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 AIEBRIA CK RIVEB R;
descendants of the first settlers still constitute a considerable portion of its inhabitants, such as the Bradleys, Stickneys, Eastrmans,
ANalkers, Rolfes, and others, many of them still occupying the same
estates, and recognized as among the most prominent of the citizens
,,f Concord.
In 1853 the town of Concord adopted a city charter, and Gen.
Joseph Low was the first mayor.
Several bridges span the Merrimack at Concord, - the first at
Fisherville, on the highway; the Boston, Concord, and Montreal
RIailroad bridge; the upper free bridg,e, anciently known as the
'-Federal' bridge; the lower free bri(dge, on the hi,lghway to Pembroke; and the Concord and Portsmnouth Railroad bridge.
The Mlerrimiack River is a broad, placid streamln from Garvin's
Falls, four miles below Concord, to the foot of WAebstcr's Falls, at the
forks in Franklin, with the exception of Sewall's Falls towards the
north part of Concord(l. A dam was constructed at Garvins Falls a
few years since by the Amoskleag Manufacturing Company, more
particularly to avoid losing their charter, than with a view to commencing manufacturing operations at present.
At the footof Sewall's Falls is Sewall's Island, formerly known
as Pennacook Island. It was once a famous resort for the Indians,
and is said to have been the principal residence of the Sagamon or
Bashaba.
Many years ago, when manufacturing upon the Merrimack had
begun in earnest, surveys were made and measures taken to apply
the water-power at Sewall's Falls to such use. The track of the
canal was marked out, and some excavations made, which can still
be traced; but the fill being inferior to many others on the river,
and there being difficulties in the way of constructing a dam, the
project was ultimately abandoned.
Sometimes when the snows dissolve upon the mountains, and the
great spring, floods come down, the river overflows its banks and
deluges the broad intervals, presenting the appearance of a vast lake,
and often doing great damage, but fertilizing the lands by irrigation
and the sediment which is-deposited. The Soucook River, which rises
in Gilmanton, falls into the Merrimack at Concord on its east bank.
Much of the land bordering, this stream is a light pine plains soil;
hence, no doubt, its Indian name.
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