Grafton County Town Descriptions from Merrill's 1817 Gazetteer of NH 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: GRAFTON COUNTY - is bounded W. by the west branch of Connecticut river, S. by the counties of Cheshire and Hillsborough, E. by Strafford, and N. by Coos. Beginning at Connecticut river, at the west extremity of Dalton and running on the west and south line of Dalton to Whitefield, thence on the west and south line of Whitefield to Bretton Woods, thence on the west and south line of Bretton Woods to the southeast extremity of Weare, thence south in a straight line across unlocated lands to the county of Strafford at the northerly corner of Tamworth, thence on the north and west line of Sandwich and on the south line of Holderness to Pemigewasset river, thence down that river to the N.E. extremity of New Andover, thence on the northerly line of that town and on the northeasterly line of New-London to the N.E. extremity of Springfield, thence on the northerly line of Springfield, New-Grantham, and Plainfield to Connecticut river, and thence by that river to the place first mentioned. This county contains 25 townships and a large quantity of unlocated land. Its population by the last census was 28,462, of whom 4,837 were rateable polls. There are in this county 29 stud horses, 3827 other horses, 286 four years old and 998 more than two years old, 3522 oxen, 1308 four year old, 9981 cows, 50,084 three years old cattle, and 6, 107 over two years old. In 1812, there were also in this county 52 mules and 3 jacks, and 577 acres of orchard. Grafton county contains 36 houses for public worship, 1 academy, 83 grain mills, 118 sawmills, 24 mills for dressing cloth, 35 carding machines, 1 paper mill, 49 trading stores, 21 distilleries, and 1 oil mill. The county prison is at Haverhill and the superior and inferior courts hold alternate sessions there and at Plymouth. The probate courts are holden at Haverhill, Plymouth, Hanover, Bridgewater, and Enfield. ------------------------------------ ALEXANDRIA - a township of Grafton county, incorporated in 1782, and containing 409 inhabitants, is bounded on the N.W. by Orange; N.E. by Bridgewater, S.E. by New Chester, and on the S.W. by Danbury. Its N. corner is situated in New-found pond on Hebron line. It contains about 14,000 acres of land. Smith's river flows through the S., and several smaller streams cross the N. end of this town. Prior to 1790, Rev. Enoch Whipple was settled here. At present there are two religious societies without an ordained minister. It has 1 grain-mill, 4 saw-mills, and 1 mill for dressing cloth. BATH - a pleasant township in Grafton county, situated on the E. side of Connecticut river opposite Rygate in Vermont, 35 miles N. by E. from Dartmouth college; is bounded N.E. by Littleton, E. by Landaff, S.W. by Haverhill and W. by Connecticut river, containing 24,827 acres. It was incorporated 1769, and has a population of 1316 souls. Great Amonoosuck passes the N.E. corner of Bath, and falls into the Connecticut at its S.W. corner, near which it first receives the waters of the Wild Amonoosuck. The Bath turnpike leads through the town, and , where the river and turnpike intersect, is a very handsome village. Rev. D. Southerland is their ordained minister. Bath has 1 meeting house 3 corn mills 6 sawmills, 1 mill for dressing cloth, 1 distillery, and 3 trading stores. BETHLEHEM - a township in Grafton county containing 422 inhabitants, bounded N. by Coos county line, which separates it from Whitefield, e. by Bretton Woods and ungranted lands, S.W. by Franconia and part of concord, N.W. by Littleton, containing 28,608 acres. This town is very mountainous, well watered and was formerly known by the name of Loyd’s Hills. the N. branch of Great Amonoosuck passes through the N. part and the S. branch waters the S. part of the town. BRIDGEWATER - is situated on the W. side of Pemigewasset river in Grafton county, incorporated 1788, and contained in 1810, 1104 inhabitants. Bounded N. by Hebron and Plymouth, E. by the county line dividing it from New Hampton, and W. by Newfound pond, dividing it from New Chester. Bridgewater has 19,785 acres. The Mahew turnpike passes near Newfound pond, through the W. part of the town, here is a meeting house and at the N. part a village with a number of mills. CAMPTON - a township in Grafton county, situated on Pemigewasset river, incorporated 1761, and containing 873 inhabitants. Bounded N. by Thornton E. by Sandwich, S. by Holderness and Plymouth, containing 27,892 acres. Two small ponds here give rise to Mad river, also to Bether river which falls into the Pemigewasset, which latter passes the centre of the town from N. to S. Crotchet mountain lies on the W. and Northern mountain on the E. part of the town. Campton has a public meeting house and an ordained minister; 3 grain-mills, 3 saw, and 1 oil mill, 2 mills for cloth dressing, and 2 carding machines. CANAAN - a township in Grafton county, of an area of 16, 049 acres, was incorporated 1761. Its number of inhabitants is 1094. bounded N. by Dames Gore, E. by Orange and Grafton, S. by Enfield, and W. by Hanover. Hart’s pond situated nearly is the middle of the town, is about 400 rods long and 100 wide. On the W. shore of this pond is the house of public worship and a pleasant village, through which the Grafton turnpike leads. Goose pond, lying near Hanover line is about as large as Hart’s pond, also Mud pond 300 rods in length and one third in width lies near Enfield. Mascomy river from Dorchester passes through this town. On it are 12 mills of various kinds. Elder Thomas Baldwin was settled here in the ministry 1783, and removed to Boston 1790. Elder Wheat is their present pastor, and was settled here 1813. COVENTRY - a township in Grafton county, bounded N. by Landaff, E. by Peeling, S. by Warner, and W. by Haverhill, containing 33,290 acres. It was incorporated in 1764, and its number of inhabitants in 1810 was 162. Mosehil-lock (Moosilauke)and Owl-head mountains are in this town. Branches and Oliverian brook, Baker’s river, and Wild Amonoosuck take their rise here. Coventry contains 2 grist mills and 1 sawmill. DORCHESTER - a township in Grafton county, incorporated in 1761, and containing 537 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Wentworth, E. by Groton, S. by Dame’s Gore, which separates it from Canaan, and W. by Lyme, and contains 23,617 acres. There are two large ponds in this town, viz. Slown’s pond, which is 500 rods long and 450 wide, and Fowler’s pond, which is 300 rod’s long and 250 wide. The southerly branch of Baker’s river flows through the eastern part of this town, and a branch of Baker’s river flows through the eastern part of this town, and a branch of the Mascomy passes its western part. A large mountain lies near its S.E. extremity, and another called Smart’s mountain in the N.W. part of the town. Dorchester contains 3 mills. ELLSWORTH - a township of mountainous land in Grafton county, bounded N. by Peeling, E. by Thornton, S. by Rumney, and W. by Warren. Its whole population is 142, and its area 15,606 acres. There is a small pond in the S.E. part of the town, from which a stream flows into Pemigewasset river, and in the north part of the town is situated Cat mountain. There is here 1 corn mill and 1 saw mill. ENFIELD - a township in the lower part of Grafton county, incorporated in 1761, and now containing 1291 inhabitants. It is bounded N.E. by Canaan, S.E. by Grafton S.W. by Cheshire county line which divides it from New Grantham, and W. by Lebanon, comprising in this space 24,060 acres. On the N.W. side of this town lies the greatest part of Mascomy pond, which is about 1,100 rods long and 250 wide. there are here also East pond, Maid pond, and several smaller ones, in the whole comprising 2,210 acres of water. The fourth N.H. turnpike leading to Lyman’s bridge passes between Mascomy pond and the mountain. At the west end of the pond stands the principal village, containing 30 or 40 dwelling houses and a handsome meeting house. There is also a village of the shakers at the S.E. end of the mountain near a small pond, (see Canterbury.) Stony brook runs through the south part of the pond, and Mascomy river falls into the pond of that name. Enfield contains 4 grain mills, 5 sawmills 1 clothing mill, 2 carding machines, and an oil mill. FRANCONIA - (formerly Morristown) lies in the upper part of Grafton county, near the western side of the White mountains which form its eastern boundary. Lincoln and Landaff are its southern, Concord its western, and Bethlehem its northern boundary. The great Hay-Stack mountain is on the southeasterly extremity of this town, and French and other mountains are within its limits. It contains 32,948 acres. Several branches of the great Amonoosuck rise in these mountains and pass through this town. Franconia was incorporated in 1760, and in 1810, contained 358 inhabitants. There is here an extensive iron factory establishment. The company was incorporated December 18th, 1805, and is composed principally of Boston and Salem gentlemen. The works consist of a blast furnace with a reservoir of water near the top as a precaution against fire, and air furnace, a steel furnace, a pounding machine to separate the iron from the cinders, a forge with four fires and two hammers, a turning lathe, and a trip-hammer shop with four fires and two hammers. There are also in this town a powder magazine, a sawmill a grist mill, 10 or 12 dwelling houses, a store, and a warehouse. Most of the ore wrought here is conveyed from Concord mountain about 3 miles from the furnace. There is also a large tract of coaling ground belonging to the company, and a highly impregnated mineral spring about two miles from the furnace. Not very far from this establishment are the upper works, called “the Haverhill and Franconia iron works,” which were incorporated in 1808. These are built on the same plan as the former, but their operations are not as yet so extensive. GRAFTON - a township in the county of that name, lies about 13 miles southeast from Dartmouth college. It was incorporated in 1773, and now contains 931 inhabitants. It is bounded N.E. by Orange, S.E. by Cushing’s Gore, S.W. by the line of Cheshire county which separates it from Springfield, and N.W. by Enfield and a part of Canaan, and contains 21, 993 acres. Branches of Smith’s river water the easterly part of the town, and Mascomy river its west part. There are here 2 Baptist meeting houses, 6 grain mills 6 saw mills 1 clothing mill 2 carding machines 2 stores and 1 distillery. That species of mineral (lassis specularis) commonly called isinglass, is found in a state of great purity in Glass hill mountain in this town. It adheres in the form of lamina to rocks of white and yellow quartz. The usual size these lamina is about 6 inches square, but some have been found 18 inches. This glass when prepared is transported to Boston, and from thence large quantities are exported to England, probably for ship lanthorns. It is found on the easterly side of the mountain, which is about 200 feet high. Many people are employed every summer in collecting it. GROTON - a township in Grafton county, incorporated in 1761. It was formerly called Cockermouth. Its population in 1810, was 549. It lies about 15 miles N. of Dartmouth college, and is bounded N.E. by Rumney, S.E. by Hebron, S.W. by Orange, and W. by Dorchester, and contains 16,531 acres. The northerly part of the town is watered by several branches of Baker’s river, and a number of streams which fall into New Found pond have their sources here. There is in Groton an iron furnace for casting hollow ware. This furnace is heated by wood, and the fire is kept alive by the action of air put in motion by the falling of water through a box, etc. The first minister in this town was the Rev. S. Perley who was ordained in 1779, and was succeeded by the Rev. William Rolf, who is the present pastor. There is here 1 congregational and 1 Baptist society, 1 meeting house 2 grain mills, 4 sawmills 1 carding machine, and 1 distillery. HANOVER - a township in Grafton county, incorporated in 1761, and now containing 2,135 inhabitants; bounded N. by Lyme, E. by Canaan, S. by Lebanon and W. by Connecticut river. It is about 6 miles square and contains 27,745 acres of land and water. In the river in front of the town there are three small islands, the largest of which is 75 rods long and 20 wide. Moose mountain extends across the town from N. to S. at a distance of 5 miles from the river. Grafton turnpike passes through the N.E. part of the town to Orford. At a short distance from the colleges there is a handsome bridge, which connects this town with Norwich. There are in Hanover 2 meeting houses, centrally situated near the colleges, and 4 religious societies, 3 of which are of the congregational, and 1 of the Baptist denomination. The edifices of Dartmouth college are situated on a handsome plain in this town about half a mile from the river in latitude 43°33’. This institution derived its name from the right Hon. William Earl of Dartmouth, who was one of its first and most generous benefactors. It was founded by the pious and benevolent Dr. Eleazer Wheelock, who in 1769, obtained a royal charter, wherein ample privileges were granted and suitable provision was made for the education of Indian youth, in such a manner as should appear most expedient for civilizing and christianizing them, also for the instruction of English youth in all the liberal arts and sciences. The institution, thus established, gradually grew into an useful and flourishing seminary. In 1754, Dr. Wheelock, having collected large donations from different parts of England, Scotland, and America, and especially from Mr. Joshua Moor of Mansfield, established a school for the instruction of Indian youth in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, to which he gave the name of Moor’s school. As the number of candidates for this school increased, it became necessary to erect suitable buildings. That part of the country, where it was first established, having become populous, a removal was determined on. When this intention became publicly known, proposals were made by many private and public characters in several of the neighboring colonies. The prudent foresight of the founder, sanctioned by the advice of the trustees in England in whose hands the donations were lodged, and at the head of whom was the Earl of Dartmouth, induced him to accept proposals, which were made by the governor of New Hampshire and other gentlemen in this state. The town of Hanover was accordingly fixed upon as the most convenient situation for the school. His excellency governor Wentworth soon annexed a charter for an university, Dec 13, 1769, which received the name of Dartmouth college from its principal benefactor. The college received large donations of land including the whole township of Landaff, besides many other wild tracts in different situations amounting in the whole to 44, 000 acres. A valuable lot of 500 acres in Hanover was selected as the site of the school and college. Besides these donations of land, the sum of 340 pounds sterling was subscribed to be paid in labor, provisions, and materials for building. In September, 1770, Dr. Wheelock removed his family and school into the wilderness. At first their accommodations were similar to those of other new settlers. they erected log houses, which they occupied till better edifices could be prepared. The number of scholars at that time was 24, 6 of whom were Indians. In 1771, the first commencement was held, and degrees were conferred on four students, one of whom was John Wheelock, the son and successor of the founder. The funds of this institution consist chiefly of lands, which are increasing in value with the growth of the country. The annual revenue from these lands is not far from 2,000 and that arising from tuition has been $2,100. The number of students has generally averaged 100. A grammar school consisting of about 50 or 60 scholars is annexed to the college. The immediate instruction and government of the college is entrusted to the president, (who is also professor of history,) a professor of mathematics and natural philosophy, a professor of languages, a professor of divinity, and two tutors. During the forty three years since the college was founded, it has conferred degrees upon 1,163 students, of whom 330 have been clergymen. The whole number of students during that period has been 1,387, of whom 225 have died. There is attached to this seminary a handsome library and a complete philosophical apparatus. In 1786, a new college was erected three stories high and 150 by 50 feet, containing 36 rooms for students. There are several other buildings belonging to the institution*. commencement is holden on the first Wednesday of August. There are three vacations. The first from commencement three and a half weeks, another from the first Monday of January, eight and a half weeks. The medical department here is respectable and extremely useful. It was established in 1798. For the lectures on anatomy the professor is furnished with valuable preparations, and in the chemical department there is a well furnished laboratory. The lectures on anatomy, surgery, chemistry, materia medica, and the theory and practice of physic commence on the first Wednesday of October and continue eight weeks. There are about 4,000 volumes in the college library, and about 2,000 in the libraries formed by the students. Moor’s Indian school is connected with the college, having the same trustees and president. Its annual revenue is from 400 to 600. *In consideration of the present contest, which is now pending on the concerns of this institution, a particular account of its present government is omitted. In 1815, the trustees removed from office the president (Hon. John Wheelock) and appointed Rev. Francis Brown as his successor. In the course of the same year the legislative and executive government of N.H. erected a new board of trustees and appointed a new set of executive officers, to whom the old trustees and the old officers refused to surrender the property or the instruction of the college, until it shall be judicially decided, whether the legislature have any power to make the above interference. The students generally have followed the old government although the new officers have taken possession of the public rooms, the library, apparatus, etc. The old government consist of president Brown, and professors Adams and Shurtleff. The new officers are the Rev. William Allen (acting President,) and professors Dean and Carter. We express no opinion of the merits of the unhappy controversy which has produced this singular situation of the college. It is ardently hoped, that the questions pending will soon be decided and the institution resume its former usefulness and prosperity. Hon John Wheelock died in April 1817. HAVERHILL: a township on Connecticut river in Grafton county, incorporated in 1713, and containing in 1810 a population of 1, 105; bounded N.E. by Bath, E. by Coventry, S.W. by Piermont, and W. by Connecticut river, containing 34,340 acres. Sugar loaf mountain lies on the eastern side of the town bordering on Coventry. Oliverian river passes through the southerly extremity of Haverhill and falls into Connecticut river at the compact village. Fisher’s brook passes above the centre of the town and falls into the river at the Great Ox-bow or little bend. There have been three bridges thrown from this town to Newbury, (VT) There is a handsome village in the southwest part of the town, containing 50 or 60 dwelling houses, an elegant meeting house, a courthouse, a county prison, an academy, 2 smaller meeting houses, 3 grain mills, 5 sawmills, 1 clothing mill, a carding machine and an oil mill. Iron ore is found in this town and also a quarry of free stone suitable for hearths and chimney pieces. The superior court hold its sessions here for the county of Grafton. HEBRON - a township in Grafton county, containing a population of 563. Its shape is irregular and is bounded N. by a part of Rumney, E. and N.E. by Plymouth, S.E. by Bridgewater and a part of Alexandria, S.W. by Orange, and N.W. by Groton. It contains 13, 350 acres, 1,500 of which are water. Hebron has 1 meeting house, several school houses, mills, and a distillery. LANDAFF - in Grafton county was incorporated in 1794, and now contains 650 inhabitants. It is bounded N.E. by Concord (VT) and a part of Franconia, E. by Lincoln and a part of Peeling, S.W. by Coventry, and W. by Bath, comprising 29,200 acres. Through this town passes the Wild Amonoosuck river, on the north bank of which it is contemplated to extend the Bath turnpike. Over the west extremity of Landaff the great Amonoosuck passes. Landaff mountain, Cobble mountain, and Bald head mountain are in this town. Landaff was granted to Dartmouth college in 1769. There is here a Methodist meeting house, 2 corn mills, and 2 sawmills, 2 distilleries, and 4 shops. The first ordained minister of the town was Elder Royse. The centre of Landaff is about 9 miles E. from Connecticut river. LEBANON - a township lying in the S.W. part of Cheshire county, incorporated in 1761, and now containing 1808 inhabitants; bounded N. by Hanover, S.E. by Enfield, S. by the line of Cheshire county, which separates it from Plainfield, and W. by Connecticut river which separates it from Hartford (VT) its area is 22,998 acres. The Croydon turnpike and the 4th N.H. turnpike pass through this town to Lyman’s bridge. At this place White river empties itself into the Connecticut. Here also the White river turnpike meets the two roads above mentioned. Mascomy river flows through Lebanon from a pond of the same name on the borders of Enfield. There are here 2 religious societies and 1 meeting house for the Congregationalists, over whom Rev. J. Porter was ordained in 1772. Lebanon contains 8 grist mills, 9 sawmills, 3 clothing mills, 1 distillery, and 4 shops. LINCOLN - a mountainous township in Grafton county, incorporated in 1764, and now containing 100 inhabitants; bounded N. by Franconia E. by ungranted lands, S. by Peeling, and W. by Landaff, comprising an area of 32,456 acres. In this town is situated the Hay-Stack mountain, which is said to be the highest land in the state excepting the white mountains. There are also several other lofty eminences in this town. Through the centre of Lincoln passes Pemigewasset river in a northerly direction. The waters descending from the mountains here flow partly into the Merrimack and partly into the Connecticut. In the north part of this town there are two large gulfs, made by an extraordinary discharge of water from the clouds in 1774. LITTLETON - a township in the northern extremity of Grafton county, incorporated in 1784, and now containing 876 inhabitants. It is bounded N.E. by Dalton, S.E. by Bethlehem, S.W. by Concord and Lyman, and W. by Connecticut river, which separates it from Waterford and Concord in Vermont. Its area is 24, 217 acres. Littleton extends on the banks of the Connecticut about 14 miles. It is connected with Concord,(VT.) by a handsome bridge. the southern part of the town is watered by the Amonoosuck river. There are here several mountains, viz. Blueberry, Black and Iron mountains. There are in this town several mills, a meeting house, and about a dozen dwelling houses. LYMAN - a township in Grafton county, about 13 miles above Haverhill, incorporated in 1761, and containing 948 inhabitants; bounded N.E. by Littleton, S.E. by Concord, S.W. by Bath, and N.W. by Connecticut river, which divides it from Barnet in Vermont. The soil and productions of Lyman are similar to those of other towns in the northern part of the state. The pine and hemlock indicate the most valuable qualities in the soil. Over Indoes falls in this town a bridge has been erected. Two miles above this spot is Stephen’s ferry. Burnham’s river has its source in this town, and falls into the Amonoosuck at Concord. Lyman mountain, which is in fact a continuation of Gardner’s mountain, extends from Landaff through this town in a north and south direction. On its summit is a pond 100 rods long and 80 wide, which forms the principal source of Burnham’s river. Copper and emery mixed with iron ore have been found in this town. In the year 1812, the spotted fever prevailed in Lyman: it attacked 70 persons, of whom only one died. It is a remarkable fact, that of the three first families who settled in this town there were twenty sons, of whom seventeen are now living here. One of the twenty died by casualty and the other two live elsewhere. There are in Lyman 3 grist mills, 3 sawmills, 2 clothing mills, 1 carding machine, 2 distilleries, and an oil mill. LYME - a township in Grafton county, incorporated in 1761, and now containing 1670 inhabitants; bounded N. by Orford, E. by Dorchester, S. by Hanover, and W. by Connecticut river, comprising an are of 28,500 acres. There are several ponds in Lyme, which form the sources of Port’s, Grant’s and Fairfield brooks. Grafton turnpike passes through this town to Orford bridge. There is here a small village containing a Presbyterian meeting house, 10 dwelling houses, 3 stores, etc. There are also in other parts of the town a Baptist meeting house, several grist and saw mills, and a carding machine. Rev. W. Conant was settled here in 1773, and was succeeded by the present minister, Rev. N. Lambert. NEW HOLDERNESS - in Grafton county, lies on the eastern side of Pemigewasset river. It was incorporated in 1761, and contains 883 inhabitants; bounded N. by New Hampton, E. by Sandwich and Centreharbor, S. by Centreharbor and new Hampton, and W. by Pemigewasset river, which separates it from Plymouth, comprising 24,921 acres, of which 2,500 are water. A part of Squam lake is in this town, and also Squam pond, through which Squam river runs and falls into the Pemigewasset in the southwest part of the town. Squam mountain lies in its northeast part. Rev. R. Fowle was ordained here in 1789, over an Episcopalian church. There is here a paper mill, several grain mills one clothing mill a carding machine, and a distillery. ORANGE - formerly called Cardigan, is in Grafton county. It was incorporated in 1790, and contains 229 inhabitants; bounded N.E. by Groton and Hebron, S.E. by Alexandria and part of Danbury, S.W.. by Cushing’s Gore, and N.W.. by Dame’s Gore and Canaan, comprising 21,976 acres. In this town is the source of the southerly branch of Baker’s river and of the northerly branch of Smith’s river. Cardigan mountain extends through its centre from N. to S. and Grafton turnpike passes over its S.W.. extremity. In the S.W. part of this town is found a very valuable species of ochre. It is found in great abundance, deposited in veins and of a superior quality to that which is imported. Two men will dig and prepare for market about 20 pounds of this in a day. ORFORD - in Grafton county, was incorporated in 1761, and contained in 1810, a population of 1,265; bounded N. by Piermont, E. by Wentworth, S. by Lyme, and W. by Connecticut river, comprising an area of 27,000 acres. There are several ponds in this town, the largest of which is Baker’s pond, 260 rods long and 160 wide, forming the source of the westerly branch of Baker’s river. Indian pond is in the north part of the town near Stadion mountain. A stream called Jacob’s brook rises in Orford and empties itself into Connecticut river above the bridge, which connects this town with Fairlee in Vermont. On this stream are 10 mill dams. Sunday and Cuba mountains lie near the centre of this town, and Smart’s mountain in its S.E. extremity, forming the boundary of four towns, viz. Orford, Wentworth, Dorchester, and Lyme. Rev. John Sawyer was settled here in 1787, and was succeeded by the present minister, Rev. Samuel Dana. There are here 2 religious societies and 2 meeting houses and near the river is a pleasant village containing about 25 houses, through which the turnpike passes to Orford bridge. There are in this town several grain and sawmills a clothing mill, and a carding machine. PEELING - in Grafton county, was incorporated in 1763, and in 1810, contained 203 inhabitants; bounded N.E. by Lincoln, S.E. by Thornton, S.W. by Thornton and Ellsworth, and W. by Warren, Coventry and Landaff, comprising 33,359 acres. There are here several ponds, the largest of which is Elbow pond about 60 rods in diameter. The middle branch of Pemigewasset river passes through this town. In Peeling there are three large mountains; Cushion’s mountain in its north part, Blue mountain in its center, and Black mountain in its northwest part. Among these mountains a branch of the Wild Amonoosuck, a branch of Baker’s river, and Moosehillock brook have their sources. Although the surface here is mountainous the roads are good, and a turnpike is projected from Bath to this town. There are but 2 mills in this town. PIERMONT - in Grafton county, was incorporated in 1764, and in 1810, contained 877 inhabitants; bounded N.E. by Haverhill, E. by Warren, S. W. by Orford, and W. by the west side of Connecticut river, which divides it from Bradford in Vermont, comprising about 25,800 acres. Eastman’s ponds lie in this town near Warren; they unite and fall into Connecticut river in Piermont. Black mountain lies on the south side of this place and Stallion mountain on its northern side. The Coos turnpike passes through the N.E. part of the town. There is here 1 meeting house and 2 religious societies, 2 grain mills, 3 sawmills, 1 fulling mill, and 1 distillery. The inhabitants are generally farmers, and manufacture their own clothing. PLYMOUTH - a township in Grafton county, is situated at the junction of Baker’s and Pemigewasset river. this town was incorporated in 1763, and in 1775, it contained 382 inhabitants, and in 1810, in contained 937; bounded N. by Campton, E. by Pemigewasset river, S. by Bridgewater, and W. by Hebron, comprising 16,256 acres. The Mayhew turnpike passes through the westerly part of this town. In the northeast part is a pleasant village, containing about 22 dwelling houses, a meeting house, court house, 4 stores, and a distillery. In this town are also 4 mills, etc. Rev. Nathan Ward was settled here in 1765. The present minister is the Rev. D. Fairbanks. RUMNEY - in Grafton county, was incorporated in 1767, and contains 765 inhabitants; bounded N.E. by Ellsworth, E. by Campton, S.W. by Groton and Hebron, and N.W. by Wentworth, comprising an area of 22, 475 acres. In the north part of the town is Stinson’s pond 400 rods long and 280 wide, from which flows a considerable stream called Mill brook, emptying into Baker’s river. This river passes the southerly extremity of the town. Stinson’s mountain lies near the pond, and a part of Carr’s and several other mountains are in this town. There is here a meeting house in which Rev. Thomas Niles was first settled. Elders C. Haines and Wilmouth have succeeded him, but at present it has no minister. Through this town on the south side of Baker’s river passes the great road from Plymouth to the Coos turnpike. THORNTON - a township in Grafton county, was incorporated in 1781, and now contains 794 inhabitants; bounded N. and N.W. by Peeling, N.E. by Thornton’s Gore, S. by Campton, and W. by Ellsworth. Its area including Thornton’s Gore is 28,490 acres. This Gore is bounded E. by ungranted lands, and N.W. by Lincoln. Pemigewasset river flows through this town from north to south. The main road from Lancaster to Plymouth passes through Thornton. There are here 2 religious societies and 1 meeting house, in which Rev. E. Esterbrook was the first ordained minister.