Coos County Townships from Hayward's 1849 Gazetteer of New Hampshire Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Nancy Auclair - mynana@ispchannel.com Copyright. All rights reserved. ************************************************************************ Full copyright notice - http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm USGenWeb Archives - http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ Source: Gazetteer of New Hampshire by John Hayward Published by John P. Jewett in Boston, 1849 COOS COUNTY Lancaster is the shire town of the county. Coos is the largest county in New Hampshire, and within its limits are situated the greater part of the ungranted lands in the State. Large portions of this county are exceedingly mountainous, cannot be cultivated, and will probably never be settled. This county extends from lat. 43° 58' to the extreme north part of the State - being seventy-six miles in length, and having a mean width of about twenty miles. It is bounded north by Canada, east by Maine, south by the county of Carroll, west by the county of Grafton 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, Jackson and Chatham, on the east side of the White Mountains, are bold and abrupt. The Peak and Bowback Mountains in Stratford, the elevations in Dixville, Columbia and Kilkenny; Pilot and Mill Mountains in Stark; Cape Horn in Northumberland, and Pondicherry, south-west of Jefferson, are all of considerable magnitude, and partake of the grandeur of the White Hills. In the neighborhood of high mountains are generally found the sources of our greater rivers. Three of the principal rivers of New England, the Connecticut, Androscoggin and Saco, 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 Margallaway, after receiving the waters of Dead and Diamond Rivers, unites with the Androscoggin, near Umbagog Lake. This lake lies principally in Maine. Lake Connecticut is situated north of the 45th degree of latitude, and is one of the sources of Connecticut River. The largest pond in this county lies north of Lake Connecticut, and is connected with it by an outlet. The first settlement in the county was made at Lancaster in 1763. The name of the county is of Indian origin, although the name occurs in the New Testament. COURTS: Superior Court, Fifth District: At Plymouth, on the Tuesday next after the fourth Tuesday of July; at Lancaster, on the Tuesday next after the term at Plymouth; and at Haverhill, on the Tuesday next after the fourth Tuesday of December. Court of Common Pleas: At Lancaster, the first Tuesday of May, and first Tuesday of November. Probate Courts: At Colebrook, on the first Tuesday of September; at Stratford, on the first Tuesday of January; at Lancaster, on the first Tuesday of March, and November, and the second Tuesday of May; at Bartlett, on the first Tuesday of July; and at Shelburne, on the first Tuesday of June. BARTLETT This town lies at the foot of the White Mountains, on the eastern side. Its soil is various, and, on the Saco, in some parts, good. This river meanders through the center of the town. Bartlett received its name in honor of Gov. Bartlett, and is a town well known to all travelers to this region. Boundaries: It has Jackson on the north, Chatham on the east, Conway and the public lands on the south and west. Productions of the Soil: Indian corn, 2,924 bushels; potatoes, 25,835 bushes; hay, 1,548 tons; wood, 2,516 lbs., maple sugar, 7,035 pounds. Distances: Forty-five miles southeast from Lancaster, eighty-five north, northeast from Concord. BERLIN This town, from 1771 to 1829, was called Maynesborough. The Androscoggin and Amonoosuck Rivers pass through it. It has few inhabitants. Distance from Concord one hundred and forty miles north, and about twenty miles east from Lancaster. The town was granted Dec. 31, 1771, to Sir William Mayne, bat., Robert, Thomas and Edward Mayne and others, of Barbados. Boundaries: North by Paulsburgh, east by Success, south by Shelburne and Durand, and west by Kilkenny. Productions of Soil: Indian corn, 23 bushels; potatoes, 3,950 bushels; hay, 284 tons; wood, 624 pounds; maple sugar, 1,205 pounds. CAMBRIDGE This town has few inhabitants, and contains 23,160 acres. This tract has an uneven surface, but might be advantageously cultivated. Several streams rise here, and fall into the Androscoggin, which passes through the northwest part of the town. Boundaries. The township of Errol, and Umbagog Lake are on the north, the State of Maine on the east, Success and Paulsburgh on the south, and Dummer on the west. Productions of the Soil. Potatoes, 150 bushels; hay, 10 tons; wool, 15 pounds; rye, 50 bushels. Distances. One hundred and forty-three miles northeast from Concord, and about thirty-five miles northeast from Lancaster. CLARKSVILLE This town contains 40,960 acres, and is situated on the east bank of Connecticut River, north of Stewartstown. The soil is hard and inunviting. Productions of the Soil: Buckwheat, 1,020 bushels; potatoes, 5,870 bushes; hay, 367 tons; wool, 650 pounds; maple sugar, 3,855 pounds. Distances: One hundred and fifty-six miles north of Concord. COLEBROOK Colebrook is watered by the Mohawk River and Beaver Brook. The soil here is rich, and capable of culture. Intervales, of good quality, stretch along the Connecticut. The people are industrious, enterprising, and happy. Boundaries: Easterly by Dixville, southerly by Columbia, westerly by the Connecticut River, and northerly by Stewartstown. First Settlers: Colebrook was originally granted to Sir George Colebrook and others. First Minister: Rev. O. G. Thatcher, settled in 1824; dismissed in 1829. Productions of Soil: Buckwheat, 5,938 bushels; potatoes, 31,675 bushels; hay, 2,240 tons; wool, 4,699 lbs.; maple sugar, 17,690 pounds. Distances: Thirty-five miles north of Lancaster, and one hundred and forty miles north of Concord. COLUMBIA This town lies on the east bank of the Connecticut River. The surface of the town is quite uneven, the mountains of Stratford lying along the south. From these, a number of streams descend northwesterly to the Connecticut, furnishing many fine mill sites. There are also several small ponds in the town. On the borders of one called Lime Pond, vast quantities of shells are found, from which a species of line is made that answers for some uses. The most remarkable locality in Columbia is the Lime or Marl Pond, which is two miles southeast from the center of the town of Colebrook; it is near the town line, and is quite a curiosity. This pond is 100 rods long, fifty rods wide, and is of an irregular elliptical shape. Its bottom is covered to the depth of six feet with perfectly white calcareous marl of extreme purity, formed by a myriad of shells of the cyclas and planorbis, an abundance of which are still living in the waters of the pond, and are generally found under loose stones. Around its shores there is much impure gray and blue limestone. Boundaries: Colebrook is on the north, Dixville and Ervin's Location are on the east, and Stratford on the south. First Settlers: First granted in 1770. Productions of the Soil: Buckwheat, 4,896 bushels; potatoes, 15,590 bushels; hay, 1,553 tons; wood, 3,385 lbs.; maple sugar, 13,442 pounds. Distances: Thirty miles north of Lancaster, and one hundred and forty-three north of Concord. DALTON Dalton lies between Lancaster and Littleton, on the Connecticut River. The Great, or Fifteen-Mile Falls, on the Connecticut River, commence in Dalton, and rush tumultuously along its northwest boundary. The town is also watered by John's River, and several large brooks. The western and southern parts of this town are hilly. Along the borders of John's River the majestic white pine abounds. The soil on the highlands is deep, and well adapted to grazing; is generally good, and in some parts easy of cultivation. Blake's Pond, the only one in town, lies at the southeast corner. Blake, of the first settlers, was a famous hunter, and the moose, which frequented the pond, called by his name, often fell by the accuracy of his shots. Blake and Captain 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 center 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 discovered. Bucknam exulted. "Cut out your ball," said Blake, "and you'll find mine o'top on 't." The operation being performed, the two balls were found, the one safely lodged upon the other. Near the Slate Hill in Dalton there is a mineral spring of some celebrity, which was found to be a mild chalybeate water, and which may be used as a tonic by invalids. This spring deposits a thin crust of bog iron ore. This town received its name from Hon. Tristham Dalton, a grantee. Boundaries: Northeast by Lancaster and Whitefield, south by Bethlehem, southwest by Littleton, and northwest by Lunenburgh, Vt. First Settlers: Moses Blake and Walter Bloss. First Minister: William Hutchinson, settled in 1833. Productions of the Soil: Indian corn, 933 bushels; potatoes, 33,266 bushels; hay, 2,244 tons; wool, 4,302 pounds; maple sugar, 11,855 pounds. Distances: One hundred and twenty-five miles north by west from Concord, and about eight miles south by west from Lancaster. DIXVILLE This town comprises 31,023 acres of uneven land. Numerous streams meander through it from the surrounding heights. In this town is the celebrated DIXVILLE NOTCH, which is thus described by Dr. Jackson, in his Geology of the State: "This Notch may be regarded as one of the most remarkable exhibitions of natural scenery in the State, perhaps even surpassing the famous Notch of the White Mountains in picturesque grandeur." "It is a natural defile through the high mountains, which extend in a general north and south direction through the town of Dixville." "The angular and precipitous appearance of the mica slate rocks, rising hundreds of feet, almost perpendicularly, on either side, is strikingly different from the rounded and water-worn appearance of most of the primitive rocks throughout the northern part of the United States, and seems to come nearer to the scenery of the Alps than anything else in New England. It is evident that so interesting a spot as this must, when known, draw thither a portion, at least, of the numerous visitants to the picturesque scenery of the State." Near this Notch is a curious ravine, called the Flume, worthy the observation of travelers. Boundaries: North by the Grants to Dartmouth College, and Atkinson and Gilmanton Academies, east by College Lands and Wentworth's location. First Settler: Col. Timothy Dix, Jr. Distances: Forty miles north-northeast from Lancaster, and one hundred and forty-six north northeast from Concord. DUMMER Dummer comprises 23,040 acres. It is watered by the Amonoosuck and Androscoggin. This town is exceedingly rough in its surface, cold in its soil, and consequently uninviting to cultivators. - There are, however, in some parts of the town some good pasturage and tillage land. Boundaries: Millsfield and Errol on the north, Cambridge on the east, Milan on the south, and Kilkenny on the west. First Settlers: Dummer was granted, March 8, 1773, to Mark H. Wentworth, Nathaniel Haven, and others. Productions of the Soil: Wheat, 150 bushels; potatoes, 2,380 bushels; hay, 153 tons; wool, 218 pounds; maple sugar, 2,105 pounds. Distances: One hundred and forty miles north by east from Concord, and about thirty miles north by east from Lancaster. ERROL This town is situated on the west of Umbagog Lake. Several considerable streams here unite with the Androscoggin. The surface of the town is rough; the soil cold and hard to till. Boundaries: The State of Maine bounds this town on the east, Cambridge and Dummer on the south, Millsfield on the west, and Wentworth Location on the north. First Settlers: Errol was granted to Timothy Ruggles and others, Feb. 28, 1774. Productions of the Soil: Buckwheat, 479 bushels; potatoes, 3,400 bushels; hay, 258 tons; wool, 501 pounds, maple sugar, 1,165 pounds. Distances: Thirty miles north-northeast from Lancaster, and one hundred and fifty miles north by northeast from Concord. GORHAM This is a rough and unproductive township, lying on the northerly base of the White Mountains. Several streams descend from the mountains through this town into the Androscoggin. It was formerly called Shelburne Addition. Production of the Soil: Buckwheat, 321 bushels; potatoes, 4,597 bushels; hay, 216 tons; wood, 393 pounds; maple sugar, 3,525 pounds. Distances: Ninety-six miles northeast from Concord, and about twenty miles east of Lancaster. JACKSON Jackson is situated on the east side of the White Mountains. The surface of the town is uneven, but the soil is rich and productive. It is watered principally by the two branches of Ellis's River, passing from the north, and uniting on the south border, near Spruce Mountain. The principal elevations are called Black Baldface, and Thorn Mountains. Jackson was formerly called Adams. Tin ore, of an excellent quality and in great abundance, is found in this town. Boundaries: East by Chatham, north by Unlocated Lands, and south by Bartlett. First Settler: Benjamin Copp, settled in 1779. First Minister: Rev. Daniel Elkins, settled in 1809. Productions of the Soil: Indian corn, 2,060 bushels; potatoes, 24,750 bushels; hay, 1,824 tons; wool, 2,788 lbs.; maple sugar, 2,645 pounds. Distances: Ninety miles northeast from Concord, and about forty miles southeast from Lancaster. JEFFERSON Pondicherry Pond, in this town, is about 200 rods in diameter, 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 southwest side of this mountain are several fine farms, which command a most delightful view of the White Mountains. Israel's River passes through Jefferson from southeast to northwest, and here receives a considerable branch. Boundaries: North by Lancaster, east by Kilkenny, and west by Whitefield. First Settlers: Col. Joseph Whipple, Samuel Hart, and others, in 1773. Productions of the Soil: Buckwheat, 2,047 bushels; potatoes, 21,175 bushels; hay, 1,037 tons; wool, 1,637 lbs.; maple sugar, 7,807 pounds. Distances: Ninety-eight miles north from Concord, and ten miles southeast from Lancaster. KILKENNY This place was granted in 1774, and contained, in 1840, but nineteen inhabitants. They are poor, and for aught that appears to the contrary, 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, however, may possibly be made in favor of a narrow strip of land along the south boundary of the town. Pilot and Willard's Mountains, so called from a dog and his master, cover a considerable part of this town. Willard, a hunter, had been lost two or three days on these mountains, 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 constantly return. Willard being, on the second or third day, nearly exhausted with fatigue and hunger, put himself under the guidance of his dog, who in a short time conducted him in safety to his camp. Boundaries: West by Jefferson and Lancaster, north by Piercy, east by Milan and Randolph, and south by ungranted land. Productions of the Soil: Wheat, 50 bushels; potatoes, 320 bushels; hay, 46 tons; wool, 50 pounds; maple sugar, 275 pounds. Distances: One hundred and twenty miles north of Concord, and about fifteen miles northeast from Lancaster. LANCASTER This is the shire town of the county, and situated on the southeastern bank of the Connecticut River, which forms and washes its northwest boundary, a distance of ten miles. Besides the Connecticut, which is deep and about twenty-two rods in width while it passes through Lancaster, the town is watered by Israel's River, and several 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 communicates with Little Pond. Lancaster is situated near lofty mountains, but is not itself mountainous. There are three hills in the south part of the town, called Martin-Meadow Hills; and the land in the southeast part lies too high up the mountains for cultivation. The soil along the Connecticut is alluvial, the meadows extending back nearly three fourths of a mile; and at the mouth of Israel's River much further. The village, or most compact part of the town, lies on a street extending from the bridge across Israel's River northwardly; it is very pleasant, and is the site of considerable trade. The war of the revolution tended to retard the settlement of the town. After the war closed, the town settled with considerable rapidity, and has since gradually increased in wealth and business. It is probably that the Fiery Steed in his fantastic prances about the country will, ere long, pass through this romantic town on his passage to Lake Connecticut, to wet his whistle with the crystal waters at the fountain head of one of the most beautiful streams in the world. Boundaries: Southwest by Dalton, south by Whitefield and Jefferson, northeast and east by Kilkenny and Northumberland. First Settlers: Capt. David Page, Emmons Stockwell, and Edward Bucknam, in 1763. First Minister: Rev. Joseph Williard, installed in 1794; dismissed in 1822. Productions of the Soil: Indian corn, 2,506 bushels; potatoes, 59,288 bushels; hay, 3,555 tons; wool, 8,331 lbs.; maple sugar, 24,365 pounds. Distances: Ninety-five miles north from Concord, and about forty miles northeast of Haverhill. MILAN The Upper Amonoosuck and Androscoggin Rivers pass through this town. There are several ponds, and some considerable mountains. It was called Paulsburgh until 1824. Boundaries: North by Dummer and Cambridge, east by Success, south by Berlin, and west by Kilkenny and Winslow's Location. First Settlers: This town was granted in 1771, to Sir William Mayne and others. Productions of the Soil: Buckwheat, 982 bushels; potatoes, 16,080 bushels; hay, 859 tons; wool, 1,613 pounds; maple sugar, 8,645 pounds. Distances: One hundred and fifty miles north by east from Concord, and about twenty-two miles northeast from Lancaster. MILLSFIELD Clear Stream waters its north extremity, and Phillip's River with several small streams the other parts. Here are several ponds, the largest is about 300 rods long, 140 wide. This town was named after Sir Thomas Mills, a grantee. The surface of the town is too rough and the climate too cold for cultivation. Boundaries: Errol is on the east, Dummer is on the south, Ervin's Location and ungranted lands are on the west, and Dixville on the north. First Settlers: Millsfield was granted in 1774, to George Boyd and eighty-one others. Productions of the Soil: Buckwheat, 160 bushels; potatoes, 125 bushels; hay, 52 tons; wool, 24 pounds; maple sugar, 100 pounds. Distances: One hundred and fifty miles north of Concord, and about thirty-five miles northeast from Lancaster. NORTHUMBERLAND This town lies on the east bank of the Connecticut River. 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, and abrupt mountain of 1,000 feet in height, lies near the center 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 annually covered by the spring floods, presenting the appearance of an inland sea. At the falls in the Connecticut, 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 are pleasant villages, and mills of various kinds are erected. 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. The scenery of Northumberland is very wild and beautiful, and the people industrious, prosperous and happy. Boundaries: Northeast by Stratford, south by Stark, southwest by Lancaster, and west by Guildhall and Maidstone. First Settlers: Thomas Burnside and Daniel Spaulding, with their families, settled in 1767. Productions of the Soil: Indian corn, 1,617 bushels; potatoes, 21,600 bushels; hay, 1,241 tons; wool, 3,114 lbs.; maple sugar, 12,560 pounds. Distances: One hundred and thirty miles north from Concord, and seven miles northeast from Lancaster. PITTSBURG Previous to the date of the incorporation of this town on December 10, 1840, it was called Indian Stream Territory. This town lies on the borders of Canada. Lake Connecticut, and several considerable ponds, is within its borders. This tract contains 160,360 acres, principally of unsubdued land. Distances: This town lies about one hundred and fifty miles north of Concord, and about forty miles north-east from Lancaster. RANDOLPH Until 1924, this town was called Durand. It is situated directly under the north end of the White Mountains, its southeast corner 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 increases slowly in it settlements. Boundaries: It has Berlin on the north, Shelburne on the east, Kilkenny on the west, and its southeast corner is bounded by the base of Mount Madison. First Settlers: This town was granted in 1772 to John Durand and others of London. Joseph Wilder and Stephen Jillson were the first settlers. Productions of the Soil: Buckwheat, 304 bushels; potatoes, 5,110 bushels; hay, 317 tons; wool, 511 pounds; maple sugar, 1,540 pounds. Distances: One hundred and twenty miles north of Concord, and about twenty miles southeast from Lancaster. SHELBURNE Androscoggin River passes through the center of this town, into which the waters of Rattle River, and some smaller streams fall. The soil on each bank of the river is very good, producing in abundance grain and grass; but, as we rise from the river, the tracts are mountainous, and unfit for cultivation. Mount Moriah, an elevated peak of the White Mountains, lies in the south 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 center of the town. It is about sixty feet high and ninety feet long, very smooth, and rising in an angle of nearly 50°. In August, 1781, a party of Indians visited this town, killed one man, made another prisoner, plundered the houses, and returned to Canada in savage triumph. Shelburne, in common with most of the towns in this section of the country, presents much wild and beautiful scenery. In this town is an extensive and highly valuable mine of lead. This mine was discovered a few years since, and is now worked with great success by a large party of enterprising and intelligent miners. Dr. Jackson says: "The zinc ore of Shelburne is the richest cadmium ore known in this country, and is equal to the richest in Europe." - See Jackson's Geology of New Hampshire, pp. 104, 105, 231. Boundaries: North by Success and Berlin, east by Maine, south by Unlocated Lands, and west by Randolph. First Settlers: David and Benjamin Ingalls, settled in 1775. Productions of the Soil: Indian corn, 683 bushels; potatoes, 21,505 bushels; hay, 1,058 tons; wool, 2,545 pounds; maple sugar, 5,250 pounds. Distances: One hundred and twenty-three miles northeast from Concord, and about thirty miles southeast from Lancaster. The mode of transportation from Shelburne to the seacoast, at present, is down the Androscoggin River, and through Sebago Lake, to Portland. The distance by this route is about eighty-three miles. Should the mine continue to be as productive as at the present time, a branch railroad will doubtless be constructed from this place, connecting with some of the great northern railroads. STARK The name of the town was altered to compliment the memory of General Stark. It contains about 20,000 acres, most of which is broken and extremely uneven. In the northeast part of the town, the north and south branches of the Amonoosuck form a junction. Nash's Stream, flowing from Stratford, falls into this river in the north part of the town. Piercy's Pond lies on the east side of the town, the waters of which fall into the Upper Amonoosuck in Milan. The soil of Stark is extremely broken, though in the valleys there are some tolerable farms. Mill Mountain is in Stark, and a part of Pilot Mountain. There is also a singular ledge opposite Mill Mountain, called the Devil's Sliding-place. On the south it breaks abruptly into a precipice of nearly 300 feet, while on the north cattle may be driven to the top. The scenery of this town is well worth visiting. The venerable general JOHN STARK had his residence in this town, where he died on May 8, 1822, at the great age of ninety-three years, eight months and twenty-four days. He was born at Londonderry on August 28, 1728; and was taken prisoner by the Indians while hunting near Baker's River in Rumney on 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 on June 17, 1775; was at the battle of Trenton in 1776; captured Col. Baum and 1,000 of the British at Bennington on August 16, 177. This event, in the language of President Jefferson, 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 general officer of the Revolution. Boundaries: North by Stratford and ungranted lands, east and south by Kilkenny, and west by Northumberland. First Settlers: Caleb and Benjamin Smith settled in 1788. Productions of the Soil: Buckwheat, 894 bushels; potatoes, 18,449 bushels; hay, 1,000 tons; wool, 1,785 pounds; maple sugar, 13,298 pounds. Distances: Ten miles northeast from Lancaster, and one hundred and thirty-five miles north of Concord. STEWARTSTOWN The Connecticut River is about fifteen rods in width at this place. Bishop's Brook, a considerable stream, rises in this town and falls into the Connecticut at the northwest 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 east 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. During the late war, a blockhouse or fort was erected in this town for defense by a company of militia, and occupied until August 1814, when it was destroyed. Boundaries: North by College Lands, east by Dixville, south by Colebrook, and west by the Connecticut River. First Settlers: The first settlements were made under grants from Col. David Webster, soon after the close of the revolutionary war. Productions of the Soil: Buckwheat, 5,283 bushels; potatoes, 33,595 bushels; hay, 2,000 tons; wool, 4,064 lbs.; maple sugar, 17,500 pounds. Distances: One hundred and fifty miles north from Concord, and about forty miles northeast from Lancaster. STRATFORD This town lies on the east bank of the Connecticut River. The town is large, extending ten miles on the river, with a fertile interval of a quarter to one mile wide. This meadow is skirted, in many places, by a narrow plain, succeeded by the mountainous regions, covering the whole east and north 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 southeast part of the town, are seen at a great distance. They are discovered immediately on entering Dalton, thirty miles below, and stand as landmarks in front, or to the right, till, on nearer approach, they are lost behind the intervening hills. Bog Brook, and several smaller streams, here fall into the Connecticut; and Nash's Stream crosses the southeast part of the town, the waters of which pass into the same river. Thomas Burnside, of this town, was one of Rogers' Rangers in the French War. Some years afterwards he was desirous of becoming a Justice of the Peace. He procured Col. Barr to assist his views, and carrying with him by his direction, as a present, a firkin of butter and a piece of linen, waited upon Governor Wentworth at Portsmouth. He stated to the governor that the inhabitants of his town could not live peaceably any longer without a magistrate. The governor inquired how many inhabitants belonged to the town and who was the fittest man for the office. Thomas answered that himself and his neighbor were the only inhabitants, and himself the only man qualified for the appointment: for his neighbor was no more fit for a Justice of the Peace than the d---l was. The governor gave him his commission, and was highly amused with the singularity of the application. Boundaries: Birth by Columbia, east by Ungranted Lands, south by Stark and Northumberland, and west by Vermont. First Settlers: Isaac Johnston, James Curtis, James Brown, Josiah Lampkin, and A. Blodgett. Productions of the Soil: Indian corn, 1,162 bushels; potatoes, 23,270 bushels; hay, 1,240 tons; wool, 2,814 lbs.; maple sugar, 2,505 pounds. Distances: Eighteen miles north of Lancaster and one hundred and thirty-seven miles north of Concord. SUCCESS There are several considerable mountains in this town and two or three ponds. Narmarcungawack and Live Rivers rise here and pass westerly into the Androscoggin. This town is exceedingly rough and hard to cultivate. Boundaries: North by Cambridge, east by Maine, south by Shelburne, and west by Shelburne, Berlin, and Milan. First Settlers: Success was granted, in 1773, to Benjamin Mackay and others. Distances: One hundred and forty-three miles north by east from Concord and about thirty miles east from Lancaster. WHITEFIELD The soil of this town is generally thin and light, of easy cultivation and tolerably good, though in the north part low spruce swamps abound. Here lie part of Blake's, Long, Round, and Little River Ponds, beside two other small ponds. The second of these is a beautiful sheet of water, of considerable size, abounding with fish. Johns; River passes through this town. Boundaries: North by Lancaster, east by Jefferson, south by Carroll, and west by Dalton. First Settlers: Major Burns and others settled soon after 1774. First Minister: Rev. William Hutchinson settled in Bethlehem in 1830. He was also the minister of Whitefield. Productions of Soil: Buckwheat, 1,045 bushels; potatoes, 29,925 bushels; hay, 1,400 tons; wool, 2,339 lbs.; maple sugar, 15,880 pounds. Distances: One hundred and twenty miles north from Concord and about twelve miles southeast from Lancaster.