This is a transcription of the Surrey, NH description from New Hampshire As It Is by Edwin A. Charlton; Part II: A Gazetteer of New Hampshire by George Ticknor, Tracy and Sanford Publishers, Claremont, N. H., 1855.
SURREY
SURREY, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Walpole and Alstead, east by Gilsum, south by Keene, and west by Westmoreland and Walpole. Area, 12,212 acres. Distance from Concord, 52 miles, southwest; from Keene, 6, north-west. This town is watered by Ashuelot River, along which there is a valuable tract of interval extending nearly the whole length of the town from north to south. On the east side of the river is a steep mountain of considerable height, upon the top of which is a pond of water, three acres in extent and about 25 feet deep.
Surrey was originally a part of Gilsum and Westmoreland. It was incorporated March 9, 1769. The first settlement was made in 1764, by Peter Heyward. He began clearing land and cultivating it in the summer preceding, making his home at the fort in Keene. He was accustomed to go to his farm in the morning, and return to the fort at night, guarded only by his dog and gun, though the savages were at that time lurking in the woods. A Congregational church was organized June 12, 1769. There are two meeting houses in this town, but there is no regular preaching in either. There are four common schools, two sawmills, one gristmill, two hotels, and one store.
Population, 556.
Number of legal voters in 1854, 117.
Inventory, $179,201.
Value of lands, $93,633.
Do. mills, $900.
Stock in trade, $950.
Money at interest, $15,200.
Number of sheep, 2130.
Do. neat stock, 493.
Do. horses, 95.