This is a transcription of the Gilsum, NH description from 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.
GILSUM
CHESHIRE CO. This is a small township situated about ten miles east from the Connecticut. The soil is, in many parts, fertile, and produces good crops of grass and grain. Ashuelot River runs through this town and affords a good water power.
Gilsum was granted to Messrs. Gilbert, Sumner, and others. From the combination of the first syllables of the names of these men, it derives the name of Gil-som.
Boundaries. East by Stoddard and Sullivan, south by Keene, west by Surry, and north by Alstead and Marlow.
First Settlers. Josiah Kilburn, Pelatiah Pease, Obadiah Wilcox, Ebenezer Dewey, and Jonathan Adams, in 1764.
First Ministers. Rev. Elisha Fish, installed in 1794; died in 1807.
Productions of Soil. Indian corn, 2,288 bushels; potatoes, 15,858 bushels; hay, 1,237 tons; wool, 3,662 lbs.; maple sugar, 15,835 pounds.
Distances. Fifty miles southwest by west from Concord, and about nine north from Keene.