Coos County Townships and Locations from Merrill's 1817 Gazetteer of New Hampshire Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by T.C. Parziale Copyright. All rights reserved. ************************************************************************ Full copyright notice - http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm USGenWeb Archives - http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ From The Gazetteer of the State of New Hampshire (in three parts), compiled from the best authorities, by Eliphalet Merrill and the Late Phinehas Merrill, Esq., Printed by C. Norris & Co., Exeter, NH, ©1817 Part Two of Gazetteer: COOS COUNTY - is bounded S. by the counties of Grafton and Strafford, E. by the District of Maine, N. by Lower Canada, and W. by Connecticut river. It is composed of 22 towns, 5 locations and a large tract of unlocated land. In 1810 it contained 3,991 in habitants, of which 628 were ratable polls. It contained at that time 262 horses, 37 four years old, 47 three year old, 49 two years old; 503 oxen, 231 four year old, 1,383 cows, 637 three years old cattle, and 674 two years old; 13 mules, a 1 jack. This county comprises 128,662 acres of land and water S. of latitude 45° and N. of that latitude it contains 160,353 acres. Lancaster is the shire town of this county, and was incorporated as early as 1763. The county prison is here, and an academy which was incorporated in 1808. Coos county has 12 meeting houses, 20 grist mills, 27 sawmills, 5 mills for dressing cloth, 3 carding machines, 11 stores, and 6 distilleries, etc. It sends 27 members to the state legislature. The superior court for the county of Grafton and this county is held at Haverhill and Plymouth alternately on the 4th Tuesday of December, and the court of common please is held at Lancaster on the 4th Tuesday of May. NORTH OF LATITUDE 45° - is a tract of land belonging to the state of New Hampshire; bounded as follows, beginning at the state’s land No. 3 and running N. 6 1/2° E. by the District of Maine 3,500 rods to the high lands, thence by the high lands, which separate Lower Canada from the United States to the most N.W. branch of Connecticut river, thence down said branch to latitude 45° thence by said latitude to lands No. 3. containing 163,363 acres. On this tract is the great lake Connecticut. ADAMS - a township of Coos county, situated on the E. side of the White Mountains; bounded N. by unlocated lands, E. by Chatham, S. by Bartlett, and W. by said mountains, containing 31,968 acres of land and water. In 1800, its population was 180, and in 1810, 250 souls. Two branches of Ellis’ river pass through this town, coming from the N. and uniting on its S. border near Spruce mountain so called. Mountain-pond Brook crosses the S.E. Corner of Adams, taking its rise from a pool in Chatham, and falling into Saco river in the town of Bartlett. Black, Baldface, and Thorn mountains are its three elevations of note. It has 1 grain and 2 saw-mills. BARKER’S LOCATION - is bounded N. by Lancaster E. by Jefferson and S. and W. by Kilkenny, and contains 3,090 acres. BRETTON WOODS - a township in Coos county, situated 8 or 10 miles S.E. from Connecticut river, incorporated 1772, having but 20 or 30 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Whitefield and Jefferson, E. by ungranted land, s. by the county line and Nash and Sawyer’s Location, and W. by the county line which separates it from Bethlehem, containing about 24, 978 acres. John’s and Israel’s rivers received several branches from this town. The Jefferson turnpike crosses the E. part, and Pond Cherry mountain is on the N. side next to Jefferson. Here is 1 corn mill and 1 saw mill. CAMBRIDGE - an uninhabited township in Coos county, situated at the S. end of lake Umbagog and bounded N. by Errol, E. by the District of Maine, S. by Paulsburgh and Success, and W. by Dummer. Incorporated 1773, containing 23,160 acres. Androscoggin river passes through the W. part of this town. CHADBOURNE AND HART’S LOCATION - Coos county. Beginning at the S.W. corner of land granted to Mr. VereRoyse, at a birch tree, thence running N. 470 rods, thence W. 285 rods, thence nearly N. till it meets the Notch of the White Hills. Saco river finds a passage through this location, and a turnpike road crosses it. It contains 3,000 acres of land, and is 75 miles N.W. from Portsmouth. CHATHAM - a township in Coos county, incorporated in 1767, containing 201 inhabitants. Bounded N. by Gilman and Warner’s location and Mount Royse, E. by the state line, S. by Conway, and W. by Bartlett and Adams. It contains 2,856 acres. A pond in this town called Mountain pond, is 200 rods long and 40 wide; Kimball’s pond, in the S.E. part of the town, is about 250 rods long and 240 wide. Kearsarge mountain lies in the S.W. part of the town on Bartlett line. this town contains 2 saw-mills, 1 mill for dressing cloth, 2 corn mills, and a carding machine. Chatham is about 10 miles in length from north to south, and four miles in width. Its direction from the White mountains is east, 8 miles distant. COLEBROOK - a township in Coos county. It was incorporated in 1770, and now contains 325 inhabitants. It lies on Connecticut river 40 miles N. of Lancaster. It is bounded N. by Stewartstown, E. by Dixville, S. by Columbia, and W. by the river, and contains 25,056 acres. This town is watered by Mohawk river and Beaver brook. It has 1 meeting house and an ordained minister. It contains a grain mill, a saw mill, 2 mills for dressing cloth, 1 carding machine, 1 oil mill a distillery, and 1 retail store. COLLEGE LANDS - a tract of land granted to the trustees of Dartmouth college by the state legislature in 1789. It lies on Connecticut river N. of Stewartstown and contains 40,960 acres. Two streams called Dead water and Cedar stream passes through this tract. It lies 130 miles N., 9° W. from Portsmouth. In 1807, the legislature made to the college another grant of land lying on the easterly border of the state containing 23,040 acres, equal to 6 square miles. This tract lies N. 5° W., 123 miles from Portsmouth. COLUMBIA - a township in Coos county. Bounded N. by Colebrook, E. by Dixville and Erving’s location, S. by unappropriated lands and Stratford, and W. by Connecticut river . It contains 32,800 acres. Sims stream and Cole brook rise in this town and empty themselves here into the same river near the lower extremity of this town. There are here several mountains of a considerable size, and a number of small ponds. this town contains 1 grist mill, 2 saw mills 1 mill for dressing cloth 1 trading store, and 1 distillery. This place was formerly called Cockburn. DALTON - a township in Coos County, containing 235 inhabitants. It is bounded N.W. by Connecticut river at the great falls opposite Lunenburgh in Vermont, N.E. by Lancaster and Whitefield, S.E. by Whitefield, and S.W.. by Littleton or the Grafton line. It contains 16,455 acres. John’s river crosses the northerly part of the tow, and Blake’s pond forms its E. corner bound. Dalton contains a meeting-house, 3 corn-mills, 2 saw-mills, and 1 mill for dressing cloth. DIXVILLE - a township in Coos county, incorporated in 1805, and in 1810 containing 12 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by the college lands and lands granted to Gilmanton and Atkinson academies, E. by the second grant to Dartmouth college and Wentworth’s location, S. by Millsfield and Erving’s location, and W. by Columbia, Colebrook, and Stewartstown. It contains 31,023 acres. near its western border is a ridge of mountains, from which flow several ponds forming the sources of two rivers, viz. Clear stream and Dimond river. This town contains a grist-mill and a saw-mill. DUMMER - a township in Coos county. It was incorporated in 1773, and now contains only 20 inhabitants. it is bounded N. by Millsfield, E. by Cambridge, S. by Paulsburgh, and W. by Kilkenny and some ungranted lands, and contains 27,562 acres. The Ameriscoggin and Amonoosuck rivers both pass through this town. There is here 1 sawmill and 1 grist mill. DUMMER FORT - (See Hinsdale) DURAND - A small township in Coos county containing 62 inhabitants. bounded N. by Mainsboro, E. by Shelburne, S. by the White Mountains, and W. by Kilkenny. It contains 25,672 acres. One branch of Moose river and several branches of the Amonoosuck and Israel rises in this town. ERROL - a township in Coos county, situated on the western branch of Umbagog lake. It was incorporated in 1774, and contains only 38 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Wentworth’s location, E. by the district of Maine, S. by Success and Paulsburgh, and W. by Millsfield, and contains 35, 400 acres, 2,800 of which are water. Margallaway and Clear streams here unite with another stream flowing from Umbagog lake, and form in junction Ameriscoggin river. From the centre of this town to Stratford on Connecticut river the distance is 25 miles. ERVING’S LOCATION - is in Coos county, 118 miles from Portsmouth, bounded N. by Dixville, E. by Millsfield, and W. by Columbia and ungranted lands No. 1. HALE’S LOCATION - is situated in Coos county, and is bounded N. and W. by ungranted lands, E. by Conway, and S. by Burton. It is 800 rods in length and 173 in width at its north, and 320 at its south extremity. JEFFERSON - a township in Coos county formerly called Dartmouth, lying on the banks of Israel’s river, which passes from its southern to its western extremity. It was incorporated in 1765, and now contains about 200 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Barker’s location and a part of Lancaster, E. by Kilkenny, S. by ungranted lands and Bretton Woods, and W. by Bretton Woods and Whitefield, comprising 26,076 acres, 300 of which are water. Pondcherry pond in this town is 200 rods in diameter, and forms the source of one of the branches of John’s river. Pondcherry bay is about 200 rods long and 100 wide. In the N.E. part of the town lies Plinny mountain and in the S.W. part is Pondcherry mountain. The Jefferson turnpike passes through this place to Lancaster. There are here 2 grain mills and 1 sawmill. KILKENNY - a township in Coos county, of an irregular form and mountainous surface, incorporated in 1774, and now containing only 28 inhabitants; bounded N.E. by Durand, Mainsborough, Paulsburg, and Dummer, N. and S. by ungranted lands, and W. by Barker’s location, Jefferson, Lancaster, and Piercy, and contains 15, 906 acres. A branch of Nashes stream crosses the northerly extremity of this town and Israel’s river its southern. LANCASTER - a township in Coos county, on the eastern bank of Connecticut river, incorporated in 1763, and containing in 1810, a population of 717 inhabitants. It is bounded N.E. by Northumberland and Kilkenny, S.E. by Barker’s location and a part of Whitefield, S.W. by Dalton and W. by Connecticut river, containing 23,480 acres. It lies about 50 miles above Hanover. In this town is Martin’s meadow and, about 260 rods long and 150 wide, and also Martin’s meadow hill on the north side of the pond. The village is about one mile distant from the river, and contains a meeting house, court house, gaol, etc. Through this village passes Israel’s river which falls into the Connecticut at the Great Ox-bow. Indian brook waters the other extremity of the town. Lancaster is united by a bridge with Gildhall (VT) There are here several grain mills and sawmills, an oil mill a clothing mill and a carding machine, a nail factory, and 2 distilleries. The Rev. J. Willard is the minister here. MAYNESBOROUGH - an unsettled township in Coos county, containing 34,106 acres, and bounded N. by Paulsburg, E. by Success, S. by Selburn and Durand, and W. by Kilkenny. Ameriscoggin river passes through its easterly part where it receives Levi’s river from Success, and the south branch of the Upper Amonoosuck from Paulsburg. This township lies 12 miles N. of Mount Washington and the same distance W. from the eastern line of the state, and E. from Lancaster. MILLSFIELD - an uninhabited township in Coos county, 7 miles W. of Umbagog lake and 35 N. from the White hills; bounded N. by Dixville, E. by Errol, S. by Dummer and W. by Erving’s location. It comprises 24,100 acres, and was incorporated in 1774. Clear stream waters its northern extremity and Phillip’s river with several branches of the Ameriscoggin its southern parts. There are here several ponds, the largest of which is 300 rods long and 140 wide. NASH AND SAWYER’S LOCATIONS - This tract is bounded N. by Bretton Woods, E. by the White mountains, S. by Chadbourne and Hart’s locations, and W. by ungranted lands. It contains 21,084 acres. The Jefferson turnpike passes through it. NORTHUMBERLAND - a township in Coos county, lying on Connecticut river at the mouth of the Upper Amonoosuck. It was incorporated in 1779, and contained in 1810, a population of 281; bounded N. by Stratford, E. by Piercy, S. W. by Lancaster, and W. by Connecticut river. Its area is 20,430 acres. It is in this town near Cape Horn mountain, that the Upper Amonoosuck falls into the Connecticut. There are here several ponds and mountains. The soil is fertile though broken and uneven. A bridge connects this town with Maidstone in Vermont nearly opposite Guildhall. There is here a meeting house, 2 grain mills, a sawmill, and a carding machine. PAULSBURG - a township in Coos county, containing about 20 inhabitants; bounded N. by Dummer and Cambridge, E. by success, S. by Maynesborough, and W. by Kilkenny, comprising 34,507 acres. The upper Amonoosuck and the Ameriscoggin rivers pass throu’ this town, the former in a northerly course to the Connecticut, and the latter in a southerly course to the Merrimack. In the southwest part of the town is a large mountain, adjoining Maynesborough, and in its N.E. part near Cambridge there is another. There are 2 mills in this town. The centre of Paulsburg is 15 miles east from Northumberland on Connecticut river, and about 7 miles west from the district of Maine, and about 22 (by the road from Lancaster court house. PIERCY - in Coos county, was incorporated in 1794, and in 1810, contained 211 inhabitants; bounded N. by Stratford and ungranted lands, E. and S. by Kilkenny, and W. by Northumberland, comprising 50,630 acres. Piercy’s pond is on the E. side of the town, the waters of which fall into the Upper Amonoosuck in the town of Paulsburgh. Near the N.E. extremity of Piercy the north and south branches of the Amonoosuck form a junction. This river receives Nash’s stream in the northerly part of the town, as it flows from Stratford. Mill and Pilot mountains are in this place. There are here only two mills. the course on a straight line from the centre of this town to the mouth of the Upper Amonoosuck is about 6 miles. SHELBURNE - in Coos county, was incorporated in 1769, and contains 176 inhabitants; bounded N. by Success and Maynesborough, E. by the District of Maine, S. by unlocated lands, and W. by Durand, comprising 45,140 acres. Ameriscoggin river in its passage through this town into Maine, receives Peabody and Moose rivers and several smaller streams. Mount Moriah and some other large mountains are in Shelburne. There are here 2 grain and 2 saw mills. STEWARTSTOWN - is in the N. part of Coos county, and contains 176 inhabitants; bounded N. by college lands, E. by Dixville, S. by Colebrook, and W. by Vermont, comprising 27,381 acres. Dimond pond is in this town, forming the source of Dimond river. Bishop’s brook, Dead water river, and Mohawk river also have their sources here. Hall’s stream unites with the Contoocook in this town. On these several streams are numberous mills. STRATFORD - in Coos county, was incorporated in 1773, and contains 339 inhabitants; bounded N. by Columbia, E. by ungranted lands No. 1., S. by Piercy and Northumberland, and W. by the Connecticut river, which separates it from Brunswick in Vermont. Its area is 48,931 acres. This town is watered by Roaring brook, Strong’s brook and Bay Brook. Bow-back mountain, Peak’s mountain, and several others are in this town. Stratford has one meeting house belonging to Methodists, Rev. C. Sumner was settled here in 1773. In 1775, this town had only 40 inhabitants, and in 1790, there were 150. SUCCESS - an unsettled township in Coos county, incorporated in 1773, and bounded N. by Cambridge, E. by the District of Maine, S. by Shelburne, and N.W. by Maynesborough, comprising 29,813 acres. In this town rises Narmargungowack river from a pond about 350 rods long and 225 wide, near the line of the state. Live river also has its source in this town. WARNER’S LOCATION - in Coos county, is bounded N. by ungranted lands, and Mount Royse E. by the District of Maine, and S. by Chatham and ungranted lands: it contains 2,000 acres. A stream which empties into Cold River pond passes over the easterly side of this location. WHITEFIELD - an irregular township in the S.W. part of Coos county, containing by the last census 51 inhabitants; bounded N.W. by Dalton and Lancaster, E. by Jefferson, S. by Bretton Woods, and S.W. by Bethlehem in Grafton county, comprising 20,800 acres. A part of round pond and several others lie in this town, from each of which john’s river receives a tributary stream as it passes to Dalton. The main road from Plymouth to Lancaster passes over the west part of the town. From the N.W. extremity of Whitefield to Connecticut river the distance is about 4 miles.