Embracing "a great variety of information," this gazetteer chronicles the state of New Hampshire from its earliest beginnings up to the work's first publication in 1823. Gleaned from original source material, the book is split into three parts. Part One is a general view of the State of New Hampshire, comprising state boundaries and area, climate and topography, settlement and development, government, "manners and customs," Indians and more. Part Two provides a general view of the counties, the six New Hampshire counties being Rockingham, Strafford, Hillsborough, Cheshire, Grafton and Coos. Statistical tables in this section tally numbers of meeting houses, school districts, taverns, mills, stores, etc. Part Three, and the bulk of the book, is a general description of towns, topographical and historical, and of all the mountains, lakes, ponds, rivers, etc. Entries are here arranged alphabetically; included are the early histories of each town, descriptions of topographical features, and short biographical notices of "the most distinguished and useful men." Also included are listings of charitable and other social institutions. Information given on local churches includes names of clergymen and dates of their settlement, removal or death. The appendix provides population statistics for New Hampshire towns in 1775, 1790, 1800, 1810 and 1820, plus a list of state newspapers and religious publications. A handful of illustrations of New Hampshire scenes add a charming touch, and a detailed map of the state completes the work. Celebrate the heritage of our ninth state! No New Hampshire enthusiast's library should be without this gazetteer.
