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 SOURCE A-VD ITS TRIBUTARIES.
Bow was granted, in 1727, to Jonathan Wiggin and others. Long
before the introduction of railroads into the State a canal was constructed around Garvin's Falls, called the Bow Canal, to facilitate the
navigation of the Merrimack. This canal is twenty-five feet in
perpendicular height, and about one hundred and twenty rods in
length, cut for the most part through solid granite, and was well
calculated for durability. Turkey River, the principal stream in
this town, empties into the Merrimack at Turkey Falls, a mile above
Garvin's. These falls have likewise been improved, making the
navigation less difficult.
Samuel WAelch died in Bow, April 5, 1823, at the remarkable age
of one hundred and thirteen years. IIe was born in Kingston,
September 1st, 1710, but had been a resident of Bow for fifty years
previous to his decease. His life had been a quiet one; hlie was
temperate and industrious, and cultivated his farml until hlie was a
hundred years old.
Hooksett was originally called IIarrytown, and was embraced in
several of the early grants. It was finally taken from the territory
of each of the towns of Chester, Goffstown, and Dunbarton, and
incorporated under its present name in 1822. Brick-making is
extensively carried on, the clay being peculiarly adapted to this purpose, and several millions of brick are made annually. Among those,
early engaged in this business was IHon. R. H. Ayer, then a resident
of Hooksett, who was extensively and successfully engaged in making
brick for some years. Mr. Ayer was a gentleman of the ol( school,
a distinguished son of New Hampshire, and. a Lwarm personal friend
of Daniel Webster. He died about tjvelve years since at Manchester,
where he had resided many years, possessed of an ample fortune,
accumulated by a long life of enterprise and industry.
The' Pinnacle" is a high rock rising abruptly some two hundred
feet or more from its base, at which there is a beautiful pond, clear,
and of great depth; the indications are strong, and to some conclu sive, that by some violent convulsion of nature this rock was upheaved
from the place now occupied by the pond. From the Pinnacle is
obtained some of the finest specimens of crystallized granite quartz.
The Isles of Hooksett Falls, in the Merrimack, at Hlooklsett Village,
are romantic and abrupt, - a high rock standing in the centre, the fall
being sixteen feet in a few rods. There is an extensive cotton manu
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