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 SOUIRCE AND ITS TRIBUTAPRIES.
of the works of nature, and would go farther to see a curious tree,
pond, or precipice than any other man in the colony. He was the
first among them to visit Amoskeag Falls, having been attracted
through fifteen miles of wilderness, with nothing to mark his course,
by reports of their "hideous" grandeur.
Prior to this time the cultivation of the potato was unknown in
this part of the country. Besides the introduction of the potato,
this colony introduced the manufacture of linen.
Beaver River has its source in a pond of the same name in Londonderry, and falls into the Merrimack at Lowell.
There was a company from this town, consisting of seventy-five
men, under the command of Capt. George Reid, in the battle of
Bunker Hill, and as many more in the battle of Bennington, commanded by Capt. David McClary, who was killed in that battle.
The celebrated Dr. Thornton, on his arrival from Ireland, settled
and practised medicine here.
Among the distinguished men born within the original limits of
Londonderry, may be mentioned Gen. Stark, Col. Reid, Generals
Miller and McNiel,- the two last distinguished officers in the last
war with Great Britain,- J. McKean, first President of Bowdoin
Colleg,e, Judges Livermore, Bell, and Steele, Chief Justice Jeremiah
Smith, and Attorney-General Prentice.
Derry, which was taken from Londonderry, is a wealthy town,
and Was the scene of the famous Derry Fairs. To'"buy, sell, and
exchange, and to indulge in sports, games, healthy and harmless
recreation," was the design of these fairs; but in the course of time
its doings becoming illegitimate they fell into disrepute and were
discontinued.
It is said a certain man went to the fair on one occasion and
called at a friend's house, hitching his horse at the gate. Finding
the company jovial and agreeable he remained. During his stay in
the house he received oft-repeated calls and invitations to "swap
horses,"' which he uniformly assented to, with a one-dollar proviso,
without leaving the house. WYhen ready to return home, he was
surprised to find the identical horse hlie came with tied to the post,
while he had the snug little sum of thirty dollars in his pocket.
The Piscataquog River falls into the Merrimack on its west bank
at Mlanchester. The sources of this river are in several towns, and
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