures of her 
 youth. When 13 months old, she 
 was taken by a party of Indians, 
 carried to Canada, and disposed of 
 to the French educated in a nun- 
 nery, and after remaining 13 years 
 in captivity, was redeemed and re- 
 stored to her friends. 
 
 Daniel Bracket! recently died in 
 this town. He weighed 560 Ibs. 
 
 New Marlborough, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. There is a large 
 pond in this town, and a branch of 
 Housatonick river. The surface is 
 uneven, and the soil best adapted 
 for grazing. It was incorporated in 
 1759, and lies 135 miles S. W. by 
 W. from Boston, and 20 S. by E. 
 from Lenox. Population, in 1837, 
 1,570. 
 
 There are two caverns in this 
 town, containing stalactites. The 
 manufactures consist of leather, 
 boots, shoes, chairs, cabinet ware, 
 and a variety of sawed lumber. 
 The products of the dairy are con- 
 siderable, and about 1,600 sheep are 
 pastured. 
 
 New Milford, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield co. This township is 
 hilly and broken, several mountain- 
 ous ridges extending through it. 
 The soil is much diversified, and 
 where susceptible of cultivation, it 
 is generally good ; but on the whole 
 more distinguished for grain than 
 grass. There are, however, large 
 quantities of excellent meadow 
 ground, but the pasturage is, on the 
 whole, not abundant. It is essen- 
 tially a farming town. For some 
 time after the white people come 
 here, an Indian chief, or sachem, 
 
 25 
 
 named Werauhamaug, had a pal- 
 ace standing near the Great falls, 
 where he resided. On the inner 
 walls of this palace, (which were 
 of bark with the smooth side in- 
 wards,) were pictured every known 
 species of beast, bird, fish and in- 
 sect, from the largest to the small- 
 est. This was said to have been 
 done by artists whom a friendly 
 prince at a great distance sent to 
 him for that purpose, as Hiram did 
 to Solomon. The town of New 
 Milford was purchased of the Col- 
 ony of Connecticut by a company of 
 individuals chiefly belonging to Mil- 
 ford, and was first settled in 1707. 
 The first bridge that was ever built 
 over the Housatonick river, from 
 the sea to its source was built in this 
 town in 1737. The village of New 
 Milford is very handsome ; the 
 streets are wide and well shaded. 
 It lies 36 miles JV. W. from New 
 Haven, and IS S. W. from Litch- 
 field. Population, 1830, 3,979. The 
 territory of this town is larger than 
 any other in the state : it is 13 by 6 
 1-2 miles. The town is well water- 
 ed, and has some manufactures. 
 There are large quantities of gran- 
 ite and marble, and tly; lown pro- 
 duces large quantities of grain and 
 wool for market. 
 
 Newport, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This is a fine farm- 
 ing town, and watered by a large 
 and beautiful pond which empties 
 into Sebasticook river. It lies 56 
 miles N. E. from Augusta and 24 
 W. from Bangor. Population, 1837, 
 1,088. Wheatcrop same year, 5,173 
 bushels. This town contains a pleas- 
 ant village and some mills. 
 
 Newport, N. H. 
 
 Shire town, Sullivan county. Its 
 central situation and its water pow- 
 er, together with the enterprising 
 spirit of its inhabitants, has render- 
 ed Newport a place of considerable 
 business. It is 40 miles W. by N.from 
 Concord, about 35 N. from Kccne,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 and 14 E. S. E. from Windsor, Vt. 
 Near the centre of the town, and 
 the confluence of the E. and S. 
 branches of Sugar river and the 
 Croydon turnpike, is a handsome 
 village. In general the soil is rich 
 and productive. Sugar river flows 
 through this town, and its three 
 branches unite near the village, 
 whence it passes through Claremont 
 into the Connecticut. On the east- 
 ern branch are situated, principally 
 near the village, large and valuable 
 manufacturing establishments. 
 There are other mills in different 
 parts of the town. There are a 
 few eminences, designated as Bald, 
 Coitand East mountains, and Blue- 
 berry hill. Newport was granted 
 by charter in 1761. The first ef- 
 fort towards a settlement was made 
 in the fall of 1763. The first set- 
 tlers were principally from Kill- 
 ingworth, Ct. This town is noted 
 for its good schools and its various 
 charitable societies. Population, 
 1830, 1,913. 
 
 Newport, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. This town is sepa- 
 rated from Derby by Memphrema- 
 gog lake, and is watered by a branch 
 of Missisque river. It lies 48 miles 
 N. by E. from Montpelier, and 10 
 N. from Irasburgh. Population, 
 1830, 284. 
 
 Newport County, R. I. 
 
 Newport is the chief town. This 
 county comprises seven towns and 
 a number of islands ; but the most 
 interesting section of it is the isl- 
 and of Rhode Island, from which 
 the state derives its name. This 
 island is about 15 miles in length, 
 and has a mean breadth of two miles 
 and a half. 
 
 The surface presents an interesting 
 variety of moderate eminences and 
 declivities, which render the scene- 
 ry very pleasing. Valuable mine- 
 rals are found on the island, and 
 fossil coal, difficult of ignition, is 
 found in large quantities. The 
 
 soil of the island is very rich, and 
 under the management of skilful 
 farmers is made to produce in great 
 abundance all the varieties of grains, 
 grasses, vegetables, fruits and flow- 
 ers common to its latitude. 
 
 It is remarkable that not only this 
 island, but the county generally, 
 should be so fertile. The poorest 
 lands in New England are gener- 
 ally on the sea board ; but as it re- 
 gards this county, few sections of 
 the interior present a better soil. 
 
 From the earliest settlement of 
 the country, this county has been 
 engaged in commerce and the fish- 
 ery. These interests are now in a 
 flourishing condition ;' and manu- 
 facturing establishments are in- 
 creasing, by the aid of steam pow- 
 er. In 1837 there were 37,340 
 sheep in the county. ' 
 
 Newport county is bound N. by 
 Mount Hc.pe bay, and Bristol coun- 
 ty, Mass. ; E. by said county of 
 Bristol ; S. by the Atlantic ocean, 
 and W. by Narraganset bay. Area, 
 136 square miles. Population, 1820, 
 15,771 ; 1830, 16,535. Population 
 to a square mile, 122. 
 
 Newport, R. I. 
 
 Chief town of Newport county, 
 and one of the seats of the state leg- 
 islature. It is in N. latitude 41 28' 
 20", and W. longitude 71 21' 14" : 
 5 miles from the sea, 30 miles S. 
 by E. from Providence, 70 S. S. W. 
 from Boston, and 153 from New 
 York, by water. The township lies 
 in an irregular and somewhat of a 
 semicircular form, about 6 miles in 
 length and 1 in breadth. In com- 
 ition with the whole island of Rhode 
 Island, on which Newport is situa- 
 ted, the soil is remarkably fertile 
 and under good cultivation. The 
 surface is undulating, presenting a 
 great variety of delightful scenery. 
 The waters of Narraganset bay at 
 this place are unrivalled for beauty 
 and convenience. The harbor of 
 Newport is considered one of the 
 best on the coast of America : it
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 has sufficient depth of water for the 
 largest class of vessels, is exceed- 
 ingly easy of access from the ocean, 
 and sufficiently capacious to con- 
 tain whole fleets. This harbor is 
 admirably defended by forts Wol- 
 cott, Green and Adams, and will 
 probably soon become a naval de- 
 pot. Newport was first settled by 
 William Codington and his associates 
 in 1638. The growth of the town 
 was so rapid for the first hundred 
 years, that in 1738 there were 7 
 worshipping assemblies, and 100 sail 
 of vessels belonged to the port. 
 
 Newport suffered severely dur- 
 ing the revolutionary war, and was 
 for a long time in possession of the 
 enemy. After the war it revived 
 again, but the more favorable loca- 
 tion of Providence for an interior 
 commerce, deprived it of a large 
 portion of its original business. 
 
 Newport however retains its 
 former character for foreign com- 
 merce and the fishery. A number 
 of vessels are now engaged in the 
 whaling business, and manufactur- 
 ing establishments have recently 
 been put into operation by steam 
 power, which promise success. 
 Ship and boat building and the man- 
 ufacture of cordage are carried on 
 extensively. The domestic fishe- 
 ry is to Newport an important re- 
 sourse. There is probably no place 
 in the world where a greater varie- 
 ty of fish, or of a better quality, are 
 found. About sixty different kinds, 
 comprising almost every species of 
 fin and shell fish, fit for the ta- 
 ble, are taken in great abundance 
 around the shores of Narraganset. 
 The tonnage of the district of New- 
 port, in 1837, was 11,498 tons. 
 
 The compact part of the town is 
 built on a beautiful site, facing the 
 harbor in a southeasterly direction. 
 The main street extends more than 
 a mile in length. The buildings 
 on this and other streets and on 
 Washington square are neatly built, 
 and some of them are very hand- 
 some The marks of age which 
 
 some of these buildings bear, with 
 the excellent state of preservation 
 in which they appear, give them a 
 grace not found in many of those 
 of more modern construction. 
 
 Although this ancient town has 
 passed through many vicissitudes 
 and changes of fortune, still it con- 
 tinues to advance in the number of 
 its people. Population, in 1820, 
 7,319; 1830,8,010. 
 
 Newport is celebrated for its 
 beauty and the ralubrity of its cli- 
 mate. From these circumstances, 
 and from the numerous inviting 
 objects which surround it, it has 
 become a favorite resort for visitors 
 from warmer climates ; and in no 
 place can the summer season be 
 more enjoyed than amid the charms 
 of Newport. 
 
 OLIVER HAZZARD PERRY, the 
 victor on Lake Erie, Sept. 10, 1813, 
 was born at Newport, in 1785. 
 He died in the West Indies, in 1820. 
 A monument is erected to his mem- 
 ory. 
 
 New Portland, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. This town is finely 
 watered by two branches of Seven 
 Mile brook. This is one of the 
 finest farming towns in the coun- 
 ty. It produced, in 1837, 10,451 
 bushels of wheat. Population, 
 same year, 1,476. This town has a 
 pleasant village, a number of saw 
 mills and other manufactories. It 
 lies 48 miles N. N. W. from Augus- 
 ta, and 18 N. by E. from Farming- 
 ton. Incorporated, 1808. 
 
 Newry, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. A branch of Andros- 
 coggin river waters this town, and 
 affords it good mill privileges. It 
 lies 63 miles W. from Augusta, and 
 25 N. W.. from Paris. Population, 
 1837, 412. Incorporated, 1805. 
 
 New Salem, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. This town is bound- 
 ed N. by Miller's river, and has a 
 good water power. It lies 74 miles
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 W N. W. from Boston, and 17 E. 
 S. E. from Greenfield. This is a 
 pleasant town of elevated surface, 
 and good soil for grazing. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 1,255. The manufac- 
 tures of the town, consist of palm- 
 leaf hats, boots, shoes, leather, 
 straw bonnets, and ploughs. In- 
 corporated, 1753. 
 
 Xew Sharon, Me. 
 
 Franklin, co. This town is water- 
 ed on the northwest side by Sandy 
 river, and is bourraed south by Vi- 
 enna. The soil is admirably adapt- 
 ed to agricultural purposes. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 1,771. Wheat crop, 
 same year, 8,132 bushels. It lies 
 26 miles N. W. from Augusta. In- 
 corporated, 1794. 
 
 Xc-iv Shoreliam, R. I. 
 
 Newport co. This town com- 
 prises the island of Block Island. 
 The island lies in the open sea, 
 about 14 miles S. S. W. from Judith 
 Point, and 13 N. E. from Montauk 
 Point, on Long Island, N. Y. It is 
 about 8 miles in length, and varies 
 from 2 to 4 miles in width. It has 
 several ponds, which cover about a 
 seventh part of the island. The 
 surface of the town is uneven ; in 
 some parts elevated. The soil is a 
 sandy, gravelly loam, and quite 
 productive. This island was once 
 famous for its cattle and good dai- 
 ries. The people are mostly fish- 
 ermen : they have no harbor, and 
 peat is their only fuel. Population, 
 1830, 1,185. Incorporated, 1672. 
 Its Indian name was Manisses. 
 
 Newton, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. A very beauti- 
 ful, agricultural and manufacturing 
 town, the Nonantum of the In- 
 dians, 7 miles W. by S. from Boston, 
 12 S. E. from Concord, and 7 N. 
 from Dedham. Charles river wash- 
 es the borders of this town 15 miles', 
 and, by two falls of considerable ex- 
 tent, affords it a great and valuable 
 water power. Nine bridges cross 
 
 Charles river in this town. The 
 soil is generally very good, and 
 highly cultivated. There are 2 
 cotton, 1 woolen, and 5 paper 
 mills in the town, and manufactures 
 of nails, rolled iron, candles, vit- 
 riol, barilla, chaises, harnesses, mo- 
 rocco, leather, boots, shoes, ma- 
 chinery, chairs, and cabinet ware ; 
 the value of which, the year end- 
 ing April 1, 1837, amounted to 
 $815,872. Newton was incorpo- 
 rated in 1691 ; it formerly com- 
 prised the town of Cambridge, and 
 is noted as the birth place and resi- 
 dence of many distinguished men. 
 Population, 1830, 2,377 ; 1837, 
 3,037. A Theological Seminary 
 was established in this town, in 
 1825. See Register. 
 
 Newtown, HT. H., 
 
 Rockingham co., lies 40 miles S. 
 E. from Concord, and 27 S. S. W. 
 from Portsmouth. Country pond 
 lies in Newtown and Kingston, and 
 two other small ponds connect by 
 outlets with its waters. The soil 
 produces good crops of grain or 
 grass. Joseph Bartlett first settled 
 in this town, in 1720. Bartlett was 
 taken prisoner by the Indians at 
 Haverhill, in 1708, and remained a 
 captive in Canada about 4 years. 
 Population, 1830, 510. 
 
 Xcivto-wii, Ct. 
 
 Fairfield co. This town was in- 
 corporated in 1708. It is watered 
 by Patatuck river, the Indian name 
 of the place. It lies 25 miles W. 
 N. W. from New Haven, 10 E. 
 from Danbury, and 22 N. from Fair- 
 field. Population, 1830, 3,100. 
 The surface of the town is hilly ; 
 many of the eminences are exten- 
 sive and continuous. The soil is 
 principally a gravelly loam, gener- 
 ally fertile and productive. It is 
 well adapted to the culture of grain, 
 and is also favorable for fruit, there 
 being many valuable orchards in the 
 town. The borough of Newtown 
 is beautifully situated on high
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ground ; it commands an extensive 
 prospect, and contains some hand- 
 some buildings. 
 
 The flourishing village of Sandy 
 Hook is situated about 1 1-2 miles 
 N. E. of the central part of New- 
 town, at the foot of a rocky emin- 
 ence or bluff, from the top of which 
 is a fine prospect of the surround- 
 ing country. A fine mill stream 
 (the Patatuck) runs in a northerly 
 course through the village, at the 
 base of the cliff, which rises almost 
 perpendicular to' the height of 160 
 feet. Near a cotton factory, at the 
 northern extremity of the village, 
 some traces of coal have been dis- 
 covered. The village contained, in 
 1834, 1 cotton, 1 hat, 1 comb and 
 2 woolen factories. There was also 
 1 machine shop, and 1 establish- 
 ment for working brass. 
 
 New Vineyard, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. This town is wa- 
 tered by a branch of Seven Mile 
 brook. The surface of the town is 
 uneven, but the soil, generally, is 
 productive. It produced, in 1837, 
 7,063 bushels of wheat. Popula- 
 tion, same year, 870. Incorporat- 
 ed, 1802. It lies 40 miles N. W. 
 from Augusta, and 8 N. by E. from 
 Farmington. 
 
 Noble-borough, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This town lies on 
 the east side of the upper waters 
 of Damariscotta river. It is a 
 place of considerable trade. Many 
 ships are built here, and a large 
 number of vessels are employed in 
 the coasting trade. The soil of the 
 town is generally good, and consid- 
 erable attention is paid by the in- 
 habitants to agricultural pursuits. 
 It lies 38 miles S. E. from Augusta, 
 and 11 E. from Wiscasset. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 1,999. Incor., 1788. 
 
 No-Mans- Land, Mass. 
 
 Dukes co. A ledge of rocks, 
 the most southern part of the state. 
 It lies 7 miles S. from Gay Head. 
 25* 
 
 Norfolk County, Mass. 
 
 Chief town, Dedhatn. This 
 county is bounded N. E. by Boston 
 harbor, N. by Suffolk county, W. 
 by the S. E. corner of Worcester 
 county, S. by the N. E. corner of 
 the state of Rhode Island, and S. 
 S. E. and E. by the counties of Bris- 
 tol and Plymouth. Area, about 
 400 square miles. Population, in 
 1820, 36,452; in 1830, 41,901 ; in 
 1837, 50,399. Taken from Suffolk 
 county in 1793. 
 
 This county has a maritime coast 
 on Boston harbor of about 12 miles, 
 which is indented with many small 
 bays and navigable rivers. Its sur- 
 face is uneven, and in some parts 
 hilly. Its soil is generally strong 
 and rocky. Much of the dark col- 
 ored granite, or sienite, is found 
 here. A large part of Norfolk 
 county, particularly those towns 
 near Boston, is under a high state 
 of cultivation, and affords fruits and 
 vegetables in great abundance. 
 The proximity of this county to 
 the capital gives it many facilities ; 
 and the towns in this, and in the 
 county of Middlesex, that border 
 on Boston harbor, may be called the 
 Gardens of Boston. It contains 
 22 towns, and 126 inhabitants to a 
 square mile. The Charles, Nepon- 
 set, and Manatiquot are its chief 
 rivers. 
 
 In 1837, this county contained 
 2,054 sheep. The value of the 
 manufactures in the county, the 
 year ending April 1, 1837., was 
 $6,466,010. The value of the 
 fishery, the same year, was $244,- 
 927. 
 
 Norfolk, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield co. The settlement 
 of Norfolk began in 1744. It lies 
 35 miles W. N. W. from Hartford, 
 and 17 N. from Litchfield. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 1,485. 
 
 This town is elevated and moun- 
 tainous. The soil is a primitive, 
 gravelly loam, generally cold and 
 stony, but has considerable depth,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 and affords good grazing. Former- 
 ly large quantities of sugar were 
 made from the maple : more than 
 20,000 Ibs. have been manufactured 
 in a single season ; but since the 
 land has been cleared by progres- 
 sive settlements, and in consequence 
 of the destruction of the maple 
 trees by some tornadoes, the busi- 
 ness has greatly declined. The 
 dairy business comprises the prin- 
 cipal interests of the town. A 
 stream, called Blackberry river, 
 runs near the centre of the place, 
 and a little westward of the con- 
 gregational church falls over a ledge 
 of rocks 30 feet in height. This is 
 an excellent site for mills, of which 
 there are several near this spot. 
 
 There is a handsome village, with 
 an open square or green in front of 
 the church, which is uncommonly 
 neat and beautiful in its appearance. 
 About half a mile north is another 
 village, in which are two woolen 
 and three scythe factories. 
 
 IVorridgewock, Me. 
 
 Chief town of Somerset co. This 
 town is situated on both sides of 
 the Kennebec river, 28 miles N. 
 from Augusta. Incorporated, 1788. 
 Population, 1837, 1,955. Its sur- 
 face is diversified with hills of a 
 moderate elevation, the soil various, 
 but generally good and well culti- 
 vated. WJieat crop, 1837, 10,299 
 bushels. This town was formerly 
 the site of the celebrated tribe of 
 Norridgewock Indians. Their vil- 
 lage was situated at the foot of Nor- 
 ridgewock falls, in the N. W. part 
 of the town, and the border of Mad- 
 ison. The tribe had a church, the 
 bell of which was dug up a few 
 years since, and placed in the cabi- 
 net at Bowdoin college. The tribe 
 was destroyed by a party of 168 
 men, sent out from Massachusetts 
 for that purpose, commanded by 
 Capt. Moulton, on the afternoon of 
 August 23, 1724. Among the kill- 
 ed was the noted Jesuit missiona- 
 ry, Ralle. A monument was erect- 
 
 ed the 23d of August, 1833, by 
 Bishop Fenwick, to his memory 
 It is a plain granite pyramidal shaft, 
 standing on a square base of the 
 same material, having the follow- 
 ing inscription : 
 
 Sebastianus Rasles natione Gal- 
 luse Societate Jesu missionius, per 
 aliquot annos Illinois et Huronibus 
 primum evangelanus, deinde per 
 34 annos Abenaquis, fide et chari- 
 tate Christi verus Apostolus, pericu- 
 lus .armorum intenitus se pro suis 
 oribus mori paratum soepius testifi- 
 cang, inter arma et cocdes ac Pagi 
 Nanarantsouak Norridgewock, et 
 Ecclesiae suae minas, hoc in ipso 
 loco, cecidit tandem optimus pastor, 
 die 23 August!, A. D. 1724, ipsi et 
 filius in Christo defunctis Monu- 
 mentum hoc posuit Benidictus Fen- 
 wick, Espiscopus Bostoniensis dedi- 
 cavitque 23 Augusti, A. D. 1833. 
 A. M. D. G. 
 
 Norridgewock village is situated 
 on the north side of the river, di- 
 rectly in the bend, five miles west 
 of Skowhegan falls. It is one of 
 the most pleasant and delightful 
 villages, especially in the summer, 
 in the state. The main street is 
 lined with ornamental trees, some 
 of them venerable for age and mag- 
 nitude, extending their long arms 
 quite across the street, forming a 
 beautiful avenue from east to west. 
 On the south side of the river, con- 
 nected by a bridge, is a pleasant and 
 rapidly increasing village. 
 
 The public buildings consist of 
 a church and court house, on the 
 north side of the river, and on the 
 south, a female academy, and a free 
 church at " Oak Hill," about 5 
 miles from the village. 
 
 This section of country is remark- 
 able for its luxuriant growth of the 
 white pine. A few years since, one 
 of these trees was cut for a canoe 
 Its length was 154 feet and measur 
 ed 4 1-2 feet in diameter. 
 
 North Hampton, Hi. II., 
 
 Rockingham co., formerly con-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 stituting the parish called North 
 Hill, in Hampton, lies on the sea 
 coast 50 miles S. E. by E. from 
 Concord, and 9 S. by W. from Ports- 
 mouth. 
 
 Little river rises in the low 
 grounds in the north part of the 
 town, and after running southeast 
 one or two miles, takes an east 
 course, falling into the sea between 
 Little Boar's head, in this town and 
 Great Boar's head, in Hampton. 
 Winnicut river rises near the cen- 
 tre of the town, and passes north- 
 west into Great bay. In 1742, the 
 town was incorporated. Population, 
 1830, 767. 
 
 Northampton, Mass. 
 
 Chief town of Hampshire co. This 
 is a very beautiful town, delightful- 
 ly situated on the west bank of Con- 
 necticut river, and united to Hadley 
 by a bridge. Since the first settle- 
 ments on the Connecticut basin, 
 this town has been an important 
 point of attraction. This was the 
 third town settled on Connecticut 
 river in this state. Its Indian name 
 was JVonatuck. The soil of the 
 town is alluvial and its products ex- 
 uberant. Both before and since the 
 division of the old county into three, 
 this place has been the seat of jus- 
 tice. The buildings are handsome, 
 and the most important county offi- 
 ces are fire proof. A fine stream 
 passes through the centre of the 
 town, possessing a good water pow- 
 er, on which are manufactories and 
 mills of various kinds. 
 
 The manufactures of Northamp- 
 ton consist of woolen and silk goods, 
 boots, shoes, leather, paper, brooms, 
 chairs, iron, tin, and cabinet wares, 
 &c. ; total value the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, about $350,000. The 
 manufacture of sewing silk, rib- 
 bons, &c., is on a large scale, and 
 the most flourishing establishment 
 of the kind in this country. In 
 1837, there were 3750 sheep shear- 
 ed in the town ; the value of the 
 wool was $7,075. 
 
 This place has considerable river 
 and inland commerce, which will 
 DC increased by the Hampshire and 
 Hainpden canal, which meets the 
 Connecticut river here and termi- 
 nates at New Haven. 
 
 This town was incorporated, in 
 1654 ; population, 1820, 2,854, and in 
 1837, 3,576. It is 91 miles W. from 
 Boston, 67 E. from Albany, 39 N. 
 from Hartford,22 S.from Greenfield, 
 17 N. by W. from Springfield, and 
 376 from Washington. 
 
 There are many institutions of a 
 literary and religious character in 
 this town, and its schools are of the 
 first order. The country around 
 the town is enchanting, and those 
 who visit Mount Holyoke, 830 feet 
 above the river, on the east side, or 
 Mount Tom, 1,200 feet above the 
 river, on the west side, will find 
 a wonderful variety of landscape 
 scenery, probably unsurpassed Jn 
 beauty by any in the New Eng- 
 land States. 
 
 North Berwick, Me. 
 
 York co. This town was incor- 
 porated in 1831, and was taken from 
 the east side of Berwick. It com- 
 prises a fine tract of land ; it is well 
 watered and very pleasant. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 1,493. It lies 91 miles 
 S. W. from Augusta, and 13 N. W. 
 from York. 
 
 Northborongh, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This is a pleasant 
 farming town, of good soil, and wa- 
 tered by Assabet river. It was in- 
 corporated in 1766, and lies 32 miles 
 W. from Boston, and 10 N. E. from 
 Worcester. Population, 1830, 994 
 1837, 1,224. 
 
 The manufactures of the town 
 consist of cotton goods, boots, shoes, 
 leather, children's wagons, &.C.; an- 
 nual amount about $75,000. 
 
 North Branford, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. This town was 
 incorporated in 1831, and was taken 
 from Branford. A range of moun-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 tains from the southwest to north- 
 east passes through the central part 
 of the town. The inhabitants are 
 generally substantial farmers, and 
 property is very equally distributed. 
 The face of the township is gene- 
 rally hilly, but the soil is strong and 
 fertile. It lies 9 miles E. from 
 New Haven. Population, 1832, 
 1,100 
 
 About a mile southeast of the 
 Northfordchurch.on Tetoket moun- 
 tain, there is the appearance of hav- 
 ing been, at some remote period, 
 some violent convulsions in nature ; 
 the rocks appear to have been rent 
 asunder, and are thrown about in 
 great disorder. Lead is said to have 
 been found near this spot, a mass 
 of it being discovered by a person 
 who was hunting, at the time of 
 the first settlement of the parish : 
 he hung up a pair of buck's horns 
 to designate the spot, but the place 
 could not be found afterwards. 
 
 Nortlibridge, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. The Blackstone 
 river and canal pass through this 
 pleasant manufacturing and agri- 
 cultural town. It has some excel- 
 lent intervale land, and the soil of 
 the uplands produces grass, grain, 
 and vegetables in abundance. The 
 river here is beautiful, and produces 
 a great hydraulic power. The 
 manufactures of the town consist 
 of cotton and woolen goods, cotton 
 machinery, boots, shoes, &c. : val- 
 ue, the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 $231,000. 
 
 Northbridge lies 35 miles S. W. 
 by W. from Boston, and 13 S. E. 
 from Worcester. Incorporated, 
 1772. Population, 1830, 1,053; 
 1337, 1,409. 
 
 NortH Hridgc water, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. This town lies 20 
 miles S. from Boston, 24 N. W. from 
 Plymouth, and 10 S. S. W. from 
 Weymouth Landing. Population, 
 1830, 1,953; 1837, 2,701. It is 
 well watered by Salisbury river 
 
 and other small streams which emp- 
 ty into the Taunton. The surface of 
 the town is uneven, but the soil is 
 of a good quality, particularly for 
 grazing. Incorporated, 1821. 
 
 The manufactures of the town 
 consist of cotton goods, boots, shoes, 
 hats, chairs, shoe tools, forks, hoes, 
 cabinet and wooden wares, &c. : 
 total amount, the year ending April 
 1, 1837, $236,700. 
 
 We regret that this very pleas- 
 ant town was not called Titicut 
 or JVunketest, one of the Indian 
 names of the ancient territory. 
 
 This town was the first of the 
 three Bridge waters that have sprung 
 from Old Bridgewater, named after a 
 celebrated English Duke. We can 
 see no good cause for attaching a 
 cardinal point of the compass to the 
 name of any town, particularly one 
 of foreign derivation, when some 
 beautiful Indian name meets the ear 
 on the bank of almost every stream. 
 Had the noble Duke bequeathed to 
 good old mother Bridgewater and 
 her three handsome daughters, (as 
 he did to the city of Manchester,)the 
 perpetual privilege of obtaining 140 
 pounds of coal for four pence, there 
 would appear some reason for per- 
 petuating and extending the name. 
 
 Some just remarks on the names 
 of towns appeared in the Provi- 
 dence Journal, which are worthy 
 of repetition. 
 
 " INDIAN NAMES. The new 
 state of Michigan has passed one 
 of the most sensible laws that was 
 ever enacted. Its object is to pre- 
 serve the noble and harmonious old 
 Indian names, which have been giv- 
 en to every river and lake and for- 
 est and mountain in our country, 
 and which, by a bad taste, have in 
 many instances, been displaced by 
 the hackneyed names of European 
 cities, or of distinguished men. The 
 law provides that no town shall be 
 named after any other place or af- 
 ter any man, without first ob- 
 taining the consent of the Legisla- 
 ture. The consequence is, that
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Michigan is destitute of London, 
 Paris and Amsterdam ; unlike her 
 sister states, she boasts neither 
 Thebes, Palmyra,Carthage or Troy. 
 No collection of log huts, with half 
 a dozen grocery stores, has been 
 honored with the appellation of Liv- 
 erpool, nor has any embryo city, 
 with a college or an academy, re- 
 ceived the appropriate name of 
 Athens. She has no Moscow and 
 Morocco, in the same latitude ; and 
 noEdinburgh and Alexandria within 
 thirty miles of each other. Baby- 
 lon, Sparta and Corinth,thoughthey 
 have been transplanted to other 
 parts of the Union, are destined ne- 
 ver to flourish on the soil of Mich- 
 igan. No Franklin or Greene or 
 Jefferson, no Washington, is to be 
 found in her borders. On the con- 
 trary, her rivers and lakes still re- 
 tain the full, rich, swelling names 
 which were bestowed upon them by 
 the red men of the forests, and her 
 towns bear the names of the sturdy 
 chiefs who once battled or hunted 
 in their streets. Strange, when we 
 have such a noble nomenclature as 
 the Indians have left us, that we 
 should copy from the worn out 
 names of ancient cities, and which 
 awake no feelings but ridicule, by 
 the contrast between the old and the 
 new. Mohawk, Seneca, Massasoit, 
 Ontario, Erie, how infinitely supe- 
 rior to Paris, London, Fishville, 
 Buttertown, Bungtown, &c. The 
 feeling which prompts us to perpet- 
 uate the names of our revolutionary 
 heroes by naming towns after them, 
 is highly honorable ; but it should 
 not be forgotten that frequent rep- 
 etition (especially in cases where 
 the town is utterly unworthy of its 
 namesake) renders the name vulgar 
 and ridiculous. It seems, that not 
 content with driving the Indians 
 from the soil, we are anxious to ob- 
 literate every trace of their exist- 
 ence. 
 
 We are glad to see a better taste 
 beginning to prevail upon this sub- 
 ject, and we hope that the example 
 
 of Michigan will be followed, if not 
 by legal enactments, at least by the 
 force of public opinion." 
 
 North Brookfield, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This town is on 
 elevated ground : it is of good soil, 
 well cultivated, well watered and 
 very pleasant. It has a fine fish 
 pond, and lies 68 miles W. from 
 Boston, and 18 W. from Worcester: 
 taken from Brookfield in 1802. 
 Population,1830, 1,241 ; 1837, 1,509. 
 The agricultural products sent to 
 market are very considerable. The 
 manufactures of the town consist 
 of boots and shoes, woolen cloth, 
 leather, &c., the value of which for 
 the year ending April 1,1837, was 
 $525,224 ; of which $470,316 was 
 for boots and shoes. 
 
 XortUfield, Vt. 
 
 Washington co. This town lies 
 10 miles S. S. W. from Montpelier, 
 and 35 E from Burlington. Popu- 
 lation in 1830, 1,412. First settled, 
 1785. The principal stream in this 
 town is Dog river, which runs 
 through it in a northerly direction, 
 and affords a great number of valu- 
 able mill privileges. The surface 
 is uneven, but the soil is generally 
 good and easily cultivated. In the 
 centre of the town is a neat, pleas- 
 ant and flourishing village, contain- 
 ing a number of saw mills and other 
 mechanical operations by water. 
 
 Xorthficld, Me. 
 
 Incorporated 1838. See " Down 
 East." 
 
 Northfleld, X. II., 
 
 Merrimack co., is bounded N. by 
 Winnepisiogee river, and W. by 
 the Merrimack. It is 14 miles N. 
 from Concord, and 10 W. by S. of 
 Gilmanton. The soil here is in 
 some parts good that of the best 
 quality lies on the two ridges ex- 
 tending through the town. Ches- 
 nut pond lies in the east part of the 
 town, and its waters flow into the
 
 NEW ENGLAND CAZKTTEER. 
 
 Winnepisiogee three miles fiom its 
 junction with the Pemigewasset. 
 Sondogardy pond flows into the 
 Merrimack. Near Webster's falls, 
 the Winnepisiogee falls into the 
 Pemigewasset, and the united 
 streams form the Merrimack river. 
 The principal elevation, called Bean 
 hill, separates the town from Can- 
 terbury. Northfield formerly pos- 
 sessed valuable water privileges on 
 the Winnepisiogee river, but this 
 portion of its territory is embraced 
 by the new town of Franklin. 
 The first settlement was made here 
 in 1760,by Benjamin Blanchard and 
 others. A methodist church was 
 formed here in 1806. Incorporated 
 June 19, 1780. Population, 1830, 
 1,169. 
 
 Kortbfleld, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. This is an interest- 
 ing town, on both sides of Connec- 
 ticut river. It was incorporated in 
 1673, and some years after desolated 
 by the Indians. The inhabitants 
 returned again in 1685, but it was 
 soon after destroyed a second time. 
 In 1713, it was again rebuilt. Fort 
 Dummer was in the vicinity. This 
 town was purchased of the Indians 
 in 1687, for 200 fathoms of wampum 
 and 57 value of goods. Its Indian 
 name was Squawkeag. Most of the 
 land in this town is excellent, and 
 the village very pleasant : 28 miles 
 below Walpole, N. H., 11 N. E. 
 from Greenfield, and 83 N. W. by 
 W. from Boston. Northfield produ- 
 ces fine cattle, and considerable 
 wool. The manufactures of the 
 town consist of leather, boots, shoes, 
 ploughs, chairs and cabinet ware. 
 Population, 1837, 1,605. 
 
 North Haven, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. North Haven 
 was taken from New Haven in 1786. 
 The town lies on both sides of the 
 Wallingford.or Quinnipiac river, and 
 comprises the valley and a part of 
 the bordering hills. The valley is 
 partly rich intervale land, and more 
 
 extensively sand ; covered with a 
 thin stratum of loam ; light but 
 warm. Near the northern line of 
 the town it is so light as, in two or 
 three places of small extent, to be 
 blown into drifts. The soil of the 
 hills is good, being a reddish loam. 
 
 From the vicinity of this town to 
 New Haven, and from its light and 
 warm soil, which is favorable for 
 early vegetation, there are various 
 culinary vegetables, particularly 
 peas, cultivated for the New Ha- 
 ven market. But the most striking 
 feature in the township, is the large 
 and beautiful tract of salt meadows 
 on both sides of the Quinnipiac. 
 These meadows produce large 
 quantities of grass, which is mow- 
 ed and stacked upon the land, from 
 whence, when the ground is frozen 
 sufficiently solid in the winter, it is 
 removed. Upon the salt marsh the 
 hay is salt ; but on those meadows 
 which are protected from the salt 
 water by means of dikes, the grass 
 is fresh and of a better quality. 
 These are called dike marshes or 
 meadows. The making of brick 
 receives considerable attention in 
 this town. Four and a half millions 
 of them are manufactured annually, 
 and principally sold in New Haven. 
 
 The village is very pleasant, and 
 was, for more than half a century, 
 the residence of Dr. TRUMBULL, 
 the celebrated historian of Connec- 
 ticut. 
 
 EZRA STILES, D. D., president 
 of Yale college, was born in this 
 town, in 1727 fand died in 1795. He 
 delighted in preaching the gospel to 
 the poor. Among the members of 
 his church at Newport were seven 
 negroes. These occasionally met 
 in his study, when he instructed 
 them, and falling on their knees to- 
 gether he implored for them and for 
 himself the blessing of that God 
 with whom all distinction except- 
 ing that of Christian excellence is 
 as nothing. In the cause of civil 
 and religious liberty, Dr. Stiles was 
 an enthusiast. He contended, that
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the right of conscience and private 
 judgment was unalienable ; and 
 that no exigencies of the Christian 
 church could render it lawful to 
 erect any body of men into a stand- 
 ing judicatory over the churches. 
 He engaged with zeal in the cause 
 of his country. He thought, that 
 the thirtieth of January, which was 
 observed by the Episcopalians in 
 commemoration of the martyrdom 
 of Charles I, " ought to be celebrat- 
 ed as an anniversary thanksgiving, 
 that one nation on earth had so much 
 fortitude and public justice, as to 
 make a royal tyrant bow to the sove- 
 reignty of the people." He was 
 catholic in his sentiments, for his 
 heart was open to receive all who 
 loved the Lord Jesus in sincerity. 
 He was conspicuous for his benev- 
 olence, as well as for his learning 
 and piety. He was a man of low 
 stature, and of a small, though well 
 proportioned form. His voice was 
 clear and energetic. His counte- 
 nance, especially in conversation, 
 was expressive of benignity and 
 mildness ; but if occasion required, 
 it became the index of majesty and 
 authority. 
 
 Xortli Hero, Vt. 
 
 Chief town, Grand Isle co. This 
 town was granted to Ethan Allen 
 and others in 1779, and the settle- 
 ment commenced in 1783. The 
 British erected a block house here, 
 at a place called Dutchman's Point, 
 which was garrisoned and not given 
 up till 1796. The soil of the town- 
 ship is of an excellent quality, and 
 produces grain of all kinds in abun- 
 dance. The county buildings are 
 well situated, and the scenery about 
 the village is very- pleasant. It 
 lies 57 miles N. W. from Montpe- 
 lier, and 23 N. N. W. from Burling- 
 ton. Population, 1830, 638. 
 
 North Kingston, U. I- 
 
 Washington co. This is a w ^althy 
 township on the west side of Narra- 
 ganset bay, 21 miles S. from Prov- 
 
 idence, 10 N. W. from Newport, 
 and 8 N. from South Kingston. 
 The surface of the town is uneven ; 
 the soil is a gravelly loam, well 
 adapted for the culture of grain and 
 vegetables, and the productions of 
 the dairy. There are some forests 
 in the town of good ship timber. 
 It is watered by several small 
 streams which produce a good water 
 power, on which are numerous man- 
 ufacturing establishments. These 
 streams afford bass and other fish in 
 abundance. There is considerable 
 navigation owned at North Kings- 
 ton, which is employed in the coast- 
 ing trade and fishery. 
 
 Wickford milage, in this town, 
 is very pleasant and flourishing : it 
 has a good harbor, and is a place of 
 considerable trade. It lies about 2 
 miles east of the Stonington rail- 
 road. Pop. of the town, 1830, 3,037. 
 
 Northport, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. This town is bounded 
 on the east by Penobscot and Bel- 
 fast bays. It is well watered by 
 several ponds and small streams: the 
 soil is good and productive. The 
 navigable advantages of the place 
 are great. Considerable ship build- 
 ing is carried on here, and there is 
 considerable trade in the lumber 
 and coasting business. It lies 46 
 miles E. from Augusta and 6 S. from 
 Belfast. Population, 1837, 1,107. 
 
 North Providence, R. I. 
 
 Providence co. This ancient and 
 wealthy town was a part of Provi- 
 dence until 1767. Population, in 
 1810, 1,758; 1820, 2,420; 1830, 
 3,503. 
 
 The surface of this town is une- 
 ven, consisting of moderate eleva- 
 tions and gentle declivities. The 
 rocks are primitive and transition : 
 some limestone is found. 
 
 The prevailing soil is a gravelly 
 loam, which is interspersed with 
 tracts of sandy loam, and some, of 
 calcareous. The forests consist of 
 oak, walnut and some pine ; and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the agricultural productions, of 
 grass, hay, corn, some rye, pota- 
 toes, vegetables and fruits, many of 
 which are sent to Providence. 
 
 The waters of the town consist 
 of the Seekonk river, which wash- 
 es its eastern border ; the Wanas- 
 quatucket, which forms its western 
 boundary ; and the Mashasuck, 
 which intersects the interior of the 
 township. These streams afford 
 numerous sites for hydraulic works, 
 some of which are almost unrival- 
 led. There are some valuable 
 shad and herring fisheries in the 
 Seekonk. 
 
 This town is distinguished for its 
 manufactures, particularly those of 
 cotton, which form an important 
 interest. The extent of this busi- 
 ness, having concentrated a large 
 capital, and an immense aggregate 
 of industry, has, within the last fif- 
 ty years, given rise to a large and 
 flourishing village. The village of 
 Pawtucketis situated in the north- 
 east section of the town, four miles 
 northeast from Providence, on the 
 border of the Seekonk river; its site 
 being principally the declivity of a 
 hill, and it is highly romantic and 
 picturesque. The river here affords 
 numerous natural sites for manu- 
 facturing establishments, mills and 
 hydraulic works of almost every 
 description, which are scarcely ri- 
 valled, and which are occupied to a 
 great extent. The rapid march of 
 manufacturing and mechanical in- 
 dustry, which the short annals of 
 this place disclose, has few exam- 
 ples in our country, and has pro- 
 duced one of the most considerable 
 and flourishing manufacturing vil- 
 lages in the United States. The 
 river here forms the boundary line 
 between Massachusetts and Rhode 
 Island, and the village is built upon 
 both sides of it; being partly in 
 each state . That part of the village 
 which is in this state is principally 
 built on four streets ; and compris- 
 es a large number of handsome 
 buildings. 
 
 Besides the cotton business, there 
 are in the town furnaces for cast- 
 ing, slitting mills, anchor shops, 
 cut nail factories, screw manufac- 
 tories, &c. &c. See Pawtucket, 
 Mass. 
 
 North Stonington, Ct. 
 
 New London co. This town was 
 taken from Stonington in 1808. It 
 is watered by the Pawcatuck and 
 its branches, which afford good mill 
 sites. The surface is uneven, hilly 
 and abounding in granitic rocks. 
 The soil is a gravelly loam, and 
 generally productive of good pas- 
 turage. Agriculture is the princi- 
 pal employment of the inhabit- 
 ants. 
 
 Milltown is a pretty village with 
 some trade : it lies 50 miles S. E. 
 from Hartford, 13 N. E. from New 
 London, and 7 N. by E. from Ston- 
 ington Borough. Population of the 
 town in 1830, 2,840. 
 
 Northumberland, X. II., 
 
 In Coos county, on Connecticut 
 river,is ISOmiles N. from Concord, 
 and 7 N. E. from Lancaster. The 
 soil along the Connecticut is very 
 productive, perfectly free from stone 
 and gravel, and originally covered 
 with a growth of butternut. A 
 portion of the upland is also good, 
 and covered with pine, spruce, fir, 
 ash, .maple, &c. Cape Horn, an 
 abrupt mountain of 1,000 feet in 
 height, lies near the centre of the 
 town. Its north base is separated 
 from the Connecticut by a narrow 
 plain, and the upper Amonoosuck 
 passes near its east base, as it falls 
 into the Connecticut. Here the 
 meadows are extensive, and are an- 
 nually covered by the spring floods, 
 presenting the appearance of an 
 inland sea. At the falls in the Con 
 necticut, below the mouth of the 
 Amonoosuck, a handsome bridge 
 connects Northumberland with 
 Guildhall, in Vermont. A dam is 
 also thrown across the river at this 
 place, at both ends of which arc
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEE. 
 
 pleasant villages and mills of vari- 
 ous kinds are erected. Northum- 
 berland was incorporated in 1779. 
 First settled, 1767. Population, 
 1830, 352. 
 
 Near the river a small fort was 
 erected during the revolutionary 
 war, and placed in the command of 
 Capt. Jeremiah Eames, afterwards 
 well known for his usefulness, wit 
 and pleasantry. 
 
 North-wood, Iff. H. 
 
 Rockingham co. There are a num- 
 ber of ponds in this town, and ex- 
 cellent fishing. Suncook pond, 
 750 rods long, 100 wide ; Jenness' 
 pond, 300 rods long, 150 wide ; Long 
 pond, about 300 rods long, 50 wide ; 
 Harvey's pond, 200 rods long, from 
 40 to SO wide ; a part of Great Bow 
 pond is also in this town, and a part 
 of North river pond ; Pleasant pond, 
 and Little Bow pond. The north 
 branch of Lamprey river has its 
 rise in this town near Saddleback 
 mountain, a high ridge between 
 this town and Deerfield. On the E. 
 side of this ridge are found crystals 
 and crystalline spars of various col- 
 ors and sizes. This town has an 
 elevated site, and commands a distant 
 and varied prospect. The waters 
 flowing from the farm of the late 
 Jonathan Clarke, Esq., one of the 
 first settlers, fall into three different 
 rivers, the Suncook, Lamprey and 
 Isinglass. The soil of this town is 
 generally moist, and well suited to 
 grazing. Northwood was original- 
 ly a part of Nottingham, and was 
 settled in 1763. Northwood is 20 
 miles E. from Concord, 20 N. W. 
 from Exeter, and about the same 
 distance W. from Dover. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 1,342. 
 
 North Yarmouitli, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. Thisisapleasant 
 town on Casco bay, 10 miles N. from 
 Portland, and 42 S. E. from Augus- 
 ta. Population, 1837, 2,782. The 
 town was first settled in 1640. In 
 1687 it was attacked by the Indians, 
 
 26 
 
 and deserted by the whites ; and 
 was not re-settled by them until 
 1725. It was incorporated in 1713. 
 About 4000 tons of navigation is 
 owned here, employed in the trans- 
 portation of lumber and the fishery. 
 There is a fine stream of water in 
 the town, on which are a paper and 
 saw mills, and other manufactories. 
 The academy in North Yarmouth 
 is well founded and is in a flourish- 
 ing condition. See Register. 
 
 Norton, Mass. 
 
 Bristol co. Norton was taken 
 from Taunton in 1771. It lies 30 
 miles S. from Boston, 17 N. E. from 
 Providence, and 8 N. W. from 
 Taunton. Population, 1837, 1,530. 
 It is well watered by Rumford, Co- 
 casset and Canoe rivers, which 
 empty into the Taunton. The manu- 
 factures of the town consist of sheet 
 copper and copper bolts, cotton 
 goods, boots, shoes, leather, iron 
 castings, ploughs, shuttles, straw 
 bonnets and baskets : total value, 
 the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 $397,763. 
 
 Winnicunnit pond, in this town, 
 was a great resort for the Indians, 
 some of whom resided in natural 
 caves, on its shores, and lived on fish 
 and clams. 
 
 Norwalk, Ct. 
 
 Fairfield co. This pleasant town 
 lies on Long Island Sound, 32 miles 
 W. S. W. from New Haven, 22 S. 
 from Danbury, and 48 N. E. from 
 New York. Population, 1830, 
 3,792. 
 
 Norwalk originally included part 
 of the present towns of New Cana- 
 an and Wilton, and part of West- 
 port. In the ancient record, the 
 bounds are stated to be " from Nor- 
 walk river to Sauhatuck river, from 
 sea, Indian one day walk into the 
 country." For this tract the fol- 
 lowing articles were given, viz ; " 8 
 fathom wampum, 6 coats, 10 hatch- 
 ets, 10 hoes, 10 knives, 10 scissors, 
 lOjewsharps, 10 fathom tobacco, 3
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 kettles, 3 hauds-about, and 10 look- 
 ing glasses." The following arti- 
 cles were given to the Indians for 
 the tract " from Norwalk river to 
 Five mile river, from sea, Indian 
 one day in country," viz. " 10 
 fathom wampum, 3 hatchets, 3 hoes 
 when ships come, 6 glasses, 12 to- 
 bacco pipes, 3 knives, 10 drillers, 
 10 needles." The name of Nor- 
 walk is derived from the above bar- 
 gain, viz ; the northern bounds of 
 the lands purchased were to extend 
 from the sea one day's "northwalk" 
 into the country, 
 
 The soil in this town is excel- 
 lent. The surface is uneven, be- 
 ing pleasantly diversified with hills 
 and valleys. On the border of the 
 Sound the hills are generally mod- 
 erate, and in the interior more ele- 
 vated. 
 
 " The valley which lies along 
 Norwalk river, and in which the 
 town is built, is beautiful. Few 
 richer prospects of the same extent 
 can be found than that which is 
 presented from the neighboring em- 
 inences of this ground : the town 
 built in its bosom, with its cheerful 
 spires ; the river flowing through 
 the middle ; the farms on the bor- 
 dering hills; the rich plain that 
 skirts the Sound, and a train of is- 
 lands fronting the mouth of the riv- 
 er, and extending eastward five or 
 six miles ; together with an unlim- 
 ited view of the Sound, and the 
 Long Island shore." 
 
 'Norwalk contains two considera- 
 ble and flourishing villages, Nor- 
 walk Borough, and the village of 
 Old Well. Norwalk Borough, (con- 
 stituted as such in 1836,) is a vil- 
 lage of upwards of 130 handsome 
 buildings, and an extensive pottery. 
 Norwalk is a place of considerable 
 activity and business, being a com- 
 mercial depot and market for the 
 northern part of the county ; a con- 
 siderable proportion of the staple 
 products being brought here for 
 sale, or to be freighted for New 
 York. 
 
 The village is built on both sides 
 of a small river or creek, which is 
 much contracted 'in width at the 
 bridge which connects the two parts 
 of the village, and the buildings on 
 each side of the stream are so near 
 each other, that the passage of the 
 river from the north is not readily 
 perceived at a short distance. Ves- 
 sels drawing six feet of water can 
 get up to the bridge in the most 
 compact part of the village. 
 
 The flourishing village of Old 
 Well is situated about 1 1-2 miles 
 south of the central part of Nor- 
 walk Borough, on the west side of 
 the creek. 
 
 There are at present in this vil- 
 lage six or seven hat factories, three 
 potteries, and a carriage making 
 establishment. This is the princi- 
 pal landing place for steam-boats for 
 Norwalk and the vicinity, there be- 
 ing a daily line from and to New 
 York. A boat every other day 
 leaves Norwalk bridge for New 
 York. 
 
 There is a cotton factory and a 
 factory for manufacturing carpets 
 in the town. This establishment, 
 called the " Patent Carpet Compa- 
 ny," was commenced in 1834. 
 Their carpeting, of which they 
 manufacture at this time about 200 
 yards daily, is made without spin- 
 ning or weaving, being made of 
 felting, the material of which hats 
 are composed. 
 
 This town was burnt by the Brit- 
 ish, under Tryon, on the 17th July, 
 1779. Eighty dwelling houses, 2 
 churches, 87 barns, 17 shops, 4 
 mills, and 5 vessels were destroyed. 
 
 Norway, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This is a fine town- 
 ship, well watered by several 
 streams and ponds. One of the 
 ponds is large, very handsome, 
 and discharges its waters into Little 
 Androscoggin river. Norway lies 
 47 miles W. by S. from Augusta, 
 and is bounded on the E. by Paris. 
 Incorporated, 1797. Population,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 1837, 1,791. Wheat crop, same 
 year, 7,272 bushels. 
 
 Norwich, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. This town lies on 
 the west side of Connecticut river, 
 and is connected with Hanover, N. 
 H. by a bridge. The surface of 
 the town is uneven, but the soil is 
 good for grain, pasturage and fruit. 
 Ompomponoosuck river and other 
 streams water the town and afford 
 it good mill seats. First settled, 
 1763. Population, 1830, 2,316. 
 It lies 40 miles S. S. E. from Mont- 
 pelier and 19 N. from Windsor. 
 
 Norwich village is pleasantly 
 situated on a plain, near Connecti- 
 cut river, and contains a university 
 and a number of handsome build- 
 ings. See Register. 
 
 Norwich, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. This mountain- 
 ous town is watered by Westfield 
 river. The soil in many parts is 
 good for grazing, and many sheep 
 are kept here. There is a cotton 
 mill in the town, and manufactures 
 of leather, boots, shoes, axes, and 
 spirits. It lies 108 miles W. from 
 Boston, and 12 W. by S from 
 Northampton. Incorporated, 1773. 
 Population, 1837, 714. 
 
 Norwich, Ct. 
 
 One of the chief towns of New 
 London county. Norwich city is 
 situated at the head of navigation 
 of Thames river, at the point of 
 land formed by the junction of the 
 Shetucket and Yantic rivers, whose 
 united waters constitute the Thames. 
 The main part of the city is built 
 on the southern declivity of a high 
 and rocky hill : the houses are built 
 in tiers, rising one above another. 
 The city, as it is approached from 
 the south, presents one of the most 
 beautiful, interesting and romantic 
 prospects in the state. The build- 
 ings, which are mostly painted 
 white, appear in full view for a con- 
 siderable distance down the river ; 
 
 these contrasted with the deep green 
 foliage covering; the rocky and ele- 
 vated banks of the river, give a 
 picturesque variety to the scene, 
 forming on the water a delightful 
 avenue to the city. There are in 
 this city, (or as it was formerly call- 
 ed, Chelsea or Norwich Landing,) 
 a court house and town hall. A 
 high school for boys, and a female 
 academy, in which the higher 
 branches of education are taught, 
 have been in operation for a consid- 
 erable time, and are in flourishing 
 circumstances. About a mile east- 
 ward of the landing is situated the 
 flourishing village of Greenville, at 
 the eastern extremity of which a 
 dam has been constructed across the 
 Shetucket,which will, it is calculat- 
 ed furnish sufficient water power to 
 carry 60,000 spindles : four or five 
 large factories, and perhaps 40 or 
 50 dwelling houses, are, or are 
 about to be built. Among the fac- 
 tories there is perhaps the most ex- 
 tensive paper mill in the state, own- 
 ed, by the Chelsea Manufacturing 
 Company. There are also two oth- 
 er paper mills near the falls, which 
 do an extensive business. The first 
 paper manufactured in Connecticut 
 was made in this town by Col. 
 Christopher Leffingwell. There 
 are at, and near the falls, 9 or 10 
 establishments for manufacturing 
 purposes. Besides these, and those 
 at Greenville, there are some more 
 in other parts of the town. The 
 principal manufactures are those of 
 cotton, paper and woolens. Nor- 
 wich city is 13 miles N. from New 
 London, 38 S. E. from Hartford, 38 
 S. W. from Providence, and 50 N. 
 E. from New Haven. Population 
 of Norwich, in 1830, was 5,179 ; of 
 which 3,144 were in the city limits. 
 Above the cove, which sets up 
 about a mile from the river, " the 
 bed of the river consists of a solid 
 rock, having a perpendicular height 
 of ten or twelve feet, over which 
 the whole body of water falls in an 
 entire sheet upon a bed of rocks
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 below. The river here is compress- 
 ed into a very narrow channel, the 
 banks consisting of solid rocks, and 
 being bold and elevated. For a 
 distance of 15 or 20 rods, the chan- 
 nel or bed of the river has a gradual 
 descent, is crooked and covered 
 with pointed rocks. The rock, 
 forming the bed of the river at the 
 bottom of the perpendicular falls, 
 is curiously excavated, some of the 
 cavities being five or six feet deep, 
 from the constant pouring of the 
 sheet of water for a succession of 
 ages." At the bottom of the falls 
 there is the broad basin of the cove, 
 where the enraged and agitated 
 element resumes its usual smooth- 
 ness and placidity, arid the whole 
 scenery about these falls is uncom- 
 monly beautiful and picturesque. 
 
 During the wars between Uncas 
 and the Narragansets, Uncas was 
 closely besieged in his fort near the 
 Thames, until his provisions be- 
 came nearly exhausted, and he with 
 his men were on the point of per- 
 ishing by famine or sword. Fortu- 
 nately he found means of giving in- 
 telligence to the scouts who had 
 been sent out from Saybrook fort. 
 By his messengers, he represented 
 the great danger the English would 
 be in, were the Narragansets suf- 
 fered to overpower the Mohegans. 
 
 " Upon this intelligence, one 
 Thomas Leffingwell, an ensign at 
 Saybrook, an enterprising, bold 
 man, loaded a canoe with beef, corn 
 and peas, and under the cover of 
 night paddled from Saybrook into 
 the Thames, and had the address to 
 get the whole into the fort. The 
 enemy soon perceiving that Uncas 
 was relieved, raised the siege. 
 For this service, Uncas gave Lef- 
 fingwell a deed of a great part, if 
 not the whole town of Norwich. 
 In June, 1659, Uncas with his two 
 sons, Owaneko and Attawanhood, 
 by a more formal and authentic deed, 
 made over to said Leffingwell, John 
 Mason, Esq., the Rev. James Fitch 
 and others, consisting of thirty-five 
 
 proprietors, the whole of Norwich, 
 which is about nine miles square. 
 The company at this time gave Un- 
 cas and his sons about 70, as a 
 further compensation for so large 
 and fine a tract." 
 
 Kottiitgliam, IV. II., 
 
 Rockingham co., is 25 miles E. 
 S. E. from Concord, and 20 W. from 
 Portsmouth. Population, in 1830, 
 1,157. There are several ponds in 
 this town, mostly of small size. Lit- 
 tle river and several other streams 
 rise here ; and North river passes 
 through the town. The soil is in 
 many parts good, though the sur- 
 face is rough and broken. Sever- 
 al mountains extend along the W. 
 part of the town, forming parts of 
 the range called Blue Hills. 
 
 Nottingham Square is a pleas- 
 ant village on an elevated site. Bog 
 iron ore is found here in great quan- 
 tities ; and it is said inexhaustible 
 masses of mountain ore exist in the 
 mountains. Crystals and crystal- 
 line spars are found here ; and also 
 ochres in small quantities. Not- 
 tingham was incorporated in 1722, 
 and settled in 1727. 
 
 Gen. JOSEPH CILLEY entered 
 the army of the revolution at its 
 commencement and commanded the 
 1st N. H. regiment. He was dis- 
 tinguished for bravery and patriot- 
 ism during the whole contest. 
 
 Hon. THOMAS BARTLETT was 
 an active revolutionary patriot ; one 
 of the committee of safety ; Lt. Col. 
 under Stark at the capture of Bur- 
 goyne, and commanded a regiment 
 at West Point in 1780, when the 
 treachery of Arnold betrayed that 
 post. 
 
 Gen. HENRY BUTLER was an 
 officer in the army of the revolu- 
 tion, and Major General of militia. 
 Descendants of these revolutionary 
 worthies now live in the town. 
 
 Nulhegaii River, Vt. 
 
 This river rises by several branch- 
 es in the highlands, at the north,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 part of Essex county. These 
 branches unite and fall into the 
 Connecticut at Brunswick. This 
 river is in some parts rapid ; in oth- 
 ers, deep and sluggish. It waters 
 about 120 square miles, and is fifty 
 feet wide at its mouth. The head 
 witers of this and of the river Clyde, 
 pass N. into Memphremagog lake, 
 and are near each other. This 
 was formerly an Indian route be- 
 tween Connecticut river and Cana- 
 da. 
 
 Oakham, 3Iass. 
 
 Worcester co. The surface of 
 this town is uneven ; some of the 
 lands which border on the streams 
 that fall into Chickopee river are 
 fertile. The highlands are not very 
 good. There is a satinet factory in 
 the town, and manufactures of 
 straw bonnets, palm-leaf hats, leath- 
 er, ploughs, boots and shoes. 
 
 Oakham lies 60 miles W. from 
 Boston, and 15 N. W. from Worces- 
 ter. It was taken from Rutland in 
 1762. Population, 1S37, 1,109. 
 
 Oldtowii, Me. 
 Penobscot co. See Orono. 
 Oldtowu Harbor, Mass. 
 See Edgartown. 
 
 Olammoii, Me. 
 Penobscot co. See Greenbush. 
 Ompomponoosuc River, Vt. 
 
 This good mill stream is about 20 
 miles in length : it rises near the 
 centre of the county of Orange, 
 and falls into Connecticut river at 
 Norwich. 
 
 Onion River, Vt. 
 
 This is one of the largest and 
 most valuable rivers in the state. 
 It is about 70 miles in length, and in 
 its course fertilizes large tracts of 
 land and produces a great hydraulic 
 power. This stream rises in Cale- 
 donia county : it passes nearly 
 through the centre of the counties 
 of Washington andChittenden,and 
 26* 
 
 after passing " Winooski city" it 
 falls into Champlain lake, five miles 
 N. from Burlington village. 
 
 Winooski is the beautiful Indian 
 name of this river, and had the good 
 people of Winooski possessed the 
 exquisite taste of their predecessors 
 they would probably have called 
 their charming little city cabbage 
 town. 
 
 Onion river, so called, has nu- 
 merous tributaries, and is one of the 
 most romantic streams in the coun- 
 try. The channels which have 
 been worn in the rocks, by its cease- 
 less current, are objects of great 
 admiration. In its passage through 
 the mountains are found fissures 
 through solid rocks from 30 to 100 
 feet in depth, with smooth perpen- 
 dicular sides, 60 or 70 feet in width. 
 In many places on this stream are 
 natural bridges, curious caverns, 
 and delightful water-falls. 
 
 The road near the banks of this 
 stream, from Connecticut river to 
 Burlington, is said to be the best 
 passage across the mountains, in 
 that direction: it is certainly highly 
 picturesque and delightful. 
 
 Oquossak Lake, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This large lake lies a 
 few miles N. E. of the Mooseluck- 
 maguntic. It is very irregular in its 
 form, and contains many islands. 
 
 Orange, N. H., 
 
 Grafton co., is 16 miles E. from 
 Dartmouth college, 10 S. W. from 
 Plymouth, and 40 N. W. from Con- 
 cord. Population, 1830, 405. In 
 this town are found many mineral 
 substances, such as lead ore, iron 
 ore, &c. There is in the S. E. part 
 a small pond, in which is found a 
 species of paint resembling spruce 
 yellow. Chalk, intermixed with 
 magnesia, is said to be procured 
 from the same pond. In 1810, a 
 valuable species of ochre was dis- 
 covered. It is found in great abun- 
 dance, deposited in veins, and of a 
 quality superior to the imported.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Large quantities of it are annually 
 prepared for market. The surface 
 of Orange is uneven, but the soil 
 in many parts of it is productive. 
 Cardigan mountain lies in the E. 
 part of the town. Orange was 
 granted by the name of Cardigan, 
 Feb. 6, 1769. Its settlement com- 
 menced in 1773. 
 
 Orange County) Vt. 
 
 Chelsea, chief town. This coun- 
 ty is bounded N. by Washington 
 and Caledonia counties, E. by Con- 
 necticut river, S. by Windsor coun- 
 ty, and W. by Addison and Wash- 
 ington counties. Area, 650 square 
 miles. Population, 1820, 24,169; 
 1830, 27,285. Population to a 
 square mile, 42. Incorporated, 
 1781. The eastern range of the 
 Green mountains extends along the 
 northwestern part of the county. 
 The principal rivers, besides the 
 Connecticut, are the Ompomponoo- 
 suc, Wait's, branches of the White, 
 and Stevens' branch of the Onion. 
 The lands in Orange county are gen- 
 erally good for grazing, and supply 
 many cattle and all the varieties of 
 the dairy, of which a large amount 
 is annually sent to market. In 
 1837 there were 99,346 sheep with- 
 in its limits. This county contains 
 some excellent tracts of land on the 
 banks of the Connecticut. Iron and 
 lead ores, slate and granite, are 
 abundant. 
 
 Orange, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. This town lies 12. 
 miles S. E. from Montpelier, and 12 
 N. from Chelsea. First settled, 
 1793. Population, 1830, 1,016. 
 The soil is cold,and better suited for 
 grazing than grain. Knox's moun- 
 tain lies in this town : it is quite an 
 elevation, and is composed princi- 
 pally of granite. Some of the 
 quarries in the town produce excel- 
 lent granite for building, add here 
 are found plates of beautiful white 
 mica, several inches square. The 
 
 products of the town in cattle and 
 wool are considerable. 
 
 Orange, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. Orange lies 72 
 miles W. from Boston, and 20 E. 
 from Greenfield. Incorporated, 
 1783. Population, 1830, 880 ; 1837, 
 1,543. The manufactures of the 
 town consist of iron castings, boots, 
 shoes, palm-leaf hats, card boards, 
 shoe pegs, chairs and cabinet ware : 
 annual amount about $40,000. Mil- 
 ler's river affords the town a good 
 water power, and Tully hill a fine 
 prospect. The soil is uneven, and 
 better fitted for grazing than tillage. 
 There is a pleasant village in the 
 town, and a good fish pond. 
 
 Orange, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. This town was 
 taken from New Haven and Mil- 
 ford in 1822. The name was adopt- 
 ed in honor of William, Prince of 
 Orange, in commemoration of the 
 benefits received from him by the 
 colony of Connecticut; particular- 
 ly for the restoration of their char- 
 ter after the usurpation and tyranny 
 of Edmund Andros. 
 
 Orange lies about 4 miles S. W. 
 from New Haven and is a pleasant 
 town with a productive soil. The 
 inhabitants are principally farmers. 
 Savin Rock.in this town is a roman- 
 tic spot, and a place of resort in the 
 summer. There are mines of sil- 
 ver and copper in the town, and as- 
 bestos is found 'in abundance in ser- 
 pentine rocks. Population, 1830, 
 1,341. 
 
 Orford, N. H. 
 
 Grafton co. It lies on Connecti- 
 cut river, over which is a bridge, 
 connecting with Fairlee. Orford is 
 11 miles below Haverhill, 17 N. of 
 Hanover, and 64 N. W. from Con- 
 cord. The soil is generally of a 
 fertile character. The large inter- 
 vale farms, watered by the Connec- 
 ticut, are particularly distinguished
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 for their beauty and fertility. There 
 are two considerable elevations, 
 called Mount Cuba and Mount Sun- 
 day, lying near the centre of the 
 town. There are four or five ponds 
 of considerable size, one of which, 
 called Baker's upper pond, lies with- 
 in 3 or 4 miles of Connecticut river. 
 This pond discharges its waters in- 
 to another pond, lying partly in 
 Wentworth, and the waters of both 
 empty into Baker's river. Indian 
 pond lies about 1 mile west Irom 
 Baker's upper pond. Limestone 
 is found in great abundance. 
 It is of the primitive kind, coarse 
 grained, and forms a strong and hard 
 cement. It is found at the foot of a 
 mountain, about 400 or 500 feet 
 above Connecticut river. Soap 
 stone is also found here in great 
 abundance. A light grey granite 
 rock, much used for mill stones and 
 for building, is found in various pla- 
 ces. Galena, or lead ore, of a very 
 fine texture, containing needles of 
 crystallized quartz, or lead,has been 
 found, in considerable quantities in 
 sinking a well. Orford contains a 
 pleasant village, situated on the 
 main road. "It is built on a beau- 
 tiful plain bordered by intervale on 
 the W. The hills on both sides of 
 the river, near the centre of the ex- 
 pansion, approach each other so as 
 to form a kind of neck ; and with a 
 similar approximation at the two 
 ends give the whole the appear- 
 ance of a double amphitheatre, or 
 of the numerical figure 8. The 
 greatest breadth of each division is 
 about 1 1-2 miles ; and the length oi 
 each betweetx 2 and 3 miles." The 
 buildings stand principally on a sin- 
 gle street, of 2 or 3 miles in extent. 
 Orford was granted Sept. 25, 1761. 
 In June, 1765, a Mr. Cross with hi 
 family, from Lebanon, first settled 
 in this town. A congregational 
 church was gathered Aug. 27, 1770. 
 Rev. Oliver Noble was ordainec 
 Nov. 5, 1771. Population, 1S30 
 1,829. 
 
 Or laud, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. This town lies ou 
 ;he east side of Penobscot river, op- 
 josite to Orphan's Island. It lies 
 54 miles E. from Augusta and 12 
 W. from Ellsworth. Orland is fine- 
 y watered by ponds and streams : 
 t has a good soil, a pleasant village 
 and great navigable facilities. In- 
 :orporated, 1800. Population, 1830, 
 975; 1837, 1,244. 
 
 Orleans County, Vt. 
 
 Irasburgh, chief town. This 
 county is bounded N. by Lower 
 Canada, E. by Essex and Caledonia 
 counties, S. by Caledonia county, 
 and W. by Franklin and Lamoille 
 counties. This county lies between 
 the eastern and western ranges of 
 the Green mountains. The surface 
 is generally handsome and the soil 
 well adapted for wheat, rye and 
 grass : the climate is rather too cold 
 for corn, and some parts of the coun- 
 ty is low and marshy. Orleans 
 county is watered by Missisque, 
 Black, Barton and other rivers. It 
 contains more ponds than any coun- 
 ty in the state. Much of its trade 
 goes to Canada by the way of 
 Memphremagog lake, which lies in 
 this county and Canada. In 1837 
 there were 30,657 sheep in the 
 county. Incorporated, 1792. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 11,375. 
 
 Orleans, Mass. 
 
 Barnstable co. Orleans was tak- 
 en from Eastham, in 1797. It ex- 
 tends across a narrow part of Cape 
 Cod, and is indented with coves and 
 creeks n both sides. Stage harbor 
 opens on the east through Chatham 
 and Nauset beaches, which extend 
 along the coast : between which 
 and the town is Pleasant bay, with 
 several islands. In 1837, there 
 were 33 vessels belonging to Orleans 
 engaged in the cod and mackerel 
 fishery, the tonnage of which was 
 2,310 tons. They took 20,000 quin- 
 tals of cod fish and 600 barrels of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 mackerel. There were 31,000 
 bushels of salt used, and 264 men 
 and boys were employed. The 
 value of fish taken, when cured and 
 packed, was $91,100 : capital in- 
 vested, $33,000. There are 50 es- 
 tablishments for the manufacture 
 of salt in the town ; during the year 
 ending April 1, 1837, there were 
 21,780 bushels made. There are 
 also manufactures of palm-leaf hats, 
 leather, hoots, shoes and tin ware. 
 Orleans lies 20 miles E. from Barn- 
 stable. Population, 1830, 1,799; 
 1837, 1,936. 
 
 Orono, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This town lies on 
 the west side of Penobscot river, and 
 is watered by Dead stream and a 
 large part of Pushaw lake. It is 
 74 miles N. E. from Augusta. In- 
 corporated, 1806. Population, 1830, 
 1,473 ; 1837, 3,961. The soil of 
 the town is good, and produced, in 
 1837, 1,744 bushels of wheat. This 
 town borders on the Great Falls in 
 Penobscot river, and contains a 
 great number of saw mills, which 
 manufacture a vast amount of lum- 
 ber annually for the Bangor market. 
 Orono is pleasant and uncommonly 
 flourishing. 
 
 A rail-road between Bangor and 
 the villages of Stillwater and Old- 
 town, in Orono, was opened for 
 travel in 183S. It is 12 miles in 
 length, and cost $350,000. The 
 Penobscot river at Oldtown, above 
 the falls, is 40 feet higher than at 
 Bangor. The village of Stillwater 
 is 4 miles below Oldtown. 
 
 Above the falls, and about a mile 
 above the village of Oldtown, near 
 the mouth of Dead stream, on " Old- 
 town Island," is the Indian Settle- 
 ment. This settlement is very plea- 
 santly located, and secure from ap- 
 proach except by boats or canoes. 
 It contains a number of framed 
 houses, and a neat chapel with a 
 bell. 
 
 In 1837, John Neptune, the lieu- 
 tenant Governor, and other officers 
 
 of the Penobscot tribe of Indians, 
 finished taking by families a very 
 particular census of all who belong 
 to the tribe, for the purpose of a 
 just and equal distribution of the 
 annuities and other monies paid to 
 them. It was found that the fami- 
 lies in all were ninety five the list 
 exhibiting the head of each family 
 by name, and the number of indi- 
 viduals each one contains, annexed 
 thereto. The whole number of 
 souls in the tribe was three hundred 
 and sixty-two. Their officers are, 
 a governor, lieutenant governor, 
 a colonel, four captains, one 'squire, 
 and one deacon. In religion they 
 are catholics. Several of them can 
 read, and a few can write, though 
 in a poor hand. 
 
 The whole tribe is divided in pol- 
 itics, and on some occasions party 
 spirit rages with almost as much 
 warmth as among the pale faces, 
 though generally better tempered. 
 No affair of honor, or rather of 
 murder, has ever been known to 
 disgrace these savages. 
 
 The tribe own, collectively, all 
 the islands in the Penobscot river, 
 beginning with that of Oldtown, 
 where their village is, and including 
 all up as far as the forks, several 
 miles above the Matawamkeag, 
 many of which are exceedingly 
 pleasant and fertile. 
 
 The Indians are not poor, having 
 sold some of their lands for large 
 sums. To such a remnant, howev- 
 r, is this tribe reduced a tribe an- 
 ciently and uniformly called the 
 Tarratines, who coul.l bring into 
 the field more than cwo thousand 
 warriors, and who claimed the lands 
 on both sides of the Penobscot riv- 
 er from its sources to its mouth. 
 
 Orphan's Island, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This island, con- 
 aining about 5,000 acres of excel- 
 ent land, at the mouth of Penob- 
 scot river, is 4 miles in length. It is 
 attached to the town of Bucksport ; 
 the head or north part of it lies oppo-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 site to the beautiful village in that 
 town. This island divides the Penob- 
 scot into two branches: the western 
 or main branch is called the " Nar- 
 rows, : 'on which side a fortis about to 
 be constructed by the U. S. govern- 
 ment for the protection of the river. 
 The other branch is called " Eastern 
 river." 
 
 This beautiful island derived its 
 name from its having been the pro- 
 perty of an orphan heiress who in- 
 herited it as her part of the Waldo 
 Patent. 
 
 Orringtoii, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This is a fine town- 
 ship of land with a handsome vil- 
 lage on the east side of Penobscot 
 river, opposite to Hampden. The 
 town has a good mill stream and en- 
 joys great navigable facilities. Pop- 
 ulation, 1337, 1,426. Wheat crop, 
 same year, 2,340 bushels. 
 
 Orwell, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. This town lies on 
 Champlain lake opposite to Ticon- 
 deroga, N. Y. and contains Mount 
 Independence, celebrated in the an- 
 nals of the revolutionary war. The 
 lake here is about a mile wide, and 
 from the Mount a delightful pros- 
 pect is presented. Orwell was first 
 permanently settled in 1783. The 
 soil of the town is generally good 
 and productive. In 1837 it contain- 
 ed 21,512 sheep. There is a spring 
 in the town from the waters of 
 which Epsom salts have been made, 
 and shells of animals have been 
 found supposed to have pertained to 
 the ocean. There are good mill 
 streams in Orwell and a pleasant 
 village. Population, 1830, 1,598. 
 
 Ossipee, N. II., 
 
 Strafford co. is 60 miles N. N. E. 
 from Concord, and about 15 N. E. 
 from Gilford, across Winnepisiogee 
 lake. Ossipee mountain, a rough 
 and broken range, lies in the N. W. 
 part of Ossipee, extending into the 
 adjoining towns. It is 6 or 8 miles 
 
 in length, and is so elevated that 
 in easterly storms the winds break 
 over the summits, frequently caus- 
 ing much injury to the farms, and 
 buildings at its base. Ossipee lake 
 is in this town, and Freedom : it is 
 a fine body of water, of an oval form, 
 covering about 7,000 acres, having 
 no island, and its waters clear and 
 beautiful. Ossipee river flows from 
 this lake, from whence it passes 
 through Freedom into the Saco, in 
 Maine. Pine river passes through 
 the E. part of Ossipee, and Bear- 
 camp river falls into the lake on the 
 N. W. There are several ponds in 
 Ossipee, the largest of which lies 
 partly in Tuftonborough, and is 
 about 400 rods long. Bear pond in 
 the S. E. part, has no visible outlet. 
 Near the W. shore of Ossipee lake, 
 is a mound of earth 45 or 50 feet in 
 diameter, of a circular form, and 
 about 10 feet high, from which have 
 been taken several entire skeletons, 
 and also tomahawks, &c. exhibiting 
 the strongest evidence that the tribe 
 once so powerful in this vicinity 
 had their principal residence here. 
 Ossipee was incorporated, Feb. 22, 
 1785. Population, 1830, 1,935. 
 
 Otis, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. Otis was incorpo- 
 rated in 1835. It is bounded on the 
 west by Ellsworth. It is the source 
 of some of the rivers which flow 
 into Frenchman's bay, and Union 
 river, passes its N. W. corner. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 92. 
 
 Otis, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. This township is 
 on high ground, and is the source of 
 some of the head waters of Farm- 
 ington and Westfield rivers. These 
 streams flowfrorn several very hand- 
 some ponds. The surface of the 
 town is uneven but the soil is pro- 
 ductive, particularly of good pastur- 
 age. The manufactures consist of 
 leather, boots, shoes, chairs, cabi- 
 net ware, lumber, &c. It lies 130 
 miles W. by S. from Boston, and 15
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 S. E. from Lenox. Population, 1837 
 1,077. Incorporated, 1793. 
 
 Otisfteld, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. This town is 
 watered by Crooked river, which 
 empties into Sebagolake. The soil 
 is very good, and produced, in 1837, 
 4,525 bushels of wheat. It lies 82 
 miles S. S. W. from Augusta and 
 32 N. N. W. from Portland. Pop- 
 ulation 1830, 1,257. 
 
 Otter Creek, Vt. 
 
 . This stream rises on the south part 
 of Rutland county : it traverses, in 
 a northern course, nearly through 
 the centre of that county, and wa- 
 ters Clarendon, Rutland, Pittsford, 
 Brandon and other towns ; it then 
 enters Addison county, and passes 
 to Middlebury, where it falls very 
 considerably, affording that pleasant 
 town an admirable water power ; 
 it then passes Weybridge, New Ha- 
 ven and Vergennes, and falls into 
 Champlain lake at Ferrisburgh. 
 From Vergennes it is navigable for 
 the largest lake vessels, 8 miles. 
 There are no considerable falls on 
 this stream except at Middlebury, 
 Weybridge and Vergennes. In ma- 
 ny parts of its course it is sluggish. 
 From Middlebury to Pittsford, a 
 distance of 25 miles, it is navigable 
 for boats. Otter Creek has many 
 tributaries which afford a great wa- 
 ter power. Its length is about 90 
 miles, and on its banks are large 
 tracts of alluvial meadows, some of 
 the best in the state. It receives 
 the waters of a basin of about 900 
 square miles. 
 
 Owl's Head, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This noted place on 
 our eastern waters is a point of land 
 attached to the town of Thomaston, 
 running out three or four miles into 
 Penobscot bay, opposite to the island 
 town of Vinalhaven. Owl's Head 
 forms the western entrance into the 
 mouth of Penobscot river, and has 
 
 a light house to guide the wary 
 mariner on his way. A breakwater 
 is about being erected, which will 
 render the harbor at this place one 
 of the most commodious, as it is one 
 of the most important, on the coast. 
 An almost countless number of ves- 
 sels pass this place annually. Fre- 
 quently five hundred pass in a day. 
 From March 15th to June 15th, 1838, 
 5019 sail were seen to pass in the 
 day time. Owl's Head is not only 
 a stopping place in a storm, but a 
 resort for great numbers of people, 
 for many miles around, to take pas- 
 sages on board of steamers and oth- 
 er vessels. It is a delightful place 
 in summer, and has justly acquired 
 a reputation for possessing all the 
 various enjoyments which induce 
 thousands to visit the sea coast at 
 other places. It lies 4 miles E. from 
 Thomaston, 55 S. from Bangor, 40 
 S. E. from Augusta, and 79 E. N. E. 
 from Portland. 
 
 Oxford County, Me. 
 
 Paris, chief town. This county 
 is bounded N. by Lower Canada, E. 
 by Franklin and Kennebec coun- 
 ties, S. by Cumberland and York 
 counties, and W. by New Hamp- 
 shire. 
 
 It is watered by the Margalla- 
 way, Androscoggin, Saco, and nu- 
 merous other rivers. In the nor th- 
 
 rn part of the county lies a collec- 
 tion of large lakes whose waters 
 
 mpty into the Umbagog, and pass 
 to the ocean by the Androscoggin 
 and Kennebec rivers. Although 
 some parts of the county are rough 
 and mountainous, yet a very large 
 >artof it is exceedingly fertile, par- 
 icularly on the borders of its nu- 
 merous rivers, lakes and ponds. 
 Phis county contained an area of 
 
 ,684 square miles previous to the 
 brmation of Franklin county, in 
 .838, which was formed partly from 
 )xford county. The population of 
 Oxford county, in 1820, was 17,630, 
 1830, 35,211 ; 1837, 40,640. Popu-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 lation to a square mile, 15. The 
 number of sheep in this county, in 
 1837, was 76,028. 
 
 Oxford, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This town is watered 
 by little Androscoggin river and 
 several ponds. It contains some 
 excellent land and two flourishing 
 villages. It produced, in 1837, 3,226 
 bushels of wheat. Population, same 
 year, 1,124. Oxford lies 52 miles 
 S. W. from Augusta, and 8 S. from 
 Paris. 
 
 Oxford, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This is an impor- 
 tant manufacturing town, of uneven 
 surface, strong, gravelly soil; 45 
 miles W. from Boston and 10 S. from 
 Worcester. Incorporated, 1773. 
 Population, 1837, 2,047. There are 
 in the town 5 woolen and 4 cotton 
 mills, and manufactures of boots 
 and shoes : total value, the year 
 ending April 1, 1837, $501,394. 
 Oxford is a pleasant town, and fine- 
 ly watered by French river, which 
 passes to the ocean by the Quinne- 
 baug and Thames. 
 
 The original township of Oxford 
 was eighf miles square, and was 
 granted to Joseph Dudley and oth- 
 ers, in 1680, for the accommodation 
 of about 30 French protestant fam- 
 ilies, who had escaped from France 
 after the revocation of the Edict of 
 Nantz, when they became exposed 
 to every cruelty and hardship that 
 catholic intolerance and religious 
 bigotry could invent. They were 
 assisted in their emigration to 
 this country by the proprietors of 
 the grant, and settled here about 
 1686. They built a fort on a hill in 
 the eastern part of the town, now 
 called Mayo's, or Fort Hill, where 
 its remains are still visible. It was 
 constructed by the rules of art, with 
 bastions, and had a well within its 
 enclosure. They had another fort, 
 and a meeting house. The grapes, 
 currants, and asparagus of their 
 planting, still grow here, and the 
 
 last of the peach trees was destroy- 
 ed by the gale of 1815. They had 
 a minister while resident here, 
 whose name was Bondet. These 
 people remained here till 1696, 
 when the Indians attacked the place 
 and murdered some of the people. 
 This so terrified the inhabitants that 
 they left the place, and most of 
 them settled in Boston, where a 
 French church was maintained by 
 them several years. 
 
 Oxford, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. Oxford was tak- 
 en from Derby in 1798. It lies 
 14 miles N. W. from New Haven 
 and 40 S. W. from Hartford. It is 
 watered by Housatonick and Nau- 
 gatuck rivers. The surface of the 
 town is diversified with hills and 
 valleys ; the soil is generally a 
 gravelly loam, fertile and produc- 
 tive. 
 
 There are large manufacturing 
 establishments in Oxford, among 
 which are three satinet factories 
 and an extensive hat manufactory. 
 The water power at this place is 
 excellent. Population, 1830, 1,763. 
 From " Governor's Hill" a fine 
 view of the neat village of " Qua- 
 ker Farms," and the surrounding 
 country is presented. 
 
 About one mile south of the cen- 
 tral part of the town is a remarka- 
 ble mineral spring, called " The 
 Pool," from the circumstance of its 
 waters being efficacious, and much 
 used for the cure of the salt rheum 
 and other complaints. " Once in a 
 month a yellowish scum will col- 
 lect upon the surface of the water, 
 which in a few days runs off, 
 and leaves the pool perfectly clear. 
 In the coldest weather, this spring 
 never freezes ; in the dryest season 
 it is as full as at other times." 
 
 Palermo, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. This {pwn is watered 
 by several beautiful ponds, which 
 form the head waters of Sheepscot 
 river. This is a farming town of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 good soil and undulating surface, 
 it produced, in 1837, 5,326 bushels of 
 wheat. Population, .same year, 
 1,533. It lies 16 miles E. N. E. 
 from Augusta, and 24 W. from Bel- 
 fast. Incorporated, 1804. 
 
 Palmer, Mass. 
 
 Hampden co. This town was 
 originally settled by a colony from 
 Ireland. It was incorporated in 
 1752. The surface of Palmer is 
 hilly, but the soil is good, particu- 
 larly along the banks of Ware and 
 Swift rivers, by which it is finely 
 watered, and supplied with water 
 power. There are 1 woolen and 2 
 cotton mills in the town, and manu- 
 factures of boots, sho.es, scythes, 
 palm-leaf hats and wagons ; total 
 amount, the year ending April 1, 
 1837, $178,556. The value of 
 2,652 fleeces of wool sheared in this 
 town, that year, was $4,243. 
 Palmer lies 70 miles W. by S. from 
 Boston, and 16 E. N. E. from 
 Springfield. Population, 1830, 1,237; 
 1837, 1,810. 
 
 Palmyra, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. Sebasticook river 
 passes through this town, and af- 
 fords it a good water power. The soil 
 is rich, and the surface undulating. 
 There are some mills in the town, 
 and considerable attention is paid 
 to its agricultural interests. It lies 
 51 miles N. N. E. from Augusta, 
 and 25 E. N. E. from Norridgewock. 
 Incorporated, 1807. Population, in 
 1837, 1,328. Wheat crop, same 
 year, 8,523 bushels. 
 
 Ponton, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. This town is bound- 
 ed W. by Champlain lake, and E. 
 by Otter creek. A sluggish stream 
 passes through it ; yet, although thus 
 watered, it does not possess a good 
 mill site, the country being exceed- 
 ingly level. It lies 40 miles W. S. 
 W. from Mofttpelier, 13 N. W. 
 from Middlebury, 25 S. by W. from 
 Burlington, and is 4 miles from 
 
 Elizabethtown, N. Y., across the 
 lake. Population, 1830, G05. 
 
 Paris, Me. 
 
 Chief town, Oxford co. Paris is 
 well watered.and supplied with mill 
 privileges by Little Androscoggin 
 river, on which are several mills in 
 the town. The soil is excellent, al- 
 though in some parts uneven and 
 mountainous. The principal vil- 
 lage is well built, pleasantly located, 
 and the seat of considerable busi- 
 ness. The town was incorporated 
 in 1793. Population, 1837, 2,352. 
 Wheat crop, same year, 10,453 
 bushels. Paris lies 42 miles W. by 
 S. from Augusta, and 40 N. by W. 
 from Portland. 
 
 Parkman, Me. 
 
 Piscataquis co. This town is wa- 
 tered by a branch of Piscataquis 
 river, and has an excellent soil for 
 agricultural purposes. It lies 64 
 miles N. by E. from Augusta, and 
 14 W. from Dover. Incorporated, 
 1822. Population, 1830,803; 1837, 
 1,125. Wheat crop, 1837. 6,018 
 bushels. 
 
 Parsonsfield, Me. 
 
 York co. This town lies at the 
 N. W. corner of the county, ancl is 
 bounded W. by the state of New 
 Hampshire, and N. by Ossipee riv- 
 er. It is 36 miles W. by N. from 
 Portland, 21 N. by W. from Alfred, 
 and 93 W. S. W. from Augusta. 
 First settled, 1774. Incorporated, 
 1785. Population, 1837, 2,510. 
 The surface of the town is rough 
 and hilly, but the soil, though hard, 
 is productive of good crops of grain 
 and hay. Wheat crop, 1837, 3,929 
 bushels. 
 
 There are many good farmers in 
 this town, and good specimens of 
 iron ore, zinc and crystalized quartz 
 are found here. In this place is an 
 incorporated seminary, for the edu- 
 cation of males and females. The 
 institution is under the direction ot 
 the Free Will Baptists, and is in a 
 flourishing condition.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Passadumkeag, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This town lies on 
 the east side of Penobscot river, 98 
 miles N. E. from Augusta, and 30 
 N. by E. from Bangor. The soil of 
 the town is fertile, and promises a 
 rich reward to the industrious farm- 
 er. Population, 1837, 422. Wheat 
 crop, same year, 1,070 bushels. 
 
 The village of Passadumkeag 
 is admirable located, and will doubt- 
 less become an important mart of 
 the trade of a large section of coun- 
 try. This flourishing village lies at 
 the junction of Passadumkeag river 
 with the Penobscot. This delight- 
 ful stream is about 25 miles in 
 length. It rises in the north east- 
 ern part of this county, and waters 
 the northern part of Hancock coun- 
 ty. It re-enters Penobscot county, 
 and receives the Cold stream, two 
 miles from Passadumkeag village. 
 Both the Passadumk^ag and Cold 
 stream afford excellent mill privi- 
 leges. 
 
 Fassamaqnoddy Bay, Me. 
 
 This bay lies partly in Maine, 
 and partly in the British Province 
 of New Brunswick. The bounda- 
 ry line between the state of Maine 
 and New Brunswick passes through 
 the western part o this bay up the 
 river St. Croix. CampoBello,Deer. 
 and other English islands almost en- 
 close this bay from the ocean. At 
 its mouth it is about 9 miles in width, 
 and extends from West Quoddy 
 Head, in Lubec, due north into 
 New Brunswick, about 25 miles. 
 This bay contains a great number of 
 excellent harbors; it is never froz- 
 en over, and abounds with cod, her- 
 ring and other fishes. The most 
 important English town on this bay 
 is St. Andrews, a very flourishing 
 place, 15 miles N. from Eastport. 
 The P assamaquoddy Indians re- 
 side at Perry, Me. 
 
 Passnmpsick River, Vt. 
 
 This river rises in Caledonia, 
 and on the south border of Essex 
 
 27 
 
 counties. It passes south about 
 35 miles, and falls into the Connec- 
 ticut at Barnet, about a mile below 
 the foot of Fifteen Mile Falls. It 
 has a number of tributaries. This 
 is a valuable stream, both on ac- 
 count of the numerous mill sites it 
 affords, and the large tracts of choice 
 intervale it forms on its borders. 
 It is generally deep, but in many 
 places it is very rapid, and forms 
 beautiful cascades. 
 
 Patricktown, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This plantation 
 contains the principal part of a large 
 pond, and is watered by streams 
 which flow into the Sheepscot and 
 Damariscotta. This is a large plan- 
 tation, of good soil. Population, 
 1837,465. It lies 17 miles E. from 
 Augusta, and 20 N. W. from War- 
 ren. 
 
 Pavrcatuck River. 
 
 This river rises in the western 
 part of Rhode Island, and empties 
 into Long Island Sound, separating, 
 at its mouth, the towns of Westerly, 
 R. I., and Stonington, Ct. It is 
 navigable about 6 miles from its 
 mouth, and Wood and Charles riv- 
 ers, two of its principals tributaries, 
 are good mill streams. 
 
 Pawcatuck village. See West- 
 erly. 
 
 Pawlet, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. First settled, 1761. 
 Population, 1830, 1,965. Pawlet 
 lies 21 miles S. W. from Rutland, 
 and 27 S. E. from Whitehall, N. Y. 
 The town is watered by Pawlet 
 river, which falls into Champlain 
 lake at Whitehall, and by Indian 
 river, which rises from a spring 
 sufficiently large to carry a mill. 
 The latter river was formerly a 
 great resort of the natives, who fre- 
 quented it for trout and other fish 
 with which it abounds. The terri- 
 tory of Pawlet is nearly divided by 
 a range of mountains, the highest 
 summit of which is known by the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 name of " Haystack." Thi3 is a 
 pleasant town, with some manufac- 
 tures. The soil is dry and warm, 
 and produces good crops of corn and 
 hay. It feeds about 14,000 sheep. 
 
 Paivtuckct, Mass. 
 
 Bristol co. The town of Pawtuck- 
 et lies on the east side of the river of 
 the same name. It is two miles 
 square, and was taken from Seekonk 
 in 1828. The population of the 
 town, in!330,was 1,458; 1837, 1,881. 
 
 The village of Pawtucket is 
 very pleasant; it is an important 
 manufacturing place, commanding 
 a considerable trade, and contains a 
 population of about 8,000. It lies 
 on both sides of the river, and in- 
 cludes a part of the town of North 
 Providence, in R. I. 
 
 The first manufacture of cotton 
 cloth in this country, by water pow- 
 er machinery, was commenced at 
 this place. The water power is 
 immense, and the fall of the river 
 within a short distance, is 50 feet. 
 
 The river is navigable to the vil- 
 lage for vessels of considerable 
 burthen. It runs 4 miles S. by W. 
 to Providence river, at India Point, 
 near the depot of the Boston and 
 Providence rail-road, one mile be- 
 low the centre of the city of Provi- 
 dence. The river, above Pawtuck- 
 et, in Massachusetts, takes the name 
 ofBlackstone; below the falls it takes 
 the name of Seekonk. This place 
 is 4 miles N. from Providence, 36 
 S. from Boston, 16 W. by S. from 
 Taunton, and 38 S. E. from Wor- 
 cester. At this place are 12 or 
 more cotton mills and print works, 
 and manufactures of cotton machin- 
 ery, bobbins, spools, &c. ; of boots, 
 shoes, carriages, vessels, chairs, 
 cabinet wares, &c. ; total annual 
 value, about two millions of dollars. 
 
 The turnpike road from this place 
 to Providence is probably th>3 best 
 road of the kind in the world. It 
 is very straight, wide, level, smooth, 
 and shaded on each side by beauti- 
 ful trees. 
 
 SAMUEL SLATER, Esq., the 
 father of cotton manufactures in 
 America, resided in this village 
 many years. He died at Webster, 
 Mass., greatly respected, April 20, 
 1835, aged 67. 
 
 Pawtuxet River, R. I. 
 
 This celebrated river rises in the 
 western part of the State. It has nu- 
 merous tributaries.and mingles with 
 the waters of the Narraganset, five 
 miles below Providence. This riv- 
 er is distinguished for its valuable 
 mill sites, and for the numerous man- 
 ufacturing establishments erected 
 on its banks. Pawtuxet and its 
 branches fertilize a large portion of 
 the state. See Warwick. 
 
 Paxtoii, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. Paxton was tak- 
 en from Leicester and Rutland, in 
 1765. It is on high ground ; its 
 waters descend both to the Connec- 
 ticut and Merrimack. It lies 50 
 miles W. from Boston, and 7 N. W. 
 from Worcester. Population, 1837, 
 619. This is a pleasant town, with 
 manufactures of palm-leaf hats, 
 boots, shoes, leather, carriages, &c. 
 The surface of the town is uneven, 
 but the soil is good, and well culti- 
 vated by its proprietors. 
 
 Peacham, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. As no town can 
 be considered properly peopled 
 without some of the fair sex, the 
 date of the first settlement of Peach- 
 am must have been near 1777, when 
 Henry Elkins, the first child in 
 town, was born. The first mill was 
 erected in 1781. The town is well 
 watered by several ponds and 
 ftreams ; the surface is pleasantly 
 diversified ; the soil fertile and well 
 cultivated by independent farmers. 
 The agricultural products are con- 
 siderable. About 6,000 sheep are 
 kept. Peacham lies 20 miles E. by 
 N. from Montpelier, and 8 S. by 
 W. from Danville. Population, 
 1830, 1,351.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Peeling, N. H. 
 
 Grafton co. This town is 20 miles 
 N. from Plymouth, and 60 N. from 
 Concord. The Pemigewasset pas- 
 ses through its E. section. The three 
 branches of this river unite in the 
 N. part of Peeling. There are sev- 
 eral brooks and rivulets which sup- 
 ply this place with a number of mill 
 privileges. The ponds are numer- 
 ous. Cushman's mountain, in the 
 S. W., Black mountain in the N. 
 W., and Blue mountain in the W. 
 are the highest elevations. Among 
 these mountains, branches of the 
 Wild Amonoosuck and Baker's riv- 
 ers, and Moosehillock brook, have 
 their sources. On the last stream 
 there is a beautiful cascade. There 
 are here two springs which have 
 been termed medicinal. Peeling 
 was settled about 1773. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 291. 
 
 PelHam, IV. II. 
 
 Hillsborough co This town is 
 distant 37 miles S. from Concord, 
 and 19 S.E. fromAmherst. Here are 
 three ponds, called Gumpas, Island, 
 and North ponds. Beaver river 
 passes through the town. On this 
 river and the tributary streams 
 there is much valuable meadow. 
 The inhabitants depend principally 
 on agriculture for the means of sup- 
 port. Much timber and cord wood 
 are carried annually to the banks of 
 the Merrimack, and thence convey- 
 ed to Newburyport, or to Boston 
 through Middlesex canal. The 
 first settlements were made in 1722. 
 The town was incorporated in 1746, 
 about 5 years after the state line was 
 established, by which a part was 
 separated from Dracut, Mass. Pop- 
 ulation in 1830, 1,075. 
 
 Pelham, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. This town lies 
 80 miles W. from Boston, and 13 N. 
 E. from Northampton. It was in- 
 corporated in 1742. Population, in 
 1837, 957. The surface of the 
 
 town is elevated and uneven ; the 
 soil is hard but productive. Swift 
 and Fort rivers afford it mill privi- 
 leges. Some palm-leaf hats are 
 made here. 
 
 Some years ago the notorious 
 Stephen Burroughs profaned the 
 Christian sabbath, by imposing him- 
 self on the innocent people of Pel- 
 ham as a minister of the gospel. 
 
 Pemadumcook Lake, Ale., 
 
 Or the Bamedumpkok. This 
 large lake is of very irregular form, 
 containing a great number of isl- 
 ands.and lies a few miles N.from Ba- 
 ker's mountain. It receives the 
 waters of numerous lakes, or col- 
 lections of water, lying between it 
 and the eastern sources of the 
 Moose Head. The soil on the bor- 
 ders of the Pemadumcook, and the 
 lakes connected with it, is remark- 
 ably fertile. The Jo Mary lakes 
 are beautiful sheets of water, and 
 are surrounded by some of the best 
 timbered land in the state. They 
 lie near the Pemadumcook; and the 
 facilities afforded for rafting lumber 
 down the Penobscot, through that 
 lake, render that section of country 
 very valuable. 
 
 Pembroke, Me. 
 
 Washington co. Population, in 
 1837, 866. Wheat crop, same year, 
 1,216 bushels. It lies 178 miles 
 from Augusta. 
 
 See " Down East." 
 
 Pembroke, IV. H., 
 
 Merrimack co., lies 60 miles N. 
 W. from Boston, and 6 S. E. from 
 Concord. This town is generally 
 well watered. The Suncook, on the 
 S. E. boundary, furnishes many val- 
 uable water privileges. The main 
 street extends nearly on a parallel 
 with Merrimack river in a straight 
 course about three miles, and is very 
 pleasant. On this are situated the 
 academy and the principal village. 
 Pembroke has a variety of soils, 
 mostly very productive. On the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 rivers are small but valuable tracts 
 of intervale, and from these the 
 land rises in extensive and beauti- 
 ful swells, yielding in abundance 
 when properly cultivated. Pem- 
 broke is the ancient Suncook of the 
 Indians. It was granted by this 
 name in 1727, by the government 
 of Massachusetts, to Capt. John 
 Lovewell, and his brave associates, 
 in consideration of their services 
 against the Indians. The whole 
 number of grantees was 60 ; 46 of 
 whom accompanied Lovewell in 
 his last march to Pequawkett. The 
 first survey was made in 1728 ; and 
 in the following year settlements 
 were commenced. The settlements 
 increased slowly, in consequence 
 of the frequent alarms from the In- 
 dians, who committed many depre- 
 dations upon their property. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,312. 
 
 Pembroke, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. This town was 
 taken from Duxbury in 1711. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 1,258. It lies 27 
 miles S. E. from Boston, and 12 N. 
 N. W. from Plymouth. North riv- 
 er separates this town from Hano- 
 ver; and some branches of that 
 stream, rising from ponds in Pem- 
 broke, give it a good water power. 
 For more than 40 years after the 
 settlement at Plymouth, this town 
 contained the only saw-mill in the 
 colony. Pembroke is at the head 
 of navigation on the North river, 
 and possesses superior advantages 
 for ship building ; and many noble 
 vessels, constructed of native white 
 oak, are annually launched. The 
 manufactures of the town consist of 
 vessels, cotton goods, tacks, iron 
 ware, chairs, cabinet ware, &c. 
 
 The North river is very deep and 
 narrow, and so exceedingly crook- 
 ed that it meanders 18 miles in its 
 course from Pembroke to Scituate 
 harbor, when the distance by land 
 is less than 6 miles. 
 
 Pomigetvasset River, IV. II. 
 
 This stream and the Winnepisio- 
 gee constitute the Merrimack. It 
 is formed of three principal branch- 
 es, having their sources in Peeling, 
 Franconia, and the ungranted lands 
 S. W. of the White Mountains. 
 These branches unite in Peeling, 
 from whence the main stream pass- 
 es in a S. direction through Thorn- 
 ton, Campion, between Plymouth 
 and Holderness ; Bridgewater, Bris- 
 tol and New Hampton ; Hill and 
 Franklin, where it unites with 
 Winnepisiogee river, and the main 
 stream becomes the Merrimack. 
 
 Pemmaquid Point, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This is an important 
 point of land, extending into the 
 sea between Muscongusbay on the 
 east, and Pemmaquid river and the 
 waters of Damariscotta on the west. 
 There is a light house on this point, 
 which bears W. 10 miles from St. 
 George's island, and about N. E. 9 
 miles from Bantam Ledge. 
 
 Penobscot River and Bay, Me. 
 
 This large and important river, 
 with its numerous and extensive 
 branches water a large portion of 
 the state. It pierces the county 
 which bears its name and receives 
 tributaries from Washington, Han- 
 cock, Waldo, Piscataquis and Som- 
 erset counties. Below the union 
 of the eastern and western branch- 
 es the Piscataquis and Matawam- 
 keag are its largest tributaries. 
 From the junction of the two 
 branches, or " the Forks," to tide 
 water at Bangor is about 76 miles. 
 
 The east branch rises at the north, 
 in the Seboois lakes, near Aroostook 
 river, and on its passage to the junc- 
 tion, a distance of about 50 miles, 
 it is properly called Seboois river. 
 
 The western branch of the Pe- 
 nobscot rises in the high lands on 
 the border of Lower Canada and 
 the western frontier of Maine. It 
 passes through the counties of Som-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 erset and Piscataquis in an eastern 
 direction, to its junction with the 
 eastern branch, receiving in its 
 course the waters of lakes Chesun- 
 cook, Pemadumcook, Millinoket, 
 and other large collections of water. 
 This branch passes within 3 miles 
 of the northern border of Moose 
 Head lake, the source of Kenne- 
 bec river. The length of this branch 
 of the Penobscot, from its source to 
 its union with the east branch 01 
 Seboois river, may be stated at 
 about 140 miles ; and the greatest 
 length of the river to Bangor, 
 215, and to the ocean, 275 miles. 
 
 Some of the most important 
 tributaries of this majestic river, 
 are noted under their distinctive 
 names; a description of them all with 
 their hydraulic powers and boat- 
 able capabilities, their rapid cour- 
 ses and beautiful cataracts, their 
 fertilizing qualities, and other pecu- 
 liarities, would fiH a volume. In- 
 deed, these streams and the immense 
 basin which they drain, are so little 
 known, that some years must elapse 
 before any thing like a fair delinea- 
 tion of the value and beauty of this 
 interesting section of New Eng- 
 land can be given. 
 
 Penobscot Bay. The waters of 
 this bay extend from Owl's Head 
 on the west, to Burnt Coat Island 
 on the E. ; a distance of about 30 
 miles. At its mouth are Fox Is- 
 lands, Deer Isle, Isle of Haut, 
 and a number of smaller islands. 
 It extends to Belfast bay, at the 
 mouth of Penobscot river, a dis- 
 tance of 20 miles N. from Owl's 
 Head. This bay contains a great 
 number of commodious harbors, and 
 on its borders are many large and 
 flourishing commercial towns. It 
 affords a great variety of fish, and 
 the scenery among the islands is de- 
 lightful. 
 
 Penobscot County, Me. 
 
 Bangor, chief town. This sec- 
 
 27* 
 
 tion of country constituting a coun- 
 ty, is rather a district within the 
 state, to be divided into counties as 
 exigencies may require. Not more 
 than a fourth part of the territory 
 is settled, incorporated into towns, 
 or even granted. With the excep- 
 tion of a small portion at its south- 
 ern boundary, it comprises a fertile 
 wilderness, densely wooded, pierc- 
 ed in every direction with mill 
 streams, and adorned with beautiful 
 lakes. It contains a larger extent 
 of territory than the whole agri- 
 cultural state of Vermont, with its 
 14 large and flourishing counties ; 
 of no better soil, at a greater dis- 
 tance from the ocean, in nearly the 
 same latitude, and, in 1837, with a 
 population of no less than 31 to a 
 square mile. 
 
 In 1837, before a part of this ter- 
 ritory was set off to form Piscataquis 
 county, it comprised an area of 10,- 
 578 square miles. It was incorpo- 
 rated as a county in 1816. In 1790, 
 it contained a population of only 
 1,154. In 1820, the population was 
 13,870; 1830, 31,530, and in 1837, 
 54,961. Population to a square 
 mile, 5 and a fraction, increase of 
 population, in 7 years, 74 per cent. 
 There are some mountains in this 
 county, but the surface is generally 
 undulating, containing as small a 
 portion of waste land as any county 
 in the state, in proportion to its size. 
 With regard to its soil, it is con- 
 ceded by all who have traveled 
 through the territory and examined 
 it, that its quality, for the produc- 
 tion of all the commodities necessa- 
 ry for the wants and comforts of 
 man, is better than the soil of New- 
 England generally. 
 
 The manufactures of this county 
 consist principally of lumber, of 
 which an immense amount is annu- 
 ally transported. Other manufac- 
 tures, however, are rising on the 
 ianks of its rivers, and will doubt- 
 ess increase with its population. 
 In 1837, there were 39,154 sheep
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 in the county of Penobscot, and its 
 wheat crop, the same year, amount- 
 ed to 202,143 bushels. 
 
 Large portions of the soil of this 
 almost wilderness county are stated 
 to be exceedingly luxuriant, equal- 
 ling in quality the famed lands of 
 the Ohio valley. There are doubt- 
 less large tracts of land in the val- 
 leys of the Mattawamkeag, Aroos- 
 took, St. Johns, and Madawaska, as 
 fertile, and which will ultimately 
 become as valuable for their agri- 
 cultural productions, as any in our 
 country. 
 
 The water power of this county 
 is unrivalled by any section of coun- 
 try of its extent in the world, and 
 the noble Penobscot furnishes it 
 with a cheap and convenient pas- 
 sage for the wants of its people 
 from abroad, and for the surplus 
 productions of the soil at home. 
 
 When the resources of this coun- 
 ty are more fully developed and 
 better understood ; when the health- 
 fulness of the climate, the purity 
 of its air and water, are fairly 
 compared with those of the western 
 and southern prairies, and when the 
 value of a surplus bushel of wheat, 
 or a fat ox on the banks of the Ohio, 
 is compared with the value of the 
 same productions on the banks of 
 the Penobscot, we trust there will 
 be less complaint against the soil of 
 New England, for the want of pat- 
 ronage it affords to the enterprize, 
 comfort, and wealth of her children. 
 
 Peiiotoscot, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. A maritime town, 
 on the E. side of Penobscot bay, 
 nearly opposite to Belfast, and 12 
 miles E. by N. from it. It is 75 
 miles E. by N. from Augusta, 8 N. 
 by E. from Castine, and 17 S. W. 
 from Ellsworth. An arm of Penob- 
 scot bay sets up from the S. W., and 
 gives the town great navigable facil- 
 ities. It has a great water power, 
 and its manufacture of lumber, its 
 ship building, and coasting trade, 
 render it an important and flourish- 
 
 ing sea port. The surface of tha 
 town is pleasant, and the soil good. 
 Population, 1837, 1,496. Wheat 
 crop, same year, 2,074 bushels. 
 Incorporated, 1787. 
 
 Pepperell, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This is a very 
 pleasant town, with a good soil and 
 handsome orchards. It is watered 
 by the Nashua river, which gives 
 it a good water power. There are 
 three paper mills in the town, and 
 manufactures of palm-leaf hats, 
 boots, shoes, &c. Annual amount 
 about $80,000. Incorporated, 1753. 
 Population, 1837, 1,586. It lies 33 
 miles N. W. from Boston, and 17 
 N. N. W. from Concord. 
 
 Col. WILLIAM PRESCOTT, the 
 brave defender of Charlestown 
 heights, was a native of this town. 
 He died in 1795, aged 70. 
 
 This town derived its name from 
 Sir WILLIAM PEPPERELL, who 
 about the year 1727, was chosen 
 one of his majesty's council, and 
 was annually re-elected 32 years, 
 till his death. Living in a coun- 
 try exposed to a ferocious enemy, 
 he was well fitted for the situa- 
 tion, in which he was placed, for it 
 pleased God to give him a vigorous 
 frame, and a mind of firm tex- 
 ture, and of great calmness in dan- 
 ger. He rose to the highest mili- 
 tary honors which his country could 
 bestow upon him. When the ex- 
 pedition against Louisbourg was 
 contemplated, he was commission- 
 ed by the governors of New Eng- 
 land to command the troops. He 
 invested the city in 1745. There 
 was a remarkable series of provi- 
 dences in the whole affair, and Mr. 
 Pepperell ascribed his unparalleled 
 success to the God of armies. The 
 king, in reward for his services, 
 conferred upon him the dignity of a 
 baronet of Great Britain, an honor 
 never before conferred on a native 
 of New England. He died at his 
 seat in Kittery, Maine, July 6, 
 1759,aged 63 years, leaving but on*
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 daughter, the wife of Col. Nathan- 
 iel Sparhawk. The last Sir Wil- 
 liam (son of Col. Sparhawk,) died 
 in London in 1817. The name and 
 title are extinct. 
 
 Lady Mary Pepperell, relict of 
 Sir William Pepperell, died at her 
 seat in Kittery, Nov. 25, 1789. She 
 was daughter of Grove Hirst, 
 Esq. and grand-daughter of Hon. 
 Judge Sewall. Her natural and 
 acquired powers were said to be 
 very respectable, and she was much 
 admired for her wit and sweetness 
 of manners. 
 
 WILLIAM PEPPERELL, the fa- 
 ther of the first Sir William, was a 
 native of Cornwall, England, and 
 emigrated to this country about the 
 year 1676, and settled at the Isles 
 of Shoals, as a fisherman. It is 
 said, he was so poor for some time 
 after his arrival, that the lady to 
 whom he paid his addresses at the 
 Shoals would not hearken to him. 
 However, in a few years, by his 
 industry and frugality, he got 
 enough to send out a brig, which 
 he loaded to Hull. The lady now 
 gave her consent. After his mar- 
 riage, he removed to Kittery, 
 where he became a very wealthy 
 merchant, and died in 1734. 
 
 Pequawkett River, N. H. 
 
 Pequawkett, written byBelknap 
 Pigwacket, and by Sullivan Pick- 
 wocket, but the true orthography is 
 found to be Pe-quaw-kett; an In- 
 dian name applied to a considerable 
 tract of country, now including 
 Conway, N. H., Fryeburgh, Me., 
 and some of the adjacent towns. 
 It is also the name of a river flow- 
 ing into the Saco, from two ponds 
 in Eaton ; and of a mountain be- 
 tween Bartlett and Chatham, for- 
 merly called Kearsarge. 
 
 Perry, Me. 
 
 Washington co. This town lies 
 on the W. side of St. Croix river, 
 and 5 miles N. W. from Eastport, 
 to which it is connected by a bridge. 
 
 It is favored with good navigable 
 waters, and is a place of considera- 
 ble enterprise in the fishing busi- 
 ness, ship building, and the coasting 
 and lumber trade. It is 184 miles 
 E. by N. from Augusta, and 25 E. 
 N. E. from Machias. Incorporated, 
 1818. Population, 1837, 929. 
 
 At Pleasant Point, in this town, 
 on the margin of the river, is an 
 Indian reservation, the residence of 
 the remnant of the Openangos, or 
 Passamaquoddy tribe. The village 
 contains a Roman Catholic church, 
 about 20 cottages, and 120 souls. 
 The reservation comprises about 
 27,000 acres. 
 
 Peru, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. Peru is bounded on 
 the N. by Androscoggin river, and 
 contains some pleasant ponds and 
 mill streams. It has a good soil and 
 produced, in 1837, 3,457 bushels of 
 wheat. Population, same year, 
 854. Incorporated, 1821. Peru 
 lies 38 miles W. by N. from Augus- 
 ta, and 17 N. by E. from Paris. 
 
 Peru, Vt. 
 
 Bennington co. This is a Green 
 Mountain township, high and brok- 
 en. It contains two large fish ponds 
 from which issue beautiful moun- 
 tain streams. First settled, 1773. 
 Population, 1830, 455. It lies 3C 
 miles N. N. E. from Bennington, 
 and 30 S. W. from Windsor. 
 
 Pern, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. This is a rough 
 and mountainous town, wherein 
 branches of Housatonick and West- 
 field rivers rise. It was formerly 
 called Partridgefield, and incorpo- 
 rated by that name in 1771. The 
 soil is cold but adapted for grazing. 
 The inhabitants are chiefly farm- 
 ers. Population, 1837, 656. In 
 that year 6,127 sheep were sheared 
 in this town ; the value of the wool, 
 which weighed 18,381 Ibs., was 
 $11,948. Peru lies 111 miles W. 
 from Boston, 18 N. E. from Lenox,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 and 47 E. from Albany, N. Y. It 
 is the highest land between the 
 Connecticut and Hudson rivers. 
 
 Peterborough, Hi. II. 
 
 Hillsborough co. This town lies 
 midway between Amherst and 
 Keene, being 20 miles from each. 
 It is 75 miles W. S. W. from Ports- 
 mouth, 60 N. W. from Boston, and 
 40 S. W. from Concord. Peterbo- 
 rough lies in a N. E. direction from 
 the Grand Monadnock,and is bound- 
 ed on the E. by a chain of hills 
 called Pack Monadnock. Contoo- 
 cook river runs in a N. E. and N. 
 direction through the centre of the 
 town, affording several good privi- 
 leges for mills and factories. The 
 N. branch, from Dublin, originating 
 partly from waters near the Monad- 
 nock, and partly from Long, or 
 Hunt's pond, lying in Nelson and 
 Hancock, affords a never-failing 
 supply of water, and furnishes those 
 noble falls, on which are situated 
 several factories. There are ex- 
 tensive and valuable meadows on 
 this branch, above these falls; and 
 the soil generally throughout the 
 town is excellent. In the centre 
 of the town is a high hill, formerly 
 the site of a meeting house, at an 
 elevation of 200 feet above the riv- 
 er. The chain of hills on the E. is 
 distinguished by two principal sum- 
 mits. Between these summits is a 
 depression of a quarter part of the 
 mountain's height. About 60 rods 
 W. of the ridge, or summit of this 
 depression, on an embenchment of 
 the mountain, is a pond of about 
 9 acres extent, very deep and re- 
 plenished with fish, at an elevation 
 of 200 feet above the site of meet- 
 ing house hill. There are rocks 
 in several places which afford indi- 
 cations of sulphur, and crumble on 
 exposure to the sun and air. Iron' 
 ore of an excellent quality has been 
 discovered, but as yet in small 
 quantities. Peterborough was grant- 
 ed in 1738, by the government of 
 Massachusetts to Samuel Heywood 
 
 and others. The first settlement 
 took place in 1739. In 1759 there 
 were 45 families, and on the 17th 
 Jan., the next year, the town was 
 incorporated. The first settlers of 
 Peterborough were Scotch Presby- 
 terians, from Ireland, or their im- 
 mediate descendants. Wholly un- 
 used to clearing and cultivating of 
 wild lands, they endured great hard- 
 ships. Their nearest gristmill was 
 at Townsend, 25 miles distant 
 their road, a line of marked trees. 
 The first male child born here, was 
 John Richie ; he was born Feb 22, 
 1751, and died in the service of his 
 country at Cambridge, in 1776. 
 Population, 1S30, 1,934. 
 
 Petersham, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. Petersham is a 
 very pleasant town, elevated on a 
 swell of fertile, land, and pre-. 
 senting a fine prospect of many 
 of the neighboring towns. It was 
 first settled about the year 1732, and 
 was called by the Indians JVasha- 
 wang. Swift river waters a part 
 of the town, and affords a water 
 power. There is a woolen mill in 
 the town ; and manufactures of 
 palm-leaf hats, leather, boots, shoes, 
 chairs, and cabinet ware : total an- 
 nual value, about $60,000. It lies 
 62 miles W. by N. from Boston, and 
 27 N. W. from Worcester. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 1,731. Incorporated, 
 1754. 
 
 Phillips, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. This town is wa- 
 tered by Sandy river. It lies 53 
 miles N. W. from Augusta, and 15 
 N. W. from Farmington. Incorpo- 
 rated, 1812. Pop. 1830, 954; 1837, 
 1,283. Wheat crop, in 1837, 6,233 
 bushels. 
 
 Phillipstoii, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. There is a large 
 pond in this town, the source of 
 Burnshint river. This pleasant town 
 was taken from Athol and Temple- 
 ton, in 1786. It was called Gerry 
 until 1812. The manufactures of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the town consist of cotton and 
 woolen goods, palm-leaf hats, leath- 
 er, boots and shoes ; annual value, 
 about $75,000. It lies 58 miles N. 
 W. by W. from Boston, and 25 N. 
 W. from Worcester. Population, 
 1837, 8S7. 
 
 Phipsburgn, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This is a maritime 
 town at the mouth of Kennebec riv- 
 er, on the west side, 40 miles S. 
 from Augusta, and 18 S. W. from 
 Wiscasset. Population, 1837, 1,430. 
 It consists of a peninsula of land, 
 of about 15 miles in length, and 
 from two to four miles in width, ly- 
 ing between Kennebec river, on 
 the east, and New Meadows, or 
 Stevens' river, on the west, and ex- 
 tending from Small Point, the east- 
 ern boundary of Casco bay, to the 
 town of Bath on the north. It con- 
 tains a U. S. fort, and Seguin and 
 Pond islands, on which are light 
 houses. 
 
 Phipsburgh was taken from the 
 ancient town of Bristol, in 1816, 
 and named in honor of Governor 
 Phips, who was born in Bristol. 
 
 Governor Phips lived in the wil- 
 derness of Maine till he was eigh- 
 teen years of age, and was then an 
 apprentice to a ship-carpenter four 
 years. He went to Boston, and 
 learned to read and write. He chose 
 to seek his fortune on the sea, and 
 had the good luck to discover the 
 wreck of a very valuable Spanish 
 vessel on the coast of Hispaniola, 
 and by the aid of the British gov- 
 ernment succeeded in fishing up 
 plate, pearls and jewels, amounting 
 in value to three hundred thousand 
 pounds sterling, with which he 
 sailed to England in 1687. He ob- 
 tained by his enterprise sixteen 
 thousand pounds, and the honor of 
 knighthood. He returned to Bos- 
 ton in 1690, and commanded the 
 expedition against Port Royal, 
 which place he captured. When 
 the new charter of Massachu- 
 setts was obtained he was appointed 
 
 the first governor under it. He ar- 
 rived at Boston, as governor, in 1692 
 In 1694, in a dispute with the col 
 lector of the port, Sir William so 
 far forgot his dignity as to descend 
 to blows. He was removed from 
 office, and returned to England. 
 He received assurance of being re- 
 stored, but before that event hap- 
 pened he died, in 1695, aged 44. 
 
 Phipsburgh has considerable 
 trade and navigation. Ship build- 
 ing is pursued, and fishing is a 
 source of profit. There is no bet- 
 ter site for fishing establishments 
 on the coast. It is a very pleasant 
 town, and an agreeable location to 
 court the sea breezes in summer. 
 
 Piermoiit, X. II., 
 
 Grafton co., is bounded N. by 
 Haverhill. It is 65 miles N. 
 N. W. from Concord. The soil, 
 especially on the Connecticut, is 
 good. The meadows, or intervales, 
 are extensive, and in some instan- 
 es highly cultivated. The mead- 
 ows are composed of sandy loam, 
 in some places inclined to marie, 
 and are favorable to the growth of 
 wheat, corn and every kind of grain. 
 Back from the river the town is 
 made up of swells of fine grazing 
 and mowing land,well watered with 
 brooks and springs. In the N. E. 
 part of the town are three consid- 
 erabie ponds, called Eastman's 
 ponds. From these ponds issues 
 Eastman's brook, which, passing in 
 a S. E. direction, falls into Connec- 
 ticut river, forming a number of 
 excellent mill seats. Indian brook, 
 on which mills are erected, is in the 
 S. part. The settlement commenc- 
 ed in 1770. Population, in 1830, 
 1,042. 
 
 Pilot Mountain, N. H. 
 
 See Kilkenny. 
 
 Piscataqua River, N. H. 
 
 The only large river whose entire 
 course is in New Hampshire, is 
 formed by the junction of several
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 small streams in a wide and deep 
 bed ; hollowed out partly by them 
 and partly by the tide. The names 
 of these streams, beginning at the 
 northeast, are Salmon Fall, Coche- 
 co, Bellamy bank, Oyster, Lamprey, 
 Squamscot, and Winnicut rivers. 
 The five last unite their waters in 
 a large and irregular bay between 
 Durham and Greenland, more re- 
 sembling a lake than a river. The 
 waters of this bay meet those of 
 Salmon Fall and Cocheco rivers, 
 coming from the northwest at Hil- 
 ton's point, a few miles below Do- 
 ver. After this junction, they pro- 
 ceed in a direct line to the south- 
 east; and join the ocean2 or 3 miles 
 below Portsmouth ; embosoming 
 several islands, and forming one of 
 the best harbors on the continent. 
 Few rivens make a more magnifi- 
 cent appearance than this ; yet the 
 streams by which it is supplied are 
 small. Salmon Fall furnishes more 
 than all the rest. This stream is 
 called Newichawannock from the 
 falls in Berwick till it receives the 
 waters of the Cocheco ; but the 
 name of Piscataqua ought to be ap- 
 plied to the whole of Salmon Fall 
 river. 
 
 Piscataquis River, Me. 
 
 The head waters of this river are 
 found in the high lands which sep- 
 arate the waters of Penobscot and 
 Kennebec rivers. Its length is about 
 65 miles, passing in a course nearly 
 east. It has many tributaries, of 
 which Sebec and Pleasant rivers, 
 and Schools stream, from the north, 
 are the largest. In its course it 
 fertilizes large tracts of country, 
 and gives to the towns through 
 which it passes a good hydraulic 
 power. 
 
 Piscataquig County, Me. 
 
 Dover, chief town. This county 
 was incorporated, March 23, 1838. 
 Its territory is thus described in the 
 act of incorporation, to wit : 
 
 " That from and after the last 
 day of April next, all that portion 
 of territory lying north of the south 
 lines of Parkman and Wellington, 
 in the county of Somerset, and lying 
 north of the north lines of the towns 
 of Dexter, Garland, Charleston, 
 Bradford, and south line of Kilmar- 
 nock, in the county of Penobscot; 
 and bounded east by the east lines of 
 Milton, Kilmarnock and townships 
 numbered four in the eighth and 
 ninth ranges ; and thence bounded 
 east by a line running north from 
 the northeast corner of said town- 
 ship numbered four, in the ninth 
 range, to the north line of the state ; 
 and bounded on the west by the 
 west lines of Wellington, Kings- 
 bury, Shirley,and township number 
 two in the fifth range ; and thence 
 bounded west by a line running 
 north from the northwest corner 
 of said township number two, to the 
 Kennebec river ; thence up and by 
 the southerly bank of said river to 
 Moose Head lake ; thence bounded 
 westerly by the westerly margin 
 of said lake, to the northwest angle 
 of said lake and thence bounded 
 west by a line running north, to the 
 north line of the state be and the 
 same is hereby constituted and 
 made a county by the name of," &c. 
 This county is therefore bounded 
 N. W. and N. by the British pos- 
 sessions in Lower Canada, E. by the 
 county of Penobscot, S. by the 
 counties of Penobscot and Somer- 
 set, and W. by Somerset county 
 There are numerous lakes and ponds 
 in the county, the largest of which 
 are the Moose Head, Chesuncook 
 and Pemadumcook. The county is 
 crossed by the Piscataquis, Penob- 
 scot and Walloomstook rivers, but 
 most of its excellent mill streams, 
 of which there are many, rise with- 
 n the county, from its own natural 
 sources. There are some consider- 
 able elevations, the largest of which 
 s Katahdin Mountain. The char- 
 acter of the surface and soil of Pis- 
 cataquis county is generally that of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER 
 
 Penobscot and Somerset counties, 
 from which it was taken. 
 
 Piscataqnog River, Iff. II., 
 
 Is formed of two principal branch- 
 es, one from Francestown, the other 
 from Henniker and Deering, which 
 unite and form the main stream near 
 the W. line of Goffstown. It pur- 
 sues a southeasterly course through 
 Goffstown and the N. E. corner of 
 Bedford, where it falls into Merri- 
 mack river. 
 
 PlSCATAQUOG VILLAGE, On 
 
 this river and near its mouth, is a 
 thriving and pleasant village, situ- 
 ate in the N. E. part of Bedford. A 
 handsome bridge is constructed over 
 the Piscataquog, in this village, 60 
 feet in length. Since the Union 
 Canal commenced operation, the 
 boating business to this place has 
 been carried on with much success. 
 On the S. side of the river, below 
 this village, is a public landing 
 place, extending to the Merrimack, 
 and from this place lumber of all 
 descriptions from the circumjacent 
 country, is conveyed down the riv- 
 er to market by rafts and boats to 
 Newburyport.and through the Mid- 
 dlesex canal to Charlestown and 
 Boston. The rise and present flour- 
 ishing appearance of this village is 
 owing in a great measure to the 
 enterprise and industry of William 
 Parker and Isaac Riddle, esquires, 
 who were the first to commence 
 the mercantile business in this 
 place. 
 
 Pittsfleld, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. This is a town of 
 excellent soil, and a branch of Se- 
 basticook river rises in the S. E. 
 corner. The inhabitants are gen- 
 erally good and thriving farmers. 
 Pittsfield was incorporated in 1819. 
 Wheat crop, 1837, 4,869 bushels. 
 Population, 1830, 609 ; 1837, 836. 
 It lies 38 miles N. N. E. from Au- 
 gusta,and 20 E. from Norridgewock. 
 
 Pittsfielil, N. H. 
 
 Merrimack co. The surface of 
 Pittsfield is pleasantly varied, with 
 a good soil. Suncook river passes 
 through the town, affording good 
 mill privileges. Catamount moun- 
 tain stretches across the S. E. part ot 
 the town, from the summit of which 
 delightful views are obtained. There 
 are a number of ponds in the town ; 
 west of which the magnetic-needle 
 varies materially. Berry's pond is on 
 the mountain : it is half a mile in 
 length, and is supplied by mountain 
 springs. There is a neat and flour- 
 ishing village in Pittsfield ; a large 
 cotton mill, a scythe factory, and an 
 academy. 
 
 This town was first settled in 1784. 
 Population, 1830, 1,271. It is 16 
 miles N. E. from Concord. 
 
 Pittsfleld, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. Tweed river is form- 
 ed in this town, by two branches, 
 which afford mill seats: it empties 
 into W T hite river, which passes 
 through the N. E. corner. The 
 surface of the town is mountainous, 
 and the soil hard. Pittsfield was 
 first settled in 1786. Population, 
 1830,505. It lies 35 miles S. S. W. 
 from Montpelier, and 17 N. E. from 
 Rutland. 
 
 Pittsfleld, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. This large manu- 
 facturing and agricultural town, a 
 mart of trade for a large section of 
 country, lies 125 miles W. from 
 Boston, 5 N. from Lenox, and 33 E. 
 from Albany, N. Y. Population, 
 1837, 3,575. The settlement of 
 this place, the Indian Pontoosuck t 
 was commenced in 1736. It was 
 incorporated in 1761. It was a fron- 
 tier town for some years, and garri- 
 sons were erected for the protection 
 of the inhabitants against the in- 
 roads of the savages. The town is 
 finely watered by two branches of 
 the Housatonick, which unite near 
 its centre. There are in Pittsfield
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 6 woolen and 2 cotton mills, and 
 manufactures of muskets, iron cast- 
 ings, tin ware, leather, hats, car- 
 riages, prunella buttons, chairs, 
 corn brooms, cabinet ware, &c. ; 
 total amount, the year ending April 
 1, 1337, $688,716. The value of 
 12,962 fleeces of wool sheared in 
 the town the same year, was 
 $19,443. Pittsfield is one of the 
 pleasantest towns in New England : 
 it lies 1,000 feet above the level of 
 the sea, in a fertile valley between 
 the Taughkannick and Green moun- 
 tain ranges. The village is well 
 located, and contains many beauti- 
 ful buildings, which, with the fine 
 scenery and well cultivated farms 
 that surround it, presents a great 
 variety to charm the eye and to 
 gratify the taste of the intelligent 
 agriculturalist. 
 
 There are in Pittsfield a medical 
 institution^ female academy, &c., 
 which will be noticed in the Reg- 
 ister. ,'. 
 
 Pittsford, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. Otter creek mean- 
 ders through this very pleasant and 
 flourishing town, nearly in its cen- 
 tre, and fertilizes a large part of 
 its territory. Furness river affords 
 the town good privileges, on which 
 are large iron works and other man- 
 ufactories. Iron ore of a very fine 
 quality, and elastic marble, are 
 abundant; also, the oxide of man- 
 ganese. The agricultural produc- 
 tions are valuable. In 1837 there 
 were in the town 12,368 sheep. A 
 female child was born here in 1784, 
 who died at the age of 9 years, and 
 weighed 200 pounds. Pittsford was 
 first settled about the year 1770. 
 It was a frontier town for a num- 
 ber of years. The remains of Fort 
 Vengence are still visible. This 
 town lies 44 miles S. W. from Mont- 
 pelier, and 8 N. from Rutland. 
 Population, 1830, 2,005. 
 
 Pittston, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. Pittston is a pleas- 
 
 ant town, on the cast side of Ken- 
 nebec river, opposite to Gardiner; 
 7 miles S. by E. from Augusta. It 
 is a flourishing town, of good soil, 
 and has several ponds and mill 
 streams, and a considerable business 
 in the lumber trade. Incorporated, 
 1779. Population, 1837, 2,121. 
 Wheat crop, same year, 2,231 bush- 
 els. 
 
 Plaiiificld, Iff. XI., 
 
 Sullivan co., lies on Connecticut 
 river. It is 12 miles S. from Dart- 
 mouth college, and N. W. 55 from 
 Concord. There is considerable 
 valuable intervale, on Connecticut 
 river, and in other parts are excel- 
 lent meadows. There are two 
 ponds. At the S. W. part of this 
 town, in Connecticut river, is Hart's 
 island, which contains 19 acres. 
 Waterqueechy falls are in this town. 
 A bridge was erected here in 1807. 
 A small stream, flowing from Croy- 
 don mountains, waters the town. 
 Plainfield has a pleasant village, 
 situated on a handsome plain, 
 through the centre of which the 
 street passes N. and S. On a pleas- 
 ant eminence in Meriden parish is 
 located " The Union Academy," in- 
 corporated June 16, 1813. It is en- 
 dowed with a permanent fund of 
 $40,000, the liberal bequest of the 
 late Hon. DANIEL KiMBALL,the 
 interest of which, as directed by 
 his last will, is to be applied as fol- 
 lows, viz: $150 annually to the 
 support of a Calvinistic preacher, 
 and the remainder for the instruc- 
 tion of pious young men for the 
 ministry. This seminary is in a 
 flourishing condition. Plainfield 
 was granted in 1761, and was settled 
 in 1764. Population, 1830, 1,581. 
 
 Plainfield, Vt. 
 
 Washington co. First settled, 
 1794. Population, 1830, 874. It 
 lies 8 miles E. from Montpelier, and 
 21 from Newbury. At the junc- 
 tion of Onion river and Great brook, 
 in this town, is a neat village with
 
 ime ma 
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER 
 
 some manufacturing operations by 
 water. There is a mineral spring 
 in the town of some note, and a fine 
 trout pond. The soil is generally of 
 a good quality, and feeds about 
 3,000 sheep. 
 
 Flainfield, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. This town is 
 elevated on the Green mountain 
 range, at the N. W. corner of the 
 county, and watered by the upper 
 branches of Westfield river. 
 Although the surface is rough and 
 mountainous, yet the soil is excel- 
 lent for pasturage, and produces some 
 fine cattle. In 1837, the fleeces of 
 3,772 sheep, sheared in this town, 
 were valued at $5,379. There are 
 2 woolen mills, and manufactures of 
 boots, shoes, leather, palm-leaf hats, 
 chairs, cabinet ware, &c ; total an- 
 nual value about $40,000. Plain- 
 field lies 110 miles W. by N. from 
 Boston, and 20 N. W. from North- 
 ampton. Incorporated, 1785. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 865. 
 
 FlainAcia, Ct. 
 
 Windham co. Mooseup river af- 
 fords this town a good water power, 
 on which, in the pleasant villages of 
 Unionville and Centreville, are 
 considerable manufactures of cot- 
 ton and woolen goods. This town 
 was incorporated in 1700: a part 
 of the land is broken and stony, but 
 in the western section there is an 
 extensive plain, of a light sandy 
 loam, noted for its adaptation to the 
 growth of corn and other grain. 
 In olden times this plain was called 
 the Egypt of the surrounding coun- 
 try. 
 
 The village is on a commanding 
 eminence, from which there is an 
 extensive prospect, and in which is 
 one of the best academies in the 
 state ; incorporated in 1783. It lies 
 41 E. from Hartford, and 8 S. by E. 
 from Brooklyn. Population, 1830, 
 2,290. 
 
 28 
 
 Plalstotv, N. II. 
 
 Rockingham co. It lies 36 miles 
 S. S. E. from Concord, and 30 S. W. 
 from Portsmouth. Plaistow wasor- 
 riginally a part of Haverhill, Mass., 
 and included in the purchase of the 
 Indians in 1642. Among the first 
 settlers were Capt. Charles Bartlett, 
 Nicholas White, Esq., Dea. Benja- 
 min Kimball and J. Harriman. 
 Their posterity now inhabit the 
 town. After it became annexed to 
 New Hampshire, a charter was 
 granted in 1749. The soil of this 
 town js good, being a mixture of 
 black loam, clay and gravel. Popu- 
 lation, in 1830, 591. 
 
 Platt River, Vt. 
 
 This small but good mill stream 
 rises in a pond in Richmond ; pass- 
 es through Hinesburgh, and a cor- 
 ner of Charlotte, and falls into 
 Shelburne bay. 
 
 Pleasant Rivers, Me. 
 
 Pleasant River, in Washington 
 county, rises from a pond in Bed- 
 dington, and passing in a N. E. di- 
 rection falls intoPleasant river bay, 
 which lies E. from Naraguagus bay, 
 and is connected with that bay, at 
 its mouth. 
 
 Pleasant River, Piscataquis coun- 
 ty, is an important mill stream ; a 
 tributary of the Piscataquis, from 
 the north. It receives the two 
 Ebeeme branches, as they are call- 
 ed, about 15 miles from its mouth, 
 in Milo. 
 
 Plum Island, Mass. 
 
 See Newbury. 
 
 Plymouth, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This is a fine 
 township of land, watered by beau- 
 tiful ponds, and a valuable branch 
 of Sebasticook river. It lies 45 
 miles N. E. from Augusta, and 23 
 W. from Bangor. Wheat crop, 1837,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 4,530 bushels. Population, same 
 year, 791. Incorporated, 1826. 
 
 Plymouth, IV. H., 
 
 The half shire of Grafton county, 
 is 75 miles N. W. from Portsmouth, 
 31 S. E. from Haverhill, and 40 N. 
 from Concord. This town is well 
 watered. Besides numerous small- 
 er streams, there are two rivers, 
 Pemigewasset and Baker's, both of 
 which are of considerable impor- 
 tance. They take their rise in the 
 height of land between the Con- 
 necticut and Merrimack, called the 
 eastern ridge. Baker's river is 30 
 miles in length. The soil is tolera- 
 bly good, and in'general is well cul- 
 tivated. Holmes' academy is situ- 
 ated in this town, and is a very flour- 
 ishing school. Plymouth was grant- 
 ed in 1763. The first settlement 
 commenced in 1764. The inter- 
 vales in this town were formerly the 
 resort of Indians for hunting. At 
 the mouth of Baker's river they 
 had a settlement, where Indian 
 graves, bones, &c., have been 
 found : also gun barrels, stone 
 mortars, pestles, and other utensils. 
 Here, it is said, the Indians were 
 attacked by Capt. Baker and a party 
 from Haverhill, Mass., who defeat- 
 ed them, killed a number and de- 
 stroyed a large quantity of fur. 
 From him, Baker's river derives its 
 name. Population, in 1830, 1,175. 
 
 Plymouth, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. Two mountains in 
 this town rise to a considerable ele- 
 vation, one of which, Mount Tom, 
 is quite abrupt. The soil is gener- 
 ally good for grazing, and consider- 
 able products of the dairy are sent 
 to market. Black and Queechy 
 rivers take their rise here, and af- 
 ford mill privileges. There are a 
 number of natural ponds in the 
 town, which furnish a great sup- 
 ply of trout and other fish. Among 
 the lime stone rocks which abound 
 in this town are numerous caves, 
 some of which are very large, and 
 
 I 
 
 curious. Extensive beds of soap- 
 stone are found here. 
 
 Plymouth lies 52 miles S. from 
 Montpelier, and 15 W. by N. from 
 Windsor. Population, 1830, 1,237. 
 First settled, 1776. 
 
 Plymouth. County, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth, chief town. The soil 
 of tiiis most ancient county in New 
 England, is not so productive as that 
 of many others in Massachusetts ; 
 yet there is considerable good land 
 within its limits. It has a great 
 water power, which is more partic- 
 ularly applied to the manufacture 
 of iron ware, of all sorts, both 
 wrought and cast. It has an abun- 
 dant supply of iron ore, of a supe- 
 rior quality. This county has a sea 
 coast on Massachusetts bay, of be- 
 tween 30 and 40 miles, and many 
 ships are built in its numerous ports 
 of native white oak. This county 
 has considerable foreign commerce; 
 but its shipping is principally en- 
 gaged in the fishing business and 
 coasting trade. It is bounded N. 
 E. by Massachusetts bay, N. by 
 Norfolk county, and Boston harbor, 
 W. and N. W. by Norfolk county, 
 S. W. by Bristol county, and S. E. 
 by Buzzard's bay, and Barnstable 
 county. Area, about 600 square 
 miles. This county was incorpor- 
 ated in 1635. Population, 1820, 
 38,136; 1830,42,993; 1837,46,253. 
 Population, to a square mile, 77. 
 The North river, emptying into 
 Massachusetts bay, and numerous 
 branches of the Taunton, are its 
 chief rivers. 
 
 In 1837, there were in this coun- 
 ty 11,410 sheep. The value of the 
 manufactures, the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, was $4,896,907. 
 The value of the fishery, during the 
 same period, was $582,419. 
 
 Plymouth, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. Chief town. This 
 place is full of interest, it being the 
 oldest settlement by Europeans in 
 New England, and the landing
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER.. 
 
 place of our forefathers on the 22d of 
 December. 1620. Its Indian name 
 was Patuxet. Plymouth lies 35 
 miles S. E. by S. from Boston : N. 
 Jat. 41 57' 30". W. Ion. 70 40' 
 45". Population, 1830, 4,384 ; 1837, 
 5,034. Incorporated, .1620. 
 "Plymouth was the first town built 
 in New England by civilized man ; 
 and those by whom it was built 
 were inferior in worth to no body 
 of men, whose names are recorded 
 in history, during the last seventeen 
 hundred years. A kind ofvener- 
 ableness, arising from these facts, 
 attaches to this town, which may 
 be termed a prejudice. Still, it has 
 its foundation in the nature of man, < 
 and will never be eradicated either 
 by philosophy or ridicule. No 
 New Englander, who is willing to 
 indulge his native feelings, can 
 stand upon the rock, where our an- 
 cestors set the first foot after their 
 arrival on the American shore, 
 without experiencing emotions very 
 different from those which are ex- 
 cited by any common object of the 
 same nature. No New Englander 
 could be willing to have that rock 
 buried and forgotten. Let him 
 reason as much, as coldly, and as 
 ingeniously as he pleases, he will 
 still regard that spot with emotions 
 wholly different from those which 
 are excited by other places of equal 
 or even superior importance. We 
 cannot wish this trait in the human 
 character obliterated. In a higher 
 state of being, where truth is uni- 
 versally as well as cordially embrac- 
 ed, and virtue controls without a 
 rival, this prejudice, if it must be 
 called by that name, will become 
 useless, and may, therefore, be 
 safely discarded. But in our pres- 
 ent condition, every attachment, 
 which is innocent, has its use, and 
 contributes both to fix and to soften 
 man. When we call to mind the 
 history of their sufferings on both 
 sides of the Atlantic, when we re- 
 member their pre-eminent patience, 
 their unspotted piety, their immove- 
 
 able fortitude, their undaunted re- 
 solution, their love to each other, 
 their justice and humanity to the 
 savages, and there freedom from all 
 those stains which elsewhere spot- 
 ted the character even of their com- 
 panions in affliction, we cannot but 
 view them as illustrious brothers, 
 claiming the veneration and ap- 
 plause of all their posterity. 
 
 The institutions, civil, literary, 
 and religious, by which New Eng- 
 land is distinguished on this side the 
 Atlantic, began here. Here the 
 manner of holding lands in free 
 soccage, now universal in this coun- 
 try, commenced. Here the right 
 of sufferage was imparted to every 
 citizen, to every inhabitant not dis- 
 qualified by poverty or vice. Here 
 was formed the first establishment 
 of towns, of the local legislature, 
 which is called a town meeting, and 
 of the peculiar town executive, 
 styled the selectmen. Here the 
 first parochial school was set up, 
 and the system originated for com- 
 municating to every child in the 
 community the knowledge of read- 
 ing, writing, and arithmetic. Here, 
 also, the first building was erected 
 for the worship of God ; the first 
 religious assembly gathered ; and 
 the first minister called and settled, 
 by the voice of the church and con- 
 gregation. On these simple found- 
 ations has since been erected a 
 structure of good order, peace, lib- 
 erty, knowledge, morals and relig- 
 ion, with which nothing on this side 
 the Atlantic can bear a remote com- 
 parison." 
 
 The land in this town is generally 
 hilly, and sandy ; but there is a 
 border of considerable extent on 
 the sea board.having been well cul- 
 tivated, consisting of a rich loamy 
 soil, and capable of yielding large 
 crops. 
 
 The town is watered by Eel and 
 Wonkinqua rivers, Town, Willings- 
 ly and Double brooks, and more 
 than 200 ponds, the largest of which 
 is called Billington Sea. "This
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 was formerly called Fresh Lake. 
 It was discovered about the 1st of 
 January, 1621, by Francis Billing- 
 ton, while mounted on a tree 
 standing on a hill. It was in the 
 midst of a thick forest, and when 
 seen at a distance, Billington sup- 
 posed it to be another sea. On the 
 8th of January, he went with one 
 of the master's mates, to view the 
 place. They found two lakes con- 
 tiguous,separated by a narrow space; 
 the largest is about six miles in 
 circumference, and is the far famed 
 Billington Sea. It is about two 
 miles southwest from the town, and 
 from it issues the Town brook. In 
 this pond there are two small isl- 
 ands. The largest, containing about 
 two acres, having been planted 
 with apple-trees, produces excel- 
 lent fruit. This pond is well stock- 
 ed with pickerel and perch. The 
 majestic eagle is frequently seen 
 cowering over this pond, and has 
 for ages built its nest in the branch- 
 es of the trees, visiting the flats in 
 the harbor at low tide in pursuit of 
 fish and birds. Loons, and the beau- 
 tiful wood-duck produce their young 
 in sequestered retreats about this 
 pond, annually. 
 
 The fallow deer, tenacious of 
 their ancient place of rendezvous, 
 continue to visit this pond for drink, 
 and to browse on its margin. For 
 many years this beautiful pond was 
 a favorite resort for social parties. 
 A house was erected on the bank, a 
 pleasure-boat was in the pond, and 
 tea-parties and fishing-parties unit- 
 ed in the happiest enjoyments. 
 
 There are on the road to Sand- 
 wich, in the woods, two rocks call- 
 ed Sacrifice rocks. They are cov- 
 ered with sticks and stones, which 
 have been accumulating for centu- 
 ries. It was the constant practice 
 among the aboriginals, to throw a 
 stone, or stick on the rock in pass- 
 ing. The late Rev. Mr. Hawley, 
 who spent many years among the 
 natives atMarshpee, endeavored to 
 learn from them the design of this 
 
 singular rite, hut could only con- 
 jecture that it was an acknowledg- 
 ment of an invisible Being, the un- 
 known God whom this people wor- 
 shipped. This pile was their altar. 
 
 Burying Hill, formerly Fort 
 Hill. Immediately in the rear of 
 the town is a hill, rising 165 feet 
 above the sealevel, embracing about 
 eight acres. On the summit of the 
 southwest side, the pilgrims erect- 
 ed first some temporary defence, 
 but, in 1675, on the approach of 
 Philip's war they erected a strong 
 fort, 100 feet square, strongly palis- 
 adoed, ten and a half feet high. 
 No other place could have been so 
 well chosen, either for discovering 
 the approach of savages, or for de- 
 fending the town against their at- 
 tacks. The settlement was rend- 
 ered perfectly secure, and springs 
 of water were at their command. 
 The whole circuit of the fort is still 
 distinctly visible, a watch-house of 
 brick was also built near the fort. 
 
 The view presented from this 
 eminence, embracing the harbor 
 and the shores of the bay for miles 
 around, is not, perhaps, inferior to 
 any in the country. Let the anti- 
 quarian come at full tide and when 
 the billows are calmed, and seat 
 himself on this mount, that he may 
 survey the incomparable landscape, 
 and enjoy the interesting asso- 
 ciations with which he will be in- 
 spired. Immediately beneath the 
 hill lies the town in full view, and 
 beyond this the harbor and ship- 
 ping. The harbor is a beautiful 
 expanse of water, bounded on the S. 
 by Manomet point, and near which 
 commences a beach three miles in 
 length, breasting the rolling billows 
 of the bay, and serving as a barrier 
 to the wharves ; and on the N. E. 
 by a promontory extending from 
 Marshtield, called the Gurnet, on 
 the point of which stands the light- 
 house. 
 
 These several points, together 
 with the opposite shores, complete- 
 ly enclose the harbor, having
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Clark's Island and Saquish in its 
 bosom. Beyond these points opens 
 the great hay of Massachusetts, 
 bounded at the southern extremity 
 by the peninsula of Cape Cod, 
 which is distinctly visible, and 
 spreading boundless to the north- 
 east. On the N. appears the flour- 
 ishing village of Duxbury, shooting 
 into the bay, and exhibiting a hand- 
 some conical hill, ever to be re- 
 membered as once the property and 
 residence of the gallant Standish. 
 Between Duxbury and Plymouth, 
 is the harbor and pleasant village 
 of Kingston. Having taken a sur- 
 vey of this magnificent group, so 
 exceedingly endeared to the New 
 England antiquarian, and enjoyed a 
 spiritual vision of the Mayflower, 
 laden with men, women and chil- 
 dren, come as founders of a mighty 
 empire, we are next led to view a 
 scene of more solemn contempla- 
 tion. The whole extent of the hill 
 is covered with the symbols of mor- 
 tality, the sepulchres of our vener- 
 ated fathers. We tread on the ash- 
 es of some of those to whom we are 
 indebted, under Providence, for our 
 most precious earthly enjoyments, 
 all that is valuable in life, much of 
 principle and example which are 
 consoling in death. With what so- 
 licitude do we search for a sepul- 
 chral stone bearing the names of 
 Carver, Bradford, and their glorious 
 associates. 
 
 The following are the most an- 
 cient monuments which can be 
 traced within this enclosure : 
 
 Here lies the bodj of Edward Gray, 
 Gent., aged about hfty-two years, and 
 departed this life the last of June, 
 1681. 
 
 Here lyes ye body of ye Honorable 
 Major William Bradford, who expired 
 February ye 20, 1703-4, aged 79 years. 
 
 He lived long, but still was 
 doing good, 
 
 And in his country's service lost 
 much blood. 
 
 After a life well spent he's now 
 at rest 
 
 His very name and memory is blest 
 
 28* 
 
 There are in Plymouth 3 cotton 
 mills, 3 nail factories, and manufac- 
 tures of vessels, cordage, boots, 
 shoes, leather, hats, straw bonnets, 
 chairs, tin and cabinet wares : the 
 value of which for the year ending 
 April 1,1837, was $508,932. Dur- 
 ing that year there were 4 vessels 
 engaged in the whale fishery, 45 in 
 the cod and markerel fishery, and a 
 ftirge number of vessels employed 
 in the merchant service and coast- 
 ing trade. Tonnage of the district, 
 in 1837, 26,635 tons. The product 
 of the fishery, the same year, was 
 $154,636. 
 
 The corner stone of PILGRIM 
 HALL was laid in this town on the 
 1st of September, 1824. This edi- 
 fice is 70 by 40 feet, with walls of 
 unwrought split granite ; the height 
 from the top of the foundation to 
 the eave cornice being about 33 
 feet, forms two stories. The low- 
 er room is about 10 feet in the clear 
 of the ceiling; and the upper to 
 the impost moulding about 20 feet, 
 to which being added the curve of 
 the ceiling is about 23 feet. It is 
 intended, as soon as the state of the 
 funds will justify, to form the front 
 by an addition of aboqt 20 feet, 
 with a double tier of steps, having 
 entrance to the upper room and by 
 descent to the lower. The front to 
 be finished with a Doric portico on 4 
 columns, of about 20 feet in height, 
 the base of which to be from 3 to 
 4 feet above the level of the 
 street. The situation presents a 
 full view of the river and outer 
 harbor. 
 
 An Anniversary Commemora- 
 tion of the landing of the pilgrims 
 commenced in Plymouth on the 
 22d of December, 1769, and will, 
 we trust, be continued in Pilgrim 
 Hall, so long as the virtues, unpar- 
 alleled sufferings, and the conscien- 
 tious performance of the duties of 
 piety and benevolence of our pil- 
 grim fathers are held in veneration 
 by a grateful posterity. See Reg-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 itter, and Thachert History of 
 Plymouth. 
 
 Plymouth, ft. 
 
 Li chfield co. Plymouth lies 22 
 miles W. S. W. from Hartford, 31 
 N. by W. from New Haven, and 
 12 S. E. from Litchfield. Taken 
 from Waterbury in 1795. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 2,064. The surface of 
 the town is rough and hilly, with a 
 strong, gravelly soil, well adapted 
 for grazing. The Naugatuck affords 
 an ample water power, which is 
 improved for the manufacture of 
 cotton goods, clocks, &c. 
 
 The manufacture of small wood- 
 en clocks, it is believed, originated 
 with Mr. Terry, of this town, about 
 20 years ago ; since that period, the 
 manufacture of wooden clocks has 
 been widely extended, and forms a 
 very important branch of the man- 
 ufactures in this part of the state. 
 
 Plympton, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. This town is wa- 
 tered by a branch of Taunton river. 
 It lies 32 miles S. E. by S. from 
 Boston, and 8 W. from Plymouth. 
 Incorporated, 1707. Population, 
 1837, 835. The manufactures of 
 the town consist of cotton and wool- 
 en goods, nails, shovels, spades, 
 hoes, forks, hoop rivets, shoes, leath- 
 er, palm-leaf hats, chairs and cabi- 
 net ware ; annual amount about 
 $100,000. The Indian name of 
 Plympton was Wanatuxet. 
 
 A noble white oak was cut in this 
 town a few years ago. It contain- 
 ed seven tons and seven feet of ship 
 timber, and two cords of fire wood. 
 
 Poge, Cape, Mass. 
 
 This cape forms the northern ex- 
 tremity of Chappequiddic island, a 
 part of Dukes county. 
 
 Poland, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. Poland is situ- 
 ated on Little Androscoggin river, 
 6 miles above Lewiston falls. It is 
 44 miles S. W. from Augusta, and 
 
 26 N. from Portland. Incorporated, 
 1795. Population, 1837, 2,251. 
 Wheat crop, same year, 3,965 bush- 
 els. This is an excellent farming 
 town with good mill privileges, sev- 
 eral ponds, and a pleasant village. 
 
 A family consisting of about 70 
 of that curious people denomina- 
 ted " Shakers," reside in Poland. 
 They possess about 600 acres of 
 choice land. They are attached to 
 the society at New Gloucester, 
 about a mile distant. Their village 
 is on a beautiful eminence. To 
 say that their village is neat and 
 handsome, and that their lands and 
 gardens are well improved, would 
 be superfluous. See Canterbury, 
 JY.H. 
 
 Pomfret, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. First settled, 1770. 
 Population, 1830, 1,867. Pomfret 
 lies 45 miles N. by E. from Mont- 
 pelier and 20 N. N. W. from Wind- 
 sor. The town is watered by White 
 and Queechy rivers. The surface 
 is hilly, but the soil is generally 
 good, particularly for grazing : it 
 pastures about 8000 sheep. Pom- 
 fret contains a mineral substance, 
 said to prove a good substitute for 
 paint. 
 
 Pomfret, Ct. 
 
 Windham co. Pomfret was first 
 settled in 1686. Incorporated, 1713. 
 Its Indian name was Mashamoquet. 
 The surface of the town is pleasantly 
 diversified by hills and valleys: from 
 some of the elevations, delightful 
 views are obtained. The soil is 
 deep, strong and fertile, and, al- 
 though somewhat stony, is very 
 productive, and exceedingly well 
 adapted for grazing. A considera- 
 ble amount of the productions of the 
 dairy are sent to market. The 
 Quinnebaug and several of its 
 branches water the town, and flour- 
 ishing manufacturing establish- 
 ments of cotton and other materials 
 are springing up within its borders. 
 Pomfret lies 40 miles E. by N. from
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Hartford, 7 N. from Brooklyn and 
 30 W. from Providence, R. I. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830,1,981. 
 
 Pomfret contains the "Wolf Den," 
 celebrated for the bold exploit of 
 the gallant Putnam, who resided 
 here some years. He died at Brook- 
 lyn, in this state, in 1790. 
 
 The aperture to this den or cave, 
 which is situated under a high ledge 
 of rocks, is about two feet square. 
 It is about forty feet in length, nar- 
 row, of uneven surface, and in no 
 part of it can a man stand upright. 
 The sides of this cave are of smooth 
 rock, which appear to have been 
 rent asundor by an earthquake. Af- 
 ter making the necessary prepara- 
 tions for his venturous expedition, 
 Putnam entered the den, and " hav- 
 ing groped his passage in the hori- 
 zontal part of it, the most terrify- 
 ing darkness appeared in front of 
 the dim circle of light afforded by 
 his torch. It was silent as the 
 house of death. None but mon- 
 sters of the desert had ever before 
 explored this solitary mansion of 
 horror. He cautiously proceeding 
 onward came to the ascent ; which 
 he slowly mounted on his hands and 
 knees until he discovered the glar- 
 ing eye-balls of the wolf, who was 
 sitting at the extremity of the cav- 
 ern. Started at the sight of fire, 
 she gnashed her teeth, and gave a 
 sudden growl. As soon as he had 
 made the necessary discovery, he 
 kicked the rope as a signal for pul- 
 ling him out. The people at the 
 mouth of the den, who had listened 
 with painful anxiety, hearing the 
 growl of the wolf, and supposing 
 their friend to be in the most immi- 
 nent danger, drew him forth with 
 such celerity that his shirt was 
 stripped over his head and his skin 
 severely lacerated. After he had 
 adjusted his clothes, and loaded his 
 gun with nine buck-shot, holding a 
 torch in one hand and the musket 
 in the other, he descended the sec- 
 ond time. When he drew nearer 
 than before, the wolf assuming a 
 
 still more fierce and terrible appear- 
 ance, howling, rolling her eyes, 
 snapping her teeth, and dropping 
 her head between her legs, was 
 evidently in the attitude and on the 
 point of springing at him. At this 
 critical instant he leveled and fired 
 at her head. Stunned by the shock, 
 and suffocated with the smoke, he 
 immediately found himself drawn 
 out of the cave. But having re- 
 freshed himself, and permitted the 
 smoke to dissipate, he went down 
 the third time. Once more he came 
 in sight of the wolf, who appearing 
 very passive, he applied the torch 
 to her nose, and perceiving her dead, 
 he took hold of her ears, and then 
 kicking the rope, (still round his 
 legs,) the people above, with no 
 small exultation, dragged them both 
 out together." 
 
 Poplin, N. II., 
 
 Rockingham co., is 24 miles W. 
 S. W. from Portsmouth, and 33 S. 
 S. E. from Concord. There is a small 
 pond in the N. part of the town call- 
 ed Loon pond ; and the town is wa- 
 tered by Squamscot, or Exeter riv- 
 er, beside several small streams. 
 The soil is generally of a good qual- 
 ity, and the surface of the town is 
 not broken by high hills. Poplin 
 was incorporated, in 1764. The in- 
 habitants are principally industri- 
 ous farmers. Population, in 1830, 
 429. 
 
 Porpoise, Cape, Ale. 
 
 This cape lies in the county of 
 York, and forms the N. E. bounda- 
 ry of Kennebunk Harbor. N. lat. 
 43 22', W. Ion. 70 23'. 
 
 Porter, Ale. 
 
 Oxford co. Porter is bounded W. 
 by New Hampshire, and Ossipee 
 river separates it from the county 
 of York. It lies 99 miles S. W. 
 from Augusta, 42 W. N. W. from 
 Portland, and 37 S. W. from Pans. 
 Population, 1837, 1,087. Incorpo- 
 rated, 1807.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Portland, Me. 
 
 Chief town, Cumberland oo. This 
 beautiful city lies upon a peninsula 
 at the western extremity of Casco 
 bay ; its length is three miles from 
 east to west, and the average width 
 is three quarters of a mile ; con- 
 taining about two thousand two 
 hundred acres of land. The settle- 
 ment of this neck of land was com- 
 menced as early as 1632, by two 
 individuals from England, George 
 Cleaves and Richard Tucker, who 
 purchased the whole tract in 1637, 
 of Gorges, the proprietor. For the 
 first 40 years the settlement made 
 but little progress, and it was en- 
 tirely destroyed in the Indian war 
 of 1675. In 1680, it was revived 
 under more favorable auspices, the 
 government of Massachusetts hav- 
 ing some years previous to that 
 time extended her sovereignty over 
 this part of Maine. It had scarce- 
 ly begun to gather the fruits of 
 prosperity, before it was again 
 doomed to a second entire over- 
 throw in 1690, by the remorseless 
 e&erny, who spared neither dwell- 
 ings nor their inhabitants. 
 
 The territory lay waste after this, 
 until about 1715, when a new at- 
 tempt was made, and the founda- 
 tions of the present city were laid. 
 The inhabitants in the early period 
 of the settlement, suffered much 
 from the privations which awaited 
 them in this their remote wilder- 
 ness. The Indians were still hang- 
 ing about them in an unquiet sta'te, 
 and occasionally visiting them with 
 rapine and blood. 
 
 After supplying the first necessi- 
 ties of their condition, the people 
 turned their attention to the lumber 
 business, the materials and the fa- 
 cilities of which, were abundant 
 about them. In about 20 years from 
 the re-settlement, it became the 
 principal port on the coast from 
 which the English navy was sup- 
 plied with masts and spars. They 
 were transported in large ships 
 
 owned abroad. Manufactured lum- 
 jer was sent to the West Indies and 
 to the colonies on the continent. 
 
 At the commencement of the re- 
 volutionary war, there were owned 
 n Portland, 2,555 tons of shipping. 
 The population was about 1,900, oc- 
 cupying 230 houses : there were 
 :wo religious societies, one congre- 
 ational, the other episcopalian, and 
 the place was marked by enterprise 
 and prosperity. But it was destined 
 4 third time to be prostrated by the 
 ravages of war. In 1775 it was 
 bombarded by a British fleet, by 
 which catastrophe 136 of the prin- 
 cipal houses were destroyed, to- 
 gether with a new court house, the 
 episcopal church, and the town 
 house, to the loss of the inhabitants 
 of over 54,000. 
 
 From the close of the revolution- 
 ary war, to the year 1307,the growth 
 of the town was almost unexam- 
 pled. The amount of tonnage, 
 which in 1789 was but 5,000 tons, 
 had increased in 1807 to 39,000, and 
 the amount received for duties had 
 advanced from $8,000 to $346,000. 
 During the restrictions and war, the 
 town suffered severely. It had been 
 sustained principally \>y foreign 
 commerce, which those disastrous 
 times wholly prostrated. After the 
 peace of 1815, the old channels of 
 trade were revisited, and new ones 
 opened with still increasing success. 
 Portland probably enjoys a larger 
 commerce with the West Indies, 
 than any other port in the union. 
 In 1830, the quantity of shipping 
 was 43,071 tons; in 1832, there 
 were owned in this port 412 vessels, 
 employing 2,700 seamen; in 1834 
 the tonnage of vessels belonging to 
 the port was 51,433 tons, and in 
 1837, 53,081 tons. There arrived 
 in one year 484 vessels exclusive of 
 coastwise arrivals from ports north 
 of Cape Cod, of which 163 were 
 from foreign ports, and 321 were 
 coastwise. The importations were 
 as follows, molasses, 30,425 hhds ; 
 flour, 65,471 barrels; corn, 76,118
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 bushels ; salt, 24,267 hhds ; coal, 
 1,758 tons, &c. The principal ex- 
 ports are lumber, fish, beef, pork, 
 pot and pearl ashes, hay, pota- 
 toes, &c. 
 
 The population has advanced in 
 a similar ratio; in 1790 it was 2,- 
 240; 1800,3,704; 1810, 7,169 ; 1820, 
 8,521; 1830,12,601; 1834,13,289; 
 and in 1837, 15,637, exclusive of 
 foreigners. 
 
 Portland was connected with Fal- 
 mouth until 1786, and commonly 
 went by the name of Falmouth 
 Neck. In that year it was incorpo- 
 rated and received its present name. 
 In 1832 a charter for a city was ob- 
 tained, and a government, consisting 
 of a mayor, seven aldermen and 
 twenty-one common councilmen 
 was duly organized under it in 
 April, of the same year. 
 
 There are in the city 16 houses 
 of public worship, many of which 
 are very elegant. There is also in 
 the city a beautiful court house, a 
 spacious city hall, and a substantial 
 stone jail. An athenasum was 
 founded here in 1826, embracing a 
 large reading room and library ; the 
 library at this time contains between 
 3,000 and 4,000 volumes of well se- 
 lected books. 
 
 The public press is as flourishing 
 in Portland as in other parts of the 
 United States. There were pub- 
 lished in that city, in 1837,3 daily 
 papers, 2 tri-weekly, 1 semi-week- 
 ly and 12 weekly, embracing all 
 the subjects of politics, literature, 
 agriculture, religion and morals. 
 
 Portland is 110 miles N. N. E. 
 from Boston, 54 S. W. from Au- 
 gusta, and 554 from Washington. 
 Lat. 43 39' 26" N., Ion. 70 20' 
 30" W. 
 
 It is pleasantly situated between 
 Fore or Casco river, and Back cove. 
 The location is calculated to exhib- 
 it the city very favorably on ap- 
 proaching it from the sea, as the 
 buildings rise between two hills in 
 the form of an amphitheatre. On 
 the site of old fort Sumner is an 
 
 observatory about 70 feet in height, 
 commanding a delightful view of 
 the city, the harbor, the islands in 
 Casco bay ; and, extending north- 
 west to the elevated peaks of the 
 White mountains. 
 
 The access to Portland by sea is 
 easy, its harbor spacious and 
 safe, and rarely obstructed by ice. 
 It has a water communication with 
 the country to a distance of nearly 
 50 miles, by the Cumberland and 
 Oxford Canal, which was finished 
 in 1830 ; and it is the nearest sea- 
 board market for the rich and beau- 
 tiful country on the upper waters 
 of Connecticut river, through the 
 Franconia and White mountain pass- 
 es ; and with the White mountains 
 over a level road to Lancaster in 
 N. H. 
 
 The rail-road from Boston will 
 soon reach this place, and a rail-road 
 from Portland to the upper waters 
 of the Connecticut is in contempla- 
 tion. 
 
 There are numerous resources 
 in the interior not yet brought into 
 activity, which will give to this 
 place continually increasing import- 
 ance, and reward the exertions of 
 its intelligent and enterprising in- 
 habitants. 
 
 Portsmouth, N. H., 
 
 Rockingham co., is the principal 
 town in the state, and the only sea- 
 port which it contains. It is situa- 
 ted in N. lat. 43 4' 54", W. Ion. 
 70 45'. Portsmouth is built on a 
 beautiful peninsula, on the south 
 side of the river ; and, as seen from, 
 the towers of the steeples, the riv- 
 er, harbor, points, islands and adja- 
 cent country, presents a delightful 
 assemblage of objects. In many 
 parts of the town are beautiful gar- 
 dens. It was settled under the aus- 
 pices of Sir Ferdinando Gorges 
 and Capt. John Mason, in 1623, and 
 was incorporated by charter in 1633. 
 That part of it which lies round 
 hurch hill, extending N. and W., 
 was originally called Strawberry
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Bank. The first house of which 
 we have any account, erected in 
 what is now the compact part of 
 the town, was built by Humphrey 
 Chadbourne, and according to tra- 
 dition, stood near the corner of 
 Court and Pond streets. It was 
 called the " Great house," and is 
 frequently referred to in early his- 
 tories. Within the memory of the 
 present generation, a garrison house 
 stood in Water street, another in 
 Fore street, and a third at the Fer- 
 ry-ways. These were probably 
 the principal houses on " the Bank." 
 The first meeting house stood on 
 Pleasant street. Except the garri- 
 son houses above mentioned, the 
 earliest settlements were probably 
 on the south road. From the pe- 
 culiar advantages of its situation, 
 Portsmouth appears almost wholly 
 to have escaped the ravages of the 
 Indians. Secured on three sides 
 by the Piscataqua, the ocean, and 
 an inlet, it was accessible to the 
 savages only by the isthmus which 
 connects it with the main ; and 
 across that a stockade fence was ex- 
 tended for defence. The settle- 
 ments were also compact, and the 
 number of inhabitants at an early 
 date considerable. In 1822, the 
 wealthy and enterprising citizens 
 of this town connected Portsmouth 
 with Kittery, in Maine, by two 
 bridges, one 480 feet in length, 
 supported by 20 piers; the other 
 1750 feet, supported by 70 piers. 
 Under the long bridge, for 900 feet, 
 the water varies from 45 to 53 feet 
 in depth at low water. The draw 
 is 1336 feet from the island, and 
 the water is 21 feet deep at low 
 tide. This bridge greatly increases 
 and facilitates the travel from Port- 
 land and its vicinity to this town 
 and Boston. The town is also con- 
 nected with New Castle by abridge 
 built in 1821. The streets, though 
 not laid out with much regularity, 
 are neat and pleasant, and contain 
 many beautiful buildings. Ports- 
 mouth Aqueduct Company was in- 
 
 corporated 1797, and commenced 
 its operations in 1799. Water of 
 excellent quality is brought from a 
 fountain about 3 miles distant, and 
 conducted into all the principal 
 streets. Portsmouth pier, 340 feet 
 in length, and about 60 feet wide, 
 was incorporated 1795. Portsmouth 
 Athenaeum was incorporated, 1817, 
 and has a library of about 5,000 
 volumes ; and cabinets of mineral- 
 ogy, natural history, &c. The 
 institution is rapidly increasing in 
 value. The people of this town were 
 at an early period friendly to litera- 
 ture, and their institutions for 
 learning are highly respectable. 
 Portsmouth is the centre of a con- 
 siderable trade directed by wealthy 
 and enterprising citizens. The 
 Piscataqua, as it passes this town, 
 is from 1-2 to 3-4 of a mile wide ; 
 and although the current is so swift 
 as to prevent the. river from freez- 
 ing, yet it forms one of the most se- 
 cure and commodious harbors in the 
 United States, into which ships of 
 any size or burthen may enter with 
 perfect safety. It is protected by 
 nature from the ravages of the N. 
 E. storms, and can very easily be 
 rendered inaccessible to enemies. 
 The main entrance to the harbor, 
 which is well protected by forts, is 
 on the N. E., between New Castle 
 and Kittery ; the other entrance, 
 on the S. of New Castle, is called 
 Little Harbor, where the water is 
 shoal, and the bottom sandy. At 
 this place, in the spring of 1623, 
 the first settlers of this state made 
 their landing, and in the same year 
 commenced settlements here and 
 at Dover. 
 
 About one mile below the town 
 the navigation is rendered some- 
 what difficult by the rapidity of 
 the current ; the main body of the 
 river being forced through a chan- 
 nel only about 45 rods wide. 
 
 There are in the harbor a number 
 of islands, the most considerable of 
 which is Great island. The others 
 are Continental island, on which is
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the Navy yard, one of the safest 
 and most convenient on the coast; 
 Badger's island, on which the 
 JVorth America, (the first line of 
 battle ship launched in the western 
 hemisphere) was built during the 
 revolutionary war. 
 
 Few towns in New England have 
 suffered so much from fires as Ports- 
 mouth. On Dec. 26, 1802, 102 
 buildings were burnt. Dec. 24, 
 1806, 14 buildings, including St. 
 John's church, were destroyed. 
 But the most calamitous fire broke 
 out Dec. 22, 1813, when 397 build- 
 ings were burnt, of which more 
 than 100 were dwelling houses. 
 The ravages extended over about 
 15 acres. 
 
 The United States navy yard is 
 admirably located for its object. 
 There are at present three ship 
 houses in the yard, in which are a 
 74 and a 40 gun ship. One of thd 
 houses is 240 feet long and 131 fcet 
 wide : the roof is covered vvith 
 130 tons of slate. In this building 
 the keel of the frigate Congress 
 was laid in 1837. The government 
 of the U. S. has been liberal in its 
 appropriations for this excellent na- 
 val depot, at which a dry dock 
 will soon be constructed. Ports- 
 mouth has ever been celebrated for 
 its fine white oak timber and its 
 naval architects. 
 
 Ship building for the merchant 
 service is extensively pursued, and 
 other manufactures flourish. There 
 are 35 ships belonging to this port 
 regularly engaged in the freighting 
 business; 100 vessels ia the cod 
 and mackerel fisheries, 52 in the 
 coasting trade, Sin the West India 
 business, and 1 employed in whal- 
 ing. The number of men and 
 boys employed in navigation, in 
 1837, was 750. The tonnage of the 
 district, the same year, was 25,114 
 tons. As much of the capital of 
 this wealthy town is employed 
 abroad, and much of the inland 
 trade passes on the river, there is 
 but little show of business in the 
 
 streets, compared with some othc. 
 commercial places. 
 
 Portsmouth lies 45 miles E. S. E. 
 from Concord, 56 N. E. from Bos- 
 ton, and 54 S. W. from Portland. 
 Population, 1820, 7,327 ; 1830, 
 8,082. The present population is 
 about 9,000. The rail-road from 
 Boston to Maine will probably pass 
 through this town. The proximity 
 of Portsmouth to the ocean, its 
 neatness, quietude and beauty, ren- 
 der it an agreeable residence, and 
 a fashionable resort in the summer. 
 Among the citizens of Portsmouth 
 distinguished for their talents or 
 public services, we may mention 
 WILLIAM VAUGHAN, the origin- 
 al projector of the expedition against 
 Louisbourg, was born at Ports- 
 mouth, Sept. 12, 1703, and died in 
 London, in Dec. 1746. 
 
 JOHN WENTWORTH, the first 
 
 governor of that name in N. H. 
 
 He died Dec. 12, 1730, aged 59. 
 
 BENNING WENTWORTH, who 
 
 died Oct. 14, 1770, aged 75. 
 
 Dr. JOSHUA BRACKETT, a dis- 
 tinguished physician and founder of 
 the N. H. Medical Society, died 
 July 17, 1802, aged 69. 
 
 Hon. SAMUEL HALE, a native 
 of Newbury, Mass., who for more 
 than 30 years, taught a public school 
 in Portsmouth. He died July 10, 
 1807, aged 89. 
 
 Rev. SAMUEL HAVEN, D. D. 
 was born at Framingham, Mass. 
 Aug. 4, 1727 ; settled at Portsmouth 
 in 1752 ; received the degree of 
 D. D. from the University of Edin- 
 burgh in 1772 ; and died March 3, 
 1806, aged 79. He was eminently 
 useful. 
 
 Dr. AMMI R. CUTTER, was born 
 at North Yarmouth, Me. in March 
 1735. For 60 years he was an em- 
 inent practitioner, and during life a 
 firm supporter of his country. He 
 died Dec. 8, 1820, aged 86. 
 
 Hon. JOHN PICKERING, LL. D., 
 was a native of Newington. He 
 was appointed chief justice of the 
 superior court in 1790, and contin-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ued in office five years. He was 
 afterwards district judge of the 
 U. S., and died April 11, 1805, aged 
 67. Hon. JOHN LANGDON, LL.D. 
 was born at Portsmouth in 1740. 
 In 1785 he was chosen president of 
 the state. He was elected to the 
 same office in 1788, and after the 
 adoption of the constitution was 
 governor six years. He ever dis- 
 charged the duties of the offices to 
 which he was elected faithfully 
 and acceptably. Unlike many ele- 
 vated to office, he remembered that 
 the people clothed him with author- 
 ity, and his only study was to serve 
 them honestly and faithfully. He 
 died Sept. 18, 1819, aged 79. 
 
 Hon. WOODBURY LANGDON, a 
 firm patriot and useful citizen. 
 
 Hon. RICHARD EVANS was 
 born at Portsmouth, May 13, 1777. 
 He died July 18, 1816, aged 39. 
 
 JONATHAN M. SEWAL.L, Esq., 
 counsellor at law, and a respectable 
 poet, was born at Salem, Mass., in 
 1748, and died at Portsmouth, March 
 29, 1808. 
 
 Rev. JOSEPH BUCKMINSTER, 
 D. D. a native of Rutland, Mass., 
 settled at Portsmouth,1779, and died 
 atReedsborough.Vt. June 10, 1812, 
 aged 61. Dr. B. was a distinguish- 
 ed scholar and an eminent divine. 
 
 Portsmouth, R. I. 
 
 Newport co. The soil of this 
 town, in common with all the lands 
 on the island of R. I., is uncommon- 
 ly fertile, well cultivated and pro- 
 ductive. It is bounded N. by Mount 
 Hope bay, E. by the Seaconnet pas- 
 sage from the sea to said bay, S. by 
 the ocean, and W. by Middletown. 
 The maritime situation of the town 
 affords the people great facilities for 
 the fisheries, which, with a fine 
 sotl, and industry, give them a great 
 degree of independence. A number 
 one called are attached to this town, 
 of which the beautiful and fertile 
 island of Prudence is the largest. 
 It is six miles in length, and about 
 three quarters of a mile average 
 
 width. In this town are the Rhode 
 Island coal mines, which are not 
 worked at the present time. A fine 
 bed of plumbago has recently 
 been discovered. Portsmouth fur- 
 nishes considerable quantities of 
 wool, hay, grain, vegetables, and 
 productions of the dairy. In 1837 
 there were 16,000 sheep in the 
 town. Population, 1830, 1,727. 
 Portsmouth lies 6 miles N. N. E. 
 from Newport. A stone bridge, 
 1,000 feet in length, connects it 
 with Tiverton. It received its char- 
 ter from Charles II., in 1663. 
 
 Poultney, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. The surface of this 
 town is pleasantly diversified ; the 
 soil is warm and productive, partic- 
 ularly on the borders of the river. 
 First settled, 1771. Population, 1830, 
 V,909. There are two flourishing 
 viMages in the town, and manufac- 
 tures of various sorts. The pro- 
 ductions of the soil are considera- 
 ble, and 12,000 sheep are kept. It 
 lies 60 miles S. W. from Montpe- 
 lier, and 13 S. W. from Rutland. 
 
 Poultney river, rising in the high 
 lands near Middletown, and emp- 
 tying into East bay, an arm of 
 Champlain lake, is about 25 miles 
 in length, and in its course affords 
 numerous valuable mill sites. This 
 stream changed its course in 1783, 
 by cutting a channel of 100 feet in 
 depth through a ridge of land near 
 the bay, and destroying the navi- 
 gation of the bay for a time, by 
 nearly filling it with earth. This 
 obstruction has been removed. 
 
 Poiviial, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. This is a small 
 town, of good soil, and bounded N. 
 by Durham. It lies 35 miles S. W. 
 from Augusta, and 19 N. from Port- 
 land. Incorporated, 1808. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 1,232. 
 
 Pownal, Vt. 
 
 Bennington co. First settled, 
 1761. Population, in 1830 1,835.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Pownal lies 30 miles W. by S. from 
 Brattleborough, and 8 S. from Ben- 
 nington. The surface is broken and 
 hilly, but the soil is strong and re- 
 markably well adapted for grass, 
 producing all the varieties of the dai- 
 ry in great abundance and of an ex- 
 cellent quality. The number of 
 sheep kept in this town is about 
 8,000. Pownal is watered by Hoo- 
 sack and Walloomsac rivers, which 
 produce a good water power. The 
 village is very pleasant. 
 
 Powovv River. 
 
 Powow river has its principal 
 source in Great and Country ponds 
 in Kingston, N. H., and passes over 
 the S. W. part of East Kingston in- 
 to South Hampton ; thence into 
 Amesbury, Mass., where it turns 
 E. into South Hampton again, and 
 returns into Amesbury, falling into 
 the Merrimack between Salisbury 
 and Amesbury. There are several 
 falls in this river ; those in Ames- 
 bury being the most remarkable, the 
 water falling 100 feet in the dis- 
 tance of 50 rods, and presenting, 
 with the variety of machinery and 
 dams, houses and scenery on the 
 falls, one of the most interesting 
 views in the country. 
 
 Prcscott, 3Iass. 
 
 Hampshire co. The surface of 
 this town is rough and hilly. The 
 principal manufacture consists of 
 palm-leaf hats, of which about 
 50,000 are annually made. The 
 soil is better for grazing than tillage. 
 Prescott lies 76 miles W. from Bos- 
 ton, and 16 N. E. from Northamp- 
 ton. Taken from Pelham in 1822. 
 Population, 1837, 788. 
 
 Preston, Ct. 
 
 New London co. This is an ir- 
 regular, uneven, rocky town, of a 
 pretty good soil for corn and grazing. 
 It is bounded W. and N. by the 
 Thames and Quinnebaug rivers : 44 
 miles E. S. E. from Hartford. First 
 settled, 1686. Population, 1830, 
 
 29 
 
 1,935. Poquetannuck, an ancient 
 village, lies partly in Preston and 
 partly in Ledyard. It has a water 
 power, and small vessels pass within 
 a short distance of it. Many of the 
 inhabitants are employed in naviga- 
 tion, and considerable ship timber 
 is taken from there down the river. 
 Preston City lies in the eastern 
 part of the town, 5 miles E. from 
 Poquetannuck, and 6 E. from Nor- 
 wich. Near this village is "Amos 
 lake," a handsome sheet of water, 
 and a place of resort for parties of 
 pleasure. 
 
 Presumpscut River, Me. 
 
 This is the outlet of Sebago lake. 
 It passes through parts of Gorham 
 and Westbrook, and falls into Casco 
 bay at Falmouth, 6 miles N. from 
 Portland. 
 
 Princeton, Me. 
 
 Washington co. Population, in 
 1S37, 207. See "Down East." 
 
 Princeton, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This town, the 
 Indian Wachusett, is pleasantly 
 situated at the base of the moun- 
 tain of that name, 45 miles W. by 
 N. from Boston, and 16 N. by W. 
 from Worcester. Incorporated, 175S. 
 Population, 1837, 1,267. This is a 
 township of good land, and produces 
 considerable quantities of beef, 
 butter, cheese, &c. It is watered 
 by a branch of the Nashua, and has 
 some manufactures. Wachusett is 
 2,990 feet in height ; it is the high- 
 est land in the county, and presents 
 a landscape exceedingly variegated 
 and beautiful. It is a place much 
 frequented in summer months. 
 
 The manufactures of the town 
 consist of shoes, leather, palm-leaf 
 hats, chairs, and cabinet ware : an- 
 nual amount, about $50,000. 
 
 Prospect, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. This is a beautiful 
 town, of good soil, on the west side 
 of Penobscot river. It is bounded
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 on the S. by. Belfast bay; 52 miles 
 E. by N. from Augusta, 12 N. N. 
 E. from Belfast, and 18 S. from 
 Bangor. Prospect is very flourishing 
 in its commercial and agricultural 
 pursuits. Population, 1830, 2,331 ; 
 1837, 3,198. Incorporated, 1794. 
 Wheat crop, 1837, 4,416 bushels. 
 
 Prospect, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. This stony and 
 mountainous town was taken from 
 Cheshire and Watarbury, in 1327. 
 It derived its name from its elevat- 
 ed siiuation. There is a pretty 
 village in the town. The inhabit- 
 ants are chiefly farmers. It lies 
 17 miles N. by W. from New Ha- 
 ven. Population, 1830, 651. 
 
 Some difficulty arose in the con- 
 gregational society in this town a 
 lew years since, in consequence of 
 the minister and a number of the 
 influential members of the church 
 having adopted the sentiments of 
 the Perfectionists. The stray 
 sheep, however, soon returned to 
 the fold again. See Religious 
 Creeds and Statistics. 
 
 Providence County, R. I. 
 
 Providence, chief town. This 
 ancient and respectable county is 
 boundedN.and E.by Massachusetts, 
 S. by the county of Kent, and \V. by 
 Connecticut. It contains an area 
 of 831 square miles. Population, 
 1820, 35,736 ; 1830, 47,018. Pop- 
 ulation to a square mila, 124. The 
 surface of the county is generally 
 uneven ; some sections of it presents 
 rugged features, but no part of it 
 is mountainous. The soil is vari- 
 ous: some portions of the county 
 are alluvial, some calcareous loam, 
 and some of sileceous sand ; but a 
 strong gravelly loam generally 
 prevails. 
 
 More attention is paid to agricul- 
 ture in this county than formerly ; 
 good crops of corn, barley and rye 
 are obtained, and all the varieties 
 of the dairy, of fruits and vegeta- 
 bles are abundant for the supply of 
 
 its numerous villages and the city. 
 
 The commercial interests of the 
 county are important, but are prin- 
 cipally confined to the flourishing 
 city of Providence ; but the manu- 
 facturing interests, particularly of 
 cotton, are extended throughout the 
 county, and engrosses a large share 
 of its enterprize and capital. While 
 the Pawtucket, Pawtuxet, Mashan- 
 ticut, Pochasset, Wonasquatucket, 
 and other streams, give those inter- 
 ests a constant operative power, the 
 numerous beautiful villages erected 
 on their borders testify that Provi- 
 dence county is one of the most im- 
 portant manufacturing districts in 
 the new world. 
 
 A statistical account of the resour- 
 ces of this county, and of all the 
 counties and towns in Rhode Isl- 
 and, is in preparation, and will ap- 
 pear in the Register. 
 
 Providence, R. I. 
 
 Chief town, Providence co. Rog- 
 er Williams was the founder of this 
 beautiful city. He was banished 
 from the Massachusetts colony lor 
 maintaining that all denominations 
 of Christians w$re equally entitled 
 to the protection of the civil mag- 
 istrate ; that the church of England 
 was no true church, and that a 
 patent from the king conveyed no 
 title to the soil. 
 
 In 1636, Mr. Williams, accompa- 
 nied by William Harris, John 
 Smith, Joshua Virrin, Thomas An- 
 gell, and Francis \Vickes, commenc- 
 ed a settlement and called it Prov- 
 idence ; regarding his preservation 
 as a favorable interposition of heav- 
 en. Mr. Williams sustained the 
 two-fold character of a minister of 
 the gospel and governor of the col- 
 ony ; he- formed a constitution on 
 the broad principle of civil and re- 
 ligious liberty, and thus established 
 the first free government on the 
 continent of America. Mr. Wil- 
 liams was a man of learning, and 
 set a bright exampl% of that tolera- 
 tion which he demanded from oth-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ers. He was born in Wales, in 1599, 
 and died in 16S3. 
 
 Providence suffered great losses 
 in king Philip's war, and during 
 the revolutionary contest it furnish- 
 ed its full proportion of troops, and 
 partook largely of the sufferings as 
 well as of the glory of that struggle. 
 
 On the 9th of June, 1772, 'the 
 kinsj's ship Gaspee was taken pos- 
 ?s!-:3n jf ~.r_ l ur ie ',; n<l tiie co"i- 
 mander, Lieutenant Duddingston, 
 wounded with a musket ball, in the 
 thigh. Only one of the persons en- 
 gaged in taking the Gaspee is now 
 living Col. Ephraim Bowen, of 
 Providence. 
 
 Thus it appears, that in that con- 
 test, the first blood was shed at 
 Providence ; but the first .American 
 blood and life was sacrificed at 
 Lexington, Mass., on the 19th of 
 April, 1775, and the first British 
 life, on the same day, a few hours 
 after, at Concord, Massachusetts. 
 
 Providence formerly comprised 
 the terri'ory of a number of the 
 neighboring towns. Its present 
 limits contain an area of about nine 
 square miles. It was incorporated 
 as a town in 1649, and as a city in 
 1331. Population, in 1820, 11,767; 
 1830, 16,832; 183G, 19,277. The 
 most compact part of the city is di- 
 vided into two nearly equal parts, 
 on both sides of Providence river, 
 and are connected by wide and sub- 
 stantial bridges. The two princi- 
 pal streets are long and irregular, 
 and comprise the business portion 
 of the city, with the exception of a 
 long range of large and handsome 
 brick ware houses on the east side 
 of the river. The buildings in oth- 
 er parts of the city are constructed 
 with taste, and many of them in a 
 style of superior elegance. On the 
 east side of the river the land rises 
 abruptly. On this elevation are a 
 number of streets running parallel 
 with the river, on the summit of 
 which is located Brown University, 
 established here in 1770. From 
 the beautiful buildings on these 
 
 streets, delightful views are obtain- 
 ed of a great extent of country, of 
 the city, the shipping in the river, 
 and of Providence and Narraganset 
 bays. 
 
 There are in Providence a large 
 number of handsome churches, and 
 other public buildings. The Ar- 
 cade is one of the most beautiful 
 buildings in the country. It is sit- 
 uateu on tha wen side of the river, 
 and fronts on two streets. It is 
 built of stone, 222 feet in length, 
 and 72 feet in width. The fronts 
 are ornamented, each with six mas- 
 sive columns, 25 feet high, the 
 shafts of which are single blocks, 
 22 feet in length. The lower part 
 of this building is improved for dty 
 goods shops, &c. ; the upper stories 
 for offices, library rooms, &c. It 
 was completed in 1823, and cost 
 $130,000. The architecture of this 
 building is exceedingly chaste. 
 
 Providence has long been cele- 
 brated for the commercial spirit of 
 its citizens, and for their large in- 
 vestments of capital in foreign com- 
 merce, particularly with India. It 
 is still a flourishing mart erf foreign 
 trade ; the tonnage of the port, in 
 1837, was 17,526 tons. Much of 
 the capital of the city has, howev- 
 er, of late years, been diverted to 
 the pursuit of domestic manufac- 
 tures ; a pursuit probable of greater 
 profit, and no less patriotic. 
 
 Besides the large capital employ- 
 ed by the citizens of Providence in 
 manufacturing establishments with- 
 out the city.the capital thus employ- 
 ed within it is very great. Those 
 manufactures consistof cotton goods, 
 (by steam power,) machinery, 
 steam engines, vessels, jewelry, 
 copper, brass, iron and tin wares, 
 glass, combs, oil, soap, candles, hats, 
 leather, boots, shoes, and numerous 
 other articles. About 4,000 of the 
 people of Providence are engaged 
 in these manufactures. 
 
 The public schools in Providence 
 are well sustained. The sura of 
 about $10,000 is annually appropri-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ated to this object. The number 
 of scholars, in 1837, was 1626. A 
 high school has recently been es- 
 tablished, and $40,000 appropriated 
 for the erection of new school hous- 
 es. The athenseum library con- 
 tains 7,000 volumes. It was incor- 
 porated in 1836. See Register. 
 
 Providence is approached with 
 great ease from almost every direc- 
 tion. The roads are generally ex- 
 cellent : that to Pawtucket is une- 
 qualled by any in New England. 
 The Blackstone canal, after wind- 
 ing its course through a fertile and 
 manufacturing country, from Wor- 
 cester, Mass., terminates at tide wa- 
 ter in the centre of the city. Steam 
 boats, of superior construction and 
 elegant accommodations, ply be- 
 tween this city and New York, 
 daily. Rail road cars between Bos- 
 ton and Stonington cross the lower 
 part of the city several times a day, 
 and steam boats and packets are con- 
 tinually passing to and from the 
 several important towns on the 
 shores of Narraganset and Mount 
 Hope bays. 
 
 Providence has frequently sus- 
 tained heavy losses by fire, and 
 once by water. In 1815, during 
 the memorable gale of September 
 23d, the tide rose 12 feet higher 
 than the common high tides, and 
 spread ruin to the buildings, navi- 
 gation, wharves and bridges in eve- 
 ry direction. The loss sustained 
 by this flood was estimated at a 
 million and a half of dollars. 
 
 Providence lies at the head of 
 ship navigation on Providence riv- 
 er, the most northern waters of 
 Narraganset bay ; 35 miles from 
 the sea, 40 S. W. from Boston, 169 
 N. E. by E. from New York, and 
 396 N. E. from Washington. N. 
 lat. 41 49' 32", W. Ion. 71 24' 45". 
 
 Province town, Mass. 
 
 Barnstable co. A noted fishing 
 town on the extreme point of Cape 
 Cod ; including Race point, which 
 lies 3 miles N. W. from Province- 
 
 town village. It comprises Cape 
 Cod, or Provincetown harbor, 
 which opens on the S. This ocean 
 harbor is very large, exceedingly 
 easy of access, and has sufficient 
 depth of water for the largest ships 
 of war. This is the first harbor the 
 "Mayflower" touched at on her 
 passage to Plymouth in 1620. 
 
 An elaborate and highly interest- 
 ing report of a survey of this har- 
 bor and the extremity of Cape Cod, 
 by Major J. D. Graham, has recent- 
 ly been printed by order of con- 
 gress. 
 
 The report is accompanied by a 
 series of tables, showing the result 
 of a long course of observations on 
 the tide, which are not only curi- 
 ous, but may be useful to those who 
 are in a situation for pursuing their 
 speculations on this subject, by 
 comparing them with the results of 
 similar observations in other places. 
 The fullness and precision of these 
 tables indicate the care and labor 
 with which the work has been 
 prosecuted. The result is of a na- 
 ture to show the great importance 
 of this position, both as a naval and 
 commercial station. 
 
 The value of Cape Cod harbor to 
 our naval and mercantile marine in 
 time of war is inappreciable. In 
 possession of an enemy, it would af- 
 ford facilities for annoying our 
 commerce, without exposure to the 
 gales that so often sweep along the 
 coast. Fortified, and in the occu- 
 pancy of a portion of our navy, it 
 offers a secure retreat, accessible at 
 all seasons, and sheltered from eve- 
 ry storm. 
 
 The soil of this town, in common 
 with many others on Cape Cod, is 
 very sandy ; indeed, it may be said 
 to possess no soil, for its vegetable 
 qualities are very deficient. 
 
 During the year ending April 1st, 
 1837, there were belonging to 
 Provincetown, 2 vessels employed 
 in the whale, and 98 in the cod and 
 mackerel fishery, besides a large 
 number in the freighting business.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER 
 
 The value of fish and oil taken was 
 $298,407. Hands employed, 1,113, 
 During that year 48,960 bushels of 
 salt were made, employing 156 
 hands, the value of which was 
 $18,360. Provincetown lies 50 
 miles N. E. from Barnstahle, hy 
 land, and 50 E. S. E. from Boston, 
 hy water. Incorporated, 1727. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,710; 1837, 2,049. 
 
 Putney, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. This town is fine- 
 ly located on the west side of Con- 
 necticut river, and embosoms a large 
 tract of excellent intervale land, 
 called the "Great Meadows."There 
 is also a good tract of intervale on 
 Sacket's brook, a tine mill stream, 
 with beautiful falls, on which are 
 erected valuable mills for the manu- 
 facture of woolen goods, paper, and 
 various other articles. Sacket's 
 brook is a large and constant stream: 
 it falls 150 feet in the course of 100 
 rods. Some of the mill sites are 
 unoccupied. There are various 
 mineral substances in the town, 
 worthy of the notice of the geolo- 
 gist. The village is pleasant, and 
 bears the marks of taste and pros- 
 perity. It lies 9 miles E. from 
 Newfane, and 9 N. from Brattle- 
 horough. First settled, 1754. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,510. 
 
 Fushaw Lake, Me. 
 
 This lake lies in the towns of 
 Orono, Button and Kirkland, Pe- 
 nobscot county. It is about 8 miles 
 long, and one mile wide. It emp- 
 ties into Dead stream, which meets 
 the Penobscot at Orono. 
 
 Queechy River, Vt., 
 
 Sometimes called Waterqueechy, 
 rises in Sherburne, runs nearly east 
 to the south part of Bridgewater ; 
 thence through Woodstock ir to the 
 south part of Hartford, and thence 
 southeast through the northeast cor- 
 ner of Hartland into Connecticut 
 river, about two miles above Quee- 
 chy falls. In Bridgewater it re- 
 29* 
 
 ceives two considerable branches, 
 namely, north branch, which rises 
 in the north part of this township 
 from the north, and south branch, 
 which rises in Plymouth, from the 
 south, both considerable mill 
 streams. In Woodstock it receives 
 two other branches of considerable 
 size ; one rising in the northeast 
 corner of Bridgewater and southeast 
 corner of Barnard, falls into Quee- 
 chy river from the north just below 
 the north village in Woodstock, or 
 " Woodstock Green,''' the other 
 rising in the gouth part of Wood- 
 stock, passes through both the vil- 
 lages in that town, and empties into 
 it from the south just above the 
 mouth of the last mentioned stream. 
 Both these streams afford excellent 
 mill seats. Queechy river in its 
 course receives numerous other 
 tributaries of less note. It is a 
 clear and lively stream, with a grav- 
 el or stony bottom. This stream is 
 about 35 miles in length, and wa- 
 ters about 212 square miles. 
 
 Q.ulncy, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. The territory of 
 Quincy was a part of ancient Brain- 
 tree, until 1792. It )ie,son Brain- 
 tree or Quincy bay, in Boston har- 
 bor, and is bounded on the N. W. 
 by Neponset river and the town 
 of Milton. It is 8 miles S. by E. from 
 Boston, and 10 E. by S. from Ded- 
 ham. Population, 1820, 1,623 ; 1830, 
 2,192; 1837, 3,049. 
 
 The surface of the town is diver- 
 sified by hills, valleys and plains. 
 Back from the bay about 3 miles is 
 a range of elevated land, in some 
 parts more than 600 feet above the 
 sea, containing an inexhaustible 
 supply of granite. This is the 
 source oi the " Quincy Granite," a 
 building material justly celebrated 
 in all our cities for its durability 
 and beauty. Vast quantities of 
 this admirable stone are annually 
 quarried and wrought in this vicin- 
 ity by the most skillful workmen, 
 into all dimensions, both plain and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ornamental ; and it is fortunate for 
 the public that the supply is abun- 
 dant, for the demand for it from va- 
 rious parts of the United States is 
 constant and increasing. 
 
 By means of a rail-road from these 
 quarries to the tide waters of Ne- 
 ponset river, and of a canal to the 
 centre of the town, this stone is 
 transported with great expedition 
 and little cost. There are large 
 quantities of slate stone near Ne- 
 ponset river; much of which is 
 quarried. These slate quarries beat- 
 indications of coal in their vicinity. 
 
 In this' town, between Quincy 
 and Dorchester bays, is a point of 
 land called Squantum, celebrated 
 as having been the residence of the 
 famous Indian Sachem, Chickatau- 
 but. This place is the Mos-wetu- 
 set, " a few miles south of Boston," 
 supposed by some to have origin- 
 ated the name of the state. Squan- 
 tum is a. rocky, romantic place, six 
 miles south of Boston, and a pleas- 
 ant resort for fishing and bathing. 
 
 The soil of Quincy is generally 
 of an excellent quality and under 
 good cultivation. There are large 
 tracts of salt meadow in the town, 
 and many large and beautiful farms, 
 which, in respect to soil and skillful 
 management, may vie with any in 
 the state. 
 
 The Mount Wallaston farm is 
 noted as the site of an early settle- 
 ment (1625,) and as the Merry 
 J\f(funt of Thomas Morton and his 
 associates. This farm, with that of his 
 venerated father, now belong to the 
 Hon. Mr. Adams, representative to 
 Congress. The ancestral estate of 
 the Quincy family comprises one 
 of the most beautiful and well cul- 
 tivated farms in New England. 
 It is the property of Josiah Quin- 
 cy, LL. D., an eminent agricul- 
 turist, and president of Harvard 
 University. 
 
 The village, in the centre of the 
 town, is situated on an elevated 
 plain, and is remarkable for its neat- 
 
 ness and beauty. In this village is 
 a stone church, designated the "Ad- 
 ams Temple." This building was 
 dedicated, 1828, and cost $40,000. 
 Within its walls is a beautiful mar- 
 ble monument to the memory of the 
 Hon. John Adams and his wife. 
 
 About two miles east from the 
 village is Quincy Point, at the 
 junction of Town and Weymouth 
 Fore rivers. This is a delightful 
 spot, and contains some handsome 
 buildings. This point of land, with 
 a peninsula near it called German- 
 town, are admirably located for 
 ship building, and for all the pur- 
 poses of navigation and the fishery. 
 Here is a fine harbor, a bold shore 
 and a beautiful country, within 10 
 miles of the capital of New Eng- 
 land. 
 
 The manufactures of Quincy con- 
 sist of stone, slate, vessels, salt, 
 leather, boots, shoes, hats, coach 
 lace, carriages, harnesses, bleached 
 bees wax, &.c. Total value, the 
 year ending April 1, 1837,$470,222. 
 During that period there were 10 
 vessels engaged in the cod and 
 mackerel fishery ; the product of 
 which was $31,042. Quincy is a 
 place of considerable trade. Large 
 quantities of lumber, bread stuffs, 
 &.C., are annually sold. 
 
 The proximity of Quincy to Bos- 
 ton, the excellent roads and bridg- 
 es connecting it with the city and 
 surrounding country, the beauty of 
 the town, with the delightful scen- 
 ery around it, render it a desirable 
 residence in summer, and a pleas- 
 ant home. 
 
 Quincy was named in honor of 
 Col. JOHN QUINCY, a native of 
 the place, who for forty successive 
 years was a member of the execu- 
 tive council of the colony, and dis- 
 charged many other public trusts 
 with zeal and fidelity. He died Ju- 
 ly 13, 1767, aged 78. 
 
 This has been the birth place 
 and residence of some of the most 
 distinguished sons of America.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The names of the patriots, JOHN 
 HANCOCK and JOSIAH QUINCY, 
 JR., will live until the death of lib- 
 erty. 
 
 Two presidents of the United 
 States, father and son, were natives 
 of ^this place. JOHN ADAMS, born 
 October 19, 1735. JOHN QUINCY 
 ADAMS, born July 11, 1767. The 
 senior Mr. Adams graduated at 
 Harvard University in 1755, and 
 was distinguished for his diligence 
 and genius. He studied law at 
 Worcester, and was admitted to 
 practice in 1758. He commenced 
 the labors of his profession in Brain- 
 tree, his native town, and soon ob- 
 tained business and reputation. In 
 1764, Mr. Adams married Miss Ab- 
 igail Smith, a grand daughter of 
 Col. Quincy, a lady as distinguish- 
 ed for her accomplishments and 
 virtues as for the elevated station 
 in society which Providence had 
 destined her to fill. Mrs. Adams 
 died at Quincy, Dec. 28, 1818, aged 
 74. In 1765, Mr. Adams removed 
 to Boston ; here he obtained an ex- 
 tensive legal practice, and, refusing 
 all offers of patronage from the 
 British government, espoused the 
 cause of his native country with an 
 ardor peculiar to himself, firmly re- 
 solved to sink or swim with its lib- 
 erties. He was elected a member 
 of Congress, and was among the 
 foremost in recommending the 
 adoption of an independent govern- 
 ment. In 1777 Mr. Adams was cho- 
 sen commissioner to the Court of 
 Versailles. In 1779 he was appoint- 
 ed minister plenipotentiary to nego- 
 tiate a peace and a commercial trea- 
 ty with Great Britain. In 1780 he 
 went embassador to Holland, and in 
 1782 to Paris, to negotiate a treaty 
 of peace with Great Britain, having 
 received the assurance that that 
 power would recognize the indepen- 
 dence of the United States. In 
 1785 Mr. Adams was appointed the 
 first minister to the court of St. 
 James. After remaining in Europe 
 nine years, he returned to his 
 
 native country, and in 1789 was 
 elected first Vice President of the 
 United States, which office he held 
 during the whole of Washington's 
 administration. On the resignation 
 of Washington, in 1797, Mr. Adams 
 became President of the United 
 States, which office he sustained 
 until the election of Mr. Jefferson, 
 in 1801. Soon after this, Mr. Adams 
 retired to his farm at Quincy, and 
 spent the remainder of an eventful 
 life in rural occupations, the pleas- 
 ures of domestic retirement, and 
 those enjoyments which a great and 
 good mind always has in store. 
 
 The account that Mr. Adams 
 gives in a letter to a friend, of his 
 introduction to George III., at the 
 court of St. James, as the first min- 
 ister from the rebel colonies, is very 
 interesting. The scene would form 
 a noble picture, highly honorable 
 both to his majesty and the repub- 
 lican minister. 
 
 Here stood the stern monarch, 
 who had expended more than six 
 hundred millions of dollars, and the 
 lives of two hundred thousand of 
 his subjects in a vain attempt to 
 subjugate freemen ; and by his side 
 stood the man, who, in the language 
 of Jefferson, " was the great pillar 
 of support to the declaration of in- 
 dependence, and its ablest advo- 
 cate and champion on the floor of 
 Congress." 
 
 Mr. Adams says," At one o'clock 
 on Wednesday, the first of June, 
 1785, the master of ceremonies call- 
 ed at my house, and went with me 
 to the secretary of state's office, in 
 Cleaveland row, where the marquis 
 of Carmarthen received and intro- 
 duced me to Mr. Frazier, his un- 
 der secretary, who had been, as his 
 lordship said, uninterruptedly in 
 that office through all the changes 
 in administration for thirty years. 
 After a short conversation, Lord 
 Carmarthen invited me to go with 
 him in his coach to court. When 
 we arrived in the antechamber the 
 master of the ceremonies introduc-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ed him and attended me while the 
 secretary of state went to take the 
 commands of the king. While I 
 stood in this place, where it seems 
 all ministers stand upon such occa- 
 sions, always attended by the mas- 
 ter of ceremonies, the room was 
 very full of ministers of state, bish- 
 ops and all other sorts of courtiers, 
 as well as the next room, which is 
 the king's bed chamber. You may 
 well suppose I was the focus of all 
 eyes. I was relieved, however, 
 from the embarrassment of it, by 
 the Swedish and Dutch ministers^ 
 who came to me and entertained 
 me with a very agreeble conver- 
 sation during the whole time. Some 
 other gentlemen whom I had seen 
 before, came to make their com- 
 pliments to me until the marquis 
 of Carmarthen returned, and desired 
 me to go with him to his majesty. 
 I went with his lordship through 
 the levee room into the king's 
 closet. The door was shut, and I 
 was left with his majesty and the 
 secretary of state alone. I made 
 the three reverences : one at the 
 door, another about half way, and 
 another before the presence, accord- 
 ing to the usage established at this 
 and all the northern courts of Eu- 
 rope, and then I addressed myself 
 to 'his majesty in the following 
 words : 
 
 ' Sire : The United States have ap- 
 pointed me minister plenipotentiary 
 to your majesty, and have directed 
 me to deliver to your majesty this 
 letter, which contains the evidence 
 of it. It is in obedienc to their ex- 
 press commands, that I have the 
 honor to assure your majesty of 
 their unanimous disposition and de- 
 sire to cultivate the most friendly 
 and liberal intercourse between your 
 majesty's subjects and their citi- 
 zens, and of their best wishes for 
 your majesty's health and happi- 
 ness, and for that of your family. 
 ' The appointment of a minister 
 
 from the United States to your ma- 
 jesty's court will form an epoch in 
 
 the history of England and Ameri- 
 ca. I think myself more fortunate 
 than all my fellow citizens, in hav- 
 ing the distinguished honor to be 
 the first to stand in your majesty's 
 royal presence in a diplomatic char- 
 acter ; and I shall esteem myself 
 the happiest of men if I can be in- 
 strumental in recommending my 
 country more and more to your ma- 
 jesty's royal benevolence, and of 
 restoring an entire esteem, confi- 
 dence and affection ; or, in better 
 words, ' the old good nature and the 
 good old humor,' between people 
 who, though separated by an ocean, 
 and under different governments, 
 have the same language, a similar 
 religion, a kindred blood. I beg 
 your majesty's permission to add, 
 that although I have sometimes be- 
 fore been instructed by my country, 
 it was never in my whole life in a 
 manner so agreeable to myself.' 
 
 The king listened to every word 
 I said, with dignity, it is true, but 
 with apparent emotion. Whether 
 it was my visible agitation, for I felt 
 more than I could express, that 
 touched him, 1 cannot say ; but he 
 was much affected, and answered 
 me with more tremor than I had 
 spoken with, and said : 
 
 " Sir: The circumstances of this 
 audience are so extraordinary^ the 
 language you have now held is so 
 extremely proper, and the feelings 
 you have discovered sojustly adapt- 
 ed to the occasion that 1 not only 
 receive with pleasure the assurance 
 of the friendly disposition of the 
 United States, but that I am glad 
 the choice has fallen upon you to 
 be their minister. I wish you, sir, 
 to believe and that it may be under- 
 stood in America, that I have done 
 nothing in the late contest but what 
 I thought myself indespensibly 
 bound to do, by the duty which 1 
 owed my people. I will be frank 
 with you. I was the last to conform 
 to the separation ; but the separa- 
 tion having become inevitable, I 
 have always said, as I now say, that
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 I would be the first to meet the 
 friendship of the United States as 
 an independant power. The mo- 
 ment I see such sentiments and 
 language as yours prevail, and a 
 disposition to give this country the 
 preference, that moment I shall say 
 let the circumstances of language, 
 religion, and blood have their nat- 
 ural full effect." 
 
 I dare not say that these were 
 the king's precise words ; and it is 
 even possible that I may have, in 
 some particulars, mistaken his 
 meaning ; for although his pronun- 
 ciation is as distinct as I ever heard, 
 he hesitated sometimes between 
 members of the same period. He 
 was, indeed, much affected, and I 
 was not less so, and therefore I can- 
 not be certain that I was so atten- 
 tive, heard so clearly, and under- 
 stood so perfectly, as to be confident 
 of all his words, or sense. This I 
 do say, that the foregoing is his ma- 
 jesty's meaning, as I then under- 
 stood it, and his own words, as near- 
 ly as I can recollect them. 
 
 The king then asked me whether 
 I came last from France ; and upon 
 my answering in the affirmative, he 
 put on an air of familiarity, and, 
 smiling, or rather laughing, said, 
 ' There is an opinion among some 
 people that you are not the most at- 
 tached of all your countrymen to 
 the manners of France.' I was 
 surprised at this, because I thought 
 it an indiscretion, and a descent 
 from his dignity. I was a little em- 
 barrassed; but determined not to 
 deny truth on the one hand, nor 
 lead him to infer from it any attach- 
 ment to England, on the other, I 
 threw off as much gravity as I 
 could, and assumed an air of gaiety, 
 and a tone of decision, as far as was 
 decent, and said, 'That opinion, 
 sir, is not mistaken : I must avow to 
 your majesty, I have no attachment 
 but to my own country.' The king 
 replied as quick as lightning, ' An 
 honest man will never have any 
 other.' 
 
 The king then said a word or two 
 to the secretary of state, which be- 
 ing between them I did not hear, 
 and then turned round and bowed 
 to me, as is customary with all kings 
 and princes when they give the sig- 
 nal to retire. I retreated, stepping 
 backwards, as is the etiquette ; and 
 making my last reverence at the 
 door of the chamber, I went to my 
 carriage." 
 
 Mr. Adams died on the 4th of Ju- 
 ly, 1826, with the same words on 
 his lips which fifty years before, 
 on that day, he had uttered on the 
 floor of Congress, " Independence 
 forever." 
 
 Q,uinel>aug River. 
 
 This beautiful stream rises in 
 Mashapaug pond, in Union, Ct. It 
 passes N. to Brimfield, Mass., then 
 a S. E. course to Thompson, Ct, 
 where it receives French river from 
 the north. It then traverses a S. 
 direction about 30 miles, affording 
 fertility and a great hydraulic pow- 
 er in its course, when it joins the 
 Shetucket, near the city of Nor- 
 wich, and takes the name of that 
 river to the Yantic. These three 
 streams form the Thames. 
 
 Quinepiack River, Ct. 
 
 This river rises in Bristol and 
 Fannington, and passes through 
 Southington, Cheshire, Meriden, 
 Wallingford, and falls into Long 
 Island Sound at New Haven. This 
 is a pleasant mountain stream, of 
 considerable power, and about 30 
 miles in length. 
 
 Qnoddy Head, Me., 
 
 Or West Quoddy Head, the west- 
 ern entrance into Passamaquoddy 
 bay. It is in N. lat. 44 55', W. 
 Ion. 66 49'. It has a light house 
 45 feet in height. See Lubec and 
 Eastport. 
 
 Race Point, Mass. 
 
 The N. W. extremity of Cape
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Cod. N. lat.42 &, W. Ion. 70 7'. sea, and 34 N. N. W. from Wind- 
 See Provincetown. sor. 
 
 Ragged Mountains, N. II., 
 
 So called from their rough ap- 
 pearance, lie between Andover and 
 Hill, extending in a chain about 10 
 miles from the Pernigewasset to the 
 vicinity of Kearsarge. It is a bleak 
 and precipitous range, and is nearly 
 2,000 feet high, in its northern 
 points. 
 
 Rail Roads iu Xeiv England. 
 
 See Register. 
 
 Randolph, N. II. 
 
 Coos co. Until 1824 this town 
 was called Dur?nd. It is situated 
 directly under the north end of the 
 White mountains, its southeast cor- 
 ner bounding on the base of Mount 
 Madison, the east peak of the range. 
 Branches of Israel's and Moose 
 rivers pass through it. The soil is 
 in some parts good, but the town in- 
 creases slowly in its settlements. 
 It was granted August 20, 1772, to 
 John Durand and others, of Lon- 
 don. Joseph Wilder and Stephen 
 Jillson were the first settlers. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 78. 
 
 Randolph, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. This is an elevated 
 township of good soil, particularly 
 for grazing. It is generally well 
 improved, and produces good but- 
 ter, cheese and mutton. Between 
 twelve and thirteen thousand sheep 
 graze in its pastures. 
 
 It is well watered by branches of 
 White river, on which are two 
 woolen mills and other manufac- 
 tures. There are a number of flour- 
 ishing business locations in the 
 town : the centre village is very 
 pleasant, and contains an academy 
 of excellent reputation. This town 
 was first settled about the year 1778. 
 Population, 1830, 2,743. 
 
 Randolph lies 23 miles S. from 
 Montpelier, 9 S. W. from Chel- 
 
 Raudolph, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. Randolph constitut- 
 ed a part of ancient Braintree until 
 1793, when it was incorporated. It 
 lies 14 miles S. from Boston, 12 S. 
 E. from Dedham, and 7 S. S. W 
 from Braintree landing. Popula- 
 tion, 1820, 1,546; 1830, 2.200; 
 1837, 3,041. Mann'iquot rivjr mcs 
 .n the town, which, with other 
 small streams, afford it a water pow- 
 er. Punkapog pond lies in this 
 town and Canton. The land is ele- 
 vated between the waters of Mas- 
 sachusetts bay and Taunton river ; 
 the surface is generally undulating 
 and the soil strong and productive. 
 There are two very pleasant and 
 flourishing villages in the town, 
 East and West, surrounded by 
 fertile and well cultivated fields. 
 Randolph has long been noted for 
 the industry of its people, in the 
 manufacture of boots and shoes. 
 During the year ending April 1st, 
 1837, there were made in the town 
 200,175 pairs of boots, and 470,620 
 pairs of shoes, valued at $944,715, 
 employing 1,475 hands. There are 
 manufactures of leather, &.c. in the 
 town, but that of boots and shoes is 
 the principal. 
 
 Rangely, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. This town lies on 
 the Androscoggin river, and at the 
 outlet of Oquossack lake. It is 
 about 40 miles N. W. from Farm- 
 ington. See "Down East." 
 
 Raymond, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. Raymond is 
 watered by Crooked river, and sev- 
 eral ponds. This is a good farming 
 town, with two villages, and some 
 trade. The inhabitants are princi- 
 pally devoted to agricultural pur- 
 suits. In 1837 the population was 
 1,802 ; wheat crop 3,203 bushels. 
 Incorporated, 1303. It lies 75
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 miles S. W. from Augusta and 22 
 N. N. W. from Portland. 
 
 Raymond, X. H. 
 
 Rockingham co. This town lies 
 25 miles W. by S. from Portsmouth, 
 25 S. E. from Concord, 13 W. by 
 N. from Exeter. Two branches 
 of the Lamprey river, from Deer- 
 field and Candia, unite in Ray- 
 mond ; and the waters of two ponds 
 also fall into this river as it passes 
 through the town. The Patuckaway, 
 from Nottingham, crosses the N. E. 
 corner into Epping. The soil is 
 various: that of the meadows bord- 
 ering on the river is productive. In 
 the N. part of the town, about 100 
 roJs from the principal road leading 
 to Deerfield, near the summit of a 
 hill about 101) faet high, is a natu- 
 ral excavation in a ledge, called 
 the Oven, from the appearance of 
 its mouth. It is a regular arch 
 about 5 feet high and of the same 
 width, extending into the hill 
 about 15 feet, and terminating in a 
 number of fissures. Raymond was 
 originally that part of Chester call- 
 ed Charming-fare. It was incor- 
 porated in 1765, by its present 
 name. The names of 24 inhabi- 
 tants of Raymond are found enroll- 
 ed among the soldiers of the revo- 
 lution, beside numbers of the mili- 
 tia engaged for short periods. Four 
 were killed 01- died in service. 
 Hon. JOHX DUDLEY, a distinguish- 
 ed patriot of the revolution, mem- 
 ber of the committee of safety, 
 speaker of the house, and judge 
 of the superior court, died here May 
 21,1305, aged 80.. Population, in 
 1330, 1,000. 
 
 Raynuam, Mass. 
 
 Bristol co. This town lies on 
 Taunton river, and was taken from 
 Tauntonin 1731. Population, 1837, 
 1,379. It is 30 miles S. from Bos- 
 ton, 3 N. E. from Taunton, and 24 
 E. from Providence. 
 
 There are a number of large 
 ponds in this town producing a good 
 
 water power, and to which "vast 
 quantities of herring (alewives) 
 resort. On the banks of one of 
 these ponds, the celebrated King 
 Philip had a hunting house. The 
 first forge in America was erected 
 in this town, by James and Henry 
 Leonard, in 1652. The house of 
 the Leonards, an old Gothic build- 
 ing, is now standing, and owned by 
 the 7th generation. 
 
 The manufactures of Raynhara 
 consist of bar iron, nails, iron cast- 
 ings, anchors, shovels, forks, cof- 
 fee mills, and straw bonnets : total 
 value the year ending April 1, 1S37, 
 $360,650 ; of which $300,000 was 
 for nails. 
 
 Keadfielcl, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. This is an excel- 
 lent township of land, and finely 
 watered by ponds and small streams. 
 The people are generally industri- 
 ous farmers, who find the cultiva- 
 tion of the earth the best source of 
 independence. Readfield is a very 
 pleasant town, and its vicinity to 
 the Kennebec gives it many advan- 
 tages. It lies 11 miles W. from 
 Augusta. Population, 1837, 2,019. 
 Wheat crop, same year, 6,391 bush- 
 els. 
 
 Reading, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. First settled, 1772. 
 This is an elevated to wnship, uneven 
 and mountainous. Several small 
 streams rise here and pass to the 
 Queechy and Black rivers. This 
 town affords excellent pasturage, 
 in which about (5,000 sheep are 
 kept. Reading lies 53 miles S. 
 from Montpelier, and 10 W. from 
 Windsor. Population, 1830, 1,409. 
 
 Reading, DIass. 
 
 Middlesex co. Reading is an 
 ancient town, 13 miles N. from 
 Boston, 10 W. from Salem, and 17 
 N. E. from Concord. 
 
 The surface of the town is une- 
 ven, but the soil is generally of a 
 good quality. The village is pleas-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ant and flourishing. During the 
 year ending April 1, 1837, the val- 
 ue of $184,583 of boots and shoes 
 were made in Reading, and $91,360 
 of chairs and cabinet ware. First 
 settled, 1640. Population, 1837, 
 2,144. 
 
 Reading, Ct. 
 
 Fairfield co. This town was in- 
 corporated in 1767, and derived its 
 name from Col. John Read, one of 
 its first settlers. The soil of the 
 town is good, but the surface is 
 rough and hilly. The business of 
 the people is chiefly agricultural, 
 who live scattered about on their 
 farms. Considerable attention is 
 paid in Reading to the growing of 
 wool. It lies 15 miles N. W. from 
 Bridgeport, 60 S. W. from Hart- 
 ford, and 9 S. from Danbury. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,686. It is watered 
 by Saugatuck and Norwalk rivers. 
 
 JOEL BARLOW, LL. D., was 
 born in this town, 1755. He died 
 in Poland, 1812. 
 
 America has produced few men, 
 more justly deserving of immortal- 
 ity than Barlow ; and none, it is be- 
 lieved, who have made their title 
 to it more sure. He lived in an 
 eventful period, and acted a con- 
 spicuous part in both hemispheres ; 
 and as a poet, a man of science, a 
 politician, a philosopher and a phi- 
 lanthropist, his name will long be 
 revered by the friends of civil liber- 
 
 ty, and of science, throughout the 
 civilized world. 
 
 Red Hill, BT. II. 
 
 See Moultonborough. 
 
 Rcadsborough, Vt. 
 
 Bennington co. 'A mountainous 
 township, at the S. E. corner of the 
 county, watered by Deerfield river, 
 12 miles S. E. from Bennington, 
 and 18 W. by S. from Brattle bo- 
 rough. Much of the land in the 
 town is too elevated to admit of cul- 
 tivation. Population, 1830, 662. 
 
 Rchoboth, Mass. 
 
 Bristol co. This town was first 
 settled in 1643, by the Rev. Samu- 
 el Newman and others from Wey- 
 mouth. Rehoboth formerly com- 
 prised the towns of Seekonk and 
 Pawtucket. This ancient town suf- 
 fered greatly by Indian depreda- 
 tions. The surface of the town is 
 pleasant, and the soil generally 
 good for tillage. Its manufactures 
 consist of cotton goods, leather, 
 shoes, cutlery, ploughs, straw bon- 
 nets, carpenters' and joiners' tools, 
 wagons, ox yokes, bobbins, cotton 
 batting, wooden ware, &.c. : annual 
 value, about $60,000. Rehoboth 
 is watered by Palmer's river. It 
 lies 40 miles S. by W. from Boston, 
 10 S. W. from Taunton, and 7 E. 
 from Providence, R. I. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 2,202. Its Indian name 
 was Saconet.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 RHODE ISLAND. 
 
 The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was settled by 
 Roger Williams in 1636, a man remarkable for his benevolence, justice, 
 and pacific policy. It derived its name from that of a beautiful island at 
 the mouth of Narraganset bay. Its government commenced under the 
 charter of Charles II., in 1663, which charter is the present Constitution 
 of the State. It became a member of the Union May 29th, 1790. 
 
 The Legislative power is vested in a Senate and House of Represen- 
 tatives. The number of Senators cannot be more nor less than- 10, 2 
 from each county, and are chosen annually by the people on the 3d Wed- 
 nesday in April. The Representatives are in number 72. No town has 
 less than 2, and but 4 towns have more than 2, viz. Newport 6, Prov- 
 idence 4, Portsmouth 4, and Warwick 4 : the number for each town hav- 
 ing been determined by law without reference to the present ratio of 
 population. They are elected semi-annually by the people, on the 3d 
 Wednesday of April, and last Tuesday of August. 
 
 The Legislature meet at Newport on the 1st Wednesday of May, and 
 at Providence- and South Kingston, alternately, on the last Monday of 
 October annually. 
 
 The executive power is vested in a Governor and Lieut. Governor, 
 elected annually by the people on the 3d Wednesday of April. Their 
 official term commences on the 1st Wednesday in May 
 30
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 Succession of Governors. 
 
 Nicholas Cooke, 17761778. William Greene, 17781786. John 
 Collins, 17861789. Arthur Fenner, 17891805. Henry Smith, 
 (Act. Gov.) 1805. Isaac Wilborn, (Lieut. Gov.) 1806. James Fenner, 
 18071811. William Jones, 18111817. Nehemiah R. Knight, 
 18171821. William C. Gibb?, 18211824. James Fenner, 1824 
 1831. Lemuel H. Arnold, 18311833. John Brown Francis, 
 1833 
 
 The judicial power is vested in the Supreme Judicial Court and Court 
 of Common Pleas. 
 
 The Judges of all the Courts, Sheriffs, Notaries, Justices of the Peace, 
 and Clerks of the Courts are chosen annually by the Legislature in 
 Grand Committee. In all the towns (except Providence) the town coun- 
 cils are, ex officio, Courts of Probate, and the town Clerks, Registers of 
 Deeds and Probate. The Municipal Court in the city of Providence ex- 
 ercise probate jurisdiction, and the Clerk is Register of Probate. The 
 city Clerk is Register of Deeds. 
 
 This state annually appropriates $10,000, to be divided among the 
 towns for the support of free schools. 
 
 Rhode Island comprises five counties : Providence, Newport, Bristol, 
 Kent and Washington. It is bounded N. and E. by the state of Massa- 
 chusetts, S. by the Atlantic ocean, and W. by the state of Connecticut. 
 It lies between 41 and 42 N. lat., and between 71 and 72 W. long. ; 
 and comprises an area of 1350 square miles. Population, 1755, 40,414 ; 
 1774, 59,678; 1790, 68,825; 1800, 69,122; 1810,75,188; 1820,83,059; 
 1830,97,196. Population to square a mile, 71. 
 
 The natural features of this state are somewhat peculiar. About a 
 tenth part of it is water, and of the residue of land a considerable portion 
 is island territory. The interior of the state, with the exception of the in- 
 tervales along the streams, is generally rough and hilly. 
 
 The most considerable eminences are Mount Hope, in Bristol, Hop- 
 kins' Hill, in West Greenwich, and Woonsocket Hill, in Smithfield. 
 There are also some hills of considerable elevation in Exeter. Rhode 
 Island, and most of the other islands in Narraganset bay, disclose a 
 geological structure, of the transition character, and present a surface 
 generally undulating, and often highly picturesque and beautiful. 
 
 The mineral treasures of the State have not been explored : but so far 
 as they are known, they are not extensive or valuable. Iron ore is 
 the most important mineral. Mineral coal is found upon Rhode Island. 
 Limestone abounds in the northeastern section of the state ; and in these 
 calcareous strata there are some excellent quarries of marble. Serpen-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 tine marble is also found, and there are in various places extensive quar- 
 ries of freestone. 
 
 The navigable waters of Rhode Island are abundant, and mill streams 
 are found in every section of the continental part of the state. Rhode 
 Island claims a conspicuous rank for its enterprise in foreign commerce, 
 domestic trade, and the fishery. The tonnage of the state in 1837, was 
 45,651 tons. During the war with the Indian Sachem, Philip, and the 
 war of the revolution, Rhode Island was always found at its post. lu 
 these wars her soldiers were conspicuous for bravery; among whom 
 were found some of the most distinguished officers of the age. The rise 
 and progress of this state to wealth and reputation is very interesting. 
 It is the smallest republican state in the world, and the most important 
 manufacturing district of its size in America. An impartial history of 
 Rhode Island will soon be published by one of its distinguished sons : 
 that history will contain a merited eulogium on the character of its people. 
 
 Rhode Island is celebrated for its mild and salubrious climate, which is 
 thought peculiarly favorable to female beauty. See Register. 
 
 Ricliford, Vt. 
 
 Franklin co. This is a mountain- 
 ous township at the N. E. corner 
 of the county, on the line of Cana- 
 da, and watered by Missisque river 
 and its branches. It lies 50 miles 
 N. by W. from Montpelier, and 24 
 N. E. from St. Albans. There is 
 some good land along the river ; 
 and the upland, though rough, af- 
 fords good grazing. Population, 
 1830, 704. First settled, about 
 1790. 
 
 Richmond, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. Within these limits, 
 on the west bank of Kennebec river, 
 stood an ancient fortress called Rich- 
 mond ; hence the name of the town. 
 It lies between Bowdoinham and 
 Gardiner, and is the site of some 
 ship building and navigation. The 
 town has mill privileges on a stream 
 which empties into Merrymeeting 
 bay : its soil is productive, and its 
 
 location pleasant. Richmond lies 
 15 miles S. from Augusta and 15 
 N. from Topsham. Incorporated, 
 1823. Population, 1837, 1,526. 
 Wheat crop, same year, 1,656 
 bushels. 
 
 Richmond, N. II. 
 
 Cheshire co. This town is 12 
 miles S. from Keene, and 70 S. W. 
 from Concord. It is watered by 
 branches of Ashuelot and Miller's 
 rivers, which fall into the Connec- 
 ticut. The ponds are three in num- 
 ber, one of which is one of the sour- 
 ces of Miller's river. The soil here 
 is favorable for yielding rye, wheat, 
 Indian corn, and most of the pro- 
 ductions found in this section of 
 New England. The land is gen- 
 erally level. There are no remark- 
 able elevations. Richmond was 
 granted in 1752, and was settled 
 within 5 or 6 years afterwards, by 
 people from Massachusetts and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Rhode Island. Population, in 1830 
 1,301 
 
 Richmond, Vt. 
 
 Chittenden co. Richmond is 24 
 miles N. W. from Montpelier, and 
 13 S. E. from Burlington. Popula- 
 tion, 1830,1,109. First settled, 1784. 
 The town is finely watered by On- 
 ion and Huntington rivers, on the 
 banks of which are good mill seats 
 and large tracts of beautiful mead- 
 ow. The village is neat, and the 
 centre of considerable travel. The 
 several religious denominations uni- 
 ted here in building a curious look- 
 ing meeting house ; it has sixteen 
 sides. This is a healthy place, and 
 noted for the longevity of its inhab- 
 itants. 
 
 Richmond, Mass.. 
 
 Berkshire co. This town is situ- 
 ated in a deep valley of excellent 
 soil, surrounded by elevated lands, 
 and watered by Williams' river. 
 This is an excellent farming town ; 
 the farmers' houses, extending some 
 miles on one street, are neatly built 
 and make a beautiful appearance. 
 Iron ore of a good quality is found 
 here in abundance, also marble and 
 lime. The manufactures of the 
 town consist of pig iron, shovels, 
 spades, forks, hoes, leather, boots 
 and shoes. Annual value, about 
 $50,000. In 1836, there were 
 4,835 merino sheep in Richmond. 
 They produced 14,505 pounds of 
 wool, valued at $8,703. It lies 
 135 miles W. from Boston, and 5 W. 
 from Lenox. Incorporated, 1765. 
 Population, 1837, 820. 
 
 Richmond, R. I. 
 
 Washington co. Richmond is 
 bounded on the west by Wood river, 
 and on the east by the river Charles. 
 Other streams water the town, 
 which, with the Wood and Charles 
 give it an excellent water power. 
 Manufacturing establishments of 
 various kinds flourish on its streams, 
 particularly those of cotton. The 
 
 soil is a gravelly loam, with an un- 
 even surface. The agricultural 
 productions of the town are very 
 considerable. 
 
 This is an excellent township for 
 grazing; a large amount of wool 
 and of the productions of the dairy- 
 is annually transported. Richmond 
 was incorporated in 1742. It lies 
 30 miles S. S. W. from Providence 
 and is bounded E. by South Kings- 
 ton. The Providence and Stoning- 
 ton rail-road passes through the S. 
 E. corner of the town. Population, 
 in 1830, 1,363. 
 
 Ridgefield, ft. 
 
 Fairfield co. Ridgefield, or, as 
 the Indians called it, Caudatowa, 
 a word signifying high land, is 
 bounded W. by New Salem, N. Y. 
 and lies 31 miles W. by N. from 
 New Haven, and 9 S. by W. from 
 Danbury. This township is very 
 elevated, and commands extensive 
 views of Long Island Sound and of 
 the surrounding country. The soil 
 is a strong gravelly loam, and pro- 
 ductive of grass and grain. It is 
 watered by Saugatuck and Norwalk 
 rivers, and by a branch of the Cro- 
 ton. It comprises a very handsome 
 village, in which are manufactures 
 of carriages, cabinet furniture, &c. 
 Limestone is abundant. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 2,323. Incorporated, 
 1709. 
 
 The celebrated hermitess, Sarah 
 Bishop, lived on the western bor- 
 der of Ridgefield. She lived on 
 Long Island at the time of the 
 Revolutionary war. Her father's 
 house was burnt by the British, and 
 she was cruelly treated by a Brit- 
 ish officer. She then left society 
 and wandered among the mountains 
 near this part of the state : she found 
 a kind of cave near Ridgefield, 
 where she resided till about the 
 time of her death, which took place 
 in 1810. It is said that the wild an- 
 imals were so accustomed to see 
 her, that they were not afraid of 
 her presence.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The following account of a visit 
 to this hermitess, is taken from a 
 Poughkeepsie paper. 
 
 " Yesterday I went to visit the 
 hermitage. As you pass the south- 
 ern and elevated ridge of the moun- 
 tain, and begin to descend the south- 
 ern steep, you meet with a perpen- 
 dicular descent of a rock, in the 
 front of which is this cave. At the 
 foot of this rock is a gentle descent 
 of rich and fertile ground, extend- 
 ing about ten rods, when it instant- 
 ly forms a frightful precipice, de- 
 scending half a mile to the pond 
 called Long pond. In the front of 
 the rock, on the north, where the 
 cave is, and level with the ground, 
 there appears a large frustrum of 
 the rock, of a double fathom in size, 
 thrown out by some unknown con- 
 vulsion of nature, and lying in the 
 front of the cavity from which it 
 was rent, partly enclosing the 
 mouth, and forming a room: the 
 rock is left entire above, and forms 
 the roof of this humble mansion. 
 This cavity is the habitation of the 
 hermitess, in which she has passed 
 the best of her years, excluded 
 from all society ; she keeps no do- 
 mestic animal, not even fowl, cat, 
 or dog Her little plantation, con- 
 sisting of half an acre, is cleared 
 of its wood, and reduced to grass, 
 where she has raised a few peach 
 trees, and yearly plants, a few hills 
 of beans, cucumbers, and potatoes ; 
 the whole is surrounded with a 
 luxuriant grape vine, which over- 
 spreads the surrounding wood, and 
 is very productive. On the oppo- 
 site side of this little tenement, is a 
 fine fountain of excellent water ; at 
 this fountain we found the wonder- 
 ful woman, whose appearance it is 
 a little difficult to describe : indeed, 
 like nature in its first state, she was 
 without form. Her dress appeared 
 little else than one confused and 
 shapeless mass of rags, patched to- 
 gether without any order, which 
 obscured all human shape, except- 
 ing her head, which was clothed 
 
 30* 
 
 with a luxuriancy of lank grey hair 
 depending on every side, as time 
 had formed it, without any covering 
 or ornament. When she discover- 
 ed our approach, she exhibited the 
 appearance of a wild and timid an- 
 imal ; and started and hastened to 
 her cave, which she entered, and 
 barricaded the entrance with old 
 shells, pulled from the decayed 
 trees. We approached this humble 
 habitation, and after some conver- 
 sation with its inmate, obtained lib- 
 erty to remove the palisadoes and 
 look in; for we were not able to 
 enter, the room being only sufficient 
 to accommodate one person. We 
 saw no utensil, either for labor or 
 cookery, save an old pewter basin 
 and a gourd shell, no bed but the 
 solid rock, unless it were a few old 
 rags, scattered here and there ; no 
 bed clothes of any kind, not the 
 least appearance of food or fire. 
 She had, indeed, a place in one cor- 
 ner of her cell, where a fire had at 
 some time been kindled, but it did 
 not appear there had been one for 
 some months. To confirm this, a 
 gentleman says he passed her cell 
 five or six days after the great fall 
 of snow in the beginning of March, 
 that she had no fire then, and had 
 not been out of her cave since the 
 snow had fallen. How she subsists 
 during the severe season, is yet a 
 mystery ; she says she eats but lit- 
 tle flesh of any kind ; in the sum- 
 mer she lives on berries, nuts, and 
 roots. We conversed with her for 
 some time, found her to be of a 
 sound mind, a religious turn of 
 thought, and entirely happy in her 
 situation ; of this she has given re- 
 peated proofs by refusing to quit 
 this dreary abode. She keeps a Bi- 
 ble with her, and says she takes 
 much satisfaction, and spent much 
 time in reading it." 
 
 Riley, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This is a township of 
 rough and unprofitable land, with 
 few inhabitants ; near to, and south
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 of Speckled mountain, on the line 
 of New Hampshire. It lies 30 
 miles N. W. from Paris. 
 
 Rlnclge, N. II. 
 
 Cheshire co. This town is 20 
 miles S. E. from Keene, 50 S. W. 
 from Concord, and 55 W. N. W. 
 from Boston. The soil is productive, 
 lying on swells of land for the most 
 part inclining to the south. There 
 are 13 ponds, the largest of which 
 are called Manomonack, Emerson, 
 Perley, Long, Grassy, and Bullet. 
 The 3 first discharge their waters 
 into Miller's river in Mass., thence 
 communicating with the Connecti- 
 cut; the 3 last discharge them- 
 selves into Contoocook river, and 
 from thence into the Merrimack. 
 These ponds abound with fish, and 
 were much frequented by the In- 
 dians for procuring fur, &c. There 
 is a small elevation of land in 
 Rindge, from which the waters that 
 issue on one side descend into the 
 Merrimack, and those on the other 
 side, into the Connecticut. Iron 
 is found here ; also a species of 
 paint nearly equal to the best qual- 
 ity of Spanish brown. Rindge was 
 originally called Rowley Canada, 
 or Monadnock No. 1. It received 
 its present name from one of the 
 proprietors, when it was incorpora- 
 ted, in 1768. The settlement com- 
 menced, 1752, by Jonathan Stanley, 
 George Hewitt and Abel Platts. 
 Population, in 1830, 1,269. 
 
 Ripley, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. A good farming 
 town, 60 miles N. by E. from Au- 
 gusta, and 30 N. E. from Norridge- 
 wock. Incorporated, 1816. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 555. Wheat crop, 
 same year, 3,512 bushels. A branch 
 of Sebasticook river passes through 
 the town. 
 
 Rlpton, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. This is a mountain- 
 ous township, the surface and soil 
 of which are too broken and cold 
 
 for much cultivation. Middlebury 
 river and the turnpike from Royal- 
 ton to Vergennes pass through it. 
 Ripton lies 26 miles S. W. from 
 Montpelier, and 9 E. from Middle- 
 bury. Population, 1330, 278. 
 
 llohbiuxtoii, Me. 
 
 Washington co. This town lies 
 on the Schoodic or St. Croix river, 
 opposite to St. Andrews, in New 
 Brunswick. It is 16 miles N. N. 
 W. from Eastport, 30 N. E. from 
 Machias and 192 E. N. E. from Au- 
 gusta. This place enjoys great 
 navigable privileges, and is the site 
 of considerable ship building, and 
 commerce in lumber. Incorporated, 
 1811. Population, 1837, 702. This 
 town was settled soon after the re- 
 volutionary war. The first mail 
 came to this place in 1796. A mail 
 stage now arrives three times a 
 week, and crosses the river to New 
 Brunswick. Robbinston was nam- 
 ed in compliment to the Hon. Ed- 
 ward H. Robbins, formerly Lieut. 
 Governor of Massachusetts, and for 
 many years speaker of the House 
 of Representatives of that state. 
 
 Rochester, If. H., 
 
 One of the county towns of Straf- 
 ford co., is 10 miles N. W. from 
 Dover, 22 N. W. from Portsmouth, 
 34 E. from Concord. Besides Salr 
 mon fall river, which divides this 
 town from Berwick and Lebanon, in 
 the state of Maine, the Coche- 
 co river runs the whole length of 
 the town, and nearly in the middle, 
 and the Isinglass river crosses the 
 southerly corner of the town just 
 before its junction with Cocheco 
 river, at a place called Blind Will's 
 Neck. Both Salmon fall and Co- 
 checo rivers afford valuable mill- 
 seats ; on the latter of which, near 
 the centre of the town, stands the 
 principal village, called Norway 
 Plains. It is a place of consider- 
 able trade, and a great thorough- 
 fare from the upper towns in the 
 county to Dover and Portsmouth.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 There is another village about 2 
 miles S. W.from this, called Squam- 
 anagonnick, the Indian name of 
 the falls in the Cocheco at that 
 place. Much of the soil in Roch- 
 ester is good ; the surface is uneven, 
 with several swells, the principal 
 of which is Squamanagonnick hill, 
 which constitutes a considerable 
 part of several valuable farms. In 
 the W. part of the town, is a large 
 tract of oak land, which is hard and 
 stony ; lias a deep rich soil, arid is 
 very productive when well cultiva- 
 ted. The town was incorporated, 
 in 1722. The first permanent set- 
 tlement was made in 1728. Until 
 Canada was taken by the British 
 and American troops in 1760, it re- 
 mained a frontier town ; the peo- 
 ple were poor and distressed, but 
 not discouraged. Their men were 
 bold, hardy and industrious ; and 
 their sons were trained to the use 
 of arms. They early became a ter- 
 ror to their foes. In 1748, the wife 
 of Jonathan Hodgdon was killed on 
 a Sunday morning by the Indians, 
 on refusing to be taken to Canada 
 with the party. Her husband mar- 
 ried again, had 21 children in all, 
 and died in 1815, aged 90 years. In 
 the revolutionary war, many of the 
 inhabitants bore a part. Captains 
 David Place and John Brewster led 
 companies to Ticonderoga, and suf- 
 fered much in their retreat from 
 that place in 1777. Of the soldiers 
 from Rochester, 29 were killed or 
 died in that contest. Pop. 1830,2, 155. 
 
 Roclxester, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. Rochester lies 30 
 miles S. S. W. from Montpelier, 37 
 N. W. from Windsor, and 20 S. E. 
 from Middlebury. It is watered by 
 White river, which supplies it with 
 mill seats. A large partof the surface 
 of the township is broken and moun- 
 tainous, but it contains much good 
 land for grazing and some tracts of 
 excellent meadow. It has a pleasant 
 village with some trade. In 1837, 
 there were 9,000 sheep in the town. 
 
 First settled, 1783. Population, 
 1830, 1,392. 
 
 Rochester, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. A large maritime 
 town on Buzzard's bay, 9 miles 
 E. from New Bedford, and 48 S. S. 
 E. from Boston. Incorporated, 1686. 
 Population, 1837, 3,570. The lace 
 of the town is uneven and the soil 
 light. Mattepoiset and Sipican riv- 
 ers, rising in large ponds in the 
 town, empty into the bay and form 
 good harbors. The manufactures 
 of Rochester consist of vessels, salt, 
 bar iron, boots, shoes, &c. ; value, 
 the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 $101,811. During that period there 
 were 9 vessels engaged in the whale 
 fishery, and brought into port 116,- 
 928 gallons of oil, valued at $71, 
 658. A number of merchant ves- 
 sels belong to this place, and numer- 
 ous coasting and fishing vessels. 
 
 Rockiugham County, x. H. 
 
 Portsmouth and Exeter are the 
 chief towns. The county of Rock- 
 ingham is bounded N. and N. E. 
 by Strafford county ; E. by the At- 
 lantic, from the mouth of Piscata- 
 qua river to the line of Massachu- 
 setts ; W. by the counties of Mer- 
 rimack and Hillsborough. Its great- 
 est length is about 34 miles; its 
 greatest breadth, from the west cor- 
 ner of Chester to the extremity of 
 Rye, is about 30 miles. It compri- 
 ses an area of 695 square miles. 
 There are no remarkable elevations 
 in this county ; the surface, how- 
 ever, is uneven, and in the north 
 part, from the higher eminences, 
 there are some very fine views of 
 the surrounding country. The 
 highest point is Saddleback moun- 
 tain, in Northwood and Deerfielcl. 
 The rivers are the Lamprey, Exe- 
 ter, Beaver, and Spiggot, which 
 water the east and southeast parts 
 of the county. Great Bay, be- 
 tween Newington and New Mark- 
 et, and connecting with the Piscat- 
 aqua, is the largest collection of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 water. Massabesick pond or lake 
 is principally in Chester, and is 
 picturesque from its numerous isl- 
 ands and the surrounding eleva- 
 tions. The other principal ponds 
 are Islandy, in Hamsptead, Coun- 
 try, in Kingston, and Pleasant in 
 Deerfield. 
 
 The soil of this county having 
 been longer cultivated than that of 
 any other county in the state, is 
 very productive ; and agricultural 
 pursuits have been very success- 
 ful. In 1837, there were 23,333 
 sheep in the county. The popula- 
 tion, in 1820, was 40,526 ; and in 
 in 1830, 44,552. Population to a 
 square mile, 64. 
 
 Rocklngham, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. This town is beau- 
 tifully situated on the west side of 
 Connecticut river, and at the cele- 
 brated " Bellows Falls," noted un- 
 der IValpole N. H. The water pow- 
 er afforded by these falls, with that 
 of Williams and Saxton's rivers, 
 which pass through the town, are 
 of vast extent ; it cannot fail of be- 
 coming exceedingly useful, and of 
 rendering this town and vicinity 
 the site of immense manufacturing 
 operations. Large and expensive 
 manufacturing establishments have 
 recently been commenced ; an ac- 
 count of which may be expected 
 in the Register. 
 
 This place lies on a navigable 
 river, 65 miles above Northampton, 
 and 85 above Springfield, Mass., 
 Ill above Hartford, Ct, and 23 be- 
 low Windsor, Vt. It is 85 miles 
 S. from Montpelier, and 18 N. E. 
 from Newfane. First settled in 
 1753. Population, 1830, 2,272. 
 
 The surface of the town is une- 
 ven ; but the soil is generally 
 strong, warm and productive. Its 
 agricultural products are consider- 
 able : in 1837, it pastured 12,600 
 sheep. 
 
 The location of Rockingham 
 renders it a mart of much interi- 
 or trade, and has caused the erec- 
 
 tion of a number of pleasant villa- 
 ges. The scenery around the falls, 
 in Rockingham, is of a sublime 
 character, and perhaps no section 
 of New England possesses a great- 
 er variety of minerals than are found 
 in this vicinity. 
 
 Rome, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. This is a beautiful 
 farming town, watered by several 
 large ponds. It lies 19 miles N. 
 N. W. from Augusta, and 13 E. S. 
 E. from Farmington. It contains a 
 pleasant and flourishing village. 
 Incorporated in 1804. Population, 
 1837, 1,074. Wheat crop, same 
 year, 4,177 bushels. 
 
 Rowe, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. This town con- 
 tains the site of old fort Pelham, 
 erected in 1744. The township is 
 elevated, and in some parts moun- 
 tainous, but the soil is adapted for 
 grazing. Considerable wool is pro- 
 duced ; and there are manufactures 
 in the town of woolen goods, boots, 
 shoes, leather, and wooden ware. 
 
 Rowe is the source of a branch 
 of Deerfield river, and lies 130 
 miles N. W. from Boston, and 22 
 W. by N. from Greenfield. Incor- 
 porated, 1785. Population, 1837, 
 688. 
 
 Rowley, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. This town was first set- 
 tled by a party of industrious and pi- 
 ous persons from Yorkshire, Eng. in 
 1639. They erected the first full- 
 ing mill in New England, and man- 
 ufactured the first cloth in North 
 America. There are a great vari- 
 ety of soils in the town ; a large 
 part is salt meadow, and the resi- 
 due is fertile and productive. It 
 comprises a part of Plum island, 
 and large tracts of wood land. It 
 is watered by Rowley river, which 
 rises from several ponds in Boxford. 
 This river affords a water power, 
 and before its junction with Plum 
 Island Sound, forms a harbor for
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 vessels of moderate draught of wa- 
 ter, and ia which many vessels 
 have been built. 
 
 Ancient Rowley was divided in 
 1838 : its western part was de- 
 tached and incorporated by the 
 name of Georgetown. Since this 
 division Rowley possesses but lit- 
 tle manufacturing interest, but a 
 valuable agricultural one, to which 
 its inhabitants are principally devo- 
 ted. 
 
 This ancient town is very pleas- 
 ant, and has been the birth place 
 of many learned men. It lies 30 
 miles N. from Boston, 16 N. by W. 
 from Salem, and 25 E. N. E. from 
 Lowell. Population, 1838, about 
 1,000. 
 
 Roxbury, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. The surface of this 
 town is elevated, and well timber- 
 ed, with some good soil. Roxbury 
 is watered by a branch of Andros- 
 coggin river. It lies 30 miles N. 
 from Paris, and is bounded S. by 
 Rumford. Incorporated, 1835. 
 Population, 1837, 182. 
 
 Roxbury, N. H., 
 
 Cheshire co., is 5 miles E. from 
 Keene, and 50 S. W. from Concord. 
 The N. branch of Ashuelot river 
 forms the boundary between this 
 town and Keene. Roaring Brook, 
 on which are several small meadows, 
 waters the S. part, and empties in- 
 to the Ashuelot at the S. W. cor- 
 ner. On the E. side of the town- 
 ship is a pond, called Roaring Brook 
 pond, at the outlet of which are 
 mills. 
 
 Roxbury presents a rough and 
 uneven surface, rising into consid- 
 erable swells, affording excellent 
 grazing land. 
 
 This town was formed of a part 
 of Nelson, Marlborough and Keene, 
 and incorporated in 1812. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 322. 
 
 Roxbury, Vt. 
 
 Washington co. This town is 
 
 elevated between the waters of 
 Onion and White rivers. It lies 15 
 miles S. S. W. from Montpelier. 
 First settled, 1789. Population, 
 1830, 737. 
 
 Roxbury, Itlasg. 
 
 Norfolk co. This town is joined 
 to Boston by a neck of land, over 
 which are broad and pleasant ave- 
 nues. Between the centre of each 
 town is about 3 miles. The surface 
 is rocky and uneven, with a strong 
 soil in a high state of cultivation. 
 It displays a great degree of agricul- 
 tural taste and skill, and abounds in 
 country seats and pleasure grounds. 
 That part of this town bordering on 
 Jamaica pond, 4 miles S. W. from 
 Boston, is exceedingly pleasant. 
 This town and Boston were incor- 
 porated the same year, (1630 ;) and 
 nothing but municipal regulations 
 divide their interests and feelings. 
 Population, 1810, 3,669; 1820, 
 4,135; 1830,5,247; 1837,7,493. 
 
 The first hourly coach from Bos- 
 ton commenced running to this town 
 in 1827. There are now a large 
 number continually running be- 
 tween the two places, and not less 
 than 250,000 persons pass annually. 
 Since that time, others .of a similar 
 kind have been established to 
 Charlestown, Cambridge, Dorches- 
 ter, &c., and tend greatly to pro- 
 mote the public convenience. 
 
 The manufactures of Roxbury 
 consist of leather, nails, hats, chairs, 
 cabinet ware, pig iron, spirits, &c.: 
 annual value, about $300,000. 
 
 The Rev. JOHN ELIOT, the just- 
 ly celebrated " Apostle of the In- 
 dians," was settled in Roxbury in 
 1632. Mr. Eliot imbibed the true 
 spirit of the gospel, and his heart 
 was touched with the wretched 
 condition of the Indians. He learn- 
 ed their language, and translated 
 the scriptures into it. This would 
 seem the business of a life, when 
 the sense of the simple expression, 
 
 Kneeling down to him," is con- 
 veyed in the Indian language
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 by Wutappessttukqussunnooweh- 
 tunkquoh, a word that would puz- 
 zle a Demoslhenes to pronounce, 
 without an extra pebble stone in his 
 mouth. Mr. Eliot was remarkable 
 for his indefatigable labors and 
 charities; he endured hardship as 
 a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and 
 went to his reward in 1690, aged 
 86. 
 
 This was the birth place and 
 residence of the patriot JOSEPH 
 WARREN. Dr. Warren was born 
 in 1740. He graduated at Harvard 
 college in 1759. He was an ardent 
 lover of his country, and sensibly 
 felt the weight of her oppressions. 
 Four days previous to the battle 
 of " Bunker Hill," he received a 
 commission in the army of Major 
 General. He was within the en- 
 trenchment, and was slain on that 
 hallowed spot, just at the com- 
 mencement of the retreat. Dr. 
 Warren was an able statesman, an 
 eloquent orator, a man of uncom- 
 promising integrity and undaunt- 
 ed bravery. General Warren was 
 the first officer of rank that fell in 
 that glorious contest for liberty. 
 His death shed a gloom throughout 
 the country : he was exceedingly 
 beloved for the mildness and affa- 
 bility of his deportment, and for 
 the virtues of his private Jife, 
 
 Itoxlmry, ft. 
 
 Litchfield co. Roxbury was tak- 
 en from Woodbury and incorpora- 
 ted in 1801. It lies 32 miles N. W. 
 from New Haven, 46 W. S. W. from 
 Hartford, and 15 S. by W. from 
 Litchfield. Population, 1830,1,122. 
 
 The town is diversified with hills 
 and vales. The soil is a gravelly 
 loam, interspersed with some small 
 tracts of sandy loam. It is water- 
 ed by the Shepaug, a branch of the 
 Housatonick. In digging for sil- 
 ver, a species of iron ore, called 
 teel ore, was discovered. 
 
 IJoj ulst on. Mass. 
 Worcester co. Royalston is a 
 
 pleasant town, and is well watered 
 by Miller's river, a beautiful mill 
 stream. The surface of the town 
 is uneven, but the soil is generally 
 rich and productive. There are 
 two woolen mills, and manufactures 
 of boots, shoes, leather, chairs, 
 cabinet ware, palm-leaf hats and 
 mats, wooden ware. &c. First 
 settled, 1762. Incorporated, 1765. 
 It lies 70 miles W. N. W. from 
 Boston, and 38 N. W. from Wor- 
 cester. Population, 1837, 1,629. 
 
 Royalton, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. The surface of this 
 town is somewhat rough and moun- 
 tainous, but the soil is good, partic- 
 ularly on the banks of White river, 
 by which it is watered. 
 
 This town was first settled in 
 1771, and for many years endured 
 great suffering from Indian hostili- 
 ty. This is an excellent township 
 for grazing, and its agricultural 
 products are considerable. It has a 
 pleasant village and an academy. 
 
 Royalton is 30 miles S. from 
 Montpelier, and 25 N. N. W. from 
 Windsor. Population, in 1830, 
 1,893. 
 
 Rumfbrd, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. Rumford is a town- 
 ship of valuable land, 51 miles W. 
 N. W. from Augusta, and 20 N. 
 by W. from Paris. It lies on the 
 northwestern bank of the Andros- 
 coggin, and enjoys a great water 
 power. Mills of various kinds are 
 already erected, and manufactures 
 on a large scale are contemplated. 
 White Cap mountain, rising 500 
 feet above the level of the surround- 
 ing country, and Glass-face, about 
 400 feet, present beautiful views 
 from their summits. Population, 
 1837, 1,382. Wheat crop, same 
 year, 4,385 bushels. Incorporated, 
 1800. 
 
 Ii minify . N. II. 
 
 Grafton co. Rumney is 8 miles 
 N. N. W. from Plymouth, 47 N. by
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 W. from Concord. It is watered 
 by Baker's river, of which a con- 
 siderable branch flows from Stin- 
 son'spond, and is called Stinson's 
 brook. The pond is 400 rods long 
 and 280 rods wide. Part of Loon 
 pond is on the E. line of this town. 
 The principal elevations are Stin- 
 son's and Webber's mountains in 
 the E. part, and a small part of 
 Carr's mountain, which here ob- 
 tains the name of Rattlesnake 
 mountain, on its N. W. border. 
 Rumney was granted in 1767, and 
 was first settled in 1765. It was 
 in this town, on the 28th of April, 
 1752, that the late General STARK, 
 while on a hunting expedition, was 
 captured by a party of 10 Indians, 
 commanded by Francis Titigaw. 
 He was in company with Amos 
 Eastman of Concord, David Stinson 
 of Londonderry, and his brother 
 William. Stinson was slain. Pop- 
 ulation, in 1830, 993. 
 
 Rupert, Vt. 
 
 Bennington co. A part of this 
 township is mountainous, but the 
 soil is generally good for grazing. 
 Rupert produces some fine cattle, 
 and keeps about 10,000 sheep. It 
 is watered by Pawlet river, and a 
 branch of the Battenkill, on which 
 streams, are mills of various kinds. 
 Rupert is 78 miles S. W. from Mont- 
 pelier, and 25 N. from Bennington. 
 Population, 1830, 1,313. 
 
 Russell, Mags. 
 
 Hampden co. Westfield river 
 waters this town, and affords it good 
 mill privileges. There is a cotton 
 mill in the town and other manufac- 
 tures. Russell lies 100 miles W. by 
 S. from Boston, and 14 W. by N. 
 Irom Springfield. Incorporated, 
 1792. Population, 1837, 475. 
 
 Rutland County, Vt. 
 
 Rutland, chief town. This coun- 
 ty is bounded N. by Addison coun- 
 ty, E. by Windsor county, S. by 
 Bennington county, and W. by the 
 
 state of New York. Incorporated, 
 1781. Population, 1820, 29,983; 
 1830, 31,294. This county contains 
 an area of 958 square miles. In- 
 habitants to a square mile, 33. The 
 principal streams are Otter Creek, 
 Black, White, Queechy and Paw- 
 let rivers. There is some fine land 
 in this county along Otter Creek, 
 but a large portion of it is elevated, 
 and some parts mountainous. The 
 soil, however, is generally warm 
 and well suited for grazing. Ma- 
 ny cattle are annually taken to 
 market, and in 1837, there were 
 180,984 sheep in Rutland county. 
 Excellent iron ore is found at the 
 base of the mountains, and a range 
 of marble quarries extends thewhole 
 length of the county from north to 
 south. This marble is of a fine 
 quality: much of it is wrought and 
 transported. 4 
 
 Rutland, Vt. 
 
 Chief town, Rutland co. This 
 town was settled about the year 
 1770, and for some time during the 
 revolutionary war was a frontier 
 town. The Green mountain boys 
 erected here two small picket forts, 
 which were found very useful. The 
 soil of the town is varioqs, but gen- 
 erally of an excellent quality. Iron 
 ore of a good quality is found ; clay, 
 lime, and a great abundance of beau- 
 tifully variegated marble. 
 
 The village of Rutland is neat, 
 well built and handsomely located : 
 it is the centre of trade for a large 
 section of fertile country. The ag- 
 ricultural productions of Rutland 
 are large and valuable : in 1837, 
 there were within its limits 20,981 
 sheep. Otter Creek and its tribu- 
 taries give the town a good water 
 power, and manufacturing estab- 
 lishments are springing up along 
 their banks. Rutland lies 50 miles 
 S. W. from Montpelier, 52 N. by 
 E. from Bennington, 60 S. S. E. 
 from Burlington, and 34 W. N. W. 
 from Windsor. Population, 1830, 
 2,753.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Rutland, Mas*. 
 
 Worcester co. Rutland was for- 
 merly twelve miles square, and was 
 sold by the Indians, in 1686, for 
 23 lawful money. It was first 
 settled about the year 1720, and 
 incorporated, in 1722. It lies 51 
 miles W. by N. from Boston and 
 12 N. W. from Worcester. A branch 
 of Ware river waters the town, and 
 gives it mill privileges. The man- 
 ufactures consist of woolen goods, 
 leather, boots, shoes, chairs, cabi- 
 net and wooden wares ; annual val- 
 ue about $50,000. Rutland is a 
 very pleasant town, of good soil and 
 well cultivated. Its exports of 
 beef, butter and cheese are consid- 
 erable. It contains some fine fish 
 ponds. Population, 1837, 1,26'i. 
 
 Rye, N. II., 
 
 Rockingham co., is pleasantly sit- 
 uated on the sea coast, 6 1-2 miles 
 S. from Portsmouth. It was orig- 
 inally taken from Portsmouth, 
 Greenland, Hampton and New 
 Castle, chiefly the latter ; and though 
 it began to be settled as early as the 
 year 1635, it was not incorporated 
 till 1719. The sea const here is about 
 6 miles in extent, being nearly one 
 third of the coast in the state. On 
 the shore, there are three consider- 
 able and very pleasant beaches, viz. 
 Sandy, Jenness' aad Wallis', to 
 which many persons resort in the 
 summer season from neighboring 
 towns and the country, both for 
 health and for pleasure. There is 
 here a small harbor, near Goss' mill, 
 into which vessels of 70 or 80 tons 
 burden may conveniently enter, at 
 high water. The boat fishery is 
 carried on to considerable advan- 
 tage, particularly in the fall and 
 winter seasons. There was former- 
 ly a large fresh water pond, lying 
 contiguous to the sand bank or 
 bounds of the sea, covering a sur- 
 face of about 300 acres. Between 
 this and the sea, a communication 
 was opened by the inhabitants about 
 
 a century since. The waters were 
 discharged into the sea, leaving a 
 tract of marsh, which, being wa- 
 tered by the regular flowing of the 
 tide, yields annually large quanti- 
 ties of salt hay. Breakfast Hill, 
 between this town and Greenland, 
 is distinguished as the place where 
 a party of Indians were surprised 
 at breakfast, at the time of their in- 
 cursion in 1696. There are small 
 circular holes in the rocks of which 
 this hill is principally composed, 
 supposed to have been made use of 
 by the natives. This town has suf- 
 fered considerably in times of war 
 and danger. In the American or 
 revolutionary war, 38 of its inhabi- 
 tants lost their lives, by sea or land ; 
 most of them young men. Popu- 
 lation, in 1830, 1,172. 
 
 Ryegate, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. This town is situ- 
 ated on the west bank of Connec- 
 ticut river, opposite to Bath, N. H. 
 It is 33 miles E. by S. from Mont- 
 pelier, and 14 S. by E. from Dan- 
 ville. Ryegate is watered by Wells 
 river, some smaller streams and sev- 
 eral ponds. There is not much in- 
 tervale land on the river, in the 
 town, but the soil is generally rich 
 and very productive of all kinds of 
 vegetables and grain ; but more par- 
 ticularly of grass. About 3,000 sheep 
 are kept, and the products of the 
 soil, annually transported to market, 
 are very considerable. This town 
 was first settled by emigrants from 
 Scotland, in the year 1774. A large 
 part of the present population of 
 Ryegate are of Scotch descent, and 
 are said to follow, in a great degree, 
 the peculiar habits, in regard to di- 
 et, which Scotchmen are accustom- 
 ed to in their own country. They 
 annually prepare large quantities 
 of oat meal for cakes, and lay in a 
 good stock of hulled barley for 
 broths, soups and puddings. The 
 people of Ryegate are generally 
 frugal and industrious ; good farmers, 
 and good livers. They manufac-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ture their own apparel and some for 
 their neighbors. Population, 1830, 
 1,119. 
 
 Sachem's Head, Ct. 
 
 See Guilford. 
 
 Saco River, 
 
 Is one of the largest in New 
 England ; yet being much broken 
 in its course by falls, is not naviga- 
 ble to any considerable extent. It 
 springs from three sources in the 
 White mountains : the branch is- 
 suing from the southwest side of 
 the mountains, near the Notch, is 
 considered the main stream ; next 
 to this is the middle branch, which 
 is the smallest ; and beyond is the 
 branch called Ellis's river, which 
 rises on the northeast side of the 
 mountains, and after a course of 
 about eighteen miles, unites with 
 the main branch in the town of 
 Bartlett. Cutler's and New rivers 
 are mountain torrents that discharge 
 into the Ellis. The Ammonoosuck, 
 a branch of the Connecticut, rises 
 within about two rods of the Saco, 
 flowing in an opposite direction. 
 The whole length of Saco river is 
 estimated to be 160 miles ; running 
 in its general course S. S. E., and 
 discharging into the sea in N. lati- 
 tude 43 31', W. longitude 70 26'. 
 The principal falls are, the Great 
 Falls, at Hiram, where the water 
 descends 72 feet; Steep Falls, at 
 Limington, 20 feet ; Salmon Falls, 
 at Hollis and Buxton, 30 feet ; and 
 Saco Falls, 42 feet. The latter are 
 about 4 miles from the mouth of 
 the river. The ordinary rise of 
 the water, in the spring, is from 
 10 to 15 feet, but in great freshets 
 it has been known greatly to ex- 
 ceed that number. A long storm 
 which occurred in October, 1785, 
 raised the river to an immense 
 height, sweeping away mills and 
 bridges, and inundating houses that 
 stood in its vicinity. In 1814, there 
 was the greatest freshet known 
 since that of 1785. At such sea- 
 
 31 
 
 sons the appearance of Saco FalU 
 is truly sublime. 
 
 Saco, Me. 
 
 York co. Saco is situated on the 
 east side of the river of that name. 
 It is 71 miles S. S. W. from Au- 
 gusta, 15 S. W. from Portland, and 
 29 N. E. from York. 
 
 Saco is a port of entry, a place of 
 some ship building, and commands 
 a flourishing trade. Population, 
 1830,3,219; 1837, 4,229. 
 
 Saco enjoys the rare privilege of 
 possessing a great hydraulic pow- 
 er united with navigable accommo- 
 dations. The Saco river termin- 
 ates its fantastic course at this place, 
 by leaping, within a short distance, 
 42 feet, and mingling with the 
 ocean. This water power is very 
 valuable, and cannot tail of becom- 
 ing the site of large manufacturing 
 operations. 
 
 From the mouth of the river a 
 tine beach extends to the east about 
 5 miles, called Old Orchard beach. 
 This name arose from a growth of 
 apple trees formerly near the beach, 
 planted at a very early period ; 
 some of them remained as late as 
 1770. Another beach of less ex- 
 tent, but not inferior in^ other re- 
 spects, is found at the Pool, con- 
 necting Fletcher's Neck with the 
 main, and forming the south shore 
 of that peninsula. Its distance 
 from the Falls is about 9 miles. 
 
 The small streams by which dif- 
 ferent parts of Saco are watered, 
 generally derive their origin from 
 an immense bog, commonly called 
 the Heath, and flow into the river 
 and sea. On ojie of these, Fox- 
 well's brook, there is a fine water- 
 fall, with a descent of about sixty 
 feet, surrounded by scenery of a 
 wild and striking character. 
 
 The lumber trade has long been 
 the principal branch of business on 
 Saco river. In early times, the 
 mills were supplied with logs from 
 the forests in the vicinity of the 
 Falls: in the former part of the last
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 century, they were procured at the 
 distance of a few miles above the 
 mills. In the winter of 1772, it is 
 said, a few persons for the first time 
 ascended the river as far as Frye- 
 burg, in quest of timber, and find- 
 ing an abundance, turned the at- 
 tention of millmen to that region 
 for their future supplies. After 
 the war the number of mills was 
 increased. Before the year 1800, 
 seventeen saws were in operation 
 about the Falls. There were oth- 
 ers on the small streams in different 
 parts of Saco and Biddcford. The 
 quantity of boards sawed per day, 
 (24 hours) has been estimated at 
 fifty thousand feet. 
 
 There is considerable navigation 
 owned at Saco, employed in foreign 
 and domestic commerce and the 
 fishery. The tonnage of the dis- 
 trict, in 1837, was 3,666 tons. 
 
 There are at present a large cot- 
 ton mill, a rolling mill, a nail facto- 
 ry, and numerous saw mills; but a 
 great portion of the water power 
 remains unimproved. 
 
 The village of Saco contains ma- 
 ny handsome buildings, and the 
 scenery around it is romantic and 
 beautiful. 
 
 Saco and Biddcford were former- 
 ly united. The former was first 
 settled in 1631, the latter in 1630. 
 
 We make a few extracts from Mr. 
 Folsom's valuable history of those 
 towns, as they contain some inter- 
 esting information in relation to the 
 first settlement of this part of New 
 England. 
 
 " The unfortunate termination of 
 Sir Walter Raleigh's attempts to 
 colonize Virginia during the reign 
 of Queen Elizabeth, had eiFectual- 
 ly checked the spirit of enterprise 
 in England in relation to the settle- 
 ment of America. The discove- 
 ries of Gosnold and Pring, and the 
 shortness of their voyages, now 
 caused the subject to be revived, 
 and to excite more general interest 
 than had before existed. On the 
 
 petition of a number of gentlemen, 
 a charter was granted by king 
 James in the year 1606, dividing 
 the country into two districts, call- 
 ed North and South Virginia, and 
 authorizing the establishment of 
 separate colonies in each district by 
 two distinct companies. A right of 
 property in the land fifty miles on 
 each side of their first plantations, 
 and extending 100 miles into the in- 
 terior, was granted by this patent. 
 The first or Southern colony were 
 allowed to settle any part of the 
 country within the degrees of 34 
 and 41 north latitude ; the second, 
 consisting chiefly of persons resi- 
 dent at Plymouth and other towns 
 in the west of England, and thence 
 denominated the Plymouth Com- 
 pany, were allowed to choose a 
 place of settlement between 38 and 
 45 degrees north latitude. As a 
 considerable portion of the territo- 
 ry thus allotted was common to the 
 two districts, a provision was added, 
 that the colony last planted should 
 not approach within one hundred 
 miles of that already established. 
 
 " The next year colonies were 
 sent out by the two companies. 
 One was fixed at Jamestown, of 
 which Gosnold ' was the prime 
 mover,' and Capt. Smith an active 
 member; the other was established 
 at Sagadahock, or the mouth of the 
 Kennebec, led by Captains George 
 Popham, brother to the Chief Jus- 
 tice, and Raleigh Gilbert. This 
 colony consisted of 108 men ; 
 whether accompanied by their fam- 
 ilies, we are not informed. They 
 arrived on the coast near the island 
 of Monheagan, a few leagues east 
 of the Kennebec, in the month of 
 August, and soon after entered the 
 mouth of that river, where, on the 
 eastern side, on an island now form- 
 ing a part of Georgetown, they 
 commenced preparations for a per- 
 manent settlement without delay. 
 Monheagan was agreed upon as a 
 place of rendezvous for the ships 
 before leaving England, and al-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 though w'e are not directly told that 
 the destination of the colony was 
 determined before their arrival, 
 there is no doubt of the fact. The 
 great patron of the enterprise, Chief 
 Justice Popham, obtained an accu- 
 rate survey of the coast the year 
 before, and doubtless selected the 
 mouth of that" fair and navigable 
 river," as the Kennebec is styled 
 by Smith, as a favorable location for 
 the seat of the colony. 
 
 " The lateness of the season 
 scarcely allowed the colonists time 
 to erect a fort and the necessary 
 places of shelter before the ap- 
 proach of winter, which proved 
 excessively rigorous. ' More than 
 half their number returned with 
 the ships to England in December, 
 in consequence of the severity of 
 the cold and the scantiness of their 
 supplies. Soon after those who 
 had remained had the misfortune to 
 lose the greater part of their build- 
 ings and stores by fire. Capt. Pop- 
 ham died in the course of the win- 
 ter, and an arrival in the spring 
 brought news of the death of the 
 Chief Justice. Raleigh Gilbert, 
 who succeeded Popham as presi- 
 dent of the Colony, was under the 
 necessity of returning to England 
 on account of the decease of his 
 brother, of which intelligence was 
 received by another arrival, and 
 the colonists, discouraged by so ma- 
 ny adverse circumstances, resolved 
 to abandon the country and return 
 with him. Thus in less than one 
 year from the time the settlement 
 was commenced, the northern col- 
 ony was broken up ; the country 
 was denounced as uninhabitable, 
 and no further attempts were made 
 for many years to promote its set- 
 tlement by the Company to whom 
 it was assigned by the patent of 
 King James. 
 
 " Sir Ferdinando Gorges, a con- 
 spicuous member of the Plymouth 
 Company, alone remained undis- 
 couraged. The attention of this 
 gentleman appears to have been 
 
 first turned to this part of America 
 in the year 1605, when Capt. Wey- 
 mouth arrived in the harbor of 
 Plymouth where he resided, on his 
 return from a voyage for the dis- 
 covery of the northwest pass&ge. 
 Falling short of his course, Wey- 
 mouth had accidently discovered 
 the river Penobscot, from whence 
 he carried to England five of the 
 natives, "three of whom," says 
 Gorges, " I seized upon ; they were 
 all of one nation, but of several 
 parts and several families. This 
 accident must be acknowledged the 
 means under God of putting on foot 
 and giving life to all our planta- 
 tions." He retained these In- 
 dians in his family three years, and 
 obtained from them much informa- 
 tion respecting their native shores: 
 they were afterwards sent back. 
 Gorges henceforth took a deep in- 
 terest in schemes for the settlement 
 of North Virginia, and was rather 
 chagrined than discouraged by the 
 return of the Sagadahock colonists, 
 and the unfavorable reports which 
 they spread concerning the coun- 
 try. " He had too much experi- 
 ence in the world," he said, " to be 
 frighted with such a blast,, as know- 
 ing many great kingdoms and large 
 territories more northerly seated 
 and by many degrees colder, were 
 plentifully inhabited, and divers of 
 them stored with no better com- 
 modities than these afforded, if like 
 industry, art and labor be used." 
 Unable, however, to persuade the 
 company to undertake the planting 
 of a second colony, Gorges engaged 
 in private enterprises to this coast, 
 which began to be much resorted to 
 by English ships for purposes of 
 trade with the natives, and of fish- 
 ing. In the year 1616, he sent 
 hither a party commanded by Rich- 
 ard Vines, for the express object of 
 exploring the country with a view 
 to form a settlement. He con- 
 tracted with them to remain during 
 the winter, with the hope of remov- 
 ing the prejudice excited by tho
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Sagadahock colonists against the 
 character of the climate. 
 
 " They arrived during the prev- 
 alence of a destructive disease 
 among the natives, which spread 
 throughout New England, com- 
 mencing its ravages in the west. 
 This pestilence is noticed by all the 
 writers on the early history of New 
 England, with some difference of 
 opinion as to the precise year of its 
 occurrence. A late and highly re- 
 spectable writer supposes it to have 
 prevailed in different places at dif- 
 ferent times, but a few years pre- 
 vious to the arrival of the Plymouth 
 pilgrims. It was regarded by those 
 pious colonists as a special interpo- 
 sition of divine providence in their 
 favor, so great was the havoc it 
 made among the tribes in that quar- 
 ter. 'Thus,' says old Morton, 'God 
 made way for his people by remov- 
 ing the heathen and planting them 
 in the land.' 
 
 " Mr. Vines and his companions 
 penetrated into the interior, visiting 
 the Indians in their villages and 
 wigwams, who received them with 
 great kindness and hospitality. Be- 
 side the ravages of sickness, they 
 were at this time thrown into con- 
 fusion by the death of the Bashaba 
 or chief sachem, whom the Tarran- 
 tines, living east of the Penobscot, 
 had attacked by surprise and de- 
 stroyed with his family the preced- 
 ing year. Great dissensions had 
 immediately followed among the 
 different tribes, who were engaged 
 in a destructive war with each oth- 
 er when the pestilence made its ap- 
 pearance. In the midst of these 
 evils, the Englishmen passed with 
 safety among them, and slept in 
 their cabins without suffering from 
 the contagion. They were in par- 
 ticular welcomed by the savages 
 whom they had seen in the family 
 of Gorges at Plymouth, and now 
 met in their native homes. Having 
 visited different parts of the coast, 
 this little party prepared to estab- 
 lish themselves for the winter. 
 
 The spot which they selected for 
 their abode, we have reason to sup- 
 pose, was at the mouth of Saco riv- 
 er, on the western side, near the 
 capacious and sheltered basin now 
 called the Pool, but in early times 
 known as Winter harbor. 
 
 " Vines performed several voyages 
 to our coast in the service of Gorges, 
 and it is probable made Winter Har- 
 bor his principal resort. While he 
 was occupied in exploring the 
 country and trading with the na- 
 tives, his men were engaged in 
 fishing. How long he pursued this 
 course, we are not informed, nor do 
 we find him mentioned again until 
 several years after his early resi- 
 dence at Winter Harbor. 
 
 " The employments of the colo- 
 nists were chiefly agriculture, fish- 
 ing, and trade with the natives. 
 Most of them combined these pur- 
 suits, and were styled husbandmen 
 or planters. 
 
 " The husbandmen took up tracts 
 of 100 acres, of which they receiv- 
 ed leases on nominal or small rents, 
 from Mr. Vines. Some of these 
 are now on record. An estate that 
 had been in the possession of Thom- 
 as Cole, including 'a mansion or 
 dwellinghouse,' was leased by Mr. 
 Vines to John West for the term of 
 1000 years, for the annual rent of 
 two shillings and one capon, a pre- 
 vious consideration having been 
 paid by West. The lease which is 
 partly in the latin language, was 
 executed, 1638. Another deed from 
 Vines requires the lessee to yield 
 and pay an acknowledgement and 
 rent-charge of 5s., two days work, 
 and one fat goose yearly. In this 
 manner were all the planters ren- 
 dered tenants to the proprietor, 
 none of them holding their estates 
 in fee simple. 
 
 Fishing was the most common 
 occupation, as it was both easy and 
 profitable to barter the products of 
 this business for corn from Virginia, 
 and other stores from England. 
 The trade with the planters of Mas-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETT EER. 
 
 sachusetts soon became cousidera 
 ble. In 1636, Mr. Vines had 
 consignment of bread and beef froc 
 that quarter. Jocelyn remarks tha 
 'Winter Harbor is a noted place fo 
 fishers.' He describes the mode o 
 pursuing this business in the follow 
 ing manner : 'The fishermen taki 
 yearly on the coast many hundrei 
 quintals of cod, hake, haddock, pol 
 lock, &c. and dry them at then 
 stages, making three voyases in a 
 year. They make merchantable 
 and refuse fish, which they sell to 
 Massachusetts merchants ; the first 
 for 32 ryals ($4) per quintal ; the 
 refuse for 9 and 10 shillings (; 
 and 2,25.) The merchant sends 
 the first to Lisbon, Bilboa, Mar- 
 seilles, Bordeaux, Toulon, and other 
 cities of France ; to Canaries, pipe- 
 staves and clapboards ; the refuse 
 fish to the W. Indies for the ne- 
 groes. To every shallop belong 
 four 1 fishermen, a master or steers 
 man, a midshipman, and a shore 
 man, who washes it out of the salt, 
 and dries it upon hurdles pitched 
 upon stakes breast high, and tends 
 their cookery. They often get in 
 one voyage 8 or 9 barrels a share 
 per man. The merchant buys of 
 the planters beef, pork, peas, wheat, 
 Indian corn, and sells it to the fish- 
 ermen.' 
 
 " The expense of each planter to 
 provision himself was quite small, 
 if we may judge from an estimate 
 furnished by Mr. Jocelyn for the 
 information of proposed emigrants. 
 A similar estimate had been previ- 
 o.usly made by Capt. Smith with 
 reference to Virginia. 'Victuals to 
 last one man a year; 8 bushels of 
 meal, 2: two bushels of peas, 6 
 shillings : two bushels of oatmeal, 
 9 shillings : one gallon of aqua vitce, 
 (brandy,) 2s. 6d. : one gallon of oil, 
 3s. 6d. : two gallons of vinegar, 
 2s.:' total, 3 3s., equal to $14. 
 " A considerable traffic was car- 
 ried on with the natives by many 
 of the planters, some of them visi- 
 ting remote parts of the coast, or 
 31* 
 
 travelling into the interior for this 
 purpose. English and French 
 goods were bartered for valuable 
 furs, particularly beaver." 
 
 Saddle Mountain, Mass. 
 See Adams. 
 Saddleback Mountain, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. This mountain is a 
 few miles south of Mount Abraham. 
 It is 25 miles N. W. from Farming- 
 ton, and about 4,000 feet above the 
 level of the sea. 
 
 Sagadaaock, Me. 
 
 The ancient name of a section of 
 country, at and east of the mouth oi 
 Kennebec river. See Saco. 
 
 St. Albaus, 31 e. 
 
 Somerset co. This is a valuable 
 :ownship of land, 46 miles N. N. 
 E. from Augusta, and 26 N. E. by 
 E. from Norridgewock. Incorpora- 
 ted, 1813. Population, 1S30, 911 ; 
 1837, 1,393. This town contains a 
 arge and beautiful pond; the out- 
 et of which forms a good mill 
 stream, a branch of Sebasticook 
 river. There are two pleasant and 
 lourishing villages in St. Albans. 
 Wheat crop, 1837, 10,294 bushels 
 
 St. Albans, Vt. 
 
 Shire town of Franklin co. This 
 own is bounded on the west by 
 "'liumplain lake. It lies 46 miles 
 f. W. by N. from Montpelier, and 
 5 N. from Burlington. First set- 
 Icd about the year 1785. Popula- 
 ion 1830, 2,395. The soil of this 
 own is fertile, and under the man- 
 gement of good farmers, is render- 
 id very productive. In 1837, there 
 vere 8,459 sheep in the town, and 
 be exports of wool and other pro- 
 uctions of the soil are large and 
 aluable. The water communica- 
 lons by the lake to New- York and 
 anada, render St. Albans a mart 
 f considerable trade from the sur- 
 ounding country. The first ves- 
 el from Lake Champlain, that ar-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GA/ETTEER. 
 
 rived at New York, by the north- 
 ern canal, was from, built and own- 
 ed at St. Albans. 
 
 The Village of St. Mbans is 
 beautifully situated on elevated 
 ground, and commands a fine pros- 
 pect. It contains many handsome 
 buildings, and is a busy place in the 
 manufacture of various articles. It 
 lies three miles from the lake, and 
 twelve miles from the line of Can- 
 ada. 
 
 St. Croix River. 
 
 This river forms the boundary 
 line between the United States and 
 the British Province of New Bruns- 
 wick, from the ocean to Grand 
 Lake. It is sometimes called Pas- 
 samaquoddy, Schoodic and Che- 
 putnetecook. This river rises in 
 Grand Lake and passes to the 
 ocean in a S. E. course. The dis- 
 tances on this important river are 
 as follows : from Eastport to Ca- 
 lais, at the head of navigation, is 28 
 miles : from Calais to the mouth of 
 Schoodic river, 21 miles, and from 
 thence to Grand Lake is 33 miles 
 total distance from Eastport to 
 Grand Lake, 82 miles. There are 
 many elevations in this river, and 
 consequently many falls and rapids, 
 producing a great hydraulic power. 
 The mouth of the western branch of 
 the St. Croix, or Schoodic river, is 
 166 feet above tide water, at Calais ; 
 and the whole fall from Grand Lake 
 to sea level is 444 feet. 
 
 St. Francois River, Me. 
 
 Or the Pecheenegamook, rises in 
 *he county of Piscataquis, on the 
 border of Canada. It has a number 
 of tributaries and receives the wa- 
 ters of several lakes. It is about 
 50 miles in length, and, passing 
 nearly south falls into the river St. 
 John, on the line of Penobscot 
 county. 
 
 St. George, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This township is 
 nearly surrounded by water It is 
 
 bounded northerly by a neck of 
 land adjoining Thomaston, E. by 
 the western waters of Penobscot 
 bay, S. by the Atlantic, and W. by 
 the waters of Muscongus bay and 
 St. George's river. This town pos- 
 sesses, in an eminent degree, every 
 navigable facility. It is a place of 
 considerable ship building, and the 
 people are engaged in the lumber 
 trade, coasting^ and fishing. There 
 are a number of islands on the coast 
 of this town : a cluster of islands 
 called St. Georges, are the most 
 considerable. They lie off the 
 town S. by W. about 5 miles. St. 
 George was incorporated in 1803. 
 Population, 1837, 1,883. It lies 57 
 miles S. E. from Augusta, and 10 
 S. from Warren. 
 
 St. George River is a valuable 
 stream, both on account of its hy- 
 draulic power and navigable ac- 
 commodations. It receives its most 
 distant waters from ponds in Mont- 
 ville, Searsmont and Belmont in 
 the county of Waldo, and, in a 
 southerly course, passes to Union, 
 where it receives the waters of 
 several ponds, and meets the tide at 
 Warren. The length of this river 
 is about 40 miles : it is navigable to 
 Warren, 15 miles from the sea. 
 
 St. George, Vt. 
 
 Chittenden co. A small town 
 bounded W. by Shelburne, 28 miles 
 W. by N. from Montpelier, and 8 
 S. E. from Burlington. First set- 
 tled, 1784. Population, 1830, 135. 
 The surface is high and uneven: 
 the soil is composed of loam, clay 
 and gravel. 
 
 St. John's River. 
 
 See Fundy, Bay. 
 
 St. Johnsbury, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. This pleasant and 
 flourishing town is 35 miles N. E. 
 from Montpelier, 57 N. from Han- 
 over, N. H. , and 7 E. from Danville. 
 The town was organized in 1790. 
 Population, 1830, 1,592 ; 1838, about
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 2,000. The surface is uneven, but 
 the soil is generally strong and fer- 
 tile. In 1337,there were 4,546 sheep 
 in the town. 
 
 The amount of available water 
 power in St. Johnsbury is great and 
 valuable, indicating its future im- 
 portance as a site for large manu- 
 factories. The Passumpsic river, a 
 considerable stream, which falls into 
 Connecticut river at the foot of Fif- 
 teen Mile Falls, passes through the 
 central part of the town from north 
 to south. Moose and Sleeper's riv- 
 ers unite with the Passumpsic and 
 afford a succession of excellent mill 
 seats seldom seen so closely com- 
 bined. 
 
 On Sleeper's river is the estab- 
 lishment of E. and I. Fairbanks, for 
 the manufacture of their improved 
 platform balances, on an extensive 
 scale ; also iron works of various 
 kinds, on the other streams. 
 
 There are three handsome villa- 
 ges in the town : that called the 
 Plain, is on elevated ground and 
 near the junction of the streams. 
 This town commands the trade of a 
 considerable portion of country, and 
 these villages, which are neatly 
 built, enjoy an active business. 
 
 Salem, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. This town is wa- 
 tered by a branch of Seven Mile 
 Brook, and lies 52 miles N. N. W. 
 from Augusta, and 28 N. W. from 
 Norridgewock. Incorporated, 1823. 
 Population, 1837, 496. This is a 
 good farming town ; it produced in 
 1837, 4,216 bushels of wheat. 
 
 Salem, X. II., 
 
 Rockingham co., is 30 miles S. 
 from Concord, and 40 S. W. from 
 Portsmouth. Policy pond, partly in 
 this town, and partly in Windham, is 
 the largest collection of water: 
 World's end pond and Captain pond 
 are in the S. E. and E. parts of the 
 town ; and there are other small 
 ponds. The Spiggot river, passing 
 from N. to S. through the town, re- 
 
 ceives in its course numerous 
 branches, and waters the different 
 portions of the town, furnishing also 
 excellent mill privileges. The soil 
 is generally fertile, and the surface 
 uneven. Salem was incorporated 
 by charter, May 11, 1750. Popula- 
 tion, in 1830, 1,310. 
 
 Salem, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. This is a township 
 of level surface, and tolerable soil; 
 50 miles N. N. E. from Montpelier 
 and ION. E. from Irasburgh. First 
 settled, 1798. Population, 1830, 
 230. Clyde river passes through 
 the N. E. part of the town and a part 
 of the south bay of Memphrema- 
 gog lake lies in the N. W. corner. 
 
 Salem, Mass., 
 
 One of the shire towns in Essex 
 co. This is the oldest and largest 
 seaport but one in old Massachu- 
 setts. Its Indian name was J\~a- 
 umkeag. It is 14 miles N. N. E. 
 from Boston, and lies in lat. 42 31' 
 19" N., and Ion. 70 54' W. Popu- 
 lation, 1836, 15,002. Salem is near- 
 ly surrounded by water, being sit- 
 uated between two inlets of the sea, 
 called the north and south rivers. 
 To the main, and now inhabited part 
 of the town, is attached a peninsular 
 portion of land, called the Neck. 
 This was the first inhabited land, 
 and was formerly used for fishing 
 and other purposes. It ultimately 
 became the property of the town, 
 and was, for a long time, used as a 
 public pasture. In 1816, when the 
 present Alms House was built, a 
 large portion of it was enclosed, and 
 has since been cultivated as the 
 Alms House farm. The finest and 
 most comprehensive view of Sa- 
 lem may be had from " Gallows 
 Hill." Its situation is low, but 
 pleasant and healthy. Its streets 
 are quite irregular. Essex is the 
 only street which runs through the 
 town and is very angular and crook- 
 ed. Federal and Bridge streets are 
 broad, straight and regular. Ches-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 nut is esteemed the handsomest, 
 though it is not the most public 
 street. It has rows of elms on ei- 
 ther side. Winter and Broad streets 
 are the widest. The first pavement 
 was made in Essex street, between 
 Court and North streets, in 1773, 
 and is still in use. The south church 
 has great architectural beauty, and 
 the north church is built of stone, 
 with a beautiful front of the gothic 
 order. There is a Custom House 
 at the head of Derby wharf. Sa- 
 lem has always been a commercial 
 place. It has a convenient harbor 
 and good anchorage. In point of 
 wealth and commerce, it has al- 
 ways ranked as the second town in 
 New England. 
 
 Its history is identified with that 
 of Massachusetts, and there is much 
 in it to interest and instruct. Its 
 rank, the character and number of 
 its population, its facilities for com- 
 merce, and the advantage of being 
 the chosen residence of many of 
 the first and most distinguished set- 
 tlers, made it early and seriously 
 thought of as the Capital, instead 
 of Boston. It was first settled in 
 1626, by Roger Conant, Peter Pal- 
 fray and others, who had failed in 
 an attempt to plant themselves at 
 Cape Ann. In 1628, a cession of 
 Massachusetts was made to Sir 
 Henry Roswell and others, with a 
 view to establish a colony there. 
 Of this company, Matthew Cradock 
 was President, and in 1628, John 
 Endicott was sent over to reside at 
 Salem as the company's agent. In 
 the same year, the first church was 
 formed. It has ever been remark- 
 able for its succession of eminent, 
 independent and useful Divines; 
 among whom, are the Higginsons, 
 Skelton, Roger Williams, Hugh Pe- 
 ters, Noyes, Fiske, Dr. Prince, &c. 
 In 1634, the first general court met 
 at Newton. Roger Conant was 
 one of the first deputies from Salem. 
 
 In 1643, Massachusetts was divi- 
 ded into 4 counties; Essex, Mid- 
 dlesex, Suffolk and Norfolk. In 
 
 1644, there was a strong party to 
 make Salem the seat of government, 
 but in this attempt, the deputies 
 were defeated. 
 
 In 1675, Capt. Thomas Lathrop 
 and his company were killed by the 
 Indians, at Bloody Brook. He, with 
 Roger Ccnant, had removed from 
 Salem to Beverly, in 1668. His 
 company were called the " Flower 
 of Essex," and many of them were 
 from Salem. 
 
 In 1681, Major William Haw- 
 thorne died. He was a leading and 
 influential character in his time, 
 having been speaker, assistant, 
 judge, commissioner of the united 
 colonies, &c., and having ever 
 showed himself able, faithful, and 
 worthy of confidence. 
 
 In 1687, William Brown gave a 
 farm for the benefit of the schools 
 of Salem. The Brown family were 
 ever great friends and liberal pat- 
 rons of learning. They not only 
 made donations to the Salem schools, 
 but also to Harvard College for the 
 benefit of poor scholars. 
 
 In 1692, the witchcraft delusion 
 prevailed in Salem, and nineteen 
 persons were tried and hanged as 
 witches. Though designated " the 
 Salem witchcraft," it had pervaded 
 other places, previously to its ap- 
 pearance here. In England, laws 
 had been enacted against it, and Sir 
 Matthew Hale, gave to those laws 
 his sanction. In 1648, Margaret 
 Jones was condemned and hanged 
 at Charlestown, and in 1655, Ann 
 Hibbins, at Boston. The imputa- 
 tion for a time induced a belief of 
 the reality of the imposition ; but 
 time finally detected and exposed 
 the error. The house, in which 
 the accused were tried, is still stand- 
 ing at the western corner of Essex 
 and North streets, and the place of 
 their execution is now known as 
 " Gallows Hill." A full and inter- 
 esting account of this delusion of 
 the imagination has been written 
 and published by Rev. C. W. Up- 
 ham.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 In 1698, a great fire broke out, 
 and destroyed several dwelling 
 houses. In 1718, the second or 
 east church was built and is still 
 standing. The celebrated Dr. Bent- 
 ley was pastor of this church. He 
 wrote a " Description of Salera," 
 which is published in the " Collec- 
 tions of the Mass. Hist. Society." 
 
 In 1774, General Gage ordered 
 the removal of the general court to 
 Salem. At that time, Boston was a 
 closed port. The merchants and 
 citizens of Salem called a town 
 meeting, at which, resolutions de- 
 nouncing, in very strong terms, the 
 Boston port bill, were passed unani- 
 mously. The meeting was very 
 full, and a copy of their doings was 
 communicated to their neighbors of 
 Boston. On the llth of June, when 
 Gov. Gage was at Salem, an address, 
 numerously signed, was presented 
 to him, which reflects high honor 
 on the sense of justice and patriot- 
 ism of this ancient town. Among 
 other things it said, " By shutting 
 up the port of Boston, some imag- 
 ine that the course of trade might 
 be turned hither and to our benefit ; 
 but nature in the formation of our 
 harbor forbids our becoming rivals 
 in commerce to that convenient 
 mart. And were it otherwise, we 
 must be dead to every idea of jus- 
 tice lost to all feelings of humani- 
 ty could we indulge one thought 
 to seize on wealth and raise our for- 
 tunes on the ruin of our suffering 
 neighbors." 
 
 In 1776, Feb. 26, Col. Leslie, 
 with a British regiment front Bos- 
 ton Castle, landed privately at Sa- 
 lem and proceeded to the North 
 bridge, with a view to seize on some 
 military stores beyond it. The cit- 
 izens were, at the time, in meeting ; 
 but Col. Timothy Pickering, with 
 30 or 40 men, got there in season to 
 raise the draw, and thus prevent 
 Leslie and his regiment from pass- 
 ing further. The British attempted 
 to cross the river in a gondola, 
 but the Americans scuttled the 
 
 boat. Finally, Col. Leslie proposed 
 that if he should be permitted to 
 pass 30 rods beyond the bridge, he 
 would return. Having been per- 
 mitted, the gallant colonel returned 
 peaceably to Boston. 
 
 During the revolution, there 
 were about 60 armed vessels fitted 
 out from Salem, manned by 4,000 
 men ; and many unrecorded deeds 
 of high daring and chivalrous adven- 
 ture were performed on the sea by 
 citizens of Salem, during that event- 
 ful period. Indeed, in her naval 
 achievements consists principally 
 the part which Salem bore in ihe 
 revolutionary struggle. 
 
 This seaport has been more known 
 for its East India trade than any 
 other in the United States. The 
 first ship from Salem engaged in 
 this trade was the Grand Turk, 
 owned by E. H. Derby. She was 
 at the Cape of Good Hope in 1784, 
 commanded by Capt. Jonathan In- 
 gersoll, and at Canton in 1786, com- 
 manded by Ebenezer West. A 
 model of her, completely rigged, is 
 in the Museum. In 1818, there 
 were 53 vessels employed in this 
 trade belonging to Salem, the ton- 
 nage of which was 14,272 tons. 
 
 Salem became a city in 1836. Its 
 government consists of a mayor and 
 six aldermen, and twenty-four com- 
 mon council men. Its public schools 
 are nineteen. The number of schol- 
 ars in 1837, was 1,534, and the 
 amount paid for instruction $8,877. 
 
 The Jlthenceum was incorporated 
 in 1810. Edward A. Holyoke, 
 William Orne, Nathaniel Silsbee 
 and Samuel Putnam were authoris- 
 ed to call the first meeting of the 
 proprietors. The stock is divided 
 into 90 or 100 shares. Its library 
 contains about 9,000 volumes. The 
 institution, though at present rather 
 private, may ultimately become 
 more public. 
 
 The Museumis remarkable for the 
 extent and variety of its natural and 
 artificial curiosities, collected from 
 almost every part of the world.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 There are 4,724 names of different 
 articles on the catalogue : they are 
 kept in a spacious hall built for that 
 purpose, and belong to the East In- 
 dia Marine society. This society 
 consists of such only as have actu- 
 ally navigated the seas near the 
 Cape of Good Hope or Cape Horn, 
 as mas'er or factor. In 1823, there 
 were 160 of these enterprising men 
 living in Salem. The hall is open 
 daily for the re.ception of visitors,and 
 vast numbers of strangers throng 
 there. All come with an eager and 
 excited curiosity, .and leave with 
 that curiosity at least gratified, if 
 not satisfied. 
 
 The commerce of Salem is very 
 extended. There is hardly any part 
 of the world which her ships have 
 not visited. The number of ves- 
 sels, engaged in foreign commerce, 
 is 100 or more, and 18 in the whal- 
 ing business, beside the vessels em- 
 ployed in the coasting trade and fish- 
 ery. Tonnage of the district in 
 1837, 32,800 tons. 
 
 Many of the wharves bear the 
 names of their builders and owners : 
 as the Allen, Derby, Peabody, For- 
 ester and Phillips' wharf. This last 
 was recently re-built by Stephen 
 C. Phillips, on the ruins of the old 
 Crowninshield 'wharf, whizh had 
 become dilapidated and useless. It 
 is an admirable piece of work. 
 
 Although Salem is without any 
 important water power, and has ev- 
 er been almost exclusively devoted 
 to maritime pursuits, yet its manu- 
 facturing interests are by no means 
 small. During the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, the value of its man- 
 ufactures amounted to $1,471,889. 
 They consisted of vessels, cordage, 
 leather, boots, shoes, hats, tin and 
 cabinet wares, chairs, spirits ; white, 
 sheet and pipe lead, carriages, straw 
 bonnets, sperm candles, tobacco, 
 alum, saltpetre refined, aquafortis, 
 muriatic acid.oil of vitriol, &c. The 
 value of its whale, cod and mack- 
 erel fisheries, the same year, 
 amounted to $210,843. 
 
 The Aqueduct furnishes the city 
 with a constant supply of fresh 
 and soft spring water. 
 
 The fire department is under good 
 regulations. Some of the societies 
 in the city are the " East India Ma- 
 rine society," incorporated in 1801 ; 
 the " E. I. M. Hall Corporation," in 
 1824 ; the " Salem Charitable Me- 
 chanic Association," instituted in 
 1817, and incorporated, in 1822 ; the 
 " Essex Historical Society," in 
 1821, and the " Salem Lyceum," 
 which was formed in 1830 
 
 The Common was reserved " as 
 a training field for the use ofCn- 
 lem," in 1713. It is a beautiful, lev- 
 el spot of ground, surrounded by a 
 double row of elm and other orna- 
 mental trees, and is designed to 
 have a gravel walk around it. The 
 alms house formerly stood upon it, 
 but it is now entirely unencumber- 
 ed. 
 
 The City Hall was built in 1837. 
 It has a beautiful granite front, and 
 is handsomely finished and furnish- 
 ed within. 
 
 The Rail-Road from Salem to 
 Boston, was opened for travel, Au- 
 gust 28, 1838 ; thus making Salem, 
 as it were, a part of Boston. The 
 first stage between these cities was 
 run by Ezra Burrill, in 1782. It 
 went to Boston one day and return- 
 ed to Salem the next. Now the dis- 
 tance can be easily passed over in 
 50 minutes; and at the same time, 
 the traveller will ride rapidly 
 through a beautiful and picturesque 
 country. See Register. 
 
 Among the distinguished men, in 
 almost every profession, which Sa- 
 lem claims as among its sons, the 
 name of NATHANIEL BOWDITCH, 
 LL. D.,F. R. S.,authorofthe Prac- 
 tical Navigator, is identified with 
 its fame and nautical achievements. 
 
 Dr. Bowditch was born at Salem, 
 March 26, 1773. He was taken 
 from school at the age of 10 years 
 and placed as an apprentice to a 
 ship chandler. At the age of 22
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 lie went to sea and spent nine years 
 in the capacity of captain's clerk 
 supercargo, and finally as master of 
 a ship. In 1804, he became presi- 
 dent of a Marine Insurance Com- 
 pany, in Salem, which office he helc 
 until 1323, when his superior talents 
 called him to become Actuary of the 
 Massachusetts Hospital Life Insur- 
 ance Company, in Boston ; the re- 
 sponsible and laborious duties of 
 which office he faithfully discharg- 
 ed until his death, March 16, 1838. 
 Notwithstanding his limited means 
 of education, Dr. Bowditch acquir- 
 ed, by his extraordinary genius and 
 economy of time, a perfect knowl- 
 edge of all the modern languages, 
 and became the most eminent math- 
 ematician and astronomer in Amer- 
 ica. The Practical Navigator, has 
 been translated into every Europe- 
 an language, and its use is co-exten- 
 sive with maritime adventures. 
 
 Another work of Dr. Bowditch, 
 places his name, as a man of science, 
 still higher on the roll of fame. It 
 is his translation of the Mecanique 
 Celeste of La Place, with an elab- 
 orate and copious commentary on 
 that work, in four large quarto vol- 
 umes. This work was completed 
 just before his death. 
 
 The last hours of such a man as 
 Dr. Bowditch, cannot fail to be in- 
 festing, as they mark his charac- 
 ter through life. A friend of his 
 who was present, says, " He did not 
 like to see those about him look sad 
 and gloomy ; and he remarked, on 
 one occasion, ' I feel no gloom with- 
 in me ; why should you wear it in 
 your faces ?.' On the morning of 
 his death, when his sight was very 
 dim and his voice almost gone, he 
 called his children to his bed side, 
 and, arranging them in the order 
 of age, pointed to and addressed 
 each by name, ' You see I can dis- 
 tinguish you all; and now I give 
 you my parting blessing. The time 
 is come. 'Lord, now lettest thou 
 thy servant depart in peace, accor- 
 
 ding to thy word ?' These were his 
 
 last words." 
 
 Salem, Ct. 
 
 New London co. This town was 
 taken from the towns of Colchester, 
 Lyme and Montville ; but the prin- 
 cipal part from Colchester, and in- 
 corporated in 1819. It comprises 
 an area of six by five miles of fer- 
 tile and productive land. The in- 
 habitants are generally good farm- 
 ers, who live scattered about oa 
 their farms. Population, 1830, 958. 
 Salem is well watered by small 
 streams, and is bounded on the N. 
 E. by a large and beautiful pond. 
 It lies 29 miles S. E. from Hartford, 
 and 13 N. W. from New London. 
 
 Salisbury, Iff. H., 
 
 Merrimark co., lies 15 miles N. 
 from Concord. Black water river 
 passes through the W. part of Salis- 
 bury. There are 5 bridges across 
 this stream in this town. The soil 
 of the upland is strong, deep and 
 loamy ; the hilly land affords some 
 fine tracts of tillage, but chiefly 
 abounds in excellent pasturage. On 
 Blackwater river, there is some ve- 
 ry fertile intervale, which united 
 with the adjacent hilly land, com- 
 poses several very valuable farms. 
 A considerable portion of Kearsarge 
 mountain ranges within the bounds 
 of Salisbury, the N. W. corner 
 bound of which extends nearly to 
 .he summit. There are two very 
 pleasant villages in this town, situ- 
 ated on the 4th N. H. turnpike 
 about 1 1-2 miles apart. 
 
 Salisbury was incorporated by 
 ;harter from the government of N. 
 H., March 1, 1763, when it took 
 :he name ofSalisbury.lt was settled 
 as early as 1750. The first settlers 
 were Philip Call,Nathaniel Meloon, 
 Benjamin Pettengill, John and Eb- 
 enezer Webster, Andrew Bohon- 
 non, Edward Eastman, and others. 
 The first inhabitants experienced 
 the inroads of the Indians. On the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 16th of May, 1753, Nathauiel Me- 
 loon, living in the W. part of the 
 town, was captured, together with 
 his wife, and three children, viz 
 Sarah, Rachel, and Daniel. They 
 were carried to Canada, where he 
 and his wife were sold to the French 
 in Montreal. The three children 
 were kept by the Indians 
 After the parents had residet 
 in Montreal about a year and 
 half, they had a son born, who was 
 baptized by a French friar by the 
 name of Joseph Mary. Mr. Me- 
 loon returned from captivity aftei 
 four years and a half, to his farm in 
 Salisbury. Sarah died with the In- 
 dians. Rachel, who was 9 years 
 old when captured, returned after 
 9 years. She had become much 
 attached to the Indians, was aboul 
 to be married to Peter Louis, son of 
 Col. Louis, of Cognawaga. She 
 had the habits, and acted like an 
 Indian, understood the Indian lan- 
 guage and could sing their songs. 
 Hon. EBENEZER WEBSTER was 
 one of the early settlers ; a patriot 
 of the revolution ; an officer of the 
 militia ; for several years a senator 
 in the legislature, and a judge of 
 the court of common pleas till his 
 death in 1806. He was the father 
 of the Hon. EZEKIEL, and DAN- 
 IEL WEBSTER, names well known 
 throughout the country. Popula- 
 tion, in 1830, 1,379. 
 
 Salisbury, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. The widow of Amos 
 Story, with 8 or 10 small children, 
 was the first family that made Salis- 
 bury a permanent residence. She 
 came here in 1775, and endured 
 every hardship incident to the life 
 of a pioneer; chopping down tim- 
 ber, clearing the land, laboring in 
 the field, and sleeping in a cavern. 
 Mr. Story, was killed by the falling 
 of a tree previous to the removal 
 of his family. The proprietors gave 
 Mrs. Story 100 acres of land for 
 her manly conduct. The soil of 
 the town is generally good ; it con- 
 
 tains some rough land, and some 
 excellent meadows. It is watered 
 by Otter Creek, Middlebury and 
 Leicester rivers. The latter river 
 affords a good water power, which 
 propels a number of valuable manu- 
 facturing establishments. Leices- 
 ter river is the outlet of Lake Dun- 
 more, a fine sheet of water, about 
 four miles in length, and three 
 fourths of a mile in width. This 
 lake lies in Leicester and Salisbu- 
 ry. There is a pleasant and flour- 
 ishing village in the town, and a 
 large cavern supposed to have been 
 an Indian lodging place. Salisbu- 
 ry lies 34 miles S. W. from Mont- 
 pelier, and is bounded N. by Mid- 
 dlebury. Population, 1830, 907. 
 
 Salisbury, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. In 1638, this town 
 was granted, by the name of Mer- 
 rimack, to be a plantation, unto Si- 
 mon Bradstreet, Daniel Dennison, 
 and others. The year following it 
 was incorporated by the name of 
 Colchester, and in 1640 assumed, by 
 direction of the then general court, 
 the name of Salisbury. It is seven 
 by three miles in extent, and is 
 bounded southerly by the river 
 Merrimack, westerly by Powow 
 river, which divides it from the 
 town of Amesbury, northerly by 
 the New Hampshire line, which 
 separates it from the towns of South 
 Hampton and Seabrook, and easter- 
 ly by the sea. 
 
 In 1643, the plantation in New 
 Hampshire, viz. Hampton, Exeter, 
 Portsmouth and Dover, were united 
 to Massachusetts, and, together 
 with Salisbury and Haverhill, form- 
 d into a new and distinct county, 
 called Norfolk, of which Salisbury 
 was the shire town, and so contin- 
 jed to the year 1679, when New 
 Hampshire was again separated and 
 'ormed into a royal government. In 
 August, 1737, commissioners, ap- 
 ointed by the crown, met at Hamp- 
 :on falls, for the purpose of settling 
 i controversy, respecting the boun-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 dary line, which had long subsistec 
 between the two governments oi 
 Massachusetts and New Hamp- 
 shire. On this occasion the gener- 
 al court of New Hampshire con- 
 vened at Hampton, and that ol 
 Massachusetts at Salisbury. Salis- 
 bury is distant from Newburyport 
 4 miles,from Haverhill 12, from Ex- 
 eter, N. H. 10, and from Portsmouth 
 20. Population, in 1837, 2,675. 
 
 There are two considerable vil- 
 lages in Salisbury ; the largest is at 
 the westerly part of the town, up- 
 on Powow river at the head of tide 
 water. The village is divided by 
 said river into two pretty equal 
 parts, one in Salisbury, the other 
 in Amesbury. In that part of the 
 village that lies in Salisbury, are 
 two flannel factories, one 200 feet 
 long and 50 feet wide, the other 100 
 feet by 40 feet. The establishment 
 is called, the Salisbury Manufac- 
 turing Corporation. Capital $500,- 
 000. There is also in this village 
 a large tannery, and manufactures 
 of cotton goods, shoes, cornbs, boats, 
 wherries and molasses casks. 
 
 The other village is pleasantly 
 situated on the bank of the Merri- 
 mack, on a point of land formed by 
 the junction of that river with the 
 Powow ; and is generally known by 
 the distinctive name of Webster's 
 Point. Shipbuilding long has been, 
 and still is, a principal branch of 
 business in this place ; and its char- 
 acter is well established for build- 
 ing excellent vessels. There are 
 now nine sail of vessels owned in 
 -this village and employed partly in 
 the coasting trade, and partly in the 
 cod and mackerel fishery. 
 
 The annual product of the man- 
 ufactures of Salisbury, including 
 vessels, and of the fishery, is about 
 $500,000. 
 
 Salisbury and Amesbury are fine- 
 ly located for business ; the villages 
 are neat and the scenery around 
 them very pleasant. Salisbury 
 Beach is noted for its beauty, and 
 is much frequented. 
 
 32 
 
 Salisbury, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield co. The Housatonick 
 and Salmon rivers give this town a 
 great and constant water power. 
 The surface of Salisbury is formed 
 of lofty elevations and deep val- 
 leys ; but the soil is excellent for 
 all sorts of grain and pasturage. 
 The valleys are generally lime- 
 stone, and the hills granite. The 
 number of sheep kept here in 1837, 
 was 8,999. 
 
 " Salisbury Centre," a pleasant 
 village, is 58 miles N. W. from 
 New Haven, 50 W. N. W. from 
 Hartford, 22 N. W. from Litchfield, 
 and 34 N. W. by W. from Hudson, 
 N. Y. Population, 1830, 2,580. 
 The Indian name of the town was 
 Weatog. It was first settled by 
 the whites in 1720. 
 
 Salisbury has long been celebra- 
 ted for its excellent iron ore and 
 iron manufactures. The guns on 
 board our favorite frigate, " Old 
 Iron Sides," used by Truxton in 
 the capture of the L'Insurgente, 
 were made at the old furnace in 
 Salisbury. 
 
 The " Old Ore Hill," two miles 
 west of Wanscopommuc lake, has 
 been worked since the year 1732. 
 Within the last 10 or 15 years, from 
 five to six thousand tons of ore have 
 been dug annually. The ore is 
 sold at the mine for $3 a ton. One 
 dollar and twenty-five cents is paid 
 to the proprietor of the mine, and 
 the residue to the miner. The first 
 furnace in Salisbury was erected in 
 1762, at the outlet of Wanscop- 
 ommuc, by S. and E. Forbes, Mr. 
 Hazeltine, and Ethan Allen, the 
 hero df Ticonderoga. A large 
 amount of cannon, balls, and bomb- 
 shells were manufactured here dur- 
 ng the revolutionary war. 
 The large and inexhaustible quan- 
 ities of iron ore found in Salisbury, 
 ind the abundant supply of wood 
 "or charcoal, and other materials 
 necessary for smelting the ore, to- 
 gether with the superior quality
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 of iron, introduced other manufac- 
 tures ; and iron has continued from 
 that time the staple commodity of 
 the town. There are at present 
 in Salisbury, 4 blast furnaces, 5 
 forges, with 20 fires, 2 puddling 
 establishments, 1 screw shop, 1 
 anchor shop, 2 scythe manufacto- 
 ries, 1 hoe manufactory, 2 trip ham- 
 mers, 2 cupola or pocket furnaces, 
 for small castings. 
 
 From five to six hundred thousand 
 bushels of charcoal are annually 
 consulned at the different establish- 
 ments. The puddling furnaces re- 
 quire from two to three thousand 
 cords o( wood annually. The num- 
 ber of workmen employed in the 
 different processes of preparing the 
 material and manufacturing the iron, 
 amount in all to about five hun- 
 dred men. The furnaces produce 
 annually from two thousand to two 
 thousand five hundred tons of pig 
 iron. The forges and puddling es- 
 tablishments annually produce from 
 one thousand two hundred to one 
 thousand five hundred tons of 
 wrought iron, which is used for an- 
 chors, car axletrees, musket bar- 
 rels, and various other kinds of 
 drafts. The Salisbury iron ore is 
 the brown hematite, and yields 
 about forty per cent of pig iron. 
 It is well known to manufacturers, 
 and stands as fair in the market as 
 any other iron in the country. 
 
 Salmon Rivers. 
 
 Salmon river, in Maine, is a trib- 
 utary to the Penobscot, of about 30 
 miles in length. Its course is S., 
 and falls into the Penobscot about 4 
 miles below the union of the east- 
 ern and western branches of that 
 river. 
 
 Salmon Fall river, Maine and 
 New Hampshire. See Piscata- 
 qua. In this river, between Ro- 
 chester and Lebanon, Maine, is a 
 fall, which, from its singularity, 
 deserves notice. The river is con- 
 fined between two rocks, about 25 
 feet high, the breadth at the top of 
 
 the bank not more than three r" ! -. 
 It is called the flume, and is about 
 four rods in length, its breadth va- 
 rying from two and one half feet to 
 less than one foot ; but here the 
 water has a subterraneous passage. 
 In the rocks are many cavities from 
 one to seven feet in diameter, most- 
 ly cylindrical, and from one to four 
 feet in depth. 
 
 Salmon Brook. See JVashua, 
 JV. H. 
 
 Salmon river, Connecticut. This 
 beautiful mill stream has its source 
 in the high lands in Tolland coun- 
 ty, and passing south, receiving in 
 its course many valuable tributa- 
 ries, it meets the Connecticut at 
 East Haddam, producing a beauti- 
 ful cataract. There is a river of 
 this name in Salisbury, Ct. 
 
 Sanbonitem, IV. II., 
 
 Straffbrd co., has New Hampton 
 and Meredith on the N.,Gilinanton 
 E. and S. E., Franklin S. and W., 
 and is 20 miles N. from Concord, 
 60 N. W. from Portsmouth, and 9 
 W. from Gilford. 
 
 The bay between Sanbornton and 
 Meredith i? 3 miles in width. There 
 are no rivers or ponds of magnitude 
 in this town. Salmon Brook pond, 
 in the N. part, and a brook of the 
 same name, its outlet, are the only 
 ones worth mentioning. This brook 
 passes through the N. W. part of 
 the town, and affords several mill 
 sites. 
 
 Sanbornton presents an uneven 
 surface, but contains no mountains. 
 The highest hills, with one or two 
 exceptions, admit of cultivation. 
 The soil is almost universally good, 
 and well rewards the labor of pa- 
 tient industry. There is a gulf in 
 this town extending nearly a mile 
 through very hard rocky ground, 
 33 feet in depth, the walls from 80 
 to 100 feet asunder, and the sides 
 so nearly corresponding as to favor 
 an opinion that they were once uni- 
 ted. There is also a cavern in the 
 declivity of a hill, which may be
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 entered in a horizontal direction to 
 the distance of 20 feet. This town 
 was once the residence of a power- 
 ful tribe of Indians, Or at least a 
 place where they resorted for de- 
 ieii-'e. On the Winnepisiogee, at 
 the head of L::tle bay, are tound 
 the remains of an ancient lortifica- 
 tion. It consisted of six walls, one 
 extending along the river,and across 
 a point of land into the bay, and 
 the others in right angles, con- 
 nected by a circular wall in the 
 rear. Traces of these walls are 
 yet to be seen, though most of the 
 stones, &c. of which they were 
 composed have been removed to the 
 dam thrown across the river at this 
 place. Within the fort have been 
 found numbers of Indian relics, im- 
 plements, &c., and also on an island 
 in the bay. When the first settlers 
 of Sanbornton arrived, these walls 
 were breast high, and large oaks 
 were growing within their enclos- 
 ure. 
 
 This town was settled in 1765 
 and 1766, by John Sanborn, David 
 Duston, Andrew Rowen and oth- 
 ers. It was incorporated in 1770. 
 Population, 1830, 2,8(56. 
 
 Santlgate, Vt. 
 
 Bennington co. The people cf 
 this town are favored with moun- 
 tain air, and with crystal streams 
 which even the Bostonians might 
 relish. Shettarack and Bald moun- 
 tains are in the N. W. part of the 
 town ; Spruce and Equinox are in 
 the N. E. ; Red mountain is in the 
 S. E., and Swearing hill in the S. 
 W. Between these elevations is 
 some good land, which produces 
 grass and grain ; and which, with 
 the mountain browse, affords feed 
 for more than 7,000 sheep. Sand- 
 gate was chartered in 1761. It is 
 20 miles N. from Bennington, and 
 31 S. by W. from Rutland. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 933. 
 
 Saudisfleld, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. This is an eleva- 
 
 ted township at the S. E. corner of 
 the county, on the line of Connec- 
 ticut. It is watered by a pleasant 
 stream, a branch of Farmington riv- 
 er. The soil is generally good, 
 particularly for pasturage. Consid- 
 e^ble wool is grown in this town, 
 and a large amount of leather tan- 
 ned. Sandisfield is 124 miles W. by 
 S. from Boston, 18 S. E. by S. from 
 Lenox, and 38 E. from Hudson, N. 
 Y. Incorporated, 1762. Population, 
 1837, 1,493. 
 
 Sandotvn, N. II., 
 
 Rockingham co., is bounded N. 
 by Chester and Poplin, E. by Dan- 
 ville, S. by Hampstead, W. by 
 Chester and Londonderry. It is 31 
 miles S. E. from Concord, and 26 
 S. W. from Portsmouth. The sur- 
 face of this town is rather uneven, 
 but the soil in general is well ad- 
 apted to the production of grain and 
 grass. Phillip's pond, lying in the 
 S. part of the town, is the largest, 
 being about 340 rods long, 200 wide. 
 Angle pond, in the S. E. part of 
 this town, is about 200 rods long, 
 and 90 or 100 wide. There are sev- 
 eral other smaller ponds. Squam- 
 scot river flows from Phillip's pond, 
 and pursues a nearly level course 
 for 1 1-2 miles, where another 
 stream unites with it : from this 
 junction, whenever the waters are 
 high, the current passes back with 
 considerable force towards the pond. 
 The settlement of Sandown was 
 commenced about the year 1736, 
 by Moses Tucker, and others. 
 The town was originally a part of 
 Kingston, and was incorporated, 
 1756. Population, in 1830, 553. 
 
 Sandwich, X. II. 
 
 Straffbrd co. Sandwich is 70 
 miles N. N. W. from Portsmouth, 
 and about 50 N. from Concord. This 
 town was originally granted by 
 Gov. Benning Wentworth, in 1763, 
 and comprised 6 miles square. On 
 the 5th Sept. 1764, upon the repre- 
 sentation of the grantees that the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 N. and W. sides thereof were " so 
 loaded with inaccessible mountains 
 and shelves of rocks as to be unin- 
 habitable" an additional grant was 
 made of territory on the E. and S., 
 called Sandwich Addition. Sand- 
 wich mountains are a lofty range 
 extending N. E. and terminating in 
 Chocorua Peak in Albany. Squam 
 mountain, extending from Holder- 
 ness through a corner of Campton 
 into Sandwich, is of considerable 
 height. There are other mountains. 
 The Bearcamp river, its branches 
 rising in the mountains N.' and W., 
 passes E. into Tarn worth. The W. 
 branch passes through Bearcamp 
 pond. There is another pond not 
 far distant from this, from which is- 
 sues Red Hill river, passing S.-into 
 the Winnepisiogee lake. A small 
 stream passes W. into the Pemige- 
 wasset river. About one fourth of 
 Squam lake lies in the S. W. corner 
 of Sandwich. This is a flourishing 
 town with a number of mills. Thir- 
 ty thousand pounds of maple sugar 
 was made here in the spring of 
 1838. Population, 1830, 2,744. 
 
 Sandwich, Mass. 
 
 Barnstable co. This town is ve- 
 ry pleasantly situated on the shoul- 
 der of Cape Cod, 12 miles S. W. 
 from Barnstable, 30 E. from New 
 Bedford, and 53 S. E. from Boston. 
 Incorporated, 1639. Population, 
 1830,3,367; 1837, 3,579. Sand- 
 wich is watered by a number of 
 streams which afford a good water 
 power; and by numerous ponds, 
 some of which are large, affording 
 a variety of excellent fish. The 
 forests afford an abundance of deer, 
 and to the lovers of rural sports, 
 Sandwich and the neighboring 
 towns of Barnstable and Falmouth 
 have justly become favorite resorts. 
 The value of the manufactures of 
 the town for the year ending April 
 1, 1837, amounted to $382,248. 
 They consisted of glass, ($300,000) 
 leather, nails, vessels, salt, iron cas- 
 tings, stoves, &.c. The value of 
 
 the New England crown glass has 
 
 been fully tested and found to be 
 
 j as clear and stronger than any oth- 
 
 l er now in use. Sandwich has a good 
 
 I harbor, and about 20 sail of coasting 
 
 and fishing vessels. 
 
 It is proposed to unite Massachu 
 setts and Buzzard's bays by a ship 
 canal through this town. The dis- 
 tance is five miles and the route 
 level. A glancs at Mr. Kale's ex- 
 cellent map of New England, shows 
 most conclusively, the immense ad- 
 vantages to be derived by such a 
 work. 
 
 Sandy Bay, Mass. 
 See Gloucester. 
 
 Sandy Point, Mass. 
 
 The most northern extremity cf 
 Ntntucket Island, on which is a 
 light, 60 feet in height. 
 
 Sandy River, Me. 
 
 This valuable mill stream re- 
 ceives its head waters in the coun- 
 ty of Franklin, near Saddleback 
 mountain, and in a winding course 
 through the southern part of that 
 county it enters Somerset county 
 aud mingles with the Kennebec at 
 Starks, 37 miles above Augusta. 
 Sandy river is a fertilizing stream ; 
 it receives a number of tributaries, 
 and waters a beautiful portion of 
 the state. Its length is about 45 
 miles. 
 
 Sanford, Me. 
 
 York co. Sanford is watered by 
 Mousum river; it has a good water 
 power, and an establishment for the 
 manufacture and printing of cotton 
 goods. Incorporated, 1768. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 2,324. It is 94 miles 
 S. W. from Augusta, 35 W. S. W. 
 from Portland, and is bounded S. 
 W. by Alfred 
 
 Sangervllle, Me. 
 
 Piscataquis co. This beautiful 
 and thriving town is not mountain- 
 ous, but it is so elevated between 
 Penobscot and Kennebec rivers that
 
 NEW ENGLAND GA'ZETTEER. 
 
 the waters of its ponds meet the 
 ocean by both of those streams. 
 Sangerville is 70 miles N. W. from 
 Augusta, and is bounded by Dover 
 on the W. Incorporated, 1814. 
 Population. 1837, 1,115. Wheat 
 crop, same year, 10,792 bushels. 
 
 Saugatuck River, Ct. 
 
 See Westport. 
 
 Sangus, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. Saugus was taken from 
 Lynn in 1815, and derives its name 
 from the Indian name of the river 
 which passes through it. That 
 river is exceedingly crooked in its 
 course, and forms large tracts of 
 meadow. The uplands are uneven 
 and rocky. It lies 10 miles S. W. 
 from Salem, and 9 N. by E. from 
 Boston. Population, 1837, 1,123. 
 
 The value of the manufactures 
 of Saugus, the year ending April 1, 
 1837, was about $200,000. They 
 consisted of shoes, ($150, 000) choco- 
 late, morocco leather, snuff, cigars, 
 bricks, wool cleaning, and silk and 
 woolen dyeing. 
 
 Savoy, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. Savoy is an eleva- 
 ted township, and gives rise to 
 branches of Deerfield and Hoosack 
 rivers. The land is generally good, 
 and pastures a considerable number 
 of sheep. It lies 125 miles W. N. 
 W. from Boston, and 20 N. N. E. 
 from Lenox. Incorporated, 1797. 
 Population, 1837, 917. 
 
 Saybrools, Ct. 
 
 Middlesex co. This is one of 
 the most ancient towns in the state. 
 Lord Say and Seal, Lord Brook and 
 other gentlemen in England, dis- 
 satisfied with the government of 
 Charles I., contemplating a removal 
 to this country, procured, in 1632, 
 of Robert, Earl of Warwick, a pa- 
 tent of all the country " which lies 
 west from Narraganset river, a 
 hundred and twenty miles on the 
 sea coast; and from thence ia lati- 
 
 32* 
 
 tude and breadth aforesaid, to the 
 South Sea." In M535, they ap- 
 pointed Mr. John Winthrop, a son 
 of the governor of Massachusetts, 
 to build a fort on Connecticut river, 
 and appointed him governor far one 
 year. 
 
 In the summer of 1639, Colonel 
 George Fenwick,one of the paten- 
 tees, arrived from England, and in 
 honor of Lord Say and Seal, and 
 Lord Brook, gave the tract about 
 the mouth of Connecticut river, the 
 name of Saybrook. Colonel Fen- 
 wick superintended the affairs of the 
 colony until 1644, when, his associ- 
 ates having relinquished the design 
 of removal to America, sold the ju- 
 risdiction of Saybrook to the Con- 
 necticut colony. 
 
 The original limits of the town 
 extended upon the east side of the 
 river for several miles, and included 
 a part of the town of Lyme. Ttfe 
 township now comprises three par- 
 ishes, viz : Saybrook, Westbrook, 
 and Essex. Saybrook parish is the 
 southeast section of the town. The 
 Indian name for this place was Pat- 
 taquasset. West of this is West- 
 brook parish, which was called by 
 its Indian name Pochaug, until Oc- 
 tober, 1810. North of these two 
 parishes is Pautapoug or Essex. 
 
 Saybrook is upwards of 7 miles 
 in length from north to south, and 
 averages more than 6 in breadth. 
 The greater part of the township is 
 uneven and stony. There are, 
 however, some extensive levels, 
 and tracts of rich soil, particularly 
 in the vicinity of Saybrook village, 
 in the southern part of the town. 
 Some of the hills, near Connecticut 
 river, have good granite quarries. 
 There are several small harbors on 
 the Sound, and on Connecticut riv- 
 er, at Saybrook point and Pauta- 
 poug. The bar at the mouth of the 
 Connecticut is an impediment to 
 navigation ; vessels of a moderate * 
 draught are often obliged to pass it 
 with part of their cargoes. The 
 depth of water at the bar, at spring
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 tides, is about twelve feet. Say- 
 brook harbor is at the mouth of a 
 handsome cove, making up from 
 Connecticut river, and extending 
 west almost to Saybrook village. It 
 is often resorted to by coasters in bad 
 weather. To this place the river 
 is open through the winter, and it is 
 here that vessels are frequently 
 laid up, and goods deposited, while 
 the river is frozen over above. 
 Large quantities of fish are taken 
 in this town. The shad fisheries 
 are numerous, and a source of con- 
 siderable wealth. Connecticut riv- 
 er shad are considered superior to 
 any other in this country. White 
 fish are taken upon the shores of 
 the Sound, and are very valuable 
 for the purposes of manure. They 
 are afforded at a cheap rate ; the 
 lightest soils, enriched by them, 
 have produced forty bushels of rye 
 to the acre, and they have an equal- 
 ly advantageous effect upon the 
 growth of corn and potatoes. 
 
 Saybrook village is 40 miles S. 
 S. E. from Hartford, 34 E. from 
 New Haven, and 18 W. from New 
 London. Population, 1830, 5,018. 
 
 Besides the business in naviga- 
 tion, the fishery, ship building and 
 quarrying of stone, there are many 
 manufacturing establishments in 
 the several villages in this town. 
 Among the articles manufactured, 
 are augers, gimlets, hammers, steel 
 carriage springs, ivory and iron 
 combs, ink stands, sand boxes, &c. ' 
 
 The Borough of Essex is about 
 7 miles from the mouth of Connec- 
 ticut river, on the west side. It is 
 a place of considerable commerce, 
 navigation and ship building, with 
 a population of about 1,000. 
 
 Ship building was commenced in 
 1740, on the Pochaug, and is still 
 a leading branch of business in the 
 place. There are at present about 
 15 vessels owned here, principally 
 coasters. It is estimated that there 
 are 1,200 inhabitants in its limits. 
 
 Saybrook point is a peninsula, 
 circular in its form, and connected 
 
 with the main land by a narrow 
 neck, over which the tide some- 
 times flows. From this place to 
 the fort, on the eastern extremity 
 of the peninsula, the distance is 
 about one mile. On the neck, a 
 palisado was anciently formed from 
 the river to the cove, to secure Say- 
 brook point from any sudden incur- 
 sion of the Indians. The soil on 
 the peninsula is light and sandy, 
 and the elevation of the highest 
 part is about twenty feet. Being 
 nearly destitute of trees and shrub- 
 bery, it presents to the beholder a 
 bleak and naked aspect. . 
 
 The land on the point was laid 
 out with care, as it was expected to 
 become the residence of great men, 
 and the centre of great business 
 and wealth. It is said that Oliver 
 Cromwell, with other men then 
 equally distinguished, actually em- 
 barked in the Thames, to occupy 
 this ground. Westward of the fort 
 a square was laid out, on which it 
 was intended houses should be erect- 
 ed for Cromwell, Pymm, Hasselrig, 
 and Hampden, the most illustrious 
 Commoners in the English annals, 
 who were expected from Europe ; 
 while a square still further west 
 was reserved for public uses. 
 
 About half way between the 
 palisado was erected the first build- 
 ing designed for the collegiate 
 school, since named Yale College. 
 This institution was founded in 1700, 
 and remained at Saybrook 17 years. 
 The building was one story in height, 
 and about eighty feet in length. 
 Some remains of the cellar, " over 
 which the ploughshare has passed," 
 are still visible. Fifteen com- 
 mencements were held at Saybrook. 
 More than sixty young men were 
 graduated, most of whom entered 
 the ministry, and some of them be- 
 came characters of distinguished 
 usefulness and excellence. To 
 educate young men of piety and 
 talents for the ministry, was the 
 leading design of this institution. 
 It was desired by the founder* and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 others, that the churches should 
 have a public standard or confession 
 of faith, agreeable to which the in- 
 struction of the college should be 
 conducted. This led to the adop- 
 tion of the Saybrook Platform, 
 after the commencement in 1708. 
 
 David Gardiner, was the first 
 white child born in Connecticut. 
 The following was written upon a 
 blank leaf of an old bible, in pos- 
 session of John G. Gardiner, Esqr., 
 of Gardiner's Island, N. Y. 
 
 " In the year of our Lord, 1635, 
 the 10th of July, came I, Lion Gar- 
 diner and Mary my wife from Wor- 
 den, a town in Holland, where my 
 wife was born, being the daughter 
 of one Diricke Willemson deureant ; 
 her mother's name was Hachir, 
 and her aunt, sister of her mother, 
 was the wife of Wouter Leanerd- 
 son, old burger Muster, dwelling 
 in the hostrade, over against the 
 Bruser in the Unicorne's head; her 
 brother's name was Punce Garret- 
 son, also old burger Muster. We 
 came from Worden to London, and 
 from thence to New England, and 
 dwelt at Saybrook fort four years 
 it is at the mouth of Connecticut 
 river of which I was commander, 
 and there was born unto me a son, 
 named David, 1635, the 29th of 
 April, the first born in that place, 
 and 1638 a daughter was born, 
 named Mary, SOth of August, and 
 then I went to an island of my own, 
 which I had bought and purchased 
 of the Indians, called by them Mon- 
 chonack, by us Isle of Wight, and 
 there was born another daughter, 
 named Elizabeth, the 14th Septem- 
 ber, 1641, she being the first child 
 of English parents that was born 
 there." 
 
 Saybrook is a very pleasant town, 
 and full of interesting associations. 
 
 Saxton's River, Vt., 
 
 Is formed in Grafton, Windham 
 county, traverses an eastern course 
 about 10 miles, and falls into the 
 Connecticut at Rockingham. It 
 
 is an excellent mill stream, and 
 derived its name from a Mr. Sax- 
 ton, who was drowned near its 
 mouth. 
 
 Scantlc River, Ct. 
 
 See East Windsor. 
 
 Scarborough, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. This town lies 
 105 miles N. E. from Boston, and 
 60 S. W. from Augusta. It con- 
 tains 30,634 acres of land, and a 
 population of 2,244. 
 
 A part of this town, called Black 
 point, lying upon the sea, was 
 granted by the council of Plym- 
 outh to Thomas Cammock, in 1631 ; 
 this was soon after settled, and be- 
 came of considerable importance on 
 the coast in the fisheries and trade. 
 The land is held under that ancient 
 grant at the present day. Another 
 settlement was early made by a 
 family of Algers, from England, 
 near the centre of the town, and 
 called DuaStan corner, which name 
 it still bears. This was wholly de- 
 stroyed in the Indian war of 1675. 
 It was, however, revived by a de- 
 scendant in the female line, through 
 whom that race is still v perpetua- 
 ted. 
 
 Scarborough is principally an ag- 
 ricultural town, for which purpose 
 it furnishes some rich soil, and has 
 a large quantity of salt marsh. 
 Ship building, however, continues 
 to be pursued here, although not to 
 the extent it formerly was. Nou- 
 suck river passes through the whole 
 length of the town. Its present 
 name was given to it in 1658, when 
 it submitted to the government of 
 Massachusetts; previously the east- 
 ern side of the river and Marsh 
 was called Black point, and the 
 western, Blue point, names which 
 are still in familiar use. 
 
 This town has the honor of being 
 the birth place of the distinguished 
 statesman RUFUS KING, and his 
 half brother, WILLIAM KINO, 
 the first governor of Maine.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Sclioodie littk.es, Die. 
 
 These are large collections of 
 water, of very irregular form, uni- 
 ted together, by beatable passages, 
 lying principally in Washington 
 county, but extending west into the 
 county of Penobscot. Their out- 
 let is by a large stream of the same 
 name, into the river Saint Croix, 
 on the west side, of about 9 miles 
 in length. These lakes cover a 
 large surface, they are naviga- 
 ble for large boats, and their bor- 
 ders, and indeed the whole country 
 around them, are densely wooded. 
 Vast quantities of timber and lum- 
 ber descend from these waters to the 
 St. Andrews, Eastport and Lubec 
 markets, on the Passamaquoddy. 
 
 Scituate, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. This town, the 
 Indian Satuit, lies at the mouth of 
 North river, in Massachusetts bay, 
 and has a convenient harbor,defend- 
 ed by rocky clifts, and Ceader 
 Point, on which is a Lighthouse. 
 
 The North River rises near the 
 sources of the Taunton. It passes 
 Pembroke, Hanover and Marsh- 
 field, and meets the tide water 
 here. This river is very deep, nar- 
 row and crooked, and is noted for 
 the fine ships built on its banks. 
 The manufactures of Scituate con- 
 sist of leather, boots, shoes, tacks, 
 vessels, &c. The value of vessels 
 annually built is about $40,000. 
 These vessels are of superior me- 
 chanism, and are built of native 
 white oak, remarkable for its dura- 
 bility. There are a number of ves- 
 sels belonging to this town employ- 
 ed in the merchant service and 
 coasting trade. During the vear 
 ending April 1, 1837, Scituate'had 
 22 vessels engaged in the fishery : 
 they took 6,500 barrels of macker- 
 el, valued at $46,000. 
 
 The town extends back from the 
 bay a considerable distance ; it con- 
 tains large tracts of salt meadow and 
 some valuable upland. 
 
 Scituate is 17 miles S. E. by S- 
 from Boston and 20 N. W. by N. 
 from Plymouth. First settled, 1633, 
 Incorporated, 1637. Population, 
 1830, 3,470 ; 1837, 3,754. 
 
 The first settled minister in this 
 town was the Rev. CHARLES 
 CHAUNCY. He remained here 
 twelve years previous to his becom- 
 ing the second president of Har- 
 vard College. 
 
 Rev. THOMAS CLAPP, president 
 of Yale College, was born in this 
 town, in 1703. He graduated at 
 Harvard College in 1722, and died 
 in 1767. 
 
 Scituate, U. 1. 
 
 Providence co. This town was 
 a part of Providence until 1731, 
 when it was incorporated. It lies 
 12 miles W. by S. from Providence, 
 and, in 1830, had 3,394 inhabitants. 
 The surface of the town is diversi- 
 fied by hills and valleys : in the 
 north part of the town the soil is a 
 gravelly loam, better adapted to 
 grazing than tillage. Pawtuxet 
 river with several of its branches 
 give Scituate a good water power, 
 and large manufactories, particular- 
 ly of cotton and wool are found on 
 thoir banks. There is a valuable 
 quarry of free-stone in the western 
 part of the town. 
 
 Seabrook, X. II., 
 
 Rockingham co., is situated atthe 
 S. E. corner of the state, 17 miles 
 S. S. W. from Portsmouth, and 7 
 N. from Newburyport, bounded N. 
 by Hampton Falls, E. by the Atlan- 
 tic, 3. by Massachusetts, W. by 
 South Hampton and Kensington. It 
 was formerly a part of Hampton 
 Falls,and was granted, 1768, to Jona- 
 than Weare and others. Settlements 
 commenced here in 1638. The riv- 
 ers are Black, Brown's and Walton's 
 rivers. Many of the rivulets abound 
 with bog ore of iron. This town 
 derives its name from the number 
 of rivers and rivulets meandering 
 through it. Whale-boat building is
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the most important manufacture, 
 and is carried on to a greater extent 
 than in any other town in New Eng- 
 land. The larger part of the male 
 inhabitants are mechanics and sea- 
 men. Perhaps no town in the state 
 is better situated for carrying on 
 the Bay and Labrador fisheries than 
 this. Population, in 1330, 1,096. 
 
 Seaconnet Rocks, R. I., 
 
 Of Point. See Little Campion. 
 Searsburgh, Vt. 
 
 Bennington co. Searsburgh is 
 too elevated on the Green Moun- 
 tains either for cultivation, popula- 
 tion, or wool growing. It has 40 in- 
 habitants, and 41 sheep. It is 11 
 miles E. from Bennington. 
 
 Seargmont, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. Searsmont has a good 
 soil, and some beautiful ponds. It 
 is a ple'asant and flourishing town, 
 30 miles E. from Augusta, and 12 
 S. W. from Belfast. Population, 
 1837, 1,392. Wheat crop, same 
 year, 2,792 bushels. 
 
 Seaville, Ale. 
 
 Hancock co. This town was in- 
 corporated in 1838, and comprises a 
 part of the island and town of 
 Mount Desert, and Bartlett's, Rob- 
 inson's, Hardwood and other small- 
 er islands on the coast. 
 
 Sebago Lake, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. This is a beau- 
 ful sheet of water, about 12 milesin 
 length, and of various breadths. The 
 widest part is across from Baldwin 
 to Raymond, about 7 miles. It re- 
 ceives the waters of Long and sev- 
 eral other ponds, and of Crooked 
 river, at and from the north. It dis- 
 charges into Casco bay, at Fal- 
 mouth, by the Presumpscot. The 
 Cumberland and Oxford canal, com- 
 pleted in 1829, passes from this lake 
 to Portland, and is the channel of 
 considerable inland trade. 
 
 Sebago, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. This town lies 
 between Sebago lake and Hancock 
 pond, and was taken from Baldwin 
 in 1S26. It lies 87 miles S. W. by 
 W. from Augusta, and 30 N. W. 
 from Portland. It has a good soil 
 and is watered by small streams. 
 Population, 1837, 646. 
 
 Sebasticook River, Me. 
 
 This valuable mill stream rises 
 in Sangerville, Dover and Dexter, 
 on the border of Penobscot and 
 Piscataquis counties ; it passes S. 
 E. and S. through Ripley, Harmo- 
 ny, Hartland and Palmyra to Chand- 
 lerville ; it then runsS. W. through 
 Burnham and falls into the Kenne- 
 bec between Clinton and Winslow, 
 opposite to Waterville. This stream 
 receives several tributaries ; it is 
 about 50 miles in length ; it has nu- 
 merous falls and passes through a 
 delightful country. 
 
 Sebec, Me. 
 
 Piscataquis co. Sebec is a town- 
 ship of good soil, and is well water- 
 ed by Sebec Pond and its outlet, 
 Sebec river, which empties into the 
 Piscataquis, on the north side, in 
 the town of Milo. This town lies 
 87 miles N. N. E. from Augusta, 
 and 9 N. N. E. from Dover. In- 
 corporated, 1812. Population, 1837, 
 987. Wheat crop, same year, 7,650 
 bushels. 
 
 Sebec Pond lies in the towns of 
 Sebec, Foxcroft and Bowerbank : it 
 is about 10 miles long, and about a 
 mile average breadth. Its outlet is 
 a good mill stream of about 10 miles 
 in length. The country around 
 these waters is fertile and heavily 
 timbered, and the scenery pictur- 
 esque and beautiful. 
 
 Seboois Lakes and River, Me. 
 
 Seboois Lakes are connected 
 sheets of water, of irregular form, 
 of about 15 miles in length, varying
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 in width from half a mile to a mile 
 and a half. They lay near the 
 Aroostook and constitute the head 
 waters of the eastern branch of Pe- 
 nobscot river. Seboois River is 
 their outlet. See Pcnobscot River. 
 
 Sedgivick, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. Sedgwick lies on 
 the west side of Blue Hill bay, 87 
 miles E. from Augusta, and about 
 25 S. by W. from Ellsworth. In- 
 corporated, 1789. Population, 1837, 
 1,784. This town has good harbors 
 and enjoys great privileges for nav- 
 igation. A number of vessels are 
 owned here employed in the coast- 
 ing trade and fishery, and ship 
 building is an important branch of 
 business. The soil of the town is 
 not so productive as that more dis- 
 tant from the sea, still it is abundant- 
 ly able to supply its own people 
 with bread stuffs and all the varie- 
 ties of fruits and vegetables com- 
 mon to a New England climate. 
 
 This town was named in honor 
 of THEODORE SZDGWICK, an em- 
 inent statesman and jurist, a senator 
 to Congress, and for many years a 
 judffe of the supreme court of Mas- 
 sachusetts. He died at Boston in 
 1813, aged 66, highly valued by his 
 friends and country. 
 
 Keckoiik, Mass. 
 
 Bristol co. This town is watered 
 by Seekonk, or Pawtucket river, 
 also by Ten mile river, a good mill 
 stream. It lies 41 miles S. from 
 Boston, 4 E. by N. from Provi- 
 dence, R. I., and 14 S. W. from 
 Taunton. It was taken from Re- 
 hoboth in 1812. Population, 1837, 
 2,016. There are three cotton mills 
 in the town, which constitute the 
 principal manufactures; the annu- 
 al value of which is about $80,000. 
 
 Seven Mile Brook, Me. 
 
 This stream rises by several 
 branches in the counties of Somer- 
 set and Franklin ; it runs in a south- 
 
 eastern direction, about 35 miles, 
 affording mill privileges to the towns 
 of Kingfield and New Portland, 
 and mingles with the Kennebec at 
 Anson, 40 miles N. E. from Augus- 
 ta. 
 
 Seymour Lake, Vt. 
 
 See Charleston. 
 
 Sliaftsbury, Vt. 
 
 Bennington co. This town lies 
 between the Battenkill and Wal- 
 loomsac, and gives to those rivers 
 some tributaries. West mountain 
 lies in this town and Arlington. 
 Shaftsbury lies 97 miles S. S. W. 
 from Montpelier, and 8 N. from 
 Bennington. First settled, 1763. 
 Population, 1830, 2,143. Among 
 the first settlers was the Hon. JO- 
 NAS GALUSHA, late governor of 
 the state. He was a captain in the 
 militia in 1777, and commanded a 
 company of the " Green mountain 
 boys," at the battle of Bennington. 
 
 Although the surface of Shafts- 
 bury is elevated, the soil is gener- 
 ally of an excellent quality ; it feeds 
 12,000 sheep, and its products of 
 beef cattle and of the dairy are 
 considerable. There are valuable 
 beds of iron ore in the town, pine 
 timber and quarries of beautiful 
 marble. It has a number of manu- 
 facturing concerns on its small 
 streams, a pleasant village and a 
 school fund of $10,000. 
 
 Skapleigh, Me. 
 
 York co. Between Shapleigh and 
 Acton are some pleasant ponds, the 
 source of Mousum river which emp- 
 ties into the sea, at Kennebunk. A 
 bed of rich bog iron ore has recent- 
 ly been discovered in the town, 
 which promises great usefulness. 
 The surface of the town is gener- 
 ally level, and the soil favorable for 
 the growth of wool, grass, wheat 
 and other grain. Here are iron 
 works and other manufactures. 
 Shapleigh was incorporated, 1785.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Population, 1S37, 1,547. It is 103 
 miles S. W. irom Augusta, and 6 
 N. W. from Alfred. 
 
 Sharon, X. H., 
 
 Hillsborough co., is bounded N. by 
 Peterborough, E. by Temple, S. by 
 New Ipswich and Rindge, and W. 
 by Jaffrey. It is 18 miles W. by S. 
 from Amherst, and 48 S. S.W. from 
 Concord. The streams in Sharon are 
 small branches of Contoocook riv- 
 er, and rise near the S. E. corner of 
 the town. Boundary mountain lies 
 on the line between this town and 
 Temple, and has an elevation of 
 200 feet above the surrounding 
 country. Sharon was incorporated, 
 1791. Population, in 1830, 271. 
 
 Sharon, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. White river passes 
 through Sharon and affords it an 
 abundant water power. Here are 
 mills for the manufacture of wool- 
 en goods, paper and other articles. 
 It contains a handsome and flour- 
 ishing village. The surface of the 
 town is broken, but the soil is warm 
 and productive. It keeps about j 
 5,000 sheep. Sharon was first set- j 
 tied in 17S3. Population, ]S3<>, 
 1,459. It lies 22 miles N. Horn 
 Windsor, and 34 S. by . from 
 Montpelier. 
 
 Sharon, MASS. 
 
 Norfolk co. Mashapoag pond in 
 this town is one of the sources of 
 Neponsei river. Sharon has a good 
 water power ; one woolen and two 
 cotton millf. There are also man- 
 ufactures of axes, bed-steads, straw 
 bonnets, leather, boots, shoes, wool 
 cards, machinery, joiners' gages, 
 &c. : annual value, about $75,000. 
 Sharon is a very pleasant town ; the 
 scenery around Mashapoag, the In- 
 dian name of the place, is highly 
 pleasing. There is good fishing in 
 this pond. This town was incorpo- 
 rated, in 1765. It is 18 miles S. S. 
 W. from Boston, 8 S. from Dedham, 
 
 and 24 N. by E. from Providence, 
 R. I. Population, 1837, 1,093. 
 
 Sharon, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield co. Sharon lies on the 
 west side of Housatonick river, 
 opposite to Cornwall. The eastern 
 part of the town is elevated, moun- 
 tainous, and stony, but is suited for 
 grazing: the western part, which 
 borders on the state of New York, 
 is a fertile tract of undulating land, 
 and very productive of all sorts of 
 grain. Agriculture is the chief 
 business of the inhabitants : they 
 provide for about 10,000 sheey- 
 Population 1830, 2,615. 
 
 Sharon was first settled ip 1739. 
 The village is situated pr/ncipaliy 
 on one street, on the eastern side of 
 a beautiful valley, 16 miles W. :,. 
 W. from Litchfield, and 47 W. by 
 N. from Hartford. There is a beau- 
 tiful village cafled " Hitchcock's 
 Corner," pactfy in Sharon and part- 
 ly in the sfrte of New York : thU 
 also i* situated in a beautiful valley, 
 and ric1 in agricultural resource -. 
 
 " Considerable numbers of the 
 Ipdians resided in the western and 
 northwestern parts of the town, 
 which are watered by two large 
 ponds, and by the Ten Mile river, 
 which touches the western bor- 
 ders of the town. Their principal 
 village was on tha east side of the 
 Indian pond, so called, whici is a 
 body of water lying partly in the 
 state of New York, and partly in 
 Connecticut. On a romantic and 
 beautiful plain, lying between this 
 pond on the west, and the Indian 
 Mountain, on the east, was a nu- 
 merous village, where the natives 
 continued to reside for many years 
 after the whites came into the town. 
 This tribe was visited by ths Mo- 
 ravian missionaries, and one of them 
 died and was buried there. He 
 died in 1749, and a plain stone was 
 placed over his grave, with the fol- 
 lowing inscription : 
 
 " David Bruce of Edinburgh in
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Scotland, Minister of The Breth- 
 ren's Church among the Indians. 
 Depart'd 1749." 
 
 This town took an active part in 
 favor of the liberties of the coun- 
 try. 
 
 " The approach of a large British 
 army from Canada, under General 
 Burgoyne, and the expedition up 
 the North River, under General 
 Vaughan, in 1777, filled the whole 
 country with terror and desponden- 
 cy, and created strong fears and 
 doubts as to the issue of the con- 
 troversy : the firmness and confi- 
 dence of Parson Smith, however, 
 remained unbroken, and his efforts 
 to revive the drooping spirits of his 
 oeople yere unremitted. In the 
 month of October, he preached a 
 sermon from these words : " Watch- 
 man, what of the night? The 
 Watchman saith, the morning com- 
 eth." In this discourse he dwelt 
 much upon the indications, which 
 the dealings of Providence afford- 
 ed, that a bright and glorious morn- 
 ing was about to dawn upou a long 
 night of defeat and disaster. He 
 told the congregation, that he i>>- 
 lieved they would soon hear of a 
 signal victory crowning the arms of 
 America; and he exhorted them to 
 trust with an unshaken and fearless 
 confidence in that God, who, he 
 believed, would yet crown with 
 succsss the efforts of the friends of 
 liberty in this country. Before the 
 congregation was dismissed, a mes- 
 senger arrived, with the intelli- 
 gence of the surrender of Bur- 
 goyne's army. Parson Smith read 
 the letter, conveying the intelli- 
 gence, from th*e pulpit, and a flood 
 of joy and gratitude burst from the 
 congregation." 
 
 Shawsheen River, Mass. 
 
 This river rises in Lexington and 
 Bedford. It passes Billerica, Wil- 
 mington and Tukesbury, and falls 
 into the Merrimack, at Andover, 
 20 miles N. by W. from Boston. 
 
 gheepscot River and Bay, M. 
 
 The head waters of this river 
 are derived from ponds in Palermo. 
 Its course is south through the towns 
 of Whitefield and Alna. It meets 
 the tide water between Wiscasset 
 and New Castle, and proceeds to a 
 bay of the same name. The length 
 of the river from its source to the 
 bay is about 35 miles. This river 
 is valuable on account of its hy- 
 draulic power and navigable facili- 
 ties. 
 
 Sheepscot Bay sets up from the 
 sea between Boothbay and George- 
 town, and receives the waters of 
 the river. It is about 3 miles wide 
 at its mouth, and extends about 10 
 miles north. The whole of these 
 waters are often called" Sheepscot 
 River." The mouth of this bay 
 or river bears about N. E., 6 miles, 
 from Seguin Light, at the mouth 
 of Kennebec river. 
 
 Sheffield, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. This town is 35 
 miles N. E. from Montpelier, and 
 16 N. from Danville. First settled, 
 17t>2. Population, 1830, 720. 
 
 This town lies on the height of 
 land between Connecticut river 
 and Memphremagog lake. Branch- 
 es of Passumpsic and Barton rivers 
 both rise here.' It is watored by 
 several ponds. The lands are gen- 
 erally broken and not very produc- 
 tive. 
 
 Sheffield, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. This is a very 
 pleasant town, on both sides of the 
 Housatonick. The river meanders 
 circuitously and slowly through the 
 town, and forms large tracts of rich 
 alluvial meadow. In large fresh- 
 ets the river overflows its banks to 
 a great extent, and forms the ap- 
 pearance of a large lake. The vil- 
 lage is neat; situated in a beauti- 
 ful valley, surrounded by hills, one 
 of which is 3,000 feet in height, 
 and presents a great variety of de-
 
 NEW ENGLAXD GAZETTEER 
 
 lightful scenery. There are man- 
 ufactures in the town of leather, 
 hats, ploughs, and spirits, but the 
 principal business of the people is 
 agricultural. In 1837, there were 
 6,892 sheep sheared in the town : 
 the value of the wool amounted to 
 11,372. Marble and iron ore are 
 abundant. 
 
 Sheffield is the oldest town in the 
 county : it was incorporated in 1733. 
 It lies 140 miles S. W. from Boston, 
 20 S. from Lenox, and 28 E. from 
 Hudson, N. Y. Population, 1837, 
 2,308. 
 
 Slielburne, X. H. 
 
 Coos co. Androscoggin river 
 passes through the centre of this 
 town, into which fall the waters 
 of Rattle river and some smaller 
 streams. The soil on each bank of 
 the river is very good, producing 
 in abundance grain and grass : hut 
 as we rise from the river, the tracts 
 are mountainous and unfit for culti- 
 vation. 
 
 Mount Moriah, an elevated peak 
 of the White Mountains, lies in the 
 S. part of Shelburne. Moses' 
 Rock, so called from the first man 
 known to have ascended it, (Moses 
 Ingalls) is on the south side of the 
 river, near the centre of the town. 
 It is about 60 feet high and 90 long, 
 very smooth, and rising in an angle 
 of nearly 50. In 1778, David and 
 Benjamin Ingalls commenced a set- 
 tlement at Shelburne, and not long 
 afterwards, several families were 
 added. In August, 1781, a party 
 of Indians visited this town, killed 
 ene man, made another prisoner, 
 plundered the houses, and returned 
 to Canada in savage triumph. This 
 town was incorporated in 1820. 
 Population, 1830, 312. 
 
 Shellmrii, Vt. 
 
 Chittenden co. On the east side 
 of Lake Champlain, 33 miles W. by 
 N. from Montpelier, and 7 S. from 
 Burlington. Population, 1830, 1,123. 
 Logan's and Potter's points were 
 
 33 
 
 settled previous to the revolutionary 
 war by men of those names. Dur- 
 ing the war these settlements were 
 abandoned, but re-established at its 
 close. Shelburn is finely watered 
 by Platt river, a pond covering 600 
 acres, and by the waters of the lake. 
 Shelburn Bay sets into the town- 
 ship about 4 miles from the N. W., 
 and affords the town a good harbor, 
 and a depot of the interior trade on 
 the beautiful Champlain. The soil 
 of the town is strong, fertile, and 
 generally well improved. About 
 10,000 sheep are within its limits. 
 
 Slielburne, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. This town lies OB 
 the N. side of Deerfield river op- 
 posite to Conway. It is 100 miles 
 W. by N. from Boston, and 5 W. 
 from Greenfield. Population, 1837, 
 1,018. Incorporated, 1768. Deer- 
 field river falls in this town a dis- 
 tance of 20 feet, and produces a val- 
 uable water power. 
 
 The manufactures of the town 
 consist of woolen goods, leather, 
 boots, shoes, scythes, palm-leaf 
 hats, &c. : annual value about 
 $40,000. The soil of the town is 
 generally of a good quality ; con- 
 siderable wool is grown, ,and some 
 cattle and products of the dairy are 
 sent to market. More than common 
 attention is paid to mental culture. 
 This is a pleasant and flourishing 
 town : the scenery about the falls 
 is very handsome. 
 
 Sheldon, VJ. 
 
 Franklin co. The first settle- 
 ments commenced here in 1790, by 
 Elisha and Samuel B. Sheldon, from 
 Salisbury, Connecticut. This is a 
 good towinhip of land, productive 
 of wool, grain, and other northern 
 commodities. The river Missisque 
 passes through the town, and Black 
 creek, a branch of that river, gives 
 Sheldon an ample water power. 
 The village is a thriving place, both 
 in its manufactures and trade. It 
 lies 46 miles N. W. from Montpe-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Jier, 32 N. by E. from Burlington, 
 and 10 N. N. E. from St. Albans. 
 Population, 1830, 1,427. 
 
 Shepaug River, Ct. 
 
 This river rises in Goshen, in the 
 county of Litchfield ; it receives 
 several branches, and passes south, 
 through the towns of Washington 
 and Roxbury, and falls into the 
 Housatonick at Southbury. This is 
 a good mill stream, in some parts 
 rapid, in others gentle and fertiliz- 
 ing. 
 
 Sh.erbu.rne, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. Killington Peak, 
 3,924 feet in height, several ponds, 
 and Thundering brook, with a hand- 
 some fall, lie in this town. Queechy 
 river rises in this town, and along 
 its banks is some good land ; but the 
 lands are generally too elevated 
 even for pasturage. Sherburne was 
 first settled in 1735. It lies 22 miles 
 N. W. from Windsor, and 10 E. from 
 Rutland. Population, 1830, 452. 
 
 Sliertourne, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This town is wa- 
 tered by Charles and Sudbury riv- 
 ers. It is 18 miles S. W. by W. 
 from Boston, and 15 S. from Con- 
 cord. Population, 1837, 1,037. In- 
 corporated, 1674. The soil of Sher- 
 burne is very good and productive. 
 The village is on elevated land ; it 
 is pleasant,and commands good pros- 
 pects. The manufactures of the 
 town consist of straw bonnets, boots, 
 shoes, leather, axes, forks, ploughs, 
 muskets and whips : annual value, 
 about $60,000. 
 
 Sherman, Ct. 
 
 Fairfi'eld co. Sherman was for- 
 merly the north part of New Fair- 
 field,and incorporated in 1802, Pop- 
 ulation,. 1830, 947. It is 60 miles S. 
 W. from Hartford, 13 N. from Dan- 
 bury, and bounded W. by the state 
 of New York. There is a variety 
 of soils in the town, but they are 
 generally strong, warm, and pro 
 
 ductive of grass and grain. A 
 )ranch of the Housatonick waters 
 ;he town. Iron ore is found here. 
 
 This fine mill stream receives its 
 lead waters by several branches in 
 the counties of Windham and Tol- 
 and. It passes between Lisbon 
 ind Franklin and uniting with the 
 Quinnebaug at Norwich, flows in- 
 ;o the Thames. Its principal bran- 
 ches are the Natchaug and Willi- 
 mantic. 
 
 Shirley, Me. 
 
 Piscataquis co. This town was in- 
 corporated in 1834. It was former- 
 y No. 3 in the 4th range of the 
 Bingham Purchase. It is watered 
 the higher branches of Piscata- 
 quis river, and lies about 76 miles 
 N. by E. from Augusta. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 213. 
 
 Shirley, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This is a very 
 pleasant agricultural and manufac- 
 turing town, 32 miles N. W. from 
 Boston, 16 N. W. from Concord, 
 and 18 S. W. from Lowell. There 
 are some elevations in the town, but 
 of warm and fertile soil. There are 
 large tracts of intervale land along 
 the streams, which are very fertile 
 and valuable. 
 
 Shirley is separated from Groton by 
 Nashua river, and from Pepperell 
 by the Squanicook, a branch of the 
 Nashua. These streams afford Shir- 
 ley a fine water power, which ren- 
 ders it an excellent location for man- 
 ufacturing establishments. There 
 are 1 woolen and 3 cotton mills in the 
 town, and manufactures of boots, 
 shoes, paper, leather, palm-leaf hats, 
 &c. Annual value, about $125,- 
 000. Population, 1837, 967. 
 
 Shoreham, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. This town lies on 
 the east side of Lake Champlain, 
 and is watered by Lemonfair river, 
 a good mill stream. It is 12 miles
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 S. W. from Middlebury, and 26 N. 
 from Whitehall, N. Y. The lake 
 here is about a mile wide. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 2,137. The surface of 
 the town is level and the soil re- 
 markably good. This is one of the 
 best farming towns in the state. In 
 1837, there was 26,584 sheep in 
 Shoreham. There are some manu- 
 factures in the town, and a pleasant 
 and flourishing village on the banks 
 of the lake. Most of the waters 
 here are impregnated with Epsom 
 salts. See Bridport. 
 
 Shoreham was first settled in 
 1766, by a number of persons who 
 adopted the plan of holding all things 
 in common. This mode of holding 
 property was, however, relinquish- 
 ed about the time of the revolu- 
 tionary war. 
 
 Shrewsbury, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. This town lies 22 
 miles W. from Windsor and 9 S. 
 E. from Rutland. Population, in 
 1830,1,289. This is a mountainous 
 township, having Shrewsbury Peak 
 within its limits, a summit 4,034 feet 
 above the sea. Mill and Cold riv- 
 ers and Peal's and Ashley's Ponds 
 water the town, and fall into Otter 
 Creek. There is some good land 
 in this mountain town, and between 
 three and four thousand sheep graze 
 on its surface. 
 
 Shrewsbury, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This is an agri- 
 cultural town of a pleasing variety 
 of surface, and good soil, 36 miles 
 W. by S. from Boston and 6 E. from 
 Worcester. Quinsigamond or Long 
 Pond lies principally in this town. 
 It is nearly four miles in length and 
 from 40 to 250 rods in width. It 
 empties into the Blackstone river 
 and canal, and produces a consider- 
 able hydraulic power. A floating 
 bridge crosses this pond for the ac- 
 commodation of the Worcester turn- 
 pike, 525 feet in length, built in 
 1818, and cost $6,000. 
 
 The manufactures of Shrewsbury 
 
 consist of clothing, guns, hats , 
 chairs, straw bonnets, leather, boots 
 shoes, &c : the value of which, dur- 
 ing the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 was $211,287. The town was in- 
 corporated, 1727. Population, 1830, 
 1,386; 1837, 1,507. 
 
 Levi Pease, the father of mail 
 stages in this country, was a native 
 of this town. He died here in 1824, 
 aged 86. Mr. Pease was a man of 
 great enterprise ; he projected the 
 first turnpike road in New England, 
 and to his zeal and sacrifices the 
 public is more indebted than to any 
 other man for its excellent mail es- 
 tablishment. At the time Mr. 
 Pease started his first line of mail 
 stages between Boston and New 
 York, in 1784, the mail between 
 those places passed only once a fort- 
 night, on horseback, in a pair of 
 saddlebags. 
 
 Shuteslmry, Mass. 
 
 This town is on high land, 10 
 miles E. from Connecticut river, 9 
 N. by E. from Amherst, 16 S. S.E. 
 from Greenfield, and 78 W. by N. 
 from Boston. Incorporated, 1761. 
 Population, 1837, S16. Copper ore, 
 and soapstone, are found here. On 
 Swift river are three shingle mills 
 and a wheel factory. There is a 
 mineral spring of some note in this 
 town, containing, in solution, iron, 
 sulphur, &c. There is also a pond, 
 covering abo'it 700 acres, with an 
 abundance of fine fish. 
 
 Ephraim Pratt lived in this town 
 many years, and died here in 1804, 
 aged 116 years. He married at 
 the age of 21, and could count 1,500 
 descendants. He was a very tem- 
 perate man, so much so that for 40 
 years he took no animal food. He 
 was a farmer, and his health was so 
 uniformly good that he was able to 
 mow a good swath 101 years in suc- 
 cession. He was born at Sudbury, 
 1687. 
 
 Sidney, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. Sidney is very
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 pleasantly situated on the west side 
 of Kennebec river, and watered by 
 a large and beautiful pond lying in 
 this town and Belgrade. It is 
 bounded N. by Waterville, and is 
 12 miles N. from Augusta. Incor- 
 porated, 1792. Population, 1837, 
 2,346. Wheat crop, same year, 
 6,569 bushels. 
 
 Simsliury, Ct. 
 
 Hartford co. The territory of 
 this town was formerly a part of 
 Windsor: its Indian name was Mas- 
 sacoe, and was incorporated in 1670. 
 The surface of the town is greatly 
 diversified by hills and valleys : a 
 range of mountains pass through 
 the town, and there is some level 
 and good land within its limits 
 on Farmington river. Population, 
 1830, 2,221. 
 
 Tariffville, a flourishing village, 
 is situated at the northeastern ex- 
 tremity of this town, on the west 
 bank of the Farmington river,which 
 at this place passes south, at the 
 base of a range of mountains, which 
 divides this part of the State from 
 the great valley of Connecticut 
 river. This place is a carpet man- 
 ufacturing village, owned principal- 
 ly by a company called the " New 
 England Carpet Company ;" they 
 employ 175 hands, and manufacture 
 yearly about 132,000 yards of car- 
 peting. This flourishing village is 
 between three and four miles south 
 of Simsbury mines, in Granby,near 
 the New Haven and Northampton 
 canal, and 12 miles N.W. from Hart- 
 ford. 
 
 Skitticooli River, Me. 
 
 This is the most northern and 
 eastern branch of the Matawam- 
 
 Skootum T-ake, Me. 
 
 A sheet of water of considerable 
 size, the outlet of which passes 
 through Kilmarnock. 
 
 Skowliegan, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. This town was for- 
 merly called Milburn : it took the 
 Indian name of the place in 1836. 
 It is situated on the N. side of Ken- 
 nebec river, at Skowhegan Falls. 
 The river runs here in an eastern 
 direction. The local situation of 
 Skowhegan, its admirable water 
 power, and the fertility of the adja- 
 cent country, united with the en- 
 terprise of its inhabitants, has ren- 
 dered the place, but recently a wil- 
 derness, one of the best cultivated 
 townships in the state, the site of 
 a great number of mills, and a mart 
 of an extensive trade. There is much 
 delightful scenery about Skowhe- 
 gan ; the village is neatly built, and 
 its beauty is much enhanced by the 
 whiteness of the houses contrasted 
 with the blue and green of the riv- 
 er and its banks. Between Skow- 
 hegan and Bloomfield is a small isl- 
 and in the river. Across this isl- 
 and are noble bridges uniting the 
 towns. This place lies 5 miles be- 
 low Norridgewock and 33 N. from 
 Augusta. Population, 1830, 1,006 ; 
 1837, 1,433. 
 
 Slaterville, R. I. 
 
 We regret to state that no ac- 
 count of the manufactures of this 
 interesting manufacturing village 
 has been received. See Smithfield. 
 
 Small, Cape, Me. 
 
 The eastern boundary of Casco 
 Bay. 
 
 Smithfield, R. I. 
 
 Providence co. This is a large 
 town, containing an area of about 
 10 by 6 miles, and a great variety 
 of surface and soil. 
 
 Smithfield has generally an un- 
 dulating surface, presenting an 
 agreeable diversity of moderate em- 
 inences and gentle declivities; but 
 in some sections it is considerably 
 rough and broken.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The manufacture of lime is an 
 important and extensive business, 
 and affords employment to a great 
 number of persons. There is also 
 a quarry of white stone at what is 
 called VVoonsocket hill, that sus- 
 tains heat remarkably well, which 
 renders it very valuable for furnace 
 hearths. About two miles distant 
 from this, there is a quarry, contain- 
 ing excellent whetstones, for edge 
 tools. 
 
 The s"bil is a gravelly and sandy 
 loam, with some sections of a cal- 
 careous loam. It is generally rich 
 and fertile, although in some places 
 it has been reduced by an exhaust- 
 ing system of cultivation. There 
 are, however, some low and marshy 
 tracts, which are generally appro- 
 priated to mowing;, and afford good 
 crops of grass. The agricultural 
 productions consist of the various 
 articles common to the climate ; 
 Indian corn, rye, wheat, barley, 
 oats, potatoes, flax, beef, pork, 
 butter, cheese, apples, cider and 
 hay. 
 
 The waters of the town consist 
 of the Blackstone, which washes 
 its northeastern border, and a branch 
 of this river, nearly of equal size, 
 which intersects the town, -dis- 
 charging its waters into the former, 
 in the northern section of the town. 
 After the union of these streams, 
 the Blackstone is from one to two 
 hundred feet in width. At some 
 seasons of the year, it overflows its 
 banks, and has been known to rise 
 from 15 to 20 feet above its usual 
 height. Besides these, there are 
 numerous small streams, some of 
 which afford valuable sites for mills 
 and manufacturing establishments, 
 which are mostly occupied. In 
 the south part of the town, within 
 about 4 miles from Providence, 
 there is a considerable body of wa- 
 ter, called Scots Pond. It is near- 
 ly a mile in length, about half a 
 mile in width, and of great depth. 
 What is remarkable in this pond, is 
 
 33* 
 
 the steep descent of its shores. 
 Cases have occurred, of persons 
 being drowned in attempting to 
 water their horses at this pond. 
 
 There is a remarkable fall of wa- 
 ter upon the Blackstone river, call- 
 ed Woonsocket falls, which is con- 
 sidered as quite a curiosity. The 
 fall is about 20 feet, not perpendic- 
 ular, but over a precipice of TOCKS 
 for some distance. The fall of the 
 water upon these rocks through a 
 succession of ages, has occasioned 
 numerous excavations, all of which 
 are smooth and circular, and some 
 of them very large, being sufficient 
 to contain several hogsheads. 
 
 The beautiful village of Woon- 
 socket is situated at these falls, on 
 the line of Cumberland ; the river 
 dividing the towns, and the village 
 into nearly equal parts. In this 
 village are 15 cotton and 2 satinet 
 factories, a large furnace, machine 
 shops, sash factory, &c. The Black- 
 stone canaf passes through this 
 village, and it is in contemplation 
 to construct a rail road to meet the 
 Boston and Providence rail road, 
 either at Providence or at Dedham, 
 Mass. This village is indeed a 
 beautiful place, and exceedingly 
 flourishing. It is 14 miles N. N. 
 W. from Providence. 
 
 Slaterville is another beautiful 
 village in this town, on Branch 
 river, about 2 miles W. from Woon- 
 socket. ,, 
 
 Smithfield is a large manufactur- 
 ing town, containing many other 
 pleasant villages, almost exclusive- 
 ly devoted to manufacturing ob- 
 jects. The centre of the town lies 
 9 miles N. W. from Providence. 
 Incorporated, 1730. Population, in 
 1830, 6,857. 
 
 Smith's River, N. H. 
 
 Grafton co. This river rises from 
 several ponds in Grafton and Or- 
 ange, and after pursuing a winding, 
 but generally an east course, of 
 from 12 to 18 miles, through Oan-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 bury and Alexandria, falls into the 
 Pemigewasset, between Bristol and 
 Hill. 
 
 Solon, Me. 
 
 Somerset co. Solon is a flourish- 
 ing farming town, on the east side 
 of Kennebec river, opposite to 
 v mbden. It lies 44 miles N. by 
 W. irom Augusta, and 18 N. from 
 Norridgewock. Population, 1830, 
 768; 1837, 1,129. Wheat crop, 
 
 1837, 6,567 bushels. The town is 
 well watered by a pond and several 
 streams : it has a pleasant village, 
 and some manufactures. 
 
 Somers, Ct. 
 
 Tolland co. This town lies 22 
 miles N. E. from Hartford, 10 N. 
 by W. from Tolland, and 12 S. E. 
 from Springfield, Mass. First set- 
 tled, 1713. It was incorporated by 
 Massachusetts in 1734, and named 
 in honor of Lord Somers, at the re- 
 quest of Governor BelcYier. 
 
 Part of the town is level, and 
 productive of grass and grain, and 
 part is quite elevated, producing 
 good pasturage for sheep, and pre- 
 senting delightful views of the val- 
 ley of Connecticut river. It is wa- 
 tered by Scantic river. 
 
 Somers has a very neat village, 
 in which is a large establishment 
 for the manufacture of straw bon- 
 nets. Population, 1830, 1,429. 
 
 Somerset County, Me. 
 
 JVorridgewock, chief town. 
 Previous to the formation of Piscat- 
 aquis and Franklin counties, in 
 
 1838, for which purpose a consider- 
 able portion of Somerset was taken, 
 this county contained an area of 
 about 8,785 square miles. Incor- 
 porated, 1809. About one third of 
 this territory may be said to be set- 
 tled, incorporated or granted, the 
 residue, a wilderness. Its popula- 
 tion, in 1820, was 21,787; 1830, 
 33,588 ; 1837, 40,963. Population 
 to a square mile, 4 1-2. Gain in 
 
 population, in seven years, 22 per 
 cent. 
 
 The present county of Somerset 
 is bounded N. by Lower Canada, E. 
 by Piscataquis and a part of Penob- 
 scot counties, S. by the counties of 
 Kennebec and Franklin, and W. by 
 Franklin county and Lower Can- 
 ada. 
 
 This county 'is watered by many 
 ponds, some of the large tributa- 
 ries of the Kennebec, and by the 
 upper waters of many oftier im- 
 portant rivers in Maine ; but its 
 chief river is the noble Kennebec, 
 which enters the county at its rise 
 from Moose Head lake, and passing 
 from that lake, which skirts the east- 
 ern boundary of the county, it tra- 
 verses nearly in its centre about 75 
 miles. This river serves, at pres- 
 ent, as a great thoroughfare to the 
 ocean for an immense amount of 
 timber, lumber and wood, the first 
 fruits of the industry of pioneers to 
 a heavily timbered country ; and, 
 in after times, will serve for the 
 transportation of the productions of 
 a fertile soil to distant markets, and 
 of the wants of the inhabitants 
 from abroad. 
 
 The surface of this county is di- 
 versified by considerable eleva- 
 tions and extensive valleys, which 
 give it a varied and pleasing as- 
 pect. With the exception of the 
 mountain range, which skirts the 
 bounds of Canada, and the Bald 
 Mountain ridge, nearly in the cen- 
 tre of the county, Mount Bigelow 
 and Mount Abraham, on the bor- 
 der of Franklin county, are the 
 most lofty. 
 
 So far as the march of improve- 
 ment has been made in this interior 
 and almost wilderness county, the 
 soil of the lands, generally , is found 
 to be fertile, as easy of cultivation, 
 and as productive of all the varie- 
 ties of grasses, grains, vegetables and 
 fruits, as any portion of New Eng- 
 land, with rery few exceptions. 
 The more interior portions of the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 county, those watered by the up- 
 per branches of the Penobscot and 
 Walloomstook, now a wilderness, 
 are said to be the most fertile. In 
 1837, there were in the old county 
 of Somerset, 77,921 sheep ; and, 
 during that year, it produced 239,- 
 332 bushels of wheat, being the 
 largest quantity of that valuable 
 grain produced by any county in 
 Maine, and probably by any 
 county in New England. 
 
 Somerset, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. Mount Pisgah 
 and other elevations give to the sur- 
 face of this township so rough and 
 drear an aspect, that but few are 
 bold enough to attempt the cultiva- 
 tion of its soil. It is watered by 
 the upper branches of Deerfield 
 river. Population, 1830, 245. 
 
 Somerset stands 15 miles N. E. 
 from Bennington, and 14 W. from 
 Newfane. It would put the neigh- 
 boring towns into a pretty pickle if 
 it should turn a Somerset. 
 
 Somerset, Mags. 
 
 Bristol co. This town is pleas- 
 antly situated on the northern side 
 of Taunton river, opposite to Fall 
 River, and is the proposed depot of 
 a rail road from Fall River to Provi- 
 dence, R. I. It is 16 miles S. E. 
 from Providence, 13 S. from Taun- 
 ton, and 45 S. from Boston. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 1,063. Incorporated, 
 1790. 
 
 There are some manufactures of 
 stone and earthern wares, but ship 
 building is the principal branch of 
 mechanics in the town. 
 
 Somersworth, X. II. 
 
 Strafford co. This town was for- 
 merly a part of Dover. It was in- 
 corporated in 1754. It is bounded 
 N. W. by Rochester, N. E. by Sal- 
 mon fall river, which divides it from 
 Berwick, Me., and S. W. by Do- 
 ver. It is 11 miles N. by W. from 
 Portsmouth and 45 E. from Concord. 
 
 The White Mountains may be 
 
 seen from the summit of Otis' hill ; 
 also the steeples of the meeting 
 houses in Portsmouth, and the masts 
 of the shipping in the harbor. 
 
 The soil of this town is well 
 adapted to Indian corn, and almost 
 all kinds of grain and grass. The 
 tide flows on the east side of this 
 town, four miles to Quamphegan 
 falls. The river is of sufficient 
 depth, till within a mile of said 
 falls, for vessels of 250 tons. The 
 S. part of this town is bounded on 
 Cocheco river, from its confluence 
 with the Piscataqua to the mouth 
 of Fresh creek, near a mile ; and 
 from thence by said creek to its 
 head, nearly a mile and a half. 
 
 There are but two ponds of note 
 in this town : Humphrey's pond on 
 the line of Dover, 200 rods long 
 and 120 rods wide ; and Cole's 
 pond, 150 rods long and 75 wide. 
 
 Red and yellow ochre, also iron 
 ore, have been found in this town. 
 The ochre has been used in paint- 
 ing houses, and has been found to 
 make a durable paint. 
 
 At Great Falls, are extensive 
 manufactories, and a large and 
 beautiful village. 
 
 This town was settled between 
 1650 and 1700, by William Went- 
 worth and others. Many of the 
 first settlers were killed or taken 
 captive and carried to Canada. Eb- 
 enezer Downs, who was a quaker, 
 was taken by the Indians at Indigo 
 hill, in 1724, and carried to Canada. 
 He was grossly insulted and abused 
 by them, because he refused to 
 dance as the other prisoners did for 
 the diversion of their savage cap- 
 tors. 
 
 NICHOLAS PIKE, author of a 
 popular system of arithmetic, was 
 born in this town, October 6, 1743. 
 
 JoHjf WENTWOHTH, son of the 
 Hon. John Wentworth, was born in 
 this town, July 14, 1745 ; and was 
 graduated at Harvard college, 1768. 
 He entered on the study of the law, 
 and settled at Dover. When ap- 
 plication was made to him to put au
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 action in suit, it was his practice 
 to see the parties onto write to them, 
 stating the consequences of a legal 
 process, and advising them to set- 
 tle their differences between them- 
 selves. By this mode of procedure 
 he was instrumental in preventing 
 many vexatious lawsuits ; and was 
 entitled to the appellation of peace- 
 maker. He was a member of the 
 continental congress in the revolu- 
 tion, and died January 10, 1787. 
 
 Hon. THOMAS WALLIJVGFORD, 
 was born at Bradford, Mass., in 
 1697. He came to this town in the 
 early part of his life ; and by a dili- 
 gent application to business, from a 
 small beginning became one of the 
 richest men in the province. 
 
 ICHABOD ROLLINS, was born 
 in Somersworth in 1721. He was 
 a judge of probate for the county of 
 Strafford, and died January 31, 
 1800. Population, in 1830, 3,090. 
 
 Soucook River, ST. II., 
 
 Has its source in three ponds in 
 the south part of Gilmanton, lying 
 near each other, called Loon, Rocky 
 and Shellcamp ponds. It passes 
 through Loudon, receiving several 
 branches, and forms the boundary 
 between Concord and Pembroke, 
 falling into the Merrimack below 
 Garvin's falls. 
 
 Souhegaii River, Iff. H. 
 
 Originally Souhegenack, the name 
 of a river in Hillsborough county, 
 and the former name of Amherst 
 and Merrimack. The principal 
 branch of this river originates from 
 a pond in Ashburnham, Mass. It 
 passes N. through Ashby, at the 
 N. W. angle of the county of Mid- 
 dlesex, into New Ipswich, and 
 through Mason, Milford, Amherst, 
 into Merrimack, where it unites 
 with Merrimack river. In its course 
 it receives several streams from 
 Temple, Lyndeborough and Mount 
 Vernon, and just before it falls into 
 the Merrimack, receives Babboo- 
 suck brook, a considerable stream 
 
 issuing from Babboosuck pond. See 
 Jlmherst. 
 
 South. Hampton, N. H., 
 
 Rockingham co., is bounded N. 
 by East Kingston and Kensington, 
 E. by Seabrook, S. by Amesbury, 
 Mass., W. by Newtown ; and is 50 
 miles S. E. from Concord, and 18 
 S. S. W. from Portsmouth. 
 
 The surface is generally even, 
 and the soil of a good quality. Pow- 
 ovv river passes through this town, 
 affording valuable mill seats. South 
 Hampton was incorporated in 1742. 
 
 Hon. PHILLIPS WHITE, who 
 was a member of the old congress, 
 a counsellor in 1792 and 1793, and 
 for many years judge of probate, 
 died June 24, 1811, aged 82. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 487. 
 
 Southampton, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. Manhan river 
 waters the town and affords it mill 
 privileges. The Farmington canal 
 passes through the eastern part. 
 Lead in various forms and qualities 
 is found here, and here is a subter- 
 raneous passage leading to the lead 
 mine in Westhampton. There are 
 some manufactures in the town, 
 but the people are generally em- 
 ployed in agricultural pursuits, and 
 the soil is well adapted to that pur- 
 pose. 
 
 Southampton is pleasantly situa- 
 ted, 9 miles S. W. from Northamp- 
 ton, and 97 W. by S. from Boston. 
 Incorporated, 1753. Population, 
 1837, 1,216. 
 
 South Berwick, Me. 
 
 York co. This town is situated 
 on the N. E. side of Salmon Fall 
 river, 97 miles S. W. from Augusta, 
 and 10 W. N. W. from York. The 
 limits of the town have recently 
 been increased by the addition of a 
 portion of the territory of York. 
 It was incorporated in 1814. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,577 ; 1837, 2,342. 
 The Great Falls on the river at this 
 place afford an hydraulic power of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 great magnitude and value. Man- 
 ufacturing operations commenced 
 here many years ago, and have been 
 gradually increasing ; but in 1837, 
 the " Great Works Manufacturing 
 Company" was incorporated. This 
 company have a large capital, and 
 are making arrangements for man- 
 ufacturing on an extensive scale. 
 When it is considered that this place 
 is located on navigable waters, and 
 only about a dozen miles from the 
 beautiful harbor of Portsmouth, by 
 water, these operations promise a 
 favorable result, both to individual 
 enterprise and the public. 
 
 The village 'of South Berwick is 
 pleasantly situated ; it is a place of 
 considerable trade, and in the vicin- 
 ity of delightful scenery. 
 
 Soutb.borou.gh, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This town was 
 taken from Marlborough in 1727. 
 It has a good soil, and is well culti- 
 vated by industrious and skillful 
 farmers. It is watered by a branch 
 of Sudbury river, and has man- 
 ufactures of woolen cloth, boots, 
 shoes, and straw bonnets : annual 
 value, about $50,000. The Boston 
 and Worcester rail road passes 
 through this pleasant town. It 
 lies 26 miles W. from Boston, and 
 15 E. from Worcester. Population, 
 1837, 1,113. 
 
 Southbridge, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. Southbridge was 
 taken from Sturbridge in 1814. 
 Population, 1830, 1,444 ; 1837, 1740. 
 It is 54 miles S. W. from Boston, 
 and 19 S. S. W. from Worcester. 
 This town is watered by the Quin- 
 neboag, a branch of the Thames, 
 and a good mill stream. There are 
 one woolen and three cotton mills 
 in Southbridge, and manufactures 
 of boots, shoes and cutlery : the 
 value of which, for the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, was $262,212. This 
 town has an excellent soil and a 
 pleasant and flourishing village. 
 
 Southbury, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. The principal 
 village in this town is pleasantly 
 situated on the Pamperaug, a fine 
 mill stream, which passes through 
 the town. This village is 20 miles 
 N. W. from New Haven, and 40 
 S. W. from Hartford. 
 
 The village of South Britain is 
 about 4 miles S. W. from the princi- 
 pal or central village : it is a flour- 
 ishing place, containing a num- 
 ber of neat buildings, a carpet and 
 several hat factories. This village 
 is surrounded by high hills and 
 precipices, and has a romantic and 
 picturesque appearance. The sur- 
 face of the town is generally un- 
 even : there is some good meadow 
 land on Housatonick, Pamperaug, 
 and Shepaug rivers, and the up- 
 lands are warm and productive. 
 Some traces of coal have been dis- 
 covered. 
 
 The northern part of the town is 
 called " White Oak," from an oak 
 tree under which the first persons 
 who explored the town encamped. 
 Pieces of this tree are considered 
 by some as precious relics. South- 
 bury was formerly attached to 
 Litchfield county. It was a part 
 of Woodbury, and was first settled 
 about the year 1672. It was incor- 
 porated as a distinct town in 1786. 
 Population, 1830, 1,557. 
 
 South Hadlcy, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. Nature and art 
 seem to have united to render this 
 an interesting place. The falls on 
 the Connecticut are 50 feet ; not 
 perpendicular, but in so short a 
 distance as to render the river very 
 rapid. These falls, Mount Hoi- 
 yoke at the north part of the town, 
 and Mount Tom on the west side of 
 the river, with the luxuriant mead- 
 ows along this beautiful stream, 
 would form a picture of no ordinary 
 character. These falls are ren- 
 dered passable for freight and steam
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 boats by a canal of about two miles 
 in length. In this canal is a cut 
 through solid rock, 40 feet in depth 
 and 300 feet in length. The hy- 
 draulic power, at this place, is very 
 great, having the whole volume of 
 Connecticut river and some smaller 
 streams at command for manufac- 
 turing purposes. Much of the 
 water power is yet unimproved, 
 but its local situation is such as to 
 insure its usefulness as the manu- 
 facturing interests of New England 
 increase. There are in South Had- 
 ley 3 paper and 2 woolen mills, 
 and manufactures of leather, boots, 
 shoes, pearl buttons, iron, &.c. : to- 
 tal value, the year ending April 1, 
 1837, $237,650. 
 
 South Hadley lies on the east 
 side of Connecticut river, 90 miles, 
 W. from Boston, and 5 S. by E. 
 from Northampton. Incorporated 
 in 1753. Population, 1837, 1,400. 
 
 South Hero, Vt. 
 
 Grand Isle co. Lake Champlain 
 bounds this town on all sides. 
 The passage in the lake however, is 
 very narrow between the towns of 
 N. and S. Hero. It lies 12 miles 
 N. W. from Burlington, and 16 S. S. 
 W. from St. Albans. The lake is 
 fordable a considerable part of the 
 year on the Vermont side. This 
 town was formerly a part of North 
 Hero, and was separated from it in 
 1788. First settled, 1784. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 717. South Hero con- 
 tains.an area of about 9,065 acres 
 of level land of an excellent soil. 
 Its basis is limestone. It is suppos- 
 ed that all the lands of this island 
 county were once covered by the 
 waters of the lake, as clam shells 
 are found incorporated with the 
 rocks in the highest places. The 
 scenery around these islands is 
 beautiful. This vicinity was a fa- 
 vorite resort for the Indians, as ap- 
 pears from a laree number of their 
 implements found on the islands. 
 It seems they manufactured hatch- 
 ets, spear heads, chisels, arrows, 
 
 and a variety of other implements 
 at this place, from a flint stone not 
 found in this region, but brought 
 from a distance. This town fur- 
 niahes a great abundance of food 
 for the inhabitants, and some for ex- 
 portation. It feeds about 6,200 
 sheep. This is a pleasant stopping 
 place for the angler, the painter or 
 the geologist. 
 
 Sonthington, ( t. 
 
 Hartford co. Southington was 
 taken from Farmington in 1779. 
 There are some elevations in the 
 town, particularly in the eastern 
 part ; but the soil is generally very 
 good for all kinds of grain and the 
 pasturage of cattle. It is watered 
 by the Quinnepiack, and the Far- 
 mington canal passes through it. 
 It contains a neat village, 18 miles 
 S. W. from Hartford and 21 N. 
 from New Haven. Population, 
 1830, 1,844. 
 
 The inhabitants are generally en- 
 gaged in agriculture ; yet several 
 kinds of manufactures receive con- 
 siderable attention. Peck's patent 
 for machines for making tin ware, 
 a most valuable invention, is exclu- 
 sively owned in this town, and the 
 business of making them is exten- 
 sively carried on, by Peck & Co., 
 whose manufactory supplies almost 
 the whole of the United States and 
 the British provinces. The manu- 
 facture of water cement is very 
 extensively carried on in this town, 
 and furnishes a supply for the wants 
 of the vicinity, and some for distant 
 markets. There is an establish- 
 ment for the manufacture of lasts, 
 which are turned out by a machine : 
 this is effected by having a model 
 of the shape wanted, inserted into 
 the apparatus connected with the 
 machinery. Besides the above, 
 there is a brass foundry ; and sev- 
 eral other establishments, for man- 
 ufacturing various articles, such as 
 saws of different kinds, tin ware, 
 combs, spoons, clocks, brushes, &c., 
 are in operation, more or less ex-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 tensively, at different times, accor- 
 ding to the demands of the market. 
 Copper has been discovered, in sev- 
 eral places, in the range of moun- 
 tains on the eastern border of the 
 town. 
 
 South Kingston, R. I. 
 
 Washington co. Chief town. 
 This town was formerly a part of 
 North Kingston, and was first set- 
 tled in 1670. It is the largest town 
 in the State, comprising 98 square 
 miles, and within its limits is the 
 noted Point Judith. It has an 
 uneven surface, a soil of a gravelly 
 loam, based on a granite foundation. 
 Large quantities of grain of vari- 
 ous kinds and of the productions of 
 the dairy are annually sent to mar- 
 ket from this town ; also the fleeces 
 of about 7,500 sheep. This town 
 possesses great navigable advan- 
 tages ; its eastern and southern 
 borders being washed by the At- 
 lantic ocean and Narraganset bay. 
 It contains a great number of fresh 
 water ponds, and a large salt pond : 
 one of the fresh water ponds, cov- 
 ers an area of between three and 
 four thousand acres. 
 
 The fisheries on the shores and 
 in the ponds of South Kingston are 
 of considerable extent and value. 
 The fish taken are principally bass, 
 alcwives, perch and smelts. Some 
 portion of the inhabitants follow a 
 maritime life for a livelihood. 
 
 The principal village in South 
 Kingston is improperly called " Lit- 
 tle Rest Hill," for it is quite a snug 
 and comfortable place. It lies 30 
 miles S. from Providence, and 9 S. 
 from North Kingston. Population, 
 1830, 3,663. 
 
 South. Reading, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This town was 
 taken from Reading in 1812. It 
 lies 10 miles N. from Boston, 18 E. 
 by N. from Concord, and 10 W. from 
 Salem. Population, 1S30, 1,310; 
 1837, 1,488. 
 
 The manufactures of the town 
 
 consist of shoes,cabinet ware, chairs 
 shoe tools, razor straps, block tin 
 and tin ware : annual value, about 
 $60,000. 
 
 This town contains a large and 
 beautiful pond, the source of Sau- 
 gus river. The village is compact, 
 neat and flourishing. 
 
 Southwick, Mass. 
 
 Hampden co. This town is 
 bounded S. by the state of Con- 
 necticut, and is 100 miles W. by 
 S. from Boston, and 10 W. S. W. 
 from Springfield. Incorporated, 
 1779. Population, 1837, 1,291. It 
 is watered by a considerable stream, 
 and several ponds in the town sup- 
 ply water for the Farmington canal, 
 which passes through Southwick. 
 The manufactures consist of gun- 
 powder, leather, and distilled spir- 
 its : annual value, about $70,000. 
 The surface of the town is eleva- 
 ted, but the soil is generally good, 
 particularly for grazing. The val- 
 ue of wool sheared in 1837, was 
 $2,125. 
 
 go-vvarta1>scooJi River, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This stream falls 
 into the Penobscot at Hampden, 5 
 miles below Bangor. Within 3 
 miles of its mouth it falls 120 feet, 
 furnishing many valuable mill priv- 
 ileges. The main branch, which 
 rises in Stetson, unites with the 
 Harvey stream from Levant, and 
 the Kinsley stream from Etna, both 
 affording excellent mill sites, near 
 the village in Carmel. Below 
 these, the Sowadabscook is deep 
 and sluggish, from 15 to 25 yards in 
 width, flowing through extensive 
 meadows, and the Great and Little 
 ponds in Ilermon, with very little 
 descent, to the head of the falls in 
 Hampden. Near the east line of 
 Carmel, this stream comes within 
 about 20 rods of the Little Kendus- 
 keag, a stream which flows through 
 the N. E. part of Carmel, from Le- 
 vant to Bangor; and the two streams 
 are united by a branch from 20 to
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 30 feet wide and 3 feet deep, called 
 the Cross. The Kenduskeag is so 
 rapid that it rises and falls much 
 quicker than the Sowadabscook. 
 When the streams are rising, the 
 current in the Cross sets towards the 
 Sowadabscook, and when falling, 
 towards the Kenduskeag. 
 
 The country watered by the 
 Sowadabscook is generally rather 
 level and free from hills, though 
 there are many swells of very fine 
 farming land. In the towns of 
 Hermon and Hampden is a large 
 tract, very little elevated above the 
 level of the stream, and liable to be 
 overflowed by freshets. It is too 
 low for settlement, and is chiefly 
 covered with wood. The improve- 
 ment of this land requires too great 
 an outlay of capital for a new coun- 
 try, but it will probably at some 
 time be among the most valuable 
 in this country for mowing. 
 
 There are on this stream, in 
 Hampden, five superior saw mills, 
 a grist and paper mill, and the privi- 
 leges are excelled by few in New 
 England. Upon the Kenduskeag 
 are 9 mills below the Cross, many 
 of them superior double mills. The 
 pine timber has been cut off upon 
 the waters of this stream to such an 
 extent, as to give a high value to 
 that which remains, and to the hem- 
 lock timber, of which there are 
 great quantities of fine quality. 
 
 Since our first pages went to 
 press, we have received, from an 
 obliging friend, the following infor- 
 mation in regard to Carmel. 
 
 The township of Carmel, border- 
 ing on the Sowadabscook, is a very 
 level tract of land ; most of it of a 
 very light and fertile soil, free of 
 stone. The valleys have a fine 
 growth of pine timber, which has 
 been carefully preserved by the 
 owners, and may be run, by means 
 of the Cross, at a small expense, 
 either to Bangor or Hampden. 
 There is probably no town in this 
 section of the county, in which 
 
 there was originally so valuable a 
 growth of pine, or in which there 
 is so large a quantity remaining. 
 The swells are large, and are cov- 
 ered with the rock maple, beech, 
 birch, &c., and are of a very supe- 
 rior quality for tillage. Near the 
 streams are large tracts of intervale 
 of great fertility, and making very 
 fine meadows. There is little waste 
 land in the town. The swamps are 
 few and of small extent, but fur- 
 nish cedars in sufficient quantities 
 for fencing, for which use they are 
 the finest and most durable mate- 
 rial. 
 
 The settlement of this town is 
 rapidly progressing, and many of 
 the farms recently cleared are very 
 superior, and the buildings, fences, 
 and improvements, show an active, 
 industrious and enterprising peo- 
 ple. 
 
 The village near the centre of 
 the town, is a very thriving and 
 active place of business, on the 
 stage road from Bangor to Skowhe- 
 gan, 13 miles W. from Bangor, and 
 11 W. N. W. from Hampden. Here 
 are four stores, two taverns, an 
 apothecary shop, potash, black- 
 smiths, coopers, shoemakers, join- 
 ers, and other shops ; an extensile 
 tannery, mills, &c., and a meeting 
 house is about being built. la the 
 town are five good school bouses, 
 five saw mills, a clapboard and shin- 
 gle mill, grist mill, and clothing 
 mill. 
 
 There are found in this town some 
 fine specimens of petrified shells, 
 at an elevation of 125 to 130 feet 
 above the Penobscot, and near the 
 banks of the stream, showing that 
 this valley was once covered by 
 the ocean. 
 
 The road? in the towns watered 
 by this stream are exceedingly well 
 made, and creditable to the inhab- 
 itants, though it is remarkable, that 
 several of them, which were made 
 in the early settlement, pass over 
 decidedly the most inferior lands in 
 those towns. This is particularly
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 true of the road from Hampden 
 through Carmel and Etna to New- 
 port : and the settlement of this 
 section was formerly retarded, with- 
 out doubt, by the unfavorable im- 
 pression created by this circum- 
 stance. The projected rail road 
 from Bangor to Augusta is survey- 
 ed to pass through this town, near 
 the bank of the stream ; and the 
 level character of the country is 
 exceedingly well adapted for that 
 purpose. 
 
 Stafford's Lake, Iff. II. 
 
 See Chesterfield. 
 Speckled Mountain, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This mountain lies 
 on the line of New Hampshire, 
 partly in the town of Riley, and is 
 said to be 4,000 feet above sea 
 level. 
 
 Spencer, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. Seven Mile riv- 
 er, a branch of the Chickopee, wa- 
 ters this town. There are two 
 woolen mills in the town, and man- 
 ufactures of scythe snaiths, straw 
 bonnets, boots, shoes, leather, cab- 
 inet ware, chairs, palm-leaf hats, 
 harnesses, and barrels: annual val- 
 ue, about $80,000. 
 
 This township is quite elevated 
 for the section of country in which 
 it lies. It is stated to be the sum- 
 mit level between the waters of 
 Boston harbor and Connecticut riv- 
 er, 950 feet above the former, and 
 880 feet above the latter. The 
 surface of the town is agreeably 
 varied by hills and valleys: the 
 soil is fertile, and cultivated by men 
 of industry and independence. 
 
 Spencer is 52 miles W. from Bos- 
 ton, and 12 W. from Worcester. 
 Population, in 1830, 1,618 ; 1837, 
 2,085. It was taken from Leices- 
 ter in 1753. 
 
 Spiggot River, N. H., 
 
 Rises in Hampstead, and passes 
 through Salem, and into the Merri- 
 
 34 
 
 mack between Methuen and Dra- 
 cut, Mass., nearly opposite Shaw 
 sheen river, which comes from the 
 S., through Andover. 
 
 Split, Cape, Me. 
 
 See Jlddison. 
 
 Springfield, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. The Matakeunk, 
 a branch of the Matawainkeag, 
 rises here, and, with several ponds, 
 gives the town a considerable wa- 
 ter power. The soil of the town is 
 fertile, and in 1837, with a popula- 
 tion of 398, produced 9,429 bushels 
 of wheat. Springfield was No. 5, 
 2d range N. of the Bingham Pur- 
 chase, and was incorporated in 1834. 
 It lies about 60 miles N. E. by E. 
 from Bangor. 
 
 Springfield, N. II. 
 
 Sullivan co. This town is bound- 
 ed N. by Grafton, E. by Wilmot, 
 S. E. by New London, S. by Wen- 
 dell and Croydon, W. by Croydon 
 and Grantham. It lies 35 miles N. 
 W. from Concord and 13 N. E. from 
 Newport. A branch of Sugar riv- 
 er has its source in this town ; and 
 also a branch of the Blackwater 
 river. The former empties into the 
 Connecticut, the latter into the Mer- 
 rimack. There are several ponds, 
 viz. Station pond, about 250 rods 
 long, 140 wide; Cilley pond, 240 
 rods long, and about 80 wide ; Star, 
 Stony, and Morgan's ponds. The 
 land is rough and stony. This town 
 was granted in 1769, by the name 
 of Prbtectworth. Its first settle- 
 ment commenced in 1772. It was 
 incorporated by the name of Spring- 
 field, 1794. Population, 1830, 1,202. 
 
 Springfield, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. Springfield is situ- 
 ated at the S. E. corner of the 
 county, on the W. side of Connect- 
 icut river, and is 70 miles S. from 
 Montpelicr, 24 S. from Woodstock, 
 and 110 N. W. from Boston. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,498.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The land in Springfield is gen- 
 erally rich, with a deep soil suita- 
 ble for grass or tillage ; on the riv- 
 ers are extensive intervales, form- 
 ing some of the most beautiful farms 
 in the state. The principal agri- 
 cultural products, are corn, rye, 
 oats, beef, pork, butter, cheese ; and 
 wool, of which 17,872 fleeces were 
 shorn in 1S37. Many horses are 
 raised in this town and sent to mar- 
 ket. 
 
 The principal village is situated 
 on Black River falls, near the 
 centre of the town. These falls 
 are about four miles from the con- 
 fluence of Black river with the 
 Connecticut; their descent is rapid 
 over a rocky bed, about 60 rods, 
 when the waters are contracted, 
 and precipitated 50 or 60 feet down 
 an abrupt ledge into a narrow chan- 
 nel. This ravine extends about 12 
 rods ; it is 60 or 70 feet deep, and is 
 walled by perpendicular ledges of 
 mica slate. Over this ravine has 
 been erected a bridge, from which 
 may be had a full view of the falls. 
 A mist constantly arises, in which 
 may be seen, in a fair day, all the 
 colors of the rainbow. 
 
 There are in Springfield 1 cotton 
 and 2 woolen mills, a sand paper 
 factory, on an extensive scale, 
 which produces an excellent arti- 
 cle, and manufactures of machine 
 cards, machinery, iron ware, lead 
 pipe, hats, chairs, tin and copper 
 wares, scythes, leather, cabinet fur- 
 niture, and various other articles. 
 This is a very flourishing town, 
 and the scenery around its neat and 
 handsome village is delightful. 
 
 Springfield, Mass. 
 
 Chief town, Hampden co. This 
 is one of the most beautiful and 
 important inland towns in New 
 England. It is situated on the east 
 bank of Connecticut river, and is 
 supplied with a good hydraulic 
 power by Chickopee and Mill riv- 
 ers. It is 87 miles W. by S. from 
 Boston, 17 S. by E. from North- 
 
 ampton, and 27 N. from Hartford, 
 Ct. Its Indian name was Jigawam. 
 First settled, 1635. Incorporated, 
 1645. Population, 1820, . 3,914 ; 
 1830, 6,784; 1837, 9,234. Along 
 the banks of the Connecticut ard 
 large tracts of fine alluvial meadow, 
 which are very productive. Back 
 from the river the land rises by a 
 gentle acclivity to an extended pine 
 plain. 
 
 The village and business part Df 
 the town, is on a street between 2 
 and 3 miles in length, running par- 
 allel with the river. This village 
 is very pleasant, well built, and 
 contains many beautiful buildings. 
 A handsome bridge, 1,234 feet in 
 length, connects this town with 
 West Springfield. Boats for the 
 transportation of passengers, and 
 for towing freight boats, are con- 
 tinually plying between this place 
 and Hartford, during the season of 
 navigation. The rail road from 
 Boston to Albany will pass through 
 Springfield, which, with the great 
 natural ad vantages it possesses, must 
 render it one of the most important 
 commercial depots on Connecticut 
 river. 
 
 About 4 miles north of the prin- 
 cipal village, near the confluence 
 of Chickopee river with the Con- 
 necticut, stands the neat and en- 
 terprising village of Chickopee, 
 one of the most beautifully located 
 manufacturing villages in New 
 England. 
 
 The United States Arsenal is 
 delightfully situated on an elevated 
 plain about half a mile east of the 
 principal village. The buildings 
 are arranged with great taste and 
 judgment, around a level square of 
 20 acres, and make a fine appear- 
 ance. The buildings are all of 
 brick ; on one of which is a 
 cupola, from which an extensive 
 and delightful view of Connecticut 
 river and the surrounding coun- 
 try is presented. The water works 
 are situated on Mill river, about a 
 mile south of the arsenal. This
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 establishment was founded in 1795, 
 and is considered the most impor- 
 tant arsenal of construction in the 
 United States. There are 260 
 men constantly employed in the va- 
 rious branches of this manufacture. 
 In 1837, the lands and buildings 
 attached to this establishment were 
 valued at $210,000 ; Machinery, 
 $50,000 ; 170,000 muskets on hand, 
 $2,040,000 ; muskets manufactured 
 during the year ending April 1, 
 1S37, 14,000, valued at $154,000 : 
 amount of ordnance and stock on 
 hand, $80,000. 
 
 An establishment for the manu- 
 facture of brass cannon, employing 
 25 hands, lately commenced by a 
 private company, will manufacture 
 cannon to the amount of $50,000 
 per annum. 
 
 There are in Springfield 7 cotton 
 and 4 paper mills, 3 tanneries, and 
 manufactures of iron castings, cut- 
 lery, ploughs, chairs, cabinet and 
 tin wares, boots, shoes, cards, hard 
 ware, steam boats, joiners tools, pa- 
 per machinery, shuttles, bobbins, ri- 
 fles, stoves, machinery, swords, &c. 
 The total value of the manufactures 
 of Springfield, for the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, exclusive of those 
 by the U. S., amounted to $1,709,- 
 700. See Register. 
 
 Squam I^ake, &e. 
 
 Squam Lake, N. H., lies on the 
 borders of Holderness, Sandwich, 
 Moultonborough and Centre Har- 
 bor. This is " a splendid sheet of 
 water, indented by points, arched 
 with coves, and studded with a suc- 
 cession of romantic islands." It is 
 about 6 miles long, and in its widest 
 part, 3 miles in width. It covers a 
 surface of between 6,000 and 7,000 
 acres, and is well stored with trout 
 and other fish. 
 
 Squam River is the outlet of the 
 above mentioned lake : it passes 
 through Squam pond in Holder- 
 ness, and forms a junction with the 
 Pemigewasset, at the S. W. corner 
 of that town. 
 
 Squam Say and Village, Masg. 
 The bay sets up between Glouces- 
 ter and the mouth of Ipswich har- 
 bor. The village is on Cape Ann, 
 about 4 miles N. from the principal 
 village of Gloucester, and is the re- 
 sort and residence of a large num- 
 ber of enterprising fishermen. 
 
 Squauiaiiagouick, N. H. 
 
 The name of a village at the falls on 
 Cocheco river, in Rochester, so call- 
 ed from the Indian name of the falls. 
 
 Squamscot River, K. H., 
 
 Or Swamscot, called also Great 
 or Exeter river. See Exeter. 
 
 Stafford, Ct. 
 
 Tolland co. This town lies 24 
 miles N. E. from Hartford, 6 N. E. 
 from Tolland, 27 N. W. from Brook- 
 lyn, 36 N. from Norwich, 14 N. E. 
 from Springfield, Mass., and 73 W. 
 S. W. from, Boston. Population, 
 1830, 2,515. 
 
 The surface of the town is rough; 
 in some parts mountainous, abound- 
 ing with rocks of primitive forma- 
 tion. Its soil is a coarse, hard and 
 dry gravelly loam ; generally not 
 very productive. There are sever- 
 al minerals in the town, but iron 
 ore is the principal. As early as 
 1779, a blast furnace was erected 
 here, and cannon shot, hollow ware, 
 &c., were cast. 
 
 The town is watered by Fur- 
 nace river, and the Willimantic, 
 which unite in Stafford, and afford 
 a good water power. There are in 
 the town several blast and cupola 
 furnaces, a cotton mill, manufac- 
 tures of pistols, axes, adzes, car- 
 penters' chisels, tailors' shears, 
 drawing knives, and several other 
 articles of cutlery. There are also 
 manufactures of cotton and woolen 
 machinery, cabinet ware, brush 
 handles, iron card cylinders, and 
 two forges for making wrought 
 iron. 
 
 Stafford Mineral Springs have 
 acquired considerable notice, and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 are celebrated for their virtues in 
 curing cutaneous diseases. 
 
 " The Indians first made the set- 
 tlers acquainted with the virtues of 
 these springs, when, in the year 
 1719, this part of the country be- 
 gan to be settled. ' It has been 
 their practice, time immemorial, 
 to resort to them in the warm sea- 
 son, and plant their wigwams round 
 them. They recommended the wa- 
 ter as an eye water; but gave, as 
 their own particular reason for 
 drinking it, that it enlivened their 
 spirits.' It is said, that in 1766, 
 these springs were carefully exam- 
 ined by Dr. Warren, who then had 
 thoughts of purchasing the land on 
 which they rise, with a view of es- 
 tablishing himself upon it. Subse- 
 quent events transformed the phy- 
 sician into a soldier, and Dr. Warren 
 fell in the first great struggle of the 
 Revolution. Dr. Willard afterwards 
 put Dr. Warren's plan into opera- 
 tion, by building a large hotel for 
 the reception of patients and oth- 
 ers. The establishment is at pres- 
 ent owned by Mr. Jasper Hyde, 
 and its former reputation is fully 
 sustained, and it is a place of much 
 resort for the purposes of health or 
 pleasure during the summer season. 
 There are two distinct springs, the 
 medical qualities of which are con- 
 sidered as essentially different. One 
 of them contains a solution of iron, 
 sustained by carbonic acid gas, a 
 portion of marine salt, some earthly 
 substances, and what has been call- 
 ed natron, or a native alkali. This 
 spring has been known and used for 
 a length of time, and has been pro- 
 nounced by chemists to be one of 
 the most efficacious chalybeate 
 springs in the United States. The 
 other spring, the medical virtues of 
 which were not known till about 
 the year 1810, contains, according 
 to the opinion of Professor Silliman, 
 (who examined it in that year) a 
 large portion of hydrogen gas, of 
 sulphur, and a small proportion of 
 iron. These springs did not acquire 
 
 much celebrity until about the year 
 1765, when a case occurred calcu- 
 lated to establish and extend their 
 reputation. It was an effectual 
 cure of a most obstinate cutaneous 
 complaint, which had completely 
 baffled all medicinal skill, and re- 
 sisted all other applications. The 
 publicity which was given to this 
 case soon raised the reputation of 
 these springs; and in consequence 
 of which they immediately became 
 a place of resort of persons afflict- 
 ed with various diseases." 
 
 Stamford, Vt. 
 
 Bennington co. A mountain 
 township on the line of Massachu- 
 setts. It is 9 miles S. W. from Ben- 
 nington, and 21 W. by S. from 
 Brattleborough. Population, 1830, 
 563. Branches of the Hoosack and 
 Walloomsack rise here. There are 
 several fine fish ponds among the 
 mountains ; and some good land ; 
 but the lands in Stamford are gen- 
 erally too elevated for culture. 
 
 Stamford, C t. 
 
 Fairfield co. This beautiful town 
 is bounded on the S. by Long 
 Island Sound, and on the N. W. by 
 the state of New York. Its Indian 
 name was Rippowams, and was 
 purchased of the natives for " twelve 
 coats, twelve 1 hoes, twelve hatchets, 
 twelve knives, two kettles and four 
 fathom of white wampum." The 
 soil of Stamford is a rich gravelly 
 loam, well cultivated and very pro- 
 ductive. The surface is undula- 
 ting, presenting a great variety of 
 delightful prospects. The town is 
 well supplied with mill sites by 
 Mill and Miannas rivers, and, with- 
 in its bay, between Shippan and 
 Greenwich points, are good harbors 
 for vessels of 8 1-2 feet draught of 
 water. There are a number of 
 vessels owned here, and Stamford 
 is a place of an active trade with 
 the surrounding country and New 
 York. There are within the limits 
 of the town an iron foundry, a roll-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ing mill, a wire factory, and two 
 large boot and shoe manufactories. 
 
 Stamford Borough is a neat vil- 
 lage, beautifully situated near the 
 Sound, and surrounded by a coun- 
 try full of interesting scenery. 
 
 This was the residence of the 
 Hon. ABRAHAM DAVENPORT, for 
 many years one of the Counsellors 
 of the colony, and afterwards of the 
 state. He was the son of the Rev. 
 John Davenport, the second minis- 
 ter of Stamford, and grandson of the 
 Rev. John Davenport, the father of 
 New Haven colony. Mr. Daven- 
 port was distinguished for his vig- 
 orous mind, Christian integrity, and 
 for his uncommon firmness of char- 
 acter. An instance of his firmness 
 is here quoted. 
 
 "The 19th of May, 1780, was a 
 remarkable dark day. Candles 
 were lighted in many houses ; the 
 birds were silent and disappeared, 
 and the fowls retired to roost. The 
 legislature of Connecticut was then 
 in session at Hartford. A very 
 general opinion prevailed, that the 
 day of judgment was at hand. 
 The House of Representatives, be- 
 ing unable to transacttheir business, 
 adjourned. A proposal to adjourn 
 the Council was under consideration. 
 When the opinion of Mr. Daven- 
 port was asked, he answered, 'I am 
 against an adjournment. The day 
 of judgment is either approaching, 
 or it is not. If it is not, there is no 
 cause for an adjournment: if it is, I 
 choose to be found doing my duty. 
 I wish therefore that candles may 
 be brought." 
 
 Staiidisli, Die. 
 
 Cumberland co. This township 
 is bounded on the N. and N. E. by 
 Sebago Lake, and S. W. by Saco 
 river. It lies 68 miles S. W. from 
 Augusta, and 16 N. W. from Port- 
 land. This is a good farming town 
 with two pleasant villages. Incor- 
 porated, 1785. Population, 1837, 
 2,270. 
 
 84* 
 
 Storks, Ale. 
 
 Somerset co. Starks is very 
 pleasantly situated on the W. side 
 of Kennebec river, and is also wa- 
 tered by . the Sandy, which unites 
 with the Kennebec at this place. 
 This town possesses great resources 
 in the fertility of the soil, its loca- 
 tion for trade, and its mill privileges. 
 It lies 37 miles N. N. E. from Au- 
 gusta, and 6 W. by N. from Nor- 
 ridgewock. Incorporated, 1795. 
 Population, 1837, 1,42-1. Wheat 
 crop same year, 7,614 bushels. 
 
 Stark, IV. II. 
 
 Coos co. This town was named 
 Piercy, until a few years since. 
 It was then altered to compliment 
 the memory of Gen. Stark. It con- 
 tains about 20,000 acres, most of 
 which is broken and extremely un- 
 even. It was settled in 1788, but 
 the progress of the settlement has 
 been very slow. Population, 236. 
 It lies 10 miles N. E. from Lancas- 
 ter. 
 
 Starksborough, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. This town is wa- 
 tered by Lewis creek and Hunting- 
 ton river, which are good mill 
 streams. There are three springs 
 in the town, not more than 20 rods 
 apart, which unite and form a 
 stream of sufficient power for a 
 number of mills, and is thus im- 
 proved. The town is rough and 
 mountainous. Hog's Back moun- 
 tain skirts its western border, and 
 East mountain passes through its 
 centre, and divides the waters of 
 the rivers. There is some good 
 land in the town, but a large portion 
 of the territory is too elevated for 
 cultivation. Here are 2 villages, 
 and the manufactures of iron are 
 considerable. 
 
 Starksborough was first settled in 
 1788. It is 22 miles W. by S. from 
 Montpelier, and 18 N. by E. from 
 Middlebury. Population, in 1830, 
 1,342.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Sterling, Vt. 
 
 Lamoille co. Sterling Peak, in 
 the South part of this town, ranks 
 among the most elevated summits 
 of the Green Mountain range. 
 Some strea-ms i?sue from this moun- 
 tain town. It was first settled in ' 
 1799, and contains 23,040 acres of 
 land. The quality of the soil may 
 be known by the number of its in- 
 habitants, 183 ; and by the number 
 of its sheep, 350. It lies 24 miles 
 N. by W. from Montpelier. 
 
 Sterling, Mas*. 
 
 Worcester co. This town was 
 first settled about the year 1721. 
 It was taken from Lancaster, in 
 1781. It lies 40 miles W. from 
 Boston, and 12 N. from Worcester. 
 It is watered by Still river. Its 
 surface is uneven, and its soil light. 
 Population, 1837, 1,650. The man- 
 ufactures of the town consist of 
 boots, shoes, leather, straw bonnets, 
 palm-leaf hats, scythe snaiths, 
 chairs and cabinet ware : total 
 amount, for the year ending April 
 1, 1837, $76,528, of which $53, 
 228, was for chairs and cabinet 
 ware. 
 
 Sterling, Ct. 
 
 Windham co. This town lies 10 
 miles S. E. from Brooklyn, and 44 
 E. by S. from Hartford. It was 
 taken from Voluntown in 1794. 
 Population, 1830, 1,240. The soil 
 is a light gravelly and sandy loam, 
 and produces good grain. Sterling 
 is watered by two branches of 
 Moosup river, a good mill stream, 
 on which are four cotton mills. 
 
 " Near the centre of this town, 
 there is a cavern, called the " Dev- 
 il's Den," possessing very singular 
 and curious features.. It is situated 
 within a ledge of rocks, and has a 
 circular area of about 100 feet in 
 diameter. The rock is cleft in two 
 places, forming at each a chasm or 
 fissure about 50 feet in depth, 
 
 through one of which there runs 
 a small stream of water ; the other 
 communicates with a room about 
 12 feet square, at the interior part 
 of which there is a fire place, and 
 a chimney extending through the 
 rock above, forming an aperture of 
 about 3 feet square. In another 
 part of the rock there is a natural 
 stair case, winding around it from 
 the bottom to the top. In the cold 
 season of the year, a large mass of 
 ice is formed in the room above de- 
 scribed, by the dashing of the water 
 down the chimney, which contin- 
 ues there through nearly the whole 
 of the warm months, the sun being 
 almost excluded from this subter- 
 ranean recess." 
 
 Stetson, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. This town is 
 bounded N. by Exeter, and S. by 
 Etna and Carmel. It is 63 miles 
 N. E. from Augusta, and 18 W. N. 
 W. from Bangor. It is watered by 
 branches of the Sebasticook and 
 Sowadabscook, which rise here. It 
 was incorporated in 1831. Popula- 
 tion,1830, 114; 1837,437. The sur- 
 face of the town is undulating, and 
 the soil excellent. Wheat crop, 
 1837, 3,704 bushels. 
 
 Stenben, Me. 
 
 Washington co. This is a mar- 
 itime township, and comprises Dy- 
 er's Bay, which sets up from the 
 sea about 9 miles, and contains a 
 number of good harbors. This bay 
 lies between Little Menan Point 
 and Goldsborough harbor. It is 
 about a mile wide at its mouth. 
 
 Steuben is a place of considera- 
 ble ship building, and a number of 
 vessels are owned here, employed 
 in the coasting trade and fishery. 
 Narraguagus river passes its north- 
 eastern border. 
 
 Steuben lies 107 miles E. Irom 
 Augusta, and about 35 W. by S. 
 from Machias. Incorporated, 1795. 
 Population, 1837, 802.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Stevens' River, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. This excellent 
 mill stream rises in Peachain and 
 Ryegate. It received its name in 
 compliment to Captain Phineas Ste- 
 vens, the brave defender of Charles- 
 town, N. H. The waters of this 
 river are remarkably clear, and its 
 banks luxuriant and romantic. It 
 meanders about 15 miles, and in its 
 course through Barnet it receives 
 Harvey's lake, a pellucid sheet of 
 water, covering an area of 300 
 acres. This beautiful river min- 
 gles its crystal waters with those of 
 the Connecticut, at Barnet, by a 
 leap of 100 feet in the distance of 
 ten rods, as it were in joy to meet 
 a sister stream on its passage to the 
 bosom of the ocean. 
 
 Stewortstoivn, N. II., 
 
 Coos co., lies on the E. side of 
 the Connecticut, which washes its 
 W. boundary, a distance of 7 miles. 
 It lies 150 miles N. W. from Port- 
 land, 150 N. from Concord, and 
 Is bounded N. by Canada. 
 
 The Connecticut river is about 
 15 rods in width at this place. 
 Bishop's brook, a considerable 
 stream, rises in this town, and falls 
 into the Connecticut at the N. W. 
 corner. Dead water and Mohawk 
 rivers have their sources here. 
 Hall's stream, also, unites with 
 the Connecticut in Stewartstown. 
 There are two ponds in the E. part 
 of this town, called Little and Great 
 Diamond ponds, both well stocked 
 with salmon trout. There are no 
 large mountains in Stewartstown, 
 although there are many elevations. 
 The soil of the intervale is rich, 
 and the uplands productive. 
 
 Stewartstown was incorporated in 
 1799. During the late war a block 
 house or fort was erected in this 
 town for defence by a company of 
 militia, and occupied until August, 
 1814, when it was destroyed. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 529. 
 
 Stillwater, Me. 
 
 Penobscot co. A very flourish- 
 ing village, on the lower falls of 
 Penobscot river, in the town of Oro- 
 no. An immense amount of lum- 
 ber is sawed at this place, and raft- 
 ed down to the Bangor market. See 
 Orono. 
 
 Stockbridge, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. This town lies 36 
 miles S. by \V. from Montpelier, 
 and 26 N. W. from Windsor. First 
 settled, 1783. Population, 1830, 
 1,333. 
 
 White river passes through the 
 town, and at a place called the 
 " Great Narrows," it is compressed 
 into a channel of but a few feet in 
 width, and, affords the only good 
 mill seat in town. The soil of the 
 town is better for pasturage than 
 tillage. It feeds about five thou- 
 sand five hundred sheep. 
 
 Stockl>ridge, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. This is a fine 
 farming town on both sides of the 
 Housatonick river, 130 miles W. 
 from Boston, and 6 S. from I.enox. 
 Incorporated, 1739. Population, 
 1830, 1,580; 1837, 2,036. 
 
 The soil of this town is adapted 
 to all kinds of culture ; much of it 
 is rich alluvial meadow, and the 
 uplands produce excellent feed for 
 cattle. 
 
 Here is an excellent hydraulic 
 power, and a pleasant village on an 
 extended plain, surrounded by de- 
 lightful scenery. 
 
 There are one cotton and two 
 woolen mills in the town, two tan- 
 neries, and manufactures of pig 
 iron, iron castings, chairs, boots, 
 shoes, and machinery for boring 
 iron and wood : total amount of the 
 manufactures, for the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, $380,765. Marble 
 is abundant. 
 
 A tribe of Indians had a reserva- 
 tion of 6 miles square in this town,
 
 NEAV ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 from the year 1735 to their remo 
 val to New Stockbridge, Orieida 
 county, New York. In 1735 there 
 were 90 adult Indians in the tribe, 
 of whom 52 were baptized by the 
 Rev. John Sargent, a faithful mis- 
 sionary, and their first spiritual 
 guide. 
 
 Stoddaird, N. II. 
 
 Cheshire co. This town is bound- 
 ed N. by Washington, E. by Wind- 
 sor and Antrim, S. by Nelson and 
 Sullivan, and W..by Gilsum and 
 Marlow. It is 14 miles N. N. E. 
 from Keene, and 42 W. S. W. from 
 Concord. 
 
 This town is situated on the height 
 of land between Merrimack and 
 Connecticut rivers. It is mountain- 
 ous and very rocky. The soil is 
 better adapted to grazing than til- 
 lage. The south branch of Ashue- 
 lof river has its source near the cen- 
 tre of the town. The streams in 
 the east section, fall into the Mer- 
 rimack ; those on the west, into the 
 Connecticut. There are fourteen 
 ponds, some of which are of con- 
 siderable magnitude. 
 
 This town was formerly called 
 Limerick. It was incorporated in 
 1774, vvhen it received the name of 
 Stoddard, from Col. Samson Stod- 
 dard, of Chelmsford, to whom with 
 several others it was granted. The 
 settlement commenced in June, 
 1769. The first family was that of 
 John Taggard, whose privations 
 and hardships were very great. 
 Their grain was procured at Peter- 
 borough, at the distance of 20 miles, 
 which was conveyed by him on his 
 back through the pathless wilder- 
 ness. At one time, they had noth- 
 ing, for six days, on which to sub- 
 sist, but the flesh of the moose. 
 Population, 1837, 1,159. 
 
 Stoneham, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. Stoneham was incor- 
 porated in 1834. It lays westerly 
 of Albany, and comprises the grant 
 
 to Fryeburgh Academy. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 290. 
 
 Stoneham, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This is a small 
 town, rocky and uneven. It has 
 some good soil and much wood. In- 
 corporated, 1725. Population, 1837, 
 932. 
 
 During the year ending April 1, 
 1837, there were made in this town 
 380,100 pairs of shoes; valued at 
 $184,717, employing more than 
 half its inhabitants. 
 
 Spot Pond, a beautiful sheet of 
 soft and pure water, lies in this 
 town, 8 miles N. from Boston. It 
 covers an area of 283^ acres, and is 
 143 feet above high water mark,- 
 at Boston. 
 
 Stoulngton, Ct. 
 
 New London co. This town is 
 situated at the eastern extremity 
 of Long Island Sound ; at the S. E. 
 corner of the state, and on the line 
 of Rhode Island. It contains an 
 area of about six square miles. The 
 land is rocky and uneven, but fertile 
 and productive. A considerable 
 amount of agricultural products is 
 annually sent from this town to 
 Nantucket and other places. It is 
 watered by the Mystic and Pauca- 
 tuck, considerable streams, on 
 which are cotton, woolen and other 
 factories. Stonington was first set- 
 tled in 1649, and incorporated in 
 1658. Population, 1830, 3,401. 
 
 This place was bombarded by 
 British ships during the revolution- 
 ary war, and again on the 10th of 
 August, 1814, and gallantly de- 
 fended. 
 
 The harbor of Stonington sets up 
 from the Sound, opposite Fisher's 
 island, and is well protected by an 
 expensive Breakwater. 
 
 This place is noted for the com- 
 mercial enterprise of its people. 
 Large capitals are employed in the 
 whale, seal, and cod fisheries. Five 
 whale ships recently arrived, bring-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ing each, on an average, 3,100 bar- 
 rels of oil, and 25,000 pounds of 
 bone. The sealing business in the 
 Pacific Ocean, has been conducted 
 here, very extensively, for many 
 years, with great success. Many 
 ships are built, and a large number 
 of coasting vessels, and some in the 
 West India trade, belong to this 
 port. This place is accommodated 
 with a marine rail way, and a light 
 house at the entrance of the har- 
 bor. 
 
 Stonington Borough is located on 
 a narrow point of land, extending 
 into the Sound about half a mile. 
 It was incorporated in 1801. It is 
 handsomely laid out, is well built, 
 and contains about 1 ,200 inhabitants. 
 Many strangers visit this place in 
 summer months to enjoy the marine 
 air and delightful scenery. It lies 
 54 miles S. E. from Hartford, 12 E. 
 from New London, and 62 E. from 
 New Haven. 
 
 Stonington is an important point 
 on the New York, Providence, and 
 Boston Rail Road. The distance 
 from New York to Brooklyn, on 
 Long Island, across the ferry, is 
 half a mile ; from Brooklyn to Green- 
 port, at the easterly part of Long 
 Island, is 98 miles ; from thence, 
 across the Sound, to Stonington, 
 25 ; from Stonington to Providence, 
 47 ; and from Providence to Boston 
 41 miles. Total distance from New 
 York to Boston,by this route, 211 1-2 
 miles. 
 
 Until the completion of the rail 
 road on Long Island, passengers are 
 conveyed to and from New York, 
 daily, by safe and splendid steam 
 boats. 
 
 Stop River, Masa. 
 
 This stream rises from ponds in 
 Wrentham, and joins Charles river 
 at Medfield. 
 
 Stoughton, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. Some of the head 
 waters of Neponset river rise in 
 
 their lands in Dorchester, a resi- 
 dence was established for them at 
 this place, and called Punkapog. 
 There were 12 families of Chris- 
 tain Indians here in 1674. Mr. 
 Elliot, the apostle of the Indians, 
 had the chief agency in their re- 
 moval. 
 
 There are two cotton and a wool- 
 en mill in the town, and manufac- 
 tures of boots, shoes, shoe tools, and 
 boot forms : total value of manu- 
 factures, the year ending April 1, 
 1837, exclusive of cotton goods, 
 $525,940 ; of which 487,390 was 
 for boots and shoes. Hands em- 
 ployed in the various manufactures, 
 928. 
 
 Stoughton was incorporated in 
 1736. It lies 20 miles S. from Bos- 
 ton, and 10 S. from Dedham. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,591 ; 1837, 1,993. 
 
 See 
 
 Stow, Me. 
 Down East." 
 Stow, Vt. 
 
 Lamoille co. Waterbury river 
 and its branches give this town a 
 good water power, and by which 
 several mills are put into operation. 
 Stow is situated between the Mans- 
 field and Hog's Back mountains, 
 and contains a large tract of level, 
 fertile land, which appears to have 
 been of alluvial formation. This 
 valley contains some very beautiful 
 and productive farms. Between 
 five and six thousand sheep are 
 kept, and the exports of agricultu- 
 ral products are valuable. Stow is 
 a flourishing town, and contains a 
 neat and pleasant mountain valley 
 village. 
 
 This town was first settled in 
 1793. It lies 15 miles N. N.W. from 
 Montpelier, 12 S. from Hyde Park, 
 and 26 E. from Burlington. Popu- 
 lation, 1820, 957; 1830. 1,570. 
 
 Stow, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. Stow is watered 
 by the Assabet river, and possesses 
 
 this town. When the Indians sold | a good water power. The soil is
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 light and sandy, and good for the 
 growth of hops. It lies 24 miles 
 W. by N. from Boston, and S W. 
 by S. from Concord. Incorporated, 
 1683. Population, 1837, 1,134. 
 
 There are two woolen mills in 
 the town, and manufactures of 
 leather, boots, shoes, straw bonnets, 
 and palm-leaf hats: total value, 
 the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 $231,611. 
 
 Stratford County, N. II. 
 
 Dover, Gilmanton, Gilford and 
 Rochester, are the shire towns. 
 Strafford county is bounded N. by 
 the county of Coos, E. by the state 
 of Maine, S. and S. W. by Rock- 
 ingham and Merrimack counties, 
 W. by the Pemigewasset river, 
 which separates it from parts of the 
 counties of Grafton and Merrimack, 
 and N. W. by Grafton county. It 
 is 63 miles in length, from the 
 mouth of Lamprey river to the N. 
 line of Albany ; 33 miles wide at 
 the centre. Its shape, like that of 
 all the other counties in the state, is 
 irregular. It contains an area of 
 1,345 square miles. This county, 
 which extends to the neighborhood 
 of the White mountains, has sever- 
 al considerable mountains within its 
 limits. Chocorua Peak, in Albany, 
 Sandwich mountain in the same 
 range,0ssipee and Effingham moun- 
 tains, Gunstock mountain, in Gil- 
 ford, Moose, in Brookfield and Mid- 
 dleton, Tcneriffe, in Milton, and the 
 ridge denominated Blue Hills, are 
 the most elevated. Red Hill, in 
 Moultonborough, has a command- 
 ing elevation, and has long attracted 
 visitors. Below, the waters of the 
 Winnepisiogee lie open to the eye, 
 and its numerous islands and bays 
 present a fine appearance. This 
 lake is much the largest body of 
 water in the state, being 22 miles 
 long, and varying from one to eight 
 miles in width. Sullivan orSquam 
 lake, lies partly in this county, and 
 is 6 miles in length, and nearly 5 in 
 width. Ossipee lake is also in this 
 
 county. Great bay, Long bay and 
 Merrymeeting bay, are connec- 
 ted with the Winnepisiogee lake. 
 Smith's pond, in Wolfeborough ; 
 Sixmile, in Eaton, Merrymeeting, 
 in New Durham, and Lovewell, in 
 Wakefield, are the principal ponds. 
 The larger rivers, are the Piscata- 
 qua, Salmon Falls, Cocheco, Saco 
 and Swift rivers. The soil of 
 Strafford county, though presenting 
 a great variety, is generally good. 
 The lands are generally hard of 
 cultivation, but the patient laborer 
 finds an ample reward for his in- 
 dustry. This county possesses a 
 large hydraulic power, and manu- 
 facturing establishments are con- 
 stantly increasing on its streams. 
 Population, 1830, 58,916. Popula- 
 lation to a square mile, 44. In 
 1837, there were 53,602 sheep in 
 Strafford county. 
 
 Strafford, A". II. 
 
 Strafford co. This town lies 15 
 miles N. W. from Dover, and 25 
 E. N. E. from Concord, and is about 
 7 miles in length, 6 1-2 wide. Bow 
 pond is in the S. W. part of the 
 town, and is about 650 rods long, 
 400 wide ; its waters form one of 
 the principal branches of the Is- 
 inglass river. The range of Blue 
 hills crosses the N. W. part of the 
 town". The soil here is generally 
 of a good quality. Strafford was 
 formerly a part of Barrington, and 
 was incorporated in 1820. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 2,200. 
 
 Strafford, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. This town is water- 
 ed by a branch of Ompomponoo- 
 suc river, and lies 30 miles S. S. E. 
 from Montpelier, 30 N. from Wind- 
 sor, and 11 S. S. E. from Chelsea. 
 Population, 1830, 1,935. 
 
 The surface of the town is rough, 
 but the soil is productive. It feeds 
 a large number of sheep. The 
 manufacturing interests of Strafford 
 are quite extensive. 
 
 " In this township is an extensive
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 bed of the sulphuret of iron, from 
 which immense quantities of cop- 
 peras are manufactured. The ore is 
 situated on the east side of an eleva- 
 tion, and the bed is about half a mile 
 in length, and from two to three 
 rods in width. Its depth has not 
 been ascertained. A company was 
 incorporated by the name of the 
 " Vermont Mineral Factory Compa- 
 ny," in October, 1809, which im- 
 mediately commenced the manu- 
 facture of copperas, at this place. 
 In 1822, 180 tons of copperas were 
 manufactured here, and in 1823, 
 153 tons; since that time the man- 
 ufacture has increased. The ore'is 
 covered to the depth of about three 
 feet with a stratum of earth. Be- 
 low this is a stratum of ferrugin- 
 ous petrifactions, which exhibits 
 forms of buds, leaves, limbs of 
 trees, &c. in admirable perfection. 
 This stratum varies from two to 
 three feet in depth. Below this 
 lies the bed of sulphuret of iron. 
 It is very compact. Its colors are 
 brilliant, varying from that of steel 
 to a bright yellow, and its appear- 
 ance is occasionally diversified by 
 small quantities of green copper 
 ore. It is also traversed in many 
 parts by small veins of quartz. The 
 ore is detached from the bed in 
 large masses, by blasting. It is 
 then beaten to pieces with ham- 
 mers and thrown into heaps several 
 rods in length, about 12 feet in 
 width, and seven or eight in height. 
 Here it is suffered to lie exposed 
 to the action of the air and moist- 
 ure until a spontaneous combus- 
 tion takes place, and the . whole 
 heap is converted from the sulphu- 
 ret to the sulphate of iron, which 
 usually takes several weeks. After 
 the process of burning is comple- 
 ted, the residue is removed to the 
 leaches, where water is passed 
 through it which dissolves the cop- 
 peras and leaves the earthy matter 
 behind. The water is then con- 
 veyed to the boilers, which are 
 made of lead, and weigh about 
 
 2,500 pounds each. Here it is 
 boiled and evaporated to a certain 
 extent, and suffered partially to 
 cool. It is then transferred to the 
 crystalizers, where the copperas 
 continues to crystalize, while cool- 
 ing, and when the crystalization 
 ceases, the water is again returned 
 to the boilers, mixed with water 
 from the leaches, and again evapo- 
 rated." 
 
 Stratford, Iff. H. 
 
 Coos co. This town lies on the 
 E. bank of Connecticut river, 16 
 miles above Lancaster. The town 
 is large, extending 10 miles on the 
 river, with a fertile intervale of 1-4 
 to 1 mile wide. This meadow is 
 skirted in many places by a narrow 
 plain, succeeded by the mountain- 
 ous regions, covering the whole E. 
 and N. divisions of the town. The 
 soil, except along the river, is rocky, 
 gravelly and cold. The Peaks, 
 two mountains of a conical form, 
 situated in the S. E. part of the 
 town, are seen at a great distance. 
 They are discovered immediately 
 on entering Dalton,30 miles below, 
 and stand as land marks in front or 
 to the right, till, on nearer approach, 
 they are lost behind the intervening 
 hills. Bog brook and several small- 
 er streams, here fall into the Con- 
 necticut ; and Nash's stream cross- 
 es the S. E. part of the town into 
 the Amonoosuck. There is a pond 
 in the S. E. part of the town, the 
 waters of which pass into the Amo- 
 noosuck. Stratford was incorpora- 
 ted in 1779. Population, in 1830, 
 443. 
 
 Thomas Burnside, of this town, 
 was one of Rogers' Rangers in the 
 French war. Some years after- 
 wards, he was desirous of becoming 
 a justice of the peace. He procur- 
 ed Colonel Barr to assist his views, 
 and carrying with him, by his di- 
 rection, as a present, a firkin of 
 butter and a piece of linen, waited 
 upon Gov. Wentworth, at Ports- 
 mouth. He stated to the governor
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZEfTEER. 
 
 that the inhabitants of his town 
 could not live peaceably any longer 
 without a magistrate. -The gover- 
 nor enquired how many inhabitants 
 belonged to the town, and who was 
 the fittest man for the office. Thom- 
 as answered that himself and his 
 neighbor were the only inhabitants, 
 and himself the only man qualified 
 for the appointment ; for his neigh- 
 bor was no more fit for a justice of 
 
 the peace than the d 1 was. The 
 
 governor gave him his commission, 
 and was highly amused with the 
 singularity of the application. 
 
 Stratford, Ct. 
 
 Fairfield co. This town was first 
 settled in 1639. by persons from 
 Boston, Roxbury and Concord, 
 Mass, and Wethersfield, Ct. Its 
 Indian name was Cupheag. 
 
 Stratford is about 6 miles in 
 length from north to south, and its 
 breadth from east to west is be- 
 tween 2 and 3 miles. It is bound- 
 ed north by Huntington, west by 
 T rumbull and Bridgeport, east by 
 the Housatonick, dividing it from 
 Milford, and south by Long Island 
 Sound. The central part of the 
 town is 13 miles S. W. from New- 
 Haven, and 8 E. by N. from Fair- 
 field. The township is mostly level 
 and free from stone, and there is a 
 very rich alluvial tract of mead- 
 ows on the river and harbor. The 
 principal street in the town, is one 
 mile in length, running north and 
 south, parallel to the Housatonick; 
 it is level, pleasant, and ornament- 
 ed with shade trees. On this street, 
 and others, in the immediate vi- 
 cinity, there are about 200 dwell- 
 ing houses, and 4 houses for pub- 
 lic worship. 
 
 This place lies at the mouth of 
 Housatonick river, and has consid- 
 erable inland and coasting trade. 
 Stratford Point, jutting out into 
 the Sound, is very pleasant, and a 
 noted landing place for passengers. 
 
 Gen. DAVID WOOSTER, was a 
 native of this town, and was born 
 
 in 1711. He was a brave and good 
 officer, an ardent patriot, and in his 
 various public and private relations, 
 sustained a character distinguished 
 for integrity, benevolence and vir- 
 tue. He was mortally wounded in 
 a skirmish with the British troops, 
 at the time of their incursion to 
 Danbury, in 1777. 
 
 Stratham, N. H. 
 
 Rockingham co. This town lies 39 
 miles S. E. by E. from Concord, 3 E. 
 N. E. from Exeter, and is situated 
 on the E. side of the W. branch of 
 the Piscataqua river. Stratham is 
 distant about 8 miles from the sea. 
 The land is even, and well calcu- 
 lated for agricultural purposes. 
 Farming is so exclusively the em- 
 ployment of the people, that al- 
 though a navigable river adjoins it, 
 there is little attention given to any 
 other pursuit. In the east part ot 
 the town, in a swamp, is perhaps 
 the largest repository of peat in the 
 state. This town was a part of the 
 Squamscot patent, or Hilton's pur- 
 chase. It was made a town by 
 charter, March 20, 1716. Popula- 
 tion, in 1330, 838. 
 
 Strattou, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. A mountainous 
 township in the west part of the 
 county, 18 miles N. E. from Ben- 
 nington, and 22 N. W. from Brat- 
 tleborough. Branches of Deerfield 
 and Winhall rivers rise here from 
 two ponds. The soil is cold and 
 generally unprofitable. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 312. 
 
 1 Strong, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. This excellent 
 township lies on both sides of Sandy 
 river, 45 miles N. W. from Augus- 
 ta, and bounded South by Farming- 
 ton. Population, in 1837, 1,091. 
 There is a large body of intervale 
 land on the Sandy, very fertile and 
 productive. Strong contains a 
 pleasant and flourishing village, 
 some mills on the stream, and 1 sev-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 eral very beautiful ponds. In Por- 
 ter's pond, about two miles long, 
 a salmon trout was taken, which 
 weighed twenty seven and a half 
 pounds, 
 
 Strong was incorporated in 1801, 
 and named in honor of CALEB 
 STRONG, LL. D., formerly a 
 Senator to Congress, from Massa- 
 chusetts, and Governor of that state 
 9 years. He died at Northampton, 
 Mass., his native town, Nov. 7, 
 1819, aged 74 years. 
 
 Sturbridge, Msss. 
 
 Worcester co. This is a very 
 pleasant town, and is well watered 
 by Quinebaug river. It lies 60 
 miles W. S. W. from Boston, and 
 18 S. W. from Worcester. Incor- 
 porated, 1738. Population, 1S30, 
 1,688 ; 1837, 2,004. The surface of 
 the town is uneven and hilly, and 
 the soil hard to subdue ; but it has 
 become productive by good man- 
 agement. There are some good 
 fish ponds in the town, which serve 
 to swell the Quinebaug. There 
 are 6 cotton mills in Sturbridge and 
 manufactures of boots, shoes, leath- 
 er, chairs, cabinet ware, clothing, 
 palm-leaf hats, trunks harnesses, 
 chairs, wagons, sleighs and pocket 
 rifles; total value, the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, $182,415. 
 
 Success, X. H. 
 
 Coos co. There are several con- 
 siderable mountains in this tract, 
 and two or three ponds. Narmar- 
 cungawack and Live rivers rise 
 here, and pass westerly into the 
 Androscoggin. Success was grant- 
 ed Feb. 12, 1773, to Benjamin 
 Mackay and others ; and is 143 
 miles N. by E. from Concord. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 14. 
 
 Sudbury, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. A part of Hubbards- 
 ton, and Hinkum's ponds lie in this 
 town, neither of which, nor Otter 
 Creek, which passes through the 
 eastern part, produce any consider- 
 
 able water privileges. The soil is 
 generally a warm loam and produc- 
 tive : the surface is elevated, and, in 
 the centre of the town, mountain- 
 ous. There are about 5,500 sheep 
 in the town. Sudbury is 43 miles 
 S. W. from Montpelier, 47 S. by E. 
 from Burlington, and 17 N. W. from 
 Rutland. Population, 1830, 812. 
 
 Sudbury River, Mass. 
 
 This river rises in Hopkinton 
 and its neighborhood, and after 
 passing Framingham, Natick, Sud- 
 bury, Wayland and Lincoln, it 
 joins the Assabet at Concord. 
 
 Sudbury, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This ancient 
 town is situated on the west side 
 of a river of the same name, 19 
 miles W. by N. from Boston, and 
 8 S. W. from Concord. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 1,388. It is watered by 
 a small stream, a branch of Sudbu- 
 ry river. There is a paper mill 
 iu the town, a plough factory, and 
 manufactures of boots and shoes' 
 annual value about $20,000. 
 
 Sudbury was first settled in 1635. 
 In 1676, about 70 men, on theii 
 march for the relief 9!" Marlbo- 
 rough, fell into an ambuscade with 
 the Indians : twenty six of the En- 
 glish were left dead on the field ; 
 the residue were captured, and ma- 
 ny of them afterwards tortured and 
 slain. West of Sudbury causeway, 
 is a monument erected to their 
 memory, by president Wadsworth, 
 of Harvard College, a son of the 
 Captain of the Band. 
 
 Suffield, Ct. 
 
 Hartford co. Suffield lies on the 
 west side of Connecticut river, and 
 is bounded N. by Massachusetts, to 
 which state it was attached until 
 1752. This territory, 8 by 5 miles, 
 was purchased about the year 1670, 
 of two Indian Chiefs, for one hun- 
 dred dollars. The surface on the 
 banks of the river, are elevated, 
 and although the town is without
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 much alluvial meadow, the soil be- 
 ing of a strong deep loam, is very 
 fertile, and productive. Suffield 
 contains some of the best farms in 
 the state. It lies 16 miles N. from 
 Hartford, and 10 S. from Spring- 
 field. Population 1830, 2,690. 
 
 The principal village is pleas- 
 antly located on rising ground ; it 
 contains many handsome buildings ; 
 it is the site of the "Connecticut 
 Literary Institution," and com- 
 mands delightful views of the riv- 
 er and circumjacent country. 
 
 GIDEON GRANGER, post master 
 general of the United States from 
 1801 to 1814, was born in Suffield, 
 in 1767. He died at Canandaigua, 
 N. Y., in 1822. 
 
 OLIVER PHELPs,Esq., " a man 
 of extraordinary enterprise and ex- 
 tensive business, was for many 
 years a resident of this town. He 
 was the 'maker of his own fortunes.' 
 He was a native of Windsor, but 
 was bred in this town, and received 
 a mercantile education. He en- 
 gaged in business in Granville, 
 Mass., and soon became a very en- 
 terprising, sagacious and successful 
 trader. During the revolutionary 
 war, he was employed by the state 
 of Massachusetts, in the commis- 
 sary department. Whilst in this 
 situation, his transactions were of 
 a most extensive and responsible 
 nature, and his own paper formed 
 a kind of circulating medium. Af- 
 terwards he purchased a large es- 
 tate, and returned to this town. In 
 1789, he, in connection with the 
 Hon. Mr. Gorham, purchased of 
 the commonwealth of Massachu- 
 setts, a tract of land in the western 
 part, of the state of New York, in 
 what is commonly called the Gen- 
 esee country, comprising 2,200,000 
 acres. This is probably the great- 
 est land purchase, or speculation, 
 ever made by two individuals in the 
 United States. This is a very ex-' 
 cellent tract of land, having a mild 
 climate, and fertile soil, and an 
 abundance of waters, and is now 
 
 comprised in the extensive counties 
 of Ontario and Steuben. In 1795, 
 Mr. Phelps, together with William 
 Hart and their associates, purchas- 
 ed of Connecticut, the tract of land 
 in the state of Ohio, called the 
 Western Reserve, comprising 3,- 
 300,000 acres." 
 
 Suffolk County, Mass. 
 
 See Boston and Chelsea. 
 Sugar River, N. II. 
 
 This river originates from Suna- 
 pee Lake ; it passes through part of 
 Wendell, the whole of Newport, 
 and nearly through the centre of 
 Claremont, where it meets the Con- 
 necticut. Red Water brook, in 
 Claremont, is a tributary of Sugar 
 river. 
 
 Sullivan, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. This maritime 
 town is situated at the head of 
 Frenchman's bay, 93 miles E. from 
 Augusta, and 17 E. by S. from 
 Ellsworth. Population 1837, 611. 
 Sullivan has mill privileges, and is 
 finely located for ship building, and 
 other branches of business connec- 
 ted with navigation. 
 
 This town was incorporated in 
 1789, and received its name in hon- 
 or of JOHN SULLIVAN, LL. D., 
 a major general in the revolution- 
 ary war ; afterwards member of 
 congress, president of New Hamp- 
 shire, and district Judge of the U. 
 S. Court. He was born in Maine, 
 and died in New Hampshire, 1795. 
 
 JAMES SULLIVAN, LL. D., a 
 brother of Gen. Sullivan, was born 
 at Berwick, in 1744. He early es- 
 poused the cause of his country, 
 and sustained the offices of member 
 of the provincial congress, attorney 
 general and governor of Massachu- 
 setts, with great talents and faith- 
 fulness. 
 
 He died while governor, in 1808, 
 at a period of great political excite- 
 ment, honored and beloved by all 
 parties.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Sullivan County, X. II. 
 
 Newport, chief town. This 
 county is bounded N. by Grafton 
 county, E. by Merrimack and a part 
 of Hillsborough counties, S. by 
 Cheshire county, and W. by Con- 
 necticut river, or the state of Ver- 
 mont. It was taken from Cheshire 
 county in 1827, and contains an 
 area of about 533 square miles. 
 Population, 1830, 19,687. Popula- 
 tion to a square mile, 37. The sur- 
 face of the county is elevated, but 
 not mountainous : Croydon moun- 
 tain is the highest. 
 
 Along the streams, particularly 
 on Connecticut river, the soil is 
 rich and exceedingly productive. 
 The uplands produce good grain, 
 and afford excellent pasturage for 
 cattle, of which many are reared 
 for market. Although this is the 
 smallest county in the state; in 1837, 
 it had 71,076 sheep, whose wool, 
 being partly Saxony, would aver- 
 age as good as full blood Merino. 
 
 Besides the Connecticut, which 
 waters its whole western frontier, 
 the Ashuelot,Cold, Sugar, Little Su- 
 gar rivers, and other streams furnish 
 the county with an abundant water 
 power, and Sunapee Lake and nu- 
 merous ponds give beauty to its 
 otherwise varied and picturesque 
 scenery. 
 
 Sullivan, rv. II. 
 
 Cheshire co. The distance from 
 Keene is 6 miles, from Concord, 42 
 W. S. W. The S. E. part of this 
 town is watered by Ashuelot river. 
 This town was incorporated in 1787, 
 and received its name from Presi- 
 dent Sullivan, the chief magistrate 
 of N. H. that year. Population in 
 1830, 555. 
 
 Snmner, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. Thrs town is well 
 watered by a branch of Andros- 
 coggin river ; it has a fine soil, and 
 produced in 1837, 7,144 bushels of 
 wheat. It lies 44 miles W. from 
 
 Augusta, and 8 N. from Paris. 
 Population, 1837,1,190. 
 
 This town derived its name from 
 INCREASE SUMWER, who was 
 governor of Massachusetts in 1798, 
 when the town w^s incorporated. 
 Gov. Sumner was a native of Rox- 
 bury, Mass. He died in 1799, aged 
 52 years. 
 
 Sunapee Lake, 3ff. H. 
 
 This lake is situated in the W. 
 part of Merrimack county, and the 
 E. part of Sullivan, in the towns of 
 Wendell, New London and New- 
 bury. It is 9 miles long, and about 
 1 1-2 miles in width. Its outlet is 
 on the W. side through Sugar riv- 
 er. The waters of this lake are 
 more than 800 feet higher than the 
 Connecticut or Merrimack, at the 
 nearest points. 
 
 Snncook River, ZV. H. 
 
 This river rises in a pond be- 
 tween Gilmanton and Gilford, near 
 the summit of one of the Suncook 
 mountains, elevated 900 feet above 
 its base. The water from this pond 
 passes through two others at the 
 foot of the mountains, and thence 
 through a flourishing village in the 
 S. E. part of Gilmanton, into Barn- 
 stead, where it receives several 
 tributaries ; thence through Pitts- 
 field and Epsom, and between Al- 
 Icnstown and Pembroke, into the 
 Merrimack. 
 
 Sunderland, Vt. 
 
 Bennington co. This town was 
 first settled in 1765. It lies 87 miles 
 S. S. W. from Montpelier, and 15 
 N. by E. from Bennington. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 463. The town is 
 watered by several ponds, Batten- 
 kill ,river and Roaring brook. There 
 is some fine land along the streams, 
 in Sunderland, excellent mill sites, 
 and lead ore in granular limestone. 
 
 Snuderland, Muss. 
 
 Franklin co. This town lies on 
 the east side of Connecticut riv-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 er, 90 miles W. from Boston, and 
 9 S. bj r E. from Greenfield. It was 
 taken from Hadley in 1718. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 729. The settlement 
 in this town is principally on a 
 street running parallel with the 
 river. Between the street and the 
 river is a tract of fertile meadow : 
 on the other side of the village is a 
 more elevated plain, and back of 
 that, Mount Toby rears its lofty 
 front. This mountain is composed 
 of pudding stone, and the small 
 stones within it are round and 
 smooth as though washed by the 
 ocean ; they are of various sizes, 
 and of every color. On one side is 
 a cavern 60 feet deep ; and many 
 other ruptures seem to indicate some 
 great change in this mountain since 
 its formation. This village is very 
 pleasant, and the scenery around it 
 is of a. fascinating character. The 
 people here are good farmers, and 
 are noted for their good schools and 
 philanthropic disposition. 
 
 Sunkliazc, Me. 
 
 Sunkhaze stream meets the Pe- 
 nobscot, from the east, about 15 
 miles above Old Town village, in 
 Orono. The plantation of Sunk- 
 haze lies on this stream, 82 miles 
 N. E. from Augusta. The popula- 
 tion of the plantation, in 1830, was 
 250. 
 
 Sorry, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. Surry lies on the 
 W. side of Union river, 6 miles S. 
 Irom Ellsworth, and 87 E. by N. 
 from Augusta. 
 
 This town is accommodated with 
 navigable privileges, and water 
 power of superior excellence. 
 There are some manufactures in 
 the town, but the inhabitants are 
 generally independent farmers. 
 Many of the farms are rendered 
 very fertile by an inexhaustible bed 
 of shell marl, of a very fine qual- 
 ity. Incorporated, 1803. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 561; 1837, 735. 
 
 Surry, N. H. 
 
 Cheshire co. This town lies 54 
 miles S. W. from Concord, and 6 
 N. W. from Keene. It is watered 
 by Ashuelot river, on which there 
 is a tract of valuable meadow 
 land, extending almost the whole 
 length of the town. On the east 
 side of Ashuelot river is a steep 
 and high mountain, on the summit 
 of which is a pond of about 3 acres 
 in extent, and about 25 feet depth 
 of water. 
 
 Surry was originally a part of 
 Gilsum and Westmoreland. It was 
 incorporated in 1769, deriving its 
 name from Surry in England. The 
 first settlement was made in 1764, 
 by Peter Hayward. Population, 
 1830, 539. 
 
 Suttou, X. H. 
 
 Merrimack co. This town lies 
 25 miles W. N. W. from Concord. 
 The southerly and largest branch 
 of Warner river enters this town on 
 the south, runs a short distance, 
 and passes off into Warner again. 
 The northerly branch of this river 
 runs nearly through the centre of 
 the town from north to south, and 
 affords several good mill seats. Ste- 
 vens' brook, another considerable 
 branch of Warner river, has its 
 source on the W. side of Kearsarge, 
 and runs about 4 miles in this town, 
 in a S. E. direction. There is also 
 a large branch of Blackwater riv- 
 er, which has its source about the 
 western confines of Kearsarge, and 
 flows through this town in a N. 
 E. course about 3 miles. On the 
 margin of this stream, there is some 
 rich meadow and intervale land. 
 There are several ponds, the most 
 important of which are Kezar's 
 pond, situated towards the N. part 
 of the town, which is about 190 
 rods square ; and Long pond, situa- 
 ted at the south part of the town. 
 Kearsarge mountain extends more 
 than half the length of Sutton ou
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the E. side. King's Hill is situated 
 on the W. part of Sutton. On the 
 most elevated partof this hill, which 
 rises within a few feet as high as 
 Kearsarge, there is one of the most 
 extensive landscape views in the 
 country. On the W. is seen the 
 Sunapee lake, the Ascutney, and 
 highlands in Vermont to the Green 
 mountains ; on the S. the Sunapee 
 and Monadnock ; on the E. you 
 almost overlook Kearsarge, and on 
 the north the Cardigan and White 
 hills. 
 
 Sutton was granted in 1749. It 
 was called Perrys-town, from Oba- 
 uiah Perry, one of its original and 
 principal proprietors. The first 
 settlement was made in 1767. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,424. 
 
 On the W. bank of Kezar's pond, 
 were several acres of land, which 
 appeared to have been cleared of 
 their original forests. Here were 
 found several Indian hearths, laid 
 with stone, and with much skill and 
 ingenuity. Here was found an 
 Indian burial place. Gun barrels 
 and arrows have been found in this 
 sacred repository. Near the pond, 
 have been found stone pestles, mor- 
 tars and tomahawks. 
 
 Sutton, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. This town is wa- 
 tered by several ponds and by 
 branches of Passumpsic river. It 
 lies 18 miles N. E. from Montpe- 
 lier. and 13 N. from Danville. First 
 settled, 1791. Population, 1830, 
 1,005. 
 
 The surface of the town is level, 
 and in some parts so low as to ren- 
 der the soil cold and unproduc- 
 tive. 
 
 Sutton, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This is a very 
 pleasant and flourishing town, 44 
 miles W. by S. from Boston, and 9 
 S. by E. from Worcester. Incorpo- 
 rated, 1715. Population, 1830, 
 2,186 ; 1837, 2,457. 
 
 Sutton is watered by Bb.ckstone 
 35* 
 
 river, and the Blackstone canal 
 passes through the town. There 
 are in the town four cotton and two 
 woolen mills, two scythe factories, 
 and manufactures of boots, shoes, 
 shuttles and spindles: total value, 
 the year ending April 1. 1837, 
 $309,578. 
 
 The surface of the town is agree- 
 ably diversified, and the soil capa- 
 ble of producing good crops. Gran- 
 ite and soapstone are abundant. 
 " Purgatory Cavern," in this town, 
 is a great curiosity. It is a fissure 
 in gneiss, nearly half a mile long, 
 in most parts partially filled by the 
 masses of rock that have been de- 
 tached from the walls. The sides 
 are often perpendicular, and some- 
 times 70 feet high ; being separated 
 from each other about 50 feet. 
 
 Swanzey, 3V. II. 
 
 Cheshire co. This town lies 6 
 miles S. from Keene, and 60 S. 
 W. from Concord. The principal 
 streams are the Ashuelot and the 
 South Branch rivers. The former 
 passes through Swanzey in a S. W. 
 direction, and empties into the Con- 
 necticut at Hinsdale. This is a 
 stream of much importance, and is 
 made navigable for boats as far up 
 as Keene, excepting a carrying 
 place about the rapids at Winches- 
 ter. The South Branch unites 
 with the Ashuelot about one mile 
 north from the centre of the town. 
 The sWface here is somewhat di- 
 versified with hills, valleys, and 
 swells of upland. There is one 
 pond in the S. W. part of the town, 
 the source of the South Branch. 
 There is a mineral spring, the wa- 
 ter of which is impregnated with 
 sulphate of iron. Some iron ore 
 has been discovered. Here are 2 
 cotton factories, 1 cotton and woolen 
 factory, and other machinery. 
 
 Swanzey was first granted by 
 Massachusetts, in 1733. After the 
 divisional line was run, it was 
 granted in 1753, by New Hamp- 
 shire. Until that time it had been
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 called Lower Jlshuelot, from the 
 Indian name of the river, which 
 was originally Jlshaelock. 
 
 From 1741 to 1747, this town suf- 
 fered much from Indian depreda- 
 tions. Several of the inhabitants 
 were killed and many were made 
 prisoners. After Massachusetts 
 withdrew her protection, the set- 
 tlers collected together their house- 
 hold furniture, such as chests, ta- 
 bles, iron and brass ware, and con- 
 cealed it in the ground, covering 
 the place of concealment with 
 leaves, trees, &c., and left their 
 plantation to the disposition of the 
 Indians, who were not tardy in set- 
 ting fire to their forts, which, with 
 every house except one, they re- 
 duced to ashes. Most of the peo- 
 ple went to their former places of 
 residence in Massachusetts. They 
 returned about three years after- 
 wards, and nothing about their for- 
 mer habitation was to be seen, but 
 ruin and desolation. Population, 
 1830, 1,316. 
 
 Svrauzey, Mass. 
 
 Bristol co. This town lies be- 
 tween Somerset, and Bristol, R. I. 
 An arm of Mount Hope bay sets 
 up some miles into the town, on 
 which is some navigation and ship 
 building. 
 
 There are two paper mills, a cot- 
 ton and a woolen mill in the town, 
 and manufactures of vessels, boots 
 and shoes : annual value, about 
 $50,000. 
 
 Swanzey is a very pleasant town, 
 and is interesting as the scene of 
 much savage aggression. Here it 
 was that Philip commenced his war, 
 in 1675, by plunder and murder. 
 It lies 46 miles S. by W. from Bos- 
 ton, and 14 S. W. by S. from Taun- 
 ton. Incorporated, 1667. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 1,627. 
 
 Swanton, Vt. 
 
 Franklin co. This township is 
 
 situated on the east side of Lake 
 Champlain, opposite to North Hero 
 and Alburgh. It is 50 miles N. AV. 
 from Montpelier, 28 N. from Bur- 
 lington, and is bounded by St. Al- 
 bans on the south, and Highgate on 
 the north. Population, 1830, 2,158. 
 Swanton was first settled by the 
 whites in 1787. At that time the 
 St. Francois Indians had about fifty 
 cabins here, and large plantations of 
 corn. 
 
 Missisque river passes through 
 Swanton, and fertilizes a considera- 
 ble portion of its territory. This 
 river is navigable for lake vessels to 
 Swanton falls, six miles from its 
 mouth. These falls descend twen- 
 ty feet, and, with other smaller 
 streams, give to Swanton a water 
 power of great value. 
 
 Bog iron ore is found in this town, 
 and an abundance of beautiful mar- 
 ble. This marble is of various col- 
 ors, and large quantities of it is 
 wrought into all desired patterns, 
 polished, and transported. 
 
 The surface and soil of the town 
 is favorable to agricultural pursuits, 
 with the exception of a part border- 
 ing the lake, which is low, wet and 
 cold ; and which is the favorite 
 abode, in summer, of wild geese, 
 ducks and other water fowls. 
 
 The village of Swanton is pleas- 
 antly located, and is the site of a 
 number of manufactories, and of 
 an increasing trade from the inte- 
 rior country, and to New York and 
 Canada. 
 
 Swanton may boast of the purity 
 of its air and water, and of a Wal- 
 ter Scott, who died in 1815, aged 
 110 years. 
 
 Swanville, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. This town lies 8 miles 
 N. from Belfast, and 46 E. by N. 
 from Augusta. It was incorpora- 
 ted in 1818. It is watered by 
 Paasaggassawakeag lake and river, 
 and possesses a pleasant surface and 
 fertile soil. Population, 1837, 794.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Wheat crop, same year, 2,556 bush- 
 els. 
 
 Sweden, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. The waters from Ke- 
 zer pond in Lovell, pass through 
 this town, and give it mill privi- 
 leges. Sweden lies 9 miles N. E. 
 from Fryeburg, 19 S.W. from Paris, 
 and 62 W. S. W. from Augusta. 
 Incorporated, 1813. Population, in 
 1837, 621. Wheat crop, same year, 
 1,485 bushels. 
 
 Swift Rivers. 
 
 Swift river, in Maine, is a branch 
 of the Androscoggin, from the N. 
 These rivers unite at Mexico. 
 
 Swift river, in New Hampshire, 
 rises among the mountains in the 
 ungranted lands N. W. of Albany, 
 and passes through the town from 
 west to east with great rapidity, and 
 falls into the Saco in Conway. Its 
 whole course is rapid, and in one 
 place it falls 30 feet in the distance 
 of 6 rods, through a channel in the 
 solid rock of about 12 feet wide 
 the sides being from 10 to 30 feet 
 perpendicular height. At the up- 
 per part of these falls, are found 
 several circular holes worn perpen- 
 dicularly into the rock, several feet 
 in depth and from 6 inches to 2 feet 
 in diameter. There is another small 
 river in Tamworth of the same 
 name. 
 
 Swift river, in Massachusetts, 
 rises in a pond in New Salem : it 
 passes through the towns of Pres- 
 cott, Greenwich and Belchertown, 
 and joins the Chickopee at Palmer. 
 
 Tarn worth, X. H. 
 
 Strafford co. This town is situa- 
 ted on the post road from Concord 
 to Portland, about 58 miles from 
 each, and 30 N. from Gilford. 
 
 There is no mountain situated 
 wholly in this town. On the N. 
 are the mountains of Albany, and 
 the S. the line crosses a part of Os- 
 sipee mountain. The mountains to 
 the N. have a romantic and pictur- 
 
 esque appearance. The town lies 
 in ridges and valleys, generally 
 rocky and fertile. The prinoipal 
 rivers are Bearcamp, which passes 
 through the town in an easterly di- 
 rection, and discharges its waters 
 into Ossipee lake ; Swift river, 
 which rises near the N. W. corner 
 of the town, and passing through 
 its centre, mingles its waters with 
 the Bearcamp ; and Conway river, 
 proceeding from Conway pond, near 
 Albany ; and crossing the S. line 
 of Tamworth, near the S. E. corner 
 of the town, near which it empties 
 into Bearcamp river. By these 
 rivers, and other small streams, the 
 town is uncommonly well watered. 
 On these streams is a great number 
 of excellent mill privileges. Tam- 
 worth was granted in 1766, and 
 was settled in 1771. Population, 
 1830, 1,554. 
 
 TariflVille, Ct. 
 See Simsbury. 
 Tautjlikaiiuic Mountain*. 
 
 This range of mountains skirt the 
 western border of New England, 
 and separate the waters of the 
 Housatonick and Hudson. 
 
 Taunton. River. 
 
 This river rises in the county of 
 Plymouth, Mass., and falls into 
 Mount Hope Bay. The Taunton 
 and its branches, water the towns 
 of Abington, Hanson, Halifax, and 
 Plympton, all the . Bridgewaters, 
 Raynham. Taunton, Berkley, Digh- 
 ton, Freetown, Fall river, Somer- 
 set and Swansey. It is navigable 
 to Taunton, for small vessels, and 
 with its contemplated improve- 
 ments, steam boats will be enabled 
 to run to Taunton, and thus become 
 another channel of conveyance be- 
 tween Boston and New York. This 
 river is celebrated for the great and 
 widely distributed water power it 
 produces, and for the multitude of 
 ale wives within its waters.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Tauntcm, Mass. 
 
 One of the chief towns in Bristol 
 co. This very beautiful town is sit- 
 uated at the junction of Canoe, 
 Rumford and Taunton rivers, and 
 possesses an excellent water power. 
 There is some excellent land in this 
 town, and its proprietors display 
 much taste in its cultivation. The 
 business of the place is, however, 
 rather in manufactures than agri- 
 culture. There are 8 cotton mills 
 and a print works, in the town ; also 
 a paper mill, 3 nail factories, a forge, 
 a furnace, and manufactures of 
 boots, shoes, leather, hats, chairs, 
 brick, vessels, straw bonnets, and 
 britannia, stone and cabinet wares : 
 total value of the manufactures, the 
 year ending April 1, 1837, exclu- 
 sive of cloth printing and iron cast- 
 ings, $1,425,552. The number of 
 hand." employed in these manufac- 
 tures was 1,308. There is some 
 navigation owned in this town, 
 which is employed in the coastwise 
 trade, and domestic fishery. 
 
 The manufacture of britannia 
 ware at this place, is of recent ori- 
 gin in this country, and proves suc- 
 cessful. The articles manufactur- 
 ed, are tea sets, castors, urns, and 
 all the varieties of that description 
 of ware. The quality of the metal, 
 and beauty of the polish of this 
 ware, is said to equal any import- 
 ed from " Britannia." 
 
 The village contains a large num- 
 ber of handsome public and private 
 buildings, tastefully located around 
 a beautiful enclosure, called "Taun- 
 ton Green." This public walk 
 is ornamented with trees, which 
 heightens the beauty of this de- 
 lightful village. 
 
 Taunton is 32 miles S. from Bos- 
 ton, 20 E. by N. from Providence, 
 and 32 N. E. from Newport. A 
 rail road connects this town with 
 Boston. Population, 1820, 4,520; 
 1830, 6,042 ; 1837, 7,647. 
 
 The settlement of this place com- 
 menced in 1637. Its principal 
 
 founder was Miss Elizabeth Poole 
 The following is on her grave stone : 
 
 " Here rest the remains of Elizabeth 
 Poole, a native of Old England, of 
 good family, friends, and prospects, 
 all which she left in the prime of her 
 life, to enjoy the religion of her con- 
 science, in this distant wilderness 5 a 
 great proprietor of the township of 
 Taunton, a chief promoter of its set- 
 tlement, and its incorporation in 1639 
 ; iO ; about which time she settled 
 near this spot, and having employed 
 the opportunity of her virgin state in 
 piety, liberality, and sanctity of man- 
 ners, died May 21, 1664, aged 65." 
 
 Temiscouata .aJce, Me. 
 
 See Madawaska River. 
 Temple, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. This was formerly 
 a part of Kennebec county. It lies 
 40 miles N. N. W. from Augusta, 
 and is bounded N. by Farmington. 
 It was incorporated in 1803. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 871. Wheat crop, 
 same year, 5,793 bushels. 
 
 Temple, W. H. 
 
 Hillsborough co. Temple is 12 
 miles W. by S. from Amherst, and 
 40 S. S. W. from Concord. The 
 several streams which empty in- 
 to Souhegan river at Wilton, rise 
 among the mountainous tracts on 
 the W., and generally from sources 
 within the limits of Temple. This 
 town is of considerable elevation. 
 The prospect towards the E. and S. 
 is very extensive, and presents a 
 rich and diversified scenery. From 
 the highest point of elevation, in a 
 clear atmosphere, about 20 meeting 
 houses may be seen by the naked 
 eye. The surface is uneven and 
 pleasant. The soil is tolerably 
 good. Temple is the easterly part 
 of what was called Peterborough 
 Slip. It was incorporated in 1768. 
 Population, in 1830, 641. 
 
 Templcton, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. Several streams, 
 affording good mill seats, water this
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 town, and pass to the Connecticut 
 by Miller's and Chickopee rivers. 
 The surface of the town is uneven, 
 but not mountainous; the elevated 
 parts afford good pasturage, and the 
 valleys, excellent crops of grain 
 and hay. The manufactures con- 
 sist of woolen goods, boots, shoes, 
 leather, iron castings, shovels, hoes, 
 spades, forks, palm leaf hats, chairs, 
 carriages, and cabinet, tin and wood- 
 en wares: value, the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, $145,400. The vil- 
 lage is very pleasantly located, and 
 presents some beautiful landscapes. 
 This town lies 60 miles W. N. W. 
 from Boston, and 26 N. N. W. from 
 Worcester. Incorporated in 1762. 
 Population, 1837, 1,690. 
 
 Tewltsbury, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. The Indians call- 
 ed this place Wamesit. It lies on 
 the south side of Merrimack river, 
 19 miles N. W. by W. from Boston, 
 and 6 E. S. E. from Lowell. Incor- 
 porated, 1734. Population, 1837, 
 907. The surface of the town is 
 level, and the soil light and sandy. 
 
 Thames River, Ct. 
 
 This river is formed by the union 
 of Quinebaug, Shetucket and Yan- 
 tic rivers, near Norwich, and is 
 navigable from that place to New 
 London, 14 miles. The banks of 
 this river are romantic and beauti- 
 ful, and possess great interest, as 
 the residence of the once powerful, 
 noble hearted and brave Mohegans. 
 
 Thatcher's Island, Mass. 
 See Gloucester. 
 
 Thetford, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. This town is pleas- 
 antly situated on the west side of 
 Connecticut river.opposite to Lyme, 
 N. H. The Ompomponoosuc and 
 its branches, give the town an ex- 
 cellent water power. There are 
 several ponds in Thetford, one of 
 which is worthy of notice. It cov- 
 ers about 9 acres, and is situated on 
 
 an elevation, the base of which is 
 only 4 rods from Connecticut river, 
 and 100 feet in height. It is very 
 deep ; it has neither inlet or outlet, 
 and contains large quantities of 
 perch and other fish. The surface 
 of the town is generally rocky and 
 uneven; it has but little intervale, 
 but the soil is strong and productive. 
 It feeds between 7 and 8, 000 sheep. 
 There are some manufactures in 
 the town, a rich vein of galena, and 
 three neat villages. Thetford was 
 first settled in 1764. It lies 34 miles 
 S. S. E. from Montpelier, and 18 S. 
 E. from Chelsea. Population, in 
 1830, 2,113. 
 
 '' f Thomas ton, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This is a very flour- 
 ishing maritime town, situated be- 
 tween the western entrance of Pe- 
 nobscot Bay and St. Georges' river, 
 and comprises the celebrated penin- 
 sula of Owl's Head. It lies 36 
 miles S. E. from Augusta, 37 E. 
 from Wiscasset, and is bounded N. 
 W. by Warren. Incorporated, 1777. 
 Population, in 1820, 2,651; 1830, 
 4,221 ; 1837, 5,272. 
 
 Thomaston is the site of the State 
 prison, which is located on the 
 bank of the St. George. The build- 
 ings occupy a plat of 10 acres, in- 
 cluding a marble quarry ; they are 
 all of stone, and are surrounded by 
 a high stone wall. The convicts 
 are principally employed in cutting 
 granite into various forms for build- 
 ing, and which, when prepared, is 
 transported by water. The granite 
 is of an excellent quality, and is 
 found in large quantities on the 
 river. 
 
 Thomaston is a place of consider- 
 able maritime commerce and ship 
 building; but the most important 
 business of its people, is the quar- 
 rying and burning of lime, from 
 inexhaustible ledges of limestone 
 within its limits. There are annu- 
 ally made at this place, no less than 
 350,000 casks of lime, the same in 
 quality and reputation as that pre-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 pared at Camden, 10 miles distant. 
 
 This manufacture, united with 
 those of granite and marble, give 
 constant employment to a large 
 number of men and vessels. 
 
 Thomaston is a beautiful Atlantic 
 town, and commands a great variety 
 of marine scenery. 
 
 Thompson, Ct. 
 
 Windham co. This town lies 47 
 miles E. N. E. from Hartford, 14 
 N. from Brooklyn, 27 W. N. W. 
 from Providence, R. I., and 53 S. 
 W. from Boston. It is bounded N. 
 by Massachusetts, and E. by Rhode 
 Island. It was formerly 'a part of 
 Killingly, and was first settled 
 about the year 1715. The surface 
 of the town is hilly, but not moun- 
 tainous : it presents a pleasing va- 
 riety of elevations and valleys. 
 The soil is a gravelly loam, strong, 
 and productive of good crops of 
 corn and hay, and affords excellent 
 pasturage. French river meets the 
 Quinnebaug near the centre of the 
 town, and Five Mile river, issuing 
 from several ponds, waters the east- 
 ern part. These streams give to 
 the town a valuable water power, 
 and on their banks are the pleasant 
 and thri ving villages of Masonsville, 
 Fishersville and New Boston. 
 These are manufacturing villages, 
 and contain 10 cotton and woolen 
 mills, and a number of other manu- 
 factures. This town is large, and 
 very pleasant; it contains a class 
 of enterprising and intelligent agri- 
 culturalists and mechanics. The 
 population of Thompson, in 1837, 
 was about 4,100. The Indian name 
 of the place was Quinnetessett. 
 The plantations of the natives are 
 still apparent. 
 
 THorndilie, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. This is an agricultural 
 town of pleasant surface and fertile 
 soil, 59 miles N. E. from Augusta, 
 and 17 N. W. from Belfast. It is 
 watered by a branch of Sebasticook 
 river. Thorndike was incorpora- 
 
 ted in 1819. Population, 1837, 763. 
 Wheat crop, same year, 6,975 
 bushels. 
 
 Thornton, Iff. II., 
 
 Grafton co., is bounded N. by 
 Peeling and Lincoln, E. by ungrant- 
 ed land, S. by Campton, and W. by 
 Ellsworth and Peeling. It is 12 
 miles N. from Plymouth, and 58 N. 
 by W. from Concord. It is water- 
 ed by Pemigevvasset river, passing 
 through the town from N. to S., by 
 Mad river at the S. E. extremity, 
 and by several small brooks. On 
 Mill brook, there is a cascade, at 
 which the water falls 7 feet in 2 
 rods, and then falls over a rock 42 
 feet perpendicular. The intervales 
 on the Pemigewasset are produc- 
 tive. 'There are many elevations, 
 but none distinguished fora remark- 
 able height. Thornton was grant- 
 ed in 1763. It was first settled in 
 1770. Thornton was incorporated 
 in 1781. Population, 1830, 1,049. 
 
 Tiiimou t li, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. This town is sepa- 
 rated from Wallingford by Otter 
 Creek. Furnace brook rises from 
 a pond in the south part of the town, 
 and passing through Tinmouth and 
 Clarendon, falls into Otter Creek, 
 at Rutland. This stream has been 
 noted for great quantities of fish of 
 a remarkable large size. 
 
 The surface of the town is hilly, 
 in some parts mountainous. There 
 is some good land on the streams, 
 and a large portion of the high land 
 is good for the pasturage of sheep, 
 of which between 3,000 and 4,000 
 are kept. There are several quar- 
 ries of beautiful marble in the town, 
 iron ore in abundance, and several 
 iron works. Tinmouth was first 
 settled in 1770. It lies 8 miles S. 
 from Rutland. Population, 1830, 
 1,049. 
 
 Tisbury, Mass. 
 
 Dukes co. Tisbury lies on the 
 north side of Martha's Vineyard,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 and contains the noted harbor of 
 "Holmes' Hole." This harbor is 
 large and safe, and of a sufficient 
 depth of water for the largest mer- 
 chantmen. It is much frequented 
 by vessels passing through Vine- 
 yard Sound ; particularly when the 
 winds are contrary. From this 
 harbor, across the Sound, to Fal- 
 mouth, on Cape Cod, is 6 miles. 
 
 A number of small vessels belong 
 to this place, and one of 388 tons 
 is employed in the whale fishery. 
 
 There are some manufactures of 
 salt, boots, shoes, leather, and hats ; 
 and, in 1837, there were 2,655 
 sheep in the town. 
 
 Tisbury is 77 miles S. S. E. from 
 Boston, 8 W. from Edgarton, and 
 23 S. E. from New Bedford. In- 
 corporated, 1671. Population, 1837, 
 1,461. 
 
 Tiverton, R. I. 
 
 Newport co. Tiverton is bound- 
 ed N. and E. by Massachusetts, S. 
 by Little Compton, and W. by the 
 eastern passage into Mount Hope 
 and Narraganset bays. It is con- 
 nected with Portsmouth, on the isl- 
 and of Rhode Island, by a stone 
 bridge at a place called " How- 
 land's Ferry." 
 
 The surface of the town is varied 
 by-hills and valleys. Its structure 
 is granite, and the land, in some 
 parts, is stony- The soil is princi- 
 pally a gravelly loarn, and capable 
 of producing good crops. There 
 are valuable forests of timber in 
 the town, and a considerable num- 
 ber of sheep. 
 
 The navigable privileges of Tiv- 
 erton are of a superior kind ; i>od 
 are improved, to some extend in 
 the fishery, and foreign and domes- 
 tic trade. There are large ponds 
 in the town, well supplied with 
 fish. These ponds prodace a water 
 power which is applied to the man- 
 ufacture of cotton and other mate- 
 rials. 
 
 This town was attached to Mas- 
 
 sachusetts until 1746. It is 24 miles 
 S. E. from Providence, and 13 N. 
 E. from Newport Population, 
 1830, 2,905. 
 
 The captor of the British Gener- 
 al Prescott, was a native of Tiver- 
 ton. His name was Tak, a slave, 
 the property of Thomas Sisson, a 
 wealthy farmer. " During the 
 Revolution, Tak was sent by his 
 master into the army, to serve as a 
 substitute for another man who was 
 drafted. When Col. Barton took 
 Gen. Prescott on Long Island, Tak 
 was one of Col. Barton's chosen 
 men ; and the one on whom he 
 most depended. Having entered 
 the house where Gen. Prescott 
 was quartered, Col. Barton, follow- 
 ed by Tak and two or three others, 
 proceeded silently to the door of 
 the chamber where General Pres- 
 cott was sleeping. The colonel 
 finding the door fastened, turned 
 and whispering to Tak, ' I wish 
 that door opened, General Prescott 
 taken, and carried by the guard to 
 the boat, without the least noise or 
 disturbance.' 
 
 " Tak stepped bacfc two or three 
 paces, then plugging violently 
 against the door/ burst it open, and 
 rushed into thpmiddle of the room. 
 At the same instant General Pres- 
 cott spran- ^rom his bed and seized 
 his gold w^atch, hanging upon the 
 wall. Tak sprang upon him like a 
 tiger, ind clasping the general in 
 his orawny arms, said in a low, 
 stern voice, 'One word, and you 
 *re a dead man ! ' Then hastily 
 snatching the general's cloak and 
 wrapping it round his body, and at 
 the same time telling his compan- 
 ions to take the rest of his clothes, 
 he took the general in his arms, as 
 if a child, and ran with him by the 
 guard towards the boat, followed by 
 Colonel Barton and the rest of his 
 little company." 
 
 Tak was more than six feet in 
 height, well proportioned, and re- 
 markable for his shrewdness, agil-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ity and strength. He attained 
 great age, and was never known to 
 taste of any kind of meat. 
 
 Tollaml. Mass. 
 
 Hampden co. Tolland is situated 
 on the border of Litchfield county, 
 Connecticut, and is watered by the 
 upper branch of Farmington river. 
 The surface is elevated, but the 
 lands are finely adapted for graz- 
 ing. 
 
 There are manufactures in the 
 town of shovels, spades, forks, 
 hoes, and wooden ware; and here 
 is a large tannery, but the inhabi- 
 tants are chiefly farmers. 
 
 Tolland was incorporated in 1810. 
 Population, 1830, 570. It lies 110 
 miles W. S. W. from Boston, and 20 
 W. from Springfield. 
 
 Tolland County, Ct. 
 
 Tolland is the chief town. This 
 county was taken from Hartford 
 and Windham counties in 1786. It 
 is hounded N. by Massachusetts, 
 E. by Windham, S. by New Lon- 
 don, and W. by Hartford counties. 
 Its greatest leegth from N. to S. is 
 30 miles. It coders an area of 337 
 square miles. Population, 1820, 
 14,330 ; 1830, 18,7U). Inhabitants 
 to a square mile, 56. 
 
 The western part o7 the county 
 lays within the great vai'ey of the 
 Connecticut : it is generally free 
 from stone, undulating, fertile and 
 productive : the eastern sectiin is 
 within the granitic range whi-h 
 extends through the state : muc' 
 of this portion of the county is cov- 
 ered with forests; that part which is 
 cleared affords good grazing. In 
 1837, there were in the county 
 23,096 sheep. The Scantic, Willi- 
 mantic, Salmon, Hockanum and 
 Hop rivers, with their tributaries, 
 afford the county a good water 
 power, and manufactures flourish 
 within its limits. 
 
 Tolland, Ct. 
 
 Shire town of Tolland county. 
 
 This town has a population of 1,700 
 inhabitants, and is situated on the 
 nearest mail route from Hartford to 
 Boston. Its products are English 
 grain, grass, potatoes, &c. It con- 
 tains two small woolen manufacto- 
 ries, with water power sufficient to 
 operate a greater number with cor- 
 responding machinery. It lies 18 
 miles E. N. E. from Hartford, 17 
 N. from Windham, 27 W. N. W. 
 from Brooklyn, and 30 N. from Nor- 
 wich. The land is rather sterile, 
 mountainous and uneven. The in- 
 habitants are industrious and intel- 
 ligent. 
 
 Topsfielcl, Me. 
 
 Washington co. This township 
 was number eight in the second 
 range north of the Bingham Penob- 
 scot Purchase. It was incorporated 
 in the year 1838. We guess that 
 this town lies about 25 miles N. N. 
 E. from the mouth of Matawam- 
 keag River. We should like to 
 know " how the land lies." See 
 " Down East." 
 
 Topsfield, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. This is a very pleas- 
 ant town, watered by Ipswich river 
 and its branches. The surface is 
 agreeably diversified by hills and 
 valleys. There are some fine tracts 
 of intervale in the town, and the 
 uplands possess a strong soil, ren- 
 dered productive by industrious and 
 skilful farmers. The principal 
 manufacture is that of boots and 
 shoes,in which between 500 and 600 
 '*-ands are employed, making annu- 
 al'.y about $100,000 in value. This 
 town lies 21 miles N. by E. from 
 Bostoa, and 9 N. by W. from Sa- 
 lem. Population, 1837, 1,049. 
 
 Topsfitld was first settled about 
 the year 1642. It was incorporated 
 in 1650. Among the names of the 
 first settlers vere Peabody, Per- 
 kins, Clark, Curamings, Bradstreet, 
 Gould, Town, Easty, Smith, and 
 Wildes ; many of whose descend-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ants now cultivate the soil of their 
 progenitors. 
 
 Topsham, Me. 
 
 One of the shire towns of Lincoln 
 co. Topsham is pleasantly situated 
 on the N. side of Androscoggin riv- 
 er, opposite to Brunswick. This is 
 a good farming town, and, in com- 
 mon with Brunswick, enjoys a great 
 hydraulic power, and accommoda- 
 tions for ship building and naviga- 
 tion. It is a place of considerable 
 trade, and much lumber is annual- 
 ly shipped. 
 
 Topsham was incorporated in 
 1764. Population, 1837, 1,778. 
 
 Topsham, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. This town is on ele- 
 vated ground ; with a rocky, strong- 
 soil, adapted to grazing. It con- 
 tains much granite, and is watered 
 hy the upper branches of Wait's 
 river, which propel a number of 
 mills. The town was first settled 
 in 1781. Population 1830, 1,384. 
 It is 19 miles S. E. from Montpe- 
 lier, 47 N. from Windsor, and 15 N. 
 E. from Chelsea. 
 
 Torriiigtoii, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield co. This town was 
 first settled in 1737. Its surface is 
 diversified by hills and valleys, and 
 the soil is better adapted to grazing 
 than the culture of grain. There 
 are many sheep in the town, and 
 the products of the dairy are con- 
 siderable. Population, 1830, 1,654. 
 
 Two branches of Naugatuck riv- 
 er meet at Wolcottville, a beauti- 
 ful village, in the south part of the 
 town ; 26 miles W. N. W. from 
 Hartford, 40 N. by W. from New 
 Haven, and 7 N. by E. from Litch- 
 field. This village is situated in a 
 valley, and contains an extensive 
 woolen factory, a church, an acad- 
 emy, and a number of handsome 
 dwelling houses. Near this village, 
 a good bed of copper ore has re- 
 cently been discovered ; and Mr. 
 Israel Coe, the proprietor, has com- 
 36 
 
 menced the manufacture of brass 
 kettles, the first establishment of 
 the kind, it is believed, in the Uni- 
 ted States. 
 
 Wolcottville owes its rise, prin- 
 cipally, to OLIVER WOLCOTT, 
 secretary of the United States 
 Treasury, during the administra- 
 tions of Washington and John Ad- 
 ams; and governor of Connecticut 
 10 successive years. He was born 
 at Litchfield, and died in New 
 York, 1833, aged 74. 
 
 Towiiseiitl, Mas*. 
 
 Middlesex co. The surface of 
 this town is rather level ; some parts 
 are pine plains. The soil is gener- 
 ally light, but in some sections it is 
 productive, particularly of fruit 
 trees. It is watered by a branch ot 
 the Nashua, a beautiful mill stream, 
 on which are divers mechanical op- 
 eration?. "Townsend Harbor," on 
 the road from Groton to New Ips- 
 wich. N. H., is an active, pleasant 
 village. The manufactures of this 
 town consist of leather, palm-leat 
 hats, boots, shoes, ploughs, straw 
 bonnets, fish barrels, nail kegs, and 
 dry casks; annual value, about 
 $75,000. This town was incorpo- 
 rated in 1732. Population, in 1830, 
 1,506; 1837, 1,749. It Hes38 miles 
 N. from Boston, and 22 N. W. from 
 Concord. 
 
 Toiviisliciul, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. This town was 
 first settled in 1761. Among the 
 first settlers, was Gen. Samuel 
 Fletcher, who was a sergeant at 
 the battle of Bunker Hill, in 1775, 
 and a captain at Ticonderoga, in 
 1777. He afterwards rose to the 
 rank of major general of the mili- 
 tia ; was high sheriff of the county 
 18 years, and finally became judge 
 of the court. He was formerly a 
 blacksmith ; but having welded 
 himself to a buxom lass, he came to 
 this, then wilderness spot, and, with 
 his axe cut his way to fortune, use- 
 fulness and renown.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 West river passes through the 
 town with considerable rapidity : 
 along its banks are some tracts of 
 good intervale ; but the surface of 
 the town is generally hilly, and the 
 soil more calculated for grazing 
 than tillage. There are some manu- 
 factures in the town, a high school 
 of good reputation, and two pleas- 
 ant villages. Townshend lies 12 
 miles N. N. W. from Brattlebo- 
 rough, 23 N. E. from Benning- 
 ton, 95 S. from Montpelier, and is 
 bounded S. by Newfane. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 1,336. 
 
 Trenton, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. Trenton is situated 
 on a navigable passage between 
 Frenchman's bay on the E., Union 
 river on the W., and N. of the island 
 town of Eden. It possesses great 
 advantages for navigation, and a 
 large portion of its people is en- 
 gaged in ship building, the coasting 
 trade and fishery. Incorporated in 
 1789. Population, in 1837, 924. 
 Trenton is 7 miles S. by E. from 
 Ellsworth. 
 
 Trescott, Me. 
 
 Washington co. This is an At- 
 lantic town, and hounded N. E. by 
 Lubec. It comprises Moose cove, 
 Bailey's mistake and Haycock har- 
 bors, and is flourishing in its trade 
 and navigation. It was incorpora- 
 ted in 1827. Population, in 1830, 
 480; 1837, 713. 
 
 Trout River, Vt. 
 
 Franklin co. This river is form- 
 ed in Montgomery, by several 
 branches; it runs in a N. W. di- 
 rection and falls into the Mi*sisque 
 on the border of Enosburgh and 
 Berkshire. This is a good mill 
 stream, and with its tributaries, fer- 
 tilizes considerable tracts of coun- 
 try. 
 
 Troy, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. This territory was 
 called Joy from 1S12 to 1826 : it 
 
 was then called Montgomery, and 
 changed again in 1827, to its pres- 
 ent name. If these Trojans are 
 fickle about the name of their town, 
 they are good farmers, and produc- 
 ed in 1837, 9,194 bushels of wheat. 
 The surface of the town is undula- 
 ting and fertile ; a large part of it is 
 covered with heavy timber. It is 
 watered by a branch of the Sebas- 
 ticook, from which river it lies 
 abo.ut 6 miles S. E. It is 39 miles 
 N. E. from Augusta, and 25 N. W. 
 from Belfast. Population, in 1830, 
 803; 1837, 1,140. 
 
 Troy, N. H. 
 
 Cheshire co. This town is bound- 
 ed N. by Marlborough, E. by Jaf- 
 frey, S. by Fitzwilliam, and W. by 
 Richmond and Swanzey. It is 
 about 60 miles S. W. from Concord, 
 and 12 S. E. from Keene. The in- 
 habitants are principally agricultu- 
 ralists. This town was taken from 
 Marlborough and FitzwiMiam, and 
 incorporated in 1815. Population, 
 in 18UO, 676. 
 
 Troy, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. Troy lies 47 miles 
 N. from Montpelier, 51 N. E. from 
 Burlington, 11 N. N. W. from 
 Irasburgh, and is bounded N. by 
 Canada. First settled in 1800. 
 Population, 1830, 608. During the 
 war for "sailors' rights," most of 
 the inhabitants left the town, which 
 greatly retarded its growth. It is 
 finely watered by Missisque river, 
 and its tributaries : the surface it 
 generally level, and the soil pro- 
 ductive, particularly on the sides of 
 the streams. 
 
 The Falls on the Missisque, pro- 
 duce a great water power, and pro- 
 pel some machinery. These falls 
 pass down a ledge of rocks about 
 70 feet. A rock projects over them , 
 120 feet in perpendicular height. 
 From this rock, the falls, the deep 
 still water in the gulph below, with 
 the romantic scenery around the 
 place, present a spectacle of great
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 interest to the curious traveller. 
 The rocks here are chlorite, ser- 
 pentine, "limestone, soapstone and 
 mica slate. 
 
 Trumbull, t't. 
 
 Fairfield co. This territory was 
 formerly called North Stratford, and 
 was taken from Stratford and incor- 
 porated as a town, in 1798. This 
 is a small town of about 5 by 4 1-2 
 miles. It lies 5 miles N. from the 
 city of Bridgeport. It is watered 
 by the Pequannock which empties 
 into Bridgeport harbor. The sur- 
 face is varied by hills and valleys : 
 the soil is a gravelly loam, produc- 
 tive of good crops of grain and hay. 
 Population, 1830, 1,242. Tarn- 
 tashua hill, in the north part of the 
 town, is the first land seen, in this 
 direction, from the ocean. 
 
 'I'rnro. Mass. 
 
 Barnstahle co. Truro lies on 
 Cape Cod bay, between Welfleet 
 and Provincetown ; it is nearly sur- 
 rounded by water; by Pamet riv- 
 er,which sets in from Cape Cod bay 
 on the south, and by Cape Cod har- 
 bor in Provincetown. Truro was 
 the Pamet of the Indians, and after 
 its settlement, in -1700, was called 
 Dangerficld for some years. Pam- 
 et river affords a good harbor for 
 fishermen; it lies about 5 miles S. 
 E.frora Provincetown harbor. There 
 is in this town, near the lighthouse, 
 a vast body of clay, called the " Clay 
 Pounds," which seems providen- 
 tially placed, in the midst of sand 
 hills, for the preservation of this 
 part of the cape. Although there 
 is but little vegetation at Truro, and 
 the people are dependent almost en- 
 tirely for their fuel, and most of 
 their food on other places ; yet there 
 are but few towns in the state 
 where the people are more flour- 
 ishing, and independent in their 
 circumstances. To such towns as 
 this old Massachusetts looks with 
 pride for one of her chief resourc- 
 es of wealth the fishery ; and for 
 
 men of noble daring in all her en- 
 erprises on the ocean. In 1837, 
 here were 63 vessels owned at 
 Truro, employed in the cod and 
 mackerel fishery, measuring 3,437 
 ons; the product of which, in one 
 year, was 16,950 quintals of cod 
 ish, and 15,750 barrels of mack- 
 rel, valued at $145,350. The 
 number of hands employed was 
 512. The value of salt manufac- 
 ured, annually, is about $20,000. 
 There are also, manufactures of 
 >alm-leaf hats, boots, shoes, &.c. 
 
 No one would suppose that this 
 was much of a wool growing place ; 
 and it is not so in regard to the 
 quantity grown, but much so as it 
 regards its means. In 1837, the 
 people of Truro sheared 400 sheep 
 of their own rearing. If the sin- 
 gle county of Penobscot, in Maine, 
 would produce as much wool, in 
 proportion to its territory and th* 
 quality of its soil, as the town of 
 Truro, there would be no cause of 
 strife about the tariff on wool or 
 woolen cloths; for the quantity 
 would be sufficient to clothe all the 
 inhabitants on the globe. 
 
 Truro was incorporated in 1709. 
 It lies 41 miles below Barnstablc, 
 and 106 from Boston, by land. Pop- 
 ulation,1830, 1,549; 1837,1,806. 
 
 Tnftonborongh, IS- II., 
 
 Straffbrd co., is about 50 miles E. 
 by N. from Concord, situated on 
 the N. E. shore of Winnepisiogee 
 lake ; bounded N. E. by Ossipee, 
 S. E. by Wolfeborough, S. W. and 
 W. by the lake, and N. W. by Moul- 
 tonborough. 
 
 There are several ponds in this 
 town, together with many small 
 streams running into the lake. 
 There are several arms of the lake 
 stretching far into the town, and 
 presenting to the spectator, from the 
 elevated parts of the town, a suc- 
 cession of beautiful views. 
 
 Tuftonborough was originally 
 granted to J. Tufton Mason, and 
 took its name from him. It was
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 settled about 1780, and incorporated 
 in 1795. Population, 1830, 1,375. 
 
 Tnnbridge, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. A branch of White 
 river passes through this town, on 
 which are mills of various kinds. 
 The soil is generally a rich loara : 
 cm the stream the intervale land is 
 extensive and valuable. In some 
 parts of the town the surface is el- 
 evated. 
 
 Tunbridge contains a medicinal 
 spring of some notoriety in cutane- 
 ous diseases. Considerable quan- 
 tities of the products of the farms 
 are sent to market. Many sheep 
 are reared ; in 1837, the number in 
 the town was 8,260. 
 
 Tunbridge was first settled in 
 1776. It is 26 miles S. by E. from 
 Montpelier, 7 S. from Chelsea, and 
 30 N. by W. from Windsor. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 1,920. 
 
 Turner, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. A tributary of the 
 Androscoggin meets that river in 
 this town, and finely waters it. The 
 soil of Turner is good, and its sur- 
 face pleasant. There are a num- 
 ber of thriving villages in the 
 town : there is considerable trade, 
 and some manufactures; but the 
 business of the people is generally 
 agricultural. 
 
 Turner was incorporated in 1786. 
 It is 38 miles W. S. W. from Au- 
 gusta, and 14 E. from Paris. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 2,218; 1837, 2,435. 
 Wheat crop, in 1S37, 7,081 bush- 
 els. 
 
 Turtle River, Me., 
 
 Or the Meriumpticook, a branch 
 of St. John's river, which empties 
 about 7 miles S. W. from the mouth 
 of the Madawaska. 
 
 Tyugsborough, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This is a pleas- 
 ant town on both sides of Merri- 
 mack river, 8 miles N. W. by W. 
 
 from Lowell, and 29 N. W. from 
 Boston. Incorporated, 1789. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 870. 
 
 The river here is wide, placid, 
 and majestic, and adds much to the 
 beauty of the place. There is not 
 much water power in the town, and 
 the soil is light and sandy. Large 
 quantities of granite are quarried 
 here, hammered and fitted for vari- 
 ous uses, and taken down the river. 
 Here are also manufactures of 
 brushes, barrels, boots and shoes. 
 
 Tyringham, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. There are several 
 ponds in this town, from which is- 
 sues a branch of Housatonick river. 
 
 Tyringham lies 125 miles W. 
 from Boston, 14 S. E. from Lenox, 
 and 35 E. from Hudson, N. Y. In- 
 corporated, 1762. Population, in 
 1837, 1,288. 
 
 The manufactures of the town 
 consist of paper, iron castings, 
 boots, shoes, leather, forks, rakes, 
 palm-leaf hats, chair stuff, and 
 wooden ware : annual value, about 
 $35,000. 
 
 The surface of the town is un- 
 even, and in some parts mountain- 
 ous. " Hop Brook Valley," is a 
 beautiful and romantic spot. There 
 is a society of " Shakers " in Ty- 
 ringham. See Canterbury, JV*. H. 
 
 Umlmgog Lake, 
 
 Is a large body of water, situa- 
 ted mostly in the state of Maine, 
 and extending about 300 rods in 
 width along the east of the town- 
 ships of Errol and Cambridge, in 
 New Hampshire. This lake is very 
 imperfectly known ; is said to be 
 about 18 miles long, and in some 
 parts 10 wide ; being but little in- 
 ferior to the Winnepisiogee, in ex- 
 tent and beauty. Its outlet is on 
 the west side, in Errol, its waters 
 flowing into the Androscoggin. 
 
 Unconoonook Mountain. N. H. 
 
 See Goffstown.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Underbill, Vt. 
 
 Chittendcn co. The head branch- 
 es of Brown's river water this town. 
 The surface is hilly and broken, 
 and the soil hard ; but tolerable for 
 sheep, of which a considerable 
 number are reared. 
 
 Underbill was first settled in 
 1786. It lies 15 miles N. E. from 
 Burlington, and 26 N. W. from 
 Montpelier. Population, in 1830, 
 1,052. 
 
 Union River, Me. 
 
 Hancock co. The hend waters 
 of this river proceed within a few 
 miles from the Passadumkeag. It 
 flows south through the town? of 
 Hampton, Amherst, and Maria- 
 ville : it meets the tide water at 
 Ellsworth, and passes to the ocean 
 by Blue Hill bay. This stream 
 has numerous tributaries, the recip- 
 ients of a great number of ponds, 
 which are scattered over the inte- 
 rior parts of the county. This 
 beautiful river is in- some parts 
 gentle and fertilizing, in other parts 
 rapid, producing a valuable water 
 power for mills. Its length, from 
 Ellsworth, is between forty and fifty 
 miles. 
 
 Union, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This pleasant and 
 flourishing town is watered by 
 Muscongus and St. George rivers, 
 and by several beautiful ponds. 
 The soil is fertile, and the surface 
 generally swelling. 
 
 Union was incorporated in 1786. 
 It is 23 miles S. E. from Augusta, 
 and 7 N. by W. from Warren. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 1,750. Wheat crop, 
 same year, 4,249 bushels. 
 
 Union, ft. 
 
 Tolland co. The surface of 
 Union is hilly, with a hard and un- 
 productive soil. Mashapaug and 
 Breakneck ponds, lying in this 
 town, are the principal sources of 
 
 36* 
 
 Quinnebaug river. A branch of 
 the Natchaug also rises here. 
 
 The town was incorporated in 
 1734. First settled, 1727. It is 
 bounded W. by Stafford, and is .33 
 miles N. E. from Hartford, and 14 
 N. E. from Tolland. Population, 
 1830, 711. 
 
 Unity, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. This is a flourishing 
 farming town, 33 miles N. E. from 
 Augusta, 22 W. S. W. from Be. 
 fast, and bounded S. W. by Albion. 
 It is well watered by a branch of 
 Sebasticook river, which passes N. 
 W., about 9 miles distant. 
 
 Unity was incorporated in 1804. 
 Population, 1837, 1,520. Wheat 
 crop, same year, 11,099 bushels. 
 
 Unity, N. H. 
 
 Sullivan co. This town is bound- 
 ed N. by Claremont and Newport, 
 E. by Goshen, S. by Lempster and 
 Ac worth, and W. by Charlestown. 
 It is 43 miles W. by N. from Con- 
 cord, and 9 S. from Newport. 
 
 Little Sugar river has its source 
 in Whortleberry pond and Beaver 
 meadow, in the N. part of the 
 town, passes through^ its centre, 
 and empties itself into the Connec- 
 ticut at Charlestown. Cold pond, 
 the head of Cold river, is partly in 
 this town. From Oilman's pond, 
 in the E. part of Unity, proceeds 
 a branch of Sugar river, flowing 
 through Newport. Perry's moun- 
 tain is in the S. W. part, and partly 
 in Charlestown. 
 
 Unity is an uneven township, but 
 the soil is highly favorable for 
 grazing. It is excellent for flax, 
 few towns in the state producing 
 a greater quantity. 
 
 Unity was granted in 1764. It 
 was called Unity, from the happy 
 termination of a dispute which had 
 long subsisted between certain of 
 the inhabitants of Kingston and 
 Hampstead, claiming the same tract 
 of land under two different grants.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The first settlement was made in 
 1769. Population, 1830, 1,258. 
 
 Upton, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. Upton was taken 
 from Mendon, Sutton and Hopkin- 
 ton, in 1735. The surface of the 
 town is plain land, and partly rough 
 and hilly, with a strong soil capable 
 of yielding good crops of grain and 
 hay. Much attention has been 
 paid to fruit trees in this town, and 
 many fine orchards of various kinds 
 of fruit have been the result. West 
 river, a branch of the Blackstone, 
 rises from a pond in Upton, and 
 furnishes a power for a number of 
 mills. The manufactures consist 
 of woolen goods, boots, shoes, leath- 
 er, straw bonnets, sashes and blinds : 
 annual value, about $175,000. 
 
 This pleasant town lies 35 miles 
 W. S. W. from Boston, and 15 S. E. 
 from Worcester. Population, in 
 1830, 1,155; 1837, 1,451. 
 
 t'xbrldge, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This very hand- 
 some and flourishing town lies 40 
 miles S. W. from Boston, 17 S. by 
 E. from Worcester, and 24 N. N. 
 W. from Providence, R. I. It re- 
 ceives an excellent water power 
 from Mumford and West rivers, 
 and the Blackstone canal passes 
 through it. 
 
 The manufacturing villages are 
 delightfully situated, in valleys sur- 
 rounded by picturesque elevations. 
 There are 5 woolen and 3 cotton 
 mills in the town, and manufactures 
 of yarn, straw bonnets, boots, shoes, 
 leather, chairs, cabinet and tin 
 wares: total value, the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, $402,450. 
 
 Uxbridge was formerly a part of 
 Mendon. It was incorporated in 
 1727. Population, 1830, 2,086; 
 1837, 2,246. Iron ore is found 
 here, and an abundance of beauti- 
 ful granite. 
 
 Vassalfoorough, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. This is a large 
 
 and flourishing town on the east 
 side of Kennebec river, 12 miles 
 N. by E. from Augusta. There 
 are several large and beautiful 
 ponds in the town, from which is- 
 sue two excellent mill streams: 
 one a branch of the Sebasticook, 
 the other of the Kennebec. 
 
 This is a place of considerable 
 interior trade, and business on the 
 river. Vessels of considerable bur- 
 then pass to the ocean from Vas- 
 salborough, by means of the Ken- 
 nebec Dam. 
 
 The valleys are very pleasant ; 
 and the surface and soil of the town 
 varied and fertile. Vassalborough 
 was incorporated in 1771. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 2,929. Wheat crop, 
 same year, 10,272 bushels. 
 
 Vergennes, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. Vergennes was first 
 settled in 1766. The territory, 
 which comprises an area of 480 by 
 400 rods, was invested with city 
 privileges in 1788. It lies 12 miles 
 N. W. from Middlebury and 21 S. 
 by E. from Burlington. Population, 
 1830, 999. Vergennes is beauti- 
 fully located on Otter creek, at the 
 falls on that stream, and is 7 miles 
 from Lake Champlain. Otter creek, 
 at this place, is about 500 feet wide, 
 and, at the falls, is separated by two 
 islands, which form 3 distinct falls, 
 of 37 feet. These falls produce a 
 great hydraulic power, rendered 
 more valuable by being situated in 
 the heart of a fertile country, and 
 on the navigable waters of the lake. 
 
 The creek or river, between the 
 city and the lake, is crooked, but 
 navigable for the largest lake ves- 
 sels. During the late war, this was 
 an important depot on the lake. 
 Here was fitted out the squadron 
 commanded by the gallant McDo- 
 nough, who met the British fleet 
 off Plattsburgh, N. Y. on the llth 
 of September, 1814, and made it 
 his. 
 
 This is a very favorable position 
 for ship building : it now possesses
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 important manufactories and consid- 
 erable trade. Although the terri- 
 tory of this city is quite sm-all, its 
 
 peculiarly favorable location, and 
 the enterprise of its people, warrant 
 it a great degree of prosperity. 
 
 VERMONT. 
 
 The people of the territory now called the state of Vermont, having 
 been connected with New York, and having experienced great dissatis- 
 faction with their connexion with that state, assembled in convention and 
 on the 15th of January, 1777, declared themselves independent, and or- 
 ganized a government for themselves. 
 
 The hardy mountaineers, who had become impatient under their con- 
 nexion with and dependence on the great state of New York, in pursu- 
 ance of their own peculiar views of the rights and duties of a free and 
 independent people, adopted many singular and peculiar provisions in their 
 constitution. Some of them are herein stated. 
 
 Their government consists of three parts ; the legislative, the execu- 
 tive, and the judicial. 
 
 The Supreme Legislature consists of a Senate and House of Represen- 
 tatives, chosen annually by the freemen of the state, on the first Tues- 
 day of September. The Senate consists of 30 members ; each county 
 being 1 entitled to at least one, and the remainder to be apportioned accord- 
 Ing to population. The House of Representatives is composed of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 one member from each town. The Senators are to be thirty years of 
 age ; and the Lieutenant Governor is ex-officio President of the Senate. 
 
 The body so chosen is called THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE 
 STATE OF VERMONT. The General Assembly meets annually on the 
 second Tuesday of October. They have power to choose their own offi- 
 cers, to meet on their own adjournments, to terminate their sessions at 
 pleasure ; to enact laws, grant charters, to impeach state criminals, &c. 
 And, in conjunction with the council, they annually elect the Justices of 
 the Supreme, County and Probate Courts ; also the Sheriffs, High Bailiffs, 
 Justices of the Peace, &c.; and, when occasion requires, they elect Ma- 
 jors and Brigadiers General. The General Assembly have full and am- 
 ple legislative powers, but they cannot change the constitution. 
 
 The supreme executive power is vested in a Governor, Lieutenant 
 Governor, and twelve Counsellors, chosen annually by the people on the 
 first Tuesday of September. They meet at the same time with the 
 General Assembly, prepare and lay before them the business apparently 
 necessary ; examine the laws in the progress of legislation, and approve 
 or disapprove of them, and propose amendments. They cannot negative 
 any act of the General Assembly, but can suspend the operation of any 
 act till the next annual meeting of the Assembly. They commission all 
 officers; sit as judges in all cases of impeachment ; have power to grant 
 pardons and remit fines in all cases, excepting in cases of murder and 
 treason, in which cases they can grant reprieves till the next legislative 
 session, and excepting also cases of impeachment. They may lay em- 
 bargoes for thirty days, when the assembly is not in session. 
 
 The General Assembly, in joint meeting with the Governor and Coun- 
 cil, annually elect the Judges, Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, High Bai- 
 liffs, &c. 
 
 The Governor is Captain-General, but he cannot command in person, 
 unless by advice of his council. The Lieutenant Governor is Lieuten- 
 ant General of the forces. 
 
 The judicial power is vested in a Supreme Court and Court of Chance- 
 ry, a County Court in each county, consisting of one of the Justices 
 of the Supreme Court, and two Assistant Justice? ; a Probate Court in 
 each District ; and Justices of the Peace, who have a limited criminal 
 and civil jurisdiction. 
 
 The Judges of Probate appoint their own Registers, and the Sheriffs 
 and High Bailiffs appoint their own deputies. 
 
 The several Town Clerks are Registers of deeds of conveyance of lands 
 in their respective towns ; and if there be no town clerk, the deeds shall 
 be recorded in the County Clerk's office. 
 
 A council of 13 Censors is chosen by the people once in 7 years, on the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 last Wednesday of March, and meet on the first Wednesday of June fol- 
 lowing. Their duties are, to inquire if the constitution has been viola- 
 ted ; if the legislature, &c. have performed their duty; if the taxes have 
 been justly levied and collected ; and if the laws have been obeyed. 
 They may pass public censures; order impeachments ; recommend the re- 
 peal of laws ; propose amendments in the constitution, and call conven- 
 tions to act on them. Their power expires in one year after their election. 
 
 Succession of Governors. 
 
 Thomas Chitteuden, 1791 1796. Isaac Tichenor, 1797 1806. Isra- 
 el Smith, 1807. Isaac Tichenor, 1808. Jonas Galusha, 1S09 1812. M. 
 Chittenden, 1813, 1814. Jonas Galusha, 18151819. Richard Skinner, 
 18201822. C. P. Van Ness, 18231825. Ezra Butler, 1826, 1827. 
 Samuel C. Crafts, 18281830, William A. Palmer, 18311835. Si- 
 las H. Jenison, 1836 
 
 Succession of Chief Justices. 
 
 Samuel Knight, 17911793. Isaac Tichenor 1794, 1795. Nathaniel 
 Chipman, 1796. Israel Smith, 1797. Enoch Woodbridge, 17981800. 
 Jonathan Robinson, 18011806. Royal Tyler, 18071812. Nathaniel 
 Chipman, 1813, 1814. Asa Aldis, 1815. Richard Skinner, 1816. Dud- 
 ley Chase, 18171820. C. P. Van Ness, 1821, 1822. Richard Skinner, 
 18231828. Samuel Prentiss, 1829. Titus Hutchinson, 18301833, 
 Charles K. Williams, 1834 
 
 The state is bounded N. by Lower Canada, E. by Connecticut river, S. 
 by Massachusetts, and W. by New York. Situated between 42 44' and 
 45 N. Latitude, and 73 16' and 71 20' W. Longitude. 
 
 Vermont is divided into 14 counties, to wit : Bennington, Windham, 
 Rutland, Windsor, Addison, Orange, Chittenden, Washington, Caledonia, 
 Franklin, Orleans, Lamoille, Essex and Grand Isle. The population of 
 the state in 1790, was 85,539; 1800, 154,465; 1810,217,895; 1820, 235,- 
 764; 1830, 230,657. This state contains an area of about 10,212 square 
 miles. Population to a square mile, in 1830, was 27^. The number 
 of sheep in the state, in 1837, was 1,099,011. 
 
 The important enterprise of a rail road from Boston to the outlet of the 
 great lakes, on St. Lawrence river, will doubtless be accomplished. An 
 enterprise of this kind, well worthy the consideration of the intelligent 
 citizens and capitalists of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, 
 will greatly benefit those states, and make the capital of New England a 
 powerful competitor with New York, fora large portion of the immense 
 northern and western trade.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Although this fourteenth state was not admitted into the union until af- 
 ter the revolutionary contest was over, yet she vigorously resisted British 
 oppression. A range of mountains covered with spruce, hemlock and 
 other evergreens divides this state nearly in its centre ; hence its name ; 
 and hence the epithet " Green Mountain Boys," celebrated for their 
 bravery in the war of independence. 
 
 From these mountains many rivers take their rise ; the most important 
 are, Otter Creek, Onion, Lamoille and Missisque, which empty into Lake 
 Champlain, on the west; and West, White and Passumpsic, which pass to 
 the Connecticut on the east. This state is very fertile and produces all 
 sorts of grain in great abundance. Cattle of various kinds are raised here 
 with great facility. Wool is an important staple. Manufactures flourish 
 on many of the delightful streams of Vermont, and its hills produce mar- 
 ble, granite and iron ore of superior excellence. The scenery of this 
 state is very romantic and beautiful ; the air is pure and healthful ; the 
 people industrious, intelligent, hospitable. 
 
 The trade of this state, on the west, passes to New York by lake Cham- 
 plain, the northern canal and Hudson river; that on the east, toConnecti- 
 icut river. Some of the trade of this state reaches Boston, and some 
 goes to Montreal. See Register. 
 
 VtTMOM, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. Vernon lies on the 
 west side of Connecticut river, op- 
 posite to Winchester, N. H. That 
 river bends abruptly at this place, 
 but in consequence of its elevated 
 and rocky shore, affords this town 
 but litle intervale land. The sur- 
 face is generally mountainous, rocky 
 and unproductive. There are in 
 the town, fine forests of oak and 
 chesnut timber, and quarries of 
 slate. Vernon was settled at an ear- 
 ly period, and for many years was 
 subject to Indian depredations. The 
 remains of an old fort built in 1740, 
 are now seen : many persons were 
 killed and carried into captivity ; 
 among the latter was the celebrated 
 Mrs. Howe. From its settlement 
 
 until 1802, Vernon was called Hins- 
 dale. 
 
 Vernon is 18 miles S. E. from 
 Newfane, and is bounded S. by 
 Brattleborough. Population, 1830, 
 681. 
 
 Vcrnon, Ct. 
 
 Tolland co. This town lies 12 
 miles E. N. E. from Hartford, and 
 7 S. W. from Tolland. Rock vil- 
 lage, and Tankerooson are pleasant 
 and flourishing manufacturing vil- 
 lages, containing 18 cotton and 
 woolen mills. The former is 14, 
 the latter 10 miles from Hartford. 
 The Hockanum, and a branch of 
 that river, the Tankerooson, are the 
 principal streams. 
 
 Vernon was first settled in 1716. 
 It was a part of East Windsor and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Bolton until 1808. The surface of 
 the town is varied by hills and val- 
 leys ; the soil is a gravelly loam and 
 sandy, but good for grain and grass. 
 Population, 1830, 1,164. 
 
 Vershire, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. The surface of this 
 town is uneven and stony, but fur- 
 nishes pasturage for a large number 
 of sheep, horses and neat cattle. 
 Branches of Ompomponoosuc river 
 rise here, but give the town no val- 
 uable water power. Vershire was 
 first settled in 17SO. It lies 25 miles 
 S. E. from Montpelier, 35 N. from 
 Windsor, and 6 E. by S. from Chel- 
 sea. Population, 1830, 1,260. 
 
 Victory, Vt. 
 
 Essex co. This township was 
 chartered in 1781. Moose river, a 
 branch of the Passumpsic, passes 
 through it. It lies 10 miles W. 
 from Guildhall, and, in 1830, had 
 53 inhabitants. 
 
 Vienna, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. A branch of Sandy 
 river and several ponds water this 
 fertile and pleasant town. It lies 
 25 miles N. W. from Augusta, and 
 10 S. E. from Farmington. Incor- 
 porated, 1S02. Population, 1837, 
 793. Wheat crop, same year, 4,068 
 bushels. 
 
 Vinalliaven, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. Previous to 1833, 
 this town was attached to the coun- 
 ty of Hancock. It is situated 12 
 miles S. E. from Camden, 6 E. from 
 Owl's Head, and is formed of the 
 Fox Islands, at the mouth of Pe- 
 nobscot bay, about fifty miles be- 
 low Bangor. There are three 
 islands of considerable size, belong- 
 ing to this group, besides several 
 smaller islands on their coast. This 
 island town possesses in an eminent 
 degree all those advantages to be 
 derived from a bold shore and good 
 harbors, in the centre of an exten- 
 sive maritime commerce, and of 
 
 the domestic fishery. These privi- 
 leges are well improved by the in- 
 habitants of Fox Islands : they also 
 make their soil tributary to their 
 wants. In 1837, their crop of wheat 
 was 1,611 bushels. So long as the 
 sea island towns of Mount Desert, 
 Eden and Vinalhaven, afford wheat, 
 and Truro, wool, in such abun- 
 dance ; there seems, at present, no 
 great cause for the Yankees going 
 west to escape either nakedness or 
 starvation. These islands are fine- 
 ly located for summer excursions., 
 either for health or pleasure. The 
 passages between the principal 
 islands, are delightful ; and the 
 scenery around them beautiful. 
 Population, 1837, 1,768. 
 
 Vineyard, Vt. 
 
 Grand Isle co. This town, com- 
 prising an island inChamplain Lake, 
 covering an area of 4,620 acres, was 
 chartered in 1799, by the name of 
 Isle La Motte. Its name was 
 changed to Vineyard in 1802. It 
 lies about 4 miles W. from North 
 Hero, and was first settled in 1785. 
 It is a very pleasant island, fertile 
 and abounding in excellent cedar 
 and limestone. Pop. 1830, 459. 
 
 Vineyard Sound, -Mass. 
 
 This is a great thoroughfare for 
 vessels bound along the coast be- 
 tween Cape Cod and the mouth of 
 Buzzard's bay. It lies between 
 the island of Martha's Vineyard 
 and the islands of Nashawn and 
 Nashawenna. The tides in this 
 Sound are rapid, and the passage 
 dangerous, without a good pilot. 
 
 Voluntown, C't. 
 
 Windham co. This town wis 
 incorporated in 1719. It derived 
 its name from the circumstance 
 that most of its territory was grant- 
 ed, in 1696, to Volunteers in the 
 Narraganset war. The surface is, 
 in some parts, hilly; but the pre- 
 vailing character of the surface and 
 soil is a sandy and gravelly loam.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Voluntown is 14 miles E. from 
 Norwich, and is bounded by Rhode 
 Island on the east, and North Ston- 
 ington on the south. Population, in 
 1830, 1,304. The town is watered 
 by Wood river, a branch of the 
 Pawcatuck, on which are one wool- 
 en and two cotton mills. 
 
 Wacliusett Mountain, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. See Princeton. 
 Walt' a River, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. Branches of this 
 river rise in Orange, Topsham, and 
 Washington ; they meet at Brad- 
 ford, and fall into the Connecticut. 
 This river, and the streams that 
 compose it, are rather rapid in their 
 course, and furnish many valuable 
 mill privileges. Below the falls, 
 in Bradford, this river is more gen- 
 tle, and in its course it fertilizes 
 a tract of intervale. Its longest 
 branch is about 20 miles. Its 
 mouth, on the Connecticut, is about 
 100 feet in width. 
 
 Waitsfield, Vt. 
 
 Washington co. Mad river, a 
 small, rapid stream, passes circui- 
 tously through this town, fertilizing 
 the soil, and affording it good mill 
 seats. The uplands are a deep 
 loam, fertile, and productive of all 
 the varieties of a northern climate. 
 Here are fine pastures, and between 
 5,000 and 6,000 sheep. 
 
 There are some manufactures in 
 the town, but the people are gener- 
 ally farmers, and make a good 
 business of it. Good clay for mak- 
 ing earthern ware, iron ore, and 
 rock crystal are found here. This 
 town lies 11 miles S. W. from Mont- 
 pelier, and 30 S. E. from Burling- 
 ton. Population, 1830, 985. 
 
 The settlement of Waitsfield was 
 commenced in 1789, by General 
 BENJAMIN WAIT, from Sudbu- 
 ry, Massachusetts. General Wait 
 entered the service of his country 
 at the age of 18, and performed 
 
 much difficult service with grea 
 bravery and success. At the age 
 of 25 he had been engaged in forty 
 battles and skirmishes : his clothes 
 were several times perforated with 
 musket balls, but he never received 
 a wound. In 1776, he entered the 
 revolutionary army as captain, and 
 acquired the rank of colonel. Af- 
 ter the war, he was made a briga- 
 dier general of militia, and was 
 high sheriff of the county of Wind- 
 sor seven years. General Wait, 
 having lived to see the town he 
 had planted in its wilderness state, 
 covered with fruitful fields, and 
 peopled by independent yeomen, 
 died in 1822, aged 86 years. 
 
 Wakefield, \. 13. 
 
 Strafford co. This town lies 50 
 miles N. E. from Concord, and 30 
 N. by W. from Dover; bounded 
 N. W. by Ossipee and Effingham, 
 E. by Maine, S. E. by Milton, W. 
 by Middleton and Brookfield. 
 
 Lovewell's pond, in the S. part of 
 the town, is about 700 rods long, 275 
 wide. Province pond lies between 
 Wakefield and Effingham, and is 
 450 rods long, 400 wide. Pine 
 river pond is the source of the river 
 of that name flowing N. W. into Os- 
 sipee lake. The principal branch 
 of the Piscataqua has its rise in 
 East pond, between Wakefield and 
 Newfield, Maine. The soil of 
 this town is generally good. 
 
 The town was formerly called 
 East-town, and was incorporated 
 in 1774, by its present name. 
 
 There are several cotton mills in 
 this town, and various other manu- 
 factures. 
 
 Lovewell's pond, in this town, 
 derived its name from Captain John 
 Lovewell, of Dunstable, who, on 
 ;he 20th February, 1725, surprised 
 and destroyed a party of Indians 
 ncamped on the side of the pond. 
 Robert Macklin, distinguished foi 
 ongevity, died here in 1787, at the 
 ige of 115. He was born in Scot- 
 and. Population, 1S30, 1,470.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Walden, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. This is an eleva- 
 ted township between the head wa- 
 ters of Onion and Lamoille rivers. 
 Cole's pond, a large sheet of water, 
 lying in the town, produces a small 
 mill stream, called "Joe's Brook." 
 The surface is generally rough, but 
 the soil in some parts of the town 
 produces good crops. Walden was 
 first settled in 1789. It lies 22 miles 
 N. N. E. from Montpelier, and is 
 bounded S. E. by Danville. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 827. 
 
 Waldo County, Me. 
 
 Belfast is the shire town. This 
 maritime and. agricultural county 
 is bounded N. by Penobscot and 
 Piscataquis counties ; E. by Pe- 
 nobscot bay and river; S. by Lin- 
 coln county, and W. by the county 
 of Kennebec. It contains an tr<a 
 of about 812 square miles. Its 
 population in 1330, was 29,290 ; and 
 in 1837, 36,817. 
 
 On the eastern side of the coun- 
 ty, the noble Penobscot spreads its 
 broad bay and river, embosoming 
 Belfast and other beautiful bays, 
 and indented with numerous capa- 
 cious harbors, affording this county 
 every desirable facility for naviga- 
 tion and the fisheries. The relative 
 position of this county with the 
 great basin of the Penobscot, is 
 such as to give to it a large share of 
 the commerce of that fertile and 
 rapidly increasing section of New 
 England. 
 
 Waldo county possesses within 
 itself great resources of agricultur- 
 al wealth. The surface is gener- 
 ally undulating: no portion of the 
 county is too elevated or too low 
 for cultivation. It is heavily tim- 
 bered and abounds in limestone, of 
 which large quantities are annually 
 manufactured and transported. The 
 soil is fertile, and congenial to the 
 growth of every northern staple 
 commodity. This county is inter- 
 spersed with excellent mill streams, 
 
 37 
 
 and its numerous ponds give it a 
 varied and picturesque appearance. 
 Waldo county was, as it were 
 but yesterday, a desert; at present 
 not more than two-thirds of its ter- 
 ritory may be said to be settled. 
 In 1837, it produced 109,140 bush- 
 els of wheat, and contained 55,000 
 sheep, with a population of 45 to a 
 square mile. 
 
 IValdo, Me. 
 
 Waldo co. This is a Plantation, 
 but it is high time it was incorpo- 
 rated with town privileges, for its- 
 surface is pleasant, and its soil fer- 
 tile : it abounds with mill sites, and 
 its increase of population, for the 
 last seven years, was 35 per cent. 
 
 Waldo is 44 miles E. N. E. from 
 Augusta, and 7 W. N. W. from 
 Belfast. Population, 1837, 71S. 
 Wheat crop, same year, 1,903 
 bushels. 
 
 AValdoborougli, Ale. 
 
 Lincoln co. This is a large, 
 pleasant, and flourishing commercial 
 town ; a port of entry, situated on 
 both sides of Muscongus river, and 
 at the head of navigation on Mus- 
 congus bay. 
 
 This town, surrounded by a fertile 
 country, enjoying navigable accom- 
 modations, a great water power, 
 and peopled by an enterprisii.g and 
 industrious class of agriculturalists, 
 mechanics and sailors, cannot fail 
 of advancing in wealth and popula- 
 tion. The tonnage of this district, 
 in 1837, was 39,960 tons. 
 
 The surface of the town is agree- 
 ably diversified ; the* soil of a qual- 
 ity just hard enough to promote a 
 proper circulation of the blood of 
 its cultivators, with air and water 
 as pleasant, as pure, and as favora- 
 able to health and longevity, as 
 those of any prairie, of which we 
 have any account, west of the Al- 
 leghany mountains. It is true that 
 these people have to encounter the 
 dangers of the seas, in the naviga- 
 tion of their numerous vessel* en-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 gaged in foreign and domestic com- 
 merce; to accidents attendant on 
 launching their trig ships, brigs, 
 and schooners, and in preparing 
 various kinds of lumber for their 
 cargoes ; and that they sometimes 
 get drowned in crossing their rapid 
 streams, and break their limbs by 
 riding too fast on their wintry snows; 
 yet they are perfectly satisfied with 
 their location and condition, and 
 have no hankering for the balmy 
 breezes of the south, nor thirst for 
 the sweet waters of the west. 
 
 Waldoborough is an ancient town 
 for this section of country : it was 
 incorporated in 1773. It lies 37 
 miles S. E. from Augusta, and 22 
 E. N. E. from Wiscasset. Popu- 
 lation, 1820, 2,449; 1830, 3,113; 
 1837, 3,420. 
 
 Wales, Me. 
 
 Lincoln Co. There is a beauti- 
 ful pond lying partly in Wales and 
 partly in Lisbon ; its outlet meets 
 the Androscoggin a few miles above 
 Topsham. Wales is an agricultu- 
 ral town of good soil and even 
 surface, 20 miles S. W. from Au- 
 gusta, and 26 N. W. from Wiscas- 
 set. Incorporated, 1816. Popula- 
 tion, 1837, 667. Wheat crop, same 
 year, 2, 232 bushels. ./ 
 
 Wales, Mass. 
 
 Hampden co. This town is wa- 
 tered by a branch of Quinnebaug 
 river, and has a considerable water 
 power. The surface of the town is 
 uneven, but the soil affords good 
 .pasturage. Here is a woolen mill, 
 and manufactures of leather, boots, 
 'shoes, axes, hatchets, palm-leaf 
 hats, &c.: annual value, about $70,- 
 000. Wales is 67 miles W. S. W. 
 from Boston, and 17 E. by S. from 
 Springfield. Population, 1837,738. 
 
 Wallingford, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. This town is water- 
 ed by Otter creek, Mill river, and 
 by three ponds, one of which, Hi- 
 ram's pond, covering an area of 350 
 
 acres, lies on very elevated ground, 
 and is one of the principal sources 
 of Otter creek. The other ponds 
 are of less size, and less eleva- 
 ted. These mountain ponds are 
 very handsome, and contain fish. 
 The soil of the town is gener- 
 ally good : that on the banks of 
 Otter creek, is very fertile and 
 productive. Wallingford produces 
 all the varieties of grain, grass, &c., 
 and feeds a large number of sheep. 
 " A range of primitive limestone 
 passes through the western part of 
 the township, in which have been 
 opened several quarries of excel- 
 lent marble. Green hill, situated 
 near the centre, is composed almost 
 entirely of quartz. A part of 
 White rocks, belonging to the Green 
 Mountain range, appears to be 
 granite, the rest quartz. At the 
 foot of White rocks, are large cavi- 
 ties /ormed by the fallen rocks, call- 
 ed the icebeds, in which ice is found 
 in abundance through the summer 
 season." There are some valuable 
 manufacturing establishments in 
 the town, and a flourishing trade. 
 The village is pleasantly located on 
 the banks of Otter creek, near one 
 of the ponds. It contains some 
 handsome buildings, and presents a 
 variety of picturesque scenery. 
 Wallingford was first settled in 1773. 
 It lies 10 miles S. by E. from Rut- 
 land and 42 N. N. E. from Benning- 
 ton. Population, 1830, 1740. 
 
 Walling ford, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. " Wallingford 
 is bounded N. by Meriden, W. by 
 Cheshire, E. by Durham and Mid- 
 dletown, and S. by North Bradford 
 and North Haven. Its langth from 
 east to west is nearly 7 miles, and 
 its breadth about 6. The central 
 part of WaHingford is 13 miles N. 
 from New Haven, 23 S. from Hart- 
 ford, and between 1] and 12 miles 
 S. W. from Middletown. The pre- 
 vailing surface is pleasantly diver- 
 sified with moderate hills and dales ; 
 the eastern extremity of the town-
 
 NEAV ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ship is mountainous. The soil is 
 generally excellent, excepting a 
 tract called Wallingford plain, con- 
 sisting of coarse sand, situated on 
 the eastern bank of the Quinnipiac. 
 It is nearly 4 miles in length, and 
 about | of a mile in breadth. It is 
 the most extensive tract of level 
 land in the state, and one of the 
 most sterile and barren. The town 
 is watered by the Quinnipiac, a 
 valuable mill stream, which passes 
 through the extent of the town, 
 upon which are several mills and 
 manufactories. Yaleville is a lit- 
 tle manufacturing village in the 
 northern section of the town, where 
 britannia and tin ware is manufac- 
 tured to some extent. There is an 
 establishment westward of the 
 main street, on the Quinnipiac, for 
 the manufacture of wood screws, 
 of which there are about 1,000 
 groce manufactured daily. The 
 principal village of Wallingford is 
 beautifully situated on a fine eleva- 
 tion upwards of a mile east of the 
 river, on two parallel streets entend- 
 ing along the ridge of the bill. 
 The western street, on which the 
 principal part of the village is sit- 
 uated, is upwards of a mile in 
 length." 
 
 Wallingford originally belonged 
 to New Haven, and was called 
 New Haven Village. It was first 
 settled about the year 1669. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 2,418. 
 
 Wallooatook River, Me. 
 
 This is the western or main 
 branch of St. John's river. Its 
 head waters are in the counties of 
 Somerset and Franklin, and oh the 
 border of Canada. It receives the 
 waters of many lakes, ponds and 
 rivers, and drains a large section of 
 wilderness country. This river is 
 called the Walloostook until it 
 meets the waters of the St. Fran- 
 cois. The lands on the borders of 
 this river are said to be fertile and 
 heavily timbered. See St. John's 
 river under Fundy, Bay. 
 
 \Valoomsnck River, Vt. 
 
 This good mill stream is formed 
 in Bennington, by several branch- 
 es : it passes N. W. and joins the 
 Hoosack. Between the Waloom- 
 sack and Hoosack the famous " Ben 
 nington Battle " was fought. 
 
 Walpole, N. II. 
 
 Cheshire co. This place lies 60 
 miles S. W. by W. from Concord, 
 13 N. W. from Keene, and 90 N. 
 W. from Boston. Population in 
 1830, 1,979. The face of this town 
 is beautifully diversified by hills 
 and vales. The soil is similar to 
 that of othpr towns on Connecticut 
 river. The intervales afford excel- 
 lent tillage ; the uplands are inferi- 
 or to none in the state. Cold river 
 passes through the north part, and 
 forms a junction with the Connecti- 
 cut. There is a lofty hill, called 
 Fall Mountain, a part of the range 
 of Mount Toby ; the highest parts 
 of which are about 750 feet above 
 the level of the river. The village 
 of Walpole is situated at the foot of 
 this hill, on a plain ; the margin of 
 the intervales. The principal street 
 runs N. and S. and is bordered on 
 both sides with dwelling houses, 
 stores and shops. 
 
 Drewsville, in this town, is a 
 pleasant village, romantically situa 
 ted near the falls : it is a place of 
 some trade, and considerable manu- 
 factures. 
 
 Bellows Falls, on Connecticut riv- 
 er, separates this town from Rock- 
 ingham, Vt. At the bridge, which 
 crosses the river at this place, built 
 in 1785, and 365 feet in length, the 
 traveller is presented with a most 
 interesting and sublime view. The 
 river here is compressed into a 
 narrow strait, between steep rocks, 
 and for nearly a quarter of a mile is 
 hurried on with great rapidity and 
 loud roaring. In no place is the 
 fall perpendicular, to any consider- 
 able extent ; but in the distance of 
 half a mile the waters descend 42
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 feet. A canal, with 9 locks, passes 
 round these falls on the west side. 
 
 Col. Benjamin Bellows was one of 
 the first settlers of this town, in 
 1749. He was a man of great en- 
 terprise and bravery. His descen- 
 dants are numerous and highly re- 
 spectable. 
 
 Bellows' Falls village, is in 
 Rockingham,Vt., opposite toDrews- 
 ville. 
 
 Walpole, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. This town is finely 
 watered by three branches of the 
 Neponset which meet at this place. 
 The face of the town is rough, but 
 capable of producing good crops. 
 
 There are three cotton, two wool- 
 en and two paper mills in the town, 
 and manufactures of iron castings, 
 hoes, hats, leather, straw bonnets, 
 and twine : total value, the year 
 ending April 1, 1837, $240,364. 
 This pleasant and flourishing town 
 was taken from Dedham in 1724. 
 Population, 1337,1,592. It is 20 
 miles S. W. from Boston, 10 S. W. 
 from Dedham, and 21 N. by W. 
 from Providence, R. I. _- . 
 
 Waltham, Ale. 
 
 Hancock co. Population, 1837, 
 207. Wheat crop, same year, 356 
 bushels. See " Down East." 
 
 Waltham, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. Buck mountain lies 
 near the centre of this town, and as 
 it is the highest land in the county, 
 west of the Green mountains, its 
 summit exhibits a good view of a 
 delightful section of country. 
 
 Waltham lies on the east side of 
 Otter Creek, which separates it from 
 Panton. Otter Creek, at this place, 
 is sluggish in its course, and affords 
 no mill privileges. The soil is gen- 
 erally good ; that along the stream 
 is excellent. The number of sheep 
 in Waltham, in 1837, was 3,890. 
 Population, 1830, 330. It is 9 miles 
 N. W. from Middlebury, and 24 S. 
 from Burlington. 
 
 Waltliam, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This is one of the 
 many beautiful towns which environ 
 the capitol of New England. It is 
 10 miles W. by N. from Boston, and 
 9 S E. from Concord. , It was in- 
 corporated in 1737. Population, 
 1830, 1,859; 1837,2,287. 
 
 The surface is moderately level, 
 with some elevations. " Prospect 
 Hill," 470 feet above the level of 
 the sea, presents a delightful view 
 of Boston, its harbor, and the adja- 
 cent towns and country. The soil 
 is generally not very fertile, but is 
 rendered productive by industry. 
 " Waltham Plain " is a beautiful 
 tract of land, under a high state pf 
 cultivation. It is about two and a 
 half miles in length, and a mile in 
 width. On the road over this plain 
 is a continuous village, containing 
 many handsome dwellings and beau- 
 tiful gardens ; among the number, 
 that of the Hon. Theodore Lyman 
 is pre-eminently beautiful. Mr. 
 Lyman's garden, of many acres in 
 extent, decorated with almost every 
 variety of fruit tree, shrub and 
 flower, both native and exotic, is 
 probably unsurpassed, in costliness 
 and splendor, by any private estab- 
 lishment of the kind in the United 
 States. 
 
 In this town the first cotton mill, 
 on an extensive scale, was erected, 
 in 1814. The capital of the compa- 
 ny was $600,000. By extraordinary 
 skill and good management, through 
 all the various commercial changes, 
 this establishment proved lucrative 
 to the proprietors and highly bene- 
 ficial to the public. The waters of 
 Charles river, which glide through 
 the town, being fully improved, 
 the proprietors extended their man- 
 ufacturing operations at Lowell. 
 
 There are in Waltham three cot- 
 ton mills, a bleachery, a machine 
 shop, a paper mill, and manufac- 
 tures of boots, shoes, hats, carria- 
 ges, wagons, chairs, cabinet and tin 
 wares : total value, the year end-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ing April 1, 1837, 348,067. The 
 roads in this and the neighboring 
 towns, are uncommonly excellent. 
 Perhaps in no section of country 
 in the world, are the roads better 
 than within 10 miles of Boston. 
 
 "\VardsborougH, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. This town is 15 
 miles N. W. from Brattleborough, 
 20 N. E. from Behnington, and 10 
 N. W. from Newfane. It was first 
 settled in 1780. Population, 1830, 
 1,148. 
 
 The surface of the town is hilly, 
 and in some parts rocky : the soil is 
 hard, but rendered productive by 
 the industry of its people. Wards- 
 borough is watered by West river, 
 and contains a number of minerals, 
 of which tremolite and zoisite are 
 the most important, and of which 
 fine specimens are found. There 
 are some mills in the town, but the 
 water power is not extensive. 
 
 "Ware River, Mass. 
 
 Branches of this large and pow- 
 erful mill stream rise in Hubbards- 
 ton, Barre and Oakham. It passes 
 through Hardwick, New Braintree 
 and Ware, and joins the Chickopee 
 at Palmer. 
 
 Ware, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. Ware possesses 
 an admirable water power by Ware 
 and Swift rivers. The surface of 
 the town is rough and hilly, and the 
 soil more fit for grazing than tillage. 
 In 1837, there were 1,380 sheep in 
 the town: value of wool, $1,667. 
 
 Ware is 66 miles W. by S. from 
 Boston, 22 E. by S. from Northamp- 
 ton, and 23 N. E. from Springfield. 
 Incorporated, 1761. Population, 
 1830, 2,045; 1837, 2,403. 
 
 Ware contains a beaytiful village 
 which commands an active and 
 flourishing trade. There are two 
 cotton and two woolen mills in the 
 town, and manufactures of boots, 
 shoes, leather, hats, tin ware, straw 
 bonnets, palm-leaf hats, augers, 
 37* 
 
 sheet iron, starch, carriages, har- 
 nesses, and boxes : total value, the 
 year ending April 1, 1837,$645,121. 
 
 Wareham, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. The surface of 
 this town is generally level, with 
 a light, sandy soil, not very produc- 
 tive. It is favorably situated for 
 manufacturing purposes, being wa- 
 tered by two fine mill streams, and 
 for ship building, the fishery, and 
 foreign and domestic commerce, 
 having a number of good harbors 
 at the head of Buzzard's bay. 
 
 Warehain lies 50 mile^ S. S. E. 
 from Boston, 16 S. from Plymouth, 
 and 15 E. N. E. from New Bedford. 
 It was incorporated in 1739. Pop- 
 ulatidn, 1830, 1,885; 1837, 2,166. 
 
 There are in this town six nail fac- 
 tories, six air and cupola furnaces, 
 two rolling mills, 2 cotton mills, 
 a paper mill, and manufactures of 
 vessels, salt, nail casks, chairs, 
 cabinet ware, leather, boots, shoes, 
 &c. : the total value of these man- 
 ufactures, the year ending April 1, 
 1837, was $1,260,637. The num- 
 ber of hands employed in these man- 
 ufactures, was 682. One whale 
 ship, of 374 tons, belongs to this 
 place. : the cargo of oil, in 1337, 
 amounted to $78,286. 
 
 In 1836, there arrived and clear- 
 ed at Wareham, 2 ships, 7 brigs, 86 
 schooners, and 193 sloops : aggre- 
 gate tonnage, 20,140 tons. During 
 that year there were exported from 
 this place 7,107 tons of nails, 421 
 tons of iron hoops, 1,969 tons of 
 hollow ware, 144 tons of iron cast- 
 ings, 98 tons of nail rods, 386 doz- 
 en of shovels, and 4,180 bushels 
 of salt. The number of tons of 
 manufactured iron, exported that 
 year, was 9,765. 
 
 Warner, N. II. 
 
 Merrimack co. This town is 
 bound N. by Sutton and Salisbury, 
 E. by Boscawen, S. by Hopkinton 
 and Henniker, and W. by Brad- 
 ford. The distance of Warner
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 from Hopkinton is 8 miles, and from 
 Concord, 15. It is watered by War- 
 ner river, a handsome stream, which 
 rises in the Sunapee mountain in 
 Newbury. It passes through Brad- 
 ford, enters Warner at the N. W. 
 corner, and running in an E. and 
 S. E. direction, divides the town 
 into nearly two equal parts, and 
 falls into Contoocook river in Hop- 
 kinton. The lands, though broken, 
 have, in general a good soil. Mink 
 hills lie in the W. part, and furnish 
 fine orchards and good pasturage. 
 There are four ponds, viz : Tom, 
 Bear, Bagley and Pleasant ponds. 
 Pleasant pond, the waters of which 
 are clear and cold, deep, and of a 
 greenish cast, has no visible outlet 
 or inlet, and overflows its banks in 
 the driest seasons. 
 
 This town was granted in 1735, 
 by the general court of Massachu- 
 setts, to Dea. Thomas Stevens and 
 others. It was incorporated in 1774, 
 by the name of Warner. The first 
 settlement was made in 1762, by 
 David Annis and his son-in-law, 
 Reuben Kimball, whose son Daniel 
 was the first child born in town. 
 Population, 1S30, 2,221. 
 
 The following account of a terri- 
 ble tornado, in this section of coun- 
 try, is by the Rev. John Woods, 
 published in Professor Silliman's 
 Journal, Vol. XXXV. No. 2. 
 January, 1839. 
 
 Mr. Woods says, " The event 
 occurred about half past 5 o'clock, 
 Sunday evening, September 9th, 
 1321. The wind, I suppose, was a 
 proper whirlwind, precisely such 
 as occasion water-spouts at sea. 
 A very intelligent woman in War- 
 ner, who, at a distance of two or 
 three miles, observed its progress, 
 compared its appearance to a tin 
 trumpet, the small end downward, 
 also to a great elephant's trunk let 
 down out of heaven, and moving 
 majestically along. She remarked, 
 that its appearance and motion gave 
 her a strong impression of life. 
 
 When it had reached the easterly 
 part of the town, she said the low- 
 er end appeared to be taken up from 
 the earth, and to bend around in a 
 serpentine form, until it passed be- 
 hind a black cloud and disappeared. 
 Its course was southeasterly. It 
 was attended with but little rain in 
 some parts of* its course, more in 
 others. The rain, or what appear- 
 ed like it, was in my opinion taken 
 from bodies of water which it pass- 
 ed over. It was said, that it low- 
 ered the water in a small pond in 
 Warner, about three feet. To peo- 
 ple near Sunapee lake, in New 
 London, I was told, it appeared as 
 if the lake was rushing up towards 
 heaven. The appearance of the 
 cloud to beholders at a little dis- 
 tance, was awfully terrific. It 
 commenced its desolating progress 
 east of Grantham mountain, in 
 Croydon. In Wendell, beside oth- 
 er buildings, it demolished a dwell- 
 ing house, and carried a child who 
 was asleep upon a bed, into Suna- 
 pee lake. In New London and 
 Sutton it did considerable damage, 
 but met with few dwelling houses 
 and destroyed no lives. From Sut- 
 ton it passed over the southwest 
 branch or spur of Kearsarge^moun- 
 tain, with a gore of land belonging 
 to Warner, called Kearsarge gore. 
 At the foot of this mountain, it en- 
 tirely demolished five barns, un- 
 roofed another, and utterly destroy- 
 ed two dwelling houses and so rent 
 another as to render it irrepara- 
 ble. 
 
 "The houses wholly destroyed 
 belonged to two brothers, Robert 
 and Daniel Savary. They contain- . 
 ed fourteen persons. In the house 
 of the latter were their aged par- 
 ents, seventy years old, I should 
 think, or upwards. The old gen- 
 tlemen, as he saw the cloud com- 
 ing, went into a chamber to close 
 a window, and was there when the 
 wind struck the house. He was 
 carried four or five rods, dashed 
 upon the rock, and instantly killed.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 A part of his brain was left upon 
 the rock where he fell. His wife 
 was very badly wounded, and it was 
 thought would not recover. A 
 child of Daniel Savary, in the same 
 house, was also killed. In the 
 house of Robert Savary, several 
 were much wounded and bruised, 
 but no lives lost. The houses and 
 barns and other buildings . at this 
 place were not only levelled with 
 the foundation, but the materials 
 and contents were dashed in ten 
 thousand pieces, and scattered in 
 every direction. Carts, wagons, 
 sleighs, ploughs, and sleds which 
 were new and strong, (one ox-sled, 
 I recollect, was entirely new,) 
 were carried to a considerable dis- 
 tance from twenty to sixty rods 
 and so broken and shattered as to be 
 fit only for fuel. Stone walls were 
 levelled, and rocks, weighing two, 
 three, or four hundred pounds, were 
 turned out of their beds, apparent- 
 ly by the bare force of the wind. 
 Large logs, also, two feet or more 
 in diameter, which were bedded in- 
 to the ground, and were fifty or sixty 
 feet long, were not sufficiently 
 weighty to retain their location. 
 In one instance I recollect to have 
 seen one large log lying upon an- 
 other in such a condition, that it 
 was thought by good judges, that 
 ten yoke of oxen could not have 
 moved the lower one from its bed; 
 but both were removed by the 
 wind several feet. An elm tree 
 near where old Mr. Savary fell, 
 which was one foot at least in di- 
 ameter, and too strongly rooted to 
 yield, was twisted like a withe to 
 the ground, and lay prostrate across 
 the path like a wilted weed. Not 
 an apple or forest tree was left 
 standing. One barn was seen to be 
 taken up whole, with its contents 
 of hay, grain, &c. After being 
 carried several rods, it came to 
 pieces, and flew like feathers in 
 every direction. 
 
 From the neighborhood of the 
 Savarys.it passed over another spur 
 
 of the mountain, and fell with great 
 violence on the buildings of Peter 
 Flanders and Joseph True. Their 
 houses, which were but a few rods 
 distant, one in Warner, the other in 
 Salisbury, were utterly demolished. 
 In Mr. F.'s house were nine per- 
 sons, two of whom were instantly 
 killed. Mr. F. and wife were very 
 badly wounded, but at length re- 
 covered. . In Mr. T.'s house were 
 7, all of whom were most wonder- 
 fully preserved, except that 2 chil- 
 dren, -10 or 12 years old, were bad- 
 ly burnt by hot bricks, the oven 
 having been heated and the bread 
 then in it ; one of whom lingered 
 several weeks in extreme suffer- 
 ing and then died. The father and 
 mother of Mrs. T., who lived about 
 half a mile distant, were visiting 
 there. They had just left the tea 
 table. Mr. T. and his father-in-law 
 went out at the door and saw the 
 cloud, but thought at first they 
 were so under the hill it would pass 
 harmless over them. But they 
 were soon convinced that its track 
 was marked with desolation. Mr. 
 T. just gave an alarm to his family, 
 then ran under the end of his shop, 
 which happened to stand beyond 
 the violence of the wind so as not 
 to be demolished. His father-in- 
 law, (Jones,) stood his ground un- 
 til the wind struck the barn, a few 
 rods to the northwest of him, and 
 he saw the fragments of it flying 
 thick in the air over his head. He 
 then threw himself flat upon the 
 ground by a heavy pile of wood. 
 Instantly a rafter fell endwise close 
 by him, entering the ground a foot 
 or two in depth, and immediately 
 a beam grazed down upon the raf- 
 ter and lay at his feet. He and 
 Mr. T. were entirely unharmed. 
 In a moment they saw, instead of a 
 new and strong and very comforta- 
 ble dwelling house, a perfect desola- 
 tion. Not even a sill remained up- 
 on its foundation. Even the cellar 
 stairs, and the hearths, which were 
 of tile or brick eight inches square,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 were taken up and removed. The 
 bricks of the chimney lay scattered 
 along, partly covering Mrs. T., and 
 covering to a considerable depth 
 two of the children. Mrs. T. was 
 soon taken up with but little inju- 
 ry. The shrieks and cries of the 
 two children, under a weight of 
 hot bricks, next pierced the heart 
 of their father. In removing them, 
 he burnt his hands to the bone. 
 They were at length taken out 
 alive, but in a state of great suffer- 
 ing, one of whom, as I have men- 
 tioned, after a few weeks, died. 
 All were now found but the babe, 
 about one year old. Supposing it 
 to be under the bricks, Mr. T. re- 
 newed his labor ; but soon it was 
 heard to cry in the direction of the 
 wind. Such as could run, ran in 
 search of it, and soon found it ly- 
 ing safe upon the ground beneath 
 a sleigh bottom, 10 or 15 rods from 
 where the house had stood. When 
 the wind came, the sleigh was in 
 the barn, six or eight rods north or 
 northwesterly from the house. The 
 two last mentioned houses were 
 one story, well built, and well fur- 
 nished dwellings. Their materials 
 were not merely separated, but 
 broken, splintered, reduced to kind- 
 ling wood, and scattered like the 
 chaff of the summer thrashing 
 floors. It was the same with fur- 
 niture, beds, bedding, bureaus, 
 chairs, tables, and the like. A loom 
 was, to appearance, carried whole 
 about forty rods, and then dashed 
 in pieces. The width of the deso- 
 lation here was about twenty or 
 twenty-five rods. On the higher 
 grounds over which it passed it 
 was forty, fifty, or sixty rods. The 
 deeper the valley, the narrower 
 and more violent was the current. 
 From the last mentioned neighbor- 
 hood it passed on to the east part 
 of Warner, but met with no other 
 dwelling houses, and did but little 
 damage, except to fences and for- 
 ests. The appearance of the ground 
 where it passed, was as if a migh- 
 
 ty torrent had swept over it, up 
 hill as well as down. Near 
 the boundary, between Warner 
 and Boscawen, the desolation ceas- 
 ed. It was taken up from the earth, 
 but spruce floor boards, which 
 were taken from New London, 
 were borne upon its bosom and 
 dropped in the Shaker village in 
 Canterbury, a distance of about 
 thirty miles. In following its track 
 in Kearsarge gore, I came to a 
 considerable stream of water, across 
 which had been a bridge, covered 
 with large oak logs, split in the 
 middle, instead of planks. These 
 half logs were scattered in every 
 direction, some carried, I should 
 think, ten rods in the direction from 
 which the wind came, others sixty 
 rods in the direction it went, and 
 others were dropped near the mar- 
 gin at the right and left. 
 
 One remarkable fact is, that the 
 same day, and about the same time 
 in the day, two other similar whirl- 
 winds were experienced, which 
 moved in nearly parallel lines, one 
 passing through Warwick, Mass., 
 and the other about the same dis- 
 tance to the northeast." 
 
 Warren, Me. 
 
 One of the county towns of Lin- 
 coln county. This town is situated 
 on both sides of St. Georges' river, at 
 the head of the tide waters, and is 
 bounded N. by Union, S. by "Camp- 
 den and Thomaston, S. by Gushing, 
 and W. by Waldoborough. Incor- 
 porated, 1776. Population, 1S30, 
 2,030 ; 1837, 2,143. It is 34 miles 
 S. E. from Augusta. 
 
 The location of this town is very 
 favorable for manufactures and 
 navigation. The lumber business 
 is not so large as formerly, yet con- 
 siderable quantities are now sawed 
 and shipped. Ship building is an 
 important branch of business, and 
 the manufacture of lime, from a 
 superior quality of limestone, with 
 which this section of country 
 abounds, is carried on extensively,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 and is annually increasing. The 
 village is well located and pleasant : 
 it contains a well conducted acade- 
 my or high school, for youth of 
 both sexes; in which all the lan- 
 guages and other branches of edu- 
 cation may be obtained, and such 
 as are necessary to prepare them 
 for future usefulness in society. 
 
 Warren. X. II. 
 
 Grafton co. This town is 10 miles 
 S. E from Haverhill corner, and 63 
 N. by W. from Concord. It is wa- 
 tered by the N. branch of Baker's 
 river, which has its source on the 
 E. side of Moosehillock mountain. 
 It passes in a N. direction to Went- 
 worth, and, hear the S. line of War- 
 ren, furnishes several valuable mill 
 seats. The S. E. part presents a 
 mountainous aspect, having a large 
 portion of Carr's mountain on its 
 southeastern border. Warren was 
 granted by charter, in 1763. Popu- 
 lation, in 1830, 702. 
 
 Warren, Vt. 
 
 Washington co. This town was 
 first settled about the year 1797, by 
 Samuel Lard and Seth Leavitt. It 
 lies 16 miles S. W. from Montpe- 
 Her, and 31 S. E. from Burlington. 
 Population, 1330, 766. This town 
 is watered by Mad river, and al- 
 though between the two Green 
 mountain ranges, the surface is not 
 much broken ; it has some good mill 
 sites, and some mechanical opera- 
 tions by water. Many cattle are 
 reared in the town, and about 4,000 
 sheep are kept. 
 
 Warren, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This town was 
 called Western from 1741 to 1834. 
 It lies 60 miles W. by S. from Bos- 
 ton, and 23 W. S.W from Worcester. 
 Population, 1837, 1,196. It is wa- 
 tered by Chickopee river, and con- 
 tains one cotton and two woolen 
 mills, a scythe factory and manu- 
 factures of palm-leaf hats. The 
 value of goods annually made in 
 
 the town, is about $75,000. A large 
 portion of the lands in Warren are 
 uneven and hilly, but the soil is 
 warm, and favorable to the growth 
 of grain, and the support of sheep, 
 of which 1,110 were kept in 1837. 
 The village is quite pleasant. 
 
 Warren, R. I. 
 
 Bristol co. This small town, com- 
 prising an area of only about 2,600 
 acres, is situated on the E. side of 
 Narragansetbay, and is bounded N. 
 and W. by Palmer or Warren river, 
 E. by Massachusetts, and S. by 
 Bristol. It is 11 miles S. E. from 
 Providence, and 19N.by E. Irom 
 Newport. Incorporated, 1746. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,800. 
 
 The surface of Warren is undu- 
 lating, with a soil of rich mould, 
 very fertile and productive. Great 
 attention is paid in this place to ag- 
 riculture, and particularly to horti- 
 culture ; and all the varieties of 
 fruits and culinary vegetables are 
 produced in abundance and perfec- 
 tion. Warren has a safe and com- 
 modious harbor for vessels of 300 
 tons burthen: a number of vessels 
 are owned fiere, engaged in foreign 
 commerce, the coasting trade and 
 fishery. Ship building has been 
 pursued here to a great extent, and 
 some vessels are now built, but not 
 so many as formerly. This place 
 has produced a great number of ex- 
 cellent sailors and ship masters, as 
 well as ship builders. 
 
 The village is delightfully situa- 
 ted on a rise of ground fronting the 
 harbor: it is neatly built, and is 
 surrounded by a variety of interest- 
 ing scenery. This town is noted 
 for the healthiness o( its climate, 
 and the longevity of its inhabitants 
 In 1834, there were only 19 deaths 
 in the town, and the average age 
 of 7 of those was 85 years. War- 
 ren is a fine resort in summer, and is 
 much frequented. 
 
 Warren, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield co. Warren was taken
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEU. 
 
 from Kent, in 1786. It is bounded 
 on the E. by Litchfield, and is 38 
 miles W. from Hartford. The town 
 is watered by Shepaug river, a 
 branch of the Housatonick, and by 
 a large and handsome pond, called 
 Raumaug. Warren is hilly and 
 rocky, and in some parts mountain- 
 ous. It however produces butter, 
 cheese, beef, pork, some grain, and 
 considerable wool. Population, in 
 1830, 986. 
 
 Warwick, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. This town is ele- 
 vated, and contains Mount Grace, 
 from which a delightful prospect is 
 presented. The soil is strong, warm, 
 and produces excellent pasturage. 
 There are no considerable streams 
 in the town, and its manufactures 
 consist only of leather, scythes and 
 palm-leaf hats. Moose pond, a 
 pleasant sheet of water, furnishes 
 an abundance of fine trout, picker- 
 el and perch. 
 
 Warwick was incorporated in 
 1763. Population, 1837, 1,111. It 
 is 78 miles W. N W. from Boston, 
 and 14 E. by N. from Greenfield. 
 
 Warwick, R. I. 
 
 Kent co. This important town, 
 the Indian Shawomet, is situated 
 en flie W. side of Narraganset bay, 
 6 miles S. from Providence. Pop- 
 ulation, 1820, 3,443'; 1830,5,529. 
 It contains an area of 54 square 
 miles. The surface of the town, 
 along the bay, is generally level, 
 but the westerly part is hilly, so 
 much so that from some of the el- 
 evations, a large part of the state 
 may be seen in a clear day. The 
 prevailing soil is a gravelly loam, 
 strong, and productive of grain, 
 grass, fruits and vegetables. The 
 town is well supplied with a great 
 variety of fish, and forests ol wal- 
 nut, oak and chesnut. 
 
 Pawtuxet river washes the north- 
 ern part of the town, and meets 
 the waters of the Narraganset at 
 this place, separating Warwick from 
 
 Cranston. An arm of the bay ex- 
 tends westward, giving to Warwick 
 and East Greenwich a number of 
 excellent harbors. Vessels of 50 
 tons burthen pass to the flourishing 
 village of Apponaug, between 4 
 and 5 miles from the bay. This vil- 
 lage is pleasantly located, 10 miles 
 S. from Providence, and is the site 
 of considerable enterprize in ship 
 building, the fishery, and the coast- 
 ing trade. 
 
 Pawtuxet village is at the mouth 
 of Pawtuxet river, a port of entry, 
 and lays partly in Warwick, and 
 partly in Cranston. This beautiful 
 village, 5 miles S. from Providence, 
 is celebrated for its great hydraul- 
 ic power on navigable waters. War- 
 wick is eminently distinguished as 
 a manufacturing town ; but all we 
 can at present state is, that but ve- 
 ry few villages in our country can 
 boast of a more valuable manufac- 
 turing interest, particularly in cot- 
 ton goods. As early as 1822, there 
 were 15 cotton and 2 woolen mills 
 in Warwick. 
 
 Warwick is the birth place of two 
 distinguished patriots and warriors. 
 
 Col. CHRISTOPHER GREEN was 
 born in 1737. He was in the ill- 
 fated attack upon Quebec, in which 
 the brave Montgomery fell. He 
 was afterwards selected by Wash- 
 ington to take charge of Fort Mer- 
 cer, or Red Bank, N. J. For his 
 gallant defence of that Fort against 
 a superior force, in 1777, he ac- 
 quired the reputation of a brave, 
 judicious and faithful officer. He 
 was assassinated in the most bru 
 tal manner, in 1781, by a party 
 of American royalists, while sta- 
 tioned on the border of Croton river, 
 New York. 
 
 Major General NATHANIEL 
 GREEN was born in 1741. He died 
 in Georgia, in 1786. General Green 
 early received the particular favor 
 of Washington. This favor was 
 continued throughout the war, and 
 was strengthened by his ardent 
 patriotism, undaunted courage, pru-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 dence, and superior military know- 
 ledge. 
 
 " Within a mile from the village 
 of Apponaug may be seen a huge 
 rock, so completely balanced upon 
 another, and its equilibrium so ex- 
 act, that a boy 14 years of age may 
 set it in such motion that the contact 
 or collision caused thereby, produ- 
 ces a sound somewhat like that of 
 a drum, but more sonorous, which 
 in a still evening may be heard a 
 distance of 6 or 8 miles. Hence, 
 from time immemorial, it has gone 
 by the name of the Drum Rock. 
 From the ponderous weight of that 
 part which is thus nicely balanced, 
 it is generally believed that no oth- 
 er than the hand of nature ever 
 could have done it. Yet some are 
 inclined to believe, that it was thus 
 placed by the herculean labor of 
 some tribe of the natives. There 
 remains no doubt, but that this was 
 a place of their resort or encamp- 
 ment ; and that the Drum Rock 
 served them either to give an alarm 
 in case of danger, or to call the tribe 
 together from their daily avocations. 
 This rock is considered as a great 
 curiosity, excites much attention, 
 and consequently is at the present 
 day a place of much resort, par- 
 ticularly in the pleasant season of 
 the year.' 
 
 "Washington County, Me. 
 
 Machias is the shire town. This 
 county is of a singular form. It 
 extends from the Atlantic ocean to 
 .the border of Lower Canada, a dis- 
 tance of more than 3 1-2 degrees 
 of latitude. Its interior part, for 
 more than 175 miles, is but 14 miles 
 in breadth : that part near the sea 
 is about 50 miles in width. This 
 territory is bounded N. by Lower 
 Canada, E. by New Brunswick, S. 
 by the ocean, and W. by the coun- 
 ties of Hancock and Penobscot. It 
 contains an area of about 4,150 
 square miles. About a third part 
 of this county may be said to be 
 settled ; the residue is a densely 
 
 wooded wilderness. The charac- 
 ter of the surface and soil of this 
 county, is much the same as that 
 of the adjacent counties of Han- 
 cock and Penobscot. In commor 
 with all the Atlantic countk 
 Maine, Washington county poss 
 es its numerous bays, inlets, ca> 
 cious harbors, and pleasant isla>v 
 so admirably adapted to foreign anu. 
 domestic commerce, the fisheries 
 and ship building. 
 
 The St. Croix is its most impor- 
 tant river. The banks of this no- 
 ble stream are rapidly settling, by 
 Yankees on one side and English- 
 men on the other; and long may it 
 be a channel, not only of individu- 
 al and national wealth, but of " good 
 nature and good humor, between 
 people, who, though under different 
 governments, have the same lan- 
 guage, a similar religion, a kindred 
 blood." 
 
 The tonnage of the two districts 
 in this county, Machias and Passa- 
 maquoddy, in 1837, was 19,072 tons. 
 In 1S37, the number of sheep in 
 the county was 19,008 : the same 
 year it produced 27,014 bushels of 
 wheat. The population of the coun- 
 ty in 1320, was 12,744 ; in 1830, 
 21,294; and in 1837, 28,495: in- 
 crease in 7 years,34 pr. ct., and in 17 
 years, 123 pr. ct. Pop. tosq. m.,7. 
 
 Washington, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This town contains 
 several ponds, and some branches 
 of the Damariscotta and Mus- 
 congus rise here. It lies 35 miles 
 E. from Augusta, and 25 N. N. E. 
 from Wiscasset. Population 1837, 
 1,378. Wheat crop, same year, 
 2,269 bushels. Incorporated, 1811. 
 It was formerly caHed Putnam. 
 
 Washington, N. H., 
 
 Sullivan co., lies, 22 miles N. 
 N. E. from Keene, 20 E. by S. from 
 Charlestown, and 35 W. from Con- 
 cord. This town is hilly, but not 
 mountainous. LovewelPs moun- 
 tain, so called from Capt. Love-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 well's killing 7 Indians near it, is 
 ot a conical shape, about 3-4 of a 
 mile in diameter, and may be seen 
 at a considerable distance. Wash- 
 ington abounds with springs, rivu- 
 lets, and natural ponds, of the last 
 of which, there are no less than 16, 
 and some of them of considerable 
 magnitude. Island pond, so called 
 from its being full of islands, is 2 
 miles long, and 1 1-2 wide. Half 
 moon pond is 1 1-2 miles in length. 
 Ashuelot pond is 1 1-2 miles long, 
 and 1 mile wide, and is the source 
 of one of the principal branches of 
 Ashuelot river. Brockway's pond, 
 a beautiful sheet of water, lying on 
 a white sand, is 1 mile long and 1-2 
 a mile wide. Long pond, lying in 
 this town and Stoddard, is 5 miles in 
 length. These ponds abound with 
 a variety of fish. A branch of 
 Contoocook river has its source from 
 several small ponds in the E. part 
 of the town. The soil is generally 
 deep and moist, better for grass than 
 tillage. Washington was settled 
 in 1768. It was first called Monad- 
 nock, JV"o. 8. From its settlement, 
 it was called Camden, till Decem- 
 ber 13, 1776, when it was incorpo- 
 rated by its present name. The 
 first settlers had 150 acres of land 
 each for settling. Population, in 
 1330, 1,135. 
 
 Washington Comity, Vt. 
 
 MOWTPEL.IER is the chief town. 
 This county is nearly in the centre 
 of the state, and the principal part 
 of it lies between the two ranges 
 of the Green Mountains. It is 
 bounded N. by Lamoille and parts 
 of Chittenden and Caledonia coun- 
 ties, E. by Caledonia county, S. by 
 Orange and Addison, and W. by 
 Addison, and Chittenden, counties. 
 It was incorporated in 1810, by the 
 name of Jefferson, and took its pres- 
 ent name in 1814. The county is 
 finely wc*ered by its chief river, 
 the Winooski, or Onion, and many 
 of its important branches. These 
 btreams afford the county an abun- 
 
 dant water power, and manufac- 
 turing establishments increase and 
 flourish in this mountainous region. 
 The surface of the county is 
 uneven, hilly, and in some parts 
 mountainous, but there is much 
 valuable land along the streams, 
 which in many parts are sluggish, 
 and form large tracts of excellent 
 intervale. The agricultural pro- 
 ductions consist of neat cattle, hors- 
 es, hogs, wool, and of the produc- 
 tions of the dairy. In 1837, there 
 were 60,025 sheep in Washington 
 county. There are large bodies of 
 beautiful granite, in the county, 
 and slate of various kinds. Popu- 
 lation, 1820, 14,113; 1830, 21,378. 
 Since 1830, there have been some 
 small changes in Washington coun- 
 ty, in regard to territory. We will 
 thank any of our Green Mountain 
 friends to give us all the necessary 
 information respecting it, for future 
 editions. The rail road from Bos- 
 ton to Ogdensburgh will probably 
 pass through this county, but we 
 beg them not to wait for that event. 
 
 Washington, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. Branches of Onion, 
 Wait's and White rivers rise in this 
 town, but afford no considerable 
 water power. The two former are 
 called Jail Branches, from the cir- 
 cumstance that the proprietors were 
 required by their charter, of 1781, 
 to erect a jail within the limits of 
 the town, at an early period. There 
 is some excellent land along the 
 streams, and the uplands are gener-. 
 ally arable, and afford good pastu- 
 rage. There is a neat village in 
 the town, some trade and manufac- 
 tures, and between 3,000 and 4,000 
 sheep are annually sheared. Wash- 
 ington is 15 miles S. by E. from 
 Montpelier, and is bounded S. by 
 Chelsea. Population, 1830, 1,374. 
 
 "Washington, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. This mountainous 
 town is watered by branches of 
 Westfield and Housatonick rivers
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The soil is well adapted for grazing. 
 In 1837, 5,209 sheep were shear- 
 ed in the town, producing 15,627 
 pounds of wool, principally merino. 
 There is found in this town a po- 
 rous quartz, which is used as buhr 
 stones, for mill stones ; and is re- 
 markable for resisting heat. Wash- 
 ington was incorporated in 1777. It 
 is 122 miles W. from Boston, and 8 
 E. from Lenox. Population, 1837, 
 753. 
 
 Washington County, R. I. 
 
 South Kingston is the shire town. 
 This is a maritime county situated 
 in the southwestern section of the 
 state ; bounded on the north by 
 Kent county, on the east by Nar- 
 raganset bay, on the south by the 
 Atlantic ocean, and on the west by 
 the state of Connecticut. The av- 
 erage length of the county, from 
 east to west, is about 20 miles, and 
 it has a mean breadth of more than 
 18 miles, comprising about 367 
 square miles. The geological char- 
 acter of this county is primitive ; 
 the rocks consist of granite and oth- 
 er original formations. The sur- 
 face is generally diversified with 
 moderate hills and narrow dales; 
 there are, however, some consider- 
 able eminences in the northwest 
 section of the county, and some 
 flats of considerable extent in the 
 south section, bordering upon the 
 Atlantic. The prevailing soil is a 
 primitive gravelly loam, strong and 
 fertile ; there are some considera- 
 ble tracts of sandy loam, and some 
 of alluvial. A considerable section 
 of this county was formerly called 
 the Narraganset country, and was 
 celebrated for an excellent breed 
 of pacing horses ; the other section 
 was called the Shannock country, 
 and was equally distinguished for 
 a valuable breed of neat cattle. 
 This county still maintains a high 
 reputation as a grazing district, and 
 affords many extensive and valua- 
 ble dairies. But the agricultural 
 interests are not confined exclu- 
 
 38 
 
 sively to the objects of the grazing 
 business ; in some sections of the 
 county considerable attention is paid 
 to the cultivation of grain, particu- 
 larly Indian corn and barley ; some 
 rye also is raised. The inhabitants 
 are distinguished for their habits of 
 industry and frugality, and in gen- 
 eral enjoy their necessary results, 
 health and competence. 
 
 The waters of the county are ex- 
 tensive and important, possessing a 
 maritime border upon the Atlantic 
 ocean and the Narraganset bay, of 
 more than 50 miles extent. There 
 are, however, but 2 or 3 harbors ; 
 the principal of which is Wickford, 
 in the northeastern section of the 
 county ; the next most important is 
 the Pawcatuck. The principal in- 
 terior waters of the county are em- 
 bodied in the Pawcatuck river, 
 which -forms part of the western 
 boundary of the state. The prin- 
 cipal branches of the Pawcatuck 
 are the Wood and Charles rivers; 
 which, with their tributary streams, 
 water a large portion of the west- 
 ern section of the county, and af- 
 ford numerous sites for mills, and 
 other hydraulic works. 
 
 There are, in the county, several 
 salt and fresh water ponds, which 
 are well supplied with fish. 
 
 The fisheries of the county are 
 extensive and valuable, affording 
 employment to considerable indus- 
 try, which is usually well reward- 
 ed. The fish taken, not only sup- 
 ply the home consumption, but con- 
 stitute an article of exportation. 
 
 Although the commercial busi- 
 ness carried on within the county 
 is not very considerable, yet its 
 maritime situation has had its uat- 
 ural influence upon the habits of 
 the people ; a considerable portion 
 of whom are employed in seafaring 
 business. 
 
 The manufacturing interests of 
 the county are considerable, and 
 consist principally of the woolen 
 and cotton manufactures, and the 
 business of ship building. Besides
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 these, there is considerable me- 
 chanical industry in the other de- 
 partments of mechanical business. 
 
 In 1837, there were 81,619 sheep 
 in the county. Population, in 1800, 
 16,135; 1810, 14,963; in 1820, 
 15,687; 1830, 15,411. Population 
 to a square mile, 42. From this 
 statement of the population, it ap- 
 pears that this county must have 
 suffered greatly by emigration. 
 
 Washington, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield co. Judea, the first 
 society in this town, was a part of 
 Woodbury until 1741. It was first 
 settled in 1734. It was incorpora- 
 ted as a town in 1779. 
 
 This town is 40 miles S. W. from 
 Hartford, and 10 S. W. from Litch- 
 field. Population, 1830, 986. 
 
 "A large part of this town is el- 
 evated and mountainous. Lime- 
 stone abounds in many of the val- 
 leys. Several quarries of marble 
 have been worked, from which con- 
 siderable quantities have been rais- 
 ed. Iron ore has been found in va- 
 rious places. Ochre, fuller's earth, 
 and white clay, have also been 
 found. The town is watered by 
 the Shepaug river, a branch of the 
 Housatonick, which passes through 
 the whole length of the town, di- 
 viding it into two nearly equal parts. 
 The town is divided into two so- 
 cieties, Judea and New Preston. 
 There is in Judea, or Washington 
 as it is called, about two miles S. 
 W. of the centre of the town, a 
 place called" Steep Rock." From 
 the top of this eminence, which is 
 easy of access, the beholder has 
 one of the most interesting and 
 beautiful prospects in the state. 
 The scene presents an area in the 
 form of an amphitheatre, the sides 
 of which are covered with a dense 
 forest. The Shepaug river is seen 
 flowing in a beautiful circle at the 
 base of the bluff. Within the cir- 
 cle of the river, there are several 
 cultivated fields, affording a beauti- 
 ful landscape to the beholder. 
 
 " This town has been the theatre 
 of one of the most atrocious mur- 
 ders ever committed in New Eng- 
 land. The murderer was a man or 
 rather fiend, by the name of Barnett 
 Davenport. From his own confes- 
 sion, it appears that his parentage 
 and early education were exactly 
 fitted to produce his wicked life and 
 his tragical end. Untutored and 
 unrestrained by parental govern- 
 ment, he was left to grow up at 
 random. In the morning of life, 
 no morality was inculcated upon 
 him, and no sense of religion, either 
 by precept or example. On the 
 contrary, he was, from early years, 
 unprincipled, profane, and impious. 
 Before he was 9 years old, he was 
 expert in cursing and swearing, and 
 an adept in mischief. At 11 years 
 he began to pilfer. At 13 he stole 
 money. At 15 he entertained 
 thoughts of murder, and rapidly 
 waxed harder and bolder in wick- 
 edness. At 19, he actually mur- 
 dered a family in cold blood. As a 
 friendless wandering stranger, he 
 was taken into the house of Mr. 
 Caleb Mallory, and treated with 
 the utmost kindness, in December, 
 1779. Scarcely two months had 
 elapsed, before the murder was de- 
 termined on. The night of Febru- 
 ary 3d, 1780, was fixed on to exe- 
 cute the horrid purpose. With a 
 heart hard as adamant, he lighted a 
 candle, went into the lodging room 
 of his benefactors, and beat them to 
 death with a club. A little grand 
 child being with its grand parents 
 shared the same fate, and two others 
 were left in a sound sleep to perish 
 in the flames. Having kindled a 
 fire in three of the rooms, he fled, 
 after robbing the house of its most 
 valuable articles. But from an ac- 
 cusing conscience, and from the 
 hand of justice, which followed 
 hard upon his steps, he was unable 
 to flee. He was taken, and execu- 
 ted at Litchfield in the May ensu- 
 ing."
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 \Vaterborongh, Me. 
 
 York co. This town is watered 
 by a large and pleasant pond, which 
 empties into Little Ossipee river, 
 a branch of the Saco, and by the 
 head branches of the Mousum, a 
 stream which meets the ocean at 
 Kennebunk. This is a flourishing 
 town, with a pleasant surface and 
 good soil. It lies 81 miles S. W. 
 from Augusta, 24 W. from Portland, 
 and is bounded S. by Alfred. Incor- 
 porated, 1787. Population, 1830, 
 1,816 ; 1837, 1,953. 
 
 Waterbury, Vt. 
 
 Washington co. The surface of 
 Waterbury is generally level, with 
 some pleasant swells. The soil is 
 warm and fertile : the meadow lands 
 on the rivers, of which there are 
 large tracts, are not excelled, in 
 richness, by any in the state. 
 
 This town is separated from 
 Duxbury by Onion river, which, 
 with Waterbury river and other 
 streams, afford the town a good 
 water power. It was first settled 
 in 1784. Population, 1830, 1,650. 
 It lies 12 miles N. W. from Mont- 
 pelier, and 24 E. S. E. from Bur- 
 lington. 
 
 In the southwest corner of the 
 township, the passage of Onion riv- 
 er through a considerable hill, is 
 considered a curiosity. The stream 
 has here worn a channel through 
 the rocks, which in times past, un- 
 doubtedly, formed a cataract below 
 of no ordinary height, and a consid- 
 erable lake above. The chasm is 
 at present about one hundred feet 
 wide, and nearly as deep. On one 
 side the rocks are nearly perpendic- 
 ular, some of which have fallen 
 across the bed of the stream, in such 
 a manner as to form a bridge, pas- 
 sable, however, only at low water. 
 On the same side the rocks which 
 appear to have been loosened and 
 moved by the undermining of the 
 water, have again rested, and be- 
 come axed in such a posture as to 
 
 form several caverns or caves, some 
 of which have the appearance of 
 rooms fitted for the convenience of 
 man. Several musket balls and 
 flints were found in the extreme 
 part of this cavern, a few years 
 since, with the appearance of hav- 
 ing lain there many years, which 
 makes it evident that it was known 
 fo the early hunters. 
 
 Waterbury River, rises in Mor- 
 ristown, and runs south through 
 the western part of Stow and Wa- 
 terbury into Onion river. In Stow, 
 it receives one considerable tribu- 
 tary from the east which rises in 
 Worcester, and two from the west 
 which rise in Mansfield. It also 
 receives several tributaries from 
 the west, in Waterbury, which 
 originate in Bolton. The whole 
 length of the stream is about 16 
 miles, and it affords a number of 
 good mill privileges. 
 
 Waterbury, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. The Indian 
 Mattatuck, a territory comprising 
 this and some of the neighboring 
 towns, being 18 miles in length and 
 10 miles in width, was sold by the 
 red men to the whites,, in the year 
 16S4, " for divers good causes and 
 thirty-nine pounds." This piece 
 of ground was supposed by the 
 white men, to afford sufficient room 
 and accommodations for thirty fam- 
 ilies. The territory now contains 
 8,000 people ; and if its population 
 was as dense as that of England, in 
 1831, it would contain no less than 
 20,610, or of Belgium, 35,370 souls. 
 
 There are some good lands on 
 the borders of the streams, within 
 the present limits of Waterbury ; 
 but the surface of the town is gen- 
 erally rough, and the soil difficult 
 of cultivation. 
 
 This town lies 28 miles S. W. 
 from Hartford, and 20 N. by W. 
 from New Haven. Population, 
 1830, 3,070. 
 
 The site upon which the bor-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ough of Waterbury stands, is situa- 
 ted in a valley which is washed by 
 Mad river on the east, and the Nau- 
 gatuck on the west ; and in its cen- 
 tral part is about a mile in breadth. 
 The main street runs east and west ; 
 but since the increase of the manu-r 
 facturing establishments within the 
 last twelve years, a large share of 
 the new buildings have been erect- 
 ed in their vicinity, which is in the 
 southeast part of the village. On 
 either side of the village, hills 
 gradually rise to a considerable 
 elevation, presenting to the eye 
 the galleries of an amphithea- 
 tre, the village forming the area. 
 The number of houses is about one 
 hundred and fifty, and the popula- 
 tion fifteen hundred ; which it is 
 calculated has doubled itself dur- 
 ing the last twelve years; most of 
 the factories having been established 
 within that time. Some of the 
 private dwellings may be called 
 splendid, and a majority of them 
 neat, convenient, with handsome 
 court yards in front. 
 
 " Of the articles manufactured 
 in the village, those of gilt buttons 
 and the rolling of brass and copper 
 metals for a great variety of uses, 
 constitute the greatest business. 
 There are three factories of this 
 kind upon an extensive scale, two 
 in the village, and one about two 
 miles north, connected with which 
 is a gold refinery. There are like- 
 wise two factories of gilt buttons 
 upon a considerable scale, uncon- 
 nected with rolling mills. One 
 extensive rolling mill connected 
 with the brass wire and tubing 
 manufacture, two satinet factories, 
 one woolen factory, besides a great 
 number of minor establishments, in 
 which buttons of various kinds and 
 other articles are manufactured to a 
 considerable extent. The number 
 of persons in the village, of both 
 sexes, who are employed in the 
 manufacturing establishments, is 
 between six and seven hundred. 
 It is not precisely known what 
 
 amount is manufactured yearly, 
 but it has been estimated by good 
 judges to exceed a million of dollars, 
 and is upon the increase. The 
 route has been surveyed by a prac- 
 tical engineer, for constructing a 
 canal to bring the Naugatuck on to 
 the bank at the west end of the 
 town, which will, when completed, 
 afford a supply of water power, ca- 
 pable of employing as much or 
 more capital than has been already 
 invested." 
 
 SAMUEL HOPKINS', D. D., the 
 founder of a religious sect, denom- 
 inated Hopkinsians, was born in 
 this town, in 1721. He died at 
 Newport, R. I., in 1803. See Reli- 
 gious Creeds, and Statistics. 
 
 Dr. LEMUEL HOPKINS, a poet, 
 and an eminent physician, was born 
 in Waterbury, in 1750. He died 
 at Hartford, in 1801. 
 
 Waterford, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. This town is water- 
 ed by a number of beautiful ponds, 
 and Crooked river passes through 
 its northeast border. The surface 
 is generally level and the soil good. 
 It produced in 1837, 5,545 bushels 
 of wheat. 
 
 Waterford was incorporated in 
 1797. It lies 57 miles W. by S. 
 from Augusta, and 10 W. by S. 
 from Paris. Population, in 1837, 
 1,297. 
 
 Waterford, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. This town was 
 chartered in 1780, by the name of 
 Littleton, which name it retained 
 until 1797. It was first settled in 
 1787. It lies on the west side of 
 Connecticut river, 32 miles E. N. 
 E. from Montpelier, and 12 E. S. E. 
 from Danville. Population, 1830, 
 1,358. The west part of the town 
 is watered by the Passumpsic, and 
 the north border by Moose river. 
 Here is a water power, and some 
 manufactures. A part of the town 
 borders on Fifteen Mile Falls, in 
 Connecticut river. The banks of
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 that river are steep at this place, 
 and form but little intervale. The 
 uplands are rough and stony, but 
 good for sheep, of which 3,500 are 
 kept. 
 
 AVaterford, Ct. 
 
 New London co. This town 
 was taken from New London in 
 1801. It is washed on the east side 
 by the river Thames ; and on the 
 south by Long Island Sound, from 
 which a bay or inlet extends, be- 
 tween Millstone and Black Points, 
 quite into the centre of the town, 
 affording a harbor for small vessels. 
 This is a resort for fishermen on the 
 Sound, and many species of the 
 finny tribe are taken captive. 
 
 There are a number of ponds in 
 the town, three considerable mill 
 streams, and two woolen factories. 
 The surface of the town is rocky and 
 uneven, with a gravelly loam, pro- 
 ductive of corn, vegetables, fruits, 
 and feed for cattle. In 1837, it con- 
 tained 2,532 sheep. 
 
 Waterford lies 37 miles S. E. from 
 Hartford, and 4 W. from New Lon- 
 don. Population, 1830, 2,463. 
 
 "Waterqueecliy River, Vt. 
 
 See Queechy River. 
 \Vatertowii, 
 
 Middlesex co. Charles river 
 gives this town a valuable water 
 power, which is well improved. 
 The river is navigable to the centre 
 of the town for vessels of 6 or 7 
 feet draught of water. 
 
 The surface of the town is diver- 
 sified by hills and valleys, which is 
 rendered very beautiful by a high 
 state of cultivation, and by the nu- 
 merous villas, neat farm houses, 
 cottages, and delightful gardens 
 which meet the eye in every direc- 
 tion. A part of the beautiful sheet 
 of water, called " Fresh Pond," 
 and apart of the celebrated Mount 
 Auburn Cemetery lie in this town. 
 
 On the north bank of the river, 
 a short distance below the princi- 
 38* 
 
 pal village, the United States Arse- 
 nal, containing a large amount of 
 munitions of war, occupies a site 
 of 40 acres of ground. At the 
 commencement of the revolution- 
 ary war, this place was the chosen 
 seat of the continental congress. 
 That body of patriots was in session 
 at Watertown on the day of the 
 battle of " Bunker Hill." 
 
 There are two paper mills in the 
 town, a cotton mill, print works, an. 
 establishment for finishing woolen 
 goods, and manufactures of soap, 
 candles, boots, shoes, boxes, &c. 
 Large quantities of beef, pork, 
 bacon, Sec., are annually packed at 
 this place for the Boston market, 
 and for transportation. In 1837, 
 three soap and candle manufactories 
 used 300 tons of tallow, 350 tons of 
 barilla, 50 tons of palm-oil, 1,750 
 barrels of rosin, 2,000 casks of 
 lime, and 1,000 bushels of salt. 
 
 Watertown was first settled in 
 1630, by the sons of Sir Richard 
 Saltonstall and others. It was in- 
 corporated the same year. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 1,641; 1837, 1,739. 
 It is 7 miles W. from Boston. Its 
 Indian name was Pigsgnsset. 
 
 "Watertown, Ct. 
 
 Litchfield co. This town lies 
 30 miles S. S. W. from Hartford, 
 26 N. by W. from New Haven, and 
 10 S. E. from Litchfield. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 1,500. 
 
 Watertown was formerly a parish 
 in Waterbury, by the name of West- 
 bury. It was incorporated as a 
 town in 1780. It is bounded N. by 
 Litchfield, E. by the Naugatuck 
 river, separating it from Plymouth, 
 W. by Bethlem and Woodbury, and 
 S. by Middlebury and Waterbury. 
 It is about 6 1-2 miles in length, and 
 4 in breadth. The township is gen- 
 erally uneven, or rather hilly ; but 
 some sections are level. The pre- 
 vailing soil is a dry gravelly loam, 
 and best adapted to grazing, but 
 the different grains common to this 
 part of the country are cultivated
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Steel's brook, a sprightly stream, 
 passes through the central part of 
 the town, and for a mile below and 
 some distance above the centre of 
 the town, a chain of rich meadows, 
 though small in extent, border the 
 sides of this stream. 
 
 This is the birth place of JOHN 
 TRUMBULL, the celebrated author 
 of " McFingal." He graduated 
 at Yale College, and studied law 
 with John Adams, in Boston. The 
 first part of his McFingal appeared 
 in 1775. It was completed in 1782. 
 He was a judge of the Superior 
 Court of Connecticut from 1801 to 
 1819. In 1825, he removed to 
 Detroit, where he died, in 1831, 
 aged 81 years. 
 
 The people of this town make 
 some boast of the size of their for- 
 est trees. It is said, as an extraor- 
 dinary fact, " that one of the first 
 settlers, having no shelter for the 
 night, peeled off the bark of one of 
 the trees he had felled, and lay 
 down upon the inside. In the 
 morning when he awoke, he found 
 the bark rolled up so closely that it 
 was with some difficulty he could 
 extricate himself." 
 
 This story will do to tell as far 
 west as Connecticut, but the ' Down 
 Easters' would laugh at it. It 
 would take Dame Nature more 
 than a night to screw up the bark 
 of one of their common pines even 
 to the circumference of the New 
 Hampshire Giant. The Maine 
 folks willingly grant to Connecti- 
 cut the tallest poets, but claim to 
 their state the biggest trees. 
 
 Waterville, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. This town is situ- 
 ated on the west bank of the Ken- 
 uebec river, 18 miles N. from Au- 
 gusta. It was incorporated as a 
 part of Winslow in 1771, and as 
 a separate town in 1802. Popu- 
 lation in 1820, 1719; in 1830, 
 2,216; in 1837, 2,905. It contains 
 30 square miles, mostly of the 
 best quality of farming laud of the 
 
 Kennebec region. Seven twelfths 
 of the population is estimated to be 
 agricultural. The principal village, 
 of about 180 houses, is on the Ken- 
 nebec, at Ticonic Falls. These 
 falls are 18 feet in height, extending 
 quite across the river. In the town, 
 there are 17 saws, four grist mills, 
 carding machines, three plaster 
 mills, two extensive tanneries and 
 a machine shop. One iron IbuiHrv, 
 a branch of the celebrated Fair- 
 banks establishment in Vermont, 
 supplies a great portion of the inte- 
 rior of the state with ploughs. The 
 public structures are 4 meeting 
 houses, an Academy, and the Lib- 
 eral Institute, a Seminary founded 
 by Universalists. This latter edi- 
 fice, though small, is one of the 
 most beautiful specimens of, archi- 
 tecture in the state. Ticonic bridge, 
 crossing the Kennebec, 550 feet in 
 length, is a fine specimen of Col. 
 Long's plan of construction. 
 
 Waterville College is pleasantly 
 situated near the village, on the 
 bank of the river. There are 2 ed- 
 ifices for rooms, a chapel, and a 
 commons hall. This Institution 
 was founded in 1813, as a Theolo- 
 gical school; in 1821 it was con- 
 verted into a College, and has 143 
 graduates. It was founded by 
 Baptists, but is open to all denomi- 
 nations, and affords facilities for 
 manual labor. Its Faculty is a 
 President, three Professors, and 
 two Tutors. 
 
 From Augusta, the head of sloop 
 navigation, goods are transported 
 to Waterville in large flat-boats, 
 some of which carry 40 tons. This 
 renders the place an important depot 
 of merchandise for an extensive 
 country above, and of produce and 
 manufactures brought down to be 
 shipped for a market: great quanti- 
 ties of oats, shingles and other lum- 
 ber, leather, potash and potatoes, are 
 thus transported from this place. 
 The erection of a dam at Augusta, 
 is thought to have improved the 
 navigation, and affords facilities for
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 making Waterville the centre of 
 trade for the country above. A 
 steam boat now runs between this 
 place and the lower towns. 
 
 The village of West Waterville 
 is on Emerson stream, a tributary of 
 the Kennebec. Here is a remark- 
 ble cascade, the highest known in 
 the state, and is much resorted to for 
 its picturesque scenery. At this 
 village are manufactories for cut- 
 ting out last blocks, which are ex- 
 ported in great quantities to Massa- 
 chusetts, and a scythe factory of 
 high reputation, which made 300 
 dozen scythes in the year 1833. 
 
 The water power at Waterville 
 and in the vicinity, is singularly 
 great. A circle described from the 
 Ticonic falls, before named, as a 
 centre, with a radius of five miles, 
 includes two falls across the whole 
 Kennebec, at Kendall's mills, two 
 miles above Waterville; two falls, 5 
 miles distant, on the Sebasticook, a 
 large tributary stream ; and an in- 
 definite series of falls, upon the 
 Emerson stream, from the cascade 
 to its confluence, besides numerous 
 rapids, which could easily be dam- 
 med, on all these streams. It is be- 
 lieved that no similar circle of 10 
 miles dia.neter in New England, 
 comprehends so large and conven- 
 ient water power. But a very small 
 part of this power is yet occupied, 
 and situated as Waterville is, in the 
 centre of these manufacturing fa- 
 cilities, enjoying convenient boat 
 navigation to the sea ports, with an 
 extensive region of the best agri- 
 cultural advantages in the rear, it 
 promises to become a thrifty and 
 populous town. 
 
 Waterville, N. H. 
 
 Grafton co. This town compris- 
 es the territory called Gillis and 
 foss' Grant, until its incorporation, 
 in 1S29. It is bounded N. by un- 
 granted land, E. by Albany, S. by 
 Sandwich, and W. by Thornton. It 
 was granted June 29, 1819, to Jo- 
 eiah GMlis, Moses Foss, jr. and oth- 
 
 ers. It is watered by Mad river, 
 which rises among the mountainous 
 tracts on the N. ; runs S. W. about 
 20 miles, and falls into Pemigewas- 
 set river in Campton. Swift river 
 has its source in this town, pursues 
 an E. course through Albany, into 
 Conway, where it unites with Saco 
 river. There are 2 ponds, and sev- 
 eral considerable elevations. Mo- 
 ses Foss, jr. commenced the settle- 
 ment some years since. It has 96 
 inhabitants. 
 
 Waterville, Vt. 
 
 Lamoille co. This town is envi- 
 roned by mountains, and is itself 
 mountainous. It is watered by a 
 branch of Lamoille river, and is 
 bounded E. by Belvidere, W. by 
 Fletcher. It lies about 25 miles S. 
 E. from St. Albans. Population, 
 1830, 488. 
 
 "VVayland, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. The name of this 
 town was East Sudbury, from 1730 
 to 1835. It lies on the east side of 
 Sudbury river, and is bounded east 
 by Weston. The surface of the 
 town is pleasant ; the soil is gener- 
 ally good, and contains some well 
 cultivated farms. There are 4 for- 
 ges in this town, and manufactures 
 of chairs and cabinet ware ; but the 
 principal manufacture is that of 
 boots and shoes ; the annual value 
 of which is about $25,000. Way- 
 land is 16 miles W. from Boston, 
 and 7 S. from Concord. Population, 
 1837,931. 
 
 Wayne, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. Wayne lies N. 
 of Leeds, and is situated a little be- 
 low the centre of a chain of beau- 
 tiful lakes or ponds, whose outlet, 
 which passes through the town, 
 falls into the Androscoggin. The 
 centre of the town is about 4 miles 
 east of the Androscoggin, and 16 
 W. from Augusta. The surface of 
 the town is undulating, and the soil 
 fertile. It was incorporated in 1798.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Population, in 1837, 1,170. Wheat 
 crop, same year, 3,268 bushels. 
 
 Weare, BT. H. 
 
 Hillsborough co. The only riv- 
 er in Weare, is the N. W. branch 
 of Piscataquog, which enters the 
 west boundary from Deering, and 
 meanders through the N. and E. 
 sections of the town, and passes 
 the S. line about half a mile from 
 the S. E. corner. This river affords 
 the best mill seats in the town. 
 There are three small ponds in this 
 town. Rattlesnake hill, nearly in 
 the centre of the N. line of the 
 town, abounds with shelving rocks, 
 abrupt precipices, forming dens and 
 caves. During the summer season, 
 the reptile from which the hill 
 takes its name, is frequently found. 
 The town, though rather broken, is 
 not mountainous. It has small 
 swamps, and some good meadows. 
 It is now settled and cultivated to, 
 its extreme limits by industrious 
 and wealthy husbandmen. It was 
 incorporated in 1764, and receiv- 
 ed its name in honor of Meshech 
 Weare, chief justice of the prov- 
 ince of N. H. 
 
 Weare is 15 miles S. W. from 
 Concord, and 17 N. N. W. from 
 Amherst. Population, 1830, 2,430. 
 
 Weathersfield, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. [Those who wish 
 to find the course and distance to 
 the onion fields in Connecticut, or 
 to their fair cultivators, will please 
 see Wethersfield, Ct.] 
 
 Weathersfield was first settled 
 about the year 1778. It is bounded 
 S. by Springfield, N. by Windsor, 
 and is 61 miles S. by E. from Mont- 
 pelier. Population, in 1830, 2,213. 
 This town lies on the west side of 
 Connecticut river, at the " Bow," 
 so called from a bend in the river. 
 It contains large tracts of rich 
 meadow land, and the uplands are 
 of a good quality. 
 
 William Jarvis, Esq., for many 
 years a resident here, owns a large 
 
 and superior farm, and has greatly 
 benefited this section of country by 
 the introduction of new modes 
 of agriculture, and more valuable 
 breeds of stock. The agricultural 
 products of Weathersfield are very 
 valuable : about 15,000 fleeces of 
 fine wool are annually sheared. 
 This town is large, and contains 
 a number of pleasant villages. It 
 is watered by several ponds, and by 
 Black river, which gives it a water 
 power, and which is applied to 
 manufacturing operations to some 
 extent. In common with all the 
 towns on Connecticut river, Weath- 
 ersfield has its share of delightful 
 scenery ; and there is no better 
 place to find it, in all its richness, 
 than on the JLscutney, at the north 
 part of the town. >'.' 
 
 Webster, Klass. 
 
 Worcester co. This town was 
 incorporated in 1832, and named 
 in compliment to Hon. DANIEL 
 WEBSTER, including a part of 
 Dudley and Oxford, and a tract of 
 land previously unincorporated. It 
 is bounded N. by Oxford, E. by 
 Douglas, S. by Thompson, in 
 Connecticut, and W. by Dudley. 
 It is 46 miles W. S. W. from Bos- 
 ton, 16 S. from Worcester, 45 E. 
 by S. from Springfield, and 28 N. 
 W. from Providence, R. I. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 1,210. 
 
 There are in operation in this 
 town two woolen and four large 
 cotton mills, a cotton thread mill, 
 1 machine shop, 1 bleachery, a tan- 
 nery, and a manufactory of tin 
 ware : total value of manufactures, 
 the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 $312,277. 
 
 French river and a pond give this 
 place a large and unfailing water 
 power. The original name of this 
 pond, as appears from ancient deeds, 
 was Chabanakongkomom,ihe same 
 name by which Dudley was known, 
 though the latter probably borrow- 
 ed it from the former. Some re- 
 cords and maps of New England
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 have given the name of Chargog- 
 gagoggmanchoggagogg. The fall 
 at the outlet of this pond is 24 feet, 
 which is increased after it empties 
 into French river to about 90 feet 
 before it passes into .Connecticut. 
 This afforded ample water power 
 for the late Samuel Slater to con- 
 centrate here a large portion of his 
 manufacturing capital ; and it is to 
 the enterprise of this Father of 
 American manufactures,' that this 
 place is indebted for most of the 
 prosperity which it at present en- 
 joys. It was his favorite residence, 
 and where his remains no\v rest. 
 
 A remnant of the Dudley, or 
 more properly of the Nipmuck In- 
 dians, reside here. They are about 
 40 in number, though but few of 
 them are of pure blood. These 
 Indians formerly owned a consider- 
 able tract of reserved land in the 
 centre of Chabanakongkamon or 
 Dudley. This was sold by order of 
 the legislature, and the proceeds 
 appropriated to their support, and to 
 the purchase of about 30 acres, on 
 which they now reside. This mon- 
 ey is now expended, and they are 
 dependent on the bounty of the 
 state for support. 
 
 Weld, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. This town contains 
 a large and beautiful pond, the out- 
 let of which forms a considerable 
 river, which passing south falls into 
 the Androscoggin at Mexico. 
 
 The surface of the town is remark- 
 ably pleasant, and the soil fertile. 
 Wheat crop, 1837, 6,039 bushels. 
 
 Weld lies 53 miles W. N. W. 
 from Augusta, and 14 W. from 
 Farmington. Population, in 1830, 
 766; 1837,953. 
 
 Wellfleet, Mass. 
 
 Barnstable co. This township 
 lies on both sides of Cape Cod : it is 
 hounded N. by Truro, S. by East- 
 ham, and is 33 miles below Barn- 
 stable. 
 
 The town is on the west side of 
 
 the Cape : it is neatly built, and 
 although it is surrounded by sand 
 hills, and almost entirely destitute 
 of vegetation, it makes a handsome 
 appearance. Wellfleet bay sets 
 into the town from the south, and 
 is separated from Cape Cod bay by 
 several islands, which form a good 
 harbor, at a place called " Deep 
 Hole." 
 
 In 1837, there were 120 vessels, 
 measuring about 6,000 tons, belong- 
 ing to this place, employed in the 
 cod and mackerel fisheries, and a 
 number engaged in the coasting 
 trade. The fishermen took 3,100 
 quintals of cod fish, and 17,500 bar- 
 rels of mackerel : the value of 
 which was $128,500. The quantity 
 of salt used was 29,350 bushels : the 
 number of hands employed was 496. 
 During that year there were 39 es- 
 tablishments for the manufacture 
 of salt in this place; the quantity 
 made was 10,000 bushels. 
 
 There are several ponds and 
 streams in the town, which afford 
 water power sufficient for a large 
 cotton mill. There are some man- 
 ufactures of leather, boots and 
 shoes ; but the people are princi- 
 pally employed in the fishery, coast- 
 ing trade and manufacture v of salt. 
 
 Wellfleet was incorporated in 
 1723. Population, 1830, 2,044; 
 1837, 2,303. 
 
 Dr. Morse stated in 1797, that 
 " since the memory of people now 
 living, there have been in this small 
 town thirty pair of twins, besides 
 two births that produced three 
 each." 
 
 This is one of the most thriving 
 towns in the state. One of its for- 
 mer residents, Col. Elisha Doane, 
 is said to have acquired a fortune of 
 120,000 pounds sterling on this sandy 
 spot. The Indian name of the town 
 was Rinonakannit. 
 
 Wellington, Me. 
 
 Piscataquis co. Wellington is 
 bounded E. by Parkman, S. by Har- 
 mony, and W. by Brighton. It i
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 watered by one of the head branch- 
 es of Sebasticook river, and lies 
 about 22 miles N. by E. from Skow- 
 hegan. A part of the town is ele- 
 vated, but its surface, generally, 
 is undulating, with a productive 
 soil. Population, 1837, 721. Wheat 
 crop, same year, 4,290 bushels. 
 
 Wells, Me. 
 
 York co. Wells lies on the sea. 
 coast between York and Kenne- 
 bunk, and is 85 miles S. W. by S. 
 from Augusta, and 30 S. W. by S. 
 from Portland. The first settlers 
 came from Exeter, N. H., about 
 the year 1640. A noted Indian 
 chief, Wawwaw, lived here about 
 one hundred years ago, pretending 
 to claim this and some adjoining 
 towns. There is no evidence of any 
 purchase of Indian title to the soil. 
 The town charter from Thomas 
 Gorges is dated Sept. 27, 1643. 
 
 There are a number of small 
 streams or brooks running through 
 the town in various directions, on 
 which are 1 fulling, 16 saw and 10 
 grist mills. The principal river 
 is near the middle of the town, and 
 was called by the Indians Webhan- 
 net, but is now generally called the 
 " Town river." A sand bar at the 
 entrance renders the navigation 
 somewhat difficult. Ogunquit riv- 
 er, in the southerly part of the 
 town, forms a harbor for small 
 coasting and fishing vessels. 
 
 The town contains about 35,000 
 acres, of which one fifth may be 
 considered waste land, or unfit for 
 cultivation. It contains large tracts 
 of salt meadow. Wood for fuel is 
 exported to Boston and other places, 
 in considerable quantities. Some 
 trade is carried on with the West In- 
 dies, and vessels of various size are 
 built from timber in the town. In- 
 corporated, 1653. Population, 1837, 
 3,042. This town furnished a large 
 number of revolutionary officers. 
 
 "Wells River, Vt. 
 
 This river has its source in Ket- 
 
 tle pond, which lies at the north- 
 west corner of Groton and a part of 
 it in Marshfield. It runs nearly 
 southeast about two miles, and falls 
 into Long pond in Groton, which is 
 about two miles long and 100 rods 
 wide. From this pond it continues 
 its southeasterly course half a mile, 
 and falls into another pond, which 
 is about half a mile long and a 
 quarter of a mile wide. It then 
 runs a mile and a half, and meets 
 the south branch, which rises near 
 the southwest corner of the town, 
 and runs nearly east to its junction 
 with the main stream; it then runs 
 east southeast about a mile, and 
 receives the north branch, which 
 has its source near the southeast 
 corner of the town. Continuing 
 the same course, it passes through 
 the northwest part of Ryegate into 
 Newbury, and running near the line 
 between Newbury and Ryegate 
 about 4 miles, falls into Connecti- 
 cut river about half a mile south 
 of the northeast corner of New- 
 bury. This is generally a rapid 
 stream, furnishing many excellent 
 mill privileges. 
 
 Wells, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. A part of this town- 
 ship is level, and a part mountain- 
 ous. The soil is generally good, 
 and productive of grain, and of pas- 
 turage for sheep, of which between 
 three and four thousand are kept. 
 The principal stream in the town is- 
 sues from Wells or St. Augustine 
 lake or pond, a beautiful sheet of 
 water, partly in Poultney, 5 miles 
 in length, and covering 2,000 acres. 
 At the outlet of this pond is a snug 
 village, with some water power 
 machinery. 
 
 Wells was first settled in 1768. 
 It lies 65 miles S. S. W. from Mont- 
 pelier, and 13 S. W. from Rutland. 
 Population, 1830, 880. 
 
 Wendell, N. H., 
 
 Sullivan co., is bounded N. by 
 Springfield, E. by Sunapee lake,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 separating it from New London 
 and Newbury, S. by Goshen, W. 
 by Newport and Croydon. It is 35 
 miles N. W. from Concord, and 7 
 E. from Newport. A considerable 
 part of lake Sunapee, a noble sheet 
 of water, lies in this town. The 
 surface of this lake is said to con- 
 tain 4,095 acres, of which 2,720 
 acres are in Wendell. Here is the 
 principal source of Sugar river, 
 which flows from the lake near its 
 centre from north to south ; passes 
 through the centre of the town into 
 Newport, from thence into Clare- 
 mont, where it unites with the Con- 
 necticut. There are three small 
 ponds, containing an area of about 
 300 acres. This town was granted 
 by the name of Saville in 1768. It 
 was settled in 1772, and was incor- 
 porated in 1781, when it received its 
 name from John Wendell, one of 
 the principal proprietors. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 637. 
 
 Wendell, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. The surface of 
 Wendell is uneven, and in some 
 parts hilly ; but the soil is strong 
 and productive. Miller's river 
 passes through the north part of the 
 town, giving mill privileges, fertil- 
 ity and beauty in its course. There 
 is a curious kind of stone found 
 here, embedded with mica slate; 
 and Chalk pond furnishes a sub- 
 stance from which chalk is made by 
 burning it. 
 
 The manufactures of this pleas- 
 ant town consist of palm-leaf hats, 
 boots, shoes, leather, cabinet ware, 
 chairs, &c. 
 
 Wendell was incorporated in 
 1781, and named in honor of Oliver 
 Wendell, Esq., a very worthy man, 
 for many years president of Union 
 Bank, in Boston, the second insti- 
 tution of the kind in Massachusetts. 
 Mr. Wendell was a great patron of 
 this town, and frequently visited it. 
 Wendell is bounded north by 
 Erving, east by Phillipston, south 
 by Salem, and west by Montague. 
 
 The mill privileges on Millers 
 river in this town are very valua- 
 ble ; many of which remain unim- 
 proved. 
 
 Wendell lies 80 miles W. by N. 
 from Boston, and 14 E. from Green- 
 field. Population, 1837, 847 
 
 Wenham, Mass 
 
 Essex co. This town is 20 miles 
 N. by E. from Boston, 6 N. from 
 Salem, and 16 S. from Newbury- 
 port. First settled, 1639. Incor- 
 porated, 1643. Population, 1837, 
 698. 
 
 Wenham orEnon pond is a beau- 
 tiful sheet of water, about a mile 
 square, and affords an abundance 
 of excellent fish. It is much visi- 
 ted. The first sermon preached in 
 this place was on the border of this 
 pond, by the celebrated Hugh Pe- 
 ters, minister of Salem, about the 
 year 1636. His text was, "At 
 Enon near Salem, because there 
 Was much water there." 
 
 Mr. Peters went to England, as 
 agent for the colony, 1641 ; en- 
 gaged in the civil wars on the side 
 of the parliament, and was execu- 
 ted after the restoration of Charles 
 II. 
 
 The surface of the townls pleas- 
 ant: the soil is generally of a good 
 quality, and well cultivated by in- 
 dustrious and independent farmers. 
 
 John Duntan, an Englishman who 
 travelled in this country in 1686, 
 and on his return to England pub- 
 lished a journal of his travels, gives 
 the following account of Wenham, 
 and of its minister, Joseph Gerrish, 
 who was ordained Feb. 13, 1675, 
 and died Jan. 6, 1719. 
 
 " Wenham is a delicious para- 
 dise, it abounds with rural pleas- 
 ures, and I would choose it above 
 all other towns in America to dwell 
 in ; the lofty trees on each side of 
 it are a sufficient shelter from the 
 winds, and the warm sun so kindly 
 ripens both the fruits and flowers, 
 as if the spring, the summer, and 
 the autumn had agreed together to
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 thrust the winter out of. doors. It 
 were endless to enter on a detail of 
 each faculty of learning Mr. Ger- 
 rish is master of, and I therefore 
 take his character in short hand. 
 The philosopher is acute, ingenious 
 and subtle. The divine, curious, 
 orthodox and profound. The man 
 of a majestic air, without austerity 
 or sourness; his aspect is masterly 
 and great, yet not imperious or 
 haughty. The Christian is devout 
 without moroseness, or starts of ho- 
 ly frenzy, and enthusiasm. The 
 preacher is primitive without the 
 occasional colors of whining, or 
 cant, and methodical, without in- 
 tricacy or affectation ; and which 
 crowns his character, he is a man 
 of public spirit, zealous for the 
 conversion of the Indians, and of 
 great hospitality to strangers. He 
 gave us a noble dinner, and enter- 
 tained us with such pleasant fruits, 
 as I must own, Old England is a 
 stranger to." 
 
 Wenlock, Vt. 
 
 Essex co. This mountain town 
 gives rise to a principal branch of 
 Nulhegan river. The lands here 
 are tod elevated for cultivation. 
 
 Wenlock lies 53 miles N. E. from 
 Montpelier. Population, in 1830, 
 24. 
 
 \Vciitwortli, N. H. 
 
 Grafton co. This town is bound- 
 ed N. by Warren, E. by Rumney, 
 S. by Dorchester, and W. by Or- 
 ford. It is 15 miles N. W. from 
 Plymouth, and 52 N. N. W. from 
 Concord. This town is watered by 
 Baker's river, on which is a fall of 
 18 or 20 feet, affording an excellent 
 privilege for all kinds of water ma- 
 chinery. The South branch of 
 Baker's river passes through the 
 southerly part of this town and joins 
 the main branch near Rumney line. 
 There are but few ponds. Baker's, 
 situated on Orford line, is the most 
 considerable ; the outlet of which 
 is called Pond brook, and affords 
 
 water sufficient for several valuable 
 mill seats. In the east part of the 
 town, lies part of Carr's mountain, 
 covered in its natural state with a 
 heavy growth of forest trees. A 
 part of the elevation called Mount 
 Cuba lies in the W. part of Went- 
 worth. This mountain contains in- 
 exhaustible quantities of the best 
 limestone, of which a constant sup- 
 ply of good lime is made, and sold 
 at a low price. Iron ore is found 
 in various parts. The soil is gen- 
 erally good ; the lands in the vicin- 
 ity of the rivers are of the first 
 quality. Wentworth was granted 
 in 1766. It received its name from 
 governor Benning Wentworth. 
 The first settlement commenced a 
 few years before the revolutionary 
 war. Articles of subsistence, po- 
 tatoes and seeds for the propagation 
 of vegetables, were transported 
 thither from the lower part of the 
 state on pack horses, hand-sleighs 
 and in knapsacks. Population, in 
 1830, 624. 
 
 "Wesley, Me. 
 
 Washington co. We should like 
 to know the particular circumstan- 
 ces of Wesley, which doubtless 
 was named in honor of one of the 
 best of men that ever lived JOHN 
 WESLEY. It must be a thriving 
 town, for its population, for the 
 last 7 years, has increased from 80 
 to 232. But very little information 
 can be obtained respecting a town, 
 from merely its act of incorporation. 
 
 Westborough, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This town lies on 
 the route of the Boston and Worces- 
 ter rail road, 32 miles W. from Bos- 
 ton, 10 E. from Worcester, and 3 1-2 
 N. W. from Hopkinton Springs. 
 It was taken from Marlborough in 
 1717. Population, 1830, 1,438; in 
 1837,1,612. 
 
 As several persons were engaged 
 in a field spreading flax, in 1704, 
 the Indians rushed upon them from 
 the woods, and sei'/.ed 4 boys, and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 killed "one, named Nahor Rice, 
 about 5 years of age, who was the 
 first white person buried in the 
 town. The men made their escape 
 to the house. One of the boys was 
 redeemed, the others remained and 
 mixed their posterity with the 
 French and Indians. Timothy Rice, 
 the youngest, 7 years of age, when 
 taken, became a chief of the Cog- 
 nawaga Indians. He visited West- 
 borough in 1740, and remembered 
 the house where he had lived, and 
 the field where he was captured, 
 and some aged people. He had 
 lost the English language, and was 
 accompanied by an interpreter. He 
 was sent for and visited Gov. Bel- 
 cher, at Boston, but chose to return 
 to his Indian habits. 
 
 The waters of this town consist of 
 some of the sources of Concord and 
 Blackstone rivers, which furnish a 
 good water power. There are sev- 
 eral handsome ponds in the town, 
 well stocked with fish. 
 
 The Vnanufactures consist of 
 boots, shoes, leather, axes, chairs, 
 cabinet and tin wares, ploughs, 
 straw bonnets, sleighs, and harnes- 
 ses ; total value, the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, $169,476, of which 
 amount $148,774 Was for boots and 
 shoes. 
 
 This is a very pleasant town : 
 the surface is diversified by hills 
 and valleys: the soil is good, and 
 appears to be cultivated -by men 
 who understand their business. A 
 brief statement of the products of 
 Mr. Samuel Chamberlain's farm of 
 about 100 acres, in 1333, is here 
 given. 
 
 Butter, 3,486, Ibs. $767. 
 
 Cheese, 3,836, 221. 
 
 Beef, ' - - 603. 
 
 Pork, - - 652. 
 
 Veal, - - 152. 
 
 Total, $2,395. 
 
 This is the native place of ELI 
 WHITNEY. Soon after he gradua- 
 ted at Yale College, he went to 
 Georgia, where he resided man}' 
 
 39 
 
 years. He died, and was buried in 
 the city of New Haven. The fol- 
 lowing is inscribed on his monu- 
 ment. 
 
 Eli Whitney, 
 the inventor of the 
 
 Cotton Gin. 
 
 Of useful Science and Arts, 
 the efficient patron 
 
 and improver. 
 Born December 8th, 1765. Died 
 
 Jan. 8th,1825. 
 
 In the social relations of life, 
 a model of excellence. 
 
 While private 
 
 affection weeps at his tomb, his 
 
 country honors his 
 
 memory. 
 
 See JVew Haven, Ct. 
 
 West Boylgton, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This territory 
 was a part of Boylston until 1808, 
 and was first settled about the 
 year 1720. It is 42 miles W. from 
 Boston, and 8 N. from Worcester. 
 Population, in 1830, 1,053 ; 1837, 
 1,330. The surface of the town is 
 very pleasant; the soil good, and 
 well cultivated. The Quinepoxet 
 and Stillwater rivers meet the Nash- 
 ua in this town. These streams fer- 
 tilize a large- portion of the town, 
 and afford a water power to propel 
 a number of mills. 
 
 There are in the town 7 cotton 
 mills, and manufactures of boots, 
 shoes, leather, palm-leaf hats, cot- 
 ton machinery, baskets, boxes, straw 
 braid, hatchets and school appara- 
 tus ; annual value about $200,000. 
 
 The venerable Robert B. Thomas, 
 author of the Farmer's Almanac, is 
 a resident of this town. There are 
 some mineral treasures in West 
 Boylston, and a spring, the waters 
 of which are strongly impregnated 
 with iron. 
 
 West Bridgewater, Mass. 
 
 Plymouth co. This is the sec- 
 ond daughter of the venerable 
 Bridgewater, who found it difficult 
 to find names for her progeny. This
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 daughter was born in 1822, and al- 
 though not so stout as her sisters, is 
 healthy, comely and industrious. 
 The manufactures of West Bridge- 
 water consist of iron castings, shov- 
 els, forks, hoes, ploughs, boots and 
 shoes : annual value, about $100,- 
 000. West Bridgewater is suppli- 
 ed with mill privileges by a branch 
 of Taunton river; and is 25 miles 
 S. from Boston, 19 N. W. from 
 Plymouth and 9 N. N. E. from 
 Taunton. The number of her chil- 
 dren in 1837, was 1,145; increase 
 in 7 years, 103. 
 
 In 1820, ancient Bridgewater 
 contained 5,662 children : the whole 
 family, in 1837, consisted of 7,865 
 members. 
 
 Westbrook, Me. 
 
 Cumberland co. This flourishing 
 town was taken from Falmouth in 
 1814. It is 52 miles S. S. W. from 
 Augusta, and is bounded E. by 
 Portland. The Presumpscot river 
 passing through the town from west 
 to east, furnishes it with rich inter- 
 vales, and numerous valuable mill 
 privileges. The Cumberland and 
 Oxford canal also passes through 
 the town. > This town is noted for 
 its working cattle which are said to 
 equal any in the country. 
 
 The principal place of business 
 in Westbrook,is at the pleasant vil- 
 lage of Saccarappa, where are large 
 operations in the manufacture of 
 lumber, and where has recently 
 been erected, by citizens of Port- 
 land, a large brick cotton mill, con- 
 taining 2,900 spindles, and 104 
 looms, and which is in successful 
 operation. 
 
 Stroudwater, another village, has 
 some navigation employed in the 
 fishery and coasting trade, and has 
 been celebrated for the fine ships 
 built there. In Westbrook are ex- 
 tensive manufactures of tin ware 
 and combs, which are sent to all 
 parts of the United States. 
 
 The scenery along the canal, and 
 about the falls on the Presumpscut, 
 
 is very pleasant. Population, 1830, 
 3,238 ; 1837, 3,755 
 
 West Cambridge, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This was a par- 
 ish of Cambridge, called " Meno- 
 tomy," until its incorporation, in 
 1807. A part of the lands are low 
 and swampy, but the general fea- 
 tures of the town are pleasant. 
 Spy, Little, and a part of Fresh 
 ponds lie in this town ; they abound 
 with fish, and add much to the 
 beauty of the place. These ponds 
 cover an area of about 200 acres, 
 and furnish large quantities of ice 
 for transportation. In this town are 
 some very pleasant villages, nu- 
 merous country seats, and well cul- 
 tivated farms. Large quantities of 
 milk are daily taken to the Boston 
 market, and this place is a consid- 
 able mart for cattle from the inte- 
 rior country. 
 
 Sucker brook, though a small 
 stream, furnishes a good water pow- 
 er. The descent of this stream is 
 so great, that dams are erected in 
 the town for appropriating its wa- 
 ter nine different times. The me- 
 chanical operations of West Cam- 
 bridge consist of dying and printing 
 calico, pulverizing drugs, medi- 
 cines and dye-stuffs, a turning and 
 sawing mill, and the manufacture 
 of saws, cards, boots, shoes, cabi- 
 net ware and chairs; total value, 
 the year ending April 1, 1837, 
 $312,500. West Cambridge is 6 
 miles N. W. from Boston, and 12 E. 
 by S. from Concord. Population, 
 1830, 1,308. 
 
 Westerly, H. I. 
 
 Washington co. Westerly is 
 washed by the Atlantic ocean on 
 the south, and Pawcatuck river, 
 which separates this state from 
 Connecticut, on the west. This 
 maritime town has its principal har- 
 bor at the mouth of the Pawcatuck, 
 in which vessels are built, and in 
 which some navigation is employed 
 in the fishery and domestic trade.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The Pawcatuck affords a great va- 
 riety of scale and shell fish. 
 
 The surface of the town is gen- 
 erally uneven; in some parts it 
 presents rugged features. Its soil 
 varies from good to bad, but its av- 
 erage quality is well adapted to the 
 culture of all the varieties of grains, 
 grasses, fruits and vegetables com- 
 mon to the climate. The business 
 of the dairy is extensive and lucra- 
 tive. 
 
 The village of Pawcatuck is ve- 
 ry handsome ; it is finely located 6 
 miles from the sea, at the head of 
 navigation on the Pawcatuck, and 
 at the falls on that stream. This 
 village is the site of valuable man- 
 ufactures, and of a large interior 
 trade. It is crossed by the Provi- 
 dence and Stonington rail road, and 
 lies 40 miles S. S. W. from Provi- 
 dence, 5 N. N. E. from Stonington, 
 and 35 W. by S. from Newport. 
 There are a number of pleas- 
 ant ponds in the town, well stored 
 with fish. Westerly was incorpo- 
 rated in 1669. Population, 1830, 
 1,904. Its Indian name was Mis- 
 quamicut. 
 
 West Faii-Iee, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. This town is water- 
 ed by Ompomponoosuc river, and 
 by a part of Fairlee pond. The 
 surface is rough and mountainous, 
 but capable of sustaining a consid- 
 erable number of cattle. 
 
 West Fairlee was chartered in 
 connexion with Fairlee, in 1761 ; 
 and incorporated as a distinct town 
 in 1797. It lies 28 miles S. E. 
 from Montpelier, and 12 E. by S. 
 from Chelsea. Population, 1S30, 
 841. 
 
 Westfield, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. A number of the 
 branches of Missisque river meet 
 in this town, and afford a good wa- 
 ter power. A part of the sur- 
 face of Westfield is mountainous; 
 through which is the pass in the 
 Green mountains, called Hazen'a 
 
 Notch. Westfield was first settled 
 about the year 1800. It lies 42 
 miles N. from Montpelier, and 44 
 N. E. from Burlington. Population, 
 1830, 353. 
 
 Westfleld River, Ma SB. 
 
 This river, often called the Aga- 
 wam, rises in the north part of 
 Berkshire county. It has many 
 tributaries, and is exceedingly wild 
 and romantic in many places. Its 
 main branch traverses the towns 
 of Plainfield, Cummington, Goshen, 
 Worthington, Chesterfield, Nor- 
 wich, Montgomery, Russell, and 
 Westfield, and meets the Connec- 
 ticut at West Springfield, 30 milei 
 N. from Hartford, Ct 
 
 Westfleld, Mass. 
 
 Hampden co. This is a place 
 of singular beauty, on Westfield 
 river. lilies in a valley or basin 
 of about 4 miles in diameter, sur- 
 rounded by high hills, and is sup- 
 posed to have been the bed of a 
 lake whose waters burst the Mount 
 Tom range of mountains and dis- 
 charged itself into Connecticut riv- 
 er. 
 
 The Hampshire and Hampden 
 canal passes through this town, and 
 promises great advantages to its 
 trade and hydraulic power. 
 
 About a third part of the popula- 
 tion of the village is engaged in 
 making whips. The annual amount 
 of that article manufactured here is 
 about $160,000. There are also 
 three powder mills in the town, and 
 manufactures of tin ware, ploughs, 
 boots, shoes, leather, cigars, palm- 
 leaf hats, chairs, cabinet and wood- 
 en wares : total annual value, about 
 $250,000. 
 
 The Westfield academy is in 
 high standing : it has considerable 
 funds, and its annual number of 
 scholars is about 400. 
 
 Westfield was first settled in 1659. 
 Incorporated in 1669. It lies 99 
 miles W. S. W. from Boston, 9 W. 
 by N. from Springfield, and 16 S.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 by W. from Northampton. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 3,039. 
 
 Westford, Vt. 
 
 Chittenden co. This township 
 was settled soon after the revolu- 
 tionary war, by Hezekiah Parme- 
 lee and others. It lies 13 miles N. 
 N. E. from Burlington, and 32 N. 
 W. from Montpelier. 
 
 Westford is well watered by 
 Brown's river, a branch of the La- 
 moille. The surface is rough, and 
 the soil good for grazing. Between 
 3,500 and 4,000 sheep are kept. 
 Population, 1830, 1,290. 
 
 Westford, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. This is a good 
 farming town, on elevated ground, 
 26 miles N. W. from Boston, and 10 
 N.W. from Concord. Incorporated, 
 1729. Population, 1837, 1,451. The 
 surface and soil of the town are 
 well adapted to the growth of grain, 
 grass and fruit, and large quanti- 
 ties of hay and vegetables are an- 
 nually sent to Boston and Lowell. 
 Quantities of fine granite, common- 
 ly called " Chelmsford granite," are 
 found here, quarried and transpor- 
 ted. Westford is watered by sev- 
 eral beautiful ponds, and by Stoney 
 brook which rises in the town and 
 gives it mill privileges. 
 
 The manufactures of Westford, 
 consist of bar iron, shoes and leath- 
 er: annual value, about $25,000. 
 
 The village is handsomely situa- 
 ted on a swell of fine land, com- 
 manding a beautiful prospect, of 
 great extent, and contains an Acad- 
 emy of ancient date and respect- 
 able standing. 
 
 West Greenwich, R. I. 
 
 Kent co. This town was taken 
 from East Greenwich in 1741, by 
 which it is bounded on the east. It 
 lies 18 miles S. W. from Provi- 
 dence. Population, 1830, 1,818. 
 This town possesses a primitive ge- 
 ological character, and its surface 
 presents a diversity of hills and 
 
 valleys. Hopkin's Hill, affords an 
 agreeable view of the surrounding 
 country. The waters of the town 
 consist of the south branch of the 
 Pawtuxet, which rises here ; and of 
 the upper branches of Wood river, 
 which pass through it. There are 
 some manufactures in the town, 
 but the people are generally en- 
 gaged in agricultural pursuits. 
 
 Westliampton, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. This township is 
 rough, but the soil is generally good, 
 particularly for grazing. There 
 is a valuable lead mine in the town ; 
 about 1,000 merino sheep are kept, 
 and some hats and leather are man- 
 ufactured. It lies 8 miles W. by S. 
 from Northampton. Incorporated, 
 1772. Population, 1837, 818. 
 
 West Haven, Vt. 
 
 Rutland co. This town was set 
 off from Fair Haven in 1792. It 
 lies 19 miles W. from Rutland, and 
 is bounded W. by lake Champlain, 
 and S. by Whitehall, N. Y. 
 
 This town is well watered by 
 Hubbardston and Poultney rivers, 
 and Cogman's creek j on the for- 
 mer of which are handsome falls 
 and mill sites. The soil is produc- 
 tive of grain and grass : there is 
 much limestone and clay in the 
 town, and a large number of sheep 
 are annually sheared. 
 
 The site of the village is pleas- 
 ant; it is a place of some trade, 
 navigation and manufactures. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 724. 
 
 Westminster, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. This town is 
 bounded N. by Rockingham, E. by 
 Connecticut river, and S. by Put- 
 ney. It lies 82 miles S. from Mont- 
 pelier, and '13 N. E. from New- 
 fane. Population, 1830, 1,737. 
 
 This town was one of the first 
 settled townships in the state, and 
 being situated near a fort for the 
 protection of the country, it pros- 
 pered rapidly. For some years the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 courts of law were held here ; here 
 the legislature of the state held 
 several sessions, and here the mas- 
 sacrfof the 13th of March, 1775, 
 was perpetrated. 
 
 The surface and soil of this town 
 are favorable for agriculture ; and 
 various articles of produce are an- 
 nually sent to market. In 1837, 
 13,766 sheep were sheared in West- 
 minster 
 
 The principal and oldest village 
 is delightfully situated in the east 
 parish, on the bank of Connecticut 
 river. The main street, which is 
 perfectly level, crosses a table of 
 land about one mile in diameter, 
 considerably elevated above the 
 river, and also above the large and 
 fertile meadows by which it is ap- 
 proached on the north and south ; 
 and the whole is enclosed by a semi- 
 circle of hills which touch the 
 river about two miles above and be- 
 low the town. It is this barrier 
 which, while it contributes to the 
 natural beauty of the place, has, 
 by turning the water course in an- 
 other direction, deprived it of all 
 those facilities of access, and of 
 water power, which have so much 
 contributed to the rapid growth of 
 some of the neighboring villages. 
 
 Westminster, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This town lies on 
 the range of high lands which 
 separate the waters of the Connec- 
 ticut and Merrimack. From the 
 village a prospect is presented of 
 lake and mountain with all the va- 
 ried scenery which renders a New 
 England town peculiarly delight- 
 ful. 
 
 Several streams, rising from large 
 ponds in this town and its neigh- 
 borhood, produce a considerable 
 water power, which is improved 
 for manufactures of various kinds. 
 These waters are so elevated and 
 constant that, with a small expense, 
 they might be rendered exceeding- 
 ly valuable. They deserve par- 
 ticular attention of those in search 
 39* 
 
 of mill sites in th\s part of the 
 state. 
 
 This town lies 50 miles W. N. 
 W. from Boston, 20 N. by W. from 
 Worcester, and 7 S. W. from Fitch- 
 burgh. Incorporated, 1759. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,640. 
 
 The manufactures of AVestmin- 
 ster consist of chairs, cabinet and 
 wooden wares, hats, boots, shoes, 
 straw bonnets, palm-leaf hats, card 
 boards, saddlery, and leather: an- 
 nual value, about $60,000. 
 
 \Vcstmore, Vt. 
 
 Orleans co. This town contains 
 Willoughby's lake, a handsome 
 sheet of water, surrounded by 
 mounts Hor, Pico, and other eleva- 
 tions. This lake is about 6 miles in 
 length, and one and an half in 
 width. Branches of Barton, Clyde 
 and Passumpsic rivers rise in this 
 and other ponds in the town. 
 
 Westmore appears to be too high 
 for the habitation of many people 
 or sheep: in 1830, it contained 32 
 inhabitants, and in 1837, 10 sheep. 
 
 Westmoreland, X. H. 
 
 Cheshire co. Westmoreland is 
 bounded N. by Walpole, E. by Sur- 
 ry and Keene, S. by CJiesterfield, 
 and W. by Dummerston and Put- 
 ney, Vt. Its distance from Con- 
 cord is 65 miles S. W. Population, 
 1830, 1,647. 
 
 This town is watered by several 
 small streams which empty into 
 the Connecticut. The one issuing 
 from Spaffbrd's lake in Chesterfield 
 is the largest, and affords some of 
 the best water privileges in town. 
 
 The present charter of the town 
 was granted by New Hampshire, 
 in 1752. The first settlement was 
 made in 1741. The early settlers 
 were several times attacked by the 
 Indians. In one of their excur- 
 sions, they killed William Phips, 
 the first husband of Jemima How; 
 and in another, carried Nehemiah 
 How, the father of her second hus- 
 band, a captive to Canada, where
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 he died. The surface of Westmore- 
 land is less varied by mountains, 
 vales, rivers and ponds, than the 
 neighboring towns. 
 
 "West Newbury, Mass. 
 
 Essex co. This is a part of the 
 ancient town of Newbury, and was 
 taken from it in 1819. 
 
 This pleasant town lies on the S. 
 side of Merrimack river ; 33 miles 
 N. from Boston, 20 E. from Lowell, 
 and 4 W. from Newburyport. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 1,448. 
 
 This is a fine township of land, 
 and many excellent farms and coun- 
 try seats are found within its limits. 
 Asbestos and marble are found 
 here. 
 
 Although most of the inhabitants 
 of the town are professional farm- 
 ers, still there are manufactures of 
 bar iron, combs, chaises, leather, 
 and shoes : annual value, about 
 $75,000. 
 
 Weston, Me. 
 
 'Washington co. This town was 
 incorporated in 1835. It is the half 
 township granted to Hampden 
 academy. It lies a few miles west 
 from Grand Lake : it is watered by 
 Baskahegan river, and is about 90 
 miles N. E. from Bangor. Popu- 
 lation, 1837, 213. Wheat crop, 
 same year, 4,706 bushels. 
 
 Weston, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. West river passes 
 through this town, and on its banks 
 are some good land, some manufac- 
 tures and two pleasant villages. It 
 was set off from Andover in 1790, 
 and organized as a town in 1800. 
 
 Weston lies 66 miles S. by W. 
 from Montpelier, and 22 S. W. from 
 Windsor. Population, 1830, 972. 
 
 Western, Masa. 
 
 Middlesex co. This is a town,- 
 ship of good land with a neat and 
 flourishing village. It lies 14 miles 
 W. from Boston, 9 S. by E. from 
 Concord, and is watered by Stony 
 brook. Population, 1837, 1,105. 
 
 The manufactures of the town 
 consist of boots, shoes, leather, ma- 
 chinery, ploughs, chairs, harnesses, 
 pottery ware, &c. : annual falue, 
 about $60,000. Incorporated, 1712 
 
 Weston, Ct. 
 
 Fairfield co. Weston was taken 
 from Fairfield in 1787. It was set- 
 tled in 1738. The town is watered 
 by Saugatuck and Mill rivers, and 
 a pleasant brook, which furnish a 
 good water power. There are some 
 valuable mills for manafactures in 
 the town, but the chief business 
 of the inhabitants is agricultural. 
 The soil is a gravelly loam, with an 
 uneven surface. 
 
 Weston is 60 miles S. W. from 
 Hartford, and is bounded N. W. by 
 Fairfield. Population, 1830, 2,997. 
 
 " On Monday, the 14th of Decem- 
 ber, 1807, at about the break of 
 day, or a little after, the weather 
 being moderate, calm, and the at- 
 mosphere somewhat cloudy and 
 foggy, a meteor or fire ball, passing 
 from a northern point, disploded 
 over the western part of this state, 
 with a tremendous report. At the 
 same time several pieces of stony 
 substance fell on the earth in Fair- 
 field county. One mass was driven 
 against a rock and dashed in small 
 pieces, a peck of which remained 
 on the spot. About three miles 
 distant, in the town of Weston, an- 
 other large piece fell upon the 
 earth, of which a mass of about 
 thirty pounds weight remains en- 
 tire, and was exhibited the same 
 day at town meeting. A small 
 mass has been sent to Yale College, 
 and examined by a number of gen- 
 tlemen. It was immediately per- 
 ceived by Professor Silliman to 
 contain a metal, and on presenting 
 it to a magnet a powerful attraction 
 proved it to be iron. This is, we 
 believe, the first instance in the 
 United States, in which the sub- 
 stance of this species of meteor 
 has been found on the earth, though 
 it has often been found in Europe."
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Westport, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. This town is sur- 
 rounded by the waters of Sheepscot 
 river and bay, and is bounded N. 
 by Wiscasset, E. by Edgecomb and 
 Boothbay, and S. and W. by Sheep- 
 scot's bay and Georgetown. It is 29 
 miles S. by E. from Augusta. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 580. Incorporated 
 ill 1828. 
 
 Westport, Mass. 
 
 Bristol co. This town is pleas- 
 antly situated on Acoakset river, 
 near the mouth of Buzzard's bay, 
 on the line of Rhode Island ; 18 
 miles N. N. E. from Newport, 25 
 S. from Taunton, 10 S. by E. 
 from Fall River, 10 S. W. from 
 New Bedford, and 60 S. from Bos- 
 ton. Five vessels belong to this 
 place, engaged in the whaling bu- 
 siness, and a number of small ves- 
 sels are employed in coasting and 
 fishing. 
 
 The value of whale oil imported 
 into Westport, the year ending 
 April 1, 1837, was $53,670. The 
 value of the manufactures of this 
 town, the same year, was $69,375; 
 they consisted of cotton yarn, salt 
 and hoes. The number of sheep 
 sheared that year, was 2,392; val- 
 ue of the wool, $2,551. This town 
 was incorporated in 1787. Popula- 
 tion, in 1837, 2,618. 
 
 \Vstport, ft. 
 
 Fairfield co. This pleasant town 
 was called Saugatuck, the name of 
 a river that passes through it, un- 
 til 1835. It was taken from the towns 
 of Fairfield, Norwalk and Weston. 
 It is about 5 miles in length from 
 north to south, and is bounded E. by 
 Fairfield, S. by Long Island Sound, 
 and W. by Norwalk. Population, 
 1835, 1,800. 
 
 There are in the town, 2 or 3 cot- 
 ton mills, 2 carriage factories, and 
 manufactures of shoes, hats and va- 
 rious other articles. The village is 
 
 quite a business place, and com- 
 mands considerable trade. 
 
 The Saugatuck is navigable for 
 vessels of 7 feet draught of water 
 to the village, which is 6 1-2 miles 
 W. from Fairfield, 3 1-2 N. E. from 
 Norwalk. and 27 S. W. from New 
 Haven. 
 
 About 2 1-2 miles south of the 
 village of Westport, is a smooth and 
 beautiful elevation, called Compo. 
 It was at this place that the British 
 troops landed in April, 1777, when 
 on their expedition to Danburj. 
 They also returned to this place 
 when they embarked on board of 
 their shipping. Seven or eight 
 men were killed in the vicinity of 
 the Congregational church in West- 
 port. Ball Mountain, a conical 
 eminence, covered with large trees 
 from its base to its summit, is situa- 
 ted a little south of the village, and 
 is a striking feature in the landscape. 
 
 West Qnoddy Head, Me. 
 See Quoddy Head. 
 
 West River, Vt. 
 
 This river rises in Weston, in the 
 county of Windsor, and passing S. 
 through the towns of Londonder- 
 ry, Jamaica, Wardsborough, and 
 Newfane, in the county of Wind- 
 ham, it falls into the Connecticut at 
 the north part of Brattleborough. 
 This river receives many branches 
 in its course, which are good mill 
 streams : the main river is rather 
 sluggish, and fertilizes large tracts 
 of meadow. West river traverses 
 a distance of about 50 miles, and 
 waters a basin of 440 square miles. 
 
 West River Mountain, Jf . II. 
 
 See Chesterfield and Hinsdale. 
 
 West Springfield, Man. 
 
 Hampden co. This town is beau- 
 tifully situated on both sides of 
 Westfield river, at its confluence 
 with the Connecticut, opposite to 

 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Springfield, to which it is connect- 
 ed by a beautiful bridge. Some 
 parts of the town are rough and un- 
 even, and in some parts are stony 
 plains ; but the general character 
 of the town in regard to soil is allu- 
 vial meadow of an excellent quali- 
 ty. On the summits of the hills 
 and along the rivers, a great variety 
 of wild and delightful scenery is 
 exhibited. 
 
 There are 1 cotton and 2 woolen 
 mills in the town, and manufactures 
 of leather, boots and shoes; annual 
 value, about $100,000. In 1837, 
 there were 3,374 fleeces of wool 
 sheared in the town, which weigh- 
 ed 8,512 Ibs., and sold for $5,107. 
 Good iron ore is found in West 
 Springfield, and a species of lime- 
 stone, used for making water proof 
 cement. Incorporated, 1774. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 3,227. 
 
 West Stockforidge, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. Williams riv- 
 er which rises in Richmond, runs 
 through the whole length of this 
 town, and gives it a great hydraulic 
 power. 
 
 This town is bounded W. by the 
 state of New York, and lies on the 
 route of the great western rail road 
 from Boston to Albany. A part of 
 the town is hilly ; but the soil is 
 generally good. Along the river 
 is a valley of fine land which gives 
 beauty to the village, and value to 
 the town. Mines of iron ore are 
 found in this town, and an inex- 
 haustible quantity of beautifully 
 variegated marble. 
 
 The manufactures of the town 
 consist of bar iron, axes, brads, 
 machinery, marble, leather, wood- 
 en ware, &c ; annual value, about 
 $50,000. 
 
 West Stockbridge lies 135 miles 
 W. from Boston, 9 S. S. W. from 
 Lenox, 26 E. by N. from Hudson, 
 N. Y., and 37 1-2 S. E. byS. from 
 Albany, by the proposed rail road. 
 Incorporated, 1774. Population, in 
 1837, 1,244. 
 
 Wethersfleld, ft. 
 
 Hartford co. This town, the In- 
 dian Pyquag, was one of the first 
 settled towns in the state. It is 
 supposed that most of the Weth- 
 ersfield settlers came round from 
 Boston by water, and arrived in Ju- 
 ly, before the Windsor and Hartford 
 settlers, who came through the 
 wilderness, and did not reach the 
 Connecticut until about the 9th of 
 November. 
 
 Wethersfield is bounded N. by 
 Hartford, E. by Connecticut river, 
 S.by Middletown, and W.by Berlin. 
 It lies 4 miles S. from Hartford. 
 Population, in 1820, 3,825 ; in 1830, 
 3,853. 
 
 Piper's river and other small 
 streams water the town, but afford 
 no important mill sites. 
 
 The area of the town is about 6 
 miles square, containing 23,000 
 acres. This is an excellent town- 
 ship of land, having an undulating 
 surface, and exhibiting a beautiful 
 diversity of hill and dale. The 
 soil is generally a rich gravelly and 
 sandy loam, but in the western part 
 of the town, argillaceous loam pre- 
 vails ; and some small sections in 
 the centre, may be considered as a 
 garden mould. It is well adapted 
 to grass and grain', and particularly 
 to esculent roots. The tract of allu- 
 vial upon Connecticut river is ex- 
 tensive and beautiful, and very 
 productive. 
 
 Among other agricultural inter- 
 ests in this town, the cultivation of 
 onions has long held a conspicuous 
 rank. This is an important agri- 
 cultural pursuit, although it occu- 
 pies but a small portion of land, 
 and the service is principally per- 
 formed by females. Wethersfield 
 onions have long been justly cele- 
 brated, and large quantities are 
 exported to the southern states and 
 the West Indies for a market. 
 
 The changing of the bed of the 
 river in this town has been the oc- 
 casion of much litigation respecting
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 the title to the soil. Mr. Butler, 
 who owned a tract upon which the 
 river was encroaching, found after a 
 while, some of his land appearing 
 on the opposite side of the river, 
 and accordingly laid claim to it. 
 His claim was disputed, as he nev- 
 er owned land on that side of the 
 river. It was a long time before 
 this case was decided. There ap- 
 peared some difficulty in making 
 the jury who sat on the case, to un- 
 derstand the merits of the question. 
 Mr. Ingersoll, a relative of the In- 
 gersoll family in New Haven, was 
 the counsel employed by Mr. But- 
 ler. He illustrated the case by 
 supposing that Mr. B. had built a 
 castle on the land in question. Al- 
 though the ground on which it stood 
 might be overflowed, yet still it was 
 his castle, and also the ground on 
 which it stood, and he had a right 
 to his property wherever he could 
 find it. The case was finally deci- 
 ded in accordance with these views. 
 The State Prison of Connecticut 
 was erected in this town in 1826, 
 and the prisoners from Newgate 
 prison, in Granby, were removed 
 here the next year. This building 
 is situated on the south margin of 
 the cove, which sets back from 
 Connecticut river, at the north end 
 of Wethersfield village. The build- 
 ings of the prison fopm very near- 
 ly a quadrangle, on the south side 
 of which, stands the building which 
 is more properly the Prison. The 
 apartments of the warden are situ- 
 ated in the east end of this build- 
 ing ; the centre surrounds the 
 block of celU 4 stories high, in 
 which the male prisoners are lock- 
 ed up. This hall or centre is 154 
 feet long, 43 feet wide, and 30 feet 
 high ; the number of cells or night 
 rooms is 200. The west end, is 
 used as the female department, 
 containing cells, rooms for labor, 
 kitchen, and apartments for the 
 matron. The east, north, and west 
 sides of this quadrangle, are form- 
 ed by a wall 20 feet high. With- 
 
 in this yard are situated two ran- 
 ges of shops ; one on the east side, 
 and one upon the west, in which 
 the convicts perform their daily la- 
 bor. The passage into the prison, 
 is through the warden's apartment, 
 into the guard room, thence into 
 the hall surrounding the, cells, 
 thence into the yard. This is the 
 only passage, except through a 
 large gate on the north side of the 
 yard. 
 
 Rocky Hill, the south parish of 
 Wethersfield, lies on a collection 
 of hills which are a continuation of 
 the Middletown range : one of 
 these eminences, Rocky hill, has 
 given name to the parish. It has a 
 pleasant little village on an eleva- 
 ted situation, 7 miles from Hartford, 
 with a landing at some distance, 
 where considerable commerce and 
 ship building were formerly car- 
 ried on. 
 
 JVewington, the 2d society in. 
 Wethersfield, was formerly called 
 Cow plain. The village is pleas- 
 antly situated in a fertile valley, 
 west of Cedar mountain : the cen- 
 tral part is 6 miles from Hartford, 
 and 4 from Wethersfield village. 
 The inhabitants are chiefly engag- 
 ed in agriculture, and are distin- 
 guished for their general intelli- 
 gence, and attachment to the in- 
 stitutions of morality and religion. 
 
 Many years since, a gentleman, 
 of Newington, who was a very re- 
 ligious and conscientious man, mar- 
 ried for a wife, one of the most ill 
 natured and troublesome women 
 which could he found in the vicini- 
 ty. This occasioned universal sur- 
 prise wherever he was known, and 
 one of his neighbors ventured to 
 ask him the reasons which govern- 
 ed his choice. The gentleman re- 
 plied, that having had but little or 
 no trouble in the world, he wai 
 fearful of becoming too much at- 
 tached to things of time and sense. 
 And he thought by experiencing 
 some afflictions, he should become 
 more weaned from the world, and
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 that he married such a woman as 
 he thought would accomplish the 
 object. The best part of the story 
 is, that the wife hearing of the rea- 
 sons why he married her, was 
 much offended, and out of revenge 
 became one of the most pleasant 
 and dutiful wives in the town, de- 
 claring that she was not a going to 
 be made a pack horse, to carry her 
 husband to heaven. 
 
 Wethersfield was the scene of 
 one of the most horrible butcheries 
 ever committed ; that of the Sea- 
 die family, in 1782. 
 
 Beadle was an Englishman, and 
 came to this country in 1762. He 
 settled in Fairfield, where he mar- 
 ried, and remained until about 10 
 years before this tragedy. The 
 following are extracts from an ac- 
 count of this event, written by a 
 neighbor, and attached to the funer- 
 al sermon of Mrs. Beadle and her 
 children. 
 
 " When the war commenced, he 
 had on hand a very handsome as- 
 sortment of goods for a country 
 store, which he sold for the curren- 
 cy of the country, without any ad- 
 vance in the price ; the money he 
 laid by, waiting and expecting the 
 the time would soon arrive when 
 he might therewith replace his 
 goods, resolving not to part with it 
 until it should be in as good de- 
 mand as when received by him. 
 His expectations from this quarter 
 daily lessening, finally lost all hope, 
 and was thrown into a state little 
 better than despair, as appears from 
 his writing: he adopted apian of 
 the most rigid family economy, but 
 still kept up the outward appear- 
 ance of his former affluence, and 
 ever to the last entertained his 
 friends with his usual decent hospi- 
 tality, although nothing appeared 
 in his outward deportment, which 
 evinced the uncommon pride of his 
 heart. His writings show clearly 
 that he was determined not to bear 
 the mortification of being thought 
 by his friends poor and dependent. 
 
 On this subject he expresses him- 
 self in the following extraordinary 
 manner : ' If a man, who has once 
 lived well, meant well, and done 
 well, falls by unavoidable accident 
 into poverty, and then submits to 
 be laughed at, despised and trampled 
 on, by a set of mean wretches as 
 far below him as the moon is be- 
 low the sun ; I say if such a man 
 submits, he must become meaner 
 than meanness itself, and I sincere- 
 ly wish he might have 10 years ad- 
 ded to his natural life to punish him 
 for his folly.' 
 
 " He fixed upon the night suc- 
 ceeding the 18th of November for 
 the execution of his nefarious pur- 
 pose, and procured a supper of oys- 
 ters, of which the family eat very 
 plentifully : that evening he writes 
 as follows : I have prepared a noble 
 supper of oysters, that my flock 
 and I may eat and drink together, 
 thank God and die.' After supper 
 he sent the maid with a studied er- 
 rand to a friend's house at some dis- 
 tance, directing her to stay until 
 she obtained an answer to an insig- 
 nificant letter he wrote his friend, 
 intending she should not return 
 that evening she did however 
 return ; perhaps her return dis- 
 concerted him and prevented him 
 for that time. The next day he 
 carried his pistols to a smith for re- 
 pair : it may be, the ill condition of 
 his pistols might be an additional 
 reason of the delay. 
 
 " On the evening of the 10th of 
 December some persons were with 
 him at his house to whom he ap- 
 peared as cheerful and serene as 
 usual ; he attended to the little af- 
 fairs of his family as if nothing 
 uncommon was in contemplation. 
 The company left him about nine 
 o'clock in the evening, when he 
 was urgent as usual for their stay : 
 whether he slept that night is un- 
 certain, but it is believed he went 
 to bed. The children and maid 
 slept in one chamber : in the grey 
 of the morning of the llth of De-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 cember he went to their bed cham- 
 ber, awaked the maid and ordered 
 her to rise gently, without disturb- 
 ing the children, when she came 
 down stairs ; he gave her a line to 
 the family physician, who lived at 
 the distance of a quarter of a mile ; 
 ordered her to carry it immediately, 
 at the same time declaring that Mrs. 
 Beadle had been ill all night, and 
 directing her to stay until the phy- 
 sician should come with her : this 
 he repeated sundry times with a 
 degree of ardor. There is much 
 reason to believe he had murdered 
 Mrs. Beadle before he awaked the 
 maid. Upon the maid's leaving the 
 house he immediately proceeded to 
 execute his purpose on the children 
 and himself. It appears he had for 
 some time before, carried to his 
 bedside every night an axe and a 
 carving knife ; he smote his wife 
 and each of the children with the 
 axe on the side of the head as they 
 lay sleeping in their beds ; the wo- 
 man had two wounds in the head, 
 the skull of each of them was frac- 
 tured ; he then with the carving 
 knife cut their throats from ear to 
 ear; the woman and little boy were 
 drawn partly over the side of their 
 beds, as if to prevent the bedding 
 from being besmeared with blood : 
 the three daughters were taken 
 from the bed and laid upon the floor 
 side by side, like three lambs, be- 
 fore their "throats were cut ; they 
 were covered with a blanket, and 
 the woman's face with a handker- 
 chief. He then proceeded to the 
 lower floor of the house, leaving 
 marks of his footsteps in blood on 
 the stairs, carrying with him the 
 axe and knife, the latter he laid on 
 the table in the room where he was 
 found, reeking with the blood of his 
 family. Perhaps he had thoughts 
 he might use it against himself if 
 his pistols should fail. It appears he 
 then seated himself in a Windsor 
 chair, with his arms supported by 
 the arms of the chair ; he fixed the 
 muzzles of the pistols into his two 
 
 ears, and fired them at the same in- 
 stant: the balls went through the 
 head in transverse directions. Al- 
 though the neighbors were very 
 near and some of them awake, 
 none heard the report of the pis- 
 tols. 
 
 " The line to the physician ob- 
 scurely announced the intentions 
 of the man ; the house was soon 
 opened, but alas, too late ! The 
 bodies were pale and motionless, 
 swimming in their blood, their faces 
 white as mountain snow, yet life 
 seemed to tremble on their lips : 
 description can do no more than 
 faintly ape and trifle with the real 
 figure. 
 
 " Such a tragical scene filled ev- 
 ery mind with the deepest distress : 
 nature recoiled, and was on the 
 rack with distorting passions : the 
 most poignant sorrow and tender 
 pity for the lady and her innocent 
 babes, who were the hapless vic- 
 tims of the brutal, studied cruelty 
 of an husband and father, in whose 
 embraces they expected to find se- 
 curity, melted every heart. Shock- 
 ing effects of pride and false notions 
 about religion ! 
 
 " To paint the first transports 
 this affecting scene produced, when 
 the house was opened, is beyond 
 my reach. Multitudes of all ages 
 and sexes were drawn together by 
 the sad tale. The very inmost 
 souls of the beholders were wound- 
 ed at the sight, and torn by con- 
 tending passions. Silent grief, 
 with marks of astonishment, were 
 succeeded by furious indignation 
 against the author of the affecting 
 spectacle, which vented itself in 
 incoherent exclamations. Nature 
 itself seemed ruffled, and refused 
 the kindly aid of balmy sleep for a 
 time. 
 
 Near the close of the day on 
 the 12th of December, the bodies 
 being still unburied, the people 
 who had collected in great num- 
 bers, grew almost frantic with 
 rage, and in a manner demanded
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 thefcodyof the murderer: the law 
 being silent on the subject, it was 
 difficult to determine where decen- 
 cy required the body should be 
 placed : many proposed it should 
 be in an ignominious manner where 
 four roads met, without any coffin 
 or insignia of respect, and perfora- 
 ted by a stake. Upon which a 
 question arose, where that place 
 could be found which might be 
 unexceptionable to the neighbor- 
 hood, but no one would consent it 
 should be near his house or land. 
 After some consultation it was 
 thought best to place it on the bank 
 of the river between high and low 
 water mark : the body was handed 
 out of the window and bound with 
 cords on a sled, with the clothes on 
 as it was found, and the bloody 
 knife tied on his breast, without 
 coffin or box, and the horse he usu- 
 ally rode was made fast to the sled : 
 the horse, unaccustomed to the 
 draught, proceeded with great un- 
 steadiness, sometimes running full 
 speed, then stopping, followed by a 
 multitude, until arriving at the wa- 
 ter's edge, the body was tumbled 
 into a hole dug for the purpose, like 
 the carcase of a beast. 
 
 " On the 13th of December, the 
 bodies of the murdered were in- 
 terred in a manner much unlike 
 that of the unnatural murderer. 
 The remains of the children were 
 home by a suitable number of 
 equal age, attended by a sad pro- 
 cession of youths of the town, all 
 bathed in tears ; side by side the 
 hapless woman's corpse was car- 
 ried in solemn procession to the 
 parish church yard, followed by a 
 great concourse, who with affec- 
 tionate concern and every token 
 of respect were anxious to express 
 their heartfelt sorrow in perform- 
 ing the last mournful duties. 
 
 " The person of Mr. Beadle was 
 small, his features striking and full 
 of expression, with the aspect of 
 fierceness and determination; his 
 mind was contemplative ; when 
 
 once he had formed an opinion, he 
 was remarkably tenacious : as a 
 merchant or trader, he was esteem- 
 ed a man of strict honor and integ- 
 rity, and would not descend to any 
 low or mean artifice to advance his 
 fortune. He was turned of 52 
 years of age when he died. 
 
 " Mrs. Beadle was born at Ply- 
 mouth in Massachusetts, of reputa- 
 ble parents, a comely person, of 
 good address, well bred, and unus- 
 ually serene, sincere, unaffected 
 and sensible. She died in the mid- 
 dle of life, aged 32 years. 
 
 " The children, (the eldest of 
 which was a son, aged 12 years, 
 the other three, daughters, the 
 youngest aged 6 years) were such 
 as cheered the hearts of their par- 
 ents, who were uncommonly fond 
 of displaying their little virtues and 
 excellencies, and seemed to antici- 
 pate a continuance of growing pa- 
 rental satisfaction : alas, like early, 
 tender buds nipped by untimely 
 frosts, they did but begin to live ! 
 
 " It is more than probable, that 
 this man had for months past desir- 
 ed that some or all of his children 
 might be taken out of the world by 
 accident: he removed all means of 
 security from a well near 1'is house, 
 which he was careful heretofore to 
 keep covered. His little boy he 
 often sent to swim in the river, and 
 has been heard to chide the child 
 for not venturing further into deep 
 water than his fears would suffer 
 him. He has at times declared it 
 would give him no pain or uneasi- 
 ness to follow his children to the 
 grave : his acquaintance knew 
 these expressions could not arise 
 from want of affection or tender- 
 ness for his children, but rather 
 imagined him speaking rashly in 
 jest. He ever spoke lightly of 
 death as a bugbear the w,orld cause- 
 lessly feared. It appears from his 
 writings, -he at first had doubts 
 whether it was just and reasonable 
 for him to deprive his wife of life, 
 and offers against it only this reason,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 that he had no hand in bringing 
 her into existence, and consequent- 
 ly had no power over her life. 
 She set out on the 7th of Novem- 
 ber on a journey to Fairfield, which 
 he thought was by direction of 
 Heaven to clear him of his doubts 
 and remove her out of the way, at 
 the time the business was to be 
 done ; and his intention was to have 
 executed his design on himself and 
 children in her absence. She pro- 
 ceeded no further than New Ha- 
 ven, and by reason of some disap- 
 pointment, returned ten days earlier 
 than expected : he appeared cha- 
 grined at her early return, and soon 
 began to invent some justifying: 
 reasons for depriving her of life 
 also. He finally concludes it would 
 be unmerciful to leave her behind 
 to languish out a life of misery and 
 wretchedness, which must be the 
 consequence of the surprising death 
 of the rest of the family, and that 
 since they had shared the frowns 
 and smiles of fortune together, it 
 would be cruelty to her, to be di- 
 vided from them in death." 
 
 Weytoridge, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. Weybridge is wa- 
 tered by Otter Creek, which af- 
 fords it good mill sites. Lemonfair 
 river, a sluggish stream, also waters 
 the town. Some parts of the town 
 are mountainous, but the soil is gen- 
 erally good : the basis being lime- 
 stone, it yields good crops, and pas- 
 tures about 6,000 sheep. It lies 30 
 miles S. by E. from Burlington, and 
 is bounded on the S. E. by Middle- 
 bury. Population, 1830, 850. 
 
 Weymouth, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. This was the sec- 
 ond settlement made by white 
 men in New England. Mr. Thom- 
 as Weston, a respectable merchant 
 of London, who had been active 
 in promoting the interests of the 
 Plymouth colonists, sent two ships 
 and 50 or 60 men to plant a colony 
 at this place, in the year 1622. The 
 
 40 
 
 fate of the colony was as unfortu- 
 nate as the designs of Mr. Weston 
 were philanthropic. By the unjust 
 and wanton conduct of his agents 
 towards the natives, the colony 
 would have been totally destroyed, 
 were it not for the timely assistance 
 afforded it by a band of men from 
 the Plymouth Colony, commanded 
 by the gallant Standish. The col- 
 ony was broken up, and Mr. Wes- 
 ton lost his life on the coast in at- 
 tempting to reach it. This place, 
 the Indian Wessagusset, named 
 Weymouth from a town in England, 
 was however permanently settled 
 by the Rev. William Morrill, Capt. 
 Robert Georges and others, in the 
 year 1624. 
 
 The surface of the town is pleas- 
 antly diversified by hills and val- 
 leys. Some of the elevations are 
 commanding, and present delight- 
 ful views of Boston harbor, Mas- 
 sachusetts bay and the adjacent 
 country. The soil is a strong grav- 
 elly loam, with a granitic super- 
 structure. 
 
 This town was formerly noted 
 for its excellent dairies, particular- 
 ly for its cheese of a superior rich- 
 ness and flavor; but little of which 
 is now made in consequence of 
 the increased value of the lands. 
 
 Weymouth is finely watered by 
 large and beautiful ponds, and by 
 two important arms of Boston har- 
 bor, called Fore and Back rivers. 
 These rivers are navigable for large 
 vessels, and at their head are valua- 
 ble mill privileges. Between these 
 rivers, and between the towns of 
 Braintree and Hingham is a large 
 tract of gently swelling land of 
 good soil, extending to Quincy, 
 and is united to "Quincy Poir.t" 
 by a bridge across Fore river. 
 Over this ground the turnpike road 
 between Quincy and Hingharu 
 passes. 
 
 There are several pleasant vil- 
 lages in Weymouth, but the prin- 
 cipal plaxre of business in the town 
 is at " Weymouth Landing," so
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 called, or Washington Square, at 
 the head of Fore river, on the line 
 of Braintree. This place, being 
 at the head of navigation for a large 
 and flourishing section of country, 
 has longenjoyed, and musteverpos- 
 sess superior privileges as a place 
 of trade. About 1,000 tons of ship- 
 ping is owned here, employed in 
 the fishery and domestic trade. 
 At this place are a number of 
 wharves, ware houses, a steam saw 
 mill, and manufactures of various 
 kinds. Ship building is carried on 
 to some extent, and large quanti- 
 ties of lumber, flour, grain, lime, 
 coal, wood, &c., are annually sold. 
 
 This village lies on the Ply- 
 mouth and New Bedford roads, 11 
 miles S. by E. from Boston, 24 N. 
 N. W. from Plymouth, 14 S. E. 
 from Dedham.S W. from Hingham, 
 and 9 S. S. W. from Boston Light. 
 
 The village at the south part of 
 the town is pleasantly situated on 
 elevated ground, about 3 miles S. 
 from Washington Square. The 
 people here are extensively enga- 
 ged in the manufacture of boots and 
 shoes. 
 
 Stages pass between these villa- 
 ges and Boston, daily ; and pack- 
 ets, for the transportation of mer- 
 chandize, navigate the rivers about 
 nine months in the -year. 
 
 The roads in this section of the 
 country are remarkably fine, and 
 many citizens of Boston make Wey- 
 month their summer residence. 
 
 The manufactures of the town 
 are various, but those of leather, 
 boots and shoes, are the most con- 
 siderable. The annual amount of 
 thee manufactures varies from 
 $500,000 to $800,000. 
 
 Weymouth was incorporated in 
 1635. Population, 1820, 2,404; 
 1830, 2,839 ; 1837, 3,387. 
 
 This ancient town has been the 
 birth place and residence of many 
 men of great usefulness in society. 
 Among the number, the name of 
 COTTON TUFTS, M. D., M. M. 
 S. S. A. A. S., will long be re- 
 
 membered as a revolutionary patri- 
 arch and skillful physician. 
 
 Whately, Mass. 
 
 Franklin co. This town lies on 
 the west side of Connecticut river, 
 9 miles N. from Northampton, 11 
 S. from Greenfield, and 92 W. by 
 N. from Boston. Incorporated in 
 1771. Population, in. 1837, 1,140. 
 There are some pine plains, and a 
 part of Sugar Loaf mountain ex- 
 tends into the town from Deerfield ; 
 still there are some tracts of good 
 intervale land on the Connecticut, 
 and smaller streams, by which it is 
 watered. 
 
 The number of sheep in Whately, 
 in 1837, was 1,650 ; weight of wool, 
 4,953 Ibs. : value, $2,862. There 
 are 3 woollen mills in the town, 3 
 tanneries, 3 distilleries, and manu- 
 factures of gimblets, augers, ham- 
 mers, brooms, brushes, palm-leaf 
 hats, boots, shoes, pocket-books, &c. 
 Annual value, about $90,000. 
 
 Wheelock, Vt. 
 
 Caledonia co. There is some 
 good land in this town, hut a great 
 part of it is mountainous or hilly, 
 and fit only for the pasturage of 
 sheep, of which about 3,000 are 
 kept. The streams flow N. W. into 
 the Lamoille ; and S. E. into the 
 Passumpsic. 
 
 This town was granted in 1785, 
 to the charity school at Dartmouth 
 College, and named in honor of 
 John ^Wheelock, who was, at that 
 time, president of that institution. 
 Wheelock lies 30 miles N. N. E. 
 from Montpelier, and 9 N. from 
 Danville. Population, 1830, 834. 
 
 Wheelwright's Pond, N. II. 
 See Lee, 
 
 White River, Vt. 
 
 This is the largest stream in the 
 state on the east side of the Green 
 Mountains. It waters a basin of 
 about 700 square miles, and traver- 
 ses in its course from Kingston, iu
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Addison county, about 60 miles. It 
 passes through Hancock, Rochester, 
 and Pittsfield, in Rutland county, 
 and Stockbridge, Bethel, Royalton, 
 and Sharon, in Windsor county, to 
 its fall into the Connecticut at Hart- 
 ford, about 5 miles above the mouth 
 of Queechy river. White river 
 receives many large tributaries ; 
 the most considerable of which are 
 the three branches, so called, from 
 the north ; and Broad brook and 
 Locust creek from the south. This 
 stream and its branches, afford a 
 great hydraulic power; and large 
 tracts of country are fertilized by 
 .is waters. It passes through a 
 country of lofty mountains, deep 
 ravines and fertile valleys ; the 
 scenery of which is much enhanc- 
 ed by the devious course of this 
 beautiful river. 
 
 White Cap Mountain, Me. 
 
 See Andover. 
 
 White-field, Ale. 
 
 Lincoln co. SheepscoU-iver pass- 
 es through this town, giving it fer- 
 tility, beauty, and a good water 
 power. It lies 16 miles^S. E. from 
 Augusta, and 14 N. from Wiscas- 
 set. Incorporated, 1809. Popula- 
 tion, in 1837, 2,136. Wheat crop, 
 same year, 3,637 bushels. 
 
 Whitefleld, N. H. 
 
 Coos co. This is an irregular 
 township, lying S. from Lancaster, 
 W. from Jefferson, N. from Carroll 
 and Bethlehem, and E. from Dalton. 
 It is 120 miles N. from Concord. 
 Its soil is generally thin and light, 
 of easy cultivation and tolerably 
 good ; though in the N. part low 
 spruce swamps abound. In this 
 town lie part of Blake's, Long, 
 Round and Little river ponds, be- 
 side two other small pond*. The 
 second of these is a beautiful pond 
 of considerable size, abounding with 
 fish. John's river passes through 
 this town. Whitefield was granted 
 JuJ" 4, 1774, to Josiah Moody and 
 
 others, and soon after settled by 
 Maj. Burns and others. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 685. 
 
 Whiteueart, Tile. 
 
 Lincoln co. An Island off the 
 town of St. George, with a light 
 and tower 30 feet in height. The 
 light bears about S. W. by S. 9 miles 
 from Owl's Head. 
 
 White Mountain*, If. II. 
 
 These mountains are situated in 
 the county of Coos, in the north 
 part of the state. They extend 
 about 20 miles from S. W. to N. 
 E., and are the more elevated parts 
 of a range extending many miles 
 in that direction. Their base is 
 about 10 miles broad and their cen- 
 tral latitude is 44 15' N., and 71 
 20' W. longitude. 
 
 The Indian name of these moun- 
 tains, according to Dr. Belknap, 
 was Jlgiocochnok. An ancient tra- 
 dition prevailed among the savages, 
 that a deluge once overspread the 
 land, and destroyed every human 
 being, except a single powow and 
 his wife, who sheltered themselves 
 in these elevated regions, and thus 
 preserved the race from extermi- 
 nation. The fancy of the naMves 
 peopled this mountain with beings 
 of a superior rank, who were invis- 
 ible to the -human eye, but some- 
 times indicated their presence by 
 tempests, which they were believ- 
 ed to control with absolute authori- 
 ty. The savages therefore, never 
 attempted to ascend the summit, 
 deeming the attempt perilous, and 
 success impossible. But they fre 
 quented the defiles and environs of 
 the mountain, and of course propa- 
 gated many extravagant descrip- 
 tions of its appearance ; declaring, 
 among other things equally cred- 
 ible, that they had seen carbun 
 cles at immene heights, which, in 
 the darkness of night, shone with 
 the most brilliant and dazzling 
 splendor. 
 
 President Alden states, that th
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 White mountains were called by 
 one of the eastern tribes Waujn- 
 bekketmethna: Waumbekket signi- 
 fies white, and methna, mountains. 
 
 Before we attempt a description 
 of these mountains, we shall en- 
 deavor to direct the traveller in 
 his course, from the east, the south 
 and the west, to this magnificent 
 exhibition of Almighty power. 
 
 Routes from Boston, through 
 Concord, J\T. H. Travellers take 
 the rail road to Lowell, pass to 
 Nashua, by rail road, and then by 
 stage through Amoskeag to Concord, 
 or take the Mammoth road at Low- 
 ell, through Manchester and Lon- 
 donderry, or pass through Andover 
 and Haverhill, Mass. The distance 
 from Boston to Concord, by the 
 Mammoth road, is 65 miles: by 
 Nashua, 72, and by the way of 
 Haverhill, 70 miles. From Con- 
 cord you pass to Meredith bridge, 
 either by the Shaker village in 
 Canterbury, 12 miles; or Sanborn- 
 ton bridge, 16 miles from Concord. 
 The distance from Concord to Mer- 
 edith bridge is 26 miles. From 
 Meredith bridge to Meredith vil- 
 lage, is 9 miles ; from thence to Cen- 
 tre Harbor, at the north western 
 extremity of Winnepisiogee lake, 
 is 4 miles. Here you have a fair 
 view of the lake for 15 miles, and 
 here you can be accommodated 
 with a passage down the lake, to 
 Alton, any day in the season of nav- 
 igation. From Centre Harbor to 
 Moultonborough is 5 miles, to Sand- 
 wich, 2, to Tamworth, 12 ; to Eaton, 
 6, to Conway, 8, to Bartlett, on the 
 south east side of the mountains, 
 10 ; to the entrance of the Notch, 
 12 miles ; and from thence to the 
 " Crawford House," is 12 miles. 
 The Crawford house is about 9 miles 
 from the summit of Mount Wash- 
 ington. About two thirds of this 
 distance is traveled by horses, pro- 
 cured at the accommodation house 
 of Crawford the residue is traveled 
 
 on foot, by a pretty good path, cut 
 for the purpose. The total distance 
 from Boston to the base of Mount 
 Washington, is 171 miles. These 
 are very pleasant routes : you pass 
 through the capital of New Hamp- 
 shire, a beautiful town; you enjoy 
 a great variety of delightful and ro- 
 mantic river and lake scenery, and 
 are accommodated with good houses, 
 gentlemanly landlords, skillful and 
 obliging stagemen. 
 
 There is another route from Con- 
 cord to these hills, by the way of 
 Plymouth, through the Franconia 
 Notch, that is very pleasant and 
 frequently traveled. From Con- 
 cord through Boscawen, Frank- 
 lin, Andover, Hill, Bristol, and 
 Bridgewater, to Plymouth, is 40 
 miles; from thence, through Camp- 
 ton, Thornton, Peeling, Lincoln, 
 to Littleton, through the Franconia 
 Notch, is 40 miles. From Littleton 
 to Crawford's, is 18 miles. Total 
 distance from Boston, by this route, 
 163 miles. 
 
 From Plymouth to Littleton the 
 roads are remarkably good, and 
 the landscape delightful ; but the 
 scenery is not so beautiful as by the 
 Winnepisiogee, nor so magnificent 
 as through the Notch of the White 
 Mountains. 
 
 The Portsmouth and Dover 
 route, from Boston, is very pleasant : 
 you exchange the beautiful scene- 
 ry along the Merrimack, for a visit 
 to some of our most delightful At- 
 lantic towns. On this route we pass 
 through the principal towns of Sa- 
 lem, Beverly, Ipswich, Newbury- 
 port, Hampton, to Portsmonth, 56 
 miles from Boston. From thence we 
 go to Dover, 12 miles, to Alton, 
 at the southeastern extremity of 
 Winnepisiogee lake, 28 miles; from 
 thence up the lake, by steam boat, 
 to Centre Harbor, 20 miles, and 
 from thence, to Crawford's, at the 
 base of Mount Washington, as by 
 the Concord route. Total distance, 
 by this route. 183 miles.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 The Portland route, from Bos- 
 ton, by steam boat and stage, is 
 another very pleasant way to reach 
 this mountainous region. You 
 leave Boston in the evening, on 
 board one of our beautiful, sea- 
 worthy steamers, and take an early 
 breakfast, the next morning, at 
 our friend HaskelPs, at the " Elm 
 House," in Portland. The distance 
 from Boston to Portland is about 120 
 miles ; but distance, in this case, is 
 generally lost in sleep. After 
 breakfast you take the northern 
 stage, and passing through Gorham 
 and other towns, to Fryeburgh, you 
 arrive at Conway, (the centre of all 
 the eastern routes,) 57 miles from 
 Portland, and find excellent accom- 
 modations for the night. The next 
 day you have ample time to go to 
 the Crawford house, and to prepare 
 for an aerial excursion the next 
 morning. The distance from Bos- 
 ton, in this way, is 211 miles. This 
 is the most expeditious route, and 
 has the charms of both ocean and 
 inland scenery. 
 
 The Connecticut River route, to 
 the " Crystal Hills," is full of 
 beauty in almost all its course. You 
 leave Hartford and ascend one of 
 the most delightful rivers in the 
 world, to Littleton, N. H.,a dis- 
 tance of 1SS miles. Some of this 
 distance may be travelled by water, 
 but the most agreeable mode of 
 travelling is by land, on either 
 side of the river. As you pass 
 the principal towns of Springfield, 
 Northampton, Deerfield, Green- 
 field, Brattleboro', Walpole, Wind- 
 sor, Hanover, Norwich, Haverhill 
 and Newbury, you are charmed 
 with all the varieties of scenery, 
 which elevated mountains, placid 
 and rapid waters, a wide, luxuriant 
 and densely populated alluvial basin 
 can yield. The distance from Lit- 
 tleton through Bethlehem to Craw- 
 ford's House is 13 miles. Total dis- 
 tance from Hartford, by this route, 
 206 miles. 
 
 40* 
 
 The Hudson River Route. Ex- 
 cursions to these mountains from 
 New York by the Hudson river, 
 Lake Champlain, and back by the 
 way of Boston or Hartford, affords 
 our southern and western friends 
 a rich repast of New York and New 
 England scenery. 
 
 The distances on the Hudson 
 from New York to Troy are given 
 under Long Island Sound. 
 
 From Troy to the far famed Min- 
 eral Springs, at Ballston and Sara- 
 toga, is a pleasant ride, by the rail 
 road. The distance to the former 
 is 25, and to the latter 32 miles. 
 The distance from Albany to Sara- 
 toga Springs, by the way of Sche- 
 nectady, is 36 miles. 
 
 The waters of these springs have 
 long been justly celebrated for their 
 medicinal and exhilarating quali- 
 ties ; and a vast number from all 
 parts of the United States, and even 
 from foreign countries, resort to 
 them, either for health, or to join 
 the gay and fashionable throng who 
 hold an annual festival around these 
 hygeian fountains. 
 
 The accommodations at these 
 villages, for the entertainment of 
 strangers, are of the first order: 
 no expense seems to be spared to 
 render them acceptable to their 
 numerous visitants. 
 
 These springs are numerous, but 
 generally contain the same sub- 
 stances, only in a greater or less 
 quantity. The most celebrated of 
 them is the Congress, at Saratoga, 
 which has given, in analysis, 471,5 
 grains muriate of soda ; 178,4 3-4 
 carbonate of lime ; 16,5 carbonate 
 of soda ; 3,3 1-2 carbonate of mag- 
 nesia, and 6,1 3-4 carbonate of iron, 
 !o one gallon of water: carbonic 
 acid gas, 343 cubic inches. Tem- 
 erature through the year, 50 of 
 Parenheit. 
 
 A few miles east from Saratoga 
 village is Fish Creek, memorable 
 as the scene of the surrender of 
 Burgoyne's array, of 5,791 men,
 
 NEW ENGLANO GAZETTEER. 
 
 to the Americans, under General 
 Gates, October 17, 1777. 
 
 From Troy to Whitehall, N. Y., 
 is 70 miles by stage, and 72 by the 
 Champlain canal. In this distance 
 we pass Bemis' Heights, and forts 
 Miller, Edward, and Anne; im- 
 portant stations during the revolu- 
 tionary war. 
 
 Whitehall is at the southern ex- 
 tremity of lake Champlain, and at 
 the junction of the canal with the 
 lake. This place is an important 
 location for trade on Lake Cham- 
 plain, and of an extensive tract of 
 country. The lake is navigable 
 here for all classes of lake vessels ; 
 and from this place steam boats ply 
 along the shores of this beautiful 
 lake to St. Johns in Lower Canada. 
 This is a pleasant and flourishing 
 town, and a great thoroughfare for 
 travelers in the season of naviga- 
 tion. It is situated in the county 
 of Washington, and contains a pop- 
 ulation of about 3,500. 
 
 About a dozen miles west from 
 Whitehall lays Lake George, cele- 
 brated for the purity of its waters, 
 its enchanting island and mountain 
 scenery, its salmon trout, and above 
 all, for its history, as connected with 
 the memory of our fathers in their 
 glorious struggle for liberty. 
 
 This lake is about 35 miles in 
 length, and averages about 2 miles 
 in breadth. It discharges its wa- 
 ters into Lake Champlain, near the 
 ruins of Ticonderoga, by an outlet 
 of 3 miles in length ; in which dis- 
 tance the fall is about 150 feet. 
 
 On some of the islands in this 
 lake, crystals of quartz are found of 
 uncommon transparency and per- 
 fection of form. 
 
 Rogers' Hock, is on the west 
 side of the lake, near the outlet. 
 It rises abruptly between 300 and 
 400 feet. It received its name 
 from a Major Rogers, who, to elude 
 his Indian pursuers, deceived them 
 by asscending the rock, throwing 
 his pack into the lake, and chang- 
 ing his snow shoes heels foremost ; 
 
 thus inducing them to believe tha 
 he had leaped into the lake. 
 
 This is indeed one of the most 
 beautiful and romantic sheets of 
 water in the world. 
 
 From Whitehall to Burlington, 
 Vermont, is 70 miles. On this 
 route we pass the memorable for- 
 tresses of Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point; Mount Independence, and 
 a great number of beautiful towns 
 which skirt the lake on each side. 
 
 Opposite to Charlotte, Vermont, 
 11 miles S. from Burlington, in the 
 town of Essex, N. Y., is Split 
 Hock, a great natural curiosity. 
 This rock projects into the lake 150 
 feet. The point is separated from 
 the main rock about 20 feet : it con- 
 tains about half an acre, and is cov- 
 ered with trees. The height of the 
 rock, on each side of the opening, 
 is about 20 feet ; and appears to 
 have been rent asunder by some 
 great convulsion. 
 
 From the beautiful town of Bur- 
 lington we cross the mountains to 
 Montpelier, situated in a delightful 
 valley amid the hills. The distance 
 is j38 miles. On this route we travel 
 along the romantic banks of the 
 Winooski ; we listen to the rushing 
 of its waters down its mountain 
 course ; view its foaming cataracts, 
 and stop to admire the wonderful 
 fissures and fantastic mechanism, 
 which, in the course of ages, that 
 stream has wrought, by its ceaseless 
 current, amid these adamantine 
 hills. 
 
 From Montpelier we pass to Con- 
 necticut river, and Littleton, N. H., 
 a distance of 40 miles, and from Lit- 
 tleton to the base of Mount Wash- 
 ington, a distance of 18 miles. 
 
 By this route from the city of 
 New York, the distance is 386 
 miles : from that city by the way 
 of Stonington, Providence, and the 
 nearest route from Boston, the dis- 
 tance is 333 miles. This route 
 may be varied so as to enjoy the 
 beauties of Winnepisiogee lake, 
 by leaving Troy, 150 miles, for
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Bennington, 30 miles, 180 ; Brat- 
 tleborough, 40220; Keene,20 
 240 ; Concord, 55 295 ; to the base 
 of the mountains, 106 ; total dis- 
 tance, 401 miles. 
 
 These mountains are the highest 
 in New England ; and, if we except 
 the Rocky mountains, whose height 
 has not been ascertained, they are 
 the most lofty of any in the United 
 States. Their great elevation has 
 always rendered them exceeding- 
 ly interesting both to the aborigi- 
 nal inhabitants and to our ances- 
 tors. They were visited by Neal, 
 Jocelyn, and Field as early as 
 1632 : they gave romantic accounts 
 of their adventures, and of the ex- 
 tent and sublimity of the mountains. 
 They called them the CRYSTAL 
 HILLS. 
 
 Since that time this mountainous 
 region has been repeatedly explor- 
 ed by hunters and men of science. 
 Their height has been a subject of 
 much speculation ; but from the 
 best surveys, Mount Washington 
 is 6,234 feet above the level of the 
 sea. The following is the height 
 of the principal mountains above 
 Connecticut river at Lancaster, 
 to wit : 
 
 Mount Washington, - 5,850 feet. 
 Adams, - - 5,383 
 Jefferson, - 5,281 
 Madison, - - 5,039 
 Monroe, - - 4,932 
 Franklin, - 4,470 
 La Fayette, - 4,339 
 Although these mountains are 65 
 miles distant from the ocean, their 
 snow white summits are distinctly 
 visible, in good weather, more than 
 50 miles from shore. Their ap- 
 pearance at that distance is that of 
 a silvery cloud skirting the horizon. 
 The names here given are those 
 generally appropriated to the differ- 
 ent summits. Mount Washington 
 is known by its superior elevation, 
 and by its being the southern of 
 the three highest peaks. Mount 
 Adams is known by its sharp termi- 
 nating peak, and being the second 
 
 north of Washington. Jefferson 
 is situated between these two. 
 Madison is the eastern peak of 
 the range. Monroe is the first to 
 the south of Washington. Franklin 
 is the second south and is known by 
 its level surface. LaFayette is 
 known by its conical shape, and be- 
 ing the third south of Washington. 
 The ascent to the summits of these 
 mountains, though fatiguing, is not 
 dangerous ; and the visitant is rich- 
 ly rewarded for his labor and curi- 
 osity. In passing from the Notch 
 to the highest summit, the travel- 
 ler crosses the summits of Mounts 
 La Fayette, Franklin and Monroe. 
 In accomplishing this, he must pass 
 through a forest, and cross several 
 ravines. These are neither wide 
 nor deep, nor are they discovered at 
 a great distance ; for the trees fill 
 them up exactly even with the 
 mountain on each side, and their 
 branches interlock with each other 
 in such a manner, that it is very 
 difficult to pass through them, and 
 they are so stiff and thick as almost 
 to support a man's weight. Mount 
 La Fayette is easily ascended. Its 
 top, to the extent of 5 or 6 acres, 
 is smooth, and gradually slopes 
 away in every direction from its 
 centre. It even has a verdant ap- 
 pearance, as it is every where cov- 
 ered with short grass, which grows 
 in little tufts to the height of four 
 or five inches. Among these tufts, 
 mountain flowers are thinly scat- 
 tered, which add life and beauty to 
 the scene. The prospect from this 
 summit is beautiful : to the N. the 
 eye is dazzled with the splendor of 
 Mount Washington ; N. W. are 
 seen the settlements in Jefferson ; 
 W. the courses of the Amonoosuck, 
 as though delineated on a map : S. 
 W. the Moosehillock and Haystack 
 are discovered ; S. Chocorua peak; 
 S. E. the settlements and moun- 
 tains in Bartlett; E. only dark 
 mountains and forests. On descend- 
 ing this mountain, a small patch of 
 water is found at its base ; from
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 which the ascent is gradual to the 
 summit of Mount Franklin. After 
 crossing this mountain, you pass 
 over the east pinnacle of Mount 
 Monroe, and soon find yourself on 
 a plain of some extent, at the foot 
 of Mount Washington. Here is a 
 fine resting-plate, on the margin of 
 a beautiful sheet of water, of an 
 oval form, covering about 3-4 of an 
 acre. The waters are pleasant to 
 the taste, and deep. Not a living 
 creature is to be seen in the waters, 
 at this height on the hills ; nor do 
 vegetables of any kind grow in or 
 around them, to obscure the clear 
 rocky or gravelly bottom on which 
 they rest. A small spring discharg- 
 es itself into this pond at its south- 
 east angle. Another pond, of about 
 2-3 its size, lies N. W. of this. 
 Directly before you, the pinnacle 
 of Mount Washington rises with 
 majestic grandeur, like an immense 
 pyramid, or some vast Kremlin in 
 this magnificent city of mountains. 
 The pinnacle is elevated about 1,500 
 feet above the plain, and is compo- 
 sed principally of huge rocks of 
 granite and gneiss piled together, 
 presenting a variety of colors and 
 forms. 
 
 In ascending, you must pass enor- 
 mous masses of loose stones ; but 
 a walk of half an hour will gener- 
 ally carry you to the summit. The 
 view from this point is wonderfully 
 grand and picturesque. Innumer- 
 able mountains, lakes, ponds, riv- 
 ers, towns and villages meet the de- 
 lighted eye, and the dim Atlantic 
 stretches its waters along the east- 
 ern horizon. To the N. is seen the 
 lofty summits of Adams and Jeffer- 
 son ; and to the east a little detach- 
 ed from the range stands Mount 
 Madison. Mount Washington is 
 supported on the N. by a high ridge, 
 which extends to Mount Jefferson ; 
 on the N. E. by a large grassy plain, 
 terminating in a vast spur extend- 
 ing far away in that direction ; E. 
 by a promontory, which breaks off 
 abruptly at St. Anthony's Nose ; S. 
 
 and S. E. by a grassy plain, in sura- 
 nier, of more than 40 acres. At 
 the southeastern extremity of this 
 plain, a ridge commences, which 
 slopes gracefully away towards the 
 vale of the Saco ; upon which at 
 short distances from each other, 
 arise rocks, resembling, in some 
 places, towers ; in others, repre- 
 senting the various orders of archi- 
 tecture. 
 
 It would be vain in us to attempt 
 a description of the varied wonders 
 which here astonish and delight the 
 beholder. To those who have vis- 
 ited these mountains, our descrip- 
 tions would be tame and unin- 
 teresting; and he who has never 
 ascended their hoary summits, can- 
 not realize the extent and magnifi- 
 cence of the scene. These moun- 
 tains are decidedly of primitive 
 formation. Nothing of volcanic 
 origin has ever yet been discover- 
 ed on the most diligent research. 
 They have for ages, probably, ex- 
 hibited the same unvarying aspect. 
 No minerals are here found of much 
 rarity or value. The rock which 
 most abounds, is schistus, intermix- 
 ed with greenstone, mica, granite 
 and gneiss. The three highest 
 peaks are composed entirely ol 
 fragments of rocks heaped together 
 in confusion, but pretty firmly fix- 
 ed in their situations. These rocks 
 are an intermediate substance be- 
 tween gneiss and micaceous schis- 
 tus ; they are excessively rough 
 and coarse, and grey, almost black, 
 with lichens. The mica in them is 
 abundant, of different colors, red, 
 black, and limpid, and though some- 
 times several inches in diameter, yet 
 most often irregularly stratified. 
 The granite contains emerald, tour- 
 maline, of which are found some 
 beautiful specimens, and garnets, 
 besides its proper constituents. 
 Crystals of quartz, pyrites, actin- 
 ote, jasper, porphyry, fluate of lime, 
 and magnetic iron ore, are some- 
 times obtained. 
 
 During 9 or 10 months of th
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 year, the summits of the mountains 
 are covered with snow and ice, giv- 
 ing them a bright and dazzling ap- 
 pearance. On every side are long 
 and winding gulleys, deepening in 
 their descent to the plains below. 
 
 Here some of the finest riv- 
 ers of New England originate. 
 The Saco flows from the east side 
 of the mountains ; the branches of 
 the Androscoggin from the north ; 
 the Amonoosuck and other tributa- 
 ries of the Connecticut from the 
 west ; and the Pemigewasset from 
 the south, its fountain being near 
 that of the Saco. The sides of the 
 hills are in many parts covered with 
 soil ; but this is very superficial in 
 all cases, and every spot, that can 
 be reached by running water, is 
 left destitute of every thing but 
 rocks and pebbles, of which like- 
 wise the river bottoms are exclu- 
 sively composed. In these cold 
 and elevated regions, the period for 
 the growth of vegetables is ex- 
 tremely brief; the mountains must 
 be forever sterile.' Moss and li- 
 chens may be found near the sum- 
 mits, but of meagre and scanty 
 growth looking as if they had 
 wandered from their proper zone 
 below, into these realms of barren 
 desolation. 
 
 A visit of Mr. Vines to the White 
 Mountains, described by Winthrop, 
 is worthy of notice. It was per- 
 formed in the month of August, 
 1642, by him in company with 
 Thomas Gorges the deputy-gover- 
 nor. Darby Field, who was liv- 
 ing at Exeter,1639, has the credit 
 of being the first traveller to these 
 mountains. His journey also is 
 described by Winthrop, who says it 
 was performed in the year 1632. 
 He appears to have returned by 
 the way of Saco. " The report he 
 brought," says Winthrop, " of shin- 
 ing stones, &c. caused divers others 
 to travel thither, but they found 
 nothing worth their pains. Mr. 
 Gorges and Mr. Vines, two of the 
 magistrates of Sir F. Gorges' prov- 
 
 ince, went thither about the end oJ 
 this month," (August.) They set 
 out, probably, a few days after the 
 return of Field, dazzled by visions 
 of diamonds and other precious 
 minerals, with which the fancy of 
 this man had garnished his story. 
 " They went up Saco river in birch 
 canoes, and that way they found it 
 90 miles to Pegwagget, an Indian 
 town, but by land it is but 60. Up- 
 on Saco river they found many 
 thousand acres of rich meadow, but 
 there are 10 falls which hinder 
 boats, &c. From the Indian town 
 they went up hill (for the most 
 part) about 30 miles in woody lands, 
 then they went about? or 8 miles 
 upon shattered rocks, without tree 
 or grass, very steep all the way. 
 At the top is a plain about 3 or 4 
 miles over, all shattered stones, 
 and upon that is another rock or 
 spire about a mile in height, and 
 about an acre of ground at the top. 
 At the top of the plain arise 4 great 
 rivers, each of them so much wa- 
 ter at the first issue as would drive 
 a mill : Connecticut river from two 
 heads at the N. W. aud S. W., 
 which join in one about 60 miles 
 off; Saco river on the S.^E. ; Am- 
 ascoggin, which runs into Casco 
 bay, at the N. E. ; and the Ken- 
 ncbeck at the N. by E. The 
 mountain runs east and west 30 or 
 40 miles, but the peak is above all 
 the rest. They went and returned 
 in 15 days." This description of 
 the mountains was probably com- 
 municated by Mr. Vines to Gov. 
 Winthrop. It conveys a very accu- 
 rate idea of them, as they now 
 strike the traveller. 
 
 The J\"otch of the Wluie Moun- 
 tains, is a phrase appropriated to a 
 very narrow defile, extending two 
 miles in length between two huge 
 cliffs apparently rent asunder by 
 some vast convulsion of nature : 
 probably that of the deluge. The 
 entrance of the chasm on the east 
 side, is formed by two rocks stand-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ing perpendicular at the distance of 
 22 feet from each other : one about 
 20 feet in height, the other about 
 12. The road from Lancaster to 
 Portland passes through this notch, 
 following the course of the head 
 stream of the Saco. 
 
 The scenery at this place is ex- 
 ceedingly beautiful and grand. The 
 mountain, otherwise a continued 
 range, is here cloven quite down 
 to its base, opening a passage for 
 the waters of the Saco. The gap 
 is so narrow, that space has with dif- 
 ficulty been found for the road. 
 About half a mile from the entrance 
 of the chasm is seen a most beau- 
 tiful cascade, issuing from a moun- 
 tain on the right, about 800 feet 
 above the subjacent valley, and 
 about 2 miles distant. The stream 
 passes over a series of rocks almost 
 perpendicular, with a course so lit- 
 tle broken as to preserve the ap- 
 pearance of a uniform current, and 
 yet so far disturbed as to be per- 
 fectly white. This beautiful stream, 
 which passes down a stupendous 
 precipice, is called by Dwight, the 
 Silver Cascade. It is probably one 
 of the most beautiful in the world. 
 
 At the distance of 3-4 of a mile 
 from the entrance of the chasm is 
 a brook, called the Flume, which 
 falls from a height of 240 or 250 
 feet over three precipices clown 
 the two first in a single current, 
 and over the last in three, which 
 unite again at the bottom in a small 
 basin formed by the hand of nature 
 in the rocks. The water is pure 
 and transparent, and it would be 
 impossible for a brook of its size to 
 he modelled into more diversified 
 or delightful forms. 
 
 It is by no means strange that, 
 the unlettered Indian fancied these 
 regions to be the abodes of celes- 
 tial beings ; while the scholar, with- 
 out a stretch of fancy, in calling to 
 mind the mythology of Greece, 
 might find here a fit place for the 
 assemblies and sports of the Dry- 
 ads, Naiads and Orcades. 
 
 Avalanches or slides from the 
 mountains. On the 28th of Au- 
 gust, 1826, there occurred one of 
 the most remarkable floods ever 
 known in this mountainous region; 
 and which was attended by the 
 awful calamity of the destruction 
 of a whole family, by an Avalan- 
 che or slide from the mountains. 
 
 These Avalanches, as they are 
 termed in Switzerland, are produced 
 by heavy rains : they commence 
 generally near the highest limits 
 of vegetation on the mountains, 
 which, on some of them, is near 
 their summits ; the slides widening 
 and deepening in their downward 
 course, carrying along all the trees, 
 shrubbery, loose rocks and earth 
 from their granite foundation. At 
 this time there were probably thou- 
 sands of acres reft from the sides of 
 the mountains and carried to the 
 valley in the Notch below. 
 
 The house inhabited by Capt. 
 Samuel Willey and his family, stood 
 on the westerly side of (he road, 
 in the Notch, and a few rods distant 
 from the high bluff which rises 
 with fearful 'rapidity to the height 
 of 2,000 feet. Adjoining was a 
 barn and woodhouse ; in front, was 
 a beautiful little meadow covered 
 with crops, and the Saco passed 
 along at the foot of the easterly pre- 
 cipice. 
 
 Nearly in range of the house, 
 a slide from the extreme point of 
 the westerly hill came down in a 
 deep and horrible mass (o within 
 about five rods of the dwelling, 
 where its course appears to have 
 been checked by a large block of 
 granite, which, falling on a flat 
 surface, backed the rolling mass for 
 a moment, until it separated into 
 two streams, one of which rushed 
 down by the north end of the house, 
 crushing the barn, and spreading 
 itself over the meadow ; the other 
 passing down on the south side, 
 and swallowing up the unfortunate 
 beings, who probably attempted to 
 fly to a shelter, which, it is said,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER 
 
 had been erected a few rods dis- 
 tant. This shelter, whatever it 
 might have been, was completely 
 overwhelmed : rocks weighing 10 
 to 50 tons being scattered about the 
 place, and indeed in every direc- 
 tion, rendering escape utterly im- 
 possible. The house remained un- 
 touched, though large stones and 
 trunks of trees made fearful ap- 
 proaches to its walls, and the mov- 
 ing mass, which separated behind 
 the building, again united in its 
 front.' The house alone could 
 have been their refuge from the 
 horrible uproar around, the only 
 spot untouched by the crumbling 
 and consuming power of the storm. 
 Tiie family consisted of 9 per- 
 sons ; Capt. Willey, his wife, 5 chil- 
 dren, and two men by the names 
 of Nickerson and Allen. 
 
 Travelers visiting this section of 
 country, in autumn, will be gratified 
 with the rich and varied beauties of 
 Jlutumnal foliage, common in this 
 country, but more particularly so 
 at the north ; and which is thus 
 described by Dr. Dwight. 
 
 " The bosom of both ranges of 
 mountains was overspread, in all the 
 inferior regions, by a mixture of 
 evergreens, with trees, whose leave? 
 are deciduous. The annual foliage 
 had been already changed by the 
 frosts. Of the effects of this change 
 it is, perhaps, impossible for an in- 
 habitant of Great Britain, as I have 
 been assured by several foreigners, 
 to form an adequate conception, 
 without visiting an American for- 
 est. When I was a youth, I re- 
 marked, that Thompson had entire- 
 ly omitted, in his seasons, this fine 
 part of autumnal imagery. Upon 
 enquiring of an English gentleman, 
 the probable cause of the omission, 
 he informed me, that no such scene- 
 ry existed in Great Britain. In this 
 country it is often among the most 
 splendid beauties of nature. All 
 the leaves of trees, which are not 
 evergreens, are by the first severe 
 
 frost changed from, their verdure 
 towards the perfection of that color, 
 which they are capable of ultimate- 
 ly assuming, through yellow, or- 
 ange, and red, to a pretty deep 
 brown. As the frosts affects differ- 
 ent trees, and the different leaves 
 of the same tree, in very different 
 degrees ; a vast multitude of tinc- 
 tures are commonly found on those 
 of a single tree, and always on 
 those of a grove or forest. These 
 colors, also, in all their varieties 
 are generally full ; and in many in- 
 stances are among the most exquis- 
 ite, which are found in the regions 
 of nature. Different sorts of trees 
 are susceptible of different de- 
 grees of this beauty. Among them 
 the maple is preeminently distin- 
 guished by the prodigious varie- 
 ties, the finish, beauty, and the in- 
 tense lustre, of its hues ; varying 
 through all the dyes, between a rich 
 green and the most perfect crimson ; 
 or more definitely, the red of .the 
 prismatic image." 
 
 Whiting, M. 
 
 Washington co. This town lies 
 at the head of Machias bay, and is 
 watered by several ponds and a 
 good mill stream. It lie? 152 miles 
 E. N. E. from Augusta, and 6 N. 
 E. from Machias. Incorporated, 
 1325. Population, 1837, 462. 
 
 Whiting, Vt. 
 
 Addison co. Whiting lies 40 
 miles S. W. from Montpelier, and 
 10 S. from Middlebury. It is 
 washed on the eastern border by 
 Otter Creek, but is without any 
 valuable mill stream. 
 
 This is a fine farming town : the 
 soil is composed partly of marl, and 
 affords excellent crops of grain and 
 hay: about 7,000 sheep are kept 
 here. Some years since fish were 
 introduced from the lake, to Otter 
 Creek, at this place, and have been 
 found to multiply exceedingly. 
 
 Whiting was first settled in 1772. 
 It was named in honor of John
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Whiting of Wrentham, Mass. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 653.. 
 
 V.'hitingliam, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. Deerfield river 
 passes through this town and forms 
 considerable tracts of valuable in- 
 tervale. The surface of the up- 
 lands is diversified ; with a good 
 soil for sheep, of which many are 
 kept. 
 
 Sawdawgapond, in Whitingham, 
 is rather a curiosity. It is a hand- 
 some sheet of water, covering 
 about 500 acres. For many years 
 past earth has been forming over 
 its surface/and from 75 to 100 acres 
 of land now rise and fall with the 
 waters of the pond. 
 
 Among the first settlers of Ver- 
 mont, many remarkable instances of 
 longevity and fecundity are found. 
 A Mr. Pike had 23 children ; 19 
 of whom were living a few years 
 since ; the youngest aged 25 years. 
 Mr. Benjamin Cook died in this 
 town, a few years since, aged 106 
 years. He had followed the busi- 
 ness of shoemakiug through life. 
 He celebrated his hundredth birth 
 day by making a pair of shoes, 
 without the use of spectacles. 
 
 Whitingham was first settled in 
 1773. It lies 17 miles W. by S. 
 from Brattleborough, and 18 E. S. 
 E. from Bennington. Population, 
 1330, 1,477. 
 
 Wlckford Village, R. I. 
 
 See North Kingston. 
 
 \Vilbraham, Mass. 
 
 Hampden co. The people of 
 this pleasant town are principally 
 employed in agricultural pursuits, 
 and are remarkable for equality of 
 property. This town is watered 
 hy the Chickopee and several of its 
 small tributaries. The surface is 
 agreeably diversified by hills and 
 valleys, and the soil is well adapted 
 to agricultural and horticultural 
 pursuits. The products of Wil- 
 braham are numerous ; among oth- 
 
 ers, the weight of 2,292 fleeces of 
 wool, sheared in this town in 1837, 
 was 6,110 pounds, valued at $3,669. 
 There are some manufactures in 
 the town of boots, shoes, leather, 
 straw bonnets, palm-leaf hats, wag- 
 ons, &c. 
 
 The " Wesleyan Academy," in 
 Wilbraham,is an institution of great 
 value, and in high reputation. It 
 has considerable funds, and about 
 240 scholars attend throughout the 
 year. Scholars are received at this 
 seminary from ten years of age 
 and upwards. The annual cost to 
 a scholar, for board and tuition, is 
 from $80 to $90. This institution 
 was incorporated in 1824, and is 
 governed by a board of trustees. 
 
 Great excitement existed in this 
 quiet town and vicinity by the 
 murder of Marcus Lyon, on the 
 9th of November, 1805. The mur- 
 der was committed by two foreign- 
 ers, Halliganand Daley, who were 
 hanged at Northampton on the 5th 
 of June, 1806. 
 
 Wilbraham lies SO miles W. S. 
 W. from Boston, and 10 E. from 
 Springfield. It was incorporated 
 in 1053. Population, 1837, 1,802. 
 
 Williams' Rivers. 
 
 Williams' river, in Vermont, is 
 formed in Chester by the union of 
 three considerable branches, which 
 originate in small streams in the 
 townships of Ludlow, Andover, 
 Windham, and Grafton. These 
 three branches unite about a mile 
 and a half to the southeast of the 
 two villages in Chester, and their 
 united waters, after running 15 
 miles in a southeasterly direction, 
 fall into Connecticut river in Rock- 
 ingham, three miles above Bellows' 
 Falls. Along this stream is some 
 fine intervale, and it affords several 
 good mill privileges. Williams' 
 river derives its name firm the 
 celebrated Rev. John Williams, 
 who was taken by the Indians at 
 Deerfield, Mass.. in 1704. and who. 
 at the mouth of this stream, preach-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 ed a sermon to his fellow captives. 
 Williams' river, in Massachu- 
 setts. See West Stockbridge. 
 
 \VillianislJuigli, Me. 
 
 Piscataquis co. This town was 
 incorporated in 1820. In 1834 the 
 easterly part of the town was set 
 off and called Barnard: this fact 
 was unknown to the editor when 
 the first pages of this edition were 
 printed. 
 
 The lands in Williamsburgh and 
 Barnard are undulating, heavily 
 wooded, with a fertile soil. The 
 population of Williamsburgh, in 
 1837, was 120. 
 
 Williamsburgh and Barnard are at 
 present but thinly settled; but in 
 consequence of a vast body of slate 
 for rooting houses and other purpo- 
 ses being found within their limits, 
 the lands within these towns must 
 enhance in value and increase in 
 population. These quarries are 
 common to both towns; they lie at 
 an elevation of from 150 to 200 feet 
 above Pleasant river, a branch of 
 the Penobscot, which passes their 
 northern and eastern borders, about 
 two miles distant. 
 
 These quarries are inexhaustible 
 in quantity, and are stated to be 
 fully equal to the celebrated Welsh 
 slate. They are situated 40 miles 
 N. from Bangor; and, by the Ban- 
 gor and Piscataquis rail road, now 
 in operation to Orono ; and in pro- 
 gress from Orono to these quarries, 
 the Bangor of the new world seems 
 likely to become as celebrated for 
 its fine slate as the Bangor of the 
 old. See Barnard. 
 
 \Villinmsburgh, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. The surface of this 
 town is elevated and uneven , but 
 it is pleasant, and has a warm and 
 fertile soil. It is watered by a good 
 stream which meets the Connecti- 
 cut at Northampton. It HesS miles 
 N. W. from Northampton, and 100 
 W. from Boston. Incorporated in 
 1771. Population, 1837, 1,345. 
 
 41 
 
 The manufactures ot the town 
 consist of woolen cloth, (3 mills,) 
 boots, shoes, leather, hats, iron cast- 
 ings, axes, gimlets, screw drivers, 
 augers, punches, bitts and bitt 
 stocks, flexible and japan buttons, 
 stocking yarn, and lather boxes; 
 annual value, about $200,000. 
 The value of buttons, manufactur- 
 ed the year ending April 1, 1S37, 
 was $102,500. 
 
 In 1837, there were 2,815 sheep 
 sheared in this town, whose fleeces 
 weighed 8,362 pounds, and sold for 
 5,017. 
 
 Williams town, Vt. 
 
 Orange co. This town lies on the 
 height of land between Onion and 
 White rivers ; 10 miles S. E. from 
 Montpelier, and about the same dis- 
 tance N. W. from Chelsea. First 
 settled, 1784. Population, 1830, 
 1,487. This mountain town pro- 
 duces good crops of grain and hay. 
 It pastures about 7,500 sheep. 
 
 The "Gulf Road," so called, 
 between Royalton and Montpelier, 
 passes through this town. This 
 mountain pass is some miles in 
 length, wild and picturesque. The 
 mountains on each side of the gulf 
 are very high, and the Asides are 
 so steep as to leave only a narrow 
 passage for the turnpike, and a 
 gurgling branch of White river on 
 the south side, and of a branch of 
 Onion river on the north. 
 
 Williamstown, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. This town is situ- 
 ated in a large and fertile valley, 
 surrounded by romantic elevations, 
 and watered by Hoosack and Green 
 rivers. These beautiful streams 
 unite their hydraulic powers and 
 fertilizing; qualities, to render this 
 remote valley a scene of compe- 
 tence and peace, and a delightful 
 retreat for the muses. 
 
 Williamstown lies at the N. W. 
 corner of the state, on the lines of 
 Vermont and New York ; 135 miles 
 W. by N. from Boston, 27 N. fiorn
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Lenox, and 36 E. by N. from Al- 
 bauy, N. Y. It was incorporated 
 in 1765. Population, 1837, 1,981. 
 
 There are 1 cotton and 2 woolen 
 mills in the town, and manufactu- 
 res of potatoe starch, cabinet ware, 
 chairs, palm-leaf hats, shovels, hats, 
 leather, &c. : annual value aboul 
 $75,000. 
 
 The number of sheep in this 
 flourishing agricultural town, in 
 the year 1837, was 8,000 viz: 
 2,000 Saxony, 5,800 Merino, and 
 200 common. The fleeces of these 
 sheep weighed 23,200 Ibs., and 
 old for $13,965. 
 
 The village in this town is de- 
 lightfully situated on a gentle rise 
 from the river. The buildings are 
 generally tastefully constructed and 
 command a great variety of superb 
 scenery. This town contains a te- 
 pid spring, of some repute in cu- 
 taneous diseases. 
 
 Williams College, in this town, 
 is handsomely located. It derived 
 its name from COL. EPHRAIM 
 WILLIAMS, a native of Newton, 
 anV a distinguished benefactor of 
 Williamstown. Col. Williams was 
 a man of talents, brave, witty, po- 
 lite and popular. He commanded 
 the line of forts on the west side 
 of Connecticut river, in the French 
 and Indian wars from 1740 to 1748. 
 In 1755, he received the command 
 of a regiment, and joined general 
 Johnson. He fell at the head of 
 1,200 men, near lake George, on the 
 8th of September of that year. Col. 
 Williams, being a bachelor, gave 
 the most of his estate for the estab- 
 lishment of a free grammar school 
 at this place. The school went in- 
 to operation in 1791, and in 1793 
 the legislature vested it with col- 
 lege privileges. See Register. 
 
 Wlllimantic River, Ct. 
 
 Also Village, see Windham. 
 Willington, Gt. 
 
 Tolland co. This town was sold 
 by the Connecticut colony, to Rog- 
 
 er Wolcott, Esq. and others, for 
 510, in the year 1720. It is about 
 7 miles in length, and 4| in width 
 There is an abundance of granite 
 in the town, and good iron ore. 
 The surface is uneven and the soil 
 hard. The Willimantic and other 
 streams give Willington some ex- 
 cellent mill privileges, some of 
 which are profitably improved. 
 There are about 2,500 sheep in the 
 town. Population, in 1830, 1,305. 
 It is 24 miles N. E. from Hartford, 
 and bounded W. by Tolland. 
 
 Williston, Vt. 
 
 Chittenden co. This is an ex- 
 cellent farming town of a rich soil, 
 with an uneven surface, but not 
 mountainous. It is very produc- 
 tive of all the varieties common to 
 a northern climate : its product of 
 wool, in 1837, was 9,225 fleeces. 
 Williston is watered by Onion river, 
 and some smaller streams ; but its 
 water power is small. It is 27 miles 
 W. N. W. from Montpelicr, and is 
 bounded on the W., by Burlington. 
 Population, 1830, 1,608. 
 
 THOMAS CHITTEIVDEJV was the 
 father of this town. He came here 
 in 1774. He was a member of the 
 convention, which, in 1777, declar- 
 ed Vermont an independent state, 
 and was active in procuring its ad- 
 mission into the Union. When the 
 Vermont Constitution was estab- 
 lished, in 1778, Mr. Chittenden was 
 selected as a candidate for gover- 
 nor ; to which office he was annu- 
 ally elected, with the exception of 
 one year, till his death in 1797. He 
 was 67 years of age. 
 
 Wilmington, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. The east and west 
 branches of Deerfield river unite 
 n this town, which, with the waters 
 of Beaver and Cold brooks, and 
 of Ray's pond, a large and beauti- 
 ~ul sheet of water; a valuable mill 
 lower is produced. There are 
 some fine tracts of land in the town, 
 and a considerable portion that i*
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 rough and hard to till. There are 
 a number of mills of various kinds 
 in the town, and a pleasant and 
 thriving village. 
 
 Wilmington was settled before 
 the revolutionary war, but increas- 
 ed but slowly until the peace. It 
 lies 46 miles S. S. W. from Wind- 
 sor, 14 S. W. from Newfane, and 
 17 E. from Bennington. Popula- 
 tion, 1830, 1,367. 
 
 Wilmington, Mass. 
 
 Middlesex co. The surface of 
 this town is generally level, with a 
 light and sandy soil. The wood is 
 chiefly pine, and much charcoal is 
 made. This kind of soil, although 
 unfit for the generality of crops, is 
 well adapted for the growth of 
 hops, of which large quantities, of 
 a fine quality, are produced in 
 Wilmington, and which frequently 
 afford the cultivator a large profit. 
 
 During the period of 32 years, 
 1806 1837, inclusive, there were 
 inspected at Charlestown, Mass. 
 76,860 bags of hops, weighing 
 16,467,182 Ibs. The price varied 
 from 34 to 5 cents a pound. The 
 highest price was in 1817, the low- 
 est, in 1819 ; average price, 13 1-5 
 cents. Total value, $2,169,430. 
 
 The town is watered by a branch 
 of Ipswich river : the Middlesex 
 canal passes through it, and adds 
 much to the beauty of its scenery. 
 Wilmington was incorporated in 
 1730. It is 14 miles N. N. W.from 
 Boston, and 10 S. E. by E. from 
 Lowell. Population, 1837, 795. 
 
 Wilmot, N. H. 
 
 Merrimack co. Wilmot is 30 
 miles N. W. from Concord, and 
 87 fro-m Boston. The streams form- 
 ing Blackwater river have their ori- 
 gin in the vicinity of Wilmot. 
 They afford a number of good mill 
 seats. The 4th N. H. turnpike 
 from Concord to Hanover passes 
 through this town. It was made in 
 1803, through an entire forest, with- 
 out any inhabitants for 14 miles 
 
 above, and about 6 miles below 
 Wilmot. The land near the turn- 
 pike appears rude and barren ; but 
 the acclivities on either side are 
 susceptible of cultivation. The 
 town is composed of hills and val- 
 leys, presenting a rough surface. 
 There are no large collections of 
 water, nor any mountains, excepting 
 Kearsarge, whose summit forms the 
 southern boundary. It was incor- 
 porated June 18, 1807. It receiv- 
 ed its name in honor of Dr. Wilmot, 
 an Englishman, who, at one time, 
 was supposed to be the author of 
 the celebrated letters of Junius. 
 Population, 1830, 835. 
 
 "Wilson, Me. 
 
 This town was incorporated in 
 1S36, as " township number 9 in 
 the 9th range, north of the Waldo 
 Patent in the county of Somerset." 
 We repeat, that but very little in- 
 formation respecting a town is gain- 
 ed from its act of incorporation. 
 We beg our friends " Down East" 
 to write to us. 
 
 Wilton, Me. 
 
 Franklin co. This is one of the 
 most flourishing agricultural town- 
 ships in the state. It has a fertile 
 soil, a beautiful surface, and two 
 pleasant villages. It lies a little 
 distance from Sandy river, 5 or 6 
 miles S. W. from Farmington, and 
 38 W. N. W. from Augusta. 
 
 Wilton has an adequate water 
 power for common purposes, pro- 
 duced by streams issuing from 
 beautiful ponds in the town. The 
 people are principally agricultural- 
 ists, and tested their skill in that 
 delightful pursuit, in 1837, by pro- 
 ducing 11,071 bushels of good clean 
 wheat. 
 
 Wilton was incorporated in 1803. 
 Population, in 1830, 1,140; 1837, 
 2,102. 
 
 Wilton, N. H. 
 
 Hillsborough co. This town Is 
 bounded S. by Mason, and W. by
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Temple. It is 9 miles W. by S. 
 from Amherst and 37 S. by W. 
 from Concord. Souhegan is the 
 principal river. Its main branch 
 enters this town near the S. W. 
 corner and proceeds in a N. E. 
 course till it forms a junction with 
 several branches running from 
 Lyndeboroi'gh and Temple. These 
 flow through the N. part, and are 
 sufficiently large for mill streams. 
 On these streams are some valuable 
 manu factures, and a pleasant village 
 has sprung up within a few years. 
 This town has neither mountains, 
 ponds or swamps. It is in general 
 of strong and excellent soil. Good 
 clay is found in plenty near the 
 streams. There are several quar- 
 ries of excellent stone for splitting 
 and hewing. The first settlement 
 was made in 1738, by 3 families 
 from Danvers, Mass., 2 by the 
 name of Putnam, and 1 by the name 
 of Dale. Hannah, the daughter 
 of Ephraim Putnam, was the first 
 child born in town. The town 
 was incorporated June 25, 1762, 
 and derived its name from Wilton, 
 an ancient borough in Wiltshire, 
 England. A distressing accident 
 occurred in raising the second 
 meeting house, September 7, 1773. 
 The frame fell, and three men were 
 instantly killed ; two died of their 
 wounds soon afterward, and a num- 
 ber of others were badly injured. 
 On July 20, 1804, the same meet- 
 ing house was struck by lightning 
 and considerably shattered. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,039. 
 
 Wilton, Ct. 
 
 Fairfield co. Wilton was taken 
 from the north part of Norwalk, in 
 1802. The surface of the town is 
 broken by two ridges of hills, but 
 the soil is a gravelly loam and pro- 
 ductive of grain and a great variety 
 of fruit. Agriculture is the prin- 
 cipal business of the inhabitants. 
 The town is watered by Norwalk 
 river, and has a satinet factory 
 and other mechanical operations by 
 
 water. A classical school, of high 
 reputation, was established here in 
 1818, by Hawley Olmstead, Esq. 
 This school is worth a million of 
 the silver mines that were discov- 
 ered and worked in this town dur- 
 ing the revolutionary war. Wilton 
 lies 34 miles W. S. W. from New 
 Haven, and 6 N. from Norwalk. 
 Population, 1330, 2,095. 
 
 \Yincheii4on, Mass. 
 
 Worcester co. This town was 
 incorporated in 1764. It is 60 miles 
 N. W. by W. from Boston, and 34 
 N. N. W. from Worcester. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 1,463; 1837,1,802. 
 The surface of the town is uneven 
 and rocky, with a strong soil, which, 
 when subdued, is quite productive 
 of grain, grass and fruit trees. 
 There are fine quarries of granite 
 in the town ; and a spring tinctured 
 with iron and sulphur, but which 
 is less visited than formerly. Mil- 
 ler's river rises in this town and 
 Ashburnham, and affords conven- 
 ient mill seats. There are 2 pleas- 
 ant villages in the town, a cotton 
 mill, a woolen mill, and manufac- 
 tures of cotton and wool bobbins, 
 leather, palm-leaf hats, chairs, cab- 
 inet and wooden wares : annual 
 value, exclusive of cotton goods, 
 about $100,000. 
 
 TTnder Warner, N. H., we gave 
 an account of a frightful tornado in 
 that and the neighboring towns in 
 1821. It appears that this part of 
 the country was visited by a simi- 
 lar desolation, at the same time, 
 more than 40 miles distant. A 
 Worcester paper thus describes it : 
 
 " About 6 o'clock, Sunday even- 
 ing, September 9th, a black and 
 terrific cloud appeared a little south 
 of the centre of Northfield, Frank- 
 lin county, nearly in the form of a 
 pyramid reversed, moving very rap- 
 idly and with a terrible noise. In its 
 progress it swept away or prostrat- 
 ed all the trees, fences, stone walls, 
 and buildings which came with-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 in its vortex, which in some places 
 was not more than 20 rods and in 
 others 40 or 50. It passed from 
 Northfield through Warwick and 
 Orange, to the southwesterly part 
 of Royalston, where its force was 
 broken by Tully Mountain. Its path 
 was strewed for the distance of 25 
 miles, through the towns of Royals- 
 ton, Winchendon, Ashburnham and 
 Fitchburg, with fragments of build- 
 ings, sheaves of grain, bundles of 
 corn stalks, clothing, &.c. 
 
 " Several persons were killed 
 and wounded, numerous houses, 
 barns, &c. demolished, and many 
 domestic animals, in the track of the 
 tornado, were destroyed. Large 
 trees were taken 200 feet into the 
 air, and logs which would require 
 4 oxen to remove them were swept 
 out of the bed of Tully river where 
 they had lain for more than half a 
 century. The ground was torn up 
 from the river to the mountain, 
 about 40 rods, from 1 foot to 6 feet 
 deep. The surface of the earth 
 was broken throughout the whole 
 course of the whirlwind, as with 
 the ploughshare of destruction. 
 Stones of many hundred pounds 
 weight, were rolled from their beds. 
 Lots of wood were whirled into 
 promiscuous heaps, with roots and 
 tops, and tops and roots. The ap- 
 pearance presented by the track of 
 the whirlwind, indicated, as near as 
 the writer can judge from actual in- 
 spection, that the form of the cloud, 
 and the body of air in motion, was 
 that of an inverted pyramid, draw- 
 ing whatever came within its in- 
 fluence towards the centre of mo- 
 tion." 
 
 Winchester, X. II. 
 
 Cheshire co. This pleasant town 
 is bounded N. by Swanzey and 
 Chesterfield, E. by Richmond, W. 
 by Hinsdale, and S. by Massachu- 
 setts line. It lies 13 miles S. W. 
 from Keene, 65 S. W. from Con- 
 cord, 80 W. from Boston, 80 N. from 
 Hartford, Ct., and 12 E. from Brat- 
 
 41* 
 
 tlebo', Vt. Population, 1837, 2,500. 
 The face of this town is diversified 
 with hills and valleys. The soil is 
 of an excellent quality, furnishing 
 in abundance, all the agricultural 
 products natural to this section of 
 the country. Ashuelot river pass- 
 es through the centre of this town, 
 affording a number of mill privi- 
 leges, and is bordered on each bank 
 by extensive intervales, of a fer- 
 tility rarely excelled. 
 
 There are other small streams run- 
 ning in various directions through 
 the town, affording facilities for wa- 
 ter power. 
 
 The centre village is on the S. 
 E. bank of the Ashuelot, and the 
 principal street, running parallel 
 with its border, has a number of 
 dwelling houses, with stores and 
 shops, 3 meetinghouses, an elegant 
 district school house, saw and grist 
 mills, shops for turning wood and 
 iron, an extensive establishment 
 for the manufacture of musical in- 
 struments of all kinds, and 2 organ 
 manufactories; and, at the lower 
 end, the street is adorned with a 
 beautiful row of native ever-green 
 trees, which extends nearly half a 
 mile. 
 
 Two miles west is another con- 
 siderable village, containing 1 large 
 woolen factory, 1 cotton factory, 1 
 satinet factory, saw, grist and oil 
 mills, two furnaces, together with 
 shops, stores, meeting houses, &.c. 
 
 In the S. E. part of the town 
 there are saw mills, grist mills, 
 clothier's works, and 1 satinet fac- 
 tory. 
 
 This town was sacked by the In- 
 dians, and the inhabitants taken 
 prisoners or driven off in 1745 or '6, 
 and did not return under about 5 
 years to resume the settlement of 
 the place. The former name of the 
 town was Arlington, and it was in- 
 corporated by its present name in 
 1753. 
 
 U im ! -t<-r, < I 
 
 Litchfield co. Winchester was
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 incorporated in 1771. Population, 
 1830, 1,7*56. The geological char- 
 acter of the town is primitive ; the 
 rocks consisting of granite, mica 
 slate, &.c. The soil is gravelly, 
 hard and coarse : it affords good 
 grazing, and its products of butter, 
 cheese and wool are considerable. 
 
 The Borough of Clifton was in- 
 corporated in 1832. It is a flour- 
 ishing village, consisting of about 
 sixty or seventy dwelling houses, 
 and 4 mercantile stores. The vil- 
 lage is principally built in a nar- 
 row valley, on the banks of a mill 
 stream, called Mad river, which is 
 a tributary of Farmington river. 
 The valley at this place is but bare- 
 ly of sufficient width to admit of a 
 street, with buildings on each side, 
 the ground rising immediately in 
 every direction. Westward of the 
 main street in the village, a road 
 passes up a steep hill for nearly a 
 quarter of a mile, where, upon an 
 elevated plain, is an interesting lake 
 or pond, which is one of the largest 
 bodies of water in the state, being 
 3 1-2 miles in length and 3-4 of a 
 mile in breadth. The outlet of 
 this lake presents a novel scene ; 
 it consists of a small stream, com- 
 pressed within a narrow channel, 
 and literally tossed from rock to 
 rock till it unites with Mad river. 
 Most of the manufacturing estab- 
 lishments in the village are situa- 
 ted on this outlet, upon which there 
 arc some of the best natural sites 
 for hydraulic works in the state. 
 In this village are four large scythe 
 factories, one machine shop, and 
 five forges. The ore to supply 
 these forges is brought from Ca- 
 naan, Kent and Salisbury. 
 
 Winsted, or the East 'village, is 
 very pleasant, and contains a large 
 woolen mill, an extensive clock 
 factory, an iron foundry, and an 
 axe factory. This village is 26 
 miles N. W. from Hartford, 49 N. 
 by W. from New Haven, and 17 N. 
 by E. from Litchfield. 
 
 Winchester lies within the " ev- 
 
 ergreen district," so named from 
 the forests of hemlock and other 
 evergreen trees with which it 
 abounds. These "Green Woods" 
 present one of the most impressive 
 scenes which can be found in an 
 American forest. The branches 
 of the trees are thickly covered 
 with a deep green foliage, closely 
 interwoven overhead, nearly exclu- 
 ding the light of the sun. The 
 scene forcibly reminds the con- 
 templative traveler of the words of 
 Thomson, in his celebrated hymn : 
 
 " Oh, U'k of Him in K>lilry glooms ! 
 Where, o'er the rock 'lie scarcely wav 
 Fills the brown shade with a religious 
 
 \Viudham. Me. 
 
 a? pine 
 
 Cumberland co. Windham lies 
 on the N. E. side of Presurnpscut 
 river, which separates it from Gor- 
 ham. It is 76 miles S. W. from 
 Augusta, and 14 N. N. W. from 
 Portland. This is a valuable farm- 
 ing town, and the inhabitants are 
 principally employed in agricul- 
 ture. Branches of the Presump- 
 scut give the town good mill priv- 
 ileges. There are 2 pleasant vil- 
 lages in the town, some manufac- 
 tures, and several beautiful fish 
 ponds. Population, 1837, 2,207. 
 
 Wiiidham, Iff. II. 
 
 Rockingham co. This town is 
 34 miles S. by E. from Concord, 
 and 45 W. S. W. from Portsmouth. 
 Policy pond lies in this town and 
 Salem, about one half in each. 
 Cabot's pond lies E. of the centre 
 of the town. Golden pond is in 
 the south, and Mitchel's in the 
 northeast part of the town. Bea- 
 ver river or brook forms the W. 
 boundary, upon which are some 
 meadow lands. The town is also 
 well supplied with small streams. 
 
 Windham was originally a part 
 of Londonderry ; and was detached 
 and incorporated in 1739. The in- 
 habitants, principally derived from 
 the first settlers of Londonderry, 
 have firmly adhered to the religious
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 principles of their fathers, to the 
 doctrines and forms of the presby- 
 terian church as originally estab- 
 lished in Scotland, and administer- 
 ed in this country. Population, 
 1830, 998. 
 
 Wiudham County, Vt. 
 
 JVewfane is the shire town. 
 This county is bounded N. by Wind- 
 sor county; E. by Connecticut riv- 
 er ; S. by the state of Massachu- 
 setts, and W. by the county of Ben- 
 nington. It contains an area of 
 about 780 square miles. Popula- 
 tion, 1810, 26,760; 1820, 28,457; 
 1830, 28,748. Incorporated, 1789. 
 For some years it bore the name of 
 Cumberland. Population to a square 
 mile, 37. 
 
 The surface of the county is 
 much broken by hills and valleys: 
 the western part is very elevated, 
 and contains a part of the Green 
 Mountain range. The geological 
 character of the county is primi- 
 tive. Immense quantities of gran- 
 ite are found in all parts of the 
 county, both in quarries and bould- 
 ers, most of which is of fine grain 
 and very handsome. It also con- 
 tains gneiss, hornblende, serpen- 
 tine, primitive limestone, and mi- 
 ca, talcose, chlorite, and argellite 
 slates. 
 
 The soil of the county is various ; 
 from the rich and alluvial meadows 
 on the Connecticut, to the cold and 
 rugged lands on the sides of the 
 mountains. The general character 
 of the soil may be considered as 
 tolerable for grain and excellent 
 for grazing. In 1837, there were 
 76,582 sheep in the county. Some 
 of the wool is of a fine quality, but 
 generally it is about half blood. 
 
 Windham county is finely wa- 
 tered by Williams', Saxton's, and 
 West rivers, with their branches, 
 and by numerous other streams. 
 These waters give the county a 
 great hydraulic power, which is 
 rapidly coming into use for man- 
 ufacturing purposes. 
 
 \Viiidlutm, Vt. 
 
 Windham co. Branches of West, 
 Williams' and Saxton's rivers give 
 this town a good water power. The 
 surface of the town is elevated; 
 the soil, though strong, is better 
 adapted for grazing than tillage. 
 About 4,000 sheep are kept here. 
 
 Windham was formerly a part of 
 Londonderry. It is 30 miles N. 
 E. from Bennington, and 25 S. W. 
 from Windsor. Population, 1830, 
 847. 
 
 The actynolite embedded in talc, 
 is found in this town, in slender 
 four sided prisms of a leak green 
 color. The crystals vary in size ; 
 some are six inches in length and 
 an inch in breadth. These crys- 
 tals are abundant. Chlorite, gar- 
 nets, serpentine, and steatite are 
 also found. 
 
 Windhatn County, Ct. 
 
 Brooklyn is the county town. 
 This county is uniformly hilly, 
 yet no part of it is mountainous or 
 very elevated. The prevailing soil 
 is a primitive gravelly loam. The 
 greatest portion of the county is 
 stony and considerably rough, and 
 the lands generally best adapted for 
 grazing, and many sections afford 
 some of the richest dairy farms in 
 the state. The Quinnebaug and 
 Shetucket, with their branches, 
 intersect this county, and afford 
 many valuable water privileges for 
 mills and manufacturing purposes. 
 The valley of the Quinnebaug riv- 
 er comprises the best land in the 
 county. The inhabitants of this 
 county are more extensively enga- 
 ged in the manufacturing business 
 than in any other county in the 
 state. Cotton and woolen goods 
 are the principal articles manufac- 
 tured. 
 
 Windham county originally he- 
 longed to the counties of Hartford 
 and New London. It was incorpo- 
 rated as a county in May, 1726. 
 
 This county is bounded N. by
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Massachusetts; E. by Rhode Isl- 
 and ; S. by the county of New 
 London, and W. by Tolland county. 
 It contains an area of about 620 
 square miles. Population, 1810, 
 28,611; 1820,31,684; 1830,27,077. 
 Population to a square mile, 44. 
 In 1837, there were 26,017 sheep 
 in Windham county. 
 
 IViiidliam, Ct. 
 
 Windham co. The territory of 
 this town, Mansfield and Canter- 
 bury, was given by Joshua, a son of 
 Uncas, the celebrated Mohegan 
 sachem, to John Mason, James 
 Fitch and others, in the year 1675. 
 
 " Lieut. John Gates, a pious pu- 
 ritan, who served in the wars in 
 England, holding his commission 
 under Cromwell, when Charles II. 
 came to the throne, fled to this 
 country for safety. He landed first 
 in Virginia, where he procured a 
 negro servant to attend him. But 
 when advertisements and pursuers 
 were spread through this country, to 
 apprehend the adherents of the Pro- 
 tector, he left Virginia, came to New 
 York, and from thence to Nor- 
 wich. Still feeling that he should 
 he securer in a more retired place, 
 he came to this new plantation, dug 
 the first cellar, and with his servant, 
 raised in Windham the first Eng- 
 lish habitation, in the spring of 
 1689. The settlers, rapidly increas- 
 ing, petitioned the general court, 
 and obtained a grant of town privi- 
 leges in May, 1692. It was made 
 a county town in May, 1726." 
 
 Windham is bounded N. by the 
 towns of Hampton, Chaplin and 
 Mansfield ; E. by Franklin and 
 Lisbon, and W. by Lebanon and 
 Columbia. It contains an area of 
 about 8 by 6 miles. It has an 
 uneven surface, with a tolerable 
 soil. 
 
 The following is a copy of the 
 inscription on Lieutenant Cates' 
 monument, in the village burying 
 ground. 
 
 la 
 
 memory of 
 
 Mr. John Gates. 
 
 He was a gentleman born 
 
 in England, 
 
 and the first setteller in the 
 Town of Windham. 
 
 By his last 
 Will and Testament, 
 
 he gave a 
 generous Legacy 
 
 to ye first 
 Church of Christ in 
 
 Windham, 
 in plate, and a generous 
 
 Legacy ia Land 
 for ye support of ye Poor, 
 
 and another 
 Legacy for ye support 
 
 of ye School 
 in 'said town for ever. 
 
 He died 
 
 in Windham, 
 
 July ye 16th, A. D. 
 
 1697. 
 
 Since the removal of the county 
 courts from this place to Brooklyn, 
 and the establishment of the vil- 
 lage of Willimantic, the ancient 
 village of Windham has somewhat 
 declined in its trade and population. 
 It is pleasantly located, compactly 
 and neatly built, and contains the 
 charm of antiquity, in as great per- 
 fection as can probably be found in 
 New England. This village is 30 
 miles E. from Hartford, 14 N. by 
 W. from Norwich, 44 W. S. W. 
 from Providence, R. I., and 12 S. 
 W. from Brooklyn. Population of 
 the town, 1820,2,489; 1830,2,812. 
 
 The Borough of Willimantic 
 is 3 miles W. from Windham vil- 
 lage. It is well situated on Willi- 
 mantic river: it is built principally 
 on one street, and contains some 
 very handsome buildings. In this 
 village are six cotton mills, con- 
 taining 13,000 spindles ; a paper 
 mill and a satinet factory. This 
 flourishing village has grown up 
 in the course of a few years. The 
 population of this borough, in 1837, 
 was 2,000. 
 
 Willimantic River rises in the 
 county of Tolland, and with the
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Natchaug, forms the Shetucket in 
 Windham. 
 
 " Much pleasantry," says Mr. 
 Barber, " has been indulged at the 
 expense of the inhabitants of Wind- 
 ham, on account of a singular oc- 
 currence which happened in the 
 year 175S, by which the inhabit- 
 ants were very much frightened. 
 There is probably some exaggera- 
 tion in the account, though the 
 foundation of the story is believed 
 to be a matter of fact." We copy 
 it as an amusing relic. 
 
 "On a dark, cloudy, dismal night 
 in the month of July, A. D. 1758, 
 the inhabitants of Windham, a small 
 town in the eastern part of Con- 
 necticut, had retired to rest, and 
 for several hours, all were wrapped 
 in profound repose when sudden- 
 ly, soon after midnight, the slum- 
 bers of the peaceful inhabitants 
 were disturbed by a most terrific 
 noise in the sky right over their 
 heads, which to many, seemed the 
 yells and screeches of infuriated 
 Indians, and others had no other 
 way of accounting for the awful 
 sounds, which still kept increasing, 
 but by supposing the day of judg- 
 ment had certainly come ; and to 
 their terrified imaginations, the aw- 
 ful uproar in the air seemed the 
 immediate precursor of the clangor 
 of the last trumpet. At intervals, 
 many supposed they could distin- 
 guish the calling out of paticu- 
 lar names, as of Colonels DYER 
 and ELDERKIN, two eminent law- 
 yers, and this increased the general 
 terror. But soon there was a rush 
 from every house, the tumult in 
 the air still increasing old and 
 young, male and female, poured 
 forth into the streets, " in puris 
 naturalibus," entirely forgetful, in 
 their hurry and consternation, of 
 their nether habiliments, and with 
 eyes upturned tried to pierce the 
 almost palpable darkness. Some 
 daring " spirits," concluding there 
 was nothing supernatural in the 
 hubbub and uproar over head, but 
 
 rather, that they heard the yells 
 of Indians commencing a midnight 
 attack, loaded their guns and sal- 
 lied forth to meet the invading 
 foes. These valiant heroes, on 
 ascending the hill that bounds the 
 village on the east, perceived that 
 the sounds came from that quarter, 
 and not from the skies, as first be- 
 lieved, but their courage would not 
 permit them to proceed to the dar- 
 ing extremity of advancing east- 
 ward, until they had discovered the 
 real cause of alarm and distress, 
 which pervaded the whole village. 
 Towards morning the sounds in the 
 air seemed to die away. In the 
 morning, the whole cause of alarm, 
 which produced such distressing 
 apprehensions among the good peo- 
 ple of the town, was apparent to 
 all who took the trouble to go to a 
 certain mill pond, situated about 
 three fourths of a mile eastward of 
 the village. This pond, hereafter, 
 in the annals of Fame, forever to 
 be called the Frog Pond, in conse- 
 quence of a severe drought, which 
 had prevailed many weeks, had be- 
 come nearly dry, and the Bull Frogs 
 (by which it was densely popu- 
 lated) at the mill fought a pitched 
 battle on the sides of 'the ditch 
 which ran through it, for the pos- 
 session and enjoyment of the fluid 
 which remained. Long and ob- 
 stinately was the contest maintain- 
 ed ; and many thousands of the 
 combatants were found defunct, on 
 both sides of the ditch, the next 
 morning. It had been uncommon- 
 ly still, for several hours before the 
 battle commenced, but suddenly, 
 as if by a preconcerted agreement, 
 every frog on one side of the ditch, 
 raised the war cry, Col. Dyer, Col. 
 Dyer, and at the same instant, from 
 the opposite side, resounded the 
 adverse shout of Elderkin too, El- 
 derkin too. Owing to some pecu- 
 liar state of the atmosphere, the 
 awful noises and cries appeared to 
 the distressed Windhamites to be 
 directly over their heads."
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Windsor, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. Windsor was in- 
 corporated by the name of Malta, 
 in 1809. In 1821 it took the name 
 of Gerry, and in 1822 it received 
 its present name. It lies 12 miles 
 from Augusta, by which it is bound- 
 ed on the west. Population, 1837, 
 1,660. Wheat crop, same year, 
 5,947 bushels. 
 
 This town is watered by the up- 
 per branches of Sheepscot river, 
 and by several handsome ponds. 
 The surface of the town is diversi- 
 fied : the soil is generally good, and 
 its agricultural condition improv- 
 ing. There are some manufactures 
 in the town. 
 
 Windsor, N. H. 
 
 Hillsborough co. This (own con- 
 tains only 5,335 acres. It is diver- 
 sified with hills : its soil is strong, 
 good for grazing, and for bread stuffs, 
 of which quantities sufficient for use 
 at home, and some for the markets 
 are raised. Black pond, near the 
 centre, is said to be 160 rods long 
 and 80 broad ; and one near the S. 
 E. corner of the town, is about 
 80 rods long and 40 wide. 
 
 Windsor was formerly called 
 Campbell's Gore. It was incorpo- 
 rated with town privileges in 1798. 
 Population, 1830, 226. 
 
 Windsor County, Vt. 
 
 Woodstock is the county town. 
 This county is bounded N. by the 
 county of Orange, E. by Connecti- 
 cut river, S. by Windham county, 
 and W. by Rutland and a part of 
 Addison counties. It contains an 
 area of about 900 square miles. 
 Population, 1810, 34,877; 1820, 
 38,233; 1830, 40,625: population 
 to a square mile, 48. Incorporated 
 in 1781. 
 
 Windsor county is watered by 
 White, Queechy, Black, West and 
 Williams' rivers, and by other ex- 
 cellent mill streams. The surface 
 of the county is uneven, and in 
 
 some parts mountainous, but gen 
 erally, it is not too elevated to ad- 
 mit of cultivation. The soil pro- 
 duces fine crops of grain, hay, veg- 
 etables and fruits : the lands are 
 peculiarly adapted for grazing, and 
 about 200,000 sheep graze on its 
 varied surface of hills and valleys 
 
 The beautiful Connecticut, which 
 washes its whole eastern boundary, 
 gives to this county large tracts of 
 alluvial meadow land, and affords 
 it a navigable channel to the sea 
 board, for its surplus productions, 
 and for its wants from abroad. 
 
 The hydraulic power of Windsor 
 county is very large, and its local 
 position is such as to induce men of 
 enterprize and capital to embark in 
 manufacturing operations, which 
 are annually increasing with fair 
 prospects of success. 
 
 Windsor, Vt. 
 
 Windsor co. Windsor was first 
 settled in 1764. Its surface is un- 
 even, but there are but few parts 
 of it unfit for cultivation. It con- 
 tains large tracts of alluvial mead- 
 ow, and the uplands are generally 
 fertile. Mill brook waters the 
 south part of the town, and fur- 
 nishes it with excellent mill sites. 
 The manufactures of the town are 
 numerous and valuable. The ag- 
 ricultural interests are also valu- 
 able : 10,000 sheep are annually 
 sheared in the town, and many 
 neat cattle, horses and productions 
 of the dairy are annually transpor- 
 ted to its various markets. 
 
 This town has become the cen- 
 tre of an important commerce, both 
 from the river and a fertile interior 
 country. The favorable position 
 of Windsor, as a place of trade, 
 was early discovered, and it has 
 been fortunate in possessing a suc- 
 cession of men, who, by their en- 
 terprise and wealth, have rendered 
 it one of the most flourishing towns 
 on Connecticut river. 
 
 Windsor is situated on the west 
 side of that delightful river, 55
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 miles S. by E. from Montpelier, 
 105 N. W. from Boston, 55 N. E. 
 from Bennington, 95 S. S. VV. from 
 Burlington, and 127 miles above 
 Hartford, Ct. Population, in 1820, 
 2,956 ; 1830, 3,134. 
 
 The village of Windsor is on el- 
 evated ground, on the bank of the 
 river: it is compactly, and some- 
 what irregularly built, but very 
 beautiful. There are but few vil- 
 lages in our country which make a 
 more delightful appearance. It 
 contains a great number of hand- 
 some dwelling houses and stores. 
 Some of the private houses, church- 
 es and other public buildings are in 
 a style of superior elegance. This 
 is the site of the Vermont State 
 prison. The streets are wide and 
 beautifully shaded. The scenery 
 around YVindsor is highly pictur- 
 esque ; from the high lands across 
 the river, in Cornish, which is uni- 
 ted to Windsor by a bridge, or on 
 the Ascutney at the south part of 
 the town, some of the best land- 
 scapes in our country are presen- 
 ted to view. 
 
 Windsor, Mass. 
 
 Berkshire co. This town is situa- 
 ted on the ridge of high lands which 
 divides the waters of the Hous- 
 atonick and Connecticut. Branch- 
 es of the Housatonick and West- 
 field rivers rise here. There are 
 some good fish ponds in the town, 
 but no important streams. The 
 surAice of the town is much brok- 
 en, but the soil is warm and finely 
 adapted for grazing. There are 
 some excellent farmers in Windsor, 
 and the productions of the dairy 
 and of cattle are considerable. In 
 1837, there were 7,157 sheep in 
 the town, principally of the Saxo- 
 ny and Merino breeds. Their woo! 
 weighed 21,387 Ibs., and sold for 
 $10,521. This town is remarka- 
 ble for the longevity of its inhab- 
 itants ; which is doubtless owing to 
 the purity of its air and water. 
 
 Windsor contains beds of serpen- 
 
 tine and soapstone. It is 117 miles 
 W. by N. from Boston, 18 N. N.E. 
 from Lenox, and 12 E. N. E. from 
 Pittsneld. Incorporated in 1771. 
 Population, 1837, 887. 
 
 Windsor, Ct. 
 
 Hartford co. This most ancient 
 town in Connecticut is situated on 
 the west side of Connecticut river, 
 6 miles N. from Hartford. Popu- 
 lation, 1830, 3,220. The surface 
 of the town is generally level, hav- 
 ing some extensive plains. The 
 soil is various, and free from stone : 
 some of it is light, but a large pro- 
 portion of it is fertile, containing 
 extensive tracts of rich meadow. 
 
 Farmington river passes through 
 the town, and meeting the Con- 
 necticut, gives the town a good hy- 
 draulic power. 
 
 There are in Windsor 4 paper 
 mills, 2 manufactories of cotton 
 batting, and factories of satinet, 
 Kentucky jean, wire, &c. The 
 business in these manufacturing 
 establishments is very considerable. 
 At a place called Pine Meadow, at 
 the commencement of the locks on 
 the En lie Id canal, a variety of ship 
 and other timber is prepared for 
 market. Pine Meadow is opposite 
 to Warehouse Point, in East Wind- 
 sor. 
 
 The centre village in Windsor is 
 pleasantly extended on the banks of 
 the Connecticut : it is well built, 
 well shaded, and commands de- 
 lightful prospects. 
 
 Poquonnuck village is a few 
 miles N. from the centre. It is a 
 manufacturing village, delightfully 
 situated at the head of navigation 
 on Farmington river. 
 
 " In 1631, Wahquimacut, an Indi- 
 an sachem, living near Connecticut 
 river, made a journey to Plymouth 
 and Boston, and earnestly entreat- 
 ed the governors of each of the 
 colonies to send men to make set- 
 tlements on the river. He repre- 
 sented the fruitfulness of the coun- 
 try, and promised the English, that
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 if they would make a settlement, he 
 would annually supply them with 
 corn, and give them eighty beaver 
 skins. 
 
 " The governor of Massachusetts, 
 although he treated the .sachem 
 and his company with generosity, 
 paid no attention to his proposals. 
 Mr. Winslow, the governor of 
 Plymouth, judged it worthy of at- 
 tention. It seems that soon after 
 that, he went into Connecticut, and 
 discovered the river and the adja- 
 cent parts. It appeared that the 
 earnestness with which the sachem 
 solicited the English to make set- 
 tlements on the river, originated 
 from the distressed state of the riv- 
 er Indians. Pekoath, the great sa- 
 chem of the Pequots, was at war 
 with them and driving them from 
 the country, and they imagined 
 that if the English made settle- 
 ments on the river, they would as- 
 sist them in defending themselves 
 against their too powerful enemies. 
 
 "Governor Winslow of Plymouth, 
 being pleased with the appearance 
 of the country, having visited it, 
 the Plymouth people made prepar- 
 ations for erecting a trading house, 
 and establishing a small company 
 upon the river. In 1633, William 
 Holmes, with his associates, having 
 prepared the frame of a house, with 
 hoards and materials for covering it 
 immediately, put them on board of 
 a vessel and sailed for Connecticut. 
 Holmes landed and erected his 
 house a little below the mouth of 
 Farmington river, in Windsor. The 
 house was covered with the utmost 
 dispatch, and fortified with palisa- 
 does. The Plymouth people pur- 
 chased of the Indians the land on 
 which they erected their house. 
 This, governor Wolcott says, was 
 the first house erected in Connecti- 
 cut. 
 
 "In June, 1634, the Dutch sent 
 Jacob Van Curter to purchase lands 
 on the Connecticut. He made a 
 purchase of about twenty acres at 
 
 Hartford, of Nepuquash, a Pequot 
 
 captain, on the 25th of October 
 Curter protested against Holmes, 
 the builder of the Plymouth house. 
 Some time afterwards, the Dutch 
 governor, Van Twiller, of Fort 
 Amsterdam, sent a reinforcement 
 to Connecticut, in order to drive 
 Holmes from the river. A party 
 of seventy men under arms, with 
 banners displayed, assaulted the 
 Plymouth house, but they found it 
 so well fortified, and the men who 
 kept it so vigilant and determined, 
 that it could not be taken without 
 bloodshed. They therefore came 
 to a parley, and finally returned in 
 peace. 
 
 " A number of Mr. Wareham's 
 people came, in the summer of 1635, 
 to Connecticut, and made prepara- 
 tions to bring their families and 
 make a permanent settlement. Af- 
 ter having made such preparations 
 as they judged necessary, they be- 
 gan to remove their families and 
 property. On the 15th of October, 
 about sixty men, women and chil- 
 dren, with their horses, cattle and 
 swine, commenced their journey 
 from Massachusetts, through the 
 wilderness, to Connecticut river. 
 After a tedious and difficult journey, 
 through swamps and rivers, over 
 mountains and rough grounds, which 
 were passed with great difficulty 
 and fatigue, they arrived safely at 
 the places of their respective des- 
 tination. They were so long on 
 their journey, and so much time 
 and pains were spent in passing the 
 river, and in getting over their 
 cattle, that after all their exertions, 
 winter came upon them before they 
 were prepared. 
 
 " About the beginning of Decem- 
 ber, provisions generally failed in. 
 the settlements on the river, and 
 famine and death looked the in- 
 habitants in the face. In their dis- 
 tress, some of them in this severe 
 season attempted to go through the 
 wilderness to the nearest settlement 
 in Massachusetts. A company of 
 thirteen, who made the attempt,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 lost one of their number, who, in 
 passing a river, fell through the 
 ice and was drowned. The other 
 twelve were ten days on their jour- 
 ney, and had they not received as- 
 sistance from the Indians, would 
 all have perished. Such was the 
 general distress by the 3d and 4th 
 of December, that a considerable 
 part of the settlers were obliged to 
 leave their habitations. Seventy 
 persons, men, women and children, 
 were obliged, in the severity of 
 winter, to go down to the mouth of 
 the river to meet their provisions, as 
 the only expedient to preserve their 
 lives. Not meeting the vessels 
 which they expected, they all went 
 on board of the Rebecca, a vessel 
 of about 60 tons. This vessel, two 
 days before, was frozen in, twenty 
 miles up the river ; but by the fall- 
 ing of a small rain, and the influ- 
 ence of the tide, the ice became so 
 broken, that she made a shift to get 
 out. She however ran upon the 
 bar, and the people were forced to 
 unlade her to get her off. She was 
 reladed, and in five days reached 
 Boston. Had it not been for these 
 providential circumstances, the peo- 
 ple must have perished from fam- 
 ine. 
 
 " The people who remained and 
 kept their stations on the river, suf- 
 fered in an extreme degree. After 
 all the help they were able to ob- 
 tain, by hunting and from the In- 
 dians, they were obliged to subsist 
 on acorns, malt and grains. The 
 cattle, which could not be got over 
 the river before winter, lived by 
 browsing in the woods and mead- 
 ows. They wintered as well, or 
 better, than those that were brought 
 over, and for which all the provis- 
 ion was made, and care taken, of 
 which the settlers were capable. 
 A great number of the cattle, how- 
 ever, perished. The Dorchester 
 or Windsor people lost, in this spe- 
 cies of property, about two hun- 
 dred pounds sterling. Upon the 
 breaking up of winter, and during 
 
 42 
 
 he summer following, the settlers 
 ame in large companies, and the 
 etllements at Windsor, Hartford 
 nd Wethersfield were firmly es- 
 ablished." ; . 
 The first of the four following 
 pitaphs is supposed to be the most 
 ncient monumental inscription in 
 he state. 
 
 Heere 
 lyeth Ephraim Hrit, 
 
 sometimes 
 Teacher to ye chvrch of 
 
 Windsor, who 
 
 died September 4th, 
 
 1644. 
 
 Who when bee lived drew OTT Titall brstb, 
 Who when hoc died h'n dying waa nvr drtth, 
 Who wu ye slay u( vale, ye chvrchoitiff, 
 Alas, the limes forbid an epitaph. 
 
 Here 
 
 vnder lyeth the body of 
 Henry Wolcot, 
 
 sometimes 
 
 a Maiestrate of this Ivrisdiction, 
 who died ye 30th day 
 
 of May, 
 
 Anno Salvtis 1655, 
 JStatis 77. 
 
 Here lyeth 
 
 the body of the 
 
 Hon. Roger Wolcott, Esq. 
 
 of Windsor, who 
 
 for several 
 years was Governor of the 
 
 Colony of 
 Connecticut, died 
 
 May 17th, 
 
 Anno Salutis 1767, 
 
 jEtatis 89. 
 
 Earth* bigheat ifrtion ends in " Here be lies f 
 And " dart to don" coocludea her noblest aooj. 
 
 To the memory of Oliver EUnrorth, 
 LL. D., an assistant in the Council, and 
 a judge of the Superior Court of the 
 State of Connecticut. A member of the 
 Convention which formed, and of the 
 State Convention of Connecticut, 
 which adopted the Constitution of the 
 U. States. Senator and Chief Justice 
 of the U. States ; one of the Envoys 
 extraordinary and Minister Plenipo- 
 tentiary, who made the convention of 
 1800 between the U. States and the 
 French Republic. Amiable and exem- 
 plary in all the relations of the domes- 
 tic, 'social *nd Christian character.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Pre-eminently useful in all the offices 
 he sustained, whose great talents un- 
 der the guidance of inflexible integrity, 
 consummate wisdom, and enlightened 
 zeal, placed him among the first of the 
 illustrious statesmen who achieved and 
 established the independence of the 
 American Republic. Born at Windsor 
 April 29th, 1743, and died Nov. 26, 
 1807. 
 
 The ancient boundaries of Wind- 
 sor extended 46 miles in circum- 
 ference, lying on both sides of the 
 river. . Within these limits there 
 were ten distinct Indian tribes or 
 sovereignties. In the year 1670 
 there was a large Indian fortress 
 at Windsor, and nineteen natives to 
 one Englishman : but another race 
 has arisen : 
 
 'The chiefs of other days are de- 
 parted. 
 
 They have gone without their fame. 
 The people are like the waves of the 
 
 ocean : 
 
 Like the leaves of woody Morven, 
 They pass away in the rustling blast, 
 And other leaves lift their green heads 
 on high." 
 
 AVinlmll, V t. 
 
 Bennington co. Winhall is 
 bounded on the W. by Manches- 
 ter, and is 33 miles S. W. from 
 Windsor. This town was charter- 
 ed in 1761, and its settlement com- 
 menced during the revolutionary 
 war. Population, 1830, 571. The 
 surface is rough, and the soil not 
 very productive. 
 
 Winhall River rises in this town 
 and affords it a good water power. 
 It passes through a part of Jamaica, 
 and joins West river in Londonder- 
 ry. 
 
 \Vimiepisiogee Lake, N. H. 
 
 This lake possesses singular 
 charms. However romantic and 
 beautiful Lake George, the charm- 
 er of all travelers, appears in its 
 elevation, the purity of its waters, 
 its depth, its rapid outlet, its 365 
 islands which bespangle its bosom, 
 its mountain scenery, its fish, its 
 
 mineralogy ; still in all, but its his- 
 toric fame, it has a rival at the east, 
 in the Winnepisiogee of New 
 Hampshire. 
 
 There are more than forty differ- 
 ent ways of spelling the name of 
 this lake. It was formerly written 
 as though it had six syllables; but 
 the pronunciation which has gener- 
 ally obtained with those best ac- 
 quainted with the region of the 
 lake, and the Indian pronunciation 
 of the nanve, was Win-ne-pe- 
 sock-e. The following authorities 
 show this : 
 Winnapusseakit : Sherman and 
 
 Ince's Report, 1652. 
 Winnipesocket : Bartlett's Narra- 
 tive, 1708. 
 Winnipissocay: Penhallow's Wars, 
 
 1726. 
 
 Winaposawgue : Canterbury char- 
 ter, 1727. 
 
 Winnepissocay : Petition, 1733. 
 Winnipeshoky : Petition, 1744. 
 Winnepesocket : Stevens' Journal, 
 
 1746. 
 Winepesocky : Surveyor Clement, 
 
 1746. 
 Winipiseoce : Theodore Atkinson, 
 
 1746. 
 
 Winnepesacket : Governor Shir- 
 ley, 1747. 
 Winipesoekee : Bryant's Journal, 
 
 1747. 
 Winnapessocket : Map of New 
 
 Hampshire, 1750. 
 Winipisoky : Hon. George Boyd, 
 
 1785. 
 
 Winnepisiogee : The present mode 
 of spelling, pronounced Wini- 
 pisoky, or Win-ne-pe-sock-e. 
 This lake is situated in the coun- 
 ty of Strafford. Its form is very 
 irregular. At the west end it is 
 divided into three large bays; on 
 the north is a fourth; and at the 
 east end there are three others. 
 Its general course is from N. W. 
 to S. E. ; its length is about 22 
 miles, and it varies in width from 
 one to ten miles. This lake is en- 
 vironed by the pleasant towns of 
 Moultonborough, Tuftonborough,
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 Wolfeborough.Centre Harbor, Mer- 
 edith, Gilford, and Alton, and over- 
 looked by other deligtful towns. 
 
 The waters of the Winnepisiogee 
 are remarkably pure, and its depth 
 in some places is said to be unfath- 
 omable. Its sources are principally 
 from springs within its bosom. It 
 outlet is the rapid river of its own 
 name. Its height above the level 
 of the sea is 472 feet. It is stored 
 with a great variety of excelleni 
 fish : in the summer season, steam 
 boats, sloops and smaller vessels 
 ply on its waters, and in the win- 
 ter season it presents an icy ex- 
 pansion of great usefulness and 
 beauty. 
 
 Like .Casco bay and Lake George, 
 this lake is said to contain 365 
 islands. Without supposing the 
 days of the year to have been con- 
 sulted on the subject, the number 
 is very great ; several of which 
 comprise farms of from 200 to 500 
 acres. 
 
 The beauties of this lake were 
 thus described, by the celebrated 
 Dr. Dwight, many years ago, 
 
 " The prospect of this lake, and 
 its environs, is enchanting; and its 
 beauties are seen with great advan- 
 tage from a delightful elevation a 
 little distance from the road towards 
 Plymouth. The day was remarka- 
 bly fine. Not a breath disturbed 
 the leaves, or ruffled the surface 
 of the waters. The sky was se- 
 rene and beautiful. The sun shone 
 with a soft and elegant lustre; 
 such as seems peculiar to that de- 
 lightful weather, which from the 
 20th of September to the 20th of 
 October, so often elicits from the 
 mouths of mankind the epithet of 
 charming. Mildness tempered the 
 heat ; and serenity hushed the 
 world into universal quiet. The 
 Winnepisiogee was an immense 
 field of glass ; silvered by the lus- 
 tre 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 
 apprehensions of ease and grace ; 
 alternated at the same time by the 
 intrusion of points, by turns rough 
 and bold, or marked with the high- 
 est elegance of figure. In the 
 centre a noble channel spread 
 twenty-two miles before the eye, 
 uninterrupted even by a bush or a 
 rock. On both sides of this avenue 
 a train of islands arranged them- 
 selves, as if to adorn it with the 
 finish, which could be given only 
 by their glowing verdure, and 
 graceful forms. 
 
 " Nor is this lake less distinguish- 
 ed by its suite of hills, and moun- 
 tains. On the northwest ascends a 
 remarkably beautiful eminence, 
 called the Red Mountain ; limited 
 every where by circular lines, and 
 in the proper sense elegant in its 
 figure beyond any other mountain, 
 among the multitude, which I have 
 examined. On the south ascends 
 Mount Major; a ridge, of a bolder 
 aspect, and loftier height. At a 
 still greater distance in the south- 
 east rises another mountain, more 
 obscure and 'misty; presenting its 
 loftiest summit, of an exactly semi- 
 circular form, directly at the foot 
 of the channel above mentioned, 
 and terminating the watery vista 
 between the islands, by which it is 
 bordered, in a magnificent manner. 
 On the northeast the great Ossipee 
 raises its hong chain of summits 
 with a bold sublimity, and proudly 
 looks down on all the surrounding 
 region. 
 
 " As we did not cross the Winne- 
 pisiogee, I am unable to determine 
 in what manner an excursion on its 
 waters might be compared with 
 that which I made on Lake George. 
 That the internal and successive 
 beauties of the Winnepisiogee 
 strongly resemble, and nearly ap- 
 proach those of Lake George, I can- 
 not entertain a doubt. That they 
 exceed them seems scarcely credi- 
 jle. But the prospect from the hill
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 at the head of Centre Harbor i 
 much superior to that from For 
 George ; a fact of which hardlj 
 any thing could have convince 
 me, except the testimony of m; 
 own eyes. The Winnepisioge 
 presents a field of at least twic 
 the extent. The islands in view 
 are more numerous ; of finer forms 
 and more happily arranged. Th< 
 shores are not inferior. The ex 
 pansion is far more magnificent 
 and the grandeur of the mountains 
 particularly of the Great Ossipee 
 can scarcely be rivalled. It can- 
 not be remarked without some sur- 
 prise, that Lake George is annually 
 visited by people from the coast oif 
 New England ; and that the Win- 
 nepisiogee, notwithstanding all its 
 accumulation of splendor and ele- 
 gance, is almost as much unknown 
 to the inhabitants of this country, 
 as if it lay on the eastern side of 
 the Caspian." See Centre Harbor. 
 
 Winneplsiogee River, X. II., 
 
 Is the great outlet to the lake of 
 that name ; and issues from the 
 southwest arm of the lake. It 
 thence passes through two bays 
 between Meredith and Gilford, en- 
 tering the Great Bay in the north : 
 east part of Sanbornton. From 
 thence it passes through two other 
 bays, forming the boundary between 
 Sanbornton on the northwest, and 
 Gilmanton and Northfield on the 
 southeast ; and unites with the 
 Pemigewasset a short distance-be- 
 low Webster's falls. The stream 
 is rapid in its course, and has a fall 
 of 232 feet from the lake to its 
 junction with the other branch of 
 the Merrimack : this name being 
 given to the confluent stream. 
 There are numerous bridges over 
 the Winnepisiogee ; which also 
 furnishes many excellent privileges 
 for factories or other machinery. 
 'See Merrimack River. 
 
 \Vinnicut River, 3V. II., 
 
 Or the Winniconett, a tributary 
 
 of the Piscataqua, rises in a swamp 
 between Hampton and N. Hamp- 
 ton, and passes north into the Great 
 Bay at Greenland. > 
 
 Winooski City, Vt. 
 See Burlington. 
 
 AViiislow, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. This is a beauti- 
 ful town, opposite to Waterville : it 
 is watered byltenuebec and Sebas- 
 ticook rivers, by several ponds, and 
 by a fine stream, a branch of the 
 Sebasticook. Its water power is 
 constant and abundant. The soil 
 of the town is fertile ; the surface 
 is diversified, and rendered pro- 
 ductive by industrious and indepen- 
 dent farmers. Winslow is 18 miles 
 N. by E. from Augusta. It was 
 incorporated in 1771. Population, 
 in 1837, 1,557. Wheat crop, same 
 year, 6,910 bushels. 
 
 Wintlirop, Me. 
 
 Kennebec co. This town is fine- 
 ly situated, having a fertile soil, an 
 undulating surface, and comprising 
 six beautiful sheets of water ; the 
 Cobbessecontee and some of its trib- 
 utaries. The largest of these lakes 
 or ponds is ten miles in length, and 
 from one to three miles in width. 
 These waters give to Winthrop a 
 valuable water power, and which is 
 jartly improved by a large cotton 
 mill, a flour mill, carding and cloth 
 dressing establishments, saw mills, 
 k.c. There are also in the town 
 extensive manufactures of leather, 
 )oots and shoes. 
 
 The principal village is delight- 
 ""ully located, in the form of a cres- 
 cent, at the union of the North 
 ake, extending into Readfield, 
 about six miles, with the South lake 
 xtending into Monmouth, about 
 he same distance. This village is 
 miles W. from Augusta. The 
 iast village likewise is pleasantly 
 ituated at the northern extremity 
 f the large lake, and is about 6 
 miles from Augusta.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 These villages are neatly built, 
 and are flourishing places of busi- 
 ness. The lakes add much to the 
 beauty of the town. The descent 
 of their banks is gently sloping, 
 with a dispersion of acclivities, 
 which serve to heighten the beauty 
 of the scenery : their waters are 
 deep, clear, and are stocked with 
 an abundance of trout, pickerel, 
 perch, and other fish. 
 
 There is in this town an elevated 
 tract of land containing an inex- 
 haustible quantity of iron ore, or the 
 material from which copperas is 
 manufactured. Large quantities 
 of copperas were made here during 
 the late war, and it is thought that 
 this ore might be advantageously 
 used in times of peace. 
 
 Winthrop is an excellent farming 
 town, and the moral character of 
 its inhabitants is said to be uncom- 
 monly good. It was incorporated 
 in 1771. Population, 1837, 2,003. 
 Wheat crop, same year, 5,194 bush- 
 els. 
 
 Wiscasset, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. Shire town. Wis- 
 casset is a port of entry, situated 
 on the west side of Sheepscot riv- 
 er, 20 miles from the sea; 24 miles 
 S. S. E. from Augusta, 42 N. E. 
 from Portland, and 10 N. E. from 
 Bath. It was incorporated in 1760. 
 Population, 1S37, 2,246. 
 
 Wiscasset contains a noble har- 
 bor for vessels of the largest class : 
 it is easy of access and seldom ob- 
 structed by ice. For many years 
 previous to the commencement of 
 the commercial restrictions, in 1807, 
 Wiscasset was one of the most ac- 
 tive and flourishing sea ports in 
 Maine. During the disastrous pe- 
 riod which followed, Wiscasset suf- 
 fered severely, in common with all 
 towns largely engaged in naviga- 
 tion. 
 
 Since the termination of the war 
 the town has been slowly but safely 
 progressing in wealth and prosperi- 
 ty. In addition to its commerce in 
 42* 
 
 lumber and ship building, this 
 place is largely and profitably en- 
 gaged in the fishery, for which pur- 
 suit it is admirably located. The 
 tonnage of this district in 1837, was 
 11,662 tons. 
 
 The village of Wiscasset is de- 
 lightfully situated on rising ground, 
 in view of the harbor. The court 
 house, churches, stores, and dwell- 
 ing houses are built with taste, and 
 many of them with elegance. A 
 more beautiful village is rarely 
 seen. 
 
 \Voburn, Masg. 
 
 Middlesex co. This town is sit- 
 uated 10 miles N. W. by N. from 
 Boston, 12 E. by N. from Concord, 
 and 14 W. from Salem. It was 
 incorporated in 1642, and first set- 
 tled in 1640. Population, 1330, 
 1,977; 1837, 2,643. 
 
 There are some elevations in Wo- 
 btirn which give the surface a vari- 
 egated and pleasing aspect. There 
 is considerable wood land in the 
 town, and some pine plain land ; 
 but the soil is generally strong, 
 fertile and well improved. It con- 
 tains some beautiful farms. 
 
 The manufactures of the town 
 consist of leather, boots, shoes, in- 
 dia rubber, chairs, door sashes, 
 blinds, tin, cabinet and woodeu 
 wares : total value, the year end- 
 ing April, 1, 1837, $421,042. 
 
 Horn Pond in this town is a de- 
 lightful sheet of water, surrounded 
 by evergeens, and is so remaikable 
 for its rural beauties as to attract 
 many visitors from a distance. This 
 pond serves as a passage for the 
 Middlesex canal ; it also furnishes 
 the town with a water power of 
 some value. The waters of this 
 and several smaller ponds in Wo- 
 burn fall into Mystic river, through 
 Mystic pond in Medford. 
 
 Wolcott, Vt. 
 
 Lamoille co. Wolcott is well 
 watered by Lamoille river, and by 
 Green and Wild Branch, its branch-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 es. " Fish Pond," in Wolcott, is a 
 pretty piece of water, and bears 
 an appropriate name. There is 
 some good grain land in the town, 
 but most of. the lands are fit only 
 for pasturage. There are some 
 mills in the town, and about 1,500 
 sheep. 
 
 Wolcott was chartered in 1781. 
 It is 22 miles N. from Montpelier, 
 and 7 S. E. from Hyde Park. Pop- 
 ulation, 1830, 492. 
 
 Wolcott, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. This is a small 
 town, watered by a branch of Nau- 
 gatuck river ; 22 miles N. from 
 New Haven. Population, 1830, 
 843. The town was incorporated 
 in 1796. The territory was former- 
 ly a parish in the towns of Far- 
 mington and Waterbury ; and from 
 that circumstance was called " Far- 
 mingbury." The lands in Wol- 
 cott are elevated, rough, stony, and 
 hard to cultivate. One of the 
 highest hills in this part of the 
 state lies in this town : it commands 
 a very'extended prospect of Long 
 Island Sound and the adjacent 
 country. 
 
 Wolcottville, Ct. 
 
 See Torrington. 
 
 Wolfeborougli, N. H. 
 
 Strafford co. This town is 45 
 miles N. N. W. from Portsmouth, 
 and 45 N. E. from Concord. It is 
 bounded S. E. by Brookfield and 
 New Durham, S. W. by Winne- 
 pisiogee lake and Alton, N. E. by 
 Ossipee, and N. W. by Tuftonbo- 
 rough. 
 
 The soil is rocky, but produc- 
 tive, and the face of the country 
 level. The wood is principally oak 
 and other hard timber. The only 
 river is Smith's, so called from a 
 hunter of that name : it issues from 
 a large pond of the same name in 
 the S. E. part of the town, and 
 discharges its waters into the lake. 
 There are four other ponds of con- 
 
 siderable magnitude, called Crook 
 ed, Rust's,. Barton's, and Sargent's 
 ponds. There is a bridge over 
 Smith's river about 60 feet long, 
 near its entrance into the lake 
 Near this bridge is a pleasant vil 
 lage. 
 
 The charter of Wolfeborough 
 was granted in 1770, to Gov. John 
 Wentworth, Mark H. Wentworth 
 and others. Gov. Wentworth, dis- 
 tinguished for his enterprise and 
 taste, and a fondness for agricultural 
 improvements, erected a splendid 
 mansion about 5 miles east of the 
 bridge, and made it his summer 
 residence. 
 
 At the foot of a hill, near one of 
 the ponds in this town, is a miner- 
 al spring, the waters of which are 
 of a quality similar to those of Sara- 
 toga, but not so strongly mipregna- 
 ted. Population, 1830, 1,928. 
 
 Wonasquatucket River, R. I. 
 
 Providence co. This river rises 
 in Smithfield, and after passing 
 nearly through that town, it runs 
 between North Providence and 
 Johnston, and forms the head of 
 Providence river. This stream is 
 celebrated for its hydraulic power 
 and the numerous manufacturing 
 establishments erected on its banks. 
 
 Woodtorldge, Ct. 
 
 New Haven co. The territory 
 of this town belonged to the town* 
 of New Haven and Milford, and 
 was called the parish of " Amity," 
 from 1739, until its incorporation in 
 1784. West river runs on the west 
 side of West Rock, a range of moun- 
 tains on the eastern border of the 
 town. The surface of the town is 
 hilly, but the soil is excellent for 
 grazing, and much butter and 
 cheese is annually taken to the 
 New Haven market, from which it 
 lies 6 miles S. W. Population, in 
 1830, 844. 
 
 The regicides, Goffe and Whal- 
 ley, had a number of places of con- 
 cealment in the limits of Wood-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 bridge, the most noted of which i 
 Hatchet Harbor or the Lodge, nea 
 a beautiful spring, in a valley, abou 
 7 miles from New Haven. 
 
 Woodbury, Vt. 
 
 Washington co. Woodbury L 
 watered by branches of Onion anc 
 Lamoille rivers, and contains a 
 greater number of ponds than an] 
 other town in the state. Thesi 
 ponds afford a great variety of fish 
 Woodbury lies 15 miles N. by E 
 from Montpelier. Population, 1800 
 23; 1820,432; 1830, 824. 
 
 Woodbury, Ct. 
 
 Litcbfield co. The settlement 
 of this town commenced in the 
 year 1672 : in 1674, it was incorpo- 
 rated. 
 
 This is a good grazing township ; 
 the soil is generally warm and fer- 
 tile. Between four and five thou- 
 sand sheep are annually sheared in 
 Woodbury. 
 
 The village is situated in a pleas- 
 ant valley, and watered by a num- 
 ber of small streams, which form 
 the Pomperaug. It is surrounded 
 by high hills on every side, forming 
 a kind of amphitheatre, which ren- 
 ders it strikingly romantic. The 
 village contains some handsome 
 buildings, three satinet, one tin and 
 . two nail factories. This place lies 
 25 miles N. W. from New Haven, 
 36*W. S. W. from Hartford, and 15 
 S. from Litchtield. Population, in 
 1830, 2,049. 
 
 Bethel Rock, near the village of 
 Woodbury, is about forty feet in 
 height, and projects over 3 or 4 
 feet, forming a kind of shelter from 
 the wind and rain. There is a fine 
 c;rove near it. This spot is fre- 
 quently visited : it excites solemn 
 and pleasing impressions. 
 
 \Voodforcl, Vt. 
 
 Bennington co. This mountain 
 town is 7 miles E. from Benning- 
 ton, on the road to Brattleborough. 
 Population, 1830, 395. 
 
 Woodford contains several large 
 ponds, from which issue branches 
 of Woloomsack and Deerfield riv- 
 ers. There is a good deal of wild 
 scenery on the road in crossing the 
 mountains from Bennington through 
 Woodford and Searsburgh : the 
 gurgling of the streams down the 
 mountain sides, allay, in a great 
 degree, the fatigue of the jour- 
 ney. The greater part of this 
 township is too elevated and broken 
 for cultivation. It is a good loca- 
 tion for the sportsman ; for fish and 
 fowl are abundant, and the deer, 
 the bear, and other wild animals, 
 roam with almost undisputed sway 
 
 Wood's Hole, Mass. 
 
 See Falmouth. 
 
 Wood River, R. I. 
 
 See Hopkinton. 
 
 Woodstock, Me. 
 
 Oxford co. A part of this town- 
 ship is mountainous ; but it contains 
 large tracts of undulating, fertile 
 land. It is bespangled with beau- 
 tiful ponds, forming mill streams, 
 which pass to Little Androscoggin 
 river. 
 
 Woodstock was incorporated in 
 1815. It lies 42 miles W. from 
 Augusta, and 10 N. W. from Paris. 
 Population, in 1837, 699. Wheat 
 crop, same year, 2,669 bushels. 
 
 Woodstock, Vt. 
 
 Shire town, Windsor county. 
 This town was first settled about 
 the year 1768. It is well wa- 
 ered by Queechy river and its 
 >ranches, which propel a woolen 
 nil), a scythe and axe factory, an 
 establishment for the manufacture 
 of woolen machinery, and several 
 mailer manufacturing works. 
 
 The soil of the town is generally 
 very fertile, with a pleasant surface 
 f hills ;.i)(l vales. The agricultu- 
 al productions are large and valua- 
 le : they consist of beef, pork, but- 
 er, cheese, apples, cider ami wool.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 of which 9,000 fleeces were shorn 
 in 1837. 
 
 " Woodstock Green," so called, is 
 a beautiful village. It is the seat 
 of a flourishing country trade, and 
 contains many veryhandsome build- 
 ings. The court house, planned, 
 and built under the supervision of 
 Ammi B. Young, Esq., a native ar- 
 chitect of great promise, is one of 
 the most chaste and classical struc- 
 tures in New England. The south 
 village is neat and pleasant: it is 
 about 5 miles from the "Green." 
 
 Woodstock lies 46 miles S. from 
 Montpelier, and UN. W. from 
 Windsor. Population, 1830, 3,044. 
 
 Woodstock, Ct. 
 
 Windham co. Woodstock is bound- 
 ed N. by the Massachusetts line, 
 E. by Thompson, W. by Union and 
 Ashford, and S. by Pomfret and 
 Ashford. It is 8 miles long, and 
 upwards of 7 in breadth. The sur- 
 face of the town is characteristical- 
 ly hilly, but not mountainous or 
 broken, and comprises very little 
 waste land, most or all of the emi- 
 nences being capable of cultivation. 
 The prevailing soil is a deep grav- 
 elly loam, which is strong and fer- 
 tile. It is best adapted to grazing, 
 but generally admits of tillage ; 
 and considerable quantities of grain 
 are annually raised, consisting prin- 
 cipally of rye and corn ; and it may 
 be considered one of the richest ag- 
 ricultural towns in this part of the 
 state. There are 4 woolen and 4 
 cotton factories in the limits of the 
 town. There are also about 900 
 persons engaged in the shoe mak- 
 ing business, principally in the 
 western part of the town. The 
 town is divided into three parts, 
 viz. the old society of Woodstock, 
 West Woodstock or New Roxbury, 
 and Muddy Brook society or North 
 Woodstock. 
 
 The villages of Thompson, North 
 Killingly, and Dudley in Massa- 
 chusetts, on corresponding eleva- 
 
 tions, are in fair view, from the vil- 
 lage in Old Woodstock, which is 41 
 miles E. N. E. from Hartford, 32 N. 
 from Norwich, 32 W. N. W. from 
 Providence, and 12 N. by W. from 
 Brooklyn. First settled, in 1686. 
 Population, 1830, 2,915. The vil- 
 lage of Muddy Brook, or North 
 Woodstock, is about three miles 
 distant, situated in a beautiful val- 
 ley, through which Muddy Brook, 
 a fine mill stream, passes. The 
 village is in two parts, in each of 
 which is a Congregational church, 
 upwards of one mile distant from 
 each other. The houses in this 
 village are more clustered than in 
 any other part of the town, and 
 viewed from the surrounding hills 
 present an uncommonly beautiful 
 appearance. The west part is call- 
 ed "Village corner." 
 
 General WILLIAM EATON, a 
 consul to Tunis, from 1797 to 1803, 
 and the hero of Derne, in 1804, was 
 born in this town in 1764. He died 
 at Brimfield, Mass., in 1811. 
 
 " Gen. Eaton was a very extra- 
 ordinary character ; he possessed 
 much original genius, was bold in 
 his conceptions, ardent in his pas- 
 sions, determined in his resolutions, 
 and indefatigably persevering in 
 his conduct. He possessed con- 
 siderable literary acquirements, and 
 the style of his writings was char- 
 acteristic of his mind; bold, ener- 
 getic and decisive. His courage 
 was equalled only by his resolu- 
 tion, and the boldness of his enter- 
 prises, by his ability and persever- 
 ance to execute them." 
 
 Woolwich, Me. 
 
 Lincoln co. Woolwich lies a lit- 
 tle above Bath, on the east side of 
 Kennebec river, 32 miles S. from 
 Augusta, and 7 W. from Wiscasset. 
 It was incorporated in 1759. Pop- 
 ulation, 1837, 1,433. Woolwich 
 has several ponds and small streams, 
 and its navigable privileges are 
 valuable.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 "\Voonsocket Falls, R. I. 
 See Smithfield. 
 
 V'orcester , Vt. 
 
 Washington co. This town is 
 situated 10 miles N. from Montpe- 
 lier and 30 E. by S from Burling- 
 ton. First settled, 1797. Popula- 
 tion, 1820, 44, and in 1830, 432. A 
 branch of Onion river gives the 
 town a good water power, and 
 which is used for various purposes. 
 Much of this township is moun- 
 tainous ; but there is some good land 
 along the stream, and the high- 
 lands afford pasturage for cattle. 
 
 "Worcester County, -Mass. 
 
 Worcester is the county town. 
 This county was incorporated in 
 1731. Population, in 1820, 73,635; 
 1830, 84,365; 1837, 96,551. It 
 contains an area of 1,500 square 
 miles. 
 
 This county crosses the state from 
 New Hampshire on the north, to 
 Connecticut and Rhode Island on 
 the south. It is bounded W. by 
 the counties of Franklin, Hamp- 
 shire, and Hampden, and E. by 
 Norfolk and Middlesex counties. 
 This is the largest county in the 
 state. Its territory is larger than 
 the state of Rhode Island, and its 
 population is greater than that of 
 the state of Delaware. Its sur- 
 fac'eis rather undulating than hilly. 
 The soil is generally strong, and 
 produces all kinds of grain, grasses, 
 fruits, &c. common to its climate. 
 Its water power is abundant in al- 
 most every town, and perhaps in 
 no section of New England are the 
 interests of agriculture, commerce 
 and manufactures more completely 
 blended ; nor can there be found 
 better resources for their united 
 support. Its principal rivers are 
 the Blackstone, Quinabaus, Nash- 
 ua, Ware, Miller*, and Mill. There 
 are in thU county 54 towns and 64 
 inhabitants to a square mile. 
 
 In 1837, the value of the manu- 
 
 factures in the county of Worces- 
 ter was $11,407,790: the number 
 of sheep in the county was 24,901 ; 
 value of the wool, $37,267. 
 
 Worcester, Masi. 
 
 County town, Worcester co. This 
 town was incorporated in 16S4, but 
 iu consequence of Indian hostili- 
 ties, the (irsttown meeting was not 
 held until 1722. This part of the 
 country was called by the Indians, 
 Quinsigamond, and Tatmuck and 
 Eogachoak hills were Indian resi- 
 dences. 
 
 The central situation of the 
 town, both in regard to the county 
 and state, the fertility of its soil 
 and that of the surrounding coun- 
 try, the salubrity of its climate, 
 and the industry, intelligence and 
 wealth of its people, have long 
 since entitled it to the honor of be- 
 ing called the chief town in " the 
 Heart of the Commonwealth." The 
 town is situated in a valley, and 
 surrounded by hills of gentle ac- 
 clivity. It is well built and beau- 
 tifully shaded, and travellers from 
 every direction, are delighted with 
 its neatness and beauty. 
 
 A number of the streams which 
 form the head waters of the Black- 
 stone meet in this town, and fur- 
 nish a considerable water power. 
 
 Worcester is 40 miles W. from 
 Boston, 51 E. from Northampton, 
 38 S. W. from Lowell, and 41 N. N. 
 W. from Providence, R. I. Popu- 
 lation, 1820, 2,962; 1330, 4,172; 
 1835, 6,624; 1837, 7,117. 
 
 There are in Worcester 8 woolen, 
 3 cotton and 2 paper mills; an air 
 and cupola furnace, 9 woolen ma- 
 chinery factories, 3 tin factories, 
 and manufactures of coaches, chais- 
 es, boots, shoes, hats.cutlery, chairs, 
 cabinet ware, ploughs, straw bon- 
 nets, palm-leaf hats, wire, lead 
 pipe, paper machinery, &c. : total 
 value, the year ending April 1, 
 1837, $1,042,369. 
 Worcester is the centre of a large 
 inland trade. The Blackstone ca-
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 nal, from Providence, R. I. ,45 miles 
 in length, terminates here ; and 
 here is a permanent depot on the 
 great western rail road from Boston 
 to the Hudson river. 
 
 This is the seat of many religious, 
 literary, and philanthropic societies. 
 
 The State Lunatic Asylum, es- 
 tablished in this town in 1832, is an 
 institution honorahle to the nature 
 of man. It is a beautiful building, 
 delightfully located, and admirably 
 conducted. Its plan and arrange- 
 ments are so excellent as to render 
 it a model for similar institutions 
 in other states. 
 
 This institution is a receptacle 
 for all persons arraigned as crimi- 
 nals, but found to have committed 
 the offences in a state of insanity ; 
 of paupers, and of those who are 
 so furiously mad as to render their 
 continuance at large dangerous to 
 the community. 
 
 Although the worst cases of in- 
 sanity are found here, yet experi- 
 ence has proved that there are very 
 few cases of derangement which 
 may not be ameliorated by the 
 kindly influence of humane treat- 
 ment. The average recoveries, to 
 the present time, is about 56 pr. ct. 
 
 The American Antiquarian So- 
 ciety, was founded in 1812. By 
 the liberality of the late ISAIAH 
 THOMAS, LL. D., one of its first 
 benefactors, a spacious hall was 
 erected in 1820, for the reception 
 of its large and valuable cabinet of 
 antiquities, and its library of about 
 12,000 volumes of American pub- 
 lications, particularly of all works 
 pertaining to American history, and 
 literature generally. 
 
 Mr. Thomas was the father of 
 New England printers. He pub- 
 lished the first newspaper in this 
 town, in 1775, and, a few years af- 
 ter, the first bible in America. He 
 was a gentleman of great patri- 
 otism and liberality. He was born 
 in Boston, January 19th, 1749, and 
 died in this town, April 4, 1831. 
 
 Wortlilngton, Mass. 
 
 Hampshire co. This town has a 
 good soil : it is pleasantly situated 
 on elevated ground : it has some 
 mineral treasures, and is washed by 
 a branch of Westfield river. It is 
 103 miles W. from Boston, 55 E. 
 from Albany, N. Y., and 17 W. N. 
 W.from Northampton. Incorpora- 
 ted, 1763. Population, 1837, 1,142. 
 
 The manufactures of Worthing- 
 ton consist of leather, boots, shoes, 
 curtains, children's wagons, and 
 hats : annual value, about $50,000. 
 
 In 1837, there were sheared in 
 this town 9,050 merino sheep : the 
 wool weighed 27,000 pounds, and 
 sold for $16,875. 
 
 Wrentham, Mass. 
 
 Norfolk co. There is a large 
 pond near the centre of this town, 
 from which issue several streams 
 which flow to the Charles, Nepon- 
 set and Taunton. In this town are 
 one woolen and four cotton mills, 
 an axe manufactory ; boat build- 
 ing to a considerable extent ; and 
 manufactures of boots, shoes, hats, 
 hoops and straw bonnets. The to- 
 tal value of the manufactures of 
 this town, for the year ending April 
 1, 1837, was $204,806; of which 
 $77,815.was for straw bonnets. 
 
 Wrentham is a pleasant town, 
 with a tolerable soil and diversified 
 surface. It was taken from Ded- 
 ham in 1673. Population, 1837, 
 2,817. 
 
 A family of Indians once resi- 
 ded in a cavern in this town, called 
 " Wampum's Rock," which place 
 is rather a curiosity. The Indian 
 name of the town was Walloma- 
 pogge. 
 
 Wrentham is 27 miles S. by W. 
 from Boston, and 15 S. by W. from 
 Dedham. This town is bounded S. 
 E. by Mansfield, and within the re- 
 gion of a vast bed of anthracite coal. 
 
 Ynntic River, Ot. 
 
 New London co. This stream
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 rises by several branches in the 
 northwest part of the county, and 
 passing in a southeast course meets 
 the united waters of the Quinne- 
 baug and Shetucket at Norwich, 
 where the waters of the three riv- 
 ers fall with great rapidity, form- 
 ing the Thames, and producing a 
 valuable hydraulic power. See 
 Norwich. 
 
 It is said that a party of Mohe- 
 gan Indians plunged themselves 
 down the Yantic falls, when pur- 
 sued by their foes, the Narragan- 
 sets. 
 
 Yarmouth, 3Iass. 
 
 Barnstable co. Yarmouth ex- 
 tends across Cape Cod, and has a 
 good harbor on each side. There 
 are several ponds in the town, from 
 which issue a small stream, called 
 Bass river, and from which a small 
 water power is derived. The soil 
 of the cape here becomes thin, 
 sandy and unproductive. The peo- 
 ple of this town are principally de- 
 voted to the fishing business, coast- 
 ing trade, and the manufacture of 
 salt. There are, however, some 
 manufactures of vessels, cordage, 
 leather, cabinet and tin wares, 
 chairs, boots and shoes. Some 
 sheep are kept, but the agricultur- 
 al productions are small. A large 
 number of vessels are engaged in 
 the coasting trade, and in 1837, 13 
 vessels, of about 50 tons each, were 
 employed in the cod and mackerel 
 fishery : the product, that year, 
 was $26,622. 
 
 During that year there were in 
 operation in this town, 52 establish- 
 ments for the manufacture of com- 
 mon salt, and 4 for the manufac- 
 ture of Epsom salts. The quantity 
 of common salt made was 365,200 
 bushels. The value of common 
 salt was $109,560; of Epsom salts, 
 $1,350. Hands employed, 53. 
 
 In 1837, there were in the state 
 of Massachusetts 743 establishments 
 for the manufacture of salt : 758,- 
 392 bushels were made, valued at 
 
 $246,059, employing 708 hands. 
 Yarmouth is bounded W. by 
 Barnstable, and lies 72 miles S. E. 
 from Boston. Incorporated, 1639. 
 Population, in 1830, 2,251 ; 1337, 
 2,454. 
 
 York Comity. Me. 
 
 Alfred is the county town. This 
 county is bounded N. by Oxford 
 county, N. E. by the county of 
 Cumberland, E. by the ocean, S. 
 by Portsmouth harbor, and W. by 
 Strafford county, N. H. It com- 
 prises an area of about 818 square 
 miles. Its population in 1810, was 
 41,877; 1820,46,283; 1830,51,722; 
 and in 1837, 53,781. Population to 
 a square mile, 66. The surface 
 of the county is rough and uneven, 
 but not mountainous; its highest 
 elevation is Mount Agamenticus. 
 Its soil is hard and rocky, particu- 
 larly on the sea coast, which ex- 
 tends about 35 miles. There is, 
 however, much good land within 
 the limits of York county : it pro- 
 duces large quantities of English 
 and salt hay, potatoes and other 
 vegetables, corn, and some wheat; 
 but the latter grain is not so abun- 
 dant in this as in the more eastern 
 counties. The quantity of wheat 
 grown in this county in 1837, was 
 but 17,795 bushels. There is much 
 good grazing land in the county, 
 and in 1837, there were 60,392 
 sheep within its limits. 
 
 The sea coast is lined with fine 
 harbors tor the fishery, and many 
 vessels are built of native timber. 
 The county contains many capes, 
 points and necks of land, on which 
 are well conducted light houses. 
 The tonnage of the three districts 
 within the county, Saco, Kennc 
 bunk and York, in 1837, was 11,505 
 tons. York county contains many 
 excellent mill streams; and the 
 value of its hydraulic power is be- 
 ginning to be seen and felt. 
 
 This ancient county was the 
 lodgement of some of the first set- 
 tlers of New England. See Saco.
 
 NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 
 
 York, Me. 
 
 York co. This is an ancient mar- 
 itime town, on the coast, between 
 Kittery and Wells. It is bounded 
 W. b South Berwick. This was 
 for many years the shire town, and 
 the place of holding the courts and 
 keeping the records for the whole 
 province, until the counties of 
 Cumberland and Lincoln were set 
 off in 1760. The town was incor- 
 porated in 1653. 
 
 York has a court house and gaol, 
 but all the county courts have been, 
 within a few years past, removed to 
 Alfred. The principal harboris York 
 river, about 6 miles from Ports- 
 mouth, N. H., with vrater sufficient 
 for vessels from 200 to 300 tons bur- 
 then. The entrance, however, is 
 difficult, being narrow and crooked. 
 The other harbor is cape Neddock, 
 about 4 miles N. E. of the former, 
 navigable about a mile from the 
 sea at full tides only ; it having a 
 sand bar at its mouth, sufficient to 
 prevent vessels of any considera- 
 ble burthen from passing at low 
 water. 
 
 Cape Neddock and Bald Head are 
 the head lands. The former is a 
 little to the south of cape Neddock 
 river. At the end of this cape is a 
 small hillock called the Nubble, on 
 which Congress has recently au- 
 thorised the erection of a Light 
 house. Boon Island lies about 9 
 
 miles southeast of this point. Bald 
 Head makes the S. W. part of Wells 
 bay. 
 
 The settlement of this place be- 
 gan about the year 1630 : it was 
 then called Agamenticus, from a 
 mountain of that name in ths north 
 part of the town. This is of consid- 
 erable elevation, and a noted land 
 mark. From its summit, there is 
 an extensive propect bounded by 
 the great ranges of the N. H. 
 mountains on the N. and N. W., 
 and the Atlantic on the coast from 
 Cape Ann to Cape Elizabeth. 
 
 This town was nearly destroyed 
 by the Indians and French in 1692, 
 who, coming on snow shoes, sur- 
 prised the unwary inhabitants at 
 early morning. This calamity was 
 so desolating, that the few remain- 
 ing inhabitants had thoughts of 
 abandoning the place altogether ; 
 but a number remained, though 
 suffering under severe privations 
 from the destruction of almost every 
 thing that could give them shelter 
 or sustenance. 
 
 The population of the town in 
 1830, was 3,485; but has been re- 
 duced since that time, by the an- 
 nexation of a portion of its northern 
 angle to South Berwick. Its popu- 
 lation in 1837, was 3,001. 
 
 York is situated 99 miles S. W. 
 from Augusta, 45 S. W. by S. from 
 Portland, 22 S. S. E. from Alfred and 
 9 N. by E. from Portsmouth, N. H.
 
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