The Merrimack River: its source and its tributaries. Embracing a history of manufactures, and of the towns along its course; their geography, topography, and products, with a description of the magnificent natural scenery about its upper waters./ By J. W. Meader.

THE _ MEiBIMA Ci PI?VE~;
in Gilmanton. Hon. William Badger, * formerly Governor of New
Hampshire, was a native and resident of this place.
The Suncook River takes a south-east course through Gilmanton
Village, passing into Barnstead, which is a thriving town, almost
wholly engaged in agricultural pursuits. The township was granted,
in 1727, to Rev. Joseph Adams and others, but its settlement was
delayed nearly forty years. It lies in gentle, grand, and sometimes
abrupt undulations, and is dotted with several fine ponds, which
discharge their waters into the Suncook River. The largest of
these are the two Suncooks, near together, Half Moon and Brindle.
The variety of minerals yet discovered is not extensive. Yellow
ochre, iron, plumbago, and specimens of basaltic trap-rock are
among the number.
Barnstead was incorporated in 1767. In 1807, a very useful institution was organized and incorporated, called the " Social Library,"
which is still in a flourishing condition, and is a source of great
benefit to the citizens, who are unusually intelligent and wellinformed. From this town, the Suncook, much increased in volume,
passes into Pittsfield, where it furnishes many excellent mill priviileges.
Pittsfield, though not yet a century old, is a populous and flourishing town, which is mainly due to the water-power of the Suncook,
the surface of the town being mountainous and broken. Pittsfield
'Villag,e is located in a deep valley, and is surrounded by high wooded
hills, -a picturesque and romantic scene. The village is large and
lively, surpassing most inland towns destitute of railroad facilities.
Activity and business are its concomitants, and when the railroad,
now in contemplation, is completed to Manchester, furnishing easy
and rapid communication with the outside world, Pittsfield will at
once become an important town. It has a cotton manufactory, employing nearly two hundred hands, with a capital of two hundred
thousand dollars.
Catamount Mountain is situated in Pittsfield, and is fifteen hundred feet high. The view from its summit is extensive and grand;
* Gov. Badger's widow is still living. She resides in Upper Gilmanton, and, though
seventy-eight years of age, traces of those attractions of mind and person, which distin.
guished the noble dames of a past age, still exist.
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