Page:A topographical and historical sketch of the town of Andover, in the county of Hillsborough, and state of New Hampshire.djvu/9



, a post-town In the county of Hillsborough, is situated in latitude 43° 27′ north, and is bounded on the north by New-Chester, east by the Pemigewasset river, a branch of the Merrimack, which separates the town from Sandbornton; south by Salisbury, and west by Wilmot—in length about ten miles from east to west; its average width four miles from north to south—containing 29,883 acres, or nearly forty-six square miles.

Pemigewasset river, which forms the eastern boundary, is a rapid stream, subject to sudden swells from the numerous brooks and rivulets which wind round almost every hill in the vicinity. This river rises on the south-westerly sides of the White Mountains, and running a southerly course passes through Lincoln, Peeling, Thornton and Campton, and by Holderness, Plymouth, Bristol, New-Chester and Andover, uniting with the Winnepissiogee about two miles below Andover. The two rivers united form the Merrimack. The Pemigewasset is fordable at several places near Andover in summer, and even when the waters are high, the fishermen can sometimes cross on the rocks jutting out near the falls. Salmon, and a variety of other excellent fish, are annually caught here, though in less quantities than formerly. Blackwater river, one of the tributary branches of the Contoocook, is formed by two small streams, one of which rises in Danbury, and the other issues from Pleasant pond in New-London. These branches unite soon after crossing the westerly