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 MERRIMACK RIVER;
ally strong and productive. It was originally settled, in 1741, by
James MIcCalley and others, and was called township number seven.
The wife of MAcCalley was the only woman in the settlement the
first year. Three years after this settlement was made, it was
abandoned on account of the French War, and was afterwards grantedl by the Masonian proprietors to Colonel John Hill, of Boston, who,
with others, settled it in 1757, and from him received its present
name, being incorporated in 1772. The principal pond, which is
not large, bears the name of one of the original settlers, and is
called Lyon's Ponld.
This town is amply watered by Contoocook and Ijillsboro' Rivers,
and many other smaller streams, furnishing mill-sites with good
power, which are improved, several kinds of mechanical works being
carried on, as well as manufacturing in a small way. The largest
is a cotton-mill, which has sometimes employed as many as twentyfive or thirty persons. Veins of plumbago of remarkable purity
have been found and worked to a considerable extent. Hlillsboro' is
in many respects a noted town. For intelligence, integrity, industry, and sobriety it is believed to be unsurpassed, while thrift and
general content, certain to be evolved from this favorable condition
of society, are seen on every hand.
HMillsboro' was the adopted residence of Benjamin Pierce, who was
born in Chelmsford. Massachusetts, in 1757. I-le was the son of a
farmer, and lived in an age when education was not only not generally diffused, but was difficult to obtain anywhere; and in a land so
new and sparsely settled the facilities for learning were slender indeed.
The news of the battle of Lexington was conveyed to him, as it
was to others, " by the man on horseback;" and, without hesitation
or delay, he took his gun and started immediately on foot and alone
for Lexington. Finding the British troops retreating on Boston, he
fell in with the Provincials, and pursued them as far as Cambridge,
where he enlisted for the war, and was in the memorable battle of
Bunker lill. and in active service until the close of the Revolutionary
War, having risen, by promotion for gallant and meritorious conduct,
from a private to a captaincy. On returning, to peaceful pursuits,
after nine years of arduous service in his country's cause, he found the
Continental currency so depreciated that the total amount of his pay
was not sufficient to buy a farm; consequently he again took up the
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