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, pg 101-104 Part Two of Gazetteer: CONCORD - is in Rockingham county. It lies on both sides of Merrimack river, was incorporated in 1765 and now contains 2,393 inhabitants. It is bounded as follows, beginning at the junction of the Suncook and Merrimack. it runs up the Suncook to Loudon, thence N. 47° W. 810 rods and N. 21 1/2° W.700 rods to Canterbury thence on the same course 181 rods, thence down said river to the boundary first mentioned. It contains 40,919 acres, 1710 of which are water. There are four ponds in this town, Turkey pond, the source of Turkey river, containing about 1,000 acres, Long pond containing about 420, Turtle pond containing about 240, and Horse shot pond containing about 50 acres, the waters of which fall into the Merrimack. The Rev. Timothy Walker was ordained in this town in 1730, and died in 1782, aged 78 years. the Rev. Israel Evans was ordained here in 1789, and removed soon afterwards. The Rev. Dr. Asa M’Farland is the present minister. Concord is pleasantly situated on the banks of the Merrimack about 8 miles above Hookset falls. The state legislature have for many years held all its session here, and from its central situation and thriving back country, Concord will probably be made the permanent capital of the state. Proposals are already made for erecting a state house here.* One handsome toll bridge across the Merrimack connects this town with Pembroke, another crosses the river near the northerly extremity of the town, over which the N.H. turnpike passes. The Indian name of this town was Penacook. When granted by Massachusetts it was called Rumford. The compact part of the town which lies principally on the mainstreet contains about 200 dwelling houses, a spacious meeting house, 3 printing offices, 20 stores and several mechanics shops. The village in the N. E. part of the town contains 28 dwelling houses 2 stores a distillery, and several mills. the whole town contains 5 grain mills, 8 saw mills, 4 mills for dressing cloth, 2 carding machines and a nail factory. The N.H. state prison is in this town. It is strongly built of stone, and in November 1816, it contained 30 prisoners. The first settlement of this town commenced in 1685. Jonathan Tyng with 19 other persons purchased of the Indians a tract of land on both sides of the Merrimack river, 6 miles in breadth, from Sowhegan river to Winnipiscogee lake, and Mason by deed confirmed the purchase. In August of the same year the Indians gathered their corn and removed their families. By this conduct they gave considerable alarm to their English neighbors. In 1746, a part of Indians lay in ambush in this town with an intention to attack the people while at public worship, but observing them go armed to their devotions they waited till the next morning, at which time they killed 5 and took 2 prisoners. In 1747, July 28th, the Indians again appeared in this place and made some depredation among the cattle. They pursued by 50 of the English, and they retreated with great precipitation, leaving their packs and blankets behind them. One man only was wounded in the arm. About the same time a person was killed there who had just returned from Cape-Breton after an absence of two years. On the 20th of March, 1772, died in this town Benjamin Rolfe. He was one of the first who adventured their lives in a land of savages with the intention of forming an English settlement at Concord, then called Penacook and at a distance of nearly 40 miles from any civilized habitation. Benjamin Thompson (better known to the world under the title of Count Rumford) settled in this town in the early part of his life. The town was then called Rumford. Here he married Miss Rolfe. In 1775, he went to England, and was employed as clerk in the office of lord George Germaine, who was then one of the secretaries of state, and who eventually procured for him a colonels commission. While serving in the British army he discovered such talents for projecting military improvements, so much mental activity and enterprise, and such acute discernment in practical philosophy, that his celebrity extended through foreign countries, and attracted the attention of the reigning duke of Bavaria, who offered col. Thompson a preferment in his service, which he accepted in 1784. Raised by this prince to the rank of Lieut. Gen. of horse he soon signalized himself "by introducing a new system of discipline and economy among the troops under his command." During a residence of several years in Bavaria, he was conspicuous for his unwearied and successful efforts to ameliorate the condition of the poor and particulary to annihilate the evil of common beggary by providing the beggars, (a class of people with which that country swarmed) with employment and the cheapest aliment. All this time his active and sagacious mind suggested a variety of improvements favorable to manufactures, domestic economy, and comfort. He particularly improved the construction of chimneys and stoves, and made many interesting and beneficial experiments on heat, cookery, and food. On his leaving the German service the duke of Bavaria created him a count, his title by his own choice, was taken from the town (Rumford) where he spent his youth. After leaving Bavaria count Rumford passed most of his time in Great Britain, where he received the honor of knighthood and enjoyed an uncommon share of public and private respect. By steadily directing his extraordinary talents to the promotion of the daily comfort and general welfare of the human family he made every civilized being his debtor, and, while he has reflected signal honor upon his native land, his well merited fame has extended itself over a large portion of the globe. He died in Autencil in France in the year 1814, aged sixty. *These proposals were accepted by the legislature in November 1816, and the state house is soon to be erected of handsome stone. Submitted by T.C. Parziale 5/30/00 **************************************************************************** * * * * Notice: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. 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