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 AND ITS TRIBUTARIES.
who owned and conducted the paper mills at this place, contributed
much to the prosperity of the town. Mr. Buttrick died about twenty-three years since.
Ilollis was settled in 1731 by Peter Powers; and his son, also
named Peter, was the first white child born in the town. It was incorpora.ted in 1746, and named in honor of Ilollis, Duke of Newcastle.
It was formerly called Nisitissit, and was afterwards known as Dunstable Irest Parish. It is watered by the Nashua and Nisitissit,
one of its branches.
Nashua is historic ground. The scarcely tangible shadows of
uncertain tradition have blended and mingled with the substance of
her genuine, undoubted, and splendid records until the very truthfulness of details produces what may be properly styled the romance of
history. Too fearfully and painfully true, on the one hand, for mere
romance, while the romantic chivalry, wild adventure, and deeds of
daring, trials, sufferings, and successes, the sturdy and conspicuous
valor of her sons, who won unfading glory in fierce, yet most unequal
conflicts, give a meaning and a sig,nificance to, and( illustrate the
adahge that " truth is stranger than fiction."
Coning as they did to this spot by the beautiful river so beloved
by the Indians, to their hearthstones and tillag,e fields, it is not
strange the early settlers should have been pursued by them with
implacable and vindictive animosity, and the woods, rocks, and hills
concealed a lurking, deadly foe. Personal safety was never counted
on, a(nd hlie who was obliged to go forth on business, or to his daily
labor, took his life in his hand, and went at its peril.
On one occasion two men, named Cross and Blanchard, were at
work in the woods, when they were suddenly set upon by a party of
Indians and captured. Not returning at night, suspicion of their probable fate was aroused, and a party of ten resolute and( well-armed men,
under the commnand of Ebenezer French, started in search of them.
On arrivilng, at the place where they had been at work it was at once
discovered that Indians had been there and captured them; but the
party learned by signs purposely left by them that they were living
and the indications were positive ttat the savages had but recently
fled. Under these circumstances immediate pursuit was, without
hesitation, determined upon. At this point of the proceedings, Josiah Farwell, who was one of the party, suggested, as a precautionary
u rcauionar
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