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.

ITS SO URCE ANVD ITS TRIBUTAPRIES.
the broad Atlantic is plainly seen, as well as islands, headlands, and
the great circle of mountains, extending from Agamenticus in Maine,
to the Wvhite Hills on the north, and the high summits on the west,
including the grand Monadnock. There is a fine sheet of water on
the mountain, which is about one hundred and seventy-five rods long,
fed by springs. There are other ponds in the town, and from Wild
Goose Pond bog iron ore has been taken in large quantities. There
is also a mineral spring, the impregnation being a compound of sulphur and chalybeate. There are many peat meadows, some of
which have been reclaimed, and are remarkably productive. In
some parts of the town the magnetic needle shows considerable variation, which is attributed to the proximity of minerals in large
masses; black tourmaline and magnetic iron ore have been found in
several places. Tourmaline is usually found in hexagonal or triangular prisms, terminated by three-sided pyramids, - black, but sometimes green, blue, red, and brown. It was formally known under
the name of schorl; and its crystals, when heated, are remarkable for exhibiting electric polarity, -attracting and repelling the
needle.
There is a society of Friends in Pittsfield, who have a meetinghouse, and maintain regular public religious wvorship.
Epsom was granted, in 1727, to Theodore Atkinson and others,
and, like many other towns whose names are not of Indian
origin, was named for a place of the same name in England. The
toyn is well watered by great and little Suncook Rivers and many
smaller streams. There are also three ponds in the town.
AIcKoy is the highest elevation, and derives its name from Mrs.
McKoy, who was taken captive by the Indians in 1747, and did not
return till after the close of the French and Indian War.
The soil of Epsom contains several minerals, some of thefn rare;
brown oxide, sulphuret of iron (copperas), terra sienna, mineral
paint, - an alluvial deposit, - arsenical pyrites, silver mixed, or
arg,entiferous galena, and hydrated oxide of iron, mixed with crystallized quartz.
On receiving the news of the battles of Lexington and Concord,
twelve hundred of the sturdy yeomanry of New Hampshire hastened
to Boston. Among them was Major McClary, of Epsom, who fell in
the battle of Bunker Hill, while gallantly fighting for his country.
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