This is a transcription of the Fitzwilliam, 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.
FITZWILLIAM
FITZWILLIAM, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Troy and Jaffrey, east by Rindge, south by Royalston and Winchendon, Massachusetts, and west by Richmond. Area, 22,700 acres. Distance from Concord, 60 miles; south west; from Keene, 13, south-east. It originally contained 26,900 acres, but by an act of the legislature, June 23, 1815, 4200 acres were taken from it, and now form a part of Troy. Camp and Priest Brooks are the principal streams. There are several small ponds. The surface is hilly; the soil is hard, but very good for grazing. There is a considerable quantity of meadow land, which is very productive. Near the centre of the town is a considerable eminence, remarkable for the delightful prospect it affords. Gap Mountain lies partly in this town and partly in Troy. On its summit is found an excellent kind of whetstone. There is also a quarry of granite of superior quality, which is extensively wrought. The manufacture of wooden ware of various kinds is a large item in the industrial pursuits of the inhabitants. There are eleven different establishments in which this kind of labor is performed. There are also one carriage shop, one tannery, and a factory where enamelled leather is made. In these various departments 250 persons are employed. There are four stores, one hotel, twelve common schools, one Unitarian church, one Congregational, and one Baptist.
This town was originally called Monadnock Number Four, and was granted, January 15, 1752, to Roland Cotton and 41 others; but, the grantees having suffered forfeiture, it was regranted to Samson Stoddard and 22 others. The first settlement was made in 1760, by James Read, John Fassitt, Benjamin Bigelow and others. It was incorporated May 19, 1773, when it was named in honor of the Earl of Fitzwilliam.
The Congregational church was formed March 27, 1771, when the Rev. Benjamin Brigham was ordained. In 1816 an elegant church was erected at an expense of $7000. On the night of January 17, 1817, it was struck by lightning, and entirely consumed. The Cheshire Railroad passes through this town.
Population, 1482.
Number of legal voters in 1854, 300.
Inventory, $468,637.
Value of lands, $283,675.
Stock in trade, $19,530.
Number of sheep, 297.
Do. neat stock, 1093.
Do. horses and mules, 232.