This is a transcription of the Hinsdale, 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.
HINSDALE
HINSDALE, Cheshire county. Bounded north by Chesterfield, east by Winchester, south by Northfield, Massachusetts, and west by Vernon, Vermont. Area, 14,000 acres. Distance from Concord, 75 miles, south-west; from Keene, 15, south-west. It is well watered with numerous springs and streamlets. Connecticut River laves its western border for a distance of nine and a half miles. The Ashuelot River passes through the principal village, and discharges into the Connecticut a short distance below the great bend called Cooper’s Point. There are numerous excellent water privileges on the Ashuelot. There are several islands in the Connecticut belonging to this town. On the north line of the town is West River Mountain, which extends from the bank of the Connecticut, in an easterly direction, across the entire width of the town. The highest peak is called Mine Mountain, and is about 900 feet above low-water mark. In several localities about this mountain are found iron ore, beds of silicate of manganese, and other minerals. Several years since there were signs of a volcanic eruption in this mountain, attended by a discharge of a molten substance resembling lava. The intervals here are extensive and fertile. Stebbin’s Hill is a large swell of land, under high cultivation. Between the intervals and hills is a large tract of table land, well adapted to the growth of corn and rye.
On the point of a hill not far from Connecticut River are still to be seen remains of an Indian fortification. Tradition, only, gives any account, and that uncertain, of this ancient structure. This region was evidently a favorite resort of the sons of the forest. In its early period this town was subjected to the dangers, privations, and depredations of Indian wars. The settlers were protected by Fort Dummer, Hinsdale’s Fort, Shattuck’s Fort, and Bridgman’s Fort; but, notwithstanding, they were ineffectually shielded from the hostile incursions of the savages. On the 24th of June, 1746, a party of twenty Indians suddenly appeared before the last-mentioned fort, and attacked with great fury a number of men who were at work in a meadow. Three persons were killed, two were wounded, and two were taken prisoners. One of the captives, Daniel How, in the struggle killed one of the Indians. In 1747 they destroyed Bridgman’s Fort, killed several persons, and captured others. In October of the same year one Jonathan Sawtell was taken prisoner. On the 3d of July they made an attack upon a gristmill, whither Colonel Willard with a guard of twenty men, had gone for the purpose of grinding corn. Soon after he had stationed his guards the enemy commenced firing. The colonel gave such loud and repeated orders to make preparations for an onset upon the Indians, besides placing several old hats upon sticks, and raising them, as if platforms being erected for firing within the yard, that they fed with great precipitation leaving behind their packs and provisions. June 16, 1748 while crossing from Colonel Hinsdale’s to Fort Dummer three persons-Nathan French, Joseph Richardson, and John Frost-were killed, and seven others were captured, one of whom soon afterwards died of his wounds. In 1755 they attacked a party at work in the woods, killed two persons, and took Jonathan Colby prisoner. In July of the same year they killed in ambush Caleb Howe, Hilkiah Grout, and Benjamin Gaffield, as they were returning from labor in the field.
The Congregational church was organized here in 1763. The Baptist church was formed in 1808. There are at this time two churches, in addition to those already mentioned–namely, one Methodist and one Universalist.
There are also two hotels, four stores, with an aggregate capital of $12,200; two woollen factories, both of which manufacture cashmeretts, one employing 45 hands, with a capital of $50,000, the other employing 17 hands, with a capital of $20,000; two machine shops, with an aggregate capital of $22,000; number of hands employed in both, 23; one paper mill, capital, $20,000, number of hands employed, 12; one foundery, capital, $4000, number of hands employed, 5; one tannery, capital, $8000, number of hands, 5; one edge tool manufactory, capital, $10,000, number of hands, 15; one bobbin and spool factory, capital, $5000, number of hands, 9; one pail factory, capital, $6000, number of hands, 10; one door, sash, and blind factory, capital, $6000, number of hands, 10.
Population, 1903.
Number of legal voters in 1854, 292.
Inventory, $432,202.
Value of lands, $263,587.
Stock in trade, $14,500.
Number of sheep, 289.
Do. neat stock, 671.
Do. horses and mules, 155.