Alstead, New Hampshire, USA (Center, East) (Mill Hollow)
1886 - Alstead

ALSTEAD, with an area of 24,756 acres, lies in the extreme northern part of the county, in 43° 6′ of north latitude, and longitude 4° 48′ east from Washington,* bounded north by Sullivan county, east by Marlow, south by Gilsum and Surry, and west by Walpole and a part of Sullivan county. The territory now lying within its limits was originally granted by Gov. Benning Wentworth, probably in 1761. He at that time granted charters for seventy-eight townships, lying on both sides of the Connecticut, principally for the purpose of establishing a claim to the territory in the then unsettled certainty of the colony’s western boundary line, and among them was, undoubtedly, this township. The new town was given a name evolved from its own infantile state, namely, ” New Town.” These words, however, from first being wedded by a hyphen, in course of time, with clipped edges, coalesced into plain ” Newton.” But, neither as ” New Town,” ” New-town” or “Newton,” did, the infant exist long enough to awake to self-consciousness; for the proprietors failed to comply with the requirements of their charter deed, hence lost all title to the land-thus perished the infant.

On the 6th of August, 1763, Governor Wentworth issued a charter, granting the present Alstead to Samuel Chase and seventy associates...

The surface of the town is irregular and broken, though no mountains are found within the limits. Prentice hill, located near the center, is said to be the highest point. Warren brook and Cold river are the principal streams, though there are a number of minor importance, among them several branches of the Ashuelot, which have their sources here. There are also a number of natural ponds, Warren and Caldwell being the largest, the former lying in the eastern and the latter in the southern part. Warren pond, the largest in the town, is very irregular in outline, covering an area of about 500 acres. Iris well supplied with the common species of fish, is quite free from obstructions and affords fine boating facilities. It is well supplied with pleasure crafts, including a steam yacht. Warren brook, the outlet of the pond, flows a northwesterly course, through a deep and narrow valley, until it unites with Cold river, which flows a southwesterly course, through a similar valley, into Langdon. Among the small ponds in the southern part of the town, two are noted for the great quantities of white pond lilies they afford. The valuable mica mine of S. A. Mitchel, on road 47, was opened by Joseph Bowers, of Acworth, about 1834, and was afterward carried on by his son, Joseph S., until 1876, when Mr. Mitchel became a partner, and since 1879 has been sole owner. He employs five men. A valuable mica mine in the southeastern part of the town was opened in August, 1884, by James Davis. The mica in both mines is said to be of a superior quality. Four hands are engaged by Mr. Davis in mining the article.

In 1880 Alstead had a population of 1,037 souls, and in 1884 it had thirteen school districts and fourteen public schools, two of which were graded. There were 218 pupils attending public school, taught by two male and seventeen female teachers, the former receiving an average monthly salary of $31.00, and the latter $20.44. The fourteen school-houses, including furniture, etc. were valued at $5,000.00. The whole amount raised for school purposes during the year was $2,657.66, while the total amount expended was $2,387.50, with E. M. Smith superintendent...

Hurd, Duane Hamilton. History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, 1886

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