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 107

Part Two of Gazetteer:

CONTOOCOOK - a very considerable river in Hillsborough county.  It's most southerly 
branch has its rise near the Great Monadnock mountain in Jaffrey and Rindge, and its most 
northerly branch flows from Danbury, Wilmot, etc. at a distance of more than fifty miles 
from each other. These streams after receiving tribute from almost every pond and spring 
in Dublin, Peterborough, Nelson, Stoddard, Washington, Fishersfield, Bradford, 
Hillsborough, Antrim, Warner, Sutton, New London, Salisbury, Boscawen, and several 
other towns, form a junction in the northerly corner of Hopkinton.  The main stream 
passing easterly from this place 8 or 9 miles falls into the Merrimack between concord and 
Boscawen.  The Contoocook is a very rapid river and at a distance of 10 or 12 miles from 
its mouth is 100 yards wide.  Just before it empties itself into the Merrimack it branches 
itself and forms an island, which has some celebrity as being the spot where a Mrs. Dustin 
performed a very heroic exploit.  This woman had been captured by the Indians in 
Haverhill, Massachusetts, and carried to this island.  The Indians, 8 or 10 in number, being 
fatigued and apprehending no danger laid themselves down to sleep.  The woman seized 
on of their tomahawks and with it killed and scalped the whole party, took their canoe and 
returned down the river to Haverhill.  She afterwards carried the scalps to Boston and was 
liberally rewarded.


Submitted by T.C. Parziale 5/30/00
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