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.
purchase lands, and secured the first lot bought by them on the east
side of the river. To his view the "Moore Farm" was the key to
operations at Manchester; and this he secured, his judgment proving
of great importance to complete success. It was Mr. Nesmith who
first conceived the project of securing rights on Lake Winnipesaukee,
and the feasibility of providing artificial means to draw from it in dry
seasons. When he suggested the idea to the manufacturers along
the river, it met with so little attention that he, fully apprleciating,
the value of such a great reservoir, went on and bought the ri,lght to
control the lake on his own account, and it was only a short time
before the companies were anxious to purchase Mr. Nesmithls claim
at a handsome premium, when they completed the means of reducing
the lake several feet in the event of a short supply of water occurring, which was exactly Mr. Nesmith's idea. In 1831, AMr. Nesmith
made Lowell his permanent residence, purchasing the Livermore
estate (about one hundred and thirty acres), which he laid out and
sold for building-lots, realizing thereon a gratifying advance. Mr.
Nesmith has never known, or sou,ght to know, the sensations or emniotions of idleness, and for the past forty years has been constantly
and actively engaged in manufacturing operations, - in cotton,
worsted, flax, printing cloths, etc., etc., nearly through the list of
textiles. For many years he has been an extensive owner of stock in
the Merrimack Company, as well as in other corporations in Lowell
and Lawrence, banks, shipping, etc. Mr. Nesmith has made valuable
contributions, both in money and intellect, to the perfecting of improvements in machinery, some of them of great iinportance, and has
also been ever prompt with his ample means in advancing any object
of interest that would tend to enhance the growth or prosperity of
the city of his adoption,- ready to contribute to all charitable and
worthly purposes the full and ample measure of his bounty. Althllough an octogenarian, he is still clear-headed, vigorous, and masculine in intellect, and retains a remarkable physical elasticity.
Never having had time for that purpose, he has kept aloof from active politics, except when called by the voice of his fellow-citizens, to
which he has felt it his duty to respond. ie has held many responsible positions, among others the office of lieutenant-governor, and
is at the present time Collector of Internal Revenue for the Lowell
District.
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