This is a transcription of the Nelson, 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.
NELSON
CHESHIRE CO. This town is situated on the height of land between Connecticut and Merrimac Rivers. The surface is hilly, but good for grazing. In the south part, a branch of the Ashuelot River rises; and from Long Pond, in this town, and Hancock, issues a branch of Contoocook River. The best mill privileges are furnished by streams issuing from ponds in this town, of which there are four, containing a surface of 1,800 acres. The inhabitants are principally farmers, of industrious habits.
Boundaries. Stoddard is on the north, Antrim on the east, Dublin on the south, Roxbury and Sullivan on the west.
First Settlers. Breed Batchelder and Dr. Nathaniel Breed, in 1767.
First Ministers. Rev. Jacob Foster, installed in 1781; dismissed in 1791.
Productions of the Soil. Indian corn, 1,550 bushels; potatoes, 31,741 bushels; hay, 2,207 tons; wool, 12,258 lbs.; maple sugar, 5,227 pounds.
Distances. Forty miles south-west from Concord, and eight north-east from Keene.