Sketch of Dover, NH

Historical and Statistical Account of Dover, N. H.

SITUATION & c.

Dover is the second town in the State, both in point of wealth and the number of its inhabitants. It is situated in the S.E. extremity of the county of Strafford, 12 miles from N.W. from Portsmouth, 40 E. from Concord, and 60 N. from Boston, in Lat. 43 12m. It has Somersworth on the N.E., Eliot , in Maine, on the E,. from which it is separated by the eastern branch of the Pascataqua River, Madbury on the S.W., a corner of Barrington on the W., and Rochester on the N.W. Its principal streams are the Cochecho, which has its source in New Durham, and the Belamy-Bank, more commonly called by the inhabitants Back river, which rises in Barrington. They take a S.E. course through the town and unite with other waters to form the Pascataqua. Between these two rivers, in the south part of the town is a neck of land, about four miles long, and from half a mile to one mile broad, along which till 40 years, lay the principal road leading from this town to Portsmouth. This is called "Dover Neck", and running to a point at the South, at the junction of the two branches of the Pascataqua, it is called "Dover Point," but in ancient times, "Hilton’s Point". This is six miles from the Factories at the Village; and should our General court ever in their wisdom consider what would be of public utility, and incorporate a company for the purpose of running a horse-boat, or for building a bridge over the Pascataqua at or near this Point, about two miles would be saved in distance from the Village to Portsmouth. There are no mountains nor very high hills in this town, but there are several gentle swells of lands, from the height of which, the eye meets some delightful prospects of bays, adjacent shores and distant mountains.

History.

New Hampshire was first discovered in 1614, by Capt. John Smith, who is so distinguished in the History of Virg. The first settlement of Dover, and indeed of the state, was made in the Spring of 1623, by Edward and Wm. Hilton, in the neck of land before named. They were sent over by "The Company of Laconia" who designed to plant a colony, and establish a Fishery around the Pascataqua; for which purpose they chose a fine, dry and healthy situation, commanding a view of all the neighboring shores, and affording an extensive and delightful prospect; but the settlement for the first eight years went on very slow, for in 1631 there were but three houses in all, adjoining the Pascataqua. In 1633, a considerable number of families in the west of England, some of whom were of good estates, and of some account for religion, came over and increased the colony. As it was their intention to build a compact town, they took up small lots, which were granted to them by Capt. Wiggans, the agent for the proprietors. On the most inviting part of the above ground, which is one mile and a half from "Dover Point," and on land now occupied by Aaron Roberts, on the west side of the present road, and about eighty rods north of the house of Thomas Henderson, Esq. They built a Meeting House, which was afterward surrounded by an entrenchment and flankarts, traces of which are still quite visible at the present day. On the east side of the same road, and but a few rods from the Meeting House, they also built a jail; this was on land now owned by said Henderson. The Indian name of the place was Wecohamet [Vide Church Records of the First Parish, In Dover, in the handwriting of Dr. Belknap. In some printed works it is Winnichahannat, in others Winichahanat], but after the arrival of Thomas Larkham, in 1640, it received the name Northam, probably to gratify him as he had been a preacher at a place of that name in England; afterwards the name of Dover was given to the whole township. At this Meeting House the inhabitants of Dover, which also included at that time the present towns of Durham, Madbury, Lee and Somersworth, assembled for public worship and the transaction of town business. [Durham was first made a Parish by the name of Oyster River, it was incorporated as a town May 13, 1738; Madbury was incorporated May 31, 1755; Lee taken from Durham January 16, 1766; Somersworth, a Parish December 19, 1729, and a town April 22, 1754.] Dover is therefore the oldest town in the state, having been settled only three years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Mass. and nine years after the discovery of New Hampshire, by Captain Smith. [Portsmouth was settled about the same time, at a place called Little Harbour by David Thompson, who came over with the Hiltons.] Here was formed the first church in the state, it having been organized in 1638-or, 195 years ago, and only 15 years after the first settlement of the town.

In process of time, business as well as the population began to centre around the Cochecho Falls, four and a half miles north, where the Factories and the Village are now situated; at which place Maj. Richard Waldron, who settled here in 1635, had erected Saw and Grist Mills. The name of this settlement and the territory for a few miles around, was Cochecho, after the name of the Falls and River, but it was pronounced and spelt in those days "Kecheachy" which doubtless came near to the pronunciation of the Indians. About 17 years after the first settlement on Dover Neck, and but a few years after the first settlement at Cochecho, "the inhabitants of Dover having suffered much from great irregularities in the civil as well as lack of knowledge in ecclesiastical affairs," by a writing dated October 22, 1640, and signed by 41 persons, (among whom was T. Larkham, R. Waldron, and Wm. Waldron,) became subject to the laws of England; the next year they submitted, together with the other settlements, to the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, and engaged "to be ruled and ordered in all causes, criminal and civil, and to be subject to pay in church and commonwealth as the inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay". In 1679, New Hampshire was separated from Massachusetts, and became a separate government; the people were to be represented in a body chosen by themselves, and the King, by a President and Council; he retaining the prerogative of disannulling the acts of the whole at his pleasure; but this separation was much against the will of the people of New Hampshire. Dover at that time contained but 61 qualified voters, the remainder of the Province, but 148. John Cutt, an aged and respectable merchant of Portsmouth, was appointed the first President, but he died March 27, 1681, after holding the office little more than a year, and was succeeded by Maj. Richard Waldron of Dover who had been one of the Council. Maj. W. came from Somersetshire in England, was one of the first settlers of this Village, and the progenitor of a number of descendants. He had represented this town 22 years in the General Court of Massachusetts-Bay, commencing in 1654, and was their general speaker for seven years. He was appointed Chief Justice of N.H. in 1683; was one of the principal men of Dover and a brave and useful officer. He is the same person who was killed by Indians in their attack on Dover, on the morning of June 28, 1689, of which we will give a short account, and refer the reader to a more full and highly interesting History of the same in Dr. Belknap’s History of N.H. pages 75 and 125 of the new edition printed in 1831, a work of which we should be proud (the author having long resided in this town,) and which ought to be in the hands of every family.

The inhabitants of Dover had for many years been exposed to the attacks of the Indians, and had suffered much in loss of lives and property. Maj. W., who had carried on a considerable trade with them for some years, had more influence over them than any other man. On the 7th of September, 1676, he proposed to about 400 Indians to have a sham fight with several companies of the whites; in the course of which the white men made the whole of the Indians prisoners before the latter were aware of their design. About 200 of them were set at liberty; the remainder, who at times had been guilty of atrocities, or had shown signs of hostility, were sent to Boston, where 7 0r 8 were put to death, and the others sold into slavery in foreign parts. Some of them returned, and they with others, regarding this act of Maj. Waldron, who had always pretended to be their friend, as a breach of faith, swore against him implacable revenge. In 1689, after a lapse of 13 years, and when all supposed it had been forgotten, they determined to execute their project. Previous to the fatal night (June 27,) some hints had been thrown out by the squaws, but in such ambiguous terms that no one understood their meaning; for when some of the inhabitants expressed their fear to Maj. W. he merrily bade them to "go and plant their pumpkins and he would take care of the Indians". They sent two squaws to each of the Garrison houses, which were five in number, to ask permission to sleep by their fires overnight- which was readily granted them, at all such houses except one. In the dead of nigh, the doors were unfasted and thrown open by the squaws, and the concerted signal given, when in rushed great bodies of Indians, who had concealed themselves about town for that purpose. Maj. Waldron, who was the particular object of their revenge, although 80 years of age, made a gallant defence; he drove them through several doors with his sword, but, was at last stunned with a hatchet, and compelled to surrender. After they had finished their supper, which they had compelled the women to get them, they placed him on his long table, and cut him across his belly with knives, each one saying "I cross out my account." At last, as he was falling down, one of them held his own sword under him, which penetrated through his body, and put an end to his sufferings. In this affair 23 persons were killed and 29 made captive. They burnt 5 or 6 dwelling houses; together with the mills, and escaped without being attacked by the English. They continued their depredations at various times till 1723, during which time several of the inhabitants were killed, and others taken and sold to the French in Canada.

Ecclesiastical.

I have made considerable efforts to collect correct Histories of the several Churches in this town; that of the First Parish, or Congregationalist, was furnished by Asa Tufts, Esq. to whom I am also indebted for many other facts. They are arranged according to the times they were severally established.

I. The FIRST PARISH CHURCH IN DOVER, OR FIRST CONGEGRATIONALIST  SOCIETY

[The facts relating to the early ministers of this Parish, were taken chiefly from Dr. Belknap’s Church Records. Some facts relative to them, and many concerning later events have been procured from other authentic sources.]

        "Those that first enterprized the design of a settlement at Dover had some religious as well as civil views, and therefore sent over with Capt. Wiggans, 1633, one Mr [WILLIAM] LEVERIDGE, an able and worthy puritan minister, with a promise of considerable allowance for his subsistece, but the encouragement proving too small for his maintenance, he removed to the southward, toward Plymouth." He arrived in Salem in the Ship James, October 10, 1633. He remained at Dover less than two years; went to Boston, 1635; was at Sandwich, (Cape Cod) 1640, to 1652; afterwards settled at Huntingdon, L. Island; remained there till 1670, when he removed to Newtown, L.I. where he died.
        To him succeeded Mr GEORGE BURDETT, " a person of better knowledge and learning than other abilities fit for that sacred function." He came from Yarmouth in England to Salem, Mass. In 1634, and to Dover about 1637. In 1638, he removed to a plantation of Sir F. Georges, in Agamenticus, now York, Me. In 1640, he was at Saco, but soon left, and "returned to England where he was committed to prison, which is the last account we have of him.
             Church was gathered about 1638.
        In 1639, Mr. Hanserd Knollys was invited to be their minister. He came from England in 1638. In consequence of difficulties with his successor, Mr. Larkham, and others, he returned to England about 1641. He died in London 19 Sept. 1691, aged 93.
        In 1640, Mr. Thomas Larkham, a native of Lyme, in Dorsetshire, who had been a minister at Northam, near Barnstable, England, came to Dover, and "the people were much taken with his public preaching, he being of good parts and well gifted; but not being able to maintain two ministers, they resolved to cast off Mr. Knollys and embrace Mr. Larkham; whereupon Mr Knollys, making a virtue of necessity; gave place."
             "Mr Larkham suddenly departed from Dover, in 1641," and "returned to England, and was settled in the ministry at Tavistock, in Devonshire, from whence he was ejected by the Uniformity act, 1662. He died in 1669, aged 68 and had all the character, in his latter days, of a man of great piety and sincerity."
        "The people were thus left sometime without preaching but at last in 1642, they obtained Mr DANIEL MAUD, whom they enjoyed many years for their minister; he was a good man, of a serious spirit and a quiet and peaceable disposition. He continued with them till his death." There is an order in the town records, dated August 1, 1642, " for Mr Maud and his wife to enjoy the house in which they then lived during their lives, provided he continue as Teacher of Pastor, if it please God to call him to it." His name is mentioned several times in the record till 1651, and his salary was then 50 pounds per annum.
             Mr Maud came to this country as early as 1635, and was admitted a freeman by the Mass. Colony, October 25, 1635. He settled in Boston, and was a schoolmaster there several years. He died in Dover, in 1655. He had a wife, who name was Mary, but left no children in this country.
             In 1648, "Richard Pinkome was ordered to beat the drum for meeting on Lord’s Days."
        Rev. JOHN RAYNER, the successor of Mr Maud, was settled in Dover, in 1655, and died April 3, 1669. He "was a Minister in England, and coming over hither was settled at Plymouth, [Mass.] about 1636, and departed from thence in November, 1654." "He was a man of meek and humble spirit, sound in the truth, and every way unreprovable in his life and conversation, and was an able, faithful and laborious preacher of the Gospel."
             Mr. Rayner had a parsonage house and land given him by the Town in 1659, and his salary from Dover and Oyster River to gether in 1658, was 120 pounds.
        Rev. JOHN RAYNER, Jr. the son of the preceding, was the first minister of the Parish born in America; graduated at Har. College, 1663; was some time assistant to his father, and was ordained July 12th, 1671. January 24th, 1672, he sold to Job Clements, Senior, of Dover, for 102 pounds 10s. the house and land which had been given his father, by the Town, and left him by Will. The original deed, which I now have before me, was drawn up by Mr Rayner, and subscribed by him in the presence of John Tuttle and Jonathon Watson; and acknowledged by Maj. Richard Waldron. The recording of it is certified by Elias Stileman, Recorder, 5 June, 1673. Mr R. died at Braintree, probably while on a visit there, December 21, 1676, aged about 34. Mr. Fitch, in his MSS. Mentions him as "a successor to his father in the work of the ministry, and says he had a double portion of his spirit."
        The next minister was the Rev. JOHN PIKE, son of Hon. Robert Pike of Salisbury, Mass. (who died Dec. 12, 1706, aged 90,) and was born 15th May, 1653; graduated at Har. Coll. 1675; was ordained 31st August, 1681. He was absent from Dover much of the time from June 1689 to 1703 or 4, but died in Dover, 10th March 1710, aged 57. "He was esteemed an extraordinary preacher, and a man of true godliness. He was a grace and venerable person, and generally preached without notes."
             "Friday the 28th June, 1689, was the fatal day in the morning of which Major Richard Waldron was murdered and the destruction of Cochecho perpatrated by the Indians of Pennycook and Saco." This caused the absence of Mr Pike for some years.
             Mr P. married, in 1681, Sarah, 2d daughter of Rev. Joshua Moodey of Portsmouth.
        The next minister was the Rev. NICHOLAS SEVER, who was a native of Roxbury, Mass. and born in 1680; graduated Har. Coll. 1701; was ordained at Dover, April 11, 1711; and in the spring of 1715, was dismissed "on account if an impediment in his speech". The next year he was appointed a Tutor of Har. College, and continued in that office twelve years; was afterwards settled in Plymouth Co., Mass. where he was a Judge of the Court of Com. Pleas, and died April 7, 1764, aged 84. "In his time a meeting was held at Cocheco, [Pine-Hill,] and he preached there, and at Dover Neck." His son, the Hon. Wm. Seaver, A.A.S. Judge of Probate for Plymouth County, Mass. died in June 1809, aged 81.
        Rev. JONATHAN CUSHING, the next minister, was the son of Peter Cushing and was born at Hingham , Mass. in 1689, and descended from Mathew Cushing, (who arrived in Boston, 10th Aug. 1638, and died 1660.) He was graduated at Har. Coll 1712, and ordained at Dover, 18th September, 1717. "March 25th, 1769, the Rev. Jonathan Cushing, senior Pastor of this church departed this life, in the 79th year of his age, and 52nd of his ministry, having sustained the character of a grave and sound preacher, a kind, peaceable, prudent and judicious Pastor, a wise and faithful friend."
             The house where Mr. Cushing lived, on Pine-Hill, was standing in 1810; it stood about 6 rods N.W. of the well on the land now owned by Wm. Osborne.
        Rev. JEREMY BELKNAP, D. D. was the son of Joseph Belknap, and was born in Boston, June 4th, 1744; graduated at Har. College 1762; was ordained colleague with Rev. Mr Cushing February 18, 1767; was dismissed September 11th, 1786; was installed pastor of Federal Street Church in Boston, April 4, 1787; and died of a paralytic affection June 20, 1798. "His history of New Hampshire, which was written in Dover, gained him a high reputation as a historian, and his subsequent publications added to his fame. He was one of the most useful literary men whom New England has produced. He was beloved in life, lamented in death, and his praise is in all the country." His Father and Mother died and were buried in Dover.
             The house where Dr Belknap lived and wrote his history now stands, and is the next house above Dr. Ezra Green’s on Silver Street, and nearly opposite the new jail.
        The next minister was Mr ROBERT GRAY, who was a native of Andover, (south parish) Mass.; graduated at Har. Coll. In 1786; was ordained in Dover, February 28, 1787. His connexion with the Parish was regularly dissolved, May 20, 1805. He was never resettled in the ministry. He died at Wolfborough, N.H. about the year 1817.
        Mr CALEB HAMILTON SHERMAN, the successor of Mr Gray, was a native of Brimfield, Hampden County, Mass. and graduated at Brown University. He was ordained at Dover, May 6, 1807; and his pastoral relation dissolved, by council, May 7, 1812. He left Dover about 1815, and went to Charleston, S.C.; and from thence into the vicinity of Canandaigua, N.Y. where he died a few years since.
        Rev. JOSEPH WARD CLARY, the next minister , was born at Hartford, Washington County, N.Y.; graduated at Middlebury College, about 1808; received his Theological education at Andover, Mass; was ordained pastor of this Church May 7, 1812; and dismissed by mutual council, August 6, 1828. In the autumn of the same year, Mr Clary, was installed over the Cong. Chh. in Cornish, N.H. where he still remains.
        Rev. HUBBARD WINSLOW, the next minister, is the son of Nathaniel Winslow, and was born in Williston, Vermont, October 30, 1799; graduated at Yale College, September 1825; was one year at the Theo. Sem. at Andover, and two years at the Theolog. Institution connected with Yale College; was ordained pastor of this church in the old Meeting house, December 4, 1828; and dismissed by mutual council, Nov. 30, 1831.
             Mr. Winslow was installed over the Bowdoin St. Church in Boston.
             Sept. 26,1832, where he still remains.
        The present minister, the Rev. DAVID ROOT, is a native of Piermont, Grafton County, in this state; was graduated at Middlebury College in 1816; received his Theological education principally under the direction of Dr. N. S.S. Beman, then of Georgia, now of Troy , N.Y. and Dr J. Brown of S. Carolina; laboured as a missionary for some time in Georgia; in 1820, was ordained as pastor of the second Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio; resigned his pastoral charge in 1832; and was installed Pastor of this church and society in the on Wednesday, February 6, 1833.
             The present number of communicants belonging to this church is 220.
             The first meeting house belonging to this Parish was erected in 1633; which was some years before any other was built in this State; it stood a few rods distant, in a northerly direction from the present dwelling house of Thomas Henderson, Esq. on Dover Neck, on the west side of the present travelled road; and "was surrounded by an entrenchment and flankarts," to protect the worshippers from the Indians, the remains of which are still [March, 1833] visible.
             This house was standing in a ruinous state in 1720.
             The second house was probably built about the year 1700, for Mr Sever, who was settled in 1711, and was dismissed in 1715, preached in both houses. This house was sold in pursuance of a vote of the town, passed Nov. 26, 1759; and was taken down in 1760. It stood on Pine-hill; on land now enclosed in the Burying-ground, very near its northern boundary, and a little west of north of the Tomb of the Cushing family.
             The third meeting house was erected in 1758, and dedicated Dec. 13, 1758, and stood where the present house stands. February 16, 1829, the Parish voted to sell the old meeting house. The northern end was taken off, and converted by the purchaser into a dwelling house, and now stands on the east side of Court Street, near the brook. The remainder of the house was taken down in April.
             The fourth and present meeting house was erected in 1829; dedicated December 30, 1829, and cost about $12,000.
             The Parish was incorporated as a Parish, distinct from the Town, by an act of the Provincial Assembly, passed June 11th, 1762.

II. SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.

       The first mention we find of any Quakers, in Dover, in any History, is that in 1662, three travelling sisters were whipt out of town by order of Maj. Waldron. Dr. Belknap remarks in his History of N.H. that the Friends once comprised a third part of the population of the town. Their numbers now are quite respectable.

        The first "Meeting" of Friends in this town was established at Dover Neck, as early as 1680, where their first Meeting House was built prior to the year 1700. It stood about a half a mile north of the one built by the First Parish 200 years ago, and was taken down about the year 1770, and the one now occupied by the Society in this village, was erected at about the same time. Preious to this, however, they had a small house on Silver Street, which was built prior to 1720; for it appears by their records, that in December of that year, they "agreed to repair their house at Cochecho." This house stood where Samuel Watson, jr.’s barn now stands. The present dwelling house of said Watson was then occupied as their business house. At that time, they held meetings at Dover Neck as well as at Cochecho. The first "Monthly Meeting" was set up in 1702, and their Records extend back to that time. The first "Quarterly Meeting" was established in 1708.

        III. THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AND SOCIETY.

      The above Church was formed A.D. 1824—Their house was built in 1824-5, and dedicated April 28, 1825. It was enlarged June, 1831, by the addition 16 ½ feet in length. It cost, including the enlargement, about $4000. The Society was incorporated Jan. 20, 1827. Number of communicants 360—

        Their ministers have been as follows:--
        Rev. Jotham Horton, from June 1824, to June 1825
        " John N. Maffitt, " " 1825, " " 1827
        " Benj. R. Hoyt, " " 1827 " " 1829
        " Barthol’w Otheman, " " 1829 " " 1830
        " John G. Dow, " " 1830, August. 1832
        " Reuben H. Deming, " Aug. 1832, present minister.

IV. THE FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF DOVER AND SOMERSWORTH.

        This society was organized March 23, 1825, on which occasion Jonathan Locke, Esq. was Chariman, and J. H. Curtis, Clerk. Hiram Rollins, N. W. Ela, Joseph Badger, and John Moore, were also prominent members. This society have no Meeting House, but worship occasionally in the Court House. Their number is respectable.

    FREE-WILL BAPSTIST CHURCH.

    This Church was gathered by Elder Enoch Place of Strafford, September 15,1826. Their house, situated on Chesnut Street, near Brick Street, was built in 1831-2, and dedicated May 20, 1832; cost $2,500. Number of communicants 130.
         Elder Nath’l Thurston is their minister.

    THE FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY OF CHRISTIANS IN DOVER, OR SECOND CONGREGATIONALIST. 

       The first meeting for forming this Society was holden Aug. 28, 1827; the Society was organized on the 4th September following. The first meeting for public worship was holden at the Court House, November 4, of the same year, when Rev. Henry Ware, jr then Pastor of the New Brick Church, Hanover Street, Boston, and now Professor of Pulpit Eloquence in Cambridge Divinity School, officiated. The house was built of brick, 70 by 83 feet, in the year 1828, situated on Church Street, opposite head of Kirkland Street; and cost $12,000. It was dedicated, and Rev. Samuel Kirkland Lothrop ordained, February 17, 1829. The Dedicatory services were performed by Rev. Dr Nichols, of Portland, and Ordination Sermon by Rev. Dr Parker of Portsmouth. The Church was gathered the evening previous. Number of communicants 50.

         Mr LOTHROP was born in Utica, N.Y. October 13, 1804; was graduated at Harvard College in 1825; received his Theological education at the Theological School, at Cambridge, and was approbated for the ministry August, 1828. He is the present Pastor of the Church and Society.

    THE FIRST REGULAR BAPTIST SOCIETY IN DOVER.

    This Society was formed in the winter of 1827; the Church was gathered April 23, 1828. Their house, situated on Franklin Street, corner of Fourth Street, was built in 1829, and dedicated October 26, of the same year. Rev. Elijah Foster was installed at the same time, as their Pastor; he continued as such till December 1830. Rev. Noah Hooper was settled December 15, 1832, and is the present pastor. The house cost $4,000. Number of communicants 57.

    ST. ALEYSIUS CHURCH

        The first public service of the Catholics in Dover was performed at the Court House by Rev. Henry Barber, in the winter of 1826-7. The foundation stone of their Church at the corner of Chestnut and Third Streets, was laid by Rev. Charles French, May 17, 1828; the house was dedicated September 26, 1830, and cost $2,800. It was commenced with only 24 subscribers. Rev. Charles French of Portland, ministers here about one third of the year.

NEWSPAPERS.

The following is a list of the Newspapers that have been published in this town, with the dates of the first and last Numbers of each so far as can be ascertained; with the names of the publishers; --

    Political Repository & Strafford Recorder
    From July 15, 1790, to Jan 19, 1792, by Eliphalet Ladd.
    The Phenix
    From Jan. 1792 to Aug, 29 1795, by E. Ladd.
    The Sun, Dover Gazette & Strafford Advertiser
    From Sept. 5, 1795 to Dec. 1810, by Samuel Bragg, jr.,
    From 1811 to 1812 by Sam’l Bragg, sen.
    Dover Sun
    From July 4, 1812 to Aug 18, 1818 by John Mann.
    Strafford Register
    N.H. Republican, Jan 8, 1823 to Oct. 14, 1823, C.W. Cutter.
    Aug. 25, 1818 to Dec. 17, 1822, do.
    Do. Oct. 21, 1823 to Oct. 30, 1829, John Mann.
    Dover Gazzette, & c.
    Dec. 14, 1825 to June 5, 1827, Jas. Dickman.
    Do. June 12, 1827 to July 6, 1830, Gibbs & Turner.
    Do. July 13, 1830, now published by John T. Gibbs.
    Strafford Inquirer
    Feb. 26, 1828 to July 29, 1828, S.C. Stevens.
    Dover Enquirer, Aug. 5, 1828 to Nov. 25, 1828, G.W. Ela & Co.
    Do. Dec. 2, 1828 to Jan. 4 1831, Geo. W.Ela
    Do. Jan. 11,1831 to May 17, 1831, Ela & Wadleigh.
    Do. May 24, 1831, now published by Geo. Wadleigh.
    N.H. Chronicle
    June 5, 1830 to March 17, 1832, C.C.P. Moody.
    N.H. Palladium, Sept. 7, 1830 to Aug. 28, 1832, Jos. Turner
    11. Unitarian Monitor, April 29, 1831, now published J. Mann

POPULATION

The following table exhibits at one view the census of Dover, for a number of years, with the increase between each;

Year
    

Number of inhabitants

1767
    

1614

1775
    

1666

1790
    

1998

1800
    

2062

1810
    

2228

1820
    

2871

1830
    

5449

By the above it appears that from 1667 to 1820, a period of 53 years, the whole increase of the town was only 1057; and that from 1820 to 1830, a period of only 10 years, it was 2578, (or about 90%) which is more than double of that for the preceding 53 years. This great increase was principally owing to the establishment of manufactories, which has also been the means of increasing the wealth of the town in an equal ratio.

LONGEVITY. 

There have been many instances of longevity in this town, but I have collected only such as were of ninety years:--

Howard Henderson died A.D. 1772 AE. 100
Mrs (John) Horn Feb. 22, 1776 92
Widow Titcomb March 23, 1787 94
Mercy Hanson Nov. 4, 1790 91
Wid. Mary Varney 1790 91
Mrs Stagpole Sept. 24, 1792 101
Wid. Sarah Clements 1794 98
Widow Ham January, 1797 98
Mrs Sarah Wingate March 4, 1800 97
Sarah Hanson Aug. 17, 1800 92
Widow Horn October 12, 1815 95
Paul Pinkham March 16, 1819 91
Wid. Molly Cromwell 1819 94
Benjamin Libbey 1821 91
Wid. Dorothy Berry 1825 93
Wid. Anne Kimblall 1825 90
Capt. James Guppy March 5, 1825 93
Wid. Judith Gage January 6, 1827 97
Wid. Abigail Horn April 5, 1829 99 ¾
Wid. (Benj.) Libbey October 30, 1830 95

There is now living in this village, Wid. ABIGAIL BROWN, (in the family of William Gray, her son-in-law) who was born in Madbury, (then Dover,) March 27, 1731, O.S. and is therefore one hundred and two years of age. She enjoys pretty good health, and possesses the faculties of seeing, hearing and memory as well as most persons of 40 years. Her maiden name was Willey.

There is also living in town, about half a mile west of the Factories, Miss DEBORAH COFFIN, in her 95th year, who also enjoys pretty good health. She was born near where the Widow Bickford house now stands, on the high bank near W. & F. Williams’ store, August 31, 1738, O. S. She is a great-grand-daughter of Lieut, Peter Coffin, a contemporary of old Maj. Waldron, whose garrison houses were burnt by the Indians and the latter person killed, June 28, 1689. She has always lived on the land owned by, or inherited from her ancestors, which has never been out of the Coffin name.

STATISTICAL.

There are several Falls in the Cochecho river, the principal of which are those bearing the name of the river, at the head of boat navigation, 12 miles from Portsmouth, and 6 from Dover Point. They are 34 feet high, and afford water power for three large Cotton Factories, several shops and other machinery connected with the manufacture of cotton cloth, and printing of calico. Here was erected, in 1821, a Nail Factory, in which 1000 tons of Iron was rolled, and 700 ton manufactured into nail annually; but the business becoming unprofitable, was abandoned in 1826, and the building used for other purposes.

The "Dover Cotton Factory" was incorporated December 15, 1812, with a capital of $50,000, which was enlarged June 21, 1821, to $500,000; and again enlarged June 17, 1823, to $1,000,000, and the name was changed to the "Dover Manufacturing Company"; the capital was again enlarged June 20, 1826 to $1,500,000. The "Cocheco Manufacturing Company" was incorporated June 27, 1827, with a capital of $1,5000,000, who purchased the Dover Manufacturing Co. December 1, 1829, all their works and personal property, and the business of manufacturing was continued without interruption.

They have four cotton factories, three in the village at the Cocheco Falls, and one on the same stream two miles above, which is styled "No. ONE," and was built of wood in 1815, in the form of an L; the main building is 80 by 33 feet, the projection 55 by 30 feet, and is four stories high including the attic. It is now rented by John Williams, Esq. who repaired the building and machinery in 1831. It contains 2500 spindles and 100 looms, and employs 100 females and 30 men and boys. They consume 250,000 lbs. of cotton per annum, and turn out 20,000 yds. Of cotton shirting, No. 14, per week, or one million yards per year.

There are about 300 inhabitants at this place, the greater part of whom are employed in the Factory, or shops and boarding houses connected therewith. This little village has recently received the name of Williamsville, in compliment to the lessee of the Factory who has devoted many years to the manufacturing business.

The three large Cotton Factories at the Cocheco Falls in the village or compact part of the town, are of brick, and were erected and contain as follows:--

"No. Two,: built in 1822, is 154 by 43 feet, 4 stories high, and contains 4096 Spindles and 216 Looms.

"No. Three," built in 1823, is of the same dimensions as the above, 5 stories high, and contains 8448 Spindles and 248 Looms.

"No. Four," built in 1825, is 167, by 45 feet on the water or east side, and 110 by 45 on the street or south side, (forming a right angle,) 6 stories high, and contains 11,776 Spindles and 312 Looms

TOTAL number of Spindles, 24,320; Do. Looms, 776.

"No. FIVE" is used for the Calico business, and was built at the same time and in connection with No. 4, and is also covered by the same roof. It is 145 by 45 feet. The whole length of Nos. 4 and 5, including the wing of No. 4, is 422 feet. There are several other large buildings, including a bleachery, machine shops, &c. which I had not thought advisable, in this little sketch, to describe.

The principal manufacture is fine cotton cloth, No. 40, for calicoes, which are bleached and printed on the spot. No. 18, sheeting and No. 30, shirting also are made. The number of people employed in these three cotton mills, machine shops and calico printing establishments, is 800 females and 300 men and boys.

These mills consume about 2600 Bales of Cotton, and turn out four and a half millions yards of cloth annually, or about 15,000 yards daily. The calico works make into fine Prints and Dyed Goods, (coloured Cambrics) 2500 pieces of 28 yards each, or 70,000 yards per week. The following articles, with many others not here specified, were used by this establishment in one year:--

Cash paid for wages, $168,616 00
Pine Wood, produced in N.H. 3940 cords, 11,820 00
Hard Wood " " 685 cords, 2,740 00
Coal " " Penn. 1000 Tons, 7,500 00
Charcoal " " N.H. 3000 Bushels, 270 00
Cow Manure " " " 39565 Bushels, 3056 50
Oil " " Mass. 8349 Galls., 5954 98
Flour " " N.Y. & Md. 548 Blbs., 2659 00
Amount paid for Freight, 13,000 00

In addition to the above, were large quantities of the following:-- Potatoe-Starch, Corn, Hay, Pot and Pearl Ashes, Lumber, Bricks, Linseed Oil, Iron Castings, Tallow, Soap and Hair, the manufacture of produce of New Hampshire; Oil of Vitriol, Sugar of Lead, Alum, Pyroligneous Acid, Leather, Bi Chromatic Potash, Oxalic Acid, British Gum, Paints, Brown Liquor, Spirits of Turpentine, and Machine Cards, from Mass.; Quercitron Bark, from Penn.; Bleaching Powders, from N.Y. and Mass.; Wheat Bran, from N.Y.; Copperas, from Vt.; Pipe Clay, from R.I.; Fire Bricks from Md.; Machine Blankets and Lime, from Maine; Tar, from N.C.; Cotton, from S.C. and La.; Logwood, Peachwood, Brazil wood and Dry hides, from S. America; Sumac, from Italy; Persian Berries, from Turkey; Safflower, Indigo, and Gum Arabic, from East Indies; Iron from Penn. Eng. Sweden, and Russia;-- Steel, Slates, Sieve cloth, Bock cloth, Steel Doctors, Composition Do. Copper Rollers, Emery and Brown Salts, from England; Gum Senegal, from Africa; Madder, from Holland and France, &c. &c.

There are in this town, exclusive of the works of the Cocheco Manufacturing Company, as follows: __

1. Court House, 1 Jail, 1 Academy, 7 Meeting Houses, 7 Taverns, 9 School Houses, 2 Banks, 3 Printing Offices, 45 E. and W.I. Goods Stores, 12 Provision and Retail Groceries, 5 Apothecaries, 2 Hard Ware Stores, 1 Crockery and Glass Ware Store, 2 Hat Stores, 1 Clothes and Drapery Store, 3 Bookstores, 2 Bookbinderies, 2 Circulating Libraries, 2 Social Libraries, 13 Shoe Stores and Manufactories, 5 Tanneries, 4 Saddle and Harness makers, 1 Carriage and Harness Manufactory, 1 Distillery, 3 Tin Ware Manufactories, 1 Iron Foundery, 8 Blacksmith shops, 2 Cabinet Warehouses, 2 Bake Houses, 1 Tallow Chandlery, 1 Flannel Manufactory, 4 Carding Machines, 5 Fulling Mills, 3 Saw Mills, 4 Grist Mills, 7 Tailor shops, 2 Slaughter Houses, 2 Reed Manufactories.

Sketch of Dover, N.H. ; Topographical, Historical, Ecclesiastical, Statistical, & c. 
From the earliest period to the present time. Compiled from authentic documents and oral testimony by S.C. Stevens. Published by Samuel C. Stevens 1833.