Towns and Physical Characteristics from Merrill's NH Gazetteer (1817) Submitted by T.C. Parziale 5/30/00. Copyright. 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 198 Part Two of Gazetteer: ACWORTH - a post-township of Cheshire county, bounded on the N. by Unity, E. by Lempster, S. by Alstead and Marlow, W. by Charleston and Langdon, containing 24,846 acres. It was incorporated in 1776, and has 1523 inhabitants. Cold-pond, extending about a mile on the line of Unity, from 60 to 100 rods in width, and Mitchell’s pond, 120 rods long and 80 wide, are its only ponds of note. Cold river takes its rise and name from one of the above mentioned pools in the N.E. corner of this town. Acworth has two religious societies; 1 meeting-house for the congregational order, 1 grainmill, 5 saw-mills, 2 mills for dressing cloth, 2 carding machines, and 1 trading store. Rev. Thomas Archibald was settled in the ministry here in 1789. Rev. Phinehas Cook is the present minister of the gospel. Charleston turnpike road passes through here. Acworth is 73 miles N.W. by W. from Portsmouth. CHARLESTON - a township in Cheshire county, on the easterly side of Connecticut river, bounded N. by Claremont, E. by Unity, S. by Langdon, and W. by Connecticut river; containing 24, 100 acres. It was incorporated in the year 1753, and its whole population in the year 1810 amounted to 1501. A bridge denominated Cheshire bridge unites this town with Vermont. Nearly opposite to the town are Lovell’s Fort-rouger, and Half-moon islands. The principal settlement is about a half a mile from the river. It is handsomely built, and contains 50 dwelling houses, a court house, meeting house and an academy. It contains two parishes, which are divided by a line running from Cheshire bridge S. 87° E. to the corner of unity and Acworth. The meeting house is in the north parish, and through this parish runs the Cheshire and Charleston turnpike, which is continued over the river by Cheshire bridge. The former ministers in this town were the Rev. John Dennis, and B. Alcot. the Rev. J. Crosby is the present minister. Charleston contains 4 grain mills, 6 saw mills, 2 mills for dressing cloth, 3 carding machines, 2 oil mills a distillery and 6 retailing shops. Charleston has been the scene, in former years of many Indian cruelties. In April, 1746, John Spofford, Isaac Parker, and Stephen Fransworth were taken in this town by a party of Indians and carried to Canada. They afterwards returned to Boston with a flag of truce. In the course of the may following, a number of women in this town while employed in milking their cows, guarded by Maj. Josiah Willard and several soldiers, were fired upon by several Indians who were concealed, and who at this time killed one of the number by the name of Putnam. While the Indians were scalping Putnam they were fired upon by Willard and his party. Two of them were mortally wounded, and were carried off by their companions. Immediately after these bloody affairs, the Massachusetts assembly sent to this town Capt. Paine with a body of men of whom about 20 fell into an Indian ambuscade, while on their way to view the place of Putnam’s murder. The Indians fired, and endeavored to cut off their retreat. Capt. Phinehas Stevens immediately came to their relief. A skirmish ensued, in which 5 were killed on each side, and one of the Charleston men was taken. The Indians retreated, leaving some of their guns and blankets. In June of the same year, as captains Stevens and Brown and some others were searching for their horses, their dogs discovered a party of Indians lying in ambush. Another skirmish ensued, in which the Indians were defeated, carrying off with them several of their killed, and leaving on the ground a quantity of blankets, hatchets, spears, and guns. The other side lost only one man. In the same year a person by the name of Phillips was killed in this town by the Indians. In March, 1747, Capt. Phinehas Stevens, with a company of rangers, consisting of thirty men, came to this town and took possession of the fort, which they found in a good state of repair. In a few days they were attacked by a large body of French and Indians, under the command of a Frenchman by the name of Debeline. The Indians took advantage of a high wind, and set fire to the surrounding log houses and fences. In this way they encompassed the fort with flames. They also discharged into the fort a vast number of burning arrows. They could not however succeed in setting fire to the fort, and after having carried on the siege for two days, uttering all the time their savage shouts and yells, they loaded a wheel-carriage with dry faggots, probably intending to set it on fire and push it to the walls of the fort. Before this attempt was made, Debeline demanded a cessation of arms till sunrise the next morning. This demand was granted. In the morning, Debeline presented himself before the fort, accompanied by fifty men and a flag of truce. He requested and obtained a parley. A French officer then advanced with an Indian and a soldier and proposed that the besieged should bind up a quantity of provisions, with their blankets, lay down their arms, and be conducted as prisoners to Montreal, and that the two commanders should meet and an immediate answer be given to this proposal. Capt. Steven’s accordingly had an interview with Debeline, who without waiting for an answer, renewed his proposal, accompanying it with a threat, that if his terms should be rejected, or if any one of his party should be killed, he would storm the fort and put all therein to death. Capt. Steven’s answered that nothing but extremities should force him to accept such terms, that he was entrusted with the possession of the fort, and would not surrender it until he was convinced that the besiegers could execute their threats, adding, that he had no encouragement to surrender if all his men were to be put to death for killing one of the enemy when it was probable they had already killed many. Debeline replied, “go and see if your men dare fight any longer, and give me an immediate answer.” Capt. Steven’s accordingly put the question to his men whether they would fight or surrender. They unanimously determined to fight. This was communicated to the enemy who renewed and continued the attack all that day and the following night, accompanied with shouting and yelling. On the morning of the third day they requested another cessation of arms for two hours. Two Indians came to Capt. Stevens with a flag of truce and proposed, that if he would sell them provisions, they would depart. Capt. Stevens answered, that to sell them provisions was contrary to the laws of nations, but offered to pay them five bushels of corn for every captive for whom they would give an hostage till she captive could be brought from Canada. After the communication of this answer, a few guns were fired, and the enemy departed. No lives were lost in the forts and only two men were wounded. Commodore Sir Charles Knowles was so highly gratified with the conduct of Capt. Stevens, that he presented him with an elegant and valuable sword. From this circumstance relating to Sir Charles, the township was incorporated by the name of Charleston. Before its incorporation it was called No. 4. The next spring Capt. Stevens was again appointed to command at No. 4. with a garrison of a hundred men. In the year 1749, near the close of this war and after the garrison was withdrawn, except 15 men, Obadiah Tortwell was killed, and a son of captain Stevens was captured and carried to Canada. At the expiration of the was he was set at liberty and sent home. This was in the year 1749. In the beginning of the year 1754, this devoted town was again visited by the savages. In August they broke into the house of James Johnson early in the morning before any of the family were awake. They seized upon him and his three sons. The Indians however tarried till the next day on account of the situation of Mrs. Johnson, who was then delivered of a daughter, to whom the name of Captive was given. The whole family were then carried off with out bloodshed. Mrs. Johnson was placed on a litter, and sometimes on horseback. Provisions soon falling short the Indians killed the horse, and even the infant was driven to horse-flesh for its nourishment. They proceeded to Montreal, where Johnson obtained leave to return home on a parole of two months. The assembly of New Hampshire granted 150 pounds sterling to purchase his ransom. The severity of the winter compelled him to defer his return to Canada till the next spring. He was charged with breaking his parole, was deprived of a large part of his money, and was cast into prison together with his family, where the small-pox attacked them. After eighteen months, Mrs. Johnson with her sister and two children were sent to England, and from thence they returned to Boston. Mr. Johnson was detained three years in prison, when he was released and went with his son to Boston. He there met his wife, and was again imprisoned, being suspected of treasonable designs against his country , but was soon discharged for want of evidence. His eldest daughter was retained in a Canadian nunnery. Mrs. Johnson asserts in her narrative that her eldest daughter Susan returned a few days before the surrender of Montreal, and she expresses her gratitude to the two Miss Jason’s who had treated her daughter with great kindness by adopting her as their child and keeping her at school. Her daughter Captive, who is still living, afterwards married Col. George Kimball, and Susan married Capt. Samuel Wetherbee. In 1755, a number of cattle in this town were killed by the Indians, and in 1760, the family of Joseph Willard were captured and carried to Montreal. CLAREMONT - a township on Connecticut river in the county of Cheshire. It was incorporated in 1764, and in 1810, it contained 2, 094 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Cornish, E. by Newport, S. by Unity and Charleston, and W. by the river. There are here 2 ferries across the Connecticut extending to Weathersfield in Vermont, called Ashley’s and Sumner’s ferries. Hubbard’s island, just below Ashley’s ferry is 240 rods long and 40 wide. Sugar river passes through this town and supplies many valuable mill seats, on which are erected 3 grain mills, 3 saw mills and 3 mills for dressing cloth, 1 carding machine, 1 paper mill, and 1 oil mill. The second New Hampshire turnpike passes from Amherst through this town. There is 1 congregational and 1 Episcopalian society in this place, over the former of which Rev. S Farley, and over the latter Rev. C. Barber are ordained. Their predecessors were the Rev. G. Wheaton, A. Hibbert, and R. Cassit. Besides these two societies, the Methodists have here a public house of worship. S.F. D.D. CORNISH - a township in Cheshire county was incorporated in 1763, and its population in 1810, amounted to 1,600. It is bounded N. by Plainfield, E. by Croydon, S. by Claremont, and W. by Connecticut river, which separates it form Windsor in Vermont. It contains 23, 160 acres. A bridge crosses the Connecticut from this town to Windsor. The line adjoining Croydon passes over Croydon mountain. Governor’s mountain is situated nearly between the bridge and the road to Croydon. In this town are a Congregationalist, Baptist, and Episcopalian society, and a meeting house for each. In 1768, the Rev. J. Welman was ordained here and removed in 1785. the Rev. J. Rowel and P. Kindreck are the present ministers. This town contains 4 grain-mills, 10 sawmills, 2 mills for dressing cloth, 2 carding machines and 4 stores. CROYDON - a township in the county of Cheshire, was incorporated in 1713. It number of inhabitants is 862. It is bounded N. by New -Grantham and a corner of Springfield and Wendall, S. by Newport, and W. by Cornish, and contains 26,000 acres. Croydon mountain extends in a northeasterly direction through this town from its southwestern extremity. On this mountain are two small ponds. Its soil is moist and rocky, and produces excellent grass, besides wheat, rye, corn, etc. The principal articles which this town sends to market, are beef, pork, butter, cheese, etc. Croydon turnpike passes nearly through the centre of this town. There are several small ponds in this town, which supply some of the minor branches of Sugar river, on which streams are erected 4 corn mills, 5 sawmills, 1 mill for dressing cloth, and a carding machine. There is in this town a house of public worship in which a congregational minister officiates. GOSHEN - a township in Cheshire county, incorporated in 1791, and in 1810, containing 563 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Newport and Wendell, E. by the county of Hillsborough, S. by Washington, and W. by Lempster and Unity, and contains 12,023 acres. Little Sugar river waters the north part of the town. Sunapee mountain lies between Goshen and Fishersfield. Croydon turnpike passes through the west part of the town to Connecticut river. There is here 1 grain mill, 2 sawmills, 1 clothing mill and 1 distillery. LANGDON - a township in Cheshire county, 5 miles east from Connecticut river, incorporated in 1787, and now containing 632 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Charleston, E. by Acworth and Alstead, S. by Acworth and Walpole, and W. by Charleston, comprising 9,891 acres. The Cheshire turnpike leading from Walpole to Charleston passes through this town. Cold river flows through Langdon and here receives its northern branch, which passes through Unity, Acworth, and Charleston. LEMPSTER - a township in Cheshire county, incorporated in 1761, and containing in 1810, a population of 845 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Unity, E. by Goshen and Washington, S. by Marlow, and W. by Acworth, comprising an area of 21, 410 acres. Near the border of Washington is a pond about 320 rods long and 80 wide, and another lying partly in Marlow 420 long and 70 wide, besides several others of a smaller size Lempster is also watered by sugar river and two branches of Cold river. The easterly part of the town is mountainous over which part passes the 2d N.H. turnpike from Amherst to Claremont. In this town also the Charleston turnpike branches off. There are here 7 school houses, and 1 congregational meeting house. Rev. E. Fisher was the first and only minister ever settled in this town. He was ordained in 1787, and is still in office. In 1812, eighteen persons died in this town, and twelve of them of the spotted fever. In 1813, five other died of that disease. This fever first appeared in Lempster on the 20th of March, 1812, and continued spreading its malignant contagion till the 3d of April in 1813, it again appeared about the middle of April, and in June it assumed the form of the mild typhus. In 1803, twenty-four children died here in two months of the scarlatina anginosa. J.S. T.A. NEW GRANTHAM - in Cheshire county, was incorporated in 1761, and now contains 864 inhabitants; bounded N. by Enfield, (in Grafton county,) E. by Springfield, S. by Croydon, and W. by Plainfield, comprising 24,900 acres, 300 of which are water. There is a pond in the northwest part of the town about 1 mile long and 160 rods wide. Croydon mountain extends through the west part of the town, and a turnpike passes over the north part of the mountain. This town in 1775, had only 74 inhabitants, and in 1810 its population was 864. Here are the sources of several of the branches of Sugar river, on which are a number of mills. NEWPORT - in Cheshire county, was incorporated in 1761, and contains 1,427 inhabitants; bounded N. by Croydon; E. by Wendell, S. by Unity, and W. by Claremont, comprising an area of 25,267 acres. It lies about 8 miles E. from Connecticut river and the same distance from Sutton. Sugar river flows through Newport and receives here a number of its branches. The Croydon and Cornish turnpikes unite in this town and pass onto Amherst. There is here a handsome village of about 20 houses and several stores. The town contains a Baptist and a congregational meeting house, a cotton factory, several mills, and a carding machine. Rev. John Ramele was the first minister here, and Rev. A. Wines is the present pastor. PLAINFIELD - a township in Cheshire county, incorporated in 1761, and containing in 1810, a population of 1463; bounded N. by Lebanon, S.E. by New Grantham, S. by Cornish, and W. by Connecticut river, which divides it from Hartland in Vermont. At the lower part of this town in Connecticut river is Hart’s island about 150 rods long and 35 wide. Waterquechy falls are adjacent to this town, a bridge was erected here in 1807. Plainfield is watered by a small stream flowing from Croydon mountains, on which are erected several mills. This town contains a handsome village of 10 or 12 dwelling houses, several stores, and 2 meeting houses. Through this place passes the Croydon turnpike. The present ministers here are Rev. J. Dickerson of the congregational and Elder Cram of the Baptist order. SPRINGFIELD - in Cheshire county, was incorporated in 1794, and contains 814 inhabitants; bounded N.E. by Grafton S.E. by Wilmot and New London, and W. by Croydon and New Grantham, comprising 28,330 acres, 200 of which are water. Stallion pond in this town is 230 rods long and 140 wide; Silly pond is 240 long and about 80 wide. a branch of Sugar river has its source here. Through the N.E. part of the town passes the 4th N.H. turnpike. Springfield is in the N.E. extremity of the county adjoining Hillborough and Grafton counties. There are here 3 religious societies, 1 meeting house, 11 mills, and 1 store. UNITY - a township in Cheshire county, was incorporated in 1764, and in 1810, it contained 1,044 inhabitants; bounded N. by Claremont and Newport, E. by Goshen, S. by Lempster and Acworth, and W. by Charleston, comprising 24, 446 acres. The line which separates this town from Acworth, crosses Cold pond, leaving about 150 acres of it in Unity. Perry’s mountain lies in the southwest part of the town. Little Sugar river rises near this mountain, and a branch of Sugar river in the easterly part of the town. The 2d N.H. turnpike passes through this place to Claremont, and also a very direct road from Goshen to Charleston. There is here a society of Baptists and another of Methodists; each of them has a meeting house. There are in this town 2 grain mills, 5 sawmills, 1 clothing mill, and 1 distillery. WASHINGTON - in Cheshire county, was incorporate din 1776, and contains 820 inhabitants; bounded N. by Goshen, E. by Bradford and Hillsborough, S. by Stoddard and W. by Marlow and Lempster, comprising an area of 30,760 acres, 1,550 of which are water. There are here no less than 20 ponds. Through the centre of this town, a ridge of mountains extends from N. to S. on the summit of which a branch of the Contoocook has its source. A branch of the Ashuelot rises in a pond in the N. part of the town near Sunapee mountain. The Croydon and 2d N.H. turnpikes meet near the meeting house in this place. Washington was formerly called Campden. There are here 3 religious societies and 1 meeting house. Rev. George Leslie was settled here in 1779, and Rev. C. Page is the present pastor. There are in Washington 2 grain mills, 3 sawmills, 1 clothing mill, 1 carding machine, 2 distilleries, 2 oil mills and 3 trading stores. WENDELL - a township in Cheshire county, formerly called Saville, was incorporated in 1781, and contains 447 inhabitants. It is bounded N. by Springfield, E. by Sunapee lake, which separates it from New London and Fishersfield in Hillsborough county, S. by Goshen, and W. by Croydon and Newport, comprising 15,666 acres, 2,860 of which are water. About 2,720 acres of Sunapee pond are in this town, and form a noble sheet of water. Here is the principal source of Sugar river. From the southern extremity of the pond in Fishersfield to the N.W. point of the north bay the distance is 7 miles. This is the length of the pond from N. to S. There are three small ponds here containing 140 acres. The outlet of Sunapee pond is little more than 2 miles south of the centre of the town. The whole pond contains 4,095 acres. Sugar river flowing from it has a westerly course into Newport. There are in Wendell 3 corn mills, 4 sawmills and 1 clothing mill. Elder N. Woodward, a Baptist, was the first settled minister in this town. ------------------------------------------ SUGAR RIVER - flows from the west side of Sunapee lake, and passing westerly into Newport, receives several branches from the north, and thence entering Claremont, falls into Connecticut river five or six miles below Cornish bridge. It is in contemplation to unite this river with the Contoocook by a canal, (see Sunapee Lake) **************************************************************************** * * * * 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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