This is a transcription of the Chesterfield, 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.
CHESTERFIELD
CHESTERFIELD, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Westmoreland and Keene, east by Keene and Swanzey, south by Winchester and Hinsdale, and west by Brattleborough and Dummerston, Vermont. Area, 29,437 acres. 62 miles south-west from Concord, and 11 south-west from Keene, with which it is connected by railroad. This town is mostly upland, well adapted for grazing and most of the cereal grains. Few towns on Connecticut River have so little interval. Although its western border is washed by this river for a distance of six miles, nearly all this space is occupied by hills which rise up from the river side. Spafford’s Lake, in the northern part of the town, is indeed a charming sheet of water. It is about 10 miles in circumference, covers a surface of about 600 acres, and is fed by springs in its bosom. Its waters are remarkably clear and pure, its bed consisting of a white sand. In this lake is an island containing about six acres, a favorite resort of the students of the Academy in this town as well as others. On its easterly side a stream issues forth, of sufficient size to carry the machinery of a cotton mill, employing 20 hands; two bit and auger factories, employing the same number; a peg manufactory, a large tannery, several saw mills, grist mills, and other works.
West River Mountain (Wantastiquel) lies partly in this town and partly in Hinsdale. It bears strong marks of having once been subject to volcanic eruption. Near what is supposed to have been the crater, lava is now to be found in considerable quantities. It is said, by those who live near the mountain, that a trembling motion is often felt and a deep rumbling is heard in its bowels. During the early period of the settlement of the town, the inhabitants, having discovered the crater, and believing that it led to a silver mine, procured a lease of it. By the terms of the lease, the lessees were required to dig at least three days in each year. For a long time this condition was faithfully observed; and in the progress of labor an excavation was made, following the course of the crater downwards about 100 feet, principally through a solid rock.
At the centre of the town is a pleasant village. Here is located the Academy, which was opened in 1794, and for many years was the only academy in Cheshire county. Its advantages are good, and the course of instruction pursued has hitherto met with general approbation.
Chesterfield was granted, February 11, 1752, to 12 persons of the name of Willard, and 52 others. The first settlement was made, November 25, 1761, by Moses Smith and William Thomas, who, with their families, sailed up the Connecticut River in a canoe, and made their first “pitch” on the banks of the river. Their chief subsistence for some time consisted of shad and salmon, of which there was a great abundance in the river, and deer, which were numerous in the forest. The first religious society formed in town was Congregational, in 1771. Rev. Abraham Wood was ordained December 13, 1772. A Baptist society was incorporated here in 1819, and a Universalist society in 1818. Mrs. Hannah Bayley died in this town in November, 1822, aged 104 years and 3 months.
Population, 1680.
Number of polls, 429.
Amount of inventory, $487,596.
Value of lands, improved and unimproved, $379,400.
Number of sheep, 683.
Do. neat stock, 1935.
Do. horses, 255.
Amount of shares in corporations, money at interest, &c., $50,940.