This is a transcription of the Jaffrey, 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.
JAFFREY
CHESHIRE CO. The Grand Monadnock is situated in the north-west part of this town and in Dublin. Innumerable streams of water issue from the Mountain. Those which issue from the western side discharge themselves into the Connecticut River; those from the eastern form the head waters of Contoocook River. The largest stream rises about one hundred rods from the summit, and descends in a south-east direction. With this brook, the thirsty and fatigued visitors of the mountain associate the most pleasing recollections. The uneven soil of Jaffrey, affording numerous meadows, and rich pastures, is peculiarly adapted to raising cattle.
There are several ponds in Jaffrey. Out of three of which issue streams sufficient to carry mills erected near their outlets. In the largest, which is 400 rods long, and 140 wide, is an island comprising about ten acres.
About one and a half miles southeast from the mountain is the “Monadnock mineral spring.” The spring is slightly impregnated with carbonate of iron and sulphate of soda. It preserves so uniform a temperature as never to have been known to freeze. Where the spring issues from the earth, yellow ochre is thrown out.
Jaffrey received its name from George Jaffrey, Esq., of Portsmouth, one of the original proprietors.
Boundaries. North by Dublin, east by Peterborough and Sharon, south by Rindge and Fitzwilliam, and west by Troy and Marlborough.
First Settlers. Mr. Grout and John Davison, in 1758.
First Ministers. Rev. Laban Ainsworth, settled 1778; dismissed in 1782. Rev. Giles Lyman, settled in 1832.
Productions of the Soil. Indian corn, 5,037 bushels; potatoes, 47,184 bushels; hay, 3,014 tons; wool, 6,168 lbs.; maple sugar, 7,492 pounds.
Distances. Forty-six miles southwest by south from Concord, and about fifteen miles south-east from Keene.