Charlestown, Sullivan County, NH Description From: MLMCKENZIE@prodigy.net - Michelle McKenzie Topic: Charlestown, Sullivan County Source: A Gazetteer of New Hampshire Containing Descriptions of all the Counties, Towns and Districts in the State by John Hayward, John P. Jewett (publisher), Boston, 1849 SULLIVAN CO. The only rivers in Charlestown are the Connecticut and Little Sugar Rivers. In the former, there are three islands within the limits of this town, the largest of which contains about ten acres, and is called Sartwell's Island. The others contain about six acres each, and have a rich loamy soil. Sartwell's Island is under a high cultivation. There are no falls in the Connecticut within the limits of Charlestown which interrupt the boat navigation, although some little inconvenience is experienced in low water from what are called "Sugar River Bars." Little Sugar River waters the north part of Charlestown, and empties into Connecticut River about two miles south of the south line of Claremont. This town has but few factory or mill privileges. The soil is extremely various. West of the great road leading from Walpole to Claremont, are not less than 1,500 acres of fine intervale land, generally of a deep, rich and loamy soil, and favorable for the culture and growth of most of the various kinds of grass and grain. In the east and north-east parts of the town, the soil of the upland is good--the natural growth of wood, consisting principally of beech, birch, oak, maple and hemlock. These is a ridge of hard, broken, and in some parts stony, land, east of the river road, extending almost the whole length of the town, and which is considered unfit for settlements. The south part of the town appears to have a different soil, and is favorable for yielding the lighter grains. Charlestown contains two parishes, which are divided by a line running from Cheshire Bridge southernly to the corner of Acworth and Unity. In the south parish, there is a handsome village, delightfully situated, at the distance of about half a mile from Connecticut River, and parallel with it. In the north parish is a meeting-house and a small village. Cheshire Bridge, about two miles north of the south meeting-house, connects this town with Springfield, Vt. In 1754, the French War commenced, and the inhabitants were obliged to take up their residence in the fort. The first settlers of Charlestown, like the first inhabitants of almost every frontier town in New England, were, prior to 1760, the victims of savage cruelty. For twenty years after the first settlement, their neighbors on the north were the French in Canada, on the west the Dutch, near the Hudson, on the east the settlements on Merrimac River, and on the south few were found until arrived at Northfield, in Massachusetts, a distance of more than forty miles. The Indians were at peace but a small portion of the time. From their infancy, the settlers had been familiar with danger, and had acquired a hardihood unknown to posterity. When they attended public worship, or cultivated their lands, they sallied from the fort prepared for battle, and worshipped or labored under the protection of a sentinel. In their warfare, the Indians preferred prisoners to scalps, and few were killed but those who attempted to escape, or appeared too formidable to be encountered with success. The first child born in Charlestown was Elizabeth, the daughter of Isaac Parker. She was born 1744, and died in 1806. Charlestown has been favored with a number of eminent men, only one of which we have room to mention. Capt. PHINEHAS STEVENS was one of the first settlers. The town when in its infancy was protected by his intrepidity. He was a native of Sudbury, Mass., from whence his father removed to Rutland. At the age of sixteen, while his father was making hay, he, with three little brothers, followed him to the meadows. They were ambushed by the Indians, who killed two of his brothers, took him prisoner, and were preparing to kill his youngest brother, a child four years old. He, by signs to the Indians, made them understand if they would spare him, he would carry him on his back--and he carried him to Canada. They were redeemed and both returned. He received several commissions from Gov. Shirley, and rendered important services in protecting the frontiers. In 1747, when Charlestown was abandoned by the inhabitants, he was ordered to occupy the fort with thirty men. On the 4th of April, he was attacked by 400 French and Indians, under Mons. Debeline. The assult lasted three days. Indian stratagem and French skill, with fire applied to every combustible about the fort, had not the desired effect. The heroic band were not appalled. They refused to capitulate. At length an interview between the commanders took place. The Frenchman showed his forces, and described the horrid massacre that must ensue unless the fort was surrendered. "My men are not afraid to die," was the answer made by Capt. Stevens. The attack continued with increased fury until the end of the third day, when the enemy returned to Canada, and left Capt. Stevens in the possession of the fort. Capt. Stevens, for his gallantry on this occasion, was presented by Sir Charles Knowles with an elegant sword; and from this circumstance the township, when it was incorporated, in 1753, took the name of Charlestown. This territory had previously been called Number Four. Bog iron ore and other minerals is found here. Boundaries. West by the west bank of Connecticut River, north by Claremont, east by Unity and Acworth, and south by Langdon and Walpole. First Settlers. Several families by the names of Parker, Farnsworth and Sartwell from Groton, Mass. First Minister. Rev. John Dennis, ordained in 1754; dismissed in 1756. Productions of the Soil. Indian corn, 18,591 bushels; potatoes, 41,902 bushels; hay, 4,241 tons; wool, 25,721 lbs.; maple sugar, 6,759 pounds. Distances. Fifty-one miles west from Concord, and about twenty miles south-east from Windsor, Vt. A railroad now passes through this delightful town. ************************************************* * * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. 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